Christmas Party! Great Banquet Style!!

Over this past year, Barron and I have both been studying The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24).  As we continued reflecting on this passage, we asked, what does it mean to "go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in".  The word compel really spoke out to us and we decided, "Lets through a Christmas Party... Great Banquet Style!" and "compel" people to come and fill our house.  So we hosted a potluck Christmas Party at our place.

When the time came for our Christmas Party, students started piling into our place one by one.  Before we knew it, we had 20 people crammed around the table in our place!  Students (Christian & Non-Christian) from all of our communities:  Kung Fu, Orchestra, Out on Campus, Grappling, Small Groups, Point Church, etc was all represented at this Christmas Party and it was such a beautiful sight to see our communities enjoying each others company.

Christmas Party!  Great Banquet Style!!!

The food!!  Oh the food that we had was practically gourmet style and it was in ABUNDANCE!!  Things like:  Turkey, stuffing, gourmet pastas, vegetables, cheese & crackers, sushi, cheesecake.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Mmmm.... Deliciousness....

So in summary with this Christmas Party, we had great music, a full house, an abundance of gourmet food and beverages, and most of all, a wonderful time of laughing, chatting, and sharing.  God blessed us with The Great Banquet.

God provided and stirred the hearts of our students to say "Yes" to something that is unique and different than any other community they have been involved with.  This is the beginning of what God has in store for IVCF at SFU.  

Christmas Party! Great Banquet Style 2.0

So it does not just end with one Great Banquet!  There was yet another one that surfaced on residence.  Two of our students on residence, Lida and Denee, prepared and cooked a whole Christmas Dinner Feast for the students on residence in the middle of final exams.

Lida & Denee preparing Chocolate Crepes for Dessert

For some of us, it has been a long time since we have last been in school and have forgotten the student life, myself included.  After spending more time with Lida and Denee, I was reminded how stressful it is for students during the final exam period.  The amount of time and commitment they need to put into studying for their final exams is to the point where they don't have enough time to sleep and/or eat.

As I think about sacrificial giving, it requires both time and commitment.  Both of these which are key for students to give to do well on final exams.  However, when I saw Lida and Denee choosing to give up a full day of studying to bless their peers and friends on residence with a full Christmas Dinner, I can only watch in awe and thank God for their hearts to serve and love their friends.

As we were faithful in serving God and serving His children, God blessed us with another 20 students that came and enjoyed a Christmas Dinner with us.  It was again, another Great Banquet, however, this time I got the privilege of seeing the heart and sacrifice behind it from Lida and Denee.

God has indeed blessed Barron and I with amazing students and I pray that we would be good stewards of what He has given us.

Denee enjoying the great Christmas Dinner

Chocolate Crepes!!

Full and Satisfied 

Remain in Me...

I am a driven person.  When I truly believe in something, I will do everything in my power to get it done.

I would call this both a blessing and a curse.  It is a blessing that I can get things done and that I can be reliable.  I put to action what has been talked about and ask the question, "How do we do this?"  It is a curse though because I am so driven, I will do things on my own and try to make things happen with own strength.  As a result, I measure my success based on the success of the event or task that I was determined to do, often resulting in disappointment.

I have been reflecting on this for a number of years now asking the questions, "How do I find the balance?  How can I be driven and while also being faithful to God?"  These are tough questions and I feel that some who are reading this can relate to me as well.

Even though I am still asking these questions, I can't help but think back to my China and clotheslining experience.  The theme of slowing down still rings loud and true.  Waiting for God and be a faithful steward of what He has given me.  The passage of the True Vine has been coming up for me again (John 15:1-17).  Especially this part of the passage:

Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

Here it is, the answer to my questions.  "Remain in me" is the answer.  My drivenness is no longer to be propelled by my own strength but by "remaining in the love of Jesus".  By remaining in Him, that is where I can bear the true fruit and my definition of success will be based on being faithful to what God has called me to do.  This is how I can be both a driven and faithful child of God.  

Upcoming Events (Prayer Requests)

Canadian Chinese Christian Winter Conference (CCCWC)

A Chinese Christian conference focusing on Chinese Christians in Western Canada from Dec. 27-31.  Leslie and I (the two Chinese staff) will be going to this conference as representatives of IVCF.  Leslie will be leading worship with first years for one of the plenary sessions and I will be setting up an IVCF Booth to give more exposure to IVCF in the Chinese communities here in Western Canada.  

• Pray for save travels to and from the convention center in Kelowna 
• Pray for opportunities to network with other Chinese Churches in Vancouver
• Pray for Leslie and the worship team as they practice and prepare
• Pray for rest and restoration leading up to the conference

Student Leadership Training

On Jan 13-15, Emily Carr and SFU will be having a student leadership training time redefining what it means to be a leader.  Through the journey of Peter and creative movies studies, we hope to empower our students (who are already leaders) to go and make leaders themselves.

• Pray for our student leaders as we invite them into this training weekend.
• Pray for Barron, Kim, and I as we prepare movie studies, scripture studies, etc.
• Pray for rest and restoration leading up to the new semester.

Fundraising Trip

I am planning on a fundraising trip back to Regina sometime in February.

• Pray for my funding and finances.
• Pray that this trip will be fruitful and encouraging.
• Pray that this trip will be a blessing to my friends and family back at home.

Mark West Pacific

A week of intense scripture study on half of the gospel of Mark (Apr. 26 - May 2)

• Pray for invitations extended to students.
• Pray for our students as they invite their friends out.