Hi! It’s been a while.. well It feels like it has even though it’s only been three days. It’s been a busy three days though. How is everything going? On Monday night, there was the CARE banquet held at the Marriot. It was really formal and nice to see friend’s in suits and dresses. I’m sure it was a surprise to all my friends that I was in a dress anyhow. It was fun helping out, seeing hkis teachers, parents that I recognized and dancing at the end with amazing music and band playing. I don’t have many pictures of the banquet, but here’s one with the guys and one with Anna.

Other than that, I’ve been practicing and practicing to get ready for the basketball tournament which is starting tomorrow until saturday. It’s been good seeing Rae and hanging out with them again. Lady dragons: we will play hard, play smart and play together but most importantly we will have fun!

Tonight I had a chance to go out to Central to meet up with the CARE staff before they head back to the Philippines. We ate at Jolibee and just hung out there. It was alot of fun talking to them and getting to know them. I will miss their amazing worship, I will miss them but hopefully I will be able to see them in a few months on the HKIS trip to the Philippines. I will put up some pictures as soon as I have time. Thanks Corrie for letting me hang out with you guys.

The next few days will be tiring, there’ll be ups and downs. But Hopefully I will enjoy it. I will do my best to do everything to glorify God whether is be during a game or just hanging out with the different teams around. Who knows, maybe I’ll get some short updates in between games.

Cheers, Jo!

Today’s been a productive day, yet not a productive day. I was a bit late for church today so I missed a little bit of the worship but it was amazing nontheless. The drum beats, the sound of a guitar, the voices of the church crying out to the Lord.

What does that really mean? I still am not really sure, but today’s sermon was powerful, along with the worship that the Care lead. Today Pastor Brett lead a great sermon, it was about a Life of Impact and we looked at the book of Nehemiah. There was three main points that was taught:

1. Sacred Sadness
Have you ever walked past a beggar or a needy and just focused on what you have to be doing at the moment? Have you ever felt a little bit of pity but didn’t do anything about it and just went on with what you’re doing? I know I’ve done that. God calls us to embrace sadness that’s shared by God.

2. Godward Gaze
Change your heart. Sustain your motivation. You need the godward Gaze to be reminded of why you do the things you do. If all the motivation are left up to you, you will fall. He’s invited you to a life of purpose so where’s your Godward Gaze.

3. Decisive Determination
Motives will be questioned but you must serve and answer to a God that will hold you accountable. Your life is your responsibility. Opposition may be broad and public. They will sometime be from the people closest to you and you will answer them without shame. Distractions will be plentiful. The enemy of the best is good. To make decisions that God wants you will need a constant relationship with God. Give all your energy to things of the eternal nature.

After the service, I had a chance to catch up with friends and talk to some of the Care people. It was quite nice knowing that they remembered my name and they wanted to talk to me. Tomorrow is the Care Banquet, I will be busy the whole day but it will be a good chance to just relax and see how God has lead the International Care Ministry to do great things. The Sutherlands have been really stressful and I’m sorry if I’ve bothered you. I hope things work out tomorrow.

Cheers, Jo!

I was walking to my bus stop on the left side of the picture. Every friday or Sunday I walk across that bridge, I look at how beautiful Hong Kong is. All the cars going one way, with their headlights. Behind it, a pattern of buildings with bright big flashy signs. Tonight, I even saw a building decorated with christmas lights! What do you think?

Practice was hard today. I keep telling myselfthat it will all be worth it in the end, I really hope so. But either way, I am doing it, I am playing hard for the Team. The Players on the team. I play to shine a light for God, though I have trouble doing that. You though, are the last thing on my mind that I am playing for. Does that contradict itself? It’s so easy to dislike you.

Encounter was yet special again. We had the CARE staff lead worship. Following, with Daniel speaking his testimony, about being a missionary, and about life in the Philipines. Worship was amazing, they are so talented. It made me happy just watching them play and sing. Daniel, with his eyes closed, singing and praising to the Lord. The drummer and the guitarist as well. The things they do continue to amaze me, from a relatively poor country, but yet they have so much talent and have so much Love for God. Where is that love from this busy HK city?

Behind the music. Beneath all the loudness, I am able to find peace and that time to spend with God. Focusing on the song as well as just crying out to God. Just like Hillsong, I was able to connect with God even under a loud setting. It is always nice to be in a quiet place, listening to the ocean and talking to God there but if we give our heart to him, we are able to hear him, feel him, and even see him under any settings.

Cheers, Jo!

Clumped. Scrambled. Pushed together. My feelings. Today didn’t help me go back on my decision, it only pushed it further. I don’t know how what to do anymore, I don’t know what to feel anymore. I cannot let my team down, I know I will give my very best whenever I am on the floor, but I cannot promise that my heart will be there as well. I don’t know what lesson God is trying to teach me but I trust in him that there is a lesson in every experience. There is a reason He lets things happen. I will keep praying until it comes to me.

Grace. Forgivness. I pray that He allows me to give this to him. To feel this way. It will be hard, it is driving me crazy. It even brings me into tears, but one of the hardest thing is knowing that God is with me all the time, but not feeling him. I know that He is watching me and giving me the strength, watching over me. But I don’t see it. I don’t feel it. I only feel .. well scrambled feelings.

What lesson is God teaching me? What lesson are you learning?

Cheers, Jo!

My first time going to the Hillsong concert even though they’ve been here for a few years. It was a good experience and I definitly got lots from the event. The whole day I was looking forward to this event, I kept telling my friends how much fun I am going to have tonight. While walking towards ICA for the concert, I found myself walking faster and faster as if it was going to make a difference. Holding the hillsong ticket, getting a stamp on my hand, looking at the shirts, and the cds being sold, I was getting more and more excited for them.

I walked into the auditorium, saw the crowd and started to find friends everywhere in the room. I didn’t have a chance to talk to each of them personally because there were so many people, but I had a big smile on my face seeing every one of them.

The hour and a half of music and worship started.Everyone ran to the front, jumping and singing to the music. It was powerful seeing everyone with their hands up in the air praising God. The way Hillsong was playing on the stage, closing their eyes and the amount of energy they have for God is amazing, it was admirable. Chris, one of the leaders from their church back in Australia, gave us a short talk about how we all have a purpose. Tonight, God was speaking to us, speaking to every one of us and filling our heart.

I felt something I have never felt before, when I was singing, i suddenly felt a pull from my heart. I didn’t know what to make of this feeling and I don’t know how to describe this feeling, perhaps it was me giving my whole heart to God. Perhaps it was me letting God come to my heart. I felt like I was being pulled, it was harder and harder to sing but it was a great feeling. To be able to let God come to my heart and speak to me.

What did he speak to me? There was a few things. Chris was telling us how we have to listen to God, let him guide us to our future. He was speaking to us tonight, he spoke to me some things for the future. Although I still have a part of me which I don’t know if I should or if God really wants me to, I had made a decision for now – Even though it is thinking too far ahead – again.

Another thing that I felt God reminded me tonight was that I have to shine a light of Jesus, God. At my school, with my friends, wherever I am, when people are reminded of me, I would want them to think of Jesus. The way I act, the things I do, I want all of it to reflect the greatness of God. When people say: “Oh jo? She’s a great person.” I want them to also say, She’s got the love of Christ in her, she shines an example. This is what I will strive to do. Keep it in my prayers.

Tonight was a good experience. Seeing all my friends was also great. Nancy, Emily, Daniel, Anna, Scott, and everyone who was there. Although I have school tomorrow, I will be happy.

Tell the world that Jesus lives!

Cheers, Jo!