Campus Target » Summer

“Wo Xi Huan Chi Jiaozi”

Jodi — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:50:37 +0000

Sonata and I looked at the 4 plates that were full of jiaozi
(dumplings) and sighed. Our friends, Jenny and Color, came over to
teach us how to make dumplings. We had a wonderful time learning
how to make this traditional Spring Festival food, but realized
that we had made over 60 dumplings for 4 people!! We made a quick
phone call to our team member Aidan who helped us eat all of the
jiaozi. The next morning, two more friends came over (Jocelyn and
JQ) to teach us how to make a traditional Spring Festival food;
more jiaozi! Within a matter of 12 hours we had to try and eat
over 120 dumplings. Everything turned out delicious and we were
able to connect with these 4 girls before they left for winter
holiday. But I don’t think I will be eating any jiaozi for quite a
while!

Wow! We have had a crazy week with trying to meet with all of our
friends before they left for holiday. It was wonderful reconnecting
with some friends and saying goodbye, as well as, sending them off
with some literature to look at while they are gone. It will be
very lonely around here with all of our friends gone.

Well, Sonata and I had decided to visit our friend Jeanette for
spring festival and were all prepared to buy the tickets for our
visit to her hometown. She called us last week and told us that
she is not going to be able to go home for the festival. Since we
have not had any other invitations (as of yet) we do not think we
will be going anywhere for the holiday. This was very sad for
Sonata and I since we were looking forward to visiting a hometown
and being a part of this national holiday. So keep us in prayer as
we are trying to figure out what we should we do during the
holiday.

I started language classes again this week and have been busy with
homework and reviewing material from last term. Our teacher was
gone for three weeks to visit the states so we had a little break.
However, I am very excited to begin classes again especially since
our time here is coming to an end very soon.

Prayer Requests:
1. For our friends while they are away, that God will speak to them
and touch their hearts.
2. Spring Festival time is a hard time for a lot of students. Many
commit suicide during the lonely holiday season. Pray that the
students will be protected from those thoughts and the lies that
can come into their hearts.
3. We are getting ready to leave for Thailand soon. Pray that we have a
safe trip and everything goes smoothly.
4. My sister in-law is due this week, keep her and her baby in your
prayers
5. If I should return next year or commit to another 3 years
Praise Report: Another new sister in the family!

Well, I hope that this e-mail finds you well and that you are
experiencing God’s grace every day. I hear that many of you are
getting lots of snow and in some areas in the west some forest
fires. I pray that you and your family stay safe no matter where
this e-mail finds you. Take care and remember that God is doing a
brand new thing and that He takes delight in you!

With all my love,

Summer

Answer To The Question

Jodi — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:24:51 +0000

“I don’t know if this will offend you, but I have to ask you this
question. Does God really love me as much as He loves the two of
you?” Asked our friend Jeanette. With tears in our eyes, Sonata and
I began to tell her the whole story of how much God really loves
her. This was the second time in one week that Sonata and I were
able to share with our friends the entire story of God’s love.
Several of our friends said they were very thankful to hear about
God’s love and we are going to do a Bible study with them more
often. The past few weeks have just been amazing with what God has
been doing in our lives as well as our friends.

Well, I’m sorry that I haven’t written a blog in two weeks. I
officially was sick last week with a cold and so did not feel up
to doing a lot most of the week. Sonata and I have felt like God
has called us to a 21 day fast and prayer time for our friends and
that didn’t seem to help my cold at all. But the Lord is faithful,
and healing comes and I feel much better this week.

Even with sickness, I have still been very busy these two weeks.
Most of our friends are finishing up their final exams before they
leave for Spring Festival, and so meetings with friends has been a
little hectic. We are trying to get in a few last meetings before
they leave for a month. Sonata and I are still praying about which
friend we should accompany home for the Spring Festival, so please
keep that in your thoughts and prayers!

I was finally able to get my visa all figured out this week! I now
have a visa that will last me the rest of the time here, with
multiple entries. Rosie and I had visit a city outside of Asia,
to get a new visa. God’s favor was on our entire trip, and we were
able to be get everything worked out and we were able to see a few
of the sights while we were waiting for my visa to come in. Thank
you so much for your support and your prayers! I am so thankful
that I no longer have to worry about getting another visa.

Please pray with me about the future and whether or not I should
return.

Prayer Requests:
1. Where Sonata and I should go for Spring Festival
2. Still a little sick
3. We are leaving for Thailand soon, and that all of the finances
come in for that trip
Praise Reports:
We now have a new brother and sister! And a fellowship here told us
that we now have 120 new believers in the family!!
God is doing amazing things here!

I hope you are all well, and that you are being blessed by the Lord
this week.
Love,
Summer

Xin Nian Xuai Le

Jodi — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:51:06 +0000

“Mgoi! Mgoi!(Excuse me/let me through)” said Sonata and I as we
pushed through the students that were packed like sardines in the
public bus. We finally got to the back where the doors to get off
where and Sonata stepped down. I was three steps behind her, when
the doors slammed shut with a BANG! I was so startled, that I just
stood there with my mouth wide open as Sonata turned in time to see
the bus start off towards its next destination. “Gaah!!” I said as
Sonata started running by the bus wildly waving her hands. I
finally collected myself enough to push the buzzer that lets the
driver know I need to get off the bus, and he kindly stopped and
opened the doors for me. I was embarrassed as several students were
laughing at what just happened. *Note: Learn how to say “let me off
the bus”

“5..4..3..2..1..Xin Nian Kuai Le!!” Sixteen of us then burst out
into a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, and ended the night with a
prayer for the New Year. We had a party with the city team and we
had a wonderful time. We played games, ate food, and we were also
able to talk about some of our favorite memories so far. The crazy
holiday season is coming to an end, and I was able to experience it
with fifteen amazing people that I have had the privilege of
working with the past few months.

I can’t believe that my year here in Asia is almost half over.
This week was not as busy since most of our friends are in the
middle of their exams and the weather has been extremely rainy. G-
town seems to shut down when it rains and we have even received
texts from our friends that say, “I can not come out today. I do
not want to get my feet wet.” We have been able to meet with
several friends and had some very special times with them.

Prayer Requests:
1. We are leaving for thailand soon. Ask that all of us have a safe
trip and all of the finances come in.
2. Ask that Sonata and I will have wisdom about which friend we
will spend spring holiday with.
3. I am going to leave soon to try and get my new six month visa.
Pray that everything will fall into place.
Praise Report: A new sister!!!

I hope you are all doing well, and that your holiday season was
wonderful. I will be adding new pictures to my website in the next
few weeks, and so keep an eye out for that. My computer has been
acting a little strange, and so picture uploading has been on hold.
But I hope that I can upload some of the new ones from the holiday
season.
May Father continue to bless you and be with you!
Love,
Summer
First:
1. I officially wrote my first song, and performed it in front of
the team. When I wrote the song, I just felt like God was
sitting there beside me and it was a time that was so special and
sweet.

Keep Dancing Through…

Jodi — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:34:34 +0000

“Swing your partner round and round!” Sonata called out the
directions as 40 Asian friends tried to learn the virginia reel.
Our team was having our Christmas party and what
a blast we had. We played musical chairs, sang songs and even were
able to talk to them about the true meaning of Christmas. Our
friend Lu Lu said it was the best party she had been to all year. We had to rent a
room because we had so many friends coming that they didn’t fit
into our little apartments.
So there we were with over 50 friends as well as Knight’s parents,
celebrating Christmas and having a great time.

Our small team, as well as Knights parents, were able to spend
Christmas Eve together. We made nan-bread pizza, had salsa and
chips, vegetables and dip, and I made peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies as well as my first ever
coconut cream pie! After eating, we read Luke 2 and then sang some
carols. Then we opened presents and figured out who our Secret Santa was. It was so much
fun to be able to spend time with the team, and we ended the night watching A Muppets Christmas
Carol.

Christmas Day we had a wonderful time with the little family we
have here and we were able to spend all day together.
We had a sock exchange that led to several hilarious presents and
also some very sweet moments. Several of the team members made
brunch and we were able to have a lovely meal as well as some special
Christmas food. One of the special moments of the day for me was
being able to share advent with the whole city. It was something that Sonata and
I had wanted to do, and it was very special for all of us.

I was able to make several phone calls home this week and I was
even able to open presents with my family on skype! It was amazing
to be able to see my friends and family and feel like I was a part of
their special day. I was even able to call some very close friends
that are like a second family to me. I have to admit that I was extremely homesick this week. It was so
different then what Christmas is like at home, in 60 degree weather, it doesn’t quite feel like December. But I am so thankful
for the opportunity to spend my Christmas here and doing what God is calling me too.

Prayer Requests:
1. The time is getting close for me to go get my new visa, so just
pray that it all works out.
2. For the new year. There are some decisions I have to make soon
concerning whether or not I should return. I want
to go where the Father is leading me.
3. Please begin to pray for who I should spend spring break with.
This is a very special time that we are able to
be with a friend and their family in their home town. We need
wisdom in deciding who we should go with.
Praise!! Another girl accepted Christ!!

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you
continue to stay safe during this holiday season.
With love and blessings!
-Summer

Merry Christmas

Jodi — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:02:27 +0000

Bang! Bang! Bang! I jumped out of my seat as someone continued to
pound on our door and yelling in a language I did not fully
understand. I ran into the next room and asked Sonata. “Were you
expecting anybody?” “No” She answered as she walked to the door and
opened it. I must admit, that I did not know what to do since we do
not normally have unannounced visitors and as I mentioned last
week, we had security scare a few weeks ago. However, as she opened
the door, I was surprised to see Santa Clause! Well, obviously it
wasn’t Santa (it was an Asian man) but to me, he was much better
than Santa. For in his hands were two packages from home with my
name on it!! My family had sent me a Christmas package as well as
two very close friends from my home fellowship. As soon as I was
able, I opened the packages to see, smell and feel like I could
touch home. It was very special to place presents from my family
underneath my Christmas tree, but it has also made me so much more
homesick.

We took our final exam for this term in our language classes. It
was a very difficult test, but it was a good way to see how far we
have come in a few short months. We will now have three weeks off
as our teacher is headed to the states for a visit.

The book study was such an encouraging time this week. We were able
to discuss how Jesus told the blind man to wash the mud of his
eyes, and how afterward the blind man could see (John 9). The
discussion during this time was wonderful and very insightful. I
found myself being challenged by the truth that my friends were
seeing in the story of this miracle. Our friend John said that he
really like the story because it showed that God has a purpose for
everything that happens in our lives, whether it is good or bad.
What a wonderful lesson to understand, not only for my friends
here, but for me as well!

I received my visa and passport this week and we have everything
set until I have to leave the country and get another visa. I am
so thankful that it seems to be working out and that God is so
faithful to provide for me during this time. Thank you for all of
your prayers and encouraging words during this time. You have been
such a blessing to me!

Prayer Requests:
1. That all of our parties go well next week
2. That God will create open doors during this holiday season
3. Also, that I will not be very homesick. It is my first Christmas
away from home and I am missing my family very much.
Praise Reports:
- A man and his wife came into the family this week!
- Several of the other teams in the city are seeing doors opening
into situations that seemed closed before.

Well, I will close this e-mail with a prayer for all of you.
That you will find this Christmas to be one that is full of joy
everlasting and peace that goes beyond all understanding. I pray
that you and your loved ones will stay safe and find your homes
filled with love. May each of you be reminded there, as I am here,
that the real reason of the season is not presents, or big dinners
with friends; it was a Savior that was born in a manger 2,000 years
ago. May you find His love this week as you have a very Merry
Christmas!!

Love,
-Summer

Firsts:
1. Received my first chinese haircut. It was a man who could hardly
speak any English. It turned out to be a very enjoyable experience
and my hair turned out great!

It’s Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

Jodi — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:11:58 +0000

“What is this?” Asked our friend Dancing who was pointing to a
bowl. “Oh, that’s frosting.” I said. “What do you do with it?”
asked Bart. So I continued to do a demonstration for the seven guys
and girls the team had over, on how to decorate a cookie. Within 45
minutes all 5 dozen cookies, and 4 bowls of frosting were gone.
Most of our Asian friends find our desserts to sweet, but they
loved these cookies. We had a wonderful time making cookies,
watching a Charlie Brown’s Christmas, singing Christmas Carols and
explaining the true meaning of Christmas. We were able to spend
time answering questions and just show love to our friends. I just
hope that none of them walked away with upset stomach after eating
so many cookies!

The rest of the team had to do a visa run, while I spent the day
here trying to finalize everything with my passport. I received my
passport this week but then had to give it up again to apply for a
new visa. There is good news and bad news when it comes to my
visa. They are issuing me a new visa, but it is only a 30 day no
entry visa. This means that after 30 days, I have to leave the
country and apply for another visa. I know that God will continue
to work all of the details out, and just remind myself that I am
not the first person this has happened to. Your e-mails have been
so encouraging and I am grateful to have such an amazing support
team back at home.

As always, this week was busy. We are now beginning our Christmas
shopping and party preparation, as well as studying for finals in
our language class. I’m really nervous about our class since it is
testing us on the entire term, and we will be graded on speaking,
listening, comprehension, writing, reading and drawing characters.
After next week, we will have about three weeks off of class and
then we will begin the second term. Everything is going by so
quickly that I can’t believe the year is almost half over!

Prayer Requests:
**I thought that I would give you some requests that are really
close to my heart this month.
1. All of our parties this month, that God would use them to touch
the hearts of our friends
2. This is the time of the year where many college students commit
suicide. It is something that happens so often that it is just
accepted as a fact or a way of life here. Pleas pray that God will
just have His hand upon our friends, as well as all the students in
G-town.
3. The poverty is so evident here. It is not unusual for me to walk
down the street and see several people who are blind, lame, burned,
abused, and the list could go on. Please continue to keep the poor
and the hurting in your prayers.
4. My family-that they are kept well this season. Also, my sister-
in-law is coming to the last month of her pregnancy. Pray that
everything goes well!

Praise Report: Another brother has come into the family!

Well, I hope you are all staying safe this season. I keep hearing
about the snow and wish that I could see a little of it, but I hope
you and your family are blessed this week and are kept safe. May
you find joy this week, just like the shepherds did so long ago!
Love,
Summer

Firsts:
1. Well, I know this isn’t “technically” a first, but I did eat my
first strawberry in almost 6 months.
2. We met an illegal poacher selling things such as a monkey’s
head, a rhinoceros’ horn, tigers tooth, lions paw. It was
disgusting and very strange.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Jodi — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:52:36 +0000

“Alright, all we need is for the Christmas tree to go there; PERFECT!” Our friends Eads, Jocelyn and Jeanette all posed in front of the Christmas tree for a picture. As Bing Crosby sang “White Christmas” in the background and the smell of apple cider was in the air, it actually began to feel a lot like Christmas. Sonata was making cookies while I snapped a picture of a memory that will be imprinted in my mind forever. Three precious girls had been invited over this week for a Christmas decoration party, and watching them laugh and talk and place the ornaments on the tree was such a special moment for me. We had such a wonderful time, being able to share a part of our culture with them and our love for Christmas and the joy that it brings.

Last weekend we were able to take an overnight vacation to a natural hot springs around our area. I had never been able to experience anything like that before and was a great memory and something that I truly enjoyed. We were able to get some rest and enjoy some quiet time in the countryside, which is rare in the big city of G-town. I was very thankful for the time off and the calm before the storm of the holiday season.

This week has flown by with preparations for Christmas as well as planning parties and friend meetings. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to get everything with my passport and visa all straightened out, and will hopefully have that all finished sometime next week. Thank you all for your prayers and your e-mails. They were very uplifting during a time that could have been extremely discouraging.

My language classes have been going well. They are getting much more difficult as we are learning lots of new characters and some of the more in-depth parts of the language. However, it is really nice to see the benefits of our studies and we can now begin to read some of the signs or menus and carry out a small conversation.

Prayer Requests:

1. Sickness this season

2. Our parties coming up. We have next week!

3. That we don’t get worn out with the season but have are refreshed and able to keep moving forward.

4. We have had a small security scare here this past week, so please ask that we are kept safe and protected.

Praise Report:

*We have a new sister and a new brother in the family!

I hope this e-mail finds you well and know that you are being thought of during this holiday season.

Love,

Summer

Firsts:

1. Ate Horse ( I don’t know how much more of this I can take!)

2. Bought my first “fake” Christmas tree

3. Had chicken baked in Coca Cola (that was delicious)

In the Spotlight…

Dayle — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:02:46 +0000

Our team was invited to what I thought it was going to be another normal English Corner on the island. I was so very wrong…..
Our friends led me, Tank, Aidan and Sonata around a building where 200-300 people had gathered around a huge stage. They broke out into applause when we walked out. It was the beginning of the English Corner and they decided to begin with a huge party. Only when they led us up to the velvet draped table did I realize that we were sitting front and center. The hosts of the show came on stage and announced the guests of honor for the evening. US!
I was completely shocked and was blown away by the show they put on for us. They had singers, dancers, skits and even games. They had us play the games and lead a conga-line. At the end of the show, they had us draw names out of a box and hand out prizes. When the show ended, they were escorting us out and people swarmed us for pictures and phone numbers. After forty-five minutes of posing for pictures, they announced that they needed to escort us back to the bus station since it was closing soon. I must admit, I felt like a celebrity.

We have had a very busy week since we are finally feeling like we are getting in the swing of things. Sonata and I have met with friends every day as well as attend class and keep up on homework. We have been very encouraged with many of the relationships that are starting to go deeper. I can’t wait to see what God does next!

I hear that it is getting colder in the U.S. but I think it is getting warmer here. This week was in the upper 90’s and the humidity came back full force. I have especially been feeling a little sick and tired the past few days, which has come from the temperature rising.

I am so happy to report that one of the cities teams Bible studies has so many students wanting to learn about what the Bible says that they have had to create another book study to hold all of the people. We officially have 6 book studies going on all over G-town. Praise Him!

Prayer Requests:
1. We have started a small fellowship with some believers. Continue to ask God to start a big work in their hearts.
2. For Sonata and I to continue to have deep relationships with our new friends.
3. Homesickness… I’m starting to feel it!!!!!!

I hope you are doing well, and that you have been blessed by what is going on here in G-town. The work here is exciting, and I am so thankful that you are able to be a part of it with me. May His grace be sufficient for you today!
Much Love,
Summer

Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

Dayle — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:59:52 +0000

Lima opened the door to her dorm room where her and three other girls stay. To say it was small is an understatement. Their beds are pieces of wood with a blanket on top and they have small desks with a few places for storage. The room was small and the bedding was hard, but I felt so honored that she felt comfortable enough to have two foreigners in her room. I love these girls and I am so excited to be able to spend a year of my life with them!

Sonata and I had a busy week with a lot of friend meetings. God is giving us so many new friends that we aren’t able to meet with them all in one week. I am very excited about how God is bringing people to us. It is never how I think it should be, but always surprises me and makes me realize that it is not about me.

We had another city wide prayer time this week, which was a special time for us to pray for each other and the other cities. Please continue to lift people up in prayer as some are dealing with discouragement and sickness. There is a sickness that seems to be going around our city, so please continue to pray for healing and that we will be kept well.

I have been getting very homesick lately and really miss my friends and family. I miss being able to be with my church family on Sunday mornings but I know that God is working on me here as well. The things that I am learning are exciting and interesting, and I am having one of the best experiences of my life. But most of all, I am grateful that I get to share it with you. Thank you for standing behind me and lifting me up in prayer.

With all my love,
- Summer

Prayer Requests:
1. For the sickness that is going around
2. For those who are discouraged that God would lift up their eyes!
3. I would like to ask you to pray for some of our friends here. A few names are Eads, Lima, May, Yolanda, Alexis, Lilya, Alice, Murraya, and Kellie. There are many more, but I thought I would send a few to put on your list!
4. Another praise report, we had a new sister named Anne join the family this week!

Losing it all and ending in Thanks

Jodi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:54:39 +0000

Tears streamed down my face as I was escorted by a police man to
the back seat of his car. As he shut the door behind me and drove
me towards the police station, I started making calls to my friends
to come and help me. I had been sitting alone in a restaurant
having lunch and reading a book. People had been passing by me,
but nothing was out of the ordinary. I turned to pick up my purse
to leave, and that is when I realized it was gone.
I ran around asking people if they saw who took my purse; no one
had seen anything. A lady came to help me and explained what had
happened to the management and they called the police. I was taken
to the police station where I was questioned for two hours concerning
what had happened to my things. We were able to look at the
security tapes, and what we saw on the screen astonished me. They
believe it was four men who were working together. While one
distracted me, the other one came around to see if he could get
close to me. At the last second while another man walked down the
stairs, he grabbed my purse and handed it to the fourth man who was
waiting. Then they all walked out together. I was devastated since
inside my purse was my camera, ipod, wallet, bank cards, and most
importantly, my passport.
So I spent the rest of the day at the police station, and then had
to spend the next day at the embassy trying to work on getting a
new passport. I have to admit that it was a scary situation for me
and I had to fight becoming discouraged. However, I know the Lord
will provide for my every need and I know it will become a
testimony of his goodness.

So what a crazy start to my week! After spending two days on that,
we had our first party with our new friends. As people poured into
the apartment, I realized that I didn’t know a quarter of them. Our
friends had invited more friends, and we ended up having over 50
people in this teeny tiny apartment. There was barely enough room
for you to walk through other people or even find your way to the
bathroom. Everyone had such a wonderful time with games, food and
the explanation of Thanksgiving. They walked away very excited for
the next party, which I am sure will be soon with Christmas just
around the corner!

Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day with us being able to spend
time together as a whole team. Since we are in Asia, we have come
to learn that not everything is going to go the way we plan or even
smoothly most of the time. One of my pumpkin pies ended up taking
over 3 hours to bake, the traffic was crazy and we got to the
dinner late, and Sonata’s pie ended up spilling on her. THANKFULLY,
everything turned out great! Sonata’s pie tasted wonderful, both of
my pies were cooked all of the way through and we were able to have
turkey! It hard not being with family but it was wonderful to be
with friends. We were able to be thankful for all that God has
given us and all that he is doing. I hope your holiday was
wonderful and that you all had a wonderful time with family and
that you stayed safe.
Prayer Requests:
1. That all the finances comes in for replacing my passport etc.
2. All of the new friends we met at the party this week
3. That the Bible study and fellowship goes well this week

Love,
-Summer
Firsts:
1. Pig heart
2. We had a dish that was a bunch of small fish, that you were
supposed to eat whole. Even the eyes!
3. Making my first pie all by myself