Spirit Lead Me

Hello guys, remember the story I wrote last month about my puppy Gaby? God brought an amazing ending to the story in October.

Gaby passed away on 10/2, and the following week was a disaster for me. Since I was broken inside, and I felt that my sadness and anger were driving myself far away from God. Although I tried to use Bible verses to encourage myself at first, I failed eventually. I began to question God and blamed him for letting this happen. After hearing no response from him, I became more and more angry, and I just couldn’t calm myself down to focus on other things in my life. That was really a terrible week when I look back. I thought my faith is strong, but this experience really taught me a lesson.

On 10/8, I asked the breeder again if there is any further news about why Gaby died. She answered that there are no obvious signs of damages to any part of Gaby’s vital organs. So one highly possible explanation is that Gaby’s immune system was not strong enough to survive the debug process which every puppy needs to go through, and it’s really a very rare instance yet it still happened. After reading her message, I just want to go to the park with my wife Alex to look at the scenes and not sinking in my own thoughts and emotions.

After we sat down on a chair and enjoyed the great afternoon sunshine, I began to think and understand what the breeder’s message really means. Originally, we planned to pick up the dog on 10/1. But many girls in Alex’s wife group tell her to wait for one more week, so that the puppy can have a better chance to survive after leaving mom. So we pushed our picking date to 10/8. But Gaby passed away on 10/2. What this really means is that, God foresees what’s coming to us, and he uses other people to tell us to delay our pickup. Because he knows that things will get much worse if we pick Gaby up on 10/1 and he passed away the very next day in our home. It will be a huge strike to both of our emotions and financials. To avoid that, God is working behind all of this, yet I have kept questioning his existence and intention through the past whole week.

Once thinking through that, I suddenly felt a deep joy in my heart which I haven’t experienced in the past whole week. And my heart is crystal clear that this true happiness doesn’t come from anything in this world, but is directly from God himself. Because I’m just so grateful and happy that this Almighty God who creates the universe really cares for me. I can clearly feel his love and care. He makes all the wonderful plans, but he chooses to take my emotions and concerns into account while making his plan. God, I thank you so much for doing this, because you could choose not to do so. At the same time, I felt how little faith I am in the past week. When the situation didn’t line up with my plan and expectation, instead of fixing my eyes on him and trusting him, I chose to let and sadness and anger fill my heart. God, I’m sorry for what I did, please forgive me.

You know what, God does things in a very creative way. After we got home from the park, we saw the second message from our breeder, which tells us that since another person has moved his deposit to the next year, there is now a new puppy available for us. Isn’t that wonderful? Isn’t that amazing? We pick up our second puppy Raphael on the very next day, which is 10/9, only one day later than our original plan. If I could see what happens now, I would never act the same as I had done in the past week. But the thing is, we can’t see the future. So it takes faith to fix our eyes on God no matter what’s coming. It takes faith to believe although the situation is tough now, God is with us and he has a wonderful plan for us. It takes faith to believe once we go through the tunnel, there will be the everlasting light there.

Spirit Lead Me

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,

let me walk upon the waters,

wherever You would call me;

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

and my faith will be made stronger

in the presence of my Savior.

Philippians 2:13

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. [Philippians 2:13]

Good morning readers! 

Above is the first memory verse for the second book of Masterlife. (Trying hard to keep up with everyone else and finish my homework.) As I reflect back my past month, I can relate to this verse on so many different levels.

When I first started as an ISEEDer, I kept the mission statement of IFI in mind, which is to reach out to international students and to serve them. However, the ways I can think of to serve are limited to the ways that I have been served before. Picking up students to the Friday night Bible study, driving them to do grocery shopping, helping out at events, etc. I would pray that God would lead me to person with peace so that I can build relationships with them and introduce them to Christ. However, as I started the internship outside of IFI and no longer can spend time on campus, I found that I don't have many opportunities to meet new students other than through the Bible study on Friday which we don't have new students that many often. Especially the group I am in is categorized as the old-timers group. I've been looking for the chance to get to know new people so that I can do what I'm supposed to do. One thing that I forgot is that, God is the one behind all the work that I do and He does that through the Holy Spirit inside of me. He provides. 

When I think back, all the new people that I encountered during the past month, are the ones that God brought. I stepped out of my comfort zone and went on a trip to the Smokey Mountains and met amazing people that are somehow related to IFI that I have never met before. Before the morning of departure, I only knew one of the people that I was going with. I was on the same car with a student that goes to Dana's group. We had a really deep conversation about faith and Christ, and this was even not brought up by me. He was also interested in what I do in the ISEED program and the books that I've been reading. After 4 hours that we first met, we were talking about faith. I sensed that, he, from our conversation, was seeking conformation that following Christ and having faith is a good thing to do. I shared with him what I know about all the good things that would happen when someone follows Christ. 

I also met a Phd student that used to attend Friday night Bible study at David's group but had stopped attending for a while. We connected really well during the trip and he shared how he wanted to get baptized but never got the chance to do it. When we continued our talk, he said that he considers himself as a Christian since he decided to follow Christ years ago. There was also a girl that lives at IFI apartments on Tompkins that is just 40 seconds of walk from where I live. A girl really into photography said she really wanted to come to see our worship on Friday and take photos (I'll share what happened later). I also met someone who used to sing and play the guitar in a band and he even came to one of the worship team practice on Monday together with the girl that's really into photography. This is beyond my imagination and all that I could asked for from God. God not only got me out of my comfort zone, but also gave me the opportunity to make new friends, and not even one friend, but eleven.

Another really important thing I got from this trip was that I felt closer to God than I'd ever felt before. I was surrounded by more believers than non-believers during my internship, and really took the ease of interacting with brothers and sisters in Christ for granted. I was surrounded by mostly non-believers or seekers during the trip and sometimes I have difficulties adjusting and coping with the ungodly characters that I see, or those characters brought out from me through the interactions with them. Every night before I go to sleep, I would read the Bible at the cabin, write on my gratitude journal and pray for them. I would pray that God would speak to them, give them a humble heart, work in their lives and let them be more like God. The moment when I opened the Bible and start praying, I felt like all the noise around me is gone at that instant. It was like one of those scenes in the movie where everything around you blurred into a grey background and the only thing you can see is the thing right in front you, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of truth that echoes in your heart. I felt so close to God. 

It was absolutely amazing how God answered my prayer and gave me more than my heart can handle. It reminds me of something that I read in Masterlife book 2, "God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." 

Group Photo

From Clingman's Dome

Sunset at North Carolina/Tennessee (Hard to tell which state I was at)

Last Friday, God led me to the Union to pick up students. I picked up three students and they all ended up in my small group. Even though one of them knew nothing about the Bible, the other two have just started attending Bible discussion, everyone was participating and being responsive. We had a really good discussion about Genesis chapter 2. I can felt that God is preparing me to build more relationships with students. We had a good time carving pumpkins as well. I'm really thankful that God is leading me to all the people with peace. (We carved Batman and Pikachu just in case if they are hard to tell)

What was also encouraging was that the guy that used to go David's group came last Friday night after stopped attending for a long time. It was really good to see that God is opening up his mind and has removed what was keeping him from attending. I also saw Zhang and Zhan that I knew from the Smokey Mountain trip who were really interested in worship. They came on Friday night and took photos of the worship team. Even though they didn't stay till the Bible discussion, but I'll continue to pray for them so that they would be interested in hearing God's word as well. 

A lot of things have happened during the past month. I thank God for each one of them. As what is said in Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I believe all the connections that I made with the help of God will turn into fruits if that is what God wills.

A meal with Jesus and friends

 I just started reading a book named A Meal with Jesus. I learned that the word “companion” comes from the Latin word “cum” (“together”) and “panis”(“bread”). I really like the idea to share a meal and time with friends.

My church (Linworth Road Church) held ten Chinese students this year and we had a luncheon reunion in the church after the service on Oct.23^rd. Around twenty church members (most of them are IFI volunteers) and six students came, and I talked with three of the students and I was happy to find that they had already got used to the life and study in the US. Even though I just had a short time to talk with the students and we did not have chance to go deep to spiritual topics, I think the conversations were still meaningful for building up relationships. We everyone showed kindness and love to them; we told them that we want to learn more about them and we said we are willingness to help them if they are in need. I even added one of the students through Wechat and offered to bring her to grocery stores in the future. When I see these students it always reminds me the time when I first came to the state. My host family picked me up in the airport and always invited me over for holidays meals, which quickly gave me a feeling of closeness to the city and the church. I really hope somehow I can also do the same thing to the students.

During this lunch, I also got to know one church member and her two cute baby girls. We talked about the autumn festivals in both America and China. I really enjoyed this meal with friends and the love behind it.

Hello again readers,

If you’ve frequently read my post, you will remember the story of one Chinese student that eagerly wanted to join the Bible discussion. Now she became our sister in Christ! The Bible verse Luke 15:10 said: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”. Praise the Lord!

It has been four weeks and four different sermons at the church we’re attending which really hit the same point that “Salvation comes by faith in Christ and through Christ not by doing good”. She had incorrectly thought that she had to do many good things to become a Christian. Romans 10:9 says “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. After she received confirmations through these sermons she asked for the relationship with the Lord. Now she is so happy that she became a Christian through Jesus! We are so happy that she is now our sister in Christ and she studies the Word from our Bible discussion and by her devotion. She also shows interest in joining the worship band on Friday night at Xenos because she likes to sing. She joins our Bible discussion regularly and she invites new students to the group too. 

In mid-October, IFI arranged a trip to Hocking Hills State park and we had about 200 students and about 60 volunteer drivers. Me, my Group leader, and the Chinese student were there too. We had a lot of fun walking, hiking, good talking and our friendship becomes stronger. We also invited some students who rode in the same car with us to join our Friday Bible discussion. One of them came and we had a really good discussion on the topic of Abram’s calling (Genesis 12).  

Lastly, my readers, please pray for me, my Bible discussion group, new students, and the Chinese student who just accepted Christ that God will speak through their heart and give them wisdom to receive the good news and understand the Word and come to the group discussion regularly.

Hocking Hills and the great commission

One of the most beautiful things that I have experienced during my year with IFI is the possibility to interact with people and to be equipped to do ministry. I love the books that we have read, with group discussions and practical applications to my own life; the training that ha

ve always made me richer than before; the trips, the time with old friends, and the occasion to make new ones and be in touch with them.

This is the reason why I have been thinking lately about the way I put into practice all these resources that God is pouring onto me. Have I ever realized that the time is my most important resource? How do I spend it and to whom am I dedicating it? Working here, my thought goes immediately to the International students who left their home Country to come to the US. Will this experience make a difference in their lives? Will they find the real reason why they were created? How will I contribute to make God known among them?

Matthew 28:18, 20 says “ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The current circumstances allow us not to move from Columbus in order to accomplish the Great Commission. People from Europe, Asia, South, Central and North America, Oceania, and Africa, populate our cities today more than in the past. God is sending the Nations to us! 

I was surrounded by different cultures and experience this variety during the annual Hocking Hills trip organized on October 15^th. I think this kind of events is perfect to invite friends, get connected with new students and share life on life experiences. In fact, I was amazed of the possibility I had to listen to the students’ stories, the struggles they are facing with midterms and the difficulty of being so far from their families. At the end of the day, one of them told me: “Thank you for inviting me. I really needed some time surrounded by people instead of books! Being immersed in Nature without cellphones (we didn’t have service in the caves) was energizing!”

God, help me to engage in the students’ lives and to be salt and light for them. Teach me not to waste any occasion and to count my days wisely!

What I learned praying in my closet

It's hard to believe that two months have passed since I moved to Columbus as a new college graduate, anxious and excited, embarking for a year of discipleship and servant-hood with IFI. When I look back on the past two months, I've been blown away by all the blessings and teachings that God has poured into my life in so many ways. As I'm writing my first blog post today, I couldn't wait to share more of my journey in Christ with you this year and beyond. 

One thing that has constantly amazed me is the beautiful spaces God has surrounded me with ever since I got to Columbus.

On the first day of September, after moving twice during the initial few weeks (and stayed with several awesome IFI staff members), I finally settled down in the sweet and cozy basement with my host family in Dublin.


I have moved constantly due to a variety of reasons throughout college. And sharing a room with different people has never been a strange concept to me. Growing up as the only child, I've been both blessed and challenged by all the experience I had with my roommates. So when I first got here, I was so excited to move in with a family and finally have a living space for myself, or most importantly, a space where I could be comfortably in the sole presence of God.

The first month with IFI was very busy. We were constantly thrown into duties to welcome and serve new international students. It was exciting, yet spiritually draining. As I joyfully embraced all the opportunities to serve, I realized that my need for personal time with God has grown stronger than ever.

Journaling has been the primary way I spent time with God alone in the past. Since I didn't quite have a physical space to myself, I found that it was only when I write, I could give God undivided devotion with complete openness and honesty. Every time I look back at my journal, I’m amazed by the things I’ve shared with Him and the prayers that He answered in different ways.
 
Among the classes we take at IFI, my favorite one is Attending Prayer by Karen Oliver, the beloved “prayer warrior” as many people know her. She challenged us in many different ways to pray in faith, pray by listening, and pray for others. I still kept the reflection in my heart, seeing Karen praying in her room every morning and night when I was staying with her.

I’ve always considered myself a spontaneous person, and it shows in the way I pray. I never felt a need to have a designated time or place for prayers. I thought that it meant that I could simply pray wherever, and whenever I “feel” it. But the truth is, when I navigate through the busy schedule of daily life, prayer is probably the least thing that jumps into my head before the “I got this” mentality takes over. That is, unless there’s something that I just couldn’t do with my own abilities.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." 

Matthew 6:6

I watched the movie, the War Room, quite a long time ago. I was deeply touched, but it never came across mind that I could take the idea of a prayer closet literally, and apply it in my life.

One night when I was returning home from the Master Life class, eagerly longing to spend some unwind time with my Master. All of a sudden, I felt a conviction to go down to my room, clean out everything from an extra storage room I got under the stairs, and make it my prayer room.

When I got home, without hesitation, I rushed downstairs, and started cleaning out all the moving boxes that were originally in that room. As I closed the door when everything’s done, I felt that I’ve also closed down the rest of the world. There’s an instant feeling of peace rising up in my heart. Simultaneously, I started writing down notes with names of people and prayer requests on the wall in front of me.

Then, I started praying. And for the first time, I prayed like I’m conversing with a close friend, letting down all guards and being all vulnerable in front of Him. All the joy I lifted up to Him in praise, all the questions I desired answers for I asked Him, and all the things that’s been troubling my heart I opened up to Him, knowing that He’s my ultimate refuge.
As I slowed down in my praying, I felt His comfort gently entering in me. It’s warm, and quiet. Suddenly there’s nothing that I need to rush for. No errands to run, no emails to reply and nothing to worry about. No one else is listening. It’s just me and Him. For a brief moment I was in complete silence. It was simply beautiful.

From that night on, I started to really enjoy my prayer time, my uninterrupted time with God, something I look forward to every day. I added a cushion in my prayer room and left a journal in there; the prayer lists on the wall continued growing and becoming more colorful. But what didn’t change is in the same sense of peace and joy in my heart every time I enter into that space.

Not only do I now have a prayer closet at home, I’ve also turned my car into a “prayer closet.” I’ve even found a “prayer closet” at work! A prayer closet is really a place wherever you can spend time alone with God. The concept is such a found treasure for me and I’d love to encourage everyone to try it if you don’t already have one. It’s sweet to spend time with the Lord!