Donut's Donuts

Donut's Donuts Family 

Had lunch @ Mon Hue with Donut's Donuts employees.

These are all the workers, except the delivery men.

There's definitely a language barrier, but somehow we show love and care through our smiles and actions.

They're always so good to me. 

Whenever they eat something, they offer to give me some too!

I always felt like I was being taken care of.

Glad I had the chance to treat them out :)

TEAM

This is our 2013 Remnant Vietnam/Indonesia Team - 

Andrew JRN . Daeil . Joseph . Daniel
Hajin . Laura . Lina . Cindy
Anna . Sara

It's my 4th year going on this mission trip.

Being in Vietnam, not being able to attend mission trainings/team meetings, I wasn't too excited for missions. Just going for the sake of it?

I actually planned to be on this team even before I came to Vietnam (even before the team was formed). It may have been a mere routine.. just going cus I have the past 3 years. In addition to that, because I'll be in Vietnam anyway. All I have to do is fly up to Hanoi to join the team. Might as well?

Basically, I haven't really been looking forward to it.

It felt like a random team.. (no offense!) I only saw Lina a couple times before I left, I've never even met Daeil before, and Sara and I will be joining the team later on (aka we won't be training with the team.) 

What is this? Is this gonna work out? Will we be unified as a team?

Today, the team had their first meeting to practice the skit. 

Sara's in the states right now, so she was able to attend the meeting, and thanks to God who created amazing technology, they FaceTime-ed me in!

It wasn't a long session, but I was able to say hi to every teammate (minus JRN) and they gave me the honor to pray for the team. (Its been a while since I prayed in English in a group setting...)

Bottom line, I got super excited.

Its been really hard here and I've been especially struggling the past week.

I've been tempted to think, "I just wanna cancel all my plans and hurry and go back to California."

However, something about today's short meeting with my teammates REALLY encouraged me. 

God is good. He encourages me in unexpected ways through unexpected people. "Expect the unexpected!"

I'm excited to see how God is going to bless us and how we are going to be used as channels of blessings this coming summer :) 

T  E  A  M

Together Everyone Achieves More

SALMON !

God must have read my blog.
He saw it! He read it!
He read that I wanted Salmon!

A deacon took me out to dinner today.
We went to "Tokyo Deli".

When I opened up the menu and saw pictures of salmon everywhere, I knew I wanted it.
To be completely honest, I wanted the salmon sashimi. But.... y'know..... I can't order that.....
However, I knew I had to be assertive, or else she would just pick the rolls. (Aka there's a chance it might not be salmon rolls!)
I boldly stated my desire: "I want salmon."

Salmon & Avocado Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll
Squid Tempura, Fried Udon

HONESSSTTTLLY, it wasn't that great. BUT salmon is salmon. And I am thankful.

Regardless of how delicious I wish it could have been, I ate away like a fatso.

Made my wasabi soy sauce, dunked the ginger into the soy sauce, placed it on top of my salmon roll, and... "mmmmmmmmmm~" :) 

"It's Vietnam"

The whole Ho Chi Minh City had a power outage today.

THE WHOLE CITY!

It's almost like saying, "LA County had a power outage."

Ridiculous....

In times like these we just say, "베트남이자나" (It's Vietnam..) 

Then all things are understandable and forgivable.

Experiencing some interesting things over here. 

"Yay for Vietnam! HIYAH!" 

200 Days

Another 100 days has passed...

  

Today marks my 200th day in Vietnam!

Preach

Last night, I complained. 

Just a little! (okay, maybe a little more than a little) 

about having to preach every week.

Today, I woke up to this:

"PREACH THE WORD..."

2 Timothy 4:2

"YES, LORD!

I... I'm sorry! 

I'll preach.

Not because I'm worthy,

not because I'm a pastor,

but simply because I am a follower of Christ."

Simplicity

Be simple.

Vũng Tàu

Took a trip to "Vung Tau" today with Deacon Kim Hakjin (Youth Director) and Pastor Kim.

We'll be going to Vung Tau for Bethel Youth Summer Retreat, so we went to check out a couple hotels/resorts.

30min car-ride to the port, and 1hr 30min boat-ride to Vung Tau.

Vung Tau Beach

Found a place - Paradise Hotel.

It's obviously going to be VERY different from retreats back at home.

We'll be using the hotel conference room.. (but it's not like hotels in America.)

Tile floors... Ouch. Gotta figure out what we're gonna do during prayer.

Retreat planning? Idunno man...... 

"LORD? HELP?"

Side note:

I HAD SASHIMI!

AHHHHHHH ^^

다금바리 (Saw-edged Perch)

This plate + small plate of raw shrimp + small plate of tuna + 매운탕 (spicy fish soup?)

TOTAL: 750,000VND ($37) !!!

So cheap...

But.. I still want Salmon.. QQ

(Ouch)

"Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him."

- Luke 22:63-65 -

--

I was very offended today during Young Adult Service.

We are currently going over a series on the "assurance of salvation."

The majority of the young adults are non-believers that are in the process of getting to know Jesus Christ.

As we are doing this Bible Study, people ask a lot of questions.

I think it's good! They're learning, and I'm learning too!

(They ask questions I would never ask,

but ones that I may come across someone asking me in the future.)

However, it got a bit out of hand today.

The questions being asked were reasonable, but the person that was asking them kept laughing.

This would make our whole group break out in laughter.

We're talking about heaven and hell, and people are laughing.

We're talking about "salvation" and people are laughing.. as if this is a joke or something.

I was offended.. and I couldn't hide it.

Side comments: 

"Anna, are you mad?"

"Anna's mad."

And they all laughed.

I wasn't "mad."

I was.. hurt. offended. heart-broken.

At that moment, all I could do was think about Jesus.

I can only imagine what Jesus had to go through....

Birdies from Texas

Grawce <3 

Thank you for sending your love all the way from Texas to Vietnam!

(To be honest, it doesn't make a big difference for you and I, 

cus whether I'm in California or Vietnam, we're not together... QQ)

We shall reunite soon! CTS shall reunite soon ^^

But until that day... let us remain faithful to our given tasks in our respective areas. Fighting!

P.S. Yes, the card's SUPER cute :)

Cupcakes from California

Haj <3

Thank you for the "cupcakes from California" ^^

(And the polaroid you jacked from PD's wall.. lol

Now PD can't look at my beautiful face every day! Uh-oh...)

Even though the photo and the polaroid look exactly the same, I added it to my wall ;)

Maybe I'll take it off and carry it around with me everywhere.

(Actually.... let me think about that. I don't want people to think I'm.. *ahem.. yea)

LOVE YOU SISTA!

See you in 2 months and 12 days ;)

He Knows

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

PTL

김익현 목사님 from LA was here the past couple days.

He spoke for Friday service, Sunday service, 

and we invited to him to come speak for Young Adult Service today!

(Such a great speaker^^)

He taught us:

F A I T H

Forgiveness . Available . Impossible . Turn . Heaven

And during this, one brother accepted Christ.

PRAISE THE LORD! :)

22nd

I'm TWENTY-TWO! :O

(I'm in denial.....)

Spent my 22nd birthday at "Two Two Chicken".

What a coincidence!

PhuMyHung Bethel Young Adults

I don't remember the last time I spent my birthday outside of U.S.

Hopefully I'll be spending my 23rd birthday back at "home" :)

KOSTA: Day 4

YOUTH KOSTA: GROUP 11
1ST PLACE

GRACE. Uh..... our team won first place. FIRST PLACE!! OUT OF 31 GROUPS!! Why? It must be God's grace. We won "모범상".. (I don't know what that's called in English.) But basically, the staff added stickers to the 'sticker board' according to our citizenship, team spirit, etc etc. IN ALL HONESTY, we don't know why we won. Even after we won, we said this must be an error, something must have gone wrong. Now THIS is what you call GRACE. 

HEART-BREAKING. The praise team was awesome. I mean... it's the "KOSTA Tour Team", so how could it NOT be great? Students were all pumped up and excited during praise. People were jumping up and down, shouting, hands raised..... BUT for some, that was all. As soon as praise was over and we went into the message, cell phones were out. Regardless of what great speakers we had, so many students were on their phones kakaoing, playing games, etc. or just sleeping. So then, did we really worship God? I don't think so. What difference is there in going to a secular concert? People jump up and down, shout, and go crazy because "the music is great" or simply because "they like to sing" or better yet, because "the performers are good looking." (I kid you not, some students were even shouting "멋있다! 잘생겼다!!" at the praise team leader.) A parent shared with me that she was blessed at the sight of students jumping up and down during praise. I responded, "Yeaaa~" but in reality, I was a bit heart-broken. It's so easy to think that we worshipped God, to think that God was glorified, to think that we were blessed. I question..... really?

AFTER EFFECT. KOSTA was held at the largest Korean church in HCMC. The church is nice - big sanctuary, nice worship rooms for every department, great sound-system, etc. This is "their" reality, but not ours. This Sunday we'll be back at Donut's Donuts. This is "our" reality. Not an amazing sanctuary, but a donut shop; full praise band, but one keyboard; not an amazing speaker, but me. Honestly, I'm worried but I know that worrying won't change anything. "God, it's in your hands." I pray that the students will be able to worship God in all situations and circumstances, just as we sang with our own two lips, "부르신 곳에서~ 나는 예배하네~ 어떤 상황에도 나는 예배하네~"

SISTERHOOD. On a brighter note, I was able to get a bit closer with the high-school sisters, and I was able to see the sisters get closer as well. I'm in charge of the middle school boys for small group, so I never had a chance to be in close contact with the sisters. It wasn't all of the sisters and it's not like we talked a lot, but still.. I feel like there's some closer connection now. I had a tough time in general with my group, but there's ALWAYS something to thank God for :)

Bethel Ladies :)

KOSTA: Day 3

HYEYEON . ANNA . HAEMIN . GARIM
Bethel Young Adults - KOSTA Staff

FASTING&PRAYER. All students and staff fasted lunch today. After the seminar we just went straight into prayer. Couple students were pre-selected to go up and lead one prayer topic. (One of the students in my group was picked.) It was a blessing to see young students in front of about 450 people leading prayer. We also had a special offering time for VISTA. Apparently last year after Vietnam's first Youth KOSTA, a Vietnamese church decided to hold VISTA (Vietnamese Students All Nations). Amazing? Yes indeed! May His name be known in this land of Vietnam and TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!

TOUGH. Today was tough. Yes, tough. If there's a day of blessings, I guess there's also the tough day. In the end, (I wish I can confidently say) God is good, ALL THE TIME.

One more day.

FIGHTING!

KOSTA: Day 2

GROUP 11
PhuMyHung Bethel Youth

TIRED. I'm tired. But why am I blogging right now? (1) I wanna record the blessings while they're fresh and (2) I have to wait for the laundry - gotta wash my sweaty shirt. I left my house at 7:20AM and got home by 11:00PM. It's only day two, but I already feel my body breaking. Can I last two more days? No, I can't. But all things are possible through Him who gives me strength! FIGHTING!

LESSON. There are so many cults in this world. It's ridiculous. And sadly to say, most of them are from Korea. I always knew that they existed, but I never knew there was so many and how fast they're moving in Korea and all throughout the world. Statistics show that approximately 10,000 Koreans are falling into cults every month. It's scary. We, Christians, MUST RISE! We must fight this spiritual war and proclaim victory! "진짜가 있기때문에 가짜가 있는것이다." Falsity exists because there's truth. OUR GOD IS REAL. HE'S THE LIVING GOD. JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!

GROUP TIME. We are given an hour of group time and are free to do anything in our groups. Honestly, it's SO loud we can only hear each others' voices if we yell (aka.. they can only hear my voice). I have 15 students in my group ranging from 6th to 11th grade. (What more do I need to say?) It was the toughest hour of the day. There are 2 boys that ESPECIALLY give me the hardest time; the oldest two boys. They simply DO NOT listen. They're always singing together. "Be quiet." (Ignored) "Be quiet!" (Ignored) "Be quiet!!!" (Silence) 5 seconds later.. (Singing) ADD? Perhaps. "God? I don't know."

INTERCESSORY PRAYER. Every group is given an hour to go pray in the intercessory prayer room. Honestly, I was a bit worried for this time because I thought it would be so awkward that one hour would feel like a whole day. Yes, it was quiet. All I can hear is my voice and the leader's voice from the group nearby. I prayed so loudly that I felt like my throat was going to rip. I almost lost my voice by the end of that hour. BUT it was good. I laid out many different prayer topics and also gave the students some time to share their personal prayer requests (if willing). It took a while for that one bold person to raise their hand first, but as expected, many others after that shared their prayer requests as well. My throat hurt, but it was a great hour spent. PTL :)

KOSTA: Day 1

PRE KOSTA VIETNAM 2013

"어그러진 세상, 자유케하는 복음!"

Set Free into Fullness!

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

ANNA & HAEMIN (Co-leader)
Korean Union Church of Saigon - Main Sanctuary

FREE TO WORSHIP. Arms lifted, singing on the top of my lungs, jumping up and down, yelling out "Jooyuh (Jesus)" as loud as I want / as many times I want, praying in tongues. Sang Dancing Generation, Sing Sing Sing, I am Free, Into Your Hands all in KOREAN. I didn't even know some of these existed in Korean! (It was... interesting. I think I prefer English^^)

MESSAGE. There were three speakers: 

(1) Pastor HyunChul Kim: pastor of a church in Korea  

(2) JiWon Tahk: Investigates and studies all different types of cults and how Christians should deal with them 

(3) Missionary EunMi Lee: missionary in Africa 

All was good. I got a glimpse of how scary these cults are and how fast they're moving in Korea and all throughout the world. Most of all, I really enjoyed Missionary EunMi Lee's message. It wasn't that her message was so "new," but I couldn't stop myself from thinking, "멋있다." I was encouraged. (I'll just stop here.)

PRAYER TIME. Went around praying for my students. I realized it's the first time I laid my hands on them / held their hands and prayed for them. My heart was aching (I don't know what that's supposed to mean..) We were later told to sit in a circle in our groups. On my right was a student that I am always encouraged by, and on my left was a student that gives me the hardest time. Coincidence? I don't think so. At that moment, they were all the same - beautiful children of God, His sheep... my sheep. We were then told to pray for the group leaders. Oh boy.... it's that time. Honestly, I don't know how many students really pray for me during the week. (It's sad to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was none.) For the first time I felt encouraged by Bethel Youth as a whole. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. HEALTH - One of my students got sick today. There's so many people in the sanctuary it gets extremely hot during worship. I think she had a heatstroke. 

2. SAFETY - We're constantly going up and down the stairs (1F-5F). The staircase is really narrow and there are hundreds of people constantly going up and down.

3. INTERCESSORY PRAYER - Every group is given an hour of intercessory prayer time. We are to go to a designated room at a given time and pray. Our time is tomorrow from 4-5PM. Praying for an hour with students that hardly pray? Yes. Please pray for us.

KOSTA Vietnam 2013

KOREAN STUDENTS ALL NATIONS

I've never heard of KOSTA, but apparently it's quite big.
It's a Korean Christian organization that holds 3-4 day retreats/conferences for Korean students living abroad.
It started off in America in 1986 and is now being held in 18 different countries.

Vietnam held their first KOSTA last year and are holding their second next week from April 29th to May 2nd.
It's usually an overnight conference, but since it's hard to get governmental approval here the students will be returning home and meeting back in the morning.

There are 27 students from Bethel Youth attending this event.
Sister HyeYeon and I will be serving as group leaders for our church.

Honestly, at first I had no idea what I got myself into. Since it's such a large event that's not being organized and run by our church, it was a bit difficult to grasp what I'll be doing.
We had our first group leader's meeting last Saturday and had an all staff retreat today from 3-8PM.
IT WAS GOOD. I don't remember the last time I praised so freely and even yelled "Jooyuh" (so loudly). We did "주여삼창" (something we don't ever do at Bethel......)

The retreat was good! It got me excited and pumped up. I'm excited to worship for the next four days! But... I'm not gonna lie. I'm already exhausted just thinking about interacting with and leading the students for four long days (9AM-10PM). "Oh Lord, I need you! Brothers and sisters, I need your prayers!"

PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS!

1. WORSHIP - A time where students may freely worship God and experience the joy of glorifying God through worship

2. GOSPEL/SALVATION - For non-belivers to hear and believe & for believers to be reminded once more of what the gospel message is really about; assurance of salvation

3. SPARK - That this event will bring a spark in Bethel Youth and become a good bridge for our Youth Summer Retreat 

Eczema: Round 3

I'm starting to see small bubbles again....

IT KEEPS COMING BACK! Ugh.

Maybe I should go see a dermatologist again

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;

the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

not the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep

your going out and your coming in 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

Changes

Changes.

Hardened hearts softening.

Closed hearts opening.

Brighter faces.

Excitement for worship.

People are changing.

Slowly but surely.

God is moving.

Interviewer

Sister SeYoung is currently trying to open up her own business.

She had scheduled an interview session with 8 applicants today. 

She asked me if I can help her test the applicants' English proficiency. 

I sat there for 2 hours and helped with the interviewing process.

I've been an "interviewee" before, but never an "interviewer."

What a crazy experience!

(SeYoung & SeHee told me I have an "interviewer aura."
Whatever that even means.

Maybe I'll find myself doing something like this in the future? FUUUUture. ^^)

Mexican Food

Had Mexican Food for the first time in 6 months...

Chicken Burrito

There's a Mexican Restaurant, El Burro Loco, near my house.

The store's so small that it's possible to walk by without even noticing it.

Went there for the first time today.

Walked in with NO expectation.

But..... it was preeeeetty good!

1. It's actually good

OR

2. My taste bud has become really humble

Never Let Go

"However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 

And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, 

but that I should raise them up at the last day."

- John 6:37-39 -

You never let go of those You once took hold of.

Lord, You never let go. 

THE Song

Bethel Choir sang "주님 다시 오실 때 까지" today.

It was a lot different hearing it from a choir team

but nonetheless, it REALLY reminded me of GCC.

"Facing the Giants"

Watched this at someone's house with a couple young adults from Bethel.

Preeeeetty good~

2006 American Christian drama film composed of
supporting cast volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church. 

"We're not here to just get glory, make money, and die."

Amen!

She said

SeYoung (the sister I'm doing Bible Study with) came to Friday Service for the first time today.

After service, as we were walking home, she said, "I regretted coming the first 3 minutes I was sitting in service. There was so little people and it seemed so serious and boring."

Then she said, "But... it was fun."

This is (nearly) exactly how our conversation went:

SeYoung: 재밌었어 (It was fun)

Me: 진짜요? 재밌었어요? (Really? It was fun?)

SeYoung: 응, 재밌었어. 재밌었어... 재밌었어. (Yes, it was fun. It was fun... it was fun)

SeYoung: 이런 어처쿠니없는일이. (How absurd/ridiculous)

[...]

SeYoung: 이런 재밌는걸 여태까지 너네 혼자했답말이야?! (You guys enjoyed this by yourselves all along?!)

It was absurd/ridiculous to her that she wasn't out with her friends on "Friday night," but that she was at church worshipping God. It was even more ridiculous that worship could be "fun" and "enjoyable." 

AHHHHH YEEEEEEEAA :) She finally got a taste of how FUN it is to be praising and worshipping God.

(She doesn't seem to know that this is only the beginning.. hehe)

Excited to see how God will continue to mold and shape this sister :)

Introducing: SeYoung

This is the sister that asked me to have Bible Study with her.
(I secretly took a picture of her when she was super focused.)

We started "Forgiving Father" (아버지의 마음) today.

My first time doing this curriculum in Korean, but I can already sense the Holy Spirit guiding me.

From what I've heard from others, I thought she was a sister that knew God but fell away because she was hurt by the church.

After having several conversations with her, I came to realize that she does not know the gospel.

To her understanding, Christianity is just another religion and the God we believe in is just another god.

Jesus Christ? She has no idea who He is.

It really broke my heart that this sister was so-called "involved" at church for about 2 years, but in reality, there was no Truth in her. In her memory, church was just "fun" and a place of "belonging."

I think this is the reality in many churches.

It's so easy to assume that all the long-term church goers and/or the faithful servers are fully aware of the gospel.

Just like this sister, there must be others inside the church too - full of "passion" and faithful service - but in reality, does not know Jesus Christ.

Fun? Yes, there should be fun too, but not just for the sake of fun. 

Fun because we know we are saved and freed from the bondage of sin; fun because we are gathered to have fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; fun in freely praising and worshiping God. 

Bottom line:

We must go  back to basics.

Steamed Corn

Waxy Corn

"찰옥수수"

Bought some steamed corn on the way home.

There's a lady that comes by on a bicycle around 5PM with a basket full of steamed corn.

3 for 10,000VND ($0.50)

SO CHEAP! 

(I would somewhat understand if it was "raw" corn, but it's already cooked for you!)

Bought 3 and gave one to the fruit market lady on the way home.

(We can't communicate, but I often go there to get some "Passion Fruit Juice" 

AND I see her every day because I pass by her store on the way home. )

Ate half a corn for "dessert" after dinner, and put the rest in the refrigerator to eat for breakfast.

YUMMMMMM :D

Blessed Beginning

Had our first PhuMyHung Young Adult Ministry Service today!
Went through a lot trying to get this ministry started, but by the grace of God we successfully held our first service.

1. Dinner - Ddukbokgi, Kimbap, Jjolmyun, Kim-maree

2. Service - Praise, Message, Prayer requests, Prayer

3. SURPRISE - Couple lady deacons prepared a "surprise event" for us.

As we were coming down the stairs, they started to sing: 

"축복합니다~ 주님의 이름으로...

God Bless you~"

The lights were off and there were candles set up near the staircase, 

 with a big heart in the middle of the floor.

What a blessing it is to be a part of this new beginning.

I've never been so excited and thrilled here at Bethel before.

I am reminded, confirmed, that my heart reaches out towards this age group.

Excited to see how God will work in this ministry,

and to go back home and see how God's working/gonna work in the Remnant Ministry :)

"Deacon" Anna

The story of my life :

Every Saturday the deacons prepare for Sunday's lunch.

This week a lot of deacons had other appointments, so the deacon that was in charge of this week's lunch asked me to come help.

I was at church from 11-3.

You see that bowl of green onions? 

I cut it ALL!

Yes. Me. Anna Rho! 

And... I fried boochimgae.

It was a workout.

Now I know why ahjummas are buff.

(Don't mess)

I became "Anna JSN" for a day.

.. interesting

Someone asked me to do Bible Study with her.

She immediately set up a time and day, so we'll be meeting every Wednesday.

Very...... interesting......

She's 2 years older.

She attended Bethel for about 2 years(?) and then left on bad terms.

She hasn't gone to church for the past 2-3 years.
Recently came out to a young adult gathering we had,
and finally agreed to help start a young adult ministry at PhuMyHung Bethel.

We saw each other about.. 4 times in total.
She's only starting to open up again, (still bitter from the past),

But.... 

she 

wants 

to do 

Bible Study. 

with.

me.

God? 

Why me?

And why her?

I mean.... 

I'm blessed.

and....

humbled.

But it's still a bit..

shocking? 

and very..

interesting.

It's the first time someone asked me something like this.....

(Not my offer but their request.)

Don't know what to do or where to start. 

OH JOOO NEEEEEEEM
1on1 bible study in Korean? Idunno man

Easter Sunday

He has risen.

He is alive!

Gave my first (and last?) Easter sermon.

Never thought I would ever be preaching on Easter Sunday.

Never thought I would ever be preaching.

GG

Good Friday

피 흘림 없인 이룰 수 없네
고난 받을 이유없으신 주
순종하셨네 그 십자가 지셨네 우릴 위해

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

- Luke 23:34 -

I wonder why.. why Jesus had to say these words.

He didn't have to, did he?

Even in silence, through death and resurrection, He could have saved the world.

But He spoke these very words on the cross, bearing all pain and suffering,

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"Father, forgive me, for I know not what I do.

Father, forgive me, for I know what I do, but can't stop doing.

Father, forgive me."

Power Outage

There was a power outage in the middle of service yesterday.

Kim Hyuk MSN was preaching, and the sanctuary suddenly became pitch dark.

(I mean.... we've had power outage at GCC before too. But not during service?)

A deacon handed him his phone with the flashlight on, and he continued his sermon.

Had service in the dark, with one mini light on the stage.

We can see the pastor's face, but he can't see us.

It was an interesting experience.

Rather, it was quite a blessing. 

It was amazing to see the pastor not freak out (because I think I would have freaked out.)

And how everyone just stay put, in a dark and hot room, continuing worship.

Felt like we were having one of those "secret meetings." 

Welcome to Vietnam?

Introducing: Seung Yeon

She's a sophomore in high school, attending an international school.

She wants to go to college in the states, and is currently looking into UC's.

(I'm encouraging her to study hard and go to UCLA ^^)

She.... um.... likes me?

(Lol.... that's totally not awkward to say)

WELL! I often tell my students, "I'm at donuts all day, so come bother me!"

And whatdayaknow... nobody wants to hang out with a "missionary."

BUT this girl's on a term break this week, and she kakao-ed me yesterday asking to have dinner!

Most people (except a few "cool kids") look like they're listening to my sermon,

but this one actually looks like she's soaking it in.

She's one of the few, if not the only one, that actually wants to learn more

and is somewhat striving to draw nearer to God.

Her name is Seung Yeon .

Eczema: Round 2

It's....... back...........

Same finger. Same spot.

Stage 1: small bubbles 

Hopefully the medicine I have from before will cure it at Stage 1.

Perseverance

There are days

when

I 

REALLY

want to

go 

home.

"Lord,  please help me to persevere.

Not for the sake of 'finishing my term,'

not for the sake of a glorious achievement,

not for my own sake,

but for Your sake.

For Your glory.

Please continue to remind me that

there must be a reason,

a reason why you have placed me here

and a reason why I am still here.

May your will be done."

bIG rOLLERS

A new restaurant called "bIG rOLLERS" opened near my house.

They sell sandwiches, spring rolls, burgers, and smoothies.

"Build your own sandwich" 

39,000 VND (less than $2.00)

Choice of (1) baguette (2) sandwich bread

Choose up to 5 items 

(extra item, additional charge of 9,000VND)

Had my first sandwich -

Chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado

Not the BEST, but pretty good for the price!

I know where I'm going when I'm feeling for a sandwich :)

God's Delight

Hephzibah

"My Delight is in Her"

1. King Hezekiah, a God-fearing man, called his wife "Hephzibah." Why? Probably because he could sincerely say concerning his wife, "My delight is in her."

2. God called his people by this name.

                            

         "You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

      and your land no more be termed Desolate,

     but you shall be called My Delight is in Her,

                  and your land Married;

              for the LORD delights in you,

              and your land shall be married."

                           - Isaiah 62:4 -

3. 2008 Summer: God called me by this name, "Delight."

"God, why do you call me your delight? How or why is it that you delight in someone like me? 

Lord, show me what it takes to really live out the name that you have given me. 

May I live out my name to the fullest.

진정 주님의 기쁨이 되길 원합니다."

Faith

What's faith?

What does it mean when we say, "S/he has good faith"?

Yeah.... tricky huh?

I was stumped too.

Finally came down to this:

"Faith: right knowledge in action through obedience" (Anna Rho)

"Lord, I want to be faith-FULL."

Fruit of Love

There's a fruit lady that sells fruits on her moto right outside Donut's Donuts.

She's there EVERY DAY! All day every day. 

Yesterday she ran into Donut's Donuts, handed me a pre-sliced orange, and ran back out.

It was like a, "Uhhh.. What? Huh?" situation.

Happened so quickly.

SO random. SO unexpected.

Yet something about it made me feel loved and cared for :)

"Fruit" of Love

Don't Act

"We try to be too holy. QT is NOT bible study." (P.Ray)

So true. There are times we come across QT passages where there seems to be absolutely NOTHING to reflect on. So, what do we do? We quickly turn the page to the given insights. (That is, in a sense, cheating.)

We can't seem to find anything to write down in the blank spots next to the passage. We look at our blank page and feel ashamed, hoping that nobody will come across our book. (ESPECIALLY our pastor.)

He's right. We try to be too holy. We have nothing to write, because we feel as though we must write down something holy. Okay, honestly! How holy can you get when you read a passage with a list of this person's descendants and that person's descendants? Or when you're reflecting on the book of Numbers for a whole 2 months? (You can only be so holy). 

"QT is NOT bible study." We don't have to act so holy. For all we know, NO ONE'S WATCHING! We're not in front of students, having to act like we know (even when we're clueless ourselves). It's a time with God. Simply reading, meditating, and spending time in prayer. No matter how so-called "holy" we can get, next to God, "nuh-uh" we are not even close to holy. 

So be honest. It's okay! We don't have to be so holy. 

"Anna Rho, you don't have to be so holy."

--

QT Sharing

Genesis 37:1-11

- Jacob had many sons, one being named "Joseph."

- Jacob favored Joseph

- Joseph's brothers were very jealous

- Joseph had 2 dreams foretelling his reign over his family. 

(Yeah.. not so holy. Simply facts, right? But who cares! God speaks even through this.)

The word 'God' doesn't appear once in the passage but we can clearly see God working. The extra love that Joseph receives from his father and his dreams lead to greater hatred from his brothers. This will eventually lead his brothers in selling Joseph, which becomes the pathway for Joseph's future authoritative power. 

GOD IS IN CONTROL. Every little situation in my life is being controlled by God. They may seem like mere dots at the moment but in the future I will see how God connects those dots to make a beautiful picture.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 

I went from Genesis to Romans 8:28. How? I don't know. God spoke, when all I did was jot down a simplified summary of the passage.

GOD IS GOOD :)

Called Righteous

"Wretched man that I am! 

Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Thanks to be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

--

Christianity, this Christian walk, is very interesting.

It seems about right that you start to become a "better" person, or rather you start to feel like you're becoming a better person, the longer you've been a Christian.

However, it's not so.

As time goes by, we start to realize how "bad" we are, how sinful man is.

As for me, I'm finally starting to see more and more of what a "bad" person I am; what a sinful (wo)man I am.

Apostle Paul cried out, "Wretched man that I am!"

Why? I never really understood. Rather, it never really spoke out to me.

But today I myself want to cry out, "Wretched (wo)man that I am!"

I'm starting to see (hehe.... it's only the start) and realize how sinful man is, how sinful I am.

Perhaps this is a sign of growth? 

We were all living under God's wrath. 

(Actually, there are still many out there that are living under His wrath.)

But God loves me, God loves us so much that He decided to give us something called GRACE.

I am redeemed. We are redeemed. 

We say that God's judgment IS coming, but actually we were ALREADY judged.

We were once living under the wrath of God, but through Jesus Christ, 

we are now living UNDER GRACE.

So sinful. Yet, God calls us "righteous".

We often say, "We sin because we're sinners."

Nope. That no longer applies to us.
We're NOT sinners! God Himself called us righteous!
We don't sin because we're sinners, we sin because there's sin within us. It's sin that makes us sin.

Our status has changed from sinners to righteous.
In faith, we must believe.

"Wretched man that I am!

Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Ker Plunx

Dropped my iPhone in the toilet.

(THANK GOD it was before I peed!)

The speakers were damaged so I had to get them replaced.

I don't know how trustworthy these replacement parts are... but at least it's cheap? :)

It cost me less than $20.00 to get the phone dried up and the speakers replaced.

YAY for Vietnam :)

Gentleness

And he said to them all, 

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself 

and take up his cross daily and follow me."

- Luke 9:23 -

--

It's so easy to think that I understood something:

1. I convince myself that I understood it 

2. I genuinely think I understood it 

LUKE 9:23

Heard it. Learned it. Taught it.

SO MANY TIMES.

Did I really understand it? Nah. 

I thought I did, but I guess there was more to it that I was missing.

It's not that I convinced myself (which makes me feel a bit better), but at the same time, I never took the time to really sit and reflect on what this verse - the verse that I've heard, learned and EVEN taught so many times - meant. 

So... Did I sit and reflect? (kind of)

Not on my own, but through God who brought the right teacher at the right time.

Question #1: What's the difference between "denying yourself" and "taking up your cross"?

Question #2: So then, what is your cross?

About a month ago I was asked this question: 
"What's the difference between denying yourself and taking up your cross?"
... (dot dot dot) ...
I felt like I got punched in the face.
Simply put, I couldn't answer the question. I couldn't differentiate the two!

After all these years of genuinely believing that I understood, one day I have come to realize that I was wrong.

The question was answered for me. It made sense, but it wasn't CLEAR.

Finally, after 9 long hours of sitting, discussing, and reflecting... it came.

It was as if all the dots in my head got connected.

There was a deep(er) meaning to this verse and it has now become clear(er) to me.
Perhaps there's more to it? I don't know. 
Perhaps there are other interpretations? Maybe.

But for now, I'm content.

"Denying yourself" and "taking up your cross" CAN be differentiated.

So then, what is MY cross?

After long hours, God gave me this word:
GENTLENESS. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
- Galatians 5:23 -

Hallelujah !

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Finally finished reading the whole bible,

along with a 555 page Korean commentary

HIP HIP HOORAY! :D

"하나님나라 관점에서 읽는 90일 성격통독"
90 Day Bible Reading Plan -  Reading from God's Kingdom Perspective

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD!