Emergency Homelessness Prevention Program
by Ada Yue
Being obedient to God always requires us to have courage to overcome oppositions and challenges. On the 12/2 Prayer Meeting, when Pastor Ted invited us to join the COVID-19 Emergency Homelessness Prevention Program (CEHPP) Missions Trip, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to respond “Yes” despite the fact that I am old and cannot speak Spanish. In the meantime, I struggled with some deterrents. A few days before the Missions Trip, my brother was admitted to the Emergency Room and demanded more of my time to care for him. I also debated whether to take the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus at my age and to set aside all my commitments to make time available for this 3-week volunteer opportunity. Read more →
The faith of the canaanite woman
By Betty Young
Molly, our dachshund mix, stations herself under the baby’s highchair every mealtime—the better to catch the crumbs that fall from the baby’s tray. Dogs have no pride. Molly is satisfied to catch the food scraps that fall to the floor—grateful for even the crumbs, no matter how small. Our grandson eats at the table until he is satisfied. Molly, however, is satisfied with the crumbs that fall under the table.
As I watched Molly eagerly lap up the crumbs, I was reminded of this story in Matthew.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So, his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Read more →
Life of Christ
crown of thorns and nails symbols of the Christian crucifixion in Easter
By Jamie Phuong
Prior to taking the LOC (Life of Christ) class, I had no idea what it means to be a Christian. I thought that attending church, listening to the sermons, trying to do the right thing, donating money and volunteering is how a Christian should be. I wasn’t reading the Bible because it was too confusing and hard to understand. I had no desire to read or learn it. Read more →