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"His Steadfast Love Endures Forever" (Part 3; May 21, 2012; from Tiffany!)
A Psalm for giving thanks.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations! --Psalm 100
 
The reason why I enjoy the book of Psalms is that it perfectly portrays what a person is feeling--whether it maybe a time of utter despair, or of an overabundance of joy and thanksgiving. It has been such a joy to be able to see how God is faithful as we have been receiving a large response of prayer and financial support. I must say it has been quite exciting to be able to see the little envelopes in the mail, however I am far more humbled by the generosity, love, and support from family and friends about our upcoming mission trip. Tracy and I are SO excited to share with you all that we have reached our goal of at least $6000! Praise God for His faithfulness, goodness, and steadfast love!

You can continue to pray for Tracy and I in these ways:
1.) Preparations to go--for the logistics in planning but also for our hearts that we would continually rely on Christ, knowing that we need His grace daily, not just overseas.
2.) Love--that we would love Jesus more, our love for others and desire to see people won to Christ won't be genuine if it does not flow from our love for Jesus.



Things are getting real! (Part 2; April 2, 2012)
For those of you who have been following, I'm going to Uganda this summer for 2 weeks on a missions trip! (Scroll down and read Part 1 if you missed the news!) 

We finally had our first team meeting this past Sunday and it was so exciting getting more information about what we will be doing and meeting the other team members. The dates for the trip have been pretty much finalized and we know what our primary roles will be there. We are going to help with a home build for part of the time while a bulk of the trip will be at a national youth conference that SOS holds annually. Previous years have drawn 600 youths, ages 15-25!!! We will be splitting into service teams to help run the conference (food, media, games, etc) and leading and participating in discussion small groups!

It is all so exciting and overwhelming and I cannot wait for August to finally get here!!! I'm looking forward to meeting the Hurleys after reading practically all of their newsletters since 2006, getting red dirt on my sandals, "showering" from a bucket, peeing in a hole, hearing the Lord worshipped in a different musical way, spending time with the Ugandans, etc etc etc. August, come quickly! 

I’m going to Uganda! (Part 1)

This summer I have the opportunity to partner with Shannon Hurley andSufficiency of Scripture Ministries (S.O.S) for 2 weeks in August along with my friend, Tiffany Leung, and a team from Grace Community Church.

The Hurleys!

For the last couple of years, my interest in Africa has grown. During my schooling at UCI, I repeatedly heard about the AIDS epidemic, malaria, parasitic worms found in water, etc. It was heartbreaking to know that many of these diseases have debilitating affects, and yet most are treatable (if not avoidable). I believe that it was in the classrooms of my secular university that God began to work in my heart to love and care for the people of Africa.

This particular short-term mission (STM) that I will be going on this summer is not necessarily a “medical mission” (though S.O.S. does have a medical aspect of their ministry). During our time in Uganda we will be participating in school evangelism, construction on housing, and ministry to local villagers (including a children’s VBS). We will be primarily helping at a youth conference held by S.O.S Ministries. I am excited to see how God is working overseas and to see how He can and will use ordinary me in those 2 weeks.

You can pray for me in these ways:

1.) Preparations to go--for the logistics in planning but also for my heart that I would continually rely on Christ, knowing that I need His grace daily not just overseas.

2.) Love--that I would love Jesus more, my love for others and desire to see people won to Christ won’t be genuine if it does not flow from my love for Jesus.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and the south.” Psalm 107:1-3