Ruth’s Crow Update

91 Spring Street Unit 12 Watertown, MA  02472                  Phone: (617) 926-9230                               E-mail: Rchu82@yahoo.com

June 7, 2005

Volume 1, Number 2

Giving Thanks!

In my own Words of Thanks

April and May Update

April

Our team leaders – Bill and Terri Mock – had set up a plan for the team to get a number of administrative items completed.  From reading about the Crow and their lifestyle and setting up and sending letters to seeking out references and filling out an extensive application explaining my intent for this missions trip, I was quite busy fulfilling my requirements. 

During our team meeting, we had a chance to review what we learned by playing Bill’s version of Crow Jeopardy. Timothy Te, Calvin Chan, and Eun Ju Kim were my team members.  Timothy and Calvin were our seasoned team members and were very knowledgeable in Crow.  As for me, I realized that I still have much to read up on regarding our trip. Although the other two teams put up a good fight, my team won in the end.

May

My missions committee interview with Michael Ho and Chik Ching Law occurred on May 15th.  We had a good meeting and discussed my need for a prayer partner to keep me accountable.  Recently, a sister has agreed to be my prayer partner.  Although she is new to such arrangements, we are both a couple of chatty chicks so hopefully we will be able to squeeze in time to pray with one another in the coming weeks.

Over Memorial Day (5/30), our team had an all-day cross-cultural training in BCEC’s Newton Campus.  After being carb-loaded with Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kremes, we were literally wired up for Bill Mock and Andy Te’s team training. 

Throughout our day of training, we learned the necessity of being observant and patient as well as the true essence of clear communication with one another and with others outside our team.  When we do not communicate with one another well, we found ourselves resorting to drastic means to reach the objective of our exercise. 

	23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom        or the strong man boast of his strength        or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands     and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,  for in these I delight,"        declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23,24)
			9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”   (Philippians 1:9-11)

 

For example, one exercise required the team to split into two groups.  Group A’s objective was to get all the members of Group B to move from one end to the room to the other end.  However, there were a few challenges for Group A to face: 

-          Group B had their arms and hands interlocked with one another. 

-          All the members of Group B sat close to each other and cross-legged.

-          The “B” members were quite determined to stay put in their current location.

-          None of us in both groups was allowed to communicate verbally.

-          Group A had only 20 minutes to get all of Group B to the other side.

Given the handicap of not speaking to one another, Group A resorted to hand signals…and some, ahem, physical force!  However, the “A” members realized the “B” folks were quite willing to put up a “fight.”  Many of us were truly in “touch” with the Newton’s multi-function room…ouch!

After a while, the “B” folks went to such extremes of physical tactics (let’s just say, yanking, tickling and shoving were some chosen options…) that Andy had to intervene and conclude the exercise after ten minutes.  He finally had us review our experience. 

Last weeks of Prepwork

At this time of writing, we have about four full weeks left to prepare for our trip.  I personally have quite a number of things left to do.  I am in need of twin size inflatable mattress.  I was told that I may need padding because we may be sleeping on the grounds of the reservation…so if anyone has something along those line and is willing to lend it out for a week, I will be very grateful to you.

Also, we all have volunteered for a number of activities that we will be overseeing during our week at Crow.  My assignment is to set up for a “Chinese” dinner for 80+ people.  What I mean as “Chinese” is really “Chinese-American.”  A number of issues to consider: 

·          No Chinatown exists in Montana (a true tragedy…in my mind). 

·          What do I cook for 80+ people (a.k.a. menu)?

·          I may have to cook outside if the kitchen is not truly equipped to cook for such large portions.

·          How do I prepare ahead of time?

·          Will I fall into the “Martha” mentality?

·          What do I pack for ingredients?  And do I pack ingredients?

·          Lastly, yet importantly, how much can I spend (a.k.a. budget)?

On the Personal Front

At the start of 2005, I had wanted to try to challenge myself to grow in God.  The Crow missions trip is totally new and foreign to me.  In the past, I had considered missions as for the truly spiritual.  My strength was in the administrative side.  However, I know that I have not really glorified God in my strengths.  In truth, I probably was taking more credit than I gave it over to Him. 

So, in knowing that I would be pretty uncomfortable in this ministry, I decided to give over my concerns to God.  If He truly wanted me to go, then He would open “doors” for me. 

One of my “doors” included getting vacation time at work when my team leader is on maternity leave and during a very intense software development phase.  God somehow changed up the workload that I am now truly on a more manageable summer schedule. 

Another “door” is my concern for how my parents would handle my going on a missions trip.  When I told my mother, her response was truly positive and supportive.  My father (a non-Christian) just thinks I am going on vacation.

Prayer Requests

I apologize for the length and lack of pictures in this letter.  I hope you are not too weary to read the last section, which I consider very important as I covet mostly your prayer:

Praises

·          My administrative preparation went well.

·          My interview with the committee was encouraging and insightful.

·          Our all-day training and meetings were very productive and educational.

·          I have a weekly prayer and accountability partner.  We just started getting together this past Monday (6/6).

·          I have received overwhelming support from you in terms of financial and especially in prayer.

·          Lastly and most importantly, God is in control of everything.  So, however and whatever I do, God has been in the driver seat all along.

Prayer Needs

·          Constantly acknowledge that God is in control of everything.  My “Martha” mentality still gets the better of me.

·          Be willing and be flexible for whatever arises regarding this trip.  As I get older, I find myself ever in need to check myself when I start feeling the need to resist or be stubborn.

·          Packing logistics would go smoothly.  I had not considered that I might have to pack the “kitchen sink” in some ways for this trip.  Bill & Terri gave us a pretty long list of things to pack.  From my consulting days, the key was to pack as lightly as possible.  Now, I am challenged to go the other extreme.

·          Adapting to physical challenges.  From facing possible high temperatures and dry heat to the level of physical exertion, I am a bit concerned for how I will adjust to these settings.

Through your prayers, God has provided far beyond what I had expected. I am really humbled by your outpouring of support.  I am extremely blessed that I can count you as my prayer warriors.  Until next time…

Blessings to you! 

Ruth