Triathlon

This past Saturday, Twenty-Four Seven finally completed the peak of our physical training. For the past several months, since October, students have done nothing during workouts except swim, bike, or run. Even on Saturdays, we trained with an experienced biking group to have on-the-road practice to prepare. Beginning at noon most first, second, and some third years raced in a triathlon. All who participated finished an 800 meter swim, a 20 mile bike ride, and a 10k run before 4:30. Although most times were tracked inaccurately, I tracked mine on my own clock and completed the event within my goal time. Since swimming is my best sport, I had the best swim time out of the girls, and was the first person out of the pool from the first of three groups. The biking was a good time of refreshing from the swim and preparing from the race since my partner and I kept an even pace and I made sure to eat and drink a lot to recover and strengthen. Running was the hardest part for me, but I kept a slow, steady pace and ran almost the entire way while listening to music by Queen. Those who competed also got a cool car sticker to commemorate the day.

Peer level leading

In Twenty-Four Seven second and third years are considered Cadre, a tightly knit group of highly trained individuals working together for a common goal. At the beginning of the year, returning students undergo a week or two of mentally and physically strenuous work in order to prepare for their new roles as leaders. As cadre these people communicate between staff and first years, plan school trips and events, lead different aspects of the school, and mentor first-year students. 

Because the growth and health of this leadership group directly impacts that of our underlings, we must prioritize each other and our collective team. We meet together each month to receive vision, encouragement, and challenges from staff, discuss our condition as a group of leadership, and worship God. During event preparation, we work together and spread delegation to create powerful experiences for the first-years. Also, we make sure to check on each other indidually, to pray for, pour into, encourage, teach, and help each other in many ways. To make sure we properly care for the first years, we have to take care of each other.

Interning with Reach

In Twenty-Four Seven each student gets to serve in an area of ministry in which they possess high passion. Although I love missions and outreach, last year I got to explore other fields of interest. For the first semester I learned about graphic design under Bayside’s creative department. Then during the second half of the year, I served in the office of the church’s middle school ministry. Both gave me great opportunities to learn, serve, and have fun!

During the summer I finally got to start working in Reach with a few other young adult interns from Bayside. Under our leadership and his guidance, we began restructuring the procedures, mission manuals, roles, etc. of Bayside missions to improve what was already in place. Because Bayside has so much growth, especially with the building expansion, and so many people want to spread the gospel through domestic and international missions, we wanted to create a more organized, enjoyable, and effective experience for everyone who participates in any kind of trip through Bayside.

Now that I’m in my second semester of my second year and still with Reach I get to learn more about the role and work of my “boss.” This means I get to help plan trips by reaching out to contacts to coordinate details, proofreading inter-ministry Reach materials, learning how to handle financial reimbursement requests, sitting in on creative meetings, going on domestic trips, serving in local outreaches, and more! I love what I get to do and I learn so much.

Just a couple of weeks ago, God opened an incredible door for me and the other Reach interns to go on a one-night mission trip to Ybor City in Tampa. After attending church service that Saturday night, all of the Reach Administrative team (the interns and “boss man”) loaded into a van, picked up water bottles from Wal-Mart, and drove about an hour north. At first I was shocked because I’ve never seen such conditions in reality, but then my heart broke. We walked up and down a street with a lot of clubs on it praying for the area. Then we picked a corner to stay at until we left. There we handed out water bottles and told people that Jesus loves them; some were really excited to get free water, others questioned what we were doing, and many ignored us. However, in the end the night was a great success! We were able to encourage some locals with God’s love, and provide non-alcoholic drinks. Even though we only stayed for a couple of hours, people began to recognize, and I think with a more consistent visiting basis, we could have a huge impact on that area. Next time this trip will be even better.

Taking the message of the risen Son to the landing of the rising sun

Many people know from previous blog posts that I am passionate for Japan and feel called by God to do missions work there. However, I have yet to share much about how my heart was positioned in this way. 

Previously I have mentioned about how I didn't have many friends growing up, but by nature I am an introvert. I remember when I was little that I read a lot of books and watched a lot of TV. I preferred animated shows and the ones that appealed to me most were anime like Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh. As I continued maturing and aging, I grew in love for people and learned more about Japan. This led me to branch out my interests from just Japanese cartoons and comics.

The deeper I dug into Japanese media and history, the more I realized how much the nation needs Jesus. We all need Him, but I've never burned for another people group the way that I burn for the Japanese. A history of isolation and traditionalism has led them to a place of near spiritual depravity. Much like the shallow Christianity of America today, many Japanese adhere to Budhism and Shintoism out of culture or tradition, with no real connection to the idols. A lot of Japanese culture, style, holidays, etc. stem from these primary religions, but nothing is solved by their lack of heart change. Thus many fall away from a fulfilling life and turn to workaholism or materialism, or the social problems that exist there like gang warfare, prostitution, shut-ins, etc. Jesus came that we might have life to the full, not just survive and suffer. These people, fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image, just like you and me, need to know how incredibly valued they are by God, what He has done for them, and the identity they have in Him. Although the need is so great, few missionaries go or have success there, but I am determined to set the nation on fire for God. Some day I hope to use my testimony and gifts to share God's love with the people there in every, town, village, and city. God bless America and God bless Japan.