Wow! What a year! Last night I was trying to pick 60 photos that especially highlighted the year...but even when I tried to pick only 60 for Hong Kong times alone it proved to be a nearly impossible task! There was just too many!!!!
Let me re-count God's blessings in 2008.
Work Hong Kong:
Haven't finished my degree...and barely any experience...yet I find myself beginning the year not with Oasis Airlines but with a job that blessed me with 9-6 work hours in Causeway Bay Times Square...with a wacky set of co-workers...and responsibilities that constantly changed! Sometimes life felt like what you'd see in "The Office" but I guess the greatest blessing is that while work was fun and all...it allowed me to balance church life perfectly above all things. I thank my co-workers for the many lessons I've learned through them.
Ahhh....the Causeway Bay lunches...those many God talks...the great food...and the great company of people to enjoy it with :)
Toronto:
Not long after being back in uni I found myself doing every kind of psychology or business research possible to earn some quick easy money until by a series of coincidences I now find myself as the Manager of Prep101! I mean, I didn't even expect to get a job and just concentrate on studies but instead I find myself in the "perfect" full-time-yet-like-a-part-time job that allows for a good work-study balance afterall :) Completely unplanned and most definitely God intended.
Church
God spoke to me about it in 2007 with how I'd be entering completely new areas in 2008...but I didn't expect THIS many changes!!!!!
Wow...what a blessing it has been to call "The Vine" a home as well as "New Hope Fellowship" over here in Toronto.
Ministries, Missions, Events and things that happen outside the four walls (in order of appearance):
1. The Vine, 180 Fellowship and Summer College Program
Oh where shall I even begin with this? When I was in Hong Kong I found myself meeting either in person or talking to AT LEAST 3 people from the church each day and oh the many crazy things that come out of such a constant fellowship! Kicked off the year with Thirst and silly times with ABC and found myself ending my time in Hong Kong with tons of prayer and amazing times with the best supportive friends a guy can ask for. Being involved with Hospitality became a lifestyle that extended beyond Saturday nights and aside from all the "new" people I think it's more miraculous for me to see God working in friends I've known for YEARS beforehand ranging from primary school to high school! Thank God for bringing me from the guy who freaked out the first time he came to SCP to this constant fellowship that still extends even when I'm in Toronto :) Thank God for the best BDay celebrations ever with 5 different cakes this year and the best farewell sessions ever! Words do this no justice.
2. Church and University Fellowship Visiting
As a part of the call to "Unity" God brought me through a ton of coincidences and guidance to see the amazing work he's been doing in the other churches around Hong Kong. What a blessed time each trip has been starting the year off with an indescribable time with God at Solomon's Porch to ending the year as I find myself in the Campus For Christ "Encounter" Conference! To witness the same hand that guides and works in all the different churches...it has taught me the importance of Unity like never before and what it means to be a part of God's family!
3. Example Baptism on 20 Jan
Yea yea, I got baptized as a kid but I really wanted to try what a "full body immersion" baptism felt like so I volunteered to be the "example" to the baptism class that year at my parent's home church (well mine too...but "home" in the sense that was downstairs to where I lived) I mean...I expected amazement...but that was literally out of this world! Went down three times but when I tried to breath I found myself unable to until I literally shouted to Jesus for help! Whoa...that breath felt....like life. I don't care if it was just a "sample" but dang that felt amazing and spurred on the year seeking His purpose more and more.
4. Revolve and Bridge
*sniff* Revolve Dance Ministry ended on 21 February but oh those many memorable moments as I learned what dancing for God meant! As I looked through the photos I loved how despite it disbanding it has always been in our hearts as we met up time and time again for the many dinners!
When I got here to Toronto I found myself joining the "Bridge" dance ministry here...despite only having done the Thanksgiving dance I do look forward to being more involved starting in 09!
5. YMT Temple Street Outreach, Homeless, Poor, and Needy
I think the most shocking thing for me all year was God's calling to go out and meet the poor and needy. The many adventures starting from buying hot Vitasoy for people on the streets, my St.Barnabas visit, the Jackie Pullinger talks, Yau Ma Tei outreach, meeting pan-handlers on the streets of Toronto to helping soup kitchens cannot be described with words!! From the kid who used to be scared of street sleepers to now having a glimpse at God's heart for the needy is absolutely unbelievable!!! I mean, have you ever seen an old lady weep from the love of a simple action such as buying her dinner? Have you sat and ate with a guy who wants God badly? Simple simple actions of love...lead to rewards spiritually that you'd never even expect! Surprise gifts are amazing but to be a part of the lives of those in need is a humbling experience that is on-going for life.
6. Easter Mission Trip to Care for Children, Beijing
My second ever mission trip into China and oh how much more I love the people! The trip in 07 was just me and 5 girls but this time around it was a total of 42 people together! This time around I experienced co-leading a small group, saw friends dressed as Clowns, Mickey and Minnie at the carnival for kids, acted as the beggar/Jesus in a heart-penetrating skit, ate crazy foods, slided down the Great Wall, took lessons from Jackie Pullinger and Mark Russell’s sermons, LOTS of balloon animals, amazing God chats deep into the night, crazy worship sessions, played with orphans but all in all...just got to experience God's deep love in a nation where many don't expect it :)
If that wasn't life changing...what is?
7. PLUS groups (aka small groups)
After Revolve disbanded I found myself at one time going to THREE different small groups, where I actually learned tons from each one at just the right times…but eventually the crunch came and I had to choose only one to commit 100% to….and choose I did! Thank you so much to Cliff and Linnet for letting me have such an amazing time at their PLUS group and what a wondering farewell “b-themed” party I won’t forget along with all the incredible foods each week! Ah how I miss the group.
Over here in Toronto I find myself in the “3rd-4th year” small group that is part of New Hope and thank you so much Susan as I look forward to the times in the new year!
8. Alpha Course (again)
Ah, it was refreshing to finally go through a whole alpha session as well as the retreat! Forever I’ll remember that one late night God talk Gerry! Surprising what you can get out of reviewing the basics.
9. Global Day of Prayer, Love Your Neighbor and Love Revolution Conferences
Being a part of the Vine is great as we jump at nearly all chance to help out at the big events around Hong Kong. To see God being praised by large groups of people: HK Stadium filled, 13500 at Asia World Expo, or even the whole of Queen Square Central filled with youth crying for purity. Being a part of the team that makes events like these possible is just such an amazing experience!
10. Gateway Camps and Outreach in Hong Kong
Oh way a joy it was to be the “Free Time” Coordinator! Thank you so much to the many people that made it possible along with my team as this camp was most definitely THE highlight of the year for me! As 1,700 people from 56 nations around the world gathered in Hong Kong, I found myself completely renewed in my calling with God and my heart for China to be lit ablaze all over again! The many spiritual lessons (like the night of Larica’s bday which of course none of us could forget) and to just grow along side some of my closest friends while making new ones made the week’s journey with God one of the many pillars in my walk! Thanks of course especially to those that called themselves “Team Bosco” haha
11. UNITY
Haven’t been too involved but been such a blessing to be a part of God’s work in improving communication between all the different ministries here at UofToronto! Looking forward to bigger involvement in 2009 as it’s been quite amazing already seeing God working in the different groups on campus!
12. New Hope Fellowship and Nexus
My church here in Toronto has nothing been short of amazing! Find myself plugged in quick enough and find great support through my Evangelism Discipleship and my small group. Thanks for accepting me into the church family and I look forward to the New Year! 2008 ended with a bang here.
13. Chinese Christian Fellowship (CCF) and UTCCC
Thanks for those fellowships on campus that I can call "mine" as it's been such a blessing with all the times spent with everyone!!! From the dinners at Treehouse to the Happy Tree Friends Christmas Party....oh man....just the many memories and sharing this year! Retreat was most memorable and despite how hard it was to learn everyone's names...it's great to come back into uni and find quality fellowship!
University
Wow its weird being a student again after 2 years of a “gap year”! Went into courses that were COMPLETELY not what I had expected leading to a strong re-examination of Faith as the professor looked at the bible very academically…aka secular as possible. Still, God has been good and in the end I find myself enriched in my walk as I’m now motivated to dig deeper than ever!
If it wasn’t for the two years gap…I’m pretty sure I’d be “dead” in my walk by now as I’d inevitably be a skeptic who hardens his heart. Thank God for his timing!
Looking forward to what a major in “Philosophy and Religion” shows me or leads me.
Friends
I’d love to write out a list of friends to thank but there are just WAYYYYY too many! I’d hate to leave anyone out if I did make a list so I’ll just leave it with: “You know who you are….and if you don’t…confirm with me!”
Thank you to all those whom I've had hours of God chats with, those whom have taught me so much with their lives, those whom I could share dreams and visions with, and those who allowed me to make an impact into their lives! Ah the memories and photos are just pure gold.
Family
Got to learn recently with how God has been calling my family up to my mom’s grandfather through a missionary in Yuen Long and how amazing his plan has been. Now that I’m back in Toronto I find myself spending a lot of time with my sister and it’s nice to finally know who’s who in my cousin list! Haha
2008 marked the death of my Grandmother but allowed for a reunion of all the “Tungs” which I haven’t had in a long long time but it’s good to know God hasn’t let go of my family and I look forward to the times to come.
Of course, as you’ve already noticed, nearly everything I’ve counted could not be possible with my Lord Jesus Christ whom ransomed my life and has been guiding it to places I never imagined possible!
2008 has been an amazing year of changes for both me and those around me….but I can’t wait to experience all the NEW adventures that await me in 2009 that would not be possible without these lessons in the past years! Every year I keep saying “man…next year couldn’t possibly be better than this!” but each year I’ve been completely wrong so I await the mind-explosions that wait me in 2009!
God bless and I look forward to hearing about your 2008 and 2009 too!
- B
Comments (1)
finally get this going eh? haha, i have abandoned mine for like... i dont even know how long!
but anyway, just to let you know... at least i am still reading your blog!
keep it up bosco :)