Believers, Unite!

This past Monday, the day after the 4th of July, some friends and I got together for old times' sake. We had all been involved with a not-yet-official organization called Unity--the gathering of youth from various denominations to praise and worship God together. In the past, we have hosted and coordinated a fellowship day, a 3-day camp, and an outreach effort at the Hmong New Year of 2008 in doing skits, praise and worship, and manning our own booth distributing free water.

Anyway, I haven't seen these guys in what seems like FOREVER. So, my sister, Goldshoua, and I dropped by Charlotte on Monday for a quick hangout. Well, I'll tell you one thing--it wasn't quick (lol) but it was definitely worth the 2-hour trip. I was so incredibly encouraged by these guys that it was sad to bid them farewell! :(

From left to right: Joseph Vang, Johnny Kue, Mydur Xiong (me), Ben Vang, Goldshoua Xiong (my sister), Josh Vang

We watched the movie, The Last Airbender, that night and it was just absolutely...uh, well, let's just say we had more fun tearing it apart afterwards! :) We laughed and laughed till our pizza-filled bellies hurt. The rest of the night consisted of exchanging prayer requests, spirit-filled conversations, and a few games of banana grams (it's so fun, I think I'm addicted to that now).

What really touched me that night was how each person in their own unique way contributed well to the fellowship that night. As we exchanged prayer requests, instead of running down a bulleted list, we carefully discussed why our hearts were burdened for such things--and with that, every person offered what was heavy on their heart about it as well. For instance, topics of battling lust, self-esteem in appearance, finding one's calling in life, one's role in edifying the body of Christ as the Church, cultural issues in the Asian vs. Western mindset and how that plays a role in ministry...*sigh* it was all very filling to the soul. :) I love how God works; and I am incredibly blessed and honored to constantly hear about it through the testimonies of His children. That night, though we were all a part of different denominations (Methodist, C&MA, Trinity), we were able to build one another up and encourage one another according to God's command in Ephesians 4:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I am continually being reminded that we are the future leaders of our generation (1 Timothy 4:12)--and praise God, I see many already picking up that torch and starting on this race that is marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).

Unity is an essential issue right now for the Hmong, both in Thailand and the U.S...please keep us constantly in your prayers. Thanks...