20080809 Nhat Thanks

The five of us in Shanghai are now back in Toronto.
As the title suggested, it is my thank you letter to each of the individuals on this trip with me. Like the last chapter in Romans 16, Paul sends his greetings and thanks to those who were supporting him.

G. Praise G. from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen

Family: The very core of my relationships as they are always there for me in regards to helping me when I need them. They are concern for my physically well being and continues make sure I get enough rest and nourishment. A quick email from them always warms my heart for my heart treasures them dearly. Though I don’t show my appreciation to them enough, I know we can always count on each other. Love you guys.

Pr..r supporters (yes you are part of the team): Thank you for your diligent thoughts of us on the days you p..yed. The value can only be seen in heavenly blessings as gave us your heart felt backup at the home front while we are on the front lines. Without your p..rs, we would not have such a smooth and successful vacation with G. No major injury or sickness that hindered us, only the runs to the washroom were our primary concerns.

Financial supporters: Thank you for your generosity as your provision covered all our shortage in our own financial needs (plane tickets, land fees, and ministry cost). Your support helped us understand that G. always provides for his children. You can contact the CGC Mission Committee to for our expenditure details.

In alphabetical order:
Albert: I started calling him the China GPS because he knows or can find where everything is (laundry, strings, hats, haircut..). He is very independent and therefore he can easily go about in China without worrying from the team members. As the newest believer (July 2008), he displays the servant attitude of J for he is always ready to help. There were no tasks that were too small or big for him. He was easy to work with and continue to mature in his faith in G. I am thankful for his serving spirit in Ch. for it really helped the team in making the camp go smoothly.

Alfred & Alsie: I was over joy to see them in Guiyang for I have worked with them for the past three years. They are really like an uncle and aunty to me for they put me in my place and provides for me (specially baby me when I request certain food items). They are my guiding star in treading the waters of China for they know the sensitivity of the local and thereby equipping us to better minister. Without them, we would not have this wonderful opportunity to teach the students.

Andy: The most energetic and humorous member of the team. He provided us with games and his zeal to do his best spurred me on. He is still searching for his calling in his life but in any endeavors like this trip, he put his whole heart into it. Learning as he goes and growing in humility. Pr.y he will find his lot in life as he joyful serves. He really created a lot of laughter and joy to the team and to the students. Thank you Andy for all the laughts you gave me for I need to learn to be more cheerful in the Lo.d.

George: Initially, he was like a one of the student to me because his English was at a similar level as the best students in the class. As the days went by, his presence was felt and his contribution was not in the translation but in his initiative to help out. He was the camp’s photographer for he carried a professional camera. In the end, his confidence in English improved as he gave the students Chinese pingying for some of the hard words. He was our food guide and he introduced us to many local delicates. Lastly, my appreciation of him is in his forgiving character in the event where his camera lens was accidentally broken by the students during the party. He checked his camera, set it aside and joined the party without putting blame on anyone or shown any signs of hurt. A real gentlemen who choose to forgive, not dependent on whether or not the other person is sorry and therefore not letting bitterness lead him down the road to destruction.

Jack: He has many names to me because I believe I associate him with those names. Like Albert, he always got things done when it comes to Mandarin. I was sadden to lose him as a co-teacher to Andy for I wanted to team up with him because of his cool, mellow temperament – thereby my pseudo co-teacher. Throughout the whole trip, I keep interchanging his name with his two Mandarin buddies but he always gives me the knowing smiles. It is wonderful to see him smile and laugh for it somehow warms me up. Jack linked Albert and George into our team for he wanted to help others to grow personally and contribute to G’s kingdom. He wants to be a doctor in the future so he can better serve others and that is what love is – wanting the best for someone else unselfishly. I got the pleasure to watch in-sync plane shows with him during our flight to China and it has been a pleasure to work with him. He is mature for his age and most of the time more mature than me.

Jonathan: He named himself “Sleeping Beauty” and his innocent is really portrayed by that simple choices. He is simple in motives and in voicing his intention. His innocent can only be match by the students’ for he does not have other agenda on his mind as he shares his thoughts openly. As my co-teacher, he was easy to work with for he was not shy to try new ideas or take on any challenges. His focus on G. during the daily devotions always show his thankfulness for the grace given and I am at awe for his continue humility in G.’s presence. Jonathan knows, believes, lives and tells the truth about himself – true humility in C.

Merilyn: A voice of reason for me as she kindly offer suggestion to improve or modify the event to make it better for both the teachers and students. Though she lacks Chinese but she was able to help lead a student in receive J. as her personal friend. That is an awesome encouragement to me for if we stay focus on G’s agenda, we will reap what he prepared for us in advance. Merilyn’s love (patience, kindness…) paved the path for us to encourage more English members to do likewise.

Nathaniel: A very forgiving heart overall for you were the one we picked on most in the team yet you never complain once. Not many people can take the abuse from all of us and still come back with a smile. Like Nathaniel, I need to learn to live for others and not for my own personal agenda. In the class, Shirley praised him for taking the initiative in cleaning the black board and in taking on more teaching responsibility as the days rolled by. Keep smiling and laughing in G’s kingdom. Mini-me, thank you for your carrying your laptop on the trip for it really help us stay connected to home.

Nhat: Thank G for me for he loves me more than I can ever imagine. Therefore I need to have self love because I need to appreciate the beauty that my creator has created in me.

Shirley: My personal auditor who makes sure I am on track financially for the team and on the ball in training. While in Canada, she was the eye of the storm who keep us calm and focus on the trip. I sometimes lose myself in being a kid with the rest of the teens because I can be the biggest kid of the group. Thank you Shirley for bring the leader out of me so I can make sure that all logistic are in place. Even during the time in China, you kept my head clear and reminded me of what needs to be done. I thank you for your rebuke for it has strengthened my care for the team and the students as it is for G’s glory.

Stephen: Thank you so much in submitting to my leading even though I believe you are the better leader for the team. With a sound mind and wonderful heart for G’s work, you would have easily led the team effectively. Yet, you choose to build me up and support me in all my antics. I loved your tips of the day for the English lesson in the morning for it was a wonderful reminder for me and gives me other ideas to teach the class. Your big heart is going help refine the English manual and the multimedia for you want to make sure the students and teachers are getting best out of the camp. I need to learn to be as diligent as you and learn honor like you: to hold someone in high value (great weight of worth).