update 4

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The past 5 days have been so busy that I didn't get to update. But, I am now currently in another school about 4 hours away from the school that I started in. The government kicked us out of the school because of issues with foreigners (and very likely because of our beliefs). In the beginning I didn't like it, but Father has opened up a new door for me to spread the Word. When we left the other school, I didn't realize how attached I had grown to the chinese volunteers and students in a mere 2 days.

And in 2 days I went from being a principal to an english teacher. Quite humbling, and a really different experience. I thought about it after being here a couple days, and I realized that this is the first time since my first year serving that I wasn't the principal of the school. It's quite relaxing knowing that I don't have to be supervising anything, but I can be a good support to our principal Carrie and vice principals here.

Word spreading has been really cool because more so then reaching out to the students, we are able to have really good conversations with the chinese volunteers here. This past Sunday we had a service, and we washed hands. As we washed their hands I really felt the spirit moving in the room. We only have 5 days left at this school, and I feel that its too short! Lift our team up to daddy that we would take ahold of every minute that we have at this school so that his word would be spread everywhere!

btw, it's been raining and cloudy, so its been hard to do activities, and the kids end up watching movies and playing games all day. And its an all week school so its been a little tough!

miss you guys!

update 3

Naming my students today, I was reminded of my previous years, especially when they choose names that are the same. This reminded me of how good God always is, and how He continues to provide in times of stress and times that I feel I can't do anything.
The summer camp just started today and there are many obstacles already. My heart has suddenly become restless in this time, and I really need a lot of prayer. I knew coming into this years missions that there would be issues. But something tells me something big is going to come soon.

prayer requests:
1. That God would bring me peace in my limited time at this school
2. That I would not be lazy and seize each second that I am here

Update #2

Our Chinese College Volunteer Camp has just ended! And the last school group just left from our school. So much has happened over the last 3 days that it's unbelievable. AGT always lives up to its reputation of being flexible and crazy last minute changes. One of the schools we were supposed to go to ended up dropping out, so we had to switch up teams, and now my current team is: Tom, MW, and myself. I'm excited to see what God is going to do this year with us in this school.
This years training camp was probably the most intensive one that I've done in my 4 years of AGT, but I saw how God really moved through all of the busy-ness and especially using us Volunteers. I can truly say that this year we have an all-star Volunteer team, especially as each obstacle came up we would always came out stronger and each time things were handled with wisdom.
In 2 days our school will begin everything, until then we'll be preparing for the upcoming 3 weeks. I know things won't be easy, but our team seems to be really good and I know I will grow a lot in the next 3 weeks. Please pray for us:


#1: That God would let us be a unified team (Tom, MW, and me) and that we can serve the people and students here in the school.


#2: That I would have discipline to get up each morning for devotionals.


Thank you for your support! I can really feel the power of your prayers here in China.

Shen Zhen China update 1

Hello brothers and sisters! 

I'm currently in Shen Zhen, we finally made it safely here at 2 a.m. Saturday morning and the team is super exhausted. Even though the plane rides, transfers, and immigration processes were long and grueling, I had a lot of time to pray, read, and wait on the Lord. I'll start off with a praise report: as I started praying in the airplane, God had given me the two things that I felt that I was lacking as I left Los Angeles: peace and excitement. Like my earlier post, I felt quite uneasy leaving (it felt like a spiritual attack) and I have excitement for this upcoming missions trip. It wasn't some thought process that led me to gaining these two things, but I believe that it was through the Lord's blessings that I am able to receive these things! PtL!

There are two prayer requests that I hope each of you can pray for me about. These two things are words that i feel God has revealed to me, and who wants me (and my fellow brothers and sisters) to continue to lift up in prayer as I prepare my heart to serve.

#1: Do not let my physical weariness/weakness affect my spiritual awareness.

This is something that I usually don't struggle with, but God really placed this burden on my heart to not let anything physical bring me down spiritually. I don't feel it yet, but I know these struggles will come soon.

#2: Do not be limited by my heart for the Chinese people, but that I would seek for God's heart for them.

This is a common mistake that I realize I continuously fall into. I always pursue these missions trips with my heart, and the "burden that God has placed on my heart for these people." But I know that God wants to continue to increase my passion for them. I often close off the mind to God pouring into me because I think I have enough to work with, but I know that God wants continuous overflow into my life and those that I will serve.

Thanks for your prayers!

I feel loved.

In the past 12 hours I've gotten many texts, calls, and messages about how people are praying for me and wishing me a safe flight. Honestly, this is the first time I've gotten these texts and each one I get makes me smile and realize what wonderful brothers and sisters I have.

Many people have asked me how I feel about going this year and if I'm ready. My answer? I feel a little uneasy, I feel the spirit leading me to believe that this year will be the hardest that I've ever had. And so, I don't feel as excited as I have in the past, but one thing forsure I know that I have God and the prayers of my brothers and sisters behind me and that comforts me so much.

Please keep me in your prayers, I'll be updating the blog and sending out e-mails as often as I can.