Thursday, June 12, 2025
St. Louis Trip!
Friday, May 30, 2025
Hooray for International Getaway!
Hello, friends!
I have said many times before that one of the best things that we do as a Region in InterVarsity is International Getaway. Every May, dozens of international and American students gather together to learn together, play together, eat together, and grow closer to Jesus together. It is always an amazing time and this year was no different.
This year, we had 100 students from 28 countries attend International Getaway, which is the highest number we'd ever had both in terms of attendees and countries. I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to world geography, but I consider myself decently knowledgeable when it comes to countries, so it was a great delight to me when Megan said that a student from Eswatini was attending and I had no idea where that was (it borders South Africa). I was also excited because we had 5 students from UNO, 2 students from Bellevue, and 2 volunteers from our church attending as well!
As usual, I wasn't actually staffing Getaway. My job was kid duty. We had our 3 kids, 3 other staff kids, and 3 kids from Getaway attendees. The youngest was 4 and I believe Ezra was the oldest at almost 10. Thankfully, the two staff who brought kids also brought a childcare helper, so between the 3 of us, we had everything covered pretty well.
We were in a new spot this year, which in some ways was good and in other ways was tough. Clearwater Cove is a Younglife Camp and is absolutely gorgeous. The scenery is great, the beds were somewhat comfortable (not always a given), and the food was decent! The kids especially enjoyed the big sports area where they could play basketball, pickleball, volleyball, ping pong, air hockey, soccer, foosball, and corn hole, amongst other things. Still, with a space being that big, it also meant that there was a LOT of walking. Also, unfortunately, we weren't allowed to camp on site, which meant we needed to go out to go fish. Also, it was a 7 hour drive from Omaha, so there's that.
Since I was with the kids the entire time, I'm not exactly sure of what happened during the content of Getaway but according to the students, it was really good (as always). There was small group bible study. There were testimonies. There was musical worship (the group from UNO actually led worship). The MC apparently did a really good job. The theme was Belonging. From what the Nebraska students told me, the theme hit really well.
One thing that I did get to see was the Cultural Showcase. This is when students get to show off something from their culture. Some do demonstrations. Others do songs and some do dances. It is always the highlight of Getaway and was a hit again this year.
Getaway was awesome, and I have the photos to prove it. =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Hooray for the Chinese Heritage Church!
- Connecting with people! I had asked CBCOC if anyone was going to be at the conference but they said no. Imagine my surprise then when I saw my old Senior Pastor there! Apparently, he was one of the original founders of the Collaborative back in the day. What a small world! On top of that, I was able to connect with a guy who CBCOC played in an old high school church basketball league and a guy who dated (and married!) one of my sister's friends from college (#GoBears!).
I was also able to be a resource. One of the first people I met was the Senior Pastor at one of the Chinese Churches in Kansas City. He came with his intern, who is hoping to reach out to Chinese international students in Kansas City. I had a great lunch with him, sharing about what I'd learned from watching Megan reach international students for so many years. I even was able to get him connected to the local IV staff.
The CHC isn't perfect. No church is. Still, I'm glad that it's a part of my history and I'm glad that I was able to reconnect to my CHC roots.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Friday, May 2, 2025
Happy Birthday, Mama!
Hello, friends!
Today, May 2, is Mama Leong's Birthday! I'd considered writing a list with one thing I love about Mama for every year that she's been alive, but then I'd have to tell you how old she is, and I don't think that she'd like that very much. So, I think I'll just have to pick a few of my favorite favorite things and go from there.
One of the things that I've learned from Mama Leong is generosity. I'll say that this is a lesson that I didn't really pick up until later but both my parents are super generous and apparently I must have been watching because I can see myself doing some of the things that Mama did when I was growing up, especially with my own kids. I think there are two kinds of giving and generosity. There's the giving that says, "yes" when a request is made. "Can I have some ice cream?" "Yes." That sort of thing. There's also that generosity that gives freely without being asked. "Do you want some ice cream?" I'm blessed that Mama Leong exemplifies both types of generosity.
Mama Leong's generosity shows up in how she grandparents. My kids love it when Ama comes to town because they know that no matter what happens, there will be a trip to Dairy Queen and a trip to a Chinese Buffet. Why? Because Mama Leong knows that the kids love going to Dairy Queen and the Chinese Buffet! That's enough for her. She gets so much joy from seeing them enjoy themselves. I know that my siblings would say the same with her other grandkids as well. There's something really beautiful about seeing grandparents and their grandchildren love each other so much.
Recently, as in the past few years, I've come to see more of where I get my passion from. Between my parents, my mom is the one with the bigger emotions. Growing up, I was certain that I was more like my dad in terms of emotional expressiveness. However, over the past few years, I've seen how much of my passion about certain topics can actually be traced back to Mama Leong's personality. Mama Leong has a very deep sense of what is right and what is wrong and when that sense is violated, you'd best watch out.
So, happiest of birthdays to Mama Leong, a wonderful mom, grandma, and all around person. Here's to many more years of Dilly Bars and deep emotions.
Have an excellent day!~Adam
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Camping!
I hate camping.
That being said, I should note that backpacking is VERY different from camping in my eyes. The idea of packing as efficiently as possible and carrying all your stuff is exciting. Having to bring all your own cooking supplies makes the cooking more like a puzzle. Finding just the right spot to put together a shelter or hang your hammock/light tent is like a treasure hunt. Car camping? Not quite the same.
Why am I telling you all this? Because, this weekend, we're finally camping with the Scouts. I've taken the kids to summer camp before a that was camping but usually we have avoided the Spring and Fall camping trips. This is mainly because it's sports season but also it wasn't something that I was really pushing for us to do. But, this weekend, the Leongs will be camping with the Pack!
Just in case you don't see me here next week, the camping went terribly and we were eaten by bears... Just kidding... mostly...
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Easter Reflections...
Hello, friends!
Happy Good Friday to all those who celebrate. May you experience the great joy that comes from knowing that Jesus has defeated death. He is risen! He is risen indeed. =0).
These past few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about Easter, specifically why Easter is important. Obviously, Jesus' death and resurrection are the point of Christianity. It is because of the atoning work of Jesus' death and the miraculous resurrection that makes Christianity and an eternity with God possible.
Given all that, I can't help but think that the Church, especially the American evangelical church, to which I belong, has lost the plot when it comes to Easter. We've have over emphasized some parts of the Good News and under emphasized other.
For starters, I think we've over emphasized heaven. Don't get me wrong; the idea of spending eternity with Christ sounds really good. I'm very much looking forward to a time when there will be no death, pain, or suffering. I have to many friends, family, and loved ones, who are going through too many things to not long for something better. Heaven is going to be great and it is only through the death and resurrection that we are able to have access to heaven and eternity with God.
What makes me uncomfortable is when we make it the entirety of the story. It is true that Easter is important because Jesus died for my sins and because of his sacrifice, I can come to God without sin or blemish. It is absolutely crucial that we understand that. It's just not the whole story.
See, when we put our trust in the resurrection power of the cross, we aren't just forgiven of our sins. We are made into new creations. We are no longer slaves to sin, death, and fear. Instead, we are made alive in Christ and decidedly on "Team Jesus." The kicker is, what the purpose of being on "Team Jesus" is. See, I don't think that the only reason we're saved is so that we can go to heaven when the end times come. When I look into scripture, what I see is that wherever the people of God are actually following Jesus, they are DOING THINGS. They are healing the sick. They are being generous. They are welcoming the poor, the widowed, the orphan, and the immigrant. They are not waiting for heaven. They are bringing heaven to earth, almost as if the call is to see, "thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven."
I get really bothered when I look at the news and I see all the things that a supposed "Christian Nation" is doing to people made in the image of God, worthy of dignity and respect. The people of God are supposed to treat everyone with love and compassion. We are supposed to act in love. We are supposed to be humble and be willing to confess our shortcomings and sins. We are supposed to represent Jesus to the world.
My hope for this Easter is that I will not just accept the free gift of salvation as a cheap trinket that I can keep in my pocket for comfort. I don't want my Christianity to be something that supposedly changes my life but doesn't inspire me to change the world around me for the better. Here's hoping I can live somewhat close to that ideal this week and every day ahead. Only by the power of the Cross.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Thursday, April 10, 2025
In the Defense of the University...
When he finished his degree and was ready to return back to Palestine, we took him out to get some frozen custard. As we were chatting and saying our goodbyes, he said something that will always stick with me. He said, "When I go back home, and people talk about westerners or Christians, I will tell them, 'no. You have it wrong. Christians welcomed me into their homes. They bought me ice cream. Westerners and Christians are not who you think they are.'"
Have an excellent day!
PS: If you'd like to call your representative in Congress, you can call the Capitol Switchboard and they will direct you to the correct office: (202) 224-3121.