Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Beginning of something new.

I am now back at home, finished with Alamo City Summer Project. I am quite sad to leave what we have done in San Antonio, but I am looking forward to God working through each of us on the team wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)

Before I want to tell you how life changing this summer has been, I want to share with you my journey back to Houston from San Antonio.

On the way back, I made two stops before finally arriving home. I stopped by Sonic to talk with Tino. Tino is the boss at Sonic where the girls on the summer project team worked at. He has been very friendly and kind to us. Each time we go to Sonic, we would have such a great time just joking with Tino, and he would always sit and eat with us. I got to talk with him one last time, just got to know him better, and just give him the reassurance of faith in God during the situations he is dealing with.
Then I stopped by Buc-ee's to use the restroom and get some food. On the way into the restroom, I saw a familar face, but just kept walking. Then I ran into him in the restroom, and it was Principal Salem from Bellaire HS. What a coincidence! haha We chatted, this is my first time talk with him. He was vacationing at San Antonio with family and heading back to Houston. I got to share with him what I did, and he was really chill and nice. I wish I got to know him bettter when I was still at Bellaire.

Now that I am home, completely empty, I will have a lot of time to myself. Please pray for me to use my time wisely this next week. =)

This summer has truly been a life-changing experience for me. I didn't know what to expect, came out understanding better of what it means to be a Christian. I have been challenged, did things I never would have imagined.
I always thought being a Christian would be easy, as long as you don't do anything bad. But I have come to understand that as a Christ follower, we are meant to face trials, difficult times, and persecutions. For 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 says "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." These things happen because God loves us, and he wants us to grow.
I hate confrontation, if you know me well, or just ask me, I would say I hate confronting people. But this summer God has given me the priviledge to serve Him as student director, which is something I never even thought about happening. During these past two weeks, I have been challenged with dealing with people and balancing my daily schedule to where everything works out. I have a better understanding of confrontation, and that it is necessary to to happen, as long as it is encouraging and that you "should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19), especially as a leader. Being the director, the need for Christ to lead me became more apparent. I could see the less time I spent with God, the more frustrated I would get. So I encourage you guys to do your devotionals daily, it really makes a difference in your days.

Now I want to say something to Jay, Erica, Christie Ramos, Sarah J, Patrick, Anton, Emily, James, Sarah H, and Tristan. These are the people I got to work with. I want to say this summer has really helped me mature. I want to thank all of you for bearing with me and just being focused on God. I learned something from each of you, and I pray that our friendships live on. Don't forget what happened in San Antonio this summer, take it with you and use it to reach other people in your lives. Don't ever lose sight of God.

NON-NEGOTIABLE!!(time with God is non-negotiable)

-Kevin

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Broken, I come to You...

These past couple days have been extremely happy days! I am so excited to be sharing my experience.

Before I tell you my happy days, I want to say that I am a person that holds in feelings and emotions. I have learned to numb those emotions to where I, sometimes do not feel regular feelings. (happy, sad, terrified, and etc)

Monday was my UT orientation. Emily and I drove up from our summer project to Austin around 6am, early I know. =) When we got there, we both begin to see old faces. It was so refreshing to see them. I saw friends from middle school, high school, and UTSA. Even crazier was that I got to meet so many new friends throughout the campus, and I am praying that I will see all of them again. I won't keep going with the details, but I will say that it was a day filled with joy and sweat. Later that night, on the way back Emily and I visited Alex Lee at his restaurant. We got to hang out for a bit and just seeing how Alex was doing. He was growing and doing a great job keeping other guys accountable. After we left there, on the drive back to San Antonio, Emily said, "I am so glad to visit Alex, I am so happy right now." She went and talked with her lover Alice, but I was just thinking. All these years, the joy, laughter, tears, rough times, and good times all brought some type of emotion. But each time, I would feel like I would be pushing out each emotion I felt at the time. Randomly, in the car, I started to tear up. I tried to hold it in, but it wouldn't stop. I felt God moving my heart, reminding me of all my friends and family who constantly encourage me, love me, and challenge me. I felt genuine happiness since a long time ago.

At work today, I was reading over an encouraging email sent by my friend Sarah. It was a blog by John Piper. ( http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1890_the_loving_meaning_of_the_leftovers/) I did not get the whole meaning, so I asked Roderick for help. He was able to go through this with a vivid explanation. Roderick was describing how Jesus was testing his disciples before he fed the 5000. Andrew passed the test by bringing over the basket of fish and 5 loaves of bread. Andrew believed, unlike Phillip. When Roderick was explaining, I was brought again to tears. I was thinking to myself, "Wow, I am a cry baby." But I see why, God was at work, moving my heart once again. He was telling me, "Kevin, just believe, I am all you need."

Then later that night, after small group at Alamo Stone. All the guys went to the santuary to watch a skit. It was the Lifehouse skit - Everything. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA) It is an AMAZING skit, if you haven't seen it, WATCH IT! you will love it, but if you don't...umm I'll buy you ice cream, and we'll watch the video together. Anyways, I have seen this video three times, but this time I came closest to actually crying. I was reminded by God, moving my heart another time, saying, "I AM everything you need, Kevin." I felt a powerful tuck on my heart, knowing that He is with me, and how ridiculous I am for putting Him aside at times. I thought about the bad choices and wrong turns I have made in my life, passing by the perfect, loving, wanting a relationship with you God. How pathetic I am to looked away from Him and have such little faith to speak out in His name.

I have experienced God in the past two days, each time with a different reminder. I encourage you guys to keep your eyes on God and do your Non-Negotiables (your time with God.)

Feel free to give me a call, I would love to talk to you and tell you more about how God has been good to me this summer.

Please pray for my leadership and Sarah's as well as directors for the summer project, may we lead in confidence and making the team finishing well.

God is good,

-Kevin

Friday, July 3, 2009

Week of Change

[Jesus']His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5

I have been challenged many times this past week. During those times, I was a servant at the wedding in Cana being told by Mary to do whatever Christ told me to do.

On Mondays, I have been having my discipleship with Roderick. Each week, we would head out to downtown San Antonio to talk with the homeless and lead a small group there over the gospel of John. This part of downtown was one of the more dangerous part, and it's definitely a place that is out of my comfort zone. This past Monday, Roderick and I had the blessing to have Alex Liu on the team. We went out, with the intentions of teaching John 2. When we got there, we would do the usual, make care packages for the homeless. We made 20 bags filled with fruits, sandwiches, water, and chips. During our first round of walking around the area, we encountered a man who was drunk and kept telling us, "Go away!" I felt a bit troubled, and later found out that Roderick thought that guy could have been Satanic. For me, I have never encountered anything like this, so it was a little weird for me. When we got setup, about to start our small group, the same guy came over. He was being very disruptive and kept speaking really loudly to distract the group that Roderick is trying to teach. (John Jones and Tim) Alex and I tried to keep the guy distracted, so he won't bother Roderick's teaching. I prayed the whole time, asking the Lord to calm the situation and the man who was drunk and could be demonic. Close to the end of the study, he calmed down, and Roderick was able to finish teaching the chapter. PRAISE GOD! The two people listening to Roderick even got the theme of the subject, do whatever Jesus tells you.

On Wednesday, the project team went on the University of Texas at San Antonio campus to do outreach. Sarah Joy and I paired up to go around campus to do outreach. We had the opportunity to talk with five people, each person very different from the others. Throughout the whole time, we both constantly prayed for the people we were going to/and talking to. The first girl we talked to rejected us right away, did not want to talk about religion or anything of this topic. The second girl we talked to was a Unitarian, meaning they believe in one God, and everyone is going to heaven. She had to go take an exam, but she was very respectful and said she wish she could stay and talk with us about faith and her beliefs. I was encouraged by that, just how she was willing, and knowing that God went before us to prepare her heart. Then we came to this guy Jeff. He was an usual person, he worshipped himself and lived by logic. He didn't care about heaven or hell, and time does not exist. I, who is not every experienced, and not very knowledgable did not know what to say or even questions to ask. I knew I was put there talking to Jeff for a reason, so I prayed. Then God started to put questions in my head, that led to a good conversation. Thanks for Sarah for being there to keep the conversation going. I know it seems hopeless, but please pray for him, that God will keep putting Christ followers in his life to make him question his actions. Then we got to talk to a bunch of workers that did not want to talk, but was very polite. Then lastly, a Christian who goes to Campus Crusade for Christ.

Friday, a big day. I slept in till about noon. Got up and went out with Patrick to do some shopping which ended up to be a 2 hour shopping spree. We went to Sam's and Wal-Mart to get everything we needed for our farewell party at dinner time. We bought so much food that we had so much left over. After we finished shopping, we went to the Girl's House (meeting place) to cook. I got to cook Tapioca for the whole team, man it was hard work. But it turned out pretty well, at least to me, maybe not to everyone. We grilled chicken breast, beef patties, fries, and limeades (go Sonic girls, they know how to make all the Sonic drinks!) with an abundance of fruits. The farewell party was a feast!! Toward the end of the meal, Jay and Christie (our directors that are leaving) made an announcement about the new directors. I knew who they were, but I was still nervous. I will be the new director, Sarah Joy will be the other. I am so grateful and blessed to be able to serve the team and lead them through the next 3-4 weeks. I am looking forward to it, but am praying for confidence in leading according to His will. Please pray for me for the next few weeks, that I may lead humbly and could be used by God in every way. I am super excited!!! We then announced the new leaders for Men's (Patrick)/Women's (Sarah Horn) Time , Outreach (Anton&Emily), and Adventure Day(Sarah J&Me). Then we had a little dance party in the backyard, and Emily, Sarah, Patrick, and I went for a little walk in the woods. Woooooo, scary, but fun!

Please pray for the team as the project takes a new turn.
Pray for Sarah and my leadership as directors, as well as the new leadership in the project.
Pray for the people we will be outreaching to, to see God and to have that relationship with Him.
Pray for our focus, devotionals, reading the Word, growing in Christ.
Pray for our small groups to keep growing and for the members to retain the lessons.
Pray for love and encouragement in the group.

Thank you all very much!

In Him,

-Kevin

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Following the 2nd Week

Hello Everyone,
As you can see, I am turned from my own ways and now writing in a blog now. I suppose this is pretty nice, I like it so far!

First of all, I want to apologize for not updating you in what has been happening for the past two weeks. I hope you forgive me and will be encouraged by reading my future updates.
In the past two weeks, I have been able to take all the training (leading a small group, disciple others, discipline) to action. Last Tuesday was Tristan and my first time try to form and lead a small group on the University of Texas at San Antonio campus. Earlier that day, Anton and Tristan went on campus to outreach and see if anyone on campus would be interested. I was told they talked to 10-15 people, and everyone they talked to seem really excited about the small group that day. I was pretty much pumped for the rest of the day after hearing that and expected at least a few people to show up. I had thought, “Tonight, I finally will get that opportunity to lead people to Christ and it’s my time to shine!” When 7:00P.M. came, Tristan and I were sitting out by the Starbucks on campus, we waited. We started talking and praying, 10 minutes passed, then 20 minutes. Around 7:30P.M. we decided that it was time to move and to outreach around campus. For me, I became a little disappointed, but I was not discouraged. I also realized the arrogance of my attitude earlier in the day, and how if I lead a person to Christ, it wouldn’t be my success, it would be His. Later that night, we made some flyers and talked to some people that were just really encouraging to talk to. I knew God was there with us, walking us through campus, meeting people.

For the past four weeks, God has allowed me to disciple a bright boy named Varnell. He is six years old and is really, really active. Each week, I would either take him to eat at a fast food restaurant or bookstore. I met him during this past school year, and prayed that I would get a chance to disciple him this summer. God answers your prayers, always! In the recent two weeks, I begin to mention and bring up more Christ-related topics for us to talk about. Varnell would always give a good answer that makes me go DANGG. He is not shy and enjoys questioning things like angels and death. I am very grateful that I have been there to answer them. I am praying that he will want to learn more and will build a firm foundation in Christ through the times we will spend together. I just gave him his first assignment, which is to read a couple verses from the Bible and memorize John 17: 3. I am praying that he will remember and have the heart to read the Word.

Here are some of the fun things we did on the project as of now:

I learned how to salsa!! hahaha i know right, kevin? salsa AND dancing??? your answer is YES! haha it was really fun, and we all got a chance to dance with each other!

Our adventure days (Sundays):
The team split into two groups and went out to downtown San Antonio to take creative pictures. Afterwards, we had to pick out 10 pictures that are the most creative, funny, San Antonio style, and others to compete with the other team. My team (Anton, Sarah Joy, Patrick, and I) took about 70 pictures and had so much fun. I'm hoping we'll get a chance to post them. Oh yeah, my team won overall as well!

Last week, we got the opportunity to go canoeing at the Guadalupe River. We rented 5 canoes and Emily was my rowing partner. We were on the river for about 3 hours, too bad the river was too shallow, which meant walking a few times and rapids full of rocks. This caused Emily and I to have to push the canoe. I had a great time rowing and enjoying the scenery. A few of us swung off trees into the river, and swam in the water. It was a beautiful day to go canoeing!

Sorry for dumping so much in one post, I will try and update every couple days from now on! That's a promise!

Please pray for the team:
Pray that our walks with God with keep growing
Pray our relationships with one another will grow and no tension, and be full of encouragements
Pray for the small groups to keep growing and that we will speak the truth
Pray for the stress, jobs, organization of the project
Pray for our mentorships, that it will help us be better equipped in many ways, and also the ones we are discipling, like Varnell for me

Thanks for reading,

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”- 1 John 4:11-12

God bless

-Kevin