International Graduate Student Ministry – Gracepoint Berkeley

International Student Ministry split up into 2 groups to take part in the 30 Hour Famine with the rest of Gracepoint Fellowship Church’s ministries. One group went to the Bay Area Rescue Mission to peel potatoes and help with cleaning. Another group made and sold baked goods while telling people about the 30 Hour Famine and World Vision. We were all hungry by the end, but we learned to serve together and give up a little bit so that others could benefit. Check out the pictures.

Last week, we enjoyed our International Student Ministry home worship service of Gracepoint Berkeley. We listened to Del Tackett’s lesson on theology, “Who Is God?” And he challenged us all to be theologians, people who study God, and we can do it through the Bible. We might even be able to say like him in the future, “I love El Qanna”. (which means jealous God)

Afterward, we played a round of ultimate frisbee with both home churches–yes, the Alameda folks actually drove out for the festivities. The team with Jon Yen won–he is a force of nature–but it was a close 5-4 game, and it was a load of fun. We hope to do this regularly. And after running around, we then went out to Yogurtland for customized and yummy frozen yogurt.

Join us this week for Week 5 of the Truth Project and a sweet time of fellowship after! 10:30am, usual time and place.

One older member of our church once said, “if you can find us, you can worship with us”. Well, that’s the case here again. We’re changing our time to 10:30am because 10 was just too early for some people. A little later, but that means that we can still have lunch on time and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship with one another.

Home Church 1
Chul and Sharon’s House
Address: 1034 Trellis Ln, Alameda, CA – rides provided
For rides please contact Joseph Yu @ 510-846-2727 or joseph.yu [at] ismberkeley.org

Home Church 2
Dana House
Address: 2440 Dana St., Berkeley, CA 94704

Join us this Sunday for Session 4 of the Truth Project!

I just couldn’t resist doing posting at least one newer baby picture of Baby Emily. I know, its shameless… but I hope that you will pardon my excitement of being a father.

We wanted to thank everyone for your visits to keep baby and mom company, your prayers for our baby’s health, food (thank you for the brownies Sara!) and all of the gifts. We got so many clothes that I don’t think the baby will be able to wear every piece of clothing once before Baby Emily outgrows it! We’re really thankful to be part of a community like International Student Ministry and Gracepoint Berkeley, where we have received so much love. We look forward to raising Emily into a woman of God together. (In case you were wondering, Emily is named after Emily Blatchley)

There’s never a dull moment in ISM. The long-awaited ISM Yosemite Trip finally came. We woke up Saturday morning to eat breakfast at a hotel in Groveland, a small town where we were staying, an hour away from Yosemite. We drove into the park where the scenery of the mountains, clouds, and waterfalls were waiting for us. We couldn’t help but to be in awe and take lots of pictures and then went to Glacier Point. Half of us hiked down the panoramic trail to see multiple waterfalls. We were surprised by deer, a vivid rainbow, and a hail storm. The other group drove around to take more pictures and then hike up Vernal Falls. After the hiking, we headed back to our lodge to eat dinner and play games including a contest of endurance, agility, and creativity. It just can’t be described in words. We happily slept and then had our worship service at the lodge. Then we headed to a nearby lake for some sports and lunch before we returned to Berkeley.

This post is a bit late, but it’s still worth remembering all the graduations that took place last month because graduation is a significant milestone. Last month, we celebrated Ted, Betty, Diana, Hui, and Sara’s graduations with their families and friends. We pray for these graduates that they will experience God’s leading and provision as they begin the next chapter of their career. Congratulations! 

The long awaited baby girl, Emily, was born to Thomas & Kate at around 630am this morning! Praise God that both Kate and Emily are doing very well after the delivery. Emily was born at 7lbs and 6oz, a very healthy baby girl.

When I visited the family at the hospital, Emily looks absolutely adorable with her big eyes and plumb cheeks. Usually baby girls take on dads’ features while baby boys moms’. But Emily looks a lot like Kate. Of course, little babies change almost everyday, so it’s too early to tell who she will look like.

Congratulations to the new father and mother!

ISM went to Monterey on an overcast Memorial Day. The weather did not stop us from having lots of fun, sightseeing, biking, playing sports on the beach, and eating. What a great time of bonding.

Just wanted to let you know that we are moving our Home Church time up to 10AM! Yes, its a little earlier, but that means that we can have lunch on time (yay!) and have more time in the afternoon to enjoy the afternoon, play some games, have a chance to play sports, etc.

Join us this Sunday! We have two great locations:

Home Church 1
Chul and Sharon’s House
Alameda, CA

Home Church 2
Dana House
2440 Dana St., Berkeley, CA 94704

Hope to see you there for session 2 of the Truth Project!