Remembering to Give Thanks

Friends,

The timeliness of this holiday season can not be overstated. I am not one who gives thanks in all circumstances. Neither am I one who readily remembers the blessings of God in my life. Thanksgiving Day brought me a renewed heart of thanksgiving from which I could offer a new song of praise to my Father who provides all things.

This week, I returned to Valparaiso with my teammate and friend David, Chinese freshmen Amy and Tracy, and my Taiwanese friend Henry. I am grateful for the Berube family for hosting my friends and me. Indeed, it is nothing less than an answered prayer that the internationals could be received by a Christian family, and that I would remember what that resembles.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

That for which I am especially thankful (an exhaustive list is not plausible):

* My salvation in Christ, from which I have gained identity as a child of God
* My parents, who have entrusted me back to God and continue to be an example of diligence and godliness
* My sisters, who love generously and strive to impact the world
* My adopted families, who have opened their homes to me in the physical absence of my family
* My friends, who run this race of life alongside me and encourage me to be a better man
* My ministry, which was entrusted to me and continues to yield fruit
* My ministry partners, who spur me on through prayer and obedient support

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Autumn Answers Prayers

Friends,

For some of you, this may be a mere reiteration of the things we have witnessed together. For the rest of you, God has answered many prayers in my life and ministry in the last three months.

He has yielded in me tremendous growth through challenges of my environment, my character & discipline, and my relationships. I say this not to boast in my own maturity, for I have only begun to assemble the framework to this new house. It is in Christ that I have continued to demolish the old house and remove the debris, making way for the new. This house of which I speak is me- my identity and my purpose.

Some of my fondest moments in the last three months have been shared with freshman students. Indeed, they are the first answer to prayer. They have not only become good friends but also faithful disciples, growing in Christ and receiving His teachings. I delight in knowing that, even while I serve at Purdue, they may mature into spiritual leaders on this campus and in this ministry.

"For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

My role as House Director at Alpha Tau Omega continues to surprise me. I am humbled by the learning that is required to respond appropriately to issues intertwined with the so-called "Greek culture". The conversations the brothers and I have shared have been stimulating. As much as I trust that seeds of faith are being planted, I know that the roots of my faith are reaching deeper with every testing question they pose. I ask that you would join me in praying for the men in this house. Specifically, join me in requesting four men who will be transformed and equipped with the Gospel of Jesus, who will be the foundation for many spiritual generations to come here at ATO.

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." ~2 Timothy 2:2

Thanksgiving break will soon be upon us. Please pray for opportunities to give thanks to God with friends and family who do not yet know how. I will be in the company of other Thanksgiving "homeless" like myself. I am excited for what this week may bring!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen