This is why I do what I do!

As I was dealing with the downs of the summer, it felt like I lost track of why I was actually doing my work with IVCF.  It wasn't until I went to support Vanessa for her info session that I had a chance to see the fruit of what God was calling me to do.

Vanessa Ignacio was a Business Student with the focus in HR.  She just recently graduated with her bachelor degree.  Over this past year, we had opportunities to meet up on a regular basis and ended up pioneering the SFU Surrey ministry.  Over the Christmas break, Vanessa decided to go to Urbana 12 with the team of SFU Students.  There, she had a chance to connect with an organization called International Care Ministries (ICM) which started her down an intense discernment process.  The leaders of ICM continued to follow-up with Vanessa and in time, they decided to hire her to work in their HR department in Hong Kong.

The process for her in making this decision lasted for 4 months and it wasn't easy.  God provided multiple opportunities to her and she was left with a decision.  She could try to find work after she graduated and get paid for a "normal" job, she could do the Internship with IVCF which would involve relocation and fundraising, or she could work with ICM in their HR department which would also involve relocation and fundraising.  Not easy choices, and all equally honoring to God, but as you may have guessed, she choose ICM.  In her discernment process, she felt that God was calling her into mission after graduation and I am happy to say that she followed through with that decision.

Being able to see Vanessa choose this decision for Jesus and walking with her each step of the way was such a joyful process.  It is during moments like these that I say to myself, "This is why I do the work that I do."

I'm Getting a Raise!

First of all... Thank You Everyone for all of your financial and prayer support over these past 3 years.  This ministry could not have happened without your incredible generosity.

It's as you have read it!  After 3 years of working with IVCF, I will be getting a raise, which means I get to fundraise more!  This raise will help increase my operational capacity to better serve and minister to students.  In my situation, it will cover the additional costs of rent as I am in a new prime location to do ministry.  Also, since I am getting married very shortly, the new amount will also cover extend health benefits for both April and I.

Here is an outline of the Before & After

Would you prayerfully consider an increase in your monthly support?

If God has placed on your heart to increase your support, I would love to have an opportunity to talk to you more about it.  If not, would you continue to be bathing the ministry in your prayers?  Either way, I would still love to be able to reconnect with all of you and chat via skype/phone.

Here's how to increase your support:

Credit Card:
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Click: "Donate"; Donation
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Section: Support a Member of our Staff
Section: Search for Staff - Justin Yuen
*All donations will be tax-receipted by Inter-Varsity

A Wedding Update

Only one more month to go!

A lot of progress has been made for April and I as we continue to plan out our wedding.  We have secured a different venue location which is closer to the Ceremony location and just looks so much better.  To make things even more incredible, the ones renting it to us offered it at an insanely reduced price!  Praise The Lord!

Also, we have secured the majority of our helpers and volunteers.  We are extremely grateful for all the love and support of our friends from Church, IVCF, and everywhere else.  We are truly blessed by everyone!

Some challenges we are facing right now are small but are still weighing on us.  The hunt for a make-up and hair artist is still in the mix.  We have been referred to 2 others but what happened was both had to cancel because they were pregnant.  April is meeting with a third one this week.  Pray that this 3rd one will work out for us.

Again, thank you all so much for your support and prayers as April and I embark on this journey together.

Upcoming Events & Prayer Requests

Upcoming Events

• Tabling in Burnaby SFU - September 3-5
• Burnaby Clubs Days - September 10-12
• Surrey Clubs Days - September 17, 18
• Leaders Small Group - Wednesday Evenings
• Pasta Night Welcome Event - September 13
• Helpers Dinner - September 15
• The Big Day!! - October 12

Prayer Requests

Students & Campus

• Pray for the 3 weeks of tabling.  Pray that it would be a place to meet new students.
• Pray for our Wednesday Leaders Small Group meetings.  Pray for vision and discernment on how to be keeping the vision and also passing the vision for Leaders-in-training.
• For the SFU Team.  That they will continue to grow in shared vision
• For for our core leaders team
• Pray for Barron and I as we continue to mentor and disciple the leaders.  Pray for wisdom and discernment.

Personal

• Pray for my growth as a leader and mentor.
• Pray for recruitment.
• Pray for me as I continue to network and connect with other Chinese Churches in the Lower Mainland.
• Pray for the Next Generation Dialogue between 1st and 2nd Generation Chinese Pastors.  
• Pray for mine & April's relationship and wedding planning.  Pray that this wedding will be honoring and glorifying God.
• Pray for my funding as I am sitting at around 80% of monthly's with the raise.  Pray that I will be fully funded within the next couple of months.
• Pray for me that I will rest well during my Sabbaths
• Pray for me that I will be exercising more regularly.