Real responses from real people.

We asked students on the Northern Arizona University campus, “What do you and God have in common?”

The point: to start good conversations.

Here are some responses:

This talk is about giving so that God sees.

My new living situation

The old roommates.

The new roommates.


Aren’t we good looking?

Theo got married. Eric moved to New York. So now it’s Navin, Blade, me, and Victor.

Let’s just say we’re an “international” combination. We’re learning how to live together and how to love each other as roommates. Hard, challenging at times, but worth it.

Fall semester in three words

Fall semester was hard.

The weight of my choice to be on InterVarsity staff in this season of my life sometimes is too much to bear.  Because it comes with a handful of voices always telling me to do something else.

There’s the voice of my dad who is disappointed with me for not living the Chinese-American dream.

There’s the guilt of not being able to support my retired, single, overworked mom because of my missionary income.

There’s the awkwardness of people who aren’t Christians not understanding the life I’ve chosen to live.

There’s the desire to want to be married but every girl in my life is off limits (because they’re students).

There’s the worry that comes with day-to-day life because my paycheck is below poverty level because I’ve chosen to pursue the ministry God has called me to in this season of life.

And all these sacrifices together aren’t exactly the best thing for my health.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Fall semester was worthwhile.

God is worth it.

The Gospel is worth it.

Students are worth it.

And in the midst of hardness, I choose hardness for the glory of God.  Because a simple reality remains unchanging….my reward is not in this life.

I choose to be like the saints of old who persevered because they saw Him who is invisible.

Fall semester was clarifying.

I’m not going to keep it secret.  Fundraising is the most difficult thing I’ve encountered on staff.  Depending on God, humbling myself, and asking people for money is really, really hard.

I’ve experienced everything from anger to celebration to disappointment to gratitude in my fundraising experience.

The clarifying part about this past semester is I’m cutting my budget in half and officially going part-time with InterVarsity staff.  For the first time in two and a half years, my hours on campus and the amount I’m being compensated will be the same.

And it feels like a weight is lifted off of my shoulders.

I’m going to be looking for a part-time job when I get back to Flagstaff in January while still remaining firm in my commitment to staff with InterVarsity.

To all my supporters: thanks for sticking with me through this adventure.

….our reward is not in this life.

Thanks Alida Oegema for all the great pictures!

Thanks Alida for being the best photographer ever.

The 24/7 prayer team doesn’t need me anymore

Last night, I went to the kick off for the first 24/7 prayer week of the 2010-2011 school year.  This isn’t a new thing for me.  At NAU, I’ve helped put together bunches of prayer rooms, kick offs, closings, etc.

But, there was something very, very special about last night:

I didn’t do anything.

I’ve passed the team onto two student leaders, Felicia and Alida, who are doing a wonderful job giving direction to the completely new team, embracing innovation, and taking things to a whole new level.

I could not have left it in better hands.

The 24/7 prayer team doesn’t need me anymore.  And I love it.