Back in SoCal

Hi all, we are back from Germany now and trying to get settled in to life here. And yes, we are trying to get over the jetlag - the kids start dropping off at around 5-6 PM (mostly because they wake up at 4-5 AM!!).

We will try to post more fotos and testimonies about the trip - it was a total blessing! It was soooo good to see good friends again, some we have known for almost 12-13 years now. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the trip. And thanks especially to the Romings who opened their home for us to stay the whole 2 and a half weeks - 4 adults and 9 kids (all under 10 years old) all in one house. And nary a problem! Wow, what a miracle!

I am scheduled for jury duty all of next week. And Becks is scheduled for jury duty all of the week after that. Welcome back to SoCal! Life never is dull, is it? I am kinda excited - never done jury duty before. We have been called before several times, but were living in Germany at the time so got out of it (but imagine the travel cost they would have had to reimburse us for if they insisted we show up!).

Anyways, we'll post more soon...

Back in SoCal

Hi all, we are back from Germany now and trying to get settled in to life here. And yes, we are trying to get over the jetlag - the kids start dropping off at around 5-6 PM (mostly because they wake up at 4-5 AM!!).

We will try to post more fotos and testimonies about the trip - it was a total blessing! It was soooo good to see good friends again, some we have known for almost 12-13 years now. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the trip. And thanks especially to the Romings who opened their home for us to stay the whole 2 and a half weeks - 4 adults and 9 kids (all under 10 years old) all in one house. And nary a problem! Wow, what a miracle!

I am scheduled for jury duty all of next week. And Becks is scheduled for jury duty all of the week after that. Welcome back to SoCal! Life never is dull, is it? I am kinda excited - never done jury duty before. We have been called before several times, but were living in Germany at the time so got out of it (but imagine the travel cost they would have had to reimburse us for if they insisted we show up!).

Anyways, we'll post more soon...

'...among the nations...among all peoples'

Well, it's been a while since we posted - sorry. Life has just gotten faster and faster these days. Anyways, just a quick note to update you all on the trip to Europe and Africa last month. As you know I was able to visit a couple we sent out (from CCFreiburg) to Luxembourg to start a bible study. They are doing well and it was great to see their fist child also - he's a cutie! I stayed there overnight and then headed down to the border between Germany and Switzerland to visit my godchild and her family.

Again, I stayed there overnight and then took another train to Freiburg to visit the church I used to pastor. It was a great time seeing all the people there, but more importantly, it was awesome to see what God is continuing to do in the fellowship through the current pastor. For me, it was confirmation that we heard God correctly and made the right choices. And it was funny/weird - I thought being in Freiburg would make me miss living there, but in actuality, it didn't - another sign that that is not our 'home' anymore. Of course, we miss the people and the ministry there, but we also know that God is finished with us there.

And that is why I also visited Cape Town, South Africa - to see what the needs are and to just seek the Lord about the possibility of serving Him in Africa. The pastor of Calvary Chapel Cape Town and his wife were gracious hosts and answered many questions, showed me the town a bit and explained their vision for their city. It was awesome to just get to know them and their 2 daughters, and to see what the Lord is doing in their fellowship and their city. In any case, I was hoping God would make it clear one way or another if our next missions journey would take us to South Africa, but alas, I didn't get a clear answer.

I did, however, get confirmation that we ARE to go back out on the foreign mission field - that was something we weren't 100% sure about either. We were ready to go back out, but we were also ready to stay in the USA and serve here - whatever the Lord wanted. But on this trip, the Lord spoke to me through Psalm 96, especially verses 2-3 -

'Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.'

It just burdened me once again to go and to proclaim the good news AMONG the nations and AMONG the peoples. I have to admit, we were beginning to get a little too 'comfortable' in SoCal, so this was just a timely reminder to what we as a Phamily are called to. So pray with us and for us, as we continue to seek the Lord about where, and of course when and what exactly!

PS - I will have to one day find time (right...) to share a little more about Cape Town - it's a wonderful city. I loved it there.

'...among the nations...among all peoples'

Well, it's been a while since we posted - sorry. Life has just gotten faster and faster these days. Anyways, just a quick note to update you all on the trip to Europe and Africa last month. As you know I was able to visit a couple we sent out (from CCFreiburg) to Luxembourg to start a bible study. They are doing well and it was great to see their fist child also - he's a cutie! I stayed there overnight and then headed down to the border between Germany and Switzerland to visit my godchild and her family.

Again, I stayed there overnight and then took another train to Freiburg to visit the church I used to pastor. It was a great time seeing all the people there, but more importantly, it was awesome to see what God is continuing to do in the fellowship through the current pastor. For me, it was confirmation that we heard God correctly and made the right choices. And it was funny/weird - I thought being in Freiburg would make me miss living there, but in actuality, it didn't - another sign that that is not our 'home' anymore. Of course, we miss the people and the ministry there, but we also know that God is finished with us there.

And that is why I also visited Cape Town, South Africa - to see what the needs are and to just seek the Lord about the possibility of serving Him in Africa. The pastor of Calvary Chapel Cape Town and his wife were gracious hosts and answered many questions, showed me the town a bit and explained their vision for their city. It was awesome to just get to know them and their 2 daughters, and to see what the Lord is doing in their fellowship and their city. In any case, I was hoping God would make it clear one way or another if our next missions journey would take us to South Africa, but alas, I didn't get a clear answer.

I did, however, get confirmation that we ARE to go back out on the foreign mission field - that was something we weren't 100% sure about either. We were ready to go back out, but we were also ready to stay in the USA and serve here - whatever the Lord wanted. But on this trip, the Lord spoke to me through Psalm 96, especially verses 2-3 -

'Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.'

It just burdened me once again to go and to proclaim the good news AMONG the nations and AMONG the peoples. I have to admit, we were beginning to get a little too 'comfortable' in SoCal, so this was just a timely reminder to what we as a Phamily are called to. So pray with us and for us, as we continue to seek the Lord about where, and of course when and what exactly!

PS - I will have to one day find time (right...) to share a little more about Cape Town - it's a wonderful city. I loved it there.

Countdown Continues - 3 Days

I can't believe that we fly in just over 3 days! AHHHH!!! And we still have many people to see! Who needs sleep anyways - we can sleep on the plane (right, with 4 kids!?!?! NOT!!)

This past Sunday (our very last) was hard - there were so many tears. I am reminded of Paul gathering the Ephesian elders and saying a final farewell, and then how they cried on his neck. Well, that was how it was on Sunday after service. There was a huge line of people wanting to say good-bye. I don't think I ever received so many hugs nor see so many tears.

Becks did her fair share of crying too, but I on the other hand didn't shed even 1 tear! ;-) Seriously, afterwards we were both just emotionally drained. Even thought I might not show my emotions so easily, I still have them. And at the moment, they are mixed feelings - sadness, tiredness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, joy, love, awe, anticipation - and I seem to go from one emotion to another just as often and as quickly as a fickle 2-year toddler changes his/her mind!

It has been such a privilege and joy to serve these people, even through the hard times and trying times, it was such a joy to look back at the 12 years here in Europe and just see God's hand moving throughout that time. So we leave Freiburg and Germany and Europe in 3 days and then begins a new adventure for us and CCF. Thank you CCF for precious and irreplaceable memories!

Countdown Continues - 3 Days

I can't believe that we fly in just over 3 days! AHHHH!!! And we still have many people to see! Who needs sleep anyways - we can sleep on the plane (right, with 4 kids!?!?! NOT!!)

This past Sunday (our very last) was hard - there were so many tears. I am reminded of Paul gathering the Ephesian elders and saying a final farewell, and then how they cried on his neck. Well, that was how it was on Sunday after service. There was a huge line of people wanting to say good-bye. I don't think I ever received so many hugs nor see so many tears.

Becks did her fair share of crying too, but I on the other hand didn't shed even 1 tear! ;-) Seriously, afterwards we were both just emotionally drained. Even thought I might not show my emotions so easily, I still have them. And at the moment, they are mixed feelings - sadness, tiredness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, joy, love, awe, anticipation - and I seem to go from one emotion to another just as often and as quickly as a fickle 2-year toddler changes his/her mind!

It has been such a privilege and joy to serve these people, even through the hard times and trying times, it was such a joy to look back at the 12 years here in Europe and just see God's hand moving throughout that time. So we leave Freiburg and Germany and Europe in 3 days and then begins a new adventure for us and CCF. Thank you CCF for precious and irreplaceable memories!

13 Days and Counting...

We are down to less than 2 weeks until we fly back to the USA! And it seems we still have so much to do here! Ahhhhh! At least we are out of our apartment now - we moved in with some friends for the next 13 days. Now we can really get the apartment completely empty and then renovate / paint and clean and then we are finished! WOW, I just can't believe it - 13 more days!

This coming Saturday, the church is throwing a small going away party for us and I know it's going to be tough already! All the good-byes and of course the tears. Already, this past Sunday one of the ladies was crying on my shoulders. She was so sweet - she wanted to say so much, but was just in tears. I just put my arm around her and told I understood, she didn't need to say anything. One of the reasons her teenage kids were coming to church was the teaching and she didn't know what they will do now that we are leaving. I encouraged her - she and her husband raised those kids well, they will stand on their own 2 feet. And they will, no matter if we are there or not. Because this is Jesus' church not mine or the next pastor's - and we should never forget that.

Anyways, the good-byes are getting harder and harder as the time gets closer and closer. :-(

13 Days and Counting...

We are down to less than 2 weeks until we fly back to the USA! And it seems we still have so much to do here! Ahhhhh! At least we are out of our apartment now - we moved in with some friends for the next 13 days. Now we can really get the apartment completely empty and then renovate / paint and clean and then we are finished! WOW, I just can't believe it - 13 more days!

This coming Saturday, the church is throwing a small going away party for us and I know it's going to be tough already! All the good-byes and of course the tears. Already, this past Sunday one of the ladies was crying on my shoulders. She was so sweet - she wanted to say so much, but was just in tears. I just put my arm around her and told I understood, she didn't need to say anything. One of the reasons her teenage kids were coming to church was the teaching and she didn't know what they will do now that we are leaving. I encouraged her - she and her husband raised those kids well, they will stand on their own 2 feet. And they will, no matter if we are there or not. Because this is Jesus' church not mine or the next pastor's - and we should never forget that.

Anyways, the good-byes are getting harder and harder as the time gets closer and closer. :-(

Happy 888th Birthday Freiburg!

I was reading in the newspaper yesterday and came across an article stating that 2008 is the city of Freiburg's 888th birthday as a recognized city! WOW! I knew Freiburg is an old city, but I had forgotten how old - that Freiburg was founded in 1120! You can read a bit more on the events of that year at this Wiki site (notice the mention of Freiburg im Breisgau under the 'events' heading). You can also read more about the city itself here.

1120 was also the year that the Gothic cathedral (Münster) of Freiburg was first started. It was built in 3 stages - 1st phase started in 1120, 2nd phase in 1210 and the 3rd and last phase started in 1230, finally being completed in 1330! (Read more about the Münster here). And it still stands today (well, at least the original foundation - the rest has been remodeled, renovated over the centuries). It is the centerpiece of the city, rising 116m / 380 feet above the city center. In fact, on a clear day, you can pretty much see the Münster from almost anywhere in Freiburg. And we've had the privilege and joy of living in this beautiful city since 1997 - it truly has been home for us over thse past years.

Happy 888th Birthday Freiburg!

I was reading in the newspaper yesterday and came across an article stating that 2008 is the city of Freiburg's 888th birthday as a recognized city! WOW! I knew Freiburg is an old city, but I had forgotten how old - that Freiburg was founded in 1120! You can read a bit more on the events of that year at this Wiki site (notice the mention of Freiburg im Breisgau under the 'events' heading). You can also read more about the city itself here.

1120 was also the year that the Gothic cathedral (Münster) of Freiburg was first started. It was built in 3 stages - 1st phase started in 1120, 2nd phase in 1210 and the 3rd and last phase started in 1230, finally being completed in 1330! (Read more about the Münster here). And it still stands today (well, at least the original foundation - the rest has been remodeled, renovated over the centuries). It is the centerpiece of the city, rising 116m / 380 feet above the city center. In fact, on a clear day, you can pretty much see the Münster from almost anywhere in Freiburg. And we've had the privilege and joy of living in this beautiful city since 1997 - it truly has been home for us over thse past years.

26 Days Left...

We can't believe it, but it is down to the last 4 weeks - actually 26 days! After more than 12 years here in Europe, we are heading back to the USA again. We fly to LAX on 27.Juli - wow! Time is just flying by now! So pray for us as we continue to pack up our lives here in Europe. We don't think we will be coming back to Europe (well, to visit maybe, but not to live), which makes it even harder to leave. Over the years we have fallen in love with Europe, especially Germany - it has been a second home for us. And now to pick up and go - hard!

This past Sunday we had to say goodbye to some friends who live an hour south of Freiburg. I think that is the beginning of the 'real' goodbyes. We most likely won't see them again before we leave and I think everyone kinda realized that. So the tears came. Not for me though - I'm Asian, we don't wear our emotions on our sleeves like you Occidentals! Hahaha, just kidding, let's just say I was bawling inside! But just inside. ;-) But I'm sure the time will come soon when we will all be bawling!

26 Days Left...

We can't believe it, but it is down to the last 4 weeks - actually 26 days! After more than 12 years here in Europe, we are heading back to the USA again. We fly to LAX on 27.Juli - wow! Time is just flying by now! So pray for us as we continue to pack up our lives here in Europe. We don't think we will be coming back to Europe (well, to visit maybe, but not to live), which makes it even harder to leave. Over the years we have fallen in love with Europe, especially Germany - it has been a second home for us. And now to pick up and go - hard!

This past Sunday we had to say goodbye to some friends who live an hour south of Freiburg. I think that is the beginning of the 'real' goodbyes. We most likely won't see them again before we leave and I think everyone kinda realized that. So the tears came. Not for me though - I'm Asian, we don't wear our emotions on our sleeves like you Occidentals! Hahaha, just kidding, let's just say I was bawling inside! But just inside. ;-) But I'm sure the time will come soon when we will all be bawling!

Germany's Headed to Vienna - EM 2008

OLE OLE OLE! Deutschland Deutschland Deutschland über alles!

Hahaha, all Germany is celebrating the victory over Turkey in the semifinals of the European Championships yesterday! Germany will face either Spain or Russia (these two play tonight to see who moves on against Germany) in the championship game in Vienna, Austria this Sunday night! Germany hasn't played in the EM Finals since 1996.
Last night instead of the normal Wed. night service, we showed the game on the big movie screen at church (remember our church building used to be a movie theater!). It was awesome to gather together as a church and enjoy the German victory. Many of the members invited their non-believing friends to come and watch with us in the church. In fact, one comment from someone impressed me. He said that this definitely breaks the 'spirit of legalism' amongst German churches. Normally something like this is not done in a conservative German church. Oh well, Calvary Chapel is known for breaking molds, hehehe ;-).

Here in Freiburg it was crazy - they estimated that over 20,000 people descended on the city center to watch and celebrate. It got pretty loud - chanting, singing, yelling, laughing, cheering, etc. I feel sorry for the outreach team from Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego who spent the night at the church in the city center - probably didn't get much sleep!

A few impressions below...

Germany's Headed to Vienna - EM 2008

OLE OLE OLE! Deutschland Deutschland Deutschland über alles!

Hahaha, all Germany is celebrating the victory over Turkey in the semifinals of the European Championships yesterday! Germany will face either Spain or Russia (these two play tonight to see who moves on against Germany) in the championship game in Vienna, Austria this Sunday night! Germany hasn't played in the EM Finals since 1996.
Last night instead of the normal Wed. night service, we showed the game on the big movie screen at church (remember our church building used to be a movie theater!). It was awesome to gather together as a church and enjoy the German victory. Many of the members invited their non-believing friends to come and watch with us in the church. In fact, one comment from someone impressed me. He said that this definitely breaks the 'spirit of legalism' amongst German churches. Normally something like this is not done in a conservative German church. Oh well, Calvary Chapel is known for breaking molds, hehehe ;-).

Here in Freiburg it was crazy - they estimated that over 20,000 people descended on the city center to watch and celebrate. It got pretty loud - chanting, singing, yelling, laughing, cheering, etc. I feel sorry for the outreach team from Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego who spent the night at the church in the city center - probably didn't get much sleep!

A few impressions below...

Ole Ole Ole!!!

Germany just won against Portugal in the quarter-final (Portugal was the favored team for this game) to move on into the semi-final against either Croatia or Turkey!!!! Outside I can hear the horns already blowing away in celebration. GO GERMANY!!! And I can imagine the flags are flying proudly tonight!

In fact, since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Germans have loosened up about their national pride and fervor. It is great to see them move beyond the guilt and shame of their national history. For the longest time, no one waved a German flag in fear that they would be labeled as too nationalistic or worse be associated with a past that everyone wants to forget. But today, I saw so many German flags waving, painted on faces, wrapped around shoulders, hanging from windows, flying from car windows(ok, I admit, we do have a German flag flying from our car window also, hehehe - hey, when in Rome, do as the Romans)! Awesome to see German nationalism restored to what it should be!

GO GERMANY - ALL THE WAY TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VIENNA ON 29.JUNE!!!!!
;-)

Ole Ole Ole!!!

Germany just won against Portugal in the quarter-final (Portugal was the favored team for this game) to move on into the semi-final against either Croatia or Turkey!!!! Outside I can hear the horns already blowing away in celebration. GO GERMANY!!! And I can imagine the flags are flying proudly tonight!

In fact, since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Germans have loosened up about their national pride and fervor. It is great to see them move beyond the guilt and shame of their national history. For the longest time, no one waved a German flag in fear that they would be labeled as too nationalistic or worse be associated with a past that everyone wants to forget. But today, I saw so many German flags waving, painted on faces, wrapped around shoulders, hanging from windows, flying from car windows(ok, I admit, we do have a German flag flying from our car window also, hehehe - hey, when in Rome, do as the Romans)! Awesome to see German nationalism restored to what it should be!

GO GERMANY - ALL THE WAY TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VIENNA ON 29.JUNE!!!!!
;-)

Royal Rangers Troop 393

This past Saturday we had the opening celebration of Royal Ranger Troop 393. For those who don't know what Royal Rangers is - they are a like a Christian Boy Scouts. It started in the US back in the 60's and has now spread to over 75 countries. In Germany alone, there are over 16,000 kids who are part of this program. We as a church had been praying about this for over a year now and have finally gotten a 'green light' from God to start a troop ourselves, the 2nd troop in Freiburg. We are officially known as Freiburg II, Troop 393.

Our desire is to reach the kids and youth of Rieselfeld, the neighborhood where we are currently living. As I mentioned in a previous post about Rieselfeld, there are now about 9000 people who live in this neighborhood, and over half are kids under 18! So this is a great way to reach these kids - the troop meets just down the street from our house in the neighborhood park, right next to the elementary and high school. At the opening celebration, the city even sent a representative to come and give a 10 minute speech on how the city is behind us, how they are excited to see us reaching out to Rieselfeld to 'give the kids and youth of our neighborhood orientation and direction in life' (something to that effect). And that is the ultimate goal of Royal Rangers - the 4 red points of the RR emblem represent the 4 basic teachings of RR - i.e. Salvation, Baptism with the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, Rapture of the Church (can you tell this was started by the Assemblies of God?); while the white background symbolizes sanctification.

The five troop leaders are young students from our church - the main leader was saved through the Royal Rangers when he himself was a kid and his heart burns to see Troop 393 grow and reach out to the kids of Rieselfeld. At the moment the troop consists of mostly kids from our church who live in Rieselfeld (Jesaiah and Taliah included) and a couple kids (originally from Texas!) who we don't know, but who somehow heard about it and joined. And they want to bring other kids from their schools!

So pray for us, as we reach out to the kids of Rieselfeld. Here are a few fotos...

PS - you can learn more about Royal Rangers at their website.

Royal Rangers Troop 393

This past Saturday we had the opening celebration of Royal Ranger Troop 393. For those who don't know what Royal Rangers is - they are a like a Christian Boy Scouts. It started in the US back in the 60's and has now spread to over 75 countries. In Germany alone, there are over 16,000 kids who are part of this program. We as a church had been praying about this for over a year now and have finally gotten a 'green light' from God to start a troop ourselves, the 2nd troop in Freiburg. We are officially known as Freiburg II, Troop 393.

Our desire is to reach the kids and youth of Rieselfeld, the neighborhood where we are currently living. As I mentioned in a previous post about Rieselfeld, there are now about 9000 people who live in this neighborhood, and over half are kids under 18! So this is a great way to reach these kids - the troop meets just down the street from our house in the neighborhood park, right next to the elementary and high school. At the opening celebration, the city even sent a representative to come and give a 10 minute speech on how the city is behind us, how they are excited to see us reaching out to Rieselfeld to 'give the kids and youth of our neighborhood orientation and direction in life' (something to that effect). And that is the ultimate goal of Royal Rangers - the 4 red points of the RR emblem represent the 4 basic teachings of RR - i.e. Salvation, Baptism with the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, Rapture of the Church (can you tell this was started by the Assemblies of God?); while the white background symbolizes sanctification.

The five troop leaders are young students from our church - the main leader was saved through the Royal Rangers when he himself was a kid and his heart burns to see Troop 393 grow and reach out to the kids of Rieselfeld. At the moment the troop consists of mostly kids from our church who live in Rieselfeld (Jesaiah and Taliah included) and a couple kids (originally from Texas!) who we don't know, but who somehow heard about it and joined. And they want to bring other kids from their schools!

So pray for us, as we reach out to the kids of Rieselfeld. Here are a few fotos...

PS - you can learn more about Royal Rangers at their website.

EM Fieber!!! (Europa Meisterschaft Fever)

All of Europe is totally worked up for the European Championships in soccer at the moment. It's going on for all of June. You have to realize that here in Europe soccer is the 'only' sport, or so it seems. Whole countries are geared up to support their national team in the playoffs.

Here in Germany, they take their wurst (sausages) and fussball (soccer) very seriously. As you can see by the fotos below. Becks stopped at the butcher to get some meat and they packed it up for her in an official (I think) EM Fussball package/meat wrapper! It even has the schedule for all the games up to the championship game. Now that is taking it seriously! Although I have to say, we have kinda caught the EM fever this year also ;-).








Loose translation of the bag - 'it's all about sausages'
















Game schedules on the back














Germany has to at least tie against Austria (second entry from bottom) tomorrow (Monday) to move into the quarterfinals.

GO Germany!
DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND!!!!

EM Fieber!!! (Europa Meisterschaft Fever)

All of Europe is totally worked up for the European Championships in soccer at the moment. It's going on for all of June. You have to realize that here in Europe soccer is the 'only' sport, or so it seems. Whole countries are geared up to support their national team in the playoffs.

Here in Germany, they take their wurst (sausages) and fussball (soccer) very seriously. As you can see by the fotos below. Becks stopped at the butcher to get some meat and they packed it up for her in an official (I think) EM Fussball package/meat wrapper! It even has the schedule for all the games up to the championship game. Now that is taking it seriously! Although I have to say, we have kinda caught the EM fever this year also ;-).








Loose translation of the bag - 'it's all about sausages'
















Game schedules on the back














Germany has to at least tie against Austria (second entry from bottom) tomorrow (Monday) to move into the quarterfinals.

GO Germany!
DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND!!!!