VBS 2009

Super long post.

Hi everybody, I finally woke up. LoL

Thank God for sustaining me thus far. I made it through VBS 2009!!! But like Auntie Jae said, we're not done yet!

This year's VBS is.............................. superb.

Hmm... Not as many kids as previous 2 years but I'm telling you, it's the bomb. I think Auntie Jae and Saya Lone Lone Wa Wa did such an amazing job with the program. The games are super fun and the messages are great.

The kids:

They drive me crazy, especially my class. I had to scream at the top of my lungs just to get one sentence across to them because they are so full of energy and so full of life. Hey it's all good. They got my voice all husky and amazing sounding for praise and worship. Falalalalala....

Hahaha.... NOT! Just kidding. I was really happy to see one of the kids really changed. He used to be so quiet and didn't participate much during class, and this would go on for months and months. I always had to ask him if he was alright or if his brother was bullying him. Now, he's the loudest when we sing songs and he's the one to answer most of my bible questions. Either he finally got comfortable with teachers or God really did something in his life. Either way, praise God. :)

I cannot keep their attention for too long so I tricked them lol hahahaha... Nah, I didn't trick them. I just motivated them by saying all we have to do is to get the main point of the message and I'd let them go - which is what I really wanted anyway. I seriously can't keep them otherwise; I'd have to pound the message while their 5-second attention span lasted.

Did I mention the Myan Church came? I'm sorry if I spelled it wrong but these kids are GREAT. They made up almost half the attendees. At first, we were a little concerned about the turnout because many Karen kids from our church moved to other states, etc. But God provided anyway. I don't care if they're Myan, Burmese, Karen, or American, we all need God so we serve them the same anyway. If God sent them to us, it's because we need each other and may God's will be done.

In the beginning, for a couple of hours, it was awkward and everything was new for them. They call us "the big church." But after 3 days, I can't tell if these are our church kids or the Myan church kids. They were laughing as hysterically as our church kids. I know for sure that they enjoyed themselves immensely. I got to know them and they are so comfortable with us now. If we have to play with them 10 hours just to tell them there is a God who loves them, it is worth it to do so.

The Leaders:

Basically staff members but I call them leaders because they really are.

I can't not talk about the Saw Eh Khu trio: His 3 children Cherrie, ToeToe, and Ashlee. They really did such an amazing job leading the VBS 2009 in many ways.

How great were Ashlee's dances? There's no denying it. There's no doubt in my mind that that girl has the spiritual gift of worship dance from God and she is not afraid to use it for His kingdom. She holds nothing back and only 16 years old. She came up with 10 choregraphies for 10 songs in 2-3 weeks and managed to hold her team to lead the kids. The.kids.loved.it. They go crazy! The steps are really fun and easy for them to follow! Ok I admit, I love dancing along too. :D

Cherrie was responsible for bringing the Mienh kids to our church. She single handedly brought all of them and did the liaison stuff with their parents to make sure everyone is taken care of. And throughout the VBS, she really paid close attention to their every need and slept with them although she wanted to sleep with me upstairs. All these sacrifices are so lovely to me. She's got a gift with children. I would have gone crazy with their whining. She gets along with them so well! Maybe because she's the oldest sister herself, it comes naturally to her. You need to speak an alien child language if want to talk to those kids and you cannot go to school for that!

ToeToe was fantastic with the boys. What would they do without him in VBS? What would WE do without him in VBS? He was like the big brother to all of them. All of them relied on him and trusted him in entirety. The boys don't necessarily want to talk to the girl teachers and ToeToe was perfect for the role. During the trip to the zoo, he exhibited excellent leadership skills. Small kids are so naughty and they kept running everywhere. Matthew got lost twice in the first hour because he just took off! ToeToe found him back and made sure he's always got the headcounts right. He made sure all his little members are taken care of before himself.

There are so many more young leaders involved that shine like stars to make this happen. They are all so young! Our "juniors" are really growing up. Emily, Mabel, Danielle, Janet, Amanda.... Kelly, Doe Doe, Wine Wine, our cooks and our drivers! Sobs... I feel so touched by their efforts.

I hope this VBS brought out their passion and love for God and the good works that He has prepared for them.

^Phillip and Christian's tennis ball game... so funny..

I am still uploading.

Our official VBS picture gallery (TN and the rest are still uploading):

http://www.obmbc-ca.org/pic.html

Nock Nock Nock …

I am blushing … because it has been quite a while to greeting you here this way. I hope you all could find some forgiveness toward my ignorance and careless.

I had very good night sleep. The very first thing I did this morning was opening your blog for listening music with a cup of coffee in my hand. And you know what ? I am already start working on iParent blog. Why it took so long …. I ask myself … and poor me …Though I found so many answers that I could not share with you quite yet ….I like to congratulate my self with you all …first … whom has been support me as who I was …

Thank you all for not giving up on me …. thank you all for trusting me still when I was weak …

It’s funny to say this ….but I think this VBS is going to be very special in my life …I found my calling back … and I learn to trust Him right way …. The best thing is …. VBS is still half way …. and I am ready …. so ready to run …

In Christ Alone

Hi All...
I just wanna share this beautiful and touching song "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell. He was/is a Backstreet Boy.



In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

Chorus:
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone do I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord

Chorus:

Upcoming VBS

Oh.em.gee.

It's that time of the year again. HELLOOOOOOOOOOO

IT'S VBS TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vocational Bible School - it's for the kids, you know.

I'm super, super, super, SUPER PSYCHED!

AND GUESS WHAT!? WE GOING TO ---- OAKLAND ZOOHOOHOO!!!

http://www.oaklandzoo.org/

VBS: July 31-August 2, 2009 + Two Sundays after that
Oakland Zoo: August 1

We made the choice last Sunday during our first VBS meeting. Every year, we've been going to the Waterworld and the kids love it.

But I think they're gonna enjoy this one too. And best of all, zoo is a place that really includes everybody.

• Nobody has to be sitting on the side for ten hours watching our bags
• People who can only swim at 5 feet depth don't have to afraid of drowning (*AHEM AHEM*)
• Cameramen like me and TN don't have to worry about getting our cameras WET hahahhaha
• Etc!!!

 

 

 
^Haha our volunteer "teachers" for the VBS. From left: Hae Pi, Susan, Franky.

This year's setting is a gameshow setting. I think it's gonna be great.

To be honest, I was quite disappointed last year. But it's because I depended too much on my own strength so I got tired and disappointed.

This year, I'm gonna challenge myself to walk by faith.

Visitation Paid to Newcomers

On top of the July 4th weekend fun we had, we also visited some refugee families the next day. They're muslims but it's okay. We extend our love to them any day.

It was a special occasion for their daughters and we were treated with freshly made indian prata and we prayed for their families as a group. 

 

  

 

^Haha, our pastor is very cute. Saya Lone Lone Wa Wa. I mean, Saya Lone Wah. :D

 

 

 

^AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Hasina!!! 

 

  

 

 

GREAT VIDEO COMING UP (YOUTUBE keeps failing me gazillion times!!! ARGH!)

edit. IT'S HERE:

July 4th Weekend

(Hihihi! This post is super overdue! Sorry! I was so busy with my final exam! Plus, my brother is always scolding me about using his laptop. I know God will bless me with a new laptop AGAIN cause He did it before and cause I never lack when He's my provider! - in all seriousness. Hee :))

Main things of the day: Sports & BBQ!!!

Ko Paul & Ko Franky were whipping up very mean BBQ entries... How come the men of our church can cook SOOOOOOO well??? They should cook more often!!! Amen, sisters!!!???

The marinate was FANTASTIC... the meat was cooked to perfection on top that! They were standing there long time and BBQing for the entire church... and we had like maybe 50 people that day. Wow, that's service and dedication for you right there.

And LOL! STRANGERS not from our church came to eat too! What the???? I don't see them in church AT ALL during service but they certainly heard about our BBQ. It's all good. We like strangers. COME, ALL YOU WHO ARE HUNGRY! ALL YOU WHO ARE THIRSTY, SAYS THE LORD! hahahaha

Seriously. Come.

 

 

 

Official gallery: http://www.obmbc-ca.org/pic.html.
Just find the album "OBMBC Pinic 09"
Thanks TN for uploading!

Highlight of the video: The "tote si tote" (Burmese sports game) at the end. There's one part I personally find HIGHLARIOUS.

Happy 25th Anniversary Ko Lawrence and Ma Hmwe Hmwe

What a lovely anniversary we experience today. They were so cute. Check out the pictures below.....

Before that, I want to share something that touches my heart today. I saw how people serve one another. Especially, those new comers, who are waiting for other to finish dancing and chatting, and then they started folding the chairs and tables. That’s the sweetest thing. Another group is also in the kitchen cleaning up. By seeing those, I see the glory of God. Jesus himself showed the example to serve one another. He washed his disciples’ feet, and said “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)
Not only that, Jesus also said “… Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45)
We true Christians should serve one another.

Ok ok… going back to Ko Lawrence and Ma Hmwe Hmwe… they both are also very loving, caring, and serving to others. They always stay late at Church on every Sunday to finish up stuffs and clean up after people. Ma Hmwe Hmwe used to work on Sunday night, and she has to go home and sleep before going to work at midnight, but still … mostly their family is the last to go home. Tell me about the wedding… every church wedding… Ko Lawrence is the one taking care of Ceremony program, and Ma Hmwe Hmwe is the one in charge of foods. She once told me that she likes seeing wedding ceremony, but she is always busy with preparing the foods. On behalf of ppl who are married and who are going to marry soon, I like to say thanks to both of you and I’m so happy that not only Ma Hmwe Hmwe sees the wedding ceremony today, but she is also a part of it. Happy 25th!!!!!!!!!!!

You died for us

You know our weaknesses

You know our disobedience

Yet, you still love us.

We choose the paths away from you

We choose not to give time for you

Yet, you still guide us.

We forget you when we are in good time

We blame you when we are in trouble

Yet, you still bless us.

You know that we are sinners

You know that we are not always faithful to you

Yet, you still died for us.

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Nway Nway's Graduation

Wassup, readers? Mingalaba. :)

The highlight of this week is definitely Nway Nway's graduation. I'll keep it short and sweet, okay?

Very tiring.
Very busy.
Very hungry.
Very many people.
Very big celebration.
Very happy.

Very thank God. :)))

This is actually Nway Nway's special day and it could very well be her personal celebration with her close family and friends. But she always take any opportunity to host and create an environment for EVERYONE to gather and fellowship.

• She opened her house to welcome us.
• Her family spent a lot of time cooking and preparing for us.
• Best of all, they turned on their air con for us HAHAHA
  (Hey, the heat was not even funny, okay.)
  

Enough. Picture time.

 

 

^The after party at Aw Lay's house. 

• Too much food
• Too many people
• Young and old
• Mote Hin Gar (super super good, cooked by Aw & Nway's mom)
• Gazillion BBQ - ribs, oysters, chicken wings, beef satay, tongue (the best), fish, corn, meatballs......... ETC!

I'm still full from yesterday! :D

All in all, congratulations to Nway Nway and it was a great time of bonding and fellowship. 

I'll be blogging another post about today's YAF's meeting in a bit. It was so fun, we laughed till our stomachs hurt so much.

Father, we pray to be united as brothers and sisters. Please bless us and teach us to grow and be patient with one another, filling in the gaps with our strengths and weaknesses. When one of us falls, let the other one sustain us. Let us not just contain this joy and salvation for ourselves... but because You have given us this amazing love, it overflows and goes out into the world. Even if no one is there to applaud our good works, we just want to walk in Your ways because it is the only truth that brings real joy.... and we bless Your Name...

Encouragement from our Pastor

Keep up good work

Hi YAFers

I am glad that you all are doing great job in your daily life and church ministry. I've seen recently your blog and saw improvements. Not just blog but your maturity and personal commitment to the body of Christ. It is a time to revive among young adults for His purposes. Keep up with the Spirit and quench not. Keep up your selfless effort for our Lord whether anyone is clapping for you or not. Remember one little fire can start much fire. Keep up with each other in patient and enduring the disappointments. Each of us are responsible for one another. No one should be left out alone in the wild world. Uphold the week and support the strong one. We are the ambassadors for Christ. Praying for you all.

Please update me with the rest of you whom I do not have their email addresses.

Blessings!

Saya