Hello Everyone!
If this looks like the flipside of the album from a couple of weeks ago, it is, only different.

Remodeling
While the work is progressing slowly (did I mention that work is progressing s l o w l y?), I am reminded how thankful I am for the men who have sacrificed a few hours here and there to keep us moving in a forward direction. You may be wondering, “why is there such an urgency to getting the ‘nursery’ back in order?” I have at least 8 reasons from the Spanish congregation and 3 from the Korean congregation. And those are just the crib babies. I couldn’t stop those perpetual-motion toddlers long enough to count. These are wonderful problems to have, wouldn’t you say? We are counting our blessings!

Presentation Project
Tuesday morning, March 21, came after two very long nights and days putting the “final” touches on what would be shown to the Talbot student body about the journey to Israel. If I didn’t state that clearly enough, let me try again.

Did you know that there is an identical set of hours in a single day only it is dark, and quiet, and no one calls, or walks in, or “interrupts”? I didn’t think so. I wouldn’t want to work like that all the time because those “interruptions” make life interesting and they give me something to write about.

It didn’t help that Pastor Rigsby insisted on knowing what he was going to do ahead of time. I didn’t understand why, after all of these years, he wanted to be informed prior to the service, but I went along (thinking it was some kind of a joke or something). Sunday everything will be back to normal. I will tell him that there is an error in the bulletin and he is scheduled to sing! He’ll say “O.K.” and that will be that.

Where was I? After a (second) very long night, I got up early to meet with Pastor Rigsby to go over the presentation. I must be insane (and I know I was running on adrenalin). All joking aside, the presentations were well received. Whether good or bad, God will use all that was said, done, and shown, as always, for His glory.

But that’s not all, folks. I can’t close the box on the Presentation Project just yet. There is a second part to this assignment. It has a new title: “the DVD Project.” Although getting the DVD together won’t be as time consuming (unless I wait until the last minute, or if circumstances beyond my control hinder me).

When will the church benefit from this report and presentation about Israel? Mark your calendars! It will be after Resurrection Sunday and before Mothers’ Day. What? You were expecting an exact date now? This is what they call “the tease.” More later!

Major Omission
Not only is the bulletin wrong about who is singing special music tomorrow, it has a major omission (which I was able to correct before sending the iBulletin, but unfortunately the print edition was already finished). If I don’t make this right, I will be like his dog, Jackson—”under the shed and not knowing how to get out.” I forgot to include my youngest nephew’s birthday. Matthew was born on March 29. He is, with this birthday, officially a teenager. I have no doubt he will make it through to the other side of teendom. After all, Matthew values those who bestow upon him Pop-tarts, with or without sprinkles (excepting the whole wheat variety). Happy Birthday, Matthew!

If some morning you have insomnia and can’t sleep, call the church house. You might be surprised to learn that I am there. I will be surprised that the phone does ring at 3:00 AM. If I don’t answer, leave a message.

A few weeks ago I asked prayer for two collegians who have been part of the church since early in their lives. You may remember that both are involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UCLA. This Summer they are both going to be involved in a missions outreach. Below is a copy of their support raising letters. They both need finances, and especially prayer. Would you consider becoming part of their “team” for this Summer? Ladies first.

From Rocio Garcia.

“Greetings,

“I am writing this letter to share with you the exciting events that are about to take place in my life this summer. In three months, my second year at UCLA will be over. The end of this school year will bring forth the beginning of my involvement as an intern in LAUP (Los Angeles Urban Project), an urban ministry. I am writing to ask for your partnership, through prayer and financial support, with my involvement in LAUP.

“LAUP is a ministry that serves and loves the urban poor in the inner cities of Los Angeles. I grew up in the inner-city, and never had to go father than the front lawn to realize how heavy gang influence, drugs, violence, and poverty can tear the hopes of a community apart. At my home church I have witnessed first hand how God’s power can completely change a person from despair and hopelessness to new life. That is why I believe that the love of Jesus Christ is the only way to break the chains of poverty. LAUP is an ideal internship for myself; it will take place in communities like the one I grew up in. LAUP is an internship that I will gladly enjoy because it will provide me with the opportunity to enrich my faith, and allow me to help improve communities that desperately need help. In LAUP I will participate in many activities that serve the community. One of these services will be tutoring and working with children. LAUP will also allow me to learn how Christianity relates to social justice and racial reconciliation.

“There are two way you can be part of this project. One way is through prayer. I appreciate your prayers that I would be at peace preparing for this trip, and while on this project, that God owuld use me to impact the lives of people. Besides prayer, I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me financially. In addition to being a part of the team, I am part of the larger Missions Team going out of UCLA. There are 18 of us going all over the world—including Los Angeles, Manila, Turkey, Ghana, and China. We each need to raise $2400 to cover all of our expenses. If 13 of you would donate $100, 14 of you decide to give $50 and another 14 of you provide $25 toward my expenses, I will be in LAUP this summer. I appreciate any gifts that you decide on contributing. If you would like to support me through prayers or financially, please fill out the enclosed card and mail it along with the envelope by May1, 2006. Your donations are tax deductible and checks should be made out to IVCF. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate on contacting me at garciarocio2004@yahoo.com or (562) 631-3049.

“In Christ’s love,

“Rocio Garcia”

* * *

[More about the "card and envelope" follows Jayson's letter]

* * *

From Jayson Jun.

“Dear friends, family, and elders,

“In a few months, I will be finishing up my junior year of college and will be preparing to embark on a journey that will take me half way across the world. I never in my wildest imagination expected myself to get involved with a Christian group in college, but God works in strange ways and has gifted me with a wonderful spiritual community. Through this community, God has granted me an opportunity to go on a mission trip along with a few other individuals; I’ve decided to take a risk and leave my comfort zone to go abroad on a trip to Turkey at the beginning of summer.

“I’m looking forward to a very different learning experience as I settle down in a very dissimilar atmosphere as well as community. I’ll be assisting foreign students in educational purposes which may even open up doors for evangelism. I’m writing this letter to ask you for your partnership through prayer, as well as financial support. Our entire mission team as a whole needs to raise a total of $52,000.00, so each of us needs to individually come up with $2350.00

“There are only four members in the Turkey team so every dollar contributed will be greatly esteemed as we flow through our fundraising campaign. I appreciate any gifts that you decide on contributing. If you would like to support me through prayer of financially, please fill out the enclosed card and mail it along with the envelope by May 1, 206. Your donations are tax deductible and checks should be made out to IVCF. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate on contacting me. I can be reached through email at jaysonj@ucla.edu or by phone (626) 780-1038.

“Thank you for your cooperation. I hope everyone will cooperate at least with prayer.

“Thank you,

“Jayson Jun”

* * *

[The card both mention simply asks for a person's name and address as well as which "team member" is being supported and in what way. Would you like to bless Rocio or Jayson with a financial gift or a word of encouragement that you are praying for one or both of them? You can send these to the address below.]

ATTN Eddy Ekmekji
IVBCF Summer Missions
14101 Summertime Lane
Culver City CA 90230

Hello Everyone!
After the late finish to the prior week (Monday afternoonÉ), I was determined not to let this week spill into the next. It is going to be close, but I think I will (finally) be completely ready for Sunday.

Remodeling
One of the unexpected twists to not only being finished but actually ahead is the forced remodel of the nursery. You may remember that we had a water leak that grew into mold. Peeling the layers of years of remodeling, we realized that the old tile ceilings were also in need of replacing. Today, there is a crew of men working very hard to prepare for the drywall ceilings. While I have only minimally helped this week, I ingested enough of the 50 year old dust to put me on the edge of illness, mostly irritation of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. But, I’m (taking a long time to shake this off) determined.

Video Project
Coinciding with the unexpected was the planned. I knew I had a month to finish the presentation for Talbot’s chapel about our trip to Israel. Last week, a reminder email was sent and the news couldn’t have been more devastating—”only two weeks.” Now, another week has come and gone, I am down to one week and two days. But, I’m (probably very foolish to think this is doable) determined.

Big Bang
I don’t remember the last time I heard such a loud clap of thunder as I did Friday. The rain had just started, and you know how storms are here in Southern California, it is rare to see lightning or hear thunder. The peel lasted close to ten seconds. The windows rattled like it was a small earthquake. It was startling. At the end, the power went out. Another unexpected turn, especially since I was just getting ready to do all of the bulletin work. The power stayed out for fifty-five minutes. However, I will admit, I enjoyed the quiet, and read. The power came on for about an hour, then went out again. Later we learned that the “thunder” was actually the sound a huge underground transformer makes when it blows up (in front of the Fire Department, less than a quarter mile from the church house). If the noise was thunder, it was remarkably coincidental to the creation of a huge hole in the middle of Garfield Avenue! Friday night, at 8 PM, the Civic Center corridor (yes, the whole block) was still without electricity. On Saturday afternoon, the SCE crew continued to work hard. What? You didn’t know Bell Gardens had a Civic Center? Yes! But, I’m (concerned not having electricity was not good, I have way too much to do) determined.

Bulletin
As you can imagine, these lapses in electricity only delayed finishing. After folding the missionary letters, I realized I goofed the layout. No one starts with a blank page (those of you not receiving the paper edition unfortunately can’t enjoy seeing how hilarious this really looks, sorry). I should have quit then, but I was (tired and should have gone home) determined. I printed the bulletin. Usually I inspect the first copy to make sure I positioned the originals correctly. You are way ahead of my story if you are thinking that this time I didn’t check. When the machine finished I discovered I had printed upside down and backwards. Now you know why you recognize the photo on the cover from just a week or two ago. But, I’m (finally convinced to quit for the night) determined.

Going Up to Jerusalem
Why am I so determined? Well, Pastor Rigsby taught Wednesday night how the Jews used the fifteen “Psalms of Ascent or Degrees” (Psalms 120-134) as a way to prepare themselves to worship God at the Temple. Some think they would ascend each of fifteen steps only after quoting the psalm. Others say they quoted a psalm at certain milestones on their way to Jerusalem. Whether it was “either or neither” Pastor Rigsby’s point was clear. We too often enter into corporate worship casually or haphazardly, with little soul preparation. I’m (completing all that I can now so that with the others I am free to focus more singly on worshipping Jesus Christ tomorrow) determined.