God used one man after another to prepare countless numbers of people for the coming of Jesus Christ. He is still using us today. VUMYF (Vietnamese United Methodist Youth & Young-Adult Fellowship) is humbled and very thankful to be able to take part in His great ministry over the past year. We have put love into action by serving many through our events, missions, activities, and simple acts of kindness.
In the summer of 2010, twelve VUMYF members spent two weeks in Malaysia to serve Vietnamese migrant workers who were abused and in desperate need of hope. With compassion and God’s love, the gospel was brought into the lives of those who have never heard of Jesus Christ. Grace spilled over and filled empty hearts. These fourteen days were filled with many blessings for both missionaries and the Vietnamese migrant workers. God prepared the team through fasting, weekly prayer meetings, working together in preparing love-gifts and fundraising. The team also had a wonderful support system that included: dancers, sponsors, donors, churches, family, friends, and even prayer warriors that we have never met. We thank God for working through each one of these people and providing for all our needs.
Three months later, at the end of December, VUMYF saw God’s hand at work again. We successfully hosted our 7th annual winter retreat, themed “N.I.N.J.A” – Naturally, I Need Jesus Always. The message throughout the three days was about revealing and living our true identity in Jesus Christ. With more participants attending this year, we provided intense workshops with our wonderfully blessed guest speakers, Pastor David Jung and Pastor Kevin Nguyen. We also fellowshipped through games/activities, and rocked out to praise and worship songs. Together, we ended our year and welcomed 2011 in hopes of new blessings and new opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.
VUMYF desires to be a tool in shaping leaders and helping them realize their potential to be God’s instruments for great and wonderful things. With this in mind, we hosted a leadership retreat this past February in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Attending leaders of the UMC churches participated in workshops, discussions, worship, fellowship, and fun activities together for three days. Guest speakers, Rev. Kevin Nguyen, Rev. Betty Nguyen, Rev. Lui-Vu Tran, and Rev. Cuong Nguyen led discussions about issues arising within the Vietnamese Methodist Church and how we, as leaders, can approach them effectively. Retreats like these enable our leaders to realize and discuss common issues within the Methodist church and support each other in our leadership roles. VUMYF hopes to continue hosting leadership retreats like this one more often to nurture in disciples of Jesus a genuine heart to serve.
After meeting new friends at winter retreat, many youths anxiously waited for all VUMYF members to join together again. Pomona Trinity Church graciously hosted our 2011 Spring Rally in April; it was filled with fun and exciting sport competitions, challenging Bible trivia that test knowledge and creativity, and a heartfelt message by Pastor Lee Nguyen on the topic of following Jesus Christ. Our annual rallies are reminders, to every member, of a genuine fellowship in Christ with our brother and sisters.
With vision to make the glory of the Lord known to the next generations and to be better stewards to the gifts entrusted to us; VUMYF Board of Directors continue to seek grants and outside collaborations to provide more programs and services to youth. In the coming months, we will be having our 8th annual winter retreat, 2nd annual leadership retreat, Malaysia-Vietnam mission trip 2012, and many more activities and resources to assist in developing the spiritual growth of our members. We ask that you pray for us as we prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the work God has led us to do. May the Lord’s blessings be on these plans and may it be according to His will, not ours. All glory be to God!
Juliet Tran – June 20, 2011
