This is journal of someone who is committed to the work of proclaiming the Gospel to His church and to the outer reaches of the world.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Grasping Hunger

"If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places…. It’s not a coincidence that in the scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. (You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.) ‘As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor…. "-Bono

There is a whisper that haunts me. Those are the fading pulses of lives who are fading into mortality as I write this (Every 3.6 seconds another person dies of starvation and the large majority are children under the age of 5. Source UN Millennium Project ). I am haunted by these faces and these bodies which are rendered to another mass grave. But what haunts me is how the Lord will respond to our denial of these who hunger. What will we present to Him? Our pews, our buildings, our full parking lots, our large fellowship halls, or our multiple services? But what will He say when He asks if we have lightened the yoke of the poor? In James 1:27 it is said, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Have we really turned our hearts toward what God says about poverty and our role to welcome the stranger...I am asking this because it is a question I pose to myself...what am I doing and praying all that I can to deal with this monumental issue? Yet, I say to God, to prepare my heart to do what You want for this life of ours to move in a direction of discipleship...one that is filled with compassion and depth...not religious speak that is abusive of its bullied power or flaunts its righteousness that borders on exhibitionism. But what if we were a nation that were more like Jesus...welcoming the outcasts, healing the broken, and reflecting the love that defines our identity in Him. Not out of pride but of humility that in the midst of all our filth, he wraps us in a gown of praise...that radiates such majestic mercy and grace. But for now, I am faced with the person in the mirror and I am going to have to spend some sincere time in looking in my own spiritual distress...and come before God to ask for forgiveness and for unveiling my eyes to the hope that lies before this tattered road of faith...like the road to Emmaus...my heart burns...

ASIAN AMERICAN LAITY PROJECT
I was able to meet with some pastors to discuss the project and we are moving ahead with the hope that the project can raise the necessary funds. I am having conversations with several leading and emerging Asian American leaders in New York City for this project. There is a workable plan for a teaching series and a fellowship group meeting for leadership. I am still working on a plan to work merging some ministries to unified towards impacting New York City Asian American communities. Please pray for provision and praise God for the support that is coming in.

ONEHOUSE
It was a success in many ways and posed some tangled moments of admonishment but overall we raised $4,000 for World Vision and Bread and Water. You can read a more in-depth update at my xanga entry here. Please pray for the future of this movement and for the committee members to be given courage and vision for the next steps of this ministry.

SPEAKING ENGAGMENTS
Once again the season has begun and I am getting invitations to speak at churches, outreach events, college fellowships and retreats. Here are the venues as of now...

New York University
I will be speaking there on "Truth or Fiction: Is This it?" I will speaking on the contrasts of cheap discipleship versus sacrificial discipleship, communities of faith and the purpose of our faith...I hope to engage the students to take a closer look at their faith journey and to give permission for mutual oversight.

Bergen Church of New Jersey
I was invited to speak to their youth for their winter conference. They are getting me the theme and the issues that they would like to address in my talks. I am excited because I will have some quality time with my mentor John Ng who is the speaker for the adult track of the conference.

Reformed Church of Newtown
I am speaking at a youth outreach/bubble tea event. I will be speaking from John 4 and speaking on the theme of "Thirsty?" This event is picking up momentum among the youth in New York City.

Binghamton Intervarsity
I have been invited to speak for the Spring 2007 kickoff evangelistic meeting. I am excited that I have an opportunity to speak to a group of students who are working out some of the most important questions about faith and love.

Penn State (Asian American Christian Fellowship)
I am speaking here for a fellowship meeting and an outreach for the Asian American Christian Fellowship.

Long Island Abundant Life Church
I will speak at their Spring conference for youth track. I will be speaking on the theme of Lordship and Sacrifice.

Cornell Navigators
There is something in the works to do a joint fellowship meeting where I will speak as an outreach or a unity event.

I have been working with some possibilities of going on a national ministry to develop a vision for Asian American youth. I am looking for partnership with some musicians and artists to pray and to seek God's guidance in this movement.

Cornell Grace Christian Fellowship
I had a meeting this past week with the President and with potential part-time staff to discuss the direction of the fellowship. It was a good time of reflecting and looking ahead. Pray for provision for funding for the part-time staff so that she can serve with freedom.

Chinese Christian Herald Crusades
I have been assisting one week out of the month to serve at the Herald Youth Center. It has been a fruitful time as I have been able to assist in training for their Bridge in the Gap mentorship outreach program. I was so blessed by the partnership of brothers and sisters who are willing to serve together to reach Chinese youth in the community. Pray for a staff person to replace the two that have resigned. CCHC just purchased a significant property in Queens that cost $3 million. I am asked to help in developing a fundraising plan. Pray for provision and for guidance to move forward with what God wants to do with the new project.

MISC
Thank you for your prayers regarding my teeth, I had some scaling and deep cleaning and the hygienist commented that I am on the road to recovery from periodontal disease. I will have some tooth extraction in the upcoming months but it looks like the worst is behind us.

Jamie and I are on the home stretch as she will graduate in May 2007 and have an internship possibilities in D.C. or Geneva. Pray for direction on what are the next steps for us. We are planning on going back to New York City. It is an exciting time for our marriage as we are seeking to see what the next season, it has been a great first year and now with our second year, we are being challenged about our love for each other and for God...Pray that we grow in matters that are true to God and to ourselves.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate your support and encouragement.

To Financially Support the ministry please send checks (make payable to PaLM) to:PaLM48-19 196th StreetFresh Meadows, New York11365-1316please mark memo: Asian American Laity Ministries. All donations are tax-deductible.