Hello, friends!
Sorry that I've been out of commission for the past week. NSO stuff has been crazy. On Wednesday ACF hosted a relay race that was really well attended and everyone had a lot of fun. Meg and I have been busy meeting students, attending meetings of other student orgs (including kickball and game nights!) and getting everything ready for our first Large Group next Wednesday. Because of that, I haven't had a chance tell you all about our Bonfire last Friday!
Here was the plan: set our backyard on fire, grill up some meat and sugar, and invite a bunch of folk to see if they want to join us in setting meat and sugar on fire. =0). Ok, it wasn't quite like that but it was still a rocking good time.
Based on our best estimates, we were expecting somewhere around 70-80 folk showing up, which meant that we needed a lot of food. Of course, we also didn't want to spend too much money as it would mean fewer meals down the road (in order to stay within our budget). So, our plan was to spend $120 for 80 people, or about $1.50 per person. Our menu included hotdogs (with all the fixin's), fried rice, corn, sweet potatoes, baked beans, fruit, and s'mores for dessert.
This is where it gets fun.
Miracle 1) We actually stayed on budget. Both Meg and I have this problem where when it comes to food we'd rather overbuy than underbuy. I suppose it isn't really a problem but it can lead to us going over budget because either we want more variety (Meg) or we want folk to eat more (me). Thankfully, after tallying up the receipts, we bought all the food we wanted and were on budget. Praise Jesus!
Miracle 2) Everyone showed up and everyone ate their fill. How we ended up cramming 70 people into our backyard around our fire ring is a little bit beyond me but it worked! The spread of food looked great and everyone had a fun time eating and meeting one another. For many of the international students it was their first time eating a s'more, which was a lot of fun to watch. =0).
Miracle 3) There was actually TONS of food left over! I'm not saying it was a "12 baskets" kind of situation, but there was definitely food left over. When you couple that with the fact that everyone ate enough and that we stayed under budget, I am definitely calling that a miracle. Meg said that she and a student leader prayed over the food before the bonfire started, that it would multiply and there would be enough. As far as I'm concerned, that definitely happened.
Miracle 4) Better than Miracle 1, we actually ended up UNDER budget. Some of the stuff we were able to return and some of the stuff we were able to use for other events. All said and done, we probably spent around $90 on this event, meaning that we spent a little bit over $1 per person and saw everyone full with tons of food left over to give away at the end of the night.
Friends, God is so good. Having a few hotdogs and some corn left over at the end of the night may not seem a big deal but when you look at it, it really just shows God's goodness and provision. I'm not saying that this will happen every time but it sure was fun to see God multiply food and people.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Friday, August 30, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Bonfire!!!
Hello, friends!
I am writing this blog right before it's time to get down to business. No, we won't be defeating the Huns (Mulan reference, anyone?). Rather, we are going to be hosting what could be the most epic bonfire the good people of Mount Vernon Avenue have ever experienced.
Allow me to break it down for you. Right now we are in the midst of New Student Orientation (NSO) season. The goal of NSO is to meet as many people as possible so we can show them how awesome our group is and they will want to join, make decisions to follow Jesus (or follow Jesus more) and eventually change the world in the name of the Kingdom. Yes, folks, it's just that easy. =0).
So, Meg and I, along with input from the student leaders, decided that we wanted to do a bonfire this year at our place. We have the space, we have the fire pit, and the bonfires that we had during the summer were well attended. Besides, isn't eating food that you cooked over a fire fun anyway?
Plans were made and we got excited about things, and then Meg and I came to a realization: There are possibly going to be as many as 80 people crammed into our backyard tonight. See, we may have overlooked three minor details.
1) ACFers are AMAZING at invitation. They are tenacious. They are diligent. They are excited. I'm pretty sure an ACFer could invite me to get a root canal done and I would at least consider going.
2) We travel in packs. Asian and Asian American cultures are both very communal. That means that all decisions are group decisions and if one person decides to go somewhere, usually the rest of the group will follow.
3) Free food is very attractive.
When you put these 3 factors together, what you come up with is what could be a pretty epic party. Here's hoping.
Friends, please PRAY for us tonight. Pray for the logistics of rides and food. Pray for good conversations to happen. Pray against rain. Pray that tonight will lead to all sorts of great momentum for the year.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
I am writing this blog right before it's time to get down to business. No, we won't be defeating the Huns (Mulan reference, anyone?). Rather, we are going to be hosting what could be the most epic bonfire the good people of Mount Vernon Avenue have ever experienced.
Allow me to break it down for you. Right now we are in the midst of New Student Orientation (NSO) season. The goal of NSO is to meet as many people as possible so we can show them how awesome our group is and they will want to join, make decisions to follow Jesus (or follow Jesus more) and eventually change the world in the name of the Kingdom. Yes, folks, it's just that easy. =0).
So, Meg and I, along with input from the student leaders, decided that we wanted to do a bonfire this year at our place. We have the space, we have the fire pit, and the bonfires that we had during the summer were well attended. Besides, isn't eating food that you cooked over a fire fun anyway?
Plans were made and we got excited about things, and then Meg and I came to a realization: There are possibly going to be as many as 80 people crammed into our backyard tonight. See, we may have overlooked three minor details.
1) ACFers are AMAZING at invitation. They are tenacious. They are diligent. They are excited. I'm pretty sure an ACFer could invite me to get a root canal done and I would at least consider going.
2) We travel in packs. Asian and Asian American cultures are both very communal. That means that all decisions are group decisions and if one person decides to go somewhere, usually the rest of the group will follow.
3) Free food is very attractive.
When you put these 3 factors together, what you come up with is what could be a pretty epic party. Here's hoping.
Friends, please PRAY for us tonight. Pray for the logistics of rides and food. Pray for good conversations to happen. Pray against rain. Pray that tonight will lead to all sorts of great momentum for the year.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Table Up!!!
Hello, friends!
I'm slightly dehydrated form being out in the sun all day, my mouth is sore from smiling too much, and Meg and I are wearing the same shirt... it must be time for tabling at Mizzou!!! =0).
The concept of tabling is simple: You reserve a space on campus, set up your table with information about your group, and have conversations with students who pass by, inviting them to stuff and getting their contact information. If you do it right, it can lead to lots of new contacts and propel the fellowship into the new year.
Here's the thing: year after year, I see that there are too many factors working against us to ever table well. Let's run through them, shall we?
- What's in a name: With a group name like Asian Christian Fellowship, it's not going to be easy when the campus is 85% White and only 5-7% Asian and Asian American. Students see your stuff, slow down because the swag is good, read the name, and then be on their way. Some of the bolder ones will even go so far as to come up and ask to still have the stuff, even though "They aren't Asian."
- High Assimilation: When we do see Asian American students, they are usually with a group of non-Asian American students. This leads to awkward eye contact and sometimes even spite when you consider that they know the only reason you are eyeing them is because they are Asian American. ACF was created to reach all the Asian and Asian American students on campus but it works best with high identity students. The truth is that most Mizzou students are used to being the minority and are totally ok with it. (NOTE: Reaching out to Asian International Students is MUCH easier because they are high identity and usually travel in packs.)
- The curse of, technology: Ok, so let's suppose you find an Asian American walking down the street. Even better, he or she is alone so there isn't the awkwardness of group dynamics. It should be easy from here, right? Well, that depends on whether or not the student can hear for with the earphones on and the volume turned up on high. Without getting too old school, back in my day, we talked to people on our way to class. Apparently, it's all about the music as you move from one building to another.
For all the things that make tabling difficult, there is one huge benefit to tabling each semester. Even though it may not do much for our group numbers, it grows our leaders in incredible ways. I am always amazed at how well tabling brings out the best in our student leaders. At its best, you see students take risks, get out of their comfort zones, and grow in their love for the campus. Even at its worst, it brings up all sorts of internal issues within students that you can then begin to deal with. It's not always pretty but it sure is helpful.
So, friends, please continue to pray for us as we continue to outreach. We have a whole host of events coming up these next few weeks that will hopefully reach more students and grow the ones we have. We may even table a little bit more. =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
I'm slightly dehydrated form being out in the sun all day, my mouth is sore from smiling too much, and Meg and I are wearing the same shirt... it must be time for tabling at Mizzou!!! =0).
The concept of tabling is simple: You reserve a space on campus, set up your table with information about your group, and have conversations with students who pass by, inviting them to stuff and getting their contact information. If you do it right, it can lead to lots of new contacts and propel the fellowship into the new year.
Here's the thing: year after year, I see that there are too many factors working against us to ever table well. Let's run through them, shall we?
- What's in a name: With a group name like Asian Christian Fellowship, it's not going to be easy when the campus is 85% White and only 5-7% Asian and Asian American. Students see your stuff, slow down because the swag is good, read the name, and then be on their way. Some of the bolder ones will even go so far as to come up and ask to still have the stuff, even though "They aren't Asian."
- High Assimilation: When we do see Asian American students, they are usually with a group of non-Asian American students. This leads to awkward eye contact and sometimes even spite when you consider that they know the only reason you are eyeing them is because they are Asian American. ACF was created to reach all the Asian and Asian American students on campus but it works best with high identity students. The truth is that most Mizzou students are used to being the minority and are totally ok with it. (NOTE: Reaching out to Asian International Students is MUCH easier because they are high identity and usually travel in packs.)
- The curse of, technology: Ok, so let's suppose you find an Asian American walking down the street. Even better, he or she is alone so there isn't the awkwardness of group dynamics. It should be easy from here, right? Well, that depends on whether or not the student can hear for with the earphones on and the volume turned up on high. Without getting too old school, back in my day, we talked to people on our way to class. Apparently, it's all about the music as you move from one building to another.
For all the things that make tabling difficult, there is one huge benefit to tabling each semester. Even though it may not do much for our group numbers, it grows our leaders in incredible ways. I am always amazed at how well tabling brings out the best in our student leaders. At its best, you see students take risks, get out of their comfort zones, and grow in their love for the campus. Even at its worst, it brings up all sorts of internal issues within students that you can then begin to deal with. It's not always pretty but it sure is helpful.
So, friends, please continue to pray for us as we continue to outreach. We have a whole host of events coming up these next few weeks that will hopefully reach more students and grow the ones we have. We may even table a little bit more. =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
It begins again...
Hello, friends!
I am happy to be writing to you not only form BEAUTIFUL Columbia, Missouri, but also form the Mizzou Student Center and using a University Computer, just like old times. As I sit here and pretend to be a preductive member of society, I am surrounded by the sounds of freshmen buying books, the parents of freshmen freaking out about the cost of books, and upperclassmen laughing at the freshmen buying books. =0). It's good to be back.
Things have already gotten off to a great start. On Sunday, the Student Leaders helped with student move-in. I'm not sure how many students they met, but when I saw them later that evening, they had a look of exhausted satisfaction. Added to that, Meg has been helping at the International Student Orientation, making friends and making contacts. Meg and I have also been working on planning our pre-Fall Leaders Retreat, hopefully setting the table for a great year to come.
Amazingly, this will be year number 7 here at Mizzou ACF for me. This will be my 7th year meeting freshmen, my 7th year following up with students I meet, my 7th year planning a kickoff event, and my 7th year praying that God will bring new students into our fold. In some ways, it feels familiar. I know the campus. I know the schedule of the university. I know roughly what to expect. Yet, at the same time, things are completely different. This year I have a wife. We have a team of interns and volunteers. We have multiple roles and multiple campuses, including Columbia College. We have a leaders team that has never been bigger or more diverse. It may be the same Mizzou but it is an entirely different scenario.
One thing stays the same though. Our mission, as it has been and as it always will be, is to be a community that share's Christ's love with the Asian and Asian Americans on campus. We have a purpose. We have a mission. It's time to get things done.
Friends, please be praying for us as the new year gets underway. Pray particularly for Meg and me as we learn to Team Lead together and learn to lead students together. Pray for our leaders as they take on more and more responsibility. Pray for the campus, that God will come in full force this year.
We have no idea what will happen this year. It has the potential to be a huge year for ACF. All by God's grace.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
I am happy to be writing to you not only form BEAUTIFUL Columbia, Missouri, but also form the Mizzou Student Center and using a University Computer, just like old times. As I sit here and pretend to be a preductive member of society, I am surrounded by the sounds of freshmen buying books, the parents of freshmen freaking out about the cost of books, and upperclassmen laughing at the freshmen buying books. =0). It's good to be back.
Things have already gotten off to a great start. On Sunday, the Student Leaders helped with student move-in. I'm not sure how many students they met, but when I saw them later that evening, they had a look of exhausted satisfaction. Added to that, Meg has been helping at the International Student Orientation, making friends and making contacts. Meg and I have also been working on planning our pre-Fall Leaders Retreat, hopefully setting the table for a great year to come.
Amazingly, this will be year number 7 here at Mizzou ACF for me. This will be my 7th year meeting freshmen, my 7th year following up with students I meet, my 7th year planning a kickoff event, and my 7th year praying that God will bring new students into our fold. In some ways, it feels familiar. I know the campus. I know the schedule of the university. I know roughly what to expect. Yet, at the same time, things are completely different. This year I have a wife. We have a team of interns and volunteers. We have multiple roles and multiple campuses, including Columbia College. We have a leaders team that has never been bigger or more diverse. It may be the same Mizzou but it is an entirely different scenario.
One thing stays the same though. Our mission, as it has been and as it always will be, is to be a community that share's Christ's love with the Asian and Asian Americans on campus. We have a purpose. We have a mission. It's time to get things done.
Friends, please be praying for us as the new year gets underway. Pray particularly for Meg and me as we learn to Team Lead together and learn to lead students together. Pray for our leaders as they take on more and more responsibility. Pray for the campus, that God will come in full force this year.
We have no idea what will happen this year. It has the potential to be a huge year for ACF. All by God's grace.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
A Death in the Family
Hello, friends!
Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio! Why am I in Cleveland? Actually, I am here for a funeral. After 82 years, my great aunt Della died on July 23. I was able to fly out to Cleveland as a representative for my siblings to be with the family.
Death is a part of life. I've been to funerals before. When I was 12 my grandfather died. Most recently, in 2007, my great uncle died. I have been with friends as they have walked through the death of friends and family members. Death is nothing new to me.
The one thing that was new to me was going to a non-Christian funeral while working as a campus staff member for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. The questions as I prepared to fly out here were plentiful. Which rituals would I participate in with my family? What should I do with the opportunities to talk about faith with my family? How much does it matter that I am campus staff for a living?
As I thought and prayed about it more and more, what I really felt God telling me was to remember to love people above all else. There were going to be opportunities to talk to all members of my family and what I did with those opportunities, whether or not we talked about Jesus or not, would be secondary to whether or not I was speaking out of love.
Yesterday was the wake and today was the funeral. I would like to think that I did ok. Except for the incense messing with my asthma and headaches, I was able to participate in the wake and the funeral. I had a great conversation with one of the guys who Aunt Della mentored about Jesus and the afterlife. I was even asked to pray at the burial along w' my dad (Papa John ended up doing the prayer).
I can't say that I did everything right but I feel good about it. I was looking for opportunities to love my family I and I hope that I did ok. My hope is that God was glorified through my actions and words. Pretty much, it's up to Jesus at this point.
Please be praying for my family. Many of my family knows Jesus but many in my family doesn't. Please pray that God will move in my family. Please pray for more opportunities to share who Jesus is. Please pray for peace for me as I return home.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio! Why am I in Cleveland? Actually, I am here for a funeral. After 82 years, my great aunt Della died on July 23. I was able to fly out to Cleveland as a representative for my siblings to be with the family.
Death is a part of life. I've been to funerals before. When I was 12 my grandfather died. Most recently, in 2007, my great uncle died. I have been with friends as they have walked through the death of friends and family members. Death is nothing new to me.
The one thing that was new to me was going to a non-Christian funeral while working as a campus staff member for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. The questions as I prepared to fly out here were plentiful. Which rituals would I participate in with my family? What should I do with the opportunities to talk about faith with my family? How much does it matter that I am campus staff for a living?
As I thought and prayed about it more and more, what I really felt God telling me was to remember to love people above all else. There were going to be opportunities to talk to all members of my family and what I did with those opportunities, whether or not we talked about Jesus or not, would be secondary to whether or not I was speaking out of love.
Yesterday was the wake and today was the funeral. I would like to think that I did ok. Except for the incense messing with my asthma and headaches, I was able to participate in the wake and the funeral. I had a great conversation with one of the guys who Aunt Della mentored about Jesus and the afterlife. I was even asked to pray at the burial along w' my dad (Papa John ended up doing the prayer).
I can't say that I did everything right but I feel good about it. I was looking for opportunities to love my family I and I hope that I did ok. My hope is that God was glorified through my actions and words. Pretty much, it's up to Jesus at this point.
Please be praying for my family. Many of my family knows Jesus but many in my family doesn't. Please pray that God will move in my family. Please pray for more opportunities to share who Jesus is. Please pray for peace for me as I return home.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Sunday, July 28, 2013
One Week...
Hello, friends!
Greetings from beautiful Columbia, Missouri, also known as Megan's and my new home! Just one week ago today we packed up the truck, drove through some storms, and started the next chapter of Team Megan and Adam here in CoMO. The past few days have been spent unpacking, trying to get a sense of a new rhythm, and hanging out with students.
Still, with everything that is on the horizon, at the moment we aren't feeling overwhelmed in terms of stuff to do. Most of the boxes are unpacked, including the important ones (read: kitchen stuff). We've set up the living room and the bedroom so we can lounge and sleep with some level of comfort. I've set up the Nintendo, so I'm good to go there. =0). There is student stuff but the biggest piece on our hands is planning the Pre-Fall leader's retreat, which will be important but not terribly time consuming. In many ways, you could say that things are a little slow out here right now. Honestly, though, I think that's just fine with me.
Both Megan and I are doers. I'm super task oriented and Megan loves being active. We like it best when there is a task to be accomplished or something to do. In some ways, it is maddening to be here and not be filled to the brim with work, like how things will be in just a few weeks. With that in mind, I've decided to change my attitude and actually be thankful for the chill time that we have. There may not be a lot to do in terms of ministry but I believe that it's actually a gift from God that we have time to unpack and unwind a little. I'd much rather have this than be swamped with work and living out of boxes and suitcases for a few more weeks.
Transitioning is tough work. We visited a church today and I felt the pull of trying to see it as its own thing and not compare it to church in St. Louis. That goes for eating at a restaurant and walking downtown. Things are different here. Some may say they are better. Others may say they are worse. I'll just say they are different and leave it at that.
One thing that I've been hearing during this time has been God saying, "Trust me." Being the task oriented fixer that I am, I've wanted this transition to be just another item on the to-do list. Things haven't been quite that easy and it's frustrating because I know that the only things that are going to make this better are time and Jesus, two things that I cannot make more of but have to be given to me. It's not easy right now but I believe that God will make this place a home for us and that it will be awesome.
Friends, please continue to pray for Megan and me as we continue to transition to life here in Columbia. Pray that God will be with us as we serve together and learn to serve each other during this time.
Have an excellent day!
Greetings from beautiful Columbia, Missouri, also known as Megan's and my new home! Just one week ago today we packed up the truck, drove through some storms, and started the next chapter of Team Megan and Adam here in CoMO. The past few days have been spent unpacking, trying to get a sense of a new rhythm, and hanging out with students.
Still, with everything that is on the horizon, at the moment we aren't feeling overwhelmed in terms of stuff to do. Most of the boxes are unpacked, including the important ones (read: kitchen stuff). We've set up the living room and the bedroom so we can lounge and sleep with some level of comfort. I've set up the Nintendo, so I'm good to go there. =0). There is student stuff but the biggest piece on our hands is planning the Pre-Fall leader's retreat, which will be important but not terribly time consuming. In many ways, you could say that things are a little slow out here right now. Honestly, though, I think that's just fine with me.
Both Megan and I are doers. I'm super task oriented and Megan loves being active. We like it best when there is a task to be accomplished or something to do. In some ways, it is maddening to be here and not be filled to the brim with work, like how things will be in just a few weeks. With that in mind, I've decided to change my attitude and actually be thankful for the chill time that we have. There may not be a lot to do in terms of ministry but I believe that it's actually a gift from God that we have time to unpack and unwind a little. I'd much rather have this than be swamped with work and living out of boxes and suitcases for a few more weeks.
Transitioning is tough work. We visited a church today and I felt the pull of trying to see it as its own thing and not compare it to church in St. Louis. That goes for eating at a restaurant and walking downtown. Things are different here. Some may say they are better. Others may say they are worse. I'll just say they are different and leave it at that.
One thing that I've been hearing during this time has been God saying, "Trust me." Being the task oriented fixer that I am, I've wanted this transition to be just another item on the to-do list. Things haven't been quite that easy and it's frustrating because I know that the only things that are going to make this better are time and Jesus, two things that I cannot make more of but have to be given to me. It's not easy right now but I believe that God will make this place a home for us and that it will be awesome.
Friends, please continue to pray for Megan and me as we continue to transition to life here in Columbia. Pray that God will be with us as we serve together and learn to serve each other during this time.
Have an excellent day!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
I'm Sorry...
Hello, friends!
The past few nights I have had a lot of trouble sleeping. Normally, it takes me a bit to fall asleep but things have taken much longer since Saturday night. What happened on Saturday night? Well, on Saturday, a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter of Trayvon Martin. Since then, I've been thinking about the verdict and various implications, not just on me, but on my community as well. Each night I have been kicking around a different question in my mind and trying to make everything clear.
Originally, my plan was to post my thoughts about each of the questions that I had been kicking around each night but as I began to type, it felt like another long post that bordered on blabbering was probably not helpful to the conversation. So, instead, I am going to do what feels right in my heart to do: Say I am sorry.
To the Martin family, I am sorry. You lost your son and probably feel like you have lost out on justice as well. A court of law and a jury of your peers decided that the man who shot and killed your son did not undeniably do so out of evil intent and malice. That sucks.
To my African American friends, I am sorry. From the people who I have spoken to, this was not just a murder trial. This was about community and family. From the people who I have spoken to, this verdict was not just a miscarriage of justice, it was another kick in the gut, another reminder to you that the system isn't fair and that you will always be considered second class citizens. I don't know if that sentiment is true or not, but the feelings are real and I am sorry you are experiencing this right now.
To my students, I am sorry. I wish I had a good answer on what the Christian response, or the Asian American response is supposed to be in this situation. Everything that I have come up with has sounded hallow and trite. Bits about being "bridge builders" and "trusting in God's judgment over the judgment of man" don't seem to cut it at this point. I want to point you in a good direction on this one but I'm not sure of what that direction is. The best I can tell you is to care about this. Care about this because it is important.
~Adam
The past few nights I have had a lot of trouble sleeping. Normally, it takes me a bit to fall asleep but things have taken much longer since Saturday night. What happened on Saturday night? Well, on Saturday, a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter of Trayvon Martin. Since then, I've been thinking about the verdict and various implications, not just on me, but on my community as well. Each night I have been kicking around a different question in my mind and trying to make everything clear.
Originally, my plan was to post my thoughts about each of the questions that I had been kicking around each night but as I began to type, it felt like another long post that bordered on blabbering was probably not helpful to the conversation. So, instead, I am going to do what feels right in my heart to do: Say I am sorry.
To the Martin family, I am sorry. You lost your son and probably feel like you have lost out on justice as well. A court of law and a jury of your peers decided that the man who shot and killed your son did not undeniably do so out of evil intent and malice. That sucks.
To my African American friends, I am sorry. From the people who I have spoken to, this was not just a murder trial. This was about community and family. From the people who I have spoken to, this verdict was not just a miscarriage of justice, it was another kick in the gut, another reminder to you that the system isn't fair and that you will always be considered second class citizens. I don't know if that sentiment is true or not, but the feelings are real and I am sorry you are experiencing this right now.
To my students, I am sorry. I wish I had a good answer on what the Christian response, or the Asian American response is supposed to be in this situation. Everything that I have come up with has sounded hallow and trite. Bits about being "bridge builders" and "trusting in God's judgment over the judgment of man" don't seem to cut it at this point. I want to point you in a good direction on this one but I'm not sure of what that direction is. The best I can tell you is to care about this. Care about this because it is important.
~Adam
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