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Our Mission

We saw her outside the skytrain station, sitting on the edge of the side walk with bags of scattered personal belongings while looking frazzled with tears in her eyes. My brother in church and I approached her, asking if she needed any help. To be honest, when I first saw her, different thoughts ran across my mind. On one side, I felt a sense of sympathy like I should definitely help her, especially with an identity as a Christian. On the other side, I......judged. There was a part of me that was scared - scared to touch her, scared to communicate - I just didn't know what to expect. 

But then....the first thing she asked us out of everything was, "Are you Christian?". At that moment, I knew God was there - with us. 

Then, an older lady who was a complete stranger walked by, saw this confused woman sitting on the ground, and immediately held her hand and kissed her. I was quite shocked. Here I am, thinking I'm helping this woman, but simultaneously, having judgement towards her? I felt ashamed. 

As I was conversing with this woman, she just couldn't stop crying. You could tell she was so lost, that she felt so alone, so hopeless, so hurt, so empty.

We invited her to come to our church, which fortunately had our services on Saturday nights. In the foyer, we talked, we prayed to Jesus, we held hands, we hugged. I felt like God was opening both of our eyes. For us, we saw the love of Jesus and that we are all his children. It's really hard to believe sometimes that God has made some of us rich or poor or strong or weak, but in the end, we are still His. He created each and every one of us the way he intended and I felt like God was giving me a reminder that because we are all his, I need to stop judging, stop being scared, and trust in Him. 

During the service, she was scrambling. For some reason, she just told me that she couldn't do it anymore. "I am going to kill myself!" were the exact words that came out in shrieks. In shock, I felt extremely helpless. As our pastor was still speaking as this was going on, I did not know what to do. I sat there and prayed. Help God...I don't know what to do. I'm really scared. I don't know what to say. Please do something God.

She got up abruptly and left the worship hall. We followed and tried to calm her down. She was bawling her eyes out. I felt really sad because I really did now know how to make her feel better anymore. She just kept telling me, "I need Jesus...I need Him". I felt like God was really trying to speak to her saying,"You can't give up, you are made for a reason, you are chosen personally and I love you so much".  In the end, the police and ambulance came after - she was taken to the hospital to hopefully get treatment for her unstable condition. 

In a way, I feel like the hospital can only cure so much. God presented to us that this woman had a spiritual yearning. She was seeking something more. Talking to my brothers and sisters after this whole incident, they told me that they were praying to God in the worship hall when this woman was screaming helplessly. It was definitely a spiritual battle - but a battle that God had complete control over. 

After this whole experience, I believe God is giving us a reminder that the need in our community itself.....is huge.

We are the ones that God has personally chosen to help these people.....we can't walk away.

So...Let's not walk away...

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

Fall

A change in season.

Rain pitter-pattering against the windows...
Leaves falling and being lost amongst the piles...
What is left are the naked branches...
Darkness seals the sky...
And this is fall...

...to remind us that the essence of life is close by.
...only so little ones can jump in them and embrace in laughter.
...revealing the foundation of bareness and authenticity.
...because in darkness is where light is most easily found.
...like every season, filled with hope.

My Birthday Post

To all the people in my life - whether you are in my family or my friend or even someone I may have grown a distance with, I thank you for being a huge part of my life and give me such a special day. God has given me the blessing to know you and I really hope that I can be there for you just as how you have been there for me. Whether it's a birthday or just a normal day, I hope we can always remember that there is a reason why each of us are born and brought into this world. Just know, we are forever loved :)

Omgosh...this is getting a little too corny agh sorry...love you!!

Bring me Back

Today when I was heading to school, I saw a huge group of kids at the skytrain station on a field trip. Seeing them made me smile a bit inside; they were all so talkative, excited, and obedient to their teachers. As I was walking down the stairs from the skytrain station, I see me and other university students hurry down the stairs   in hopes to catch our routine bus. I sometimes wish that I was a kid again - amused by the smallest things and enjoying whatever's in front of me. Being a child is really so great - so carefree, so simple.

What's stopping me though?

I don't think there's a reason why I can't be amused by the smallest things, to enjoy what's in front of me, to be carefree, or to be simple. Some may call me naive, but I yearn for this childlike faith. My father, our God,  has promised us His love and blessings when we learn to trust and become totally dependent in Him. I would like to think of myself as a teenager right now - I love my Father but at times, I feel like I could handle situations by myself, make my own decisions, and rebel against those who care about me most. So Father, please bring me back.... to the faith of a child.

Hmmm

The weather is so beautiful today and the air is unbelievably fresh. Even though I love summer, this change in season has definitely been one of the better ones here in Vancouver. Looking up and seeing the clear blue skies, looking left and seeing those defined mountains, and looking all around and seeing people, all types of people -it's interesting.

Do you ever wonder what people around you are thinking? Sometimes, I see people having fun; laughing within their group of friends. Sometimes, I see people looking stressed and anxious - probably because of school. But often at times, I see people looking...indifferent. Indifferent in the sense that perhaps they are lost. Although it's hard for me to say by just looking at someone, but I'm sure it's a feeling that could rush through someone's mind, even for a second.

To those people who ever feel indifferent, unsure, or even confused, don't tell yourself you can't and place your hope in the Lord. He will never disappoint. And I hope you will always find a reason to smile. Just don't give up!