Last Sunday, our team gathered for our weekly meeting. We started off the night by eating some good homemade Korean food prepared by Lisa! Thanks Lisa! The food was really good. I made sure I had seconds.
After our meal we gathered together to discuss The Hole in the Gospel. This week Tyler led our discussion. He did a really good job. And he prepared worksheets for everybody. Tyler's a student teacher so it was great to see him using his abilities.
During our discussion one of the things we talked about was taking ownership of human suffering around the world. We discussed how we are called to help those who cannot help themselves. Since we have the awareness, access, and ability to do so we have no excuses. I am so glad and privileged that my teammates have willing hearts to go serve God's people. What a privilege and blessing it is to be able to serve with unity of mind, heart, and soul!
One of our prayers during the meeting was that God would break our hearts for what broke His. We realize that we need to see the world the way God sees it - with love and compassion, not self-righteously or judgmentally. We are constantly striving to take the attitude of "what can we do to participate in what God's already doing in South Africa" rather than "what can we do to fix the problems and save the South Africans."
We closed our night by singing the worship song "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. We were going to just read the lyrics but Jen was bold and led us in an acapella. It was awesome! If you're not familiar with the song, please check it out on YouTube and be blessed!
Before I end this blog, I want to talk about our leader Danielle. I am really grateful that she is our leader for the mission trip. She has been to South Africa multiple times and so she knows what she's doing! She always looks out for members of the team and makes sure we are keeping up to date with our tasks. She also has a pretty cool southern accent! But the thing I admire most about Danielle is her heart for the South African people. I look forward to spending more time with her and my other teammates over the next few months!
Commissioning Sunday is June 6th! The South Africa TreX team is scheduled to leave in early August. However, other mission teams will be leaving at earlier times. June 6th is the official send-off for all Newsong TreX teams. Please come and support us at Newsong Church!
http://irvine.newsong.net/about-us/meeting-times-locations/
The mission teams will be at all 3 services (9am, 10:30am, and 11:49am).
Hope to see you there!
Much love,
Peter Ahn
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Last weekend, we had our missions retreat in Crestline at Thousand Pines retreat center. It is such a quiet and serene spot in the mountains. All of the teams joined together from all NewSong sites. This year’s theme was “KNOW LOSS KNOW LIFE” based on Luke 9:24 which says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” I love this verse and how it embodies missions and what happens after. The message version says it this way: “Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?”
Retreat is my favorite part of the preparation process because you meet different people whose hearts are bound by the same tie of servitude, and also for the reason that this is the time when the team usually bonds the most. At this time, the “technical” stuff (airline tickets purchased, dates set, etc.) is usually out of the way and the team can breathe a little easier and just spend time getting to know one another. I enjoyed watching my team bond and slowly begin to take responsibility for and care for one another.
I think my team will do great things in South Africa and I can’t wait to see how their hearts are broken and forever changed by this experience. Because I’m so familiar with the “lay of the land” I rely on the fresh eyes to take me back to my first time and to show me how much I’ve grown since that time. My eyes there are so different now as I see beyond a superficial “intro” layer.
On Friday night of the retreat, I looked around at my team, and I was excited. I had this overwhelming feeling of pride—both my own and God’s. I felt like God was smiling at them and giving them a round of applause for their courage to step out this year, turning faith into action, and “go.”
These are things I love about my team already listed by person:
Tyler – Tyler is the “all American boy” to me—well rounded, athletic, kind, just a nice guy. He’ll be helping to lead the men’s group. He has a missions past and has many leadership skills. He’s always the first to volunteer and is very energetic. We may lose him on the trip….well, maybe we’ll find him but I bet it will be under a massive pile of little children who I know are going to flock to him! This guy will soon be leading teams again—maybe to South Africa next year?
Jenn — Jenn is quiet at first but her strength is evident in the quiet. Silence is always comfortable. She is that person that you feel that you have known for a while even though you just met her. She’ll be helping out with leading the women’s group with me.
Elliott – Elliott is quiet at first so he’s a little bit of a mystery but everyone can tell what a big heart he has in there. He is very talented and loves music. He plays on the worship team at NewSong (guitar). He is going to be a huge piece that completes our puzzle on this trip. He is very easy going in conversation and I think he is going to really show his strengths on this trip.
Peter – Peter has the most gentle spirit of anyone I’ve met in a while! He is so kind. Although he is gentle-natured, there is a spiritual strength there that I know we will all rely on during the trip. I know he will continually grow, and I know this trip will be a huge platform for that growth. Watch out for this guy in the next few years!
Susan – Susan is so easy going. She is the one who gets along with everyone and will be the one to rally the team when we are all tired and half asleep. I love her spirit. Susan will be up for any challenge presented! This personality is much needed on a team, and we will appreciate her encouragement carrying us through difficult times.
Lisa – Lisa seems to be a caretaker. There were many occasions on the retreat in which she tended to the team. She is very calm and easy going. Lisa is taking a leap of faith on this trip, and I know her faith will be reassured before the trip and rewarded on the trip.
Janet – Janet has spunk! Janet came later to the team but jumped in at 100% with an attitude of “I’ll do whatever I need to do!” She is getting married in October but never lets the stress that she must have with planning 2 big events show. She exudes a positive energy that is contagious.
Dianne – Dianne is our social one. She blends easily into groups and is so easy to engage in conversation. She would be the first person to break the ice in conversation and connect the group. She likes to have fun and will be an asset with planning fun events to further bind the team.
Team, you rock! I can’t wait to share this experience with you!
Team pictured:
Bottom (L to R): Jennifer Hananouchi, Danielle, Peter Ahn, Lisa An, Dianne McAlexander
Top (L to R): Janet Susan Chong, Elliott Kim, Tyler Ternes
Retreat is my favorite part of the preparation process because you meet different people whose hearts are bound by the same tie of servitude, and also for the reason that this is the time when the team usually bonds the most. At this time, the “technical” stuff (airline tickets purchased, dates set, etc.) is usually out of the way and the team can breathe a little easier and just spend time getting to know one another. I enjoyed watching my team bond and slowly begin to take responsibility for and care for one another.
I think my team will do great things in South Africa and I can’t wait to see how their hearts are broken and forever changed by this experience. Because I’m so familiar with the “lay of the land” I rely on the fresh eyes to take me back to my first time and to show me how much I’ve grown since that time. My eyes there are so different now as I see beyond a superficial “intro” layer.
On Friday night of the retreat, I looked around at my team, and I was excited. I had this overwhelming feeling of pride—both my own and God’s. I felt like God was smiling at them and giving them a round of applause for their courage to step out this year, turning faith into action, and “go.”
These are things I love about my team already listed by person:
Tyler – Tyler is the “all American boy” to me—well rounded, athletic, kind, just a nice guy. He’ll be helping to lead the men’s group. He has a missions past and has many leadership skills. He’s always the first to volunteer and is very energetic. We may lose him on the trip….well, maybe we’ll find him but I bet it will be under a massive pile of little children who I know are going to flock to him! This guy will soon be leading teams again—maybe to South Africa next year?
Jenn — Jenn is quiet at first but her strength is evident in the quiet. Silence is always comfortable. She is that person that you feel that you have known for a while even though you just met her. She’ll be helping out with leading the women’s group with me.
Elliott – Elliott is quiet at first so he’s a little bit of a mystery but everyone can tell what a big heart he has in there. He is very talented and loves music. He plays on the worship team at NewSong (guitar). He is going to be a huge piece that completes our puzzle on this trip. He is very easy going in conversation and I think he is going to really show his strengths on this trip.
Peter – Peter has the most gentle spirit of anyone I’ve met in a while! He is so kind. Although he is gentle-natured, there is a spiritual strength there that I know we will all rely on during the trip. I know he will continually grow, and I know this trip will be a huge platform for that growth. Watch out for this guy in the next few years!
Susan – Susan is so easy going. She is the one who gets along with everyone and will be the one to rally the team when we are all tired and half asleep. I love her spirit. Susan will be up for any challenge presented! This personality is much needed on a team, and we will appreciate her encouragement carrying us through difficult times.
Lisa – Lisa seems to be a caretaker. There were many occasions on the retreat in which she tended to the team. She is very calm and easy going. Lisa is taking a leap of faith on this trip, and I know her faith will be reassured before the trip and rewarded on the trip.
Janet – Janet has spunk! Janet came later to the team but jumped in at 100% with an attitude of “I’ll do whatever I need to do!” She is getting married in October but never lets the stress that she must have with planning 2 big events show. She exudes a positive energy that is contagious.
Dianne – Dianne is our social one. She blends easily into groups and is so easy to engage in conversation. She would be the first person to break the ice in conversation and connect the group. She likes to have fun and will be an asset with planning fun events to further bind the team.
Team, you rock! I can’t wait to share this experience with you!
Team pictured:
Bottom (L to R): Jennifer Hananouchi, Danielle, Peter Ahn, Lisa An, Dianne McAlexander
Top (L to R): Janet Susan Chong, Elliott Kim, Tyler Ternes
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On Our Way~ Team Meeting.10May2
Blogger: Susan Chong
Lisa, Diane, Danielle, Tyler, Janet, Peter and Jen attended tonights meeting. In today's meeting, we covered a lot of items. We all deepened our relationships by getting to know each other better over dinner that I brought.
We then discussed future important dates and announcements. The main discussion was over the second part of The Hole in Our Gospel that everyone on the team read for the week. The team members discussed sections of the book that inspired or moved them.
"God uses broken and imperfect people to challenge and inspire others", many people were able to relate to this idea and this was discussed last week as well. We are a group of people on different levels with our walk with God. What we do know is that we want to be more like him and do what he asks us to do.
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. - C.S. Lewis.
Diane pointed out this quote on page 73 of the book. Very inspiring!
It was mentioned during tonights meeting that Richard Stearn is straight up! This helps people relate to him and learn from his experiences.
After discussing the book - Jenn and Tyler opened up to us about their past and their walk with God. It was great to not only know more about them but listen to their walk with God and how they came to participate on this mission trip. Both testimonials were wonderful and I was happy to get to know them more. When people open up about their lives we are able to become more intimate with them so I thank you guys for sharing!!!!
One of the wonderful characteristics about this team is that everyone is open to volunteer for activities and to help support this team and make us more effective. I can see wonderful relationships forming.
And then... it was time to go home!
Important dates:
May 8 immunization
May 14-16th Trex team retreat
June 6 - Commissioning Sunday
Support our team and please check back to follow our journey!
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Danielle Jones, team leader
Please "follow us" by clicking on the "follow" tab so you can easily remain a part of what we are doing.
A team member will post weekly to keep you updated.
Thank you for visiting our site!
Danielle Jones, team leader
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