how odd: September 2005

It's finally over. On Saturday September 17th, 45 of my classmates and I graduated from NETS. We all gave testimonies on what God has done during the last six months, given certificates of completion, and commissioned into whatever the next step God has planned for us.

receiving our certificate of completion

NETS concert

As I mentioned in my last entry, every NETS class must give a concert at the end of the term. Ours was an overwhelming success. Many of the team and staff at Pierrepont raved about it and some even claimed it was the best they had seen. Although it was very stressful at times, it was a fun experience and really brought some of us closer together. I am so blessed to have been a part of the production.

Darth Vader on a healing retreat (yes, that's me)

such talented dancers

Healing Retreat/Church visit

During the weekends of the 2nd and the 9th, half our NETS class took turns counseling at a healing retreat or going on a church visit. My group served at the healing retreat from the 2nd-4th and visited a church in Manchester from the 9th-11th. I was especially blessed by the family that hosted me during the church visit. Anyways, both experiences were incredible and God taught me so much through them.

unmerciful servant skit

teaching on generational blessings/curses

me and my host family... they were soooo awesome

I'll have a more detailed update next time... later!

flowers by the stream

Sorry for the delay in updating, but it's been a very action packed and trying month here at Pierrepont. Here are some updates on what has been going on. It's a long one, so get some caffeine into your system.

Serving

I've had the privilege to not only serve in the worship team this term, but I had to chance to lead a couple of times. It's been such a blessing being able to work with some extremely talented people here.

Classes

In the last month, we had classes on:

Freedom from Fear
Stress, Anxiety, Burnout & Failure
Healing & Deliverance Workshop
Freedom from New Age & Occult
Heaping the Terminally Ill
False Religions
Living in the Kingdom
Ministering into Disassociation
Victims of Accident & Trauma
Loss, Grief & Depression
Pitfalls to Avoid in Ministry

Birthday

It was the first time that my birthday was celebrated away from home. Although we didn't have class that day, I got up early for breakfast and there were classmates who actually knew it was my birthday. Not many people were there, but they sang the b-day song two times: once in English and another in Chinese (a Taiwanese classmate made them sing it again in Mandarin). Throughout the day, people wished me a happy birthday, which was very nice. During lunch, they started singing happy birthday again.
In the afternoon, I went to town with some friends to watch a movie. I ended up treating them, which took them all by surprise. After the movie (around 6pm), I got a text message from a classmate telling me to go to the dining hall. We tried to hurry back, but we had to stop to get gas so we didn't arrive at back until 6:45pm. When I walked into the dining hall, almost everyone was gone and people were cleaning up. Over one of the tables was some balloons and ribbons. Two members of the young peoples team put up the decorations thinking I would be there for dinner. I felt so bad that we got back late. I also got a couple of cards. Afterwards, some of us went to the lounge to watch a movie.
So overall, it was one of my better birthdays. I also received some emails and e-cards from other people from home too. The next day, during one of the coffee breaks in between class, the school had two cakes ready for me (they do for every student) and once again... "happy b-day to you.."

NETS concert

At the end of the term, every NETS class must give a concert. The concert is essentially just the students putting together some skits and musical numbers. Having served in several areas of drama ministry in my life, I initially wanted to take a back seat and not play an active role. Being a perfectionist at times, I knew I could be very controlling if I was too involved. Well, through unforeseen circumstances, I wound up on the committee organizing the concert and have been helping with writing, acting, and shooting video. Although, it's been fun working with my classmates, it's also been difficult getting everyone together as well as motivating and having them sacrifice their free time (me included). It is very also tough finding time to work on the concert in between classes. We will all be busy for the next couple of weekends as well and there are only two weeks left before the end of the term.

Euro-trek

Spent 10 days traveling around Eastern Europe during my break. Here are some pictures I took. You can look at more of them by clicking here.