The First Base tutoring program was set up by the youth in response to the needs unprivileged elementary school students in south Austin. Janie, a Cornerstoner, went for the first time this past January and shares how God not only used her to help a 5th grader, but also used this opportunity to encourage her! Thanks for sharing with us, Janie!
When I showed up for February's First Base tutoring, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had no idea how many students were coming, how many other fellow volunteers would be helping out, or how to even approach a tutoring situation. I don't have a lot of personal experience working with children, so I was feeling a significant amount of anxiety: How am I going to communicate with the students? Will we be able to connect? Will we have anything to talk about? Will they even like me??
It was a huge encouragement to see about 50 other volunteers show up that morning from all different lifestages in the English Congregation, and I think that was the first of many ways God showed how thoroughly his faithfulness can work that day. I personally had a lot of fun partnering up with one fifth grade student on some really difficult reading tasks because we took several breaks (mostly for my sake), where we had opportunities to talk about her interests and goals for the future. My student was very excited to tell me about how she wants to be a doctor and work with very young children, and it was very cool to be able to encourage her about her future and her interests. We also talked about the scary transition to middle school and her family before I realized we still had some more reading inferences to finish.
Since graduating from college, I've realized that personal leisure time shrinks in alarming ways, and it becomes harder and harder to be intentional with what is left of that time when it makes a lot more sense to use it for my own benefit or enjoyment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to go tutor because I was reminded of how investing in the Kingdom is worth the personal sacrafice it sometimes takes. Several of the students were asking if we came from Ms. Wong's church, and even though we may not have been in the best situation to talk explicitly about Jesus and his Gospel, it was so cool to see fellow congregation members show Christ's love and a little of who he is to the students who came for tutoring. I hope that people continue to pray for or help out with the tutoring program at the school, and that God will use this opportunity to continue drawing the students and their families to him.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Skit Night - hosted by Moses' life group
WHEN: Fri, Feb 27th, 7:15pm (note the earlier time!)
WHERE: ACC Taylor Gym
Have you ever wanted to be an actor? Got acting skills and want to show them off? Even if you don't, come out this Friday as Cornerstone combines with Wildfire for a skit night! All other groups (Lighthouse, Covenant, and Branch) are also invited to attend. Feel free to invite your friends to this event. Prizes will be awarded!
Meet in the Taylor Gym at 7:15pm so you can be assigned to a team as we will need to begin promptly at 7:30. There will be a short game show to start the evening that you won't want to miss!
WHERE: ACC Taylor Gym
Have you ever wanted to be an actor? Got acting skills and want to show them off? Even if you don't, come out this Friday as Cornerstone combines with Wildfire for a skit night! All other groups (Lighthouse, Covenant, and Branch) are also invited to attend. Feel free to invite your friends to this event. Prizes will be awarded!
Meet in the Taylor Gym at 7:15pm so you can be assigned to a team as we will need to begin promptly at 7:30. There will be a short game show to start the evening that you won't want to miss!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Soccer Missions
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:18a
How would you like to join a Christian soccer team made up of men from all over the world and tour through a foreign land? This soccer team is dedicated to the immediate Evangelization of southeast Asia, specifically Thailand!
Sattha soccer is a ministry created by missionaries from Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). We exist to glorify God by the urgent evangeliztion of East Asia's millions.It all started about 11 years ago with the idea of using soccer (a sport that most Thai boys and men play daily) as a tool to help local missionaries and church leaders to reach out and strengthen their witness to their communities. It took a while to figure out how this ministry could be most effective and it was decided that bringing in a team of non-Thai men to play against local teams in rural areas where they would never have the opportunity to play against foreigners. The first two week tour was about 9 years ago. The team was made up mostly of missionary kids from a school called Faith Academy. Thus, it was decided that the team name would be the Thai word for Faith..."Sattha".
For the last eight years, God has faithfully provided men to join this team for a two-three week tour each summer. Our long term vision is to help local Thai churches to develop a soccer ministry, team, and possibly a league. This ministry is not intended to play against national teams; but to provide a quality level of soccer against teams that may never have the opportunity to play against a team of foreigners or more importanly hear the gospel.
What we do:
- Yes, we play a lot of soccer! We typically play between 15-20 games in a tour.
- We play games against different universities, high schools, government agencies and detention centers. At each game, the Gospel is presented to the teams as well as the spectators.
- We go into schools and teach conversational English as well as participate in a program where the Gospel is shared.
- This is a great opportunity to build relationships with the Thai people and demonstrate our desire to see them come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
- Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
Date: July 1st - 22nd, 2009
Cost: $350 (US) plus the cost of getting to Thailand. This will cover your meals (Thai food), lodging, uniforms and transportation.
Other short-term opportunities from US in Asia for those that don't play soccer
Questions: Contact Alice Chao
How would you like to join a Christian soccer team made up of men from all over the world and tour through a foreign land? This soccer team is dedicated to the immediate Evangelization of southeast Asia, specifically Thailand!
Sattha soccer is a ministry created by missionaries from Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). We exist to glorify God by the urgent evangeliztion of East Asia's millions.It all started about 11 years ago with the idea of using soccer (a sport that most Thai boys and men play daily) as a tool to help local missionaries and church leaders to reach out and strengthen their witness to their communities. It took a while to figure out how this ministry could be most effective and it was decided that bringing in a team of non-Thai men to play against local teams in rural areas where they would never have the opportunity to play against foreigners. The first two week tour was about 9 years ago. The team was made up mostly of missionary kids from a school called Faith Academy. Thus, it was decided that the team name would be the Thai word for Faith..."Sattha".
For the last eight years, God has faithfully provided men to join this team for a two-three week tour each summer. Our long term vision is to help local Thai churches to develop a soccer ministry, team, and possibly a league. This ministry is not intended to play against national teams; but to provide a quality level of soccer against teams that may never have the opportunity to play against a team of foreigners or more importanly hear the gospel.
What we do:
- Yes, we play a lot of soccer! We typically play between 15-20 games in a tour.
- We play games against different universities, high schools, government agencies and detention centers. At each game, the Gospel is presented to the teams as well as the spectators.
- We go into schools and teach conversational English as well as participate in a program where the Gospel is shared.
- This is a great opportunity to build relationships with the Thai people and demonstrate our desire to see them come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
- Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
Date: July 1st - 22nd, 2009
Cost: $350 (US) plus the cost of getting to Thailand. This will cover your meals (Thai food), lodging, uniforms and transportation.
Other short-term opportunities from US in Asia for those that don't play soccer
Questions: Contact Alice Chao
Singleness
WHEN: Fri Feb 20th
WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs
How we understand singleness may not be how God understands it. While society can place undue burden and stress upon an individual who is not married, God desires all people to live out his purpose on earth, whether we are single or not. Let us discover what God's Word teaches when it comes to being single and a Christ-follower.
This Friday, we have a visiting pastor, Arthur Hsu, who is excited to share with us about Singleness. We'll bring some snacks and drinks!
WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs
How we understand singleness may not be how God understands it. While society can place undue burden and stress upon an individual who is not married, God desires all people to live out his purpose on earth, whether we are single or not. Let us discover what God's Word teaches when it comes to being single and a Christ-follower.
This Friday, we have a visiting pastor, Arthur Hsu, who is excited to share with us about Singleness. We'll bring some snacks and drinks!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Shop-Off Results
Thanks to all those who came to the Saturday Shop-Off on Jan 31st, which benefitted our Austin area teachers and also an investment in the next generation. Nita shares with us what happened with all those school supplies...
We had about 60+ people (including the kiddos) come out for the shop off. We spent $900.48, plus lots of book donations. So far, the feedback has been very positive for those who went and weren't a part of the planning. I helped Jenny drop all the supplies off, it took both of our trunks to get it to the school. The teachers were thrilled! Thank you all, for the administrative help, prayers, and most of all, for the compassion! I'm excited to see more events where we can come together as a team, and as a church to distribute the mercy and grace so lavishly bestowed unto us!
We had about 60+ people (including the kiddos) come out for the shop off. We spent $900.48, plus lots of book donations. So far, the feedback has been very positive for those who went and weren't a part of the planning. I helped Jenny drop all the supplies off, it took both of our trunks to get it to the school. The teachers were thrilled! Thank you all, for the administrative help, prayers, and most of all, for the compassion! I'm excited to see more events where we can come together as a team, and as a church to distribute the mercy and grace so lavishly bestowed unto us!
Victory Over Temptation
WHEN: Fri Feb 13, 7:30pm
WHERE: Carey Building downstairs
Temptations are a normal part of the Christian life. The good news is that God has provided ways to help us have victory over them. We will look at some of the truth and lies of temptation. Our speakers will share how God has equipped us to have victory over sexual temptation. During this time, we will be addressing some of the good questions submitted earlier, part of which will be in separate men and women sessions.
We have the privilege of hearing from some of our own ACC members, Roger and Ilan Huang, speak on "Victory Over Temptation." They are a married couple who have served at ACC for many years, currently serving on the Prayer Team and recently led the ACC English Concert of Prayer. Roger has taught Discovery Group classes, including one similar to the topic that will be discussed, and Ilan has been a part of the ACC women's ministry, Tapestry. They have four beautiful children--Bethany, Hannah, Joshua, and baby Elizabeth.
WHERE: Carey Building downstairs
Temptations are a normal part of the Christian life. The good news is that God has provided ways to help us have victory over them. We will look at some of the truth and lies of temptation. Our speakers will share how God has equipped us to have victory over sexual temptation. During this time, we will be addressing some of the good questions submitted earlier, part of which will be in separate men and women sessions.
We have the privilege of hearing from some of our own ACC members, Roger and Ilan Huang, speak on "Victory Over Temptation." They are a married couple who have served at ACC for many years, currently serving on the Prayer Team and recently led the ACC English Concert of Prayer. Roger has taught Discovery Group classes, including one similar to the topic that will be discussed, and Ilan has been a part of the ACC women's ministry, Tapestry. They have four beautiful children--Bethany, Hannah, Joshua, and baby Elizabeth.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Game Night with the Tsuei's
WHEN: Friday, February 6th, 7:30pm ~ when PG and Tina decide to kick us out (hope they are not reading this.)
WHERE: Pastor Gaylord & Tina's house (map)
Are you a big time board gamer? Are you feeling lonely because you have no one to play with? Are you looking for someone to beat down on your favorite board game? Well, bring your competitive but most importantly loving spirit to Tsuei's house this Friday.
All jokes aside, just come and enjoy the fellowship. Feel free to bring your own board games to play!
WHERE: Pastor Gaylord & Tina's house (map)
Are you a big time board gamer? Are you feeling lonely because you have no one to play with? Are you looking for someone to beat down on your favorite board game? Well, bring your competitive but most importantly loving spirit to Tsuei's house this Friday.
All jokes aside, just come and enjoy the fellowship. Feel free to bring your own board games to play!
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