Evidence of Your Love

My new Blog

2011-08-11T13:43:00.001-07:00

I moved to tumlr, this is my new site!!

It's a Beautiful Day to Live This Beautiful Life

2010-03-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

If I could be anywhere today it would be out on the Junk Boat in Hong Kong jumping off into the ocean with some the best people you will ever meet! Love you Shillagers!!

My Life Lately

2010-03-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

School has been good, running has been great and Life has been amazing!

Spring Break was last week for us and was a BLAST! I went to the John Mayer Concert with my Family! It was a BLAST! thanks Mom and Dad for the tickets!

My Track Coach got married and I had a blast road tripping to Houston with the team and enjoying their special day.

I enjoyed a great weekend with Laura my roommate.

And to top it all off I am excited that I will be living in Downtown Dallas next year with Ashley and Laura. :) We did apartment shopping this break and are hoping to sign a lease soon!

Life has been crazy lately and things are changing and going by so fast. the reality of becoming a true adult is just around the corner, but I'm excited about the adventures to come.

LLLOOONNNGG OVERDUE!

2010-01-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

So this post is long overdue! I was doing great in Hong Kong, posting at least once a month if not more and since I've been back for 4 1/2 months I haven't done one single post! I could give you a list of all my excuses but we all know what those are like :)

The truth is I've just neglected it, thinking it's un-important, but in reality, it IS important! There are maybe 1 or 2 people who actually follow my blog and would like and deserve an update! And it keeps me accountable of documenting what God is doing in my life which is good too :)

So an update for you all!

1. I moved back on Campus at DBU and just finished my first semester of my Sr. year!

2. I started running again for DBU and have LOVED every minute of it! and HAD my best Cross Country Season yet!

3. I have got plugged right back into my church The Community at Lakeridge (Tcal) and am volunteering as an intern in the youth group. I LOVE it! And I help out every Sunday with the kids. :)

4. Most Importantly. God has opened the door for me to get my MBA next year in Entrepreneurship.

I want to start my own non profit business where the profit goes to non profits. It's been a great year for that and I have begun to design some products that I hope to start selling soon.

Between School, Tcal, Running and working a part time job on campus, I keep pretty busy. My free time is used to spend time with friends, or work on things for my business.

God has been AMAZING this semester and taught me SO much. I really thought that after reaching a level of intimacy that I thought was unattainable that there wasn't much more refining, but I was wrong! ha Of course! He has used relationships and the transition in moving back to really mold, shape and reveal parts of my heart that really need changing and I am continuing to work through those and allow His Grace to conquer those things. He has been great and continues to love me despite my sin and uncleanliness. He is amazing!

That's all that is new for now, I promise to update more often and in more detail.

Love with Actions!

Monica Zuniga

Believe it or not....

2009-06-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

HERE WE ARE.

Today is the day that the DBU team gets here. It's been over a year since I was last on that plane coming to Hong Kong for the first time, and now I'm here in Hong Kong planning camp for a new group of DBU students. It's crazy. Surreal.

I'll be honest when I say I never thought that leaving Hong Kong would be so hard. I feel like I've been on a emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Recently I've found myself crying in prayer, or on a bus or at home, in my bed, on my runs, it's ridiculous. haha I love this place, and I feel like, well I have made a home here. I've learned what it is like to be on my own, in a foreign country, miles away from anything ordinary, but it all is so normal and ordinary to me know. I have really learned the true meaning of 'make missions your lifestyle.' I never felt like I was on mission here, but just living my life for the Lord in a different place, with different people, who are not foreign or people I'll never see again, but these people are some of my closest friends, and family now. Its just as equally hard saying goodbye to the friends, my students, and church members that I have seen daily here, as it was saying goodbye to my family.

Even though I am all sad sob story right now, I will say that the past two weeks have been great. God has really put a new perspective in my heart about Hong Kong. I just realized how many things I've taken advantage of here. Like on most of my runs I take my iPod, but last week I didn't. I can't tell you how awesome it is to run on the side of a mountain overlooking the island leading into the ocean, hearing the birds sing their morning songs, and feel the cool breeze blow in your face. I'm going to miss my runs here, despite all my complaining about the concrete. :) I’ve also just been able to see everything come together for camp. God is so awesome and he has worked everything out for me here. I don't know why he cares about me or loves me so much, but I am so thankful for him in my life. I was so stressed about our flights, about the hotels, about the food, about the money, about so much stuff. And it was great when God reminded me that nothing can thwart his plans, and all that stuff was stuff. He will take care of it all because he is God.

So. DBU Team gets here today in about 6 hours. I’m about to go to a pool party for an hour or two with my friends, because Today is Hong Kong’s Independence day. :) After the pool party, I’ll be getting the hotel ready for the team. Camp starts the 2nd and we leave for the Philippines on the 4th. We have 22 students and 10 Adults going.

Pray that God will continue to give me a peace about all the details for camp.
For our Students and staff to experience God in a way they never have while in Hong Kong and serving at the orphanage in the Philippines.
That I will be able to enjoy the time I have left and not think too much about leaving.

Thanks for all the love and support!

Love ya’ll!

33 days left...

2009-06-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's been the weirdest feeling knowing that I'm leaving so soon. Even though we have been so busy (More than the usual if it's possible) I can't stop thinking about how fast time has flown. I look back and laugh at my first journal post upon arriving to Hong Kong, and the nervousness portrayed in what the year would hold. Would the youth like me? Would I be able to do this job and school? Would I be terribly homesick?

It's amazing to see how far I've come and how much God has truly molded me this year. I feel like a new person with a new life and outtake on what 'missions' really is. I realized that my world view was so small, and God used Hong Kong to wake me up. I learned that it's not about 'missions' but doing life with people who happen to live in a different envoirnment I am not used to. After living here, I can't imagine a life inside the US for too long anymore, and I cringe at the thought of routine and being complacent, and worry that others wont understand my experience here. I will never forget praying that God would reveal to me if living overseas and doing missions as a lifestyle was His will for me, before I came. And I can truly say he did reveal that. :)

I felt like this year was a test of my faith, and my heart's true desires. I guess you can say that God definitely answered that with the growth in my passion for people, and different cultures. There is so much that I have left out in this blog, so many ways that the Lord has truly changed me, so many stories of his Grace and how he has used me, and so many thoughts that I have wanted to share. I'm sorry that I was not as frequent as I wish I could have been, but all in all this year was a 'growing up year' for me in a lot of ways.

I have learned a lot about the Church, and I've seen how hard it is to work at a church, and how rewarding it is at the same time. I am so thankful for our pastors here who have encouraged me to read books and study God's word. Theologically and Doctrinely I have learned so much that I may have never known had I not been here. Working with youth and different families, I have seen what works and what doesn't. I know now the importance of Discipleship in the home and truly investing in a child. More than that I have learned what it would be like to be on my own, in a foreign country. In a lot of ways I feel like I'm out of college, ready to start the next phase in my life, but next year I'll be going back to finish up my senior year.

I really feel like I have made Hong Kong my home this year and I'm very saddened to say goodbye to the friends, family, relationships, and ministry that I have poured my heart into this year. I still have 33 more days, but It feels like I only have 3. There is still so much to do this last month as well! We have our youth camp in July for 10 days in the Philippines, and are spending as much time as literally possible with the youth! I'm going to miss them the most!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone keeps asking if I'm ready to go back home yet, and I'm not. I'm not done here yet, and maybe when I'm on that plane home, then maybe I'll be ready.

"Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with action and in Truth" 1 John 3:18

Stanley & Times Square

2009-06-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon me and some of the youth had lunch & ice cream in Times Sq. and went shopping for Kayla's room decorations in Stanley. Just a few shots from the day.

for abbey and halle :)

2009-05-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ryiKUae_Ds

This Blog is dedicated to an amazing Family that has truly been a blessing to me in Hong Kong! The Hagan's have taken me in, taken care of me, and loved me like their own! I can't even begin to say how much fun it has been or how thankful I am! Maybe this video will help explain! Love you guys! Thanks for being so great!!
Monica Amanda Zungia

Random Thoughts I've been having.

2009-04-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

--If you have never listened to or downloaded and read a sermon by Jonathan Edwards do it NOW. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.html
I honestly think it will change your life, well if you let it. :)

--If you havent taken time to sit and think about what you believe doctrinely and theologically you really should, and if you don't know what you believe, you should try and figure it out.

--You know how people always say if I had a million dollars I would....(fill in the blank) Well I always think if I had a million dollars I would have a million dollars!

--Lately I have been wishing I was outside running, or hiking, or swimming, or scaling mountains, instead of working at a desk.

--Maybe I can find a job that allows me to do all that stuff...

--While I run I ALWAYS try not to think about how tired I am or will get, but it's always the only thing I can think about!

--Lately I have been seing a lot of babies...I like babies but the more I see them the more scared I become of growing up.

--I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and it has changed my view on God and how I've been living...I'm only on chapter 3.

--I check the Village podcast everyday to see if there is a new sermon up by Matt Chandler.
If you havent heard him, look him up on itunes podcast.

--I have no idea what I am going to do after college, but after being in Hong Kong, I can see that the opportunities are there, I just have to find them.

--I've realized that I am a very passionate person and I can't make others have the same passion for life and God that I have, but I still try.

--I don't think I am going to like leaving a life behind here in Hong Kong and sort of picking up an old one/starting a new one.

--I don't think I'll ever understand God's grace or mercy.

--Have you ever stopped and just thought man it's a pretty day.

--Or have you ever thought that we should all be dead but we aren't, and since we arent we should be doing what we were created for. We need to bring fruit and glory to God.

"If men bring forth no fruit to God, they are wholly useless, unless in their destruction."
-- Jonathan Edwards

Inspired to Write

2009-04-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

Why am I so inspired to write? it's simple...God’s Word

I really don’t think I can ever grasp the weight of God’s word. In fact there are too many times I have thought to myself that I had it all figured out and I knew what the text was trying to say when all along I was missing it, especially when I read or listen to a sermon by John Piper or Jonathan Edwards.

I was the girl who would read God’s word and move to the next chapter. I have read more of the Bible this year in Hong Kong than definitely more than the past two years combined. I’m ashamed to say that but it’s the truth. The true sadness is that I have been reading it daily but have not been living a life directly affected by it. I wasn’t standing in worship singing “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is to come,” and thinking of Isaiah 4 and Revelation 6 where the 6 winged creatures are described flying around the throne of God singing those same verses, and how men who have the honor of sitting in thrones bow before the Lord every time they hear that and place their own crowns on the floor in glory and Praise to the One who deserves all praise. Or I wasn’t thinking that when I sacrificed my time and energies and monies into the Church or a ministry that it should be the same kind of holy free willed offering that was given in the Old Testament. Or it wasn’t a sacrifice that I truly thought about and consecrated to make it worthy before the Lord as found in Leviticus, but a sacrifice I gave routinely.

Sometimes I find it ironic because I am reading through Numbers right now, and I just finish Genesis-Leviticus, and I keep thinking how stupid Israel is. You know? When are these people ever going to get it and why doesn’t God just kill them already? Why doesn’t Moses quit pleading for them and just say, ‘you’re right God kill them! Get it over with, they are sinful, disgusting, a disgrace, unworthy, ungrateful, and a wicked generation and they deserve to Die!’ Instead Moses keeps telling God, ‘Just wait Lord, they are your chosen people, they’re gonna get is soon and realize your grace.’ Because that is not what I’m thinking when I read those books. I’m thinking ok enough is enough God, when are you going to show your wrath, when are you going to get rid of this wicked generation? Come on God! I’m waiting!!!

The ironic truth is that I am Israel! I. AM. ISRAEL. I am the idiot who continues to sin; I’m the disgrace, disgusting, unworthy, ungrateful, and wicked person, yet I am not dead. I’m not dead yet, I should be dead, yet I’m alive. Jesus pleaded on my behalf at the cross and said, ‘God I know she is bad and all, but just listen to me! You can use her, don’t kill her, let her live, she’s gonna get it right just wait.’ And I’m living like stupid Israel; completely unaware of God’s grace and mercy He has shown upon me to allow me to live this long, and instead of getting it right I keep getting it wrong. I’m living a live with tomorrow already promised, not aware of the fragility of life and not with an urgency to seek to perfect my faith and allow Christ to work through me. So why doesn’t God just kill me then? Why does he choose to keep me around?
For His Name’s sake, and His glory.

“For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I refrain it from you, that I may not cut you off. Behold I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake I do it, for how should my name be profaned?
My Glory I will not give to another.”
Isaiah 48:9-11

You see this isn’t about me; it isn’t about Israel, it’s about God. It’s all about Him. I’ll say it again IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM. It’s His story, and I only have a small part, but sometimes I find myself trying to be like Israel and steal the show. God may be patient with me now but in the end He will show His wrath and do what is best for His glory and name. Whether that be Him being patient and perfecting my faith, or me dying and showing His justice.

I really hope that I live my life with the bigger picture in mind and live in such a way that the gospel is greater than me. I want to live my life ready to die at any moment, and see the bigger picture and end of this great Story, where every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord. I want to live my life, truly LIVE my life, one day at a time. So for now all I can do is try.

Monica Amanda Zuniga

Time to Play Catch Up.

2009-03-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

So what all have we missed out on...hhhmmm...to name a few

My 21st Birthday!
My birthday was a blast! Definately not at all what I had pictured or thought my 21st birthday would be like, but one that I will NEVER forget! It all started with my first gift from Tiffany & co. and ended with a dance party and late night movie with the people who mean the most to me here in Hong Kong: Our Youth Group. We had so much fun! I even had a homemade cake, compliments of Joseph Ariwi, and it was mmm mmm good! I got some great gifts from some students in the youth group that I was not expecting at all! I was so thankful beyond words to see how much everyone cared. Overall it was great! The best 21st Birthday Ever!

My Family In Hong Kong!
Can you believe that my family was here?!? I know me either! They flew in on the 18th of March and were here til the 23rd. A very short but O so memorable trip. I can't even begin to put into words what a blessing it was to see them, fellowship, love on eachother and argue just like old times. It felt like I was with them all along and that I wasnt living in a foriegn country. Even though we hadn't scene eachother for 8 months it felt like I had been with them all year. I was so thankful for the time we had together and I praise God for providing for them to come see where I live and what I do here. I know they had fun, despite the initial culture shock. I love them!

And COLDPLAY!
Yes I said Coldplay! Live and in Technicolor! WoOoHoOo! It was the best concert I have ever been to my life and the most expensive concert at that! I had been wanting to go but didnt have a ticket, but in line with my spontaneous nature, I recieved a message the morning of the concert which requested my presence at this once in a live time endeavor. Of course I said yes, paid the money, sat by people I met the night of the concert, in the very back, but thanks to the awesomeness (yes it's a word) of Coldplay they came to the back and played a few songs. hints my amazing shot above this text with my amazing Nikon. :)

Wow it has been an amazing month eh?

And that's not all! I started a new class called BECOMING. It is geared toward the girls in our youth group and we meet every other Saturday to talk about life issues that the girls struggle with. By God's grace our past two meetings have been awesome and I have had more girls turn out then expected! I'm so thankful for the fellowship it provides and the Word of God that penetrates our hearts. Be praying for that to continue to grow and that I may be able to teach exactly what God wants these young ladies to hear in order for them to Become God's best.

Our Discple Now (DNOW) weekend is this weekend! I"m swamped at work busy with last minute prep and tons of other things! I'm excited about it but worried about a few things that may fall through. Please be praying that Everything gets worked out and that the weekend will be a success! Sorry for such a late post! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Much Love!

Monica Z

Recent Photography.

2009-03-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Wholly Surrendered

2009-02-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

Before you read, click the play button on my playlist under my picture... :)

At the cross you beckon me
Draw me gently to my knees
And I’m lost for words
So lost in love
I’m sweetly broken,
Wholly surrendered.

There is something about those lyrics. Every time I hear them, and sing them, in my heart I can feel the Spirit awake. I feel like more than ever, I am sweetly broken, wholly surrendered before my Lord, at the foot of the cross.

This week has been hard for me for a lot of reasons. Everything that we had planned as a team for this semester is not going to happen. Everything has changed in one day. Our senior pastor of the church here in Hong Kong announced his resignation on Sunday. His family and His presence will be greatly missed, but the Lord has called them to move back to the States. Due to the change, Nathan, my supervisor and former youth pastor, now is taking on the role of head teaching and preaching until the church body and deacons decide otherwise.

I’ll be honest when I say working in a church has been the hardest and most demanding job I have ever had. Last semester was hard, and we were still adjusting, but this semester comes with whole new challenges as a team of staff, and individually. I know that I am more than capable, because of Christ in me, yet I cannot help but feel restless and discouraged. Everything will be different and mine and Ben’s roles have taken a big turn.

I have to continue to fight the spirit of anger and disappointment and continue to remember the Lord’s faithfulness. I was so excited about having a set schedule for our semester and was excited about me, Ben, and Nathan as a team being able to work together and put more time and energy into our students. I am reminded to not have a spirit of fear that the students will not get the attention they need, and remind myself to claim the power and sound mind that the Lord has given me through Him. The Lord constantly puts me in situations that require brokenness and surrender to Him, yet I am thankful for these situations, because in them and through them, only God can receive the glory. I have to remember that God specifically has me here at this time for a purpose, and His ministry with those students is going to happen if He wants it to. I have to remember to be obedient and surrender it all to Him.

So Now things are different, I have no idea what the semester holds, and no idea how things are going to turn out, but I am surrendering every aspect of my job, ministry, and next six months to Christ. I know that He will work everything out for those who love Him. I will continue to seek Him with all my heart, and trust in His in is unfailing power.

Remember that God is in control of every circumstance. Nothing is a shock to Him. He is with you always, and will get glory through every situation you encounter if you surrender and allow Him to work through you.

Please be praying for Ben and I as we lead the youth group this semester, and more importantly for Nathan as he takes on the roles and burden of leading the church.

Thank you for your continual support and prayers, it means a lot!

P.S. Check out the web site I designed entirely for our Youth group!!
http://www.shillage.com

Today

2009-01-31T07:46:00.000-08:00

Today.
I'm not going to give a recap of the past three weeks or talk about all the adventures I went on, but let me just say that these past two months were hands down the funniest months I've had in Hong Kong for many reasons.

Now on to Today.
This morning I woke up and was hopeful that today would be different. I was anxious to feel Love and approval in my life again, and anxious to do something to honor and bring Him glory. Although these past two months have been great and fun, I have felt so defeated and as though I am being so selfish and doing nothing for His kingdom. I have felt so low and so useless, and no matter how hard I try, I keep feeling as though I am failing. I was asking why? I spend time in the word daily, I pray daily, I read books to further my faith, and I spend so much of my time, energy, and money into our students and people passing through Hong Kong, all in attempt to get approval by God, yet I felt so unfulfilled. Why?

Well today held the answer.
This morning at Church the second I began to sing and worship, I felt as though my sin and inability to please God were so heavy that the words from my lips could not reach his ears and that my sinful nature and heart was in the wrong place. I began to pray that the Lord would lift my burden, take mercy upon me, and speak to me today. I prayed that He would help me.

"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Galatians 5:17

"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human?"
1Corinthians 3:1-4

These were the scriptures Nathan preached and taught on today. After worship we had a young man give his testimony of living in China for the past two years. He talked about how his arrival at first was for selfish reasons that he could not see. He desired to do the Lords work, for everyone to see him and give him credit for living radically for Christ. He was trying so hard to make God proud, to make God happy, yet found himself failing. He spoke of how he realized that the only way he can please God is through obedience. The only way to obey God is know his commands, and the only way to know His commands is to know His word, and ultimately the only way to understand His word, is to know Him. He said this "The Lord desires us to know him to KNOW Him. His ministry will carry on with or without us, but our goal in life should be to know Him." “Do I really know Him?”
I began to see how I was that young man. I had come to China to do the Lords work, but I wanted so badly for everyone to see. I wanted to make the Lord proud and do all these works for Him so that he will love me, and all this time I was so blind and missing out. I wanted to see the fruits of my work, and boast in my heart of all the time I had put into the ministry and show others how it was blossoming. This desire, although it was for ministry, was not a desire of the Spirit. I was trying to gratify the desires of my flesh. My flesh wants to prove how I have done well by all my good works that prove it. But God only requires one thing, that I know Him. I have been seeking the wrong thing all along. I should have been seeking Him more that my seeking to do His work.

The word that Nathan brought from 1Corinthians really opened my eyes. Not only have I not been seeking God but I have been trying to act as though I know Him and His word so well, when I don't. I have been trying to see myself as spiritual, when I am not yet spiritual. I am behaving only as natural man does. It is so hard to admit that. To say that I am not spiritual enough, that I do not know the Bible enough, and that I do not know the Lord enough, but it is so freeing to admit it and attempt to know Him more through His word before it's too late. I don't want to try and please God by doing so many things here in Hong Kong, but I want to know Him more. I want to know His word more and I want to become more like Him. I want the last six months I have in Hong Kong to be about Him, and not about me. He will take care of His ministry, here in Hong Kong and wherever He leads me next.

Today was a day for the record books. A day where I vow to seek Him, and His word first. I want to be new. I want to be more like Christ. And it all starts today.

Monica Amanda Zuniga.

Much needed update :)

2009-01-12T00:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas, New Years and a trip to Mainland China is what we have to catch up on, so let’s go!

Christmas was HARD. But as I was crying on the phone talking to my family Christmas Eve, I reminded myself and we reminded each other that God has a bigger purpose and plan. Even more we reminded each other that God is bigger and more important than us. I love my family and the fact that they Trust in the same Mighty God as I. Christmas taught me the importance of my family and really revealed my love for them on a whole new level! More than that, God proved yet again His love for me! Ben, Nathan, Colette, and I went and had a traditional AMERICAN Christmas meal at the Hagan's home. It was a great day of fellowship, the best food ever, and most of all gave me the comfort I needed. Special thanks to the Hagan Clan. :)

Before Christmas Cindy Yin, from the church I attend, invited me, Ben, and Eva to go on a trip to Mainland China. So After Christmas on Monday morning the 29th, Ben, Eva, and I headed out to Binzhou, China. I was especially proud of myself considering that my bag weighed less than Bens! We met up with an amazing group from Tucson, Arizona in the Hong Kong Airport, and headed out. Binzhou was FREEZING, but it reminded me of winter time in Hereford, TX, which made it all worth it! Binzhou is NOTHING like Hong Kong. There is a lot of space, less people and it was a true community atmosphere. We walked practically everywhere we went, which was great, and the city had very little sky scraping buildings. I was able to see the starts for the first time in 5 months, that's how great this place was! The group from Arizona did several performances throughout the city by playing music and singing songs. We first played at a blind school in Binzhou. Along with our group performing, many students were on stage playing instruments, singing and dancing. I couldn’t help but cry as I watched the blind students on stage. It was humbling, but I gained such respect for the principle and the staff at the school who dedicated so much time to the students. We met up with a fellow American young man named Jon Patton. Jon works at the University in Binzhou teaching English and Aviation English. He has an obvious calling to the city and every Friday gets together with University students to study the Bible more. Due to his connection, we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the University Students. I immediately connected with a 21 year old girl named Xiao Na aka Sara. She is beautiful and is full of love and joy. The first questioned she asked me is if I was a Christian. :) She wasn’t a believer, but by the end of the week, the Lord had worked on her heart and she now believes. She changed her name to Sarah Grace after. I felt so honored to be a part of her life during those ten days and to witness her transformation. We met a lot of other students and spent time with them as well. Between spending time with Sarah and going from concert to concert, I found a mom in Beverly Spitler. She brought joy to my life every day, and I know the Lord brought her to me. Ben and I both feel so blessed to have met her, and can't wait to get back to the states and visit her in Charleston. I also met an amazing American Blonde by the name of Melissa Jackson. Throughout the trip, she encouraged me by the way she lives. She is so humble and has so much wisdom for her age. She also is a fun girl to sit down and chat about life with too. Before we knew it we were on the plane back to Hong Kong, reflecting on our travels.

Ben and I both plan to go back to Binzhou for spring break.

The New Year technically was two weeks ago, but not for China! We are gearing up for Chinese New Year, the year of the ox. I'm super excited to see the city during this time and celebrate with the people. Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration in China, and happens at different times every year according to the Lunar Calendar.

More updates soon, a new video, as well as a bit on fresh revelations! Much Love!!

Mon

Me and Beverly!

Melisa, Sarah Grace, and Me

Thomas, Me, Caroline, Cindy, and Ben

I am still Learning

2008-12-07T03:53:00.000-08:00

I am still learning, and finding that I enjoy learning now I'm not talking about school subjects, but Biblical subjects. I don't know about you but I grew up in the church, and if you knew all the Bible stories and the right answers, that's all you needed to know. I now of course know I am way wrong and have been dissecting God's word, and re-reading in order to understand the true meaning of what His message is.

I have been, mentoring two young ladies in our youth group, both of which have such deep questions all the time about God and because of those questions, it has really inspired me to dig much deeper than the surface level, Sunday school answer they have always heard. As a result of all my searching and diggin, I have been able to learn so much. Not only have I learned so much, but I have an indescribable passion to study the Word, and I know it is something the Lord has placed within me. I have had a lot of questions lately, not doubts about God, His love, sovereignty, or power, but questions. In searching for answers for my youth, I have begun to ask my own questions, and been searching for answers. Yet no matter how hard I try to figure everything out about God, and the grey issues and things that aren't talked about as much in scripture, I have found there are some things I will never fully understand. I was reminded of Deuteronomy 29:29 where it says,

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."

A part of me wants to be like, so what, tell me then! Haha But that is why we serve such an awesome God! He created every living and breathing thing and everything that is alive is dependent upon Him for LIFE. He created us, and our brains, with limits to not understand everything about Him. Isaiah 40: 17-18 says that if you compiled all the nations (billions of people) together in one place, that they would be "regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing." Does that not trip you out? Not only am I nothing compared to God, but even if every human being in the world gathered in one place, He would see us as worthless. Then verse 18 goes on to say who will you compare God to? What image? As if scripture is telling me, 'wake up, you can't try to make God something He isn't, you just have to follow and trust the words given in scripture, and honor, respect, and praise Him for being so un-comprehendible , because He is YOUR GOD.'

Now I'm not saying that my learning has been pointless and I have come to the conclusion that I can't figure God out, so why try? This revelation has not stopped my desire, but has grown it more. I want to search the things He has given and revealed to us, and I want to know them darn good too, not just the answer we are programmed to give, but the answer given that I truly believe. One that I have researched, one that I have scripture to back up, and one that I can answer with full confidence.

I have also learned one thing that I think is vital. When someone ask me where I stand on certain issues, or more importantly what the Bible says on certain issues, my response should not be 'well I think.....' but my response should be 'the Bible says.....' Something I'm still working in, hints all the learning...

So I challenge you to think about some issues. Think if someone asked you, who is God, What is the Holy Spirit, where does God stand with homosexuality, or what do you think about predestination? What would your answer be? One that you were taught and programmed to say, your 'I think answer,' or would it be an answer you KNOW is true based on research and knowledge of the Word.

I'm not there yet, getting there, but never perfect, and in need of Grace more than you know! Keep keepin' on, keep Livin' for Him! We serve an Awesome God!!

An attempt to put it into words....

2008-12-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to write a new blog for a while now, but it has been so hard and as I began to write I found that it is impossible to put into words everything that is going on.

How can I explain the day at youth group when our students opened up more than ever? When a student confessed about how they were tired of acting like a perfect Christian, and another who said they weren't sure if they believe in God, when a boy said he struggled with purity, and another with anger. How can I express sitting in starbucks, answering questions about God and why to believe? How do I begin to create the picture of the MTR ride to thanksgiving dinner with a student, and how the Holy Spirit completely led my words? How can I explain the joy I felt when one of the students texted me and asked why getting baptized is important, and when another asked to meet me sometime to discuss Christianity and some questions she has.

How can I put that into words? "um, ya so we were all at youth group and in discussion time the students confessed some things that were on their chest, that had been eating at them, it was awesome you should've been there." You're probably thinking, "Man that is great, God is good, I'm so happy for you guys." No it's not the same, sorry to say but you weren't there. You haven't been spending time with these students for months, so how can I explain something so personal and so stinking amazing and paint a good picture! It makes me think of Jesus' ministry on earth. How do you put into words all the things that took place during his life? How can people honestly write books of the Bible as a biography of Jesus' ministry and make it believable? All I gotta say is thank God for the Holy Spirit who interprets things for us, and teaches everything. Man without the Holy Spirit how lost would we be?

It is so insane to me that a living, active, and powerful Spirit of God dwells within me. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of me, which is so crazy! (Read Romans 8)
I am so in awe of God. I honestly have been learning so much about the Bible, and it's truth in this past month that it’s also just as indescribable as everything that happened this month with our students. The Lord has really put a passion in my heart to know more about who He is. To not just say ya I did my quiet time today and read some scripture, but a desire, and burning passion to search, research, and search some more in order to discover what the text is truly saying. And the thing that I have discovered is that I can't even fully discover Him!

Deut 29:29 says that the secret things are kept for the Lord and the things revealed to us in the Bible are for us and our generations to come! So you know all that stuff that is unclear in scripture....eh um...revelation..., ya that's only because it’s a secret. Just think about it, Not only did He create everything and everything that has life right now is because of Him. So every living and breathing thing is dependent upon Him in order to survive, but He also created our brains and limits on our brains. We can't figure out everything about God! Isaiah 40:17-18 says if you put all the nations of earth together in one place, they would be "regarded by him as worthless."
That's kind of scary; all the billions of people together in one place are worthless up against God. The Bible says to whom will you compare God? What image? Well there is none!

Yet more amazing and in-comprehendible is that that Same God who is so powerful, sovereign and mighty so loving. So much so that He sent His son Jesus for me, that He intimately loves me, and that he desires a relationship with each and every person that he gives life to today. It's unbelievable, yet gives me an unspeakable joy as well.

Wow, ya so as you can see, I'm star-stuck, in awe of God. I can't stop thinking about Him, seriously. I'm like some love sick teenage girl; I am so lost and captivated at who He is. I am so intrigued by Him and who He is, that I keep digging and learning, and man do I love Him.

I love Him, I love him, I love Him. It's real, man I thought it was real before, but this is so much better. So much better.

Prayer.

Please keep praying for our students
Pray that the Lord will continue to woo and draw them to Him
pray that they will continue to ask questions and seek out Christ

Pray for my family

Pray for Me
For discernment in conversation
For stregnth
For continual humility.

God is good, Life is great!

Love you Mucho!!

Monica Zuniga

Forever November

2008-11-19T18:20:00.000-08:00

First off watch my new video!! click the side you tube bar and watch the comercial...hilarious!!
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=lN1VJhchEPg

I used to think that Fall was my favorite time of year. My favorite months were September and October. In Texas the leaves are changing colors, the wind is picking up, and it's finally getting cold, but not miserable yet. It's perfect weather, especially for running.

Hong Kong....ya lets just say that September and October were miserably hot, and I was really upset with the weather...but NOW in November, it feels and looks like fall in Texas! Only that now everyone is getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Not only is it perfect weather, but times square is decorated with Christmas art, and I mean life size, huge art! Starbucks is selling their red Christmas cups, and running has never been better! So therefore I wish it could be November Forever. :)

So these past couple of weeks have been the busiest yet. I think..well I know Ben would whole-heartedly agree. I have been averaging 5 1/2 hrs of sleep...and barely have time to run. Waking up at 7ish and not getting home until late. Every day for the past 5 days I have gotten home past eleven, but I will say it's been one of the funnest weeks here! It's nice to finally know the city well enough to get around easy, and venture out more.

This week Ben and I went over to Nathan and Colette's (Youth Pastor and Wife's) home to set up their Christmas tree. We decorated the house together, listened to Christmas music, ate chocolate chip cookies, drank hot apple cider, and watched White Christmas after. It was great! It made me really feel at home for the first time. We had a great time, and it was a blessing for sure. last night we went over and had three students from Hong Kong University as well. It was great to fellowship with eachother, eat a great meal thanks to Colette, and just have fun! It really reminded me of the luncheons we would have after church at Tcal. The more I am in Hong Kong the more I love it.

I went to a market with Nina the woman I live with, and we had a blast. It was the biggest and cheapest one I have been to yet! I spent 20 U.S. dollars and got, 3 dresses, three bracelets, some shoes, a hat, and four rings. Insane I know! But the best part is that I picked out Christmas gifts for family and friends too! ha I also am excited to go back and take my family there when they come! Yay! My parents and Brother are coming to HK in March!! and I'm excited!!

These past couple of weeks have been great as you can see, it hasnt just been fun, but I really am starting to see the fruit from our ministy and time with our students and I love it!

Prayer Request:
-My Great Grandfather Died this week. Pray for our family, and that my mother, aunts and uncle will be a light to much of our family that is lost.

- International Baptist Church, the church I am workng with. For them to continue to grow seek guidance from God.

- Nathan and Colette- they are expecting their first Child (Jaya Gale) In less than a month.

- Girls in my youth group- For them to have a desire and passion for God's word, and to truly experience the love of Christ. For them to realize that His love is all they need.

-Me- To get some much needed rest, to focus on my studies, and to continue to be a light here in Hong Kong.

love you all!! Thanks for you're prayers and support!!!

Monica Zuniga

10 Random HK Facts:
1. There are literally McDonalds on every street corner
2. Right beside every McD's is a 7/11 you thought they were dead, but they just moved to Asia!
3. McDonalds Delivers......for lazy people who wont walk down the street here...
4. There are 7 million people in the small island...just walk the street, you will know its true!
5. Starbucks, is just as good here if not better :) mmmmmm....mmmm....
6. Batman was filmed here- in the new one batman jumps off the tallest building here
7. 007 Quantom of Solace came out a week before the states did! so we saw it before you! :P
8. Apartment rent is an average of 3,000-5,000 U.S. dollars a month!!! (for a 1600 sq ft home!)
9. Everyone takes a two hour lunch break...and goes into work after 9a.m....and get out at 5 p.m.
10. There is a Disney land in Hong Kong!!

The Blog You've all been waiting for...

2008-11-02T05:22:00.000-08:00

First of all this isn’t for you to feel sorry for me or to make you feel bad, but it’s a testimony of what the Lord has shown me through breaking me.

"The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart" Psalm 51:17

You've been waiting for this one for two reasons....
1. Because it’s been so long since I've posted a new one
2. Because this blog is about to get real.

I will start by telling you just some of the things I have been really struggling with this month.
1. Appearance- everywhere you look in HK there are beautiful Asian woman. Size 2 bodies, perfect skin, and the cutest outfits you will ever see.
2. Home- I keep thinking about home, family and friends, and constantly throwing a self pity party, thinking about how much I am missing out on, and how many people have forgotten me.
3. Control- Working in the ministry has taught me that I cannot control things. I am fighting my flesh for control over a lot of areas.
4. Patience- The woman I live with has tested my patience to a breaking point recently.

APPEARANCE I find myself constantly trying to find different ways to be pretty. I run all the time to try and try and try to have a better body. I went out and bought all new kinds of makeup that I have never worn to try and make myself look prettier. I went out and bought a new purse, shoes, new outfits that look up to date and in style with the trends here to feel pretty. Every time I look in the mirror I don’t see a pretty girl, but I see a ugly person who needs to change so much in order to be beautiful.

Breaking point: First off, people here are very honest about EVERYTHING. I broke this week when my security guard here told me after a run 'you need to run longer, and do more.' I didn’t even know how to respond and out of anger I said 'you try and do what I do' to a old Chinese man for crying out loud! I ran upstairs to my room and just balled. Satan knows how this is such a battle for me, and I have not been overcoming it the right way. I am looking to things to make me feel better. I am constantly giving the girls in our youth group verses to remind them of the love the Father has for them. Verses I want them to claim to remember that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet I have not claimed these same truths.

HOME This has been the hardest. As I look and see pictures and hear stories of all the fun at home and school that I am 'missing out on' I find myself questioning whether or not I should be here. When I talk to friends, or family I sometimes get angry because I wish so badly I could be there to join them in their rejoicing, sorrows, and just to fellowship. I listen to podcast from Tcal my church in Dallas and I always find myself crying through them wishing so bad I could be a part of that community.

Breaking point: This week at coffee with Nathan, the youth pastor, and Ben. We were talking about what the hardest part so far has been, and I said how it was so hard to literally give up your life. To miss out on so much, to never get this time back, and to know that things are NOT going to be the same when I return, that I will NOT be friends with the same friends, and that some people will have changed for the worse. One thing Nathan said was this "I know how you feel, its hard and sometimes you ask yourself if it’s really worth it. You have to ask yourself what is more important? Me following God's call leaving everything behind, or being at home?" The answer is always going to be following God. It is worth it to 'miss out,' to long to be with family and friends. In the end when my life is over, I want to know that I obeyed.

CONTROL: I find that I want to do so much. I want to spend as much time with the girls, I want to make them gifts, I want to give attention specifically to each girl, I want to be able to love each of them, I want to be able to make sure that I don't miss anyone. Yet I feel so defeated! It is impossible to spend individual time with each girl, and it’s impossible to include everyone, yet I am fighting so hard and literally wearing down my body to try and please everyone. I am trying so hard to control my plans and things so that I don’t miss anyone.

Breaking point: This week whenever I was so tired and so overwhelmed. I began to cry and say Lord! I can't do it all! As much as I want to, I cannot reach each of these girls individually and show them you're love, but YOU CAN! I was doing it the wrong way all along trying to do it on my own, instead of praying that the Lord would do it! I cannot do anything, even if I did meet each girl and give them attention, if my heart wasn’t right, it would not have the impact the Lord desires.

PATIENCE- The lady I live with is great, don’t get me wrong. To preface this, before I ever came to HK back in July. I was at Vanessa's when we used to live together, and I had just gotten back from Mexico. I was falling asleep, praying and as I slept, I was awaken. I clearly heard the Lord audibly tell me "patience, I must establish patience in you." I thought, man Lord, I thought I had patience. I don’t know how you are going to establish it, when I thought I already possessed it. How is that possible? Well the Lord knew. The woman I live with is amazing, but she is very lonely and longs for a friend. The situation is a lot stickier than I can discuss, but to get to it, she is very controlling. She tries to get me to do things with her, and bugs and bugs until I go. She constantly is trying to feed me, even when I'm not hungry because she says I'm too small and need to eat more food. There are many other things, but it’s been going on like this for...well since the time I got here.

Breaking point: One day this week I was so angry at her, and she was getting on my last nerve. She was being snappy towards me and I snapped back and responded short and rudely. I came into my room to get away from her and immediately I was convicted. The Lord showed me how I was not loving her with His love. I was not showing His child the kind of Love he desired me to show her. I saw how I was failing miserably and how I had to change so much in order to really and truly 'establish patience.'

Now it’s no coincidence that all this breaking happened at the same time. Can I just tell you that it's not easy to see yourself the way God does, and to see yourself the way He desires you to be. Clearly I have a lot to work on, but what a blessing it is to praise him broken. To thank Him for revealing parts of my life and heart that I would otherwise be oblivious to if it weren't for HK and the situations I have been put in. I asked for change, for brokenness, to be molded into a better disciple, and the change has just begun.

Rejoice with me, because the testing of my faith develops perseverance to finish the race to which I was called!!

VIDEO: There is a new video in the side bar about worship. I made this video one night for our youth group. Instead of doing worship, we watched this video and the kids surrendered areas of their life and humbled themselves before the Lord. True worship is a humble and submissive spirit to our Lord. I encourage you to watch it and give up any area of your life you are still holding on to. Let the Lord, the sustainer of life, carry your load.

This is My Deisre.

2008-10-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

Today Ben and I were beyond blessed to have Nate Evans and Robby Riggs in Hong Kong. They came to church at IBC with us today and after we all went to lunch for an American meal at Tony Roma's. We shared about our travels, what the Lord is teaching us, and it was such an HONOR to hear how the Lord is working in the lives of these two servants of HIS. After lunch Robby and I sat at Starbucks and just talked about life and the Lord. I was so encouraged by his testimony of faith and love and the way He radiates Christ, that I was reminded of my Desire and passion and purpose for life. I went home and spent some time with the Lord and this is an excerpt from my journal that night.

Sweet, Sweet Savior, redeemer, friend, sustainer of life, giver of every good thing, provider, comforter, companion, teacher, instructor, beloved, LOVE. That is what you are Father. How can I keep silent, how I can keep quiet the love you have given me, how can I live and not love the way you do? How have I been so selfish? How have I not learned from you and your children? Why do I not desire you more? Father today I was so encouraged by your servants Nate and Robby Father. God, Jehovah, you are using them and growing their faith in a mighty way and Father I desire that same kind of growth and fruit to come from my life. Father I asked to come out of my comfort zone and serve you and Lord you have brought me here to HK. Lord God I know that I have not been the best child or the most obedient and that I have not been a intentional of the time I have here, but Lord my desire, my goal, my purpose dear Lord is to bring your Kingdom to a lost and dying word. Father I want to know you more intimately and understand your love more. God I CRY OUT TO YOU! Hear my Heart hear my voice, My desire Father is to be broken, to be used to feel your presence, your love, your power, your sovereignty, your heart beat father. Lord, Almighty Father, I am not traveling for the year in the middle of a missions trip, but Father God, Holy One, I am here in HK! I am called to do your will, whatever it may be father, and my desire is to bring you praise, to learn from you father God to be your light and your love. I desire to see your children with your eyes and love them with your love. God I know that I can do a better job, and Father I commit to try my hardest dear Love. O Lord How I Long to distinguish your voice, your face, your instruction in every circumstance throughout my life here and in the future. GOD ALMIGHTY RAFA, I am anxious to see you father. Not that I may believe, because I already believe by the testimony of your word, and the witness of other believers, but so that I may share in your resurrection and life and know you more intimately. God I so selfishly want to experience your love, your intimate love. I want to have moments where I am lost in you father, and where you speak to me. Father, you have and desire those moments for me as well. Sweet Savior, show me you’re Love. Speak to me and may learn to distinguish your voice better. Continue to break me father God. Break me until, I am wholly yours and I fully surrender every part of my heart and life unto you. God ALL I WANT is to bring your name praise. ALL I DESIRE is you!!! Strip my heart of the flesh that desires things of this world, and break me to desire you more and more, for knowing you is more valuable than all the riches in the world. Equip me for what is to come father, and may I continue to remember your Faithful, Faithful, Faithful, heart. Father I know you love me, I saw your love today O Lord, but How desperate I am for your love to be my own. Consume me, take hold of my life, take hold of my heart, may I surrender every aspect of my life entirely to your cause, kingdom, and name. Thy Kingdom come, they will be done, on earth. Right now.
I am a beautiful daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD. I have an inheritance to the eternal Kingdom, and life promised to be lived to the fullest throughout eternity. I am a precious gift, I am a joy. Father every good thing I have I owe to you Dear One. Sweet Sweet Holy Spirit, work in my heart and in my life, may the Father and the Son be guides for my heart, and may I be receptive to what you teach me Father. God you are my KING, my everything, my ROCK, my sustainer. O Lord prepare my heart and my mind to see you. To see your glory to see your face to see your beauty to stand in your presence and behold the power of your name. Father you are my everything. How am I showing the world that you truly are my all?

I love you Father God. Almighty Rock, Sustainer of Live, Giver of Every good thing, DADDY.

--your teachable, moldable servant- Monica Amanda Zuniga--

I can't believe its been 2 months....

2008-10-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Today is my two month aniversary of being in Hong Kong...and it really feels like i got here two weeks ago. Within these two months, I have been able to find all the great places to eat, shop, and hang out at. I am no longer feeling like I am lost in a big city, but am starting to make HK a place that is familar to me and a place I can call home. Words cannot describe how great the city is, and how amazing the people here are. I have been so blessed in so many ways.

MY WORK:

IBC: At International Baptist Church for the past two months has been eventful!! Every week I write leters to the girls in the youth group, plan for upcoming events, create flyers to pass out to students at schools, prepare for discipleship witht the girls on Saturdays, email every student giving them updates on events and the youth group, visit a school with Ben where we have a Christian Club, create power point presentations for Friday night Shillage, and spend as much one on one time with the girls I can. all of that is my average week to week tasks and along with that I usually have other things to do.

SHILLAGE:

The Shillage is our friday night youth group, its when the kids come and we meet for a normal youth service that we would have wednesday nights in the states. All week, all our preparation comes down to Friday's.

WIS:

West Island School is the school Ben and I visit every Friday at lunch to have Christian Club. about 15 kids on average come eat thier lunch in a class room with us while we play games, act out bible stories, have pizza, and try to invest and expose kids to Jesus Christ and get them to come to the Shillage.

DBU:

I am currently taking 12 hours online through DBU. I know I'm crazy your thinking, but DBU has truly made it a blessing to continue my education online. Thankfully we have Monday's off of work in which I spend most of the day reading for class or working on assignments for that week. All of my teachers have been great and I am really enjoying my classes as well. It has been hard at times to juggle class and ministry, but the Lord has always made a way for me to focus one each and give them the time and attention needed. I know that the Lord has me here for His purpose, but I am also so thankful that I can continue my education which is just as equally a calling and important.

SPIRITUALLY:

Spiritually the Lord has really been testing and growing my faith. I am so thankfull for Nathan and Colette who have been great leaders and truly have been great role models for me to follow. I have been able to do some reading and learn more about different religions while here. It is amazing to see first hand why people believe in other God's and I am learning that it has a lot to do with the culture and just how the people here live. There have been days where I feel as though God is so far away and I have to constantly remind myself of His faithfulness, mercy, provision, soveriegnty, and power. Then there are days like last week when I am able to see and feel Him as work in me and in the lives of the studens as well. The hardest part is not having the support system of friends and family like I did at home, but I know that it is part of the Lord maturing my faith and me relying on Him for everything. I have really been able to grow my faith and call it my own, not something I have because it was instilled in me at a young age, but something I have because He chose me first, and I now choose to honor Him with my life.

PHYSICALLY-
I am healthy, and happy! I enjoy running here a lot, only the hardest part is EVERYWHERE you run it is concrete, so my knees hurt from time to time, but thankfully there is also a track near by where I run a lot. I haven't been sick yet, and have been blessed to be healthy here.

That really is all that has happened recently! I will make more an effort to post every other week and keep you guys updated!

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Monica Amanda Zuniga

7/F Tower A, Southmark Bld.
11 Yip Hing st
Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Skype: monica.zuniga22

email: zunigam@mail.dbu.edu

I'm Here!!!

2008-09-09T01:04:00.001-07:00

Since I’ve been in Hong Kong...

Well I have been here now for a little over a month, I know in my last post I said as soon as I got here I would update you, but it just so happens that life happened and I found myself with little time to update you guys, much less remember to!
But I am living with two great women: Nina and Arsenia. Both have welcomed me in their home and truly given me a place I can call home. I am enjoying IBC and getting to know everyone in the church. The family atmosphere here at IBC is unlike any other I have experienced and I love how inviting everyone is here as well. The people of International Baptist Church have really made my adjustment and transition here to Hong Kong a great one. I Have seen a lot of great places and really experienced just a taste of what Hong Kong has to offer...and there is a lot!

The students are AMAZING!! I am having so much fun just spending time with them and getting to know each of them more since camp. I’ve been able to reunite with some of the youth and meet some amazing girls and guys who weren’t able to come to camp earlier this summer. We have already jumped into doing a lot of work and events which both are mostly fun. Ben and I visit a school once a week to have lunch with some of the students and every week go out to West Island School where we lead a Christian Club. Every Friday night the kids have their weekly youth night called the Shillage. Those nights are tons of fun and afterwards you can find us at the McDonalds across the street enjoying ice-cream and each other’s company. Last weekend we went on a Junk Boat trip which is where we rented a big boat and a speed boat and a banana boat and a wake board and went out to an island to swim, boat, and just have fun! It was a BLAST!!!! And also a great time to get to know the youth better. This past weekend we had an ultimate Frisbee tournament that was hot, but tons of fun on the beach. And this weekend is the Girls Sleepover!!! So there is always something to do and places to be which make things a lot easier on me.

The hardest part about being in Hong Kong is hard to pin point. I think each week has its own struggles and obstacles to overcome just like everyone else. The first week was finding my way around. Second was getting adjusted to the culture. The third was managing time well. And most recently accepting the fact that I won’t see friends or family for 11 more months! Through it all though, the Lord has been so faithful and so great! He truly has proved how amazing He is through this experience and has begun changing and molding my heart. I have had a great time here, and am excited to see what the Lord does in the months to come!

Pray for me to continually remember my purpose of being here, and to have a moldable teachable spirit in order to grow and learn what the Lord has for me here.
I MISS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

Monica Zuniga

Ps. I am trying to get a video posted soon!

I'm going Back to Hong Kong!!

2008-07-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

So I was already planning on taking the semester off to work at Disney World, but its funny how the Lord works things out. Instead i am now going back to Hong Kong to be an intern at International Baptist Church. (the church I went to HK and Laos with earlier this summer) I am staying for the semester and maybe the year if my parents agree. But I'm excited to go, sad to leave my family and friends, but humbled to get to go. The opportunity is one that the Lord has called me to, and I am excited to be in the middle of His will. I have this blog that I will weekly write about my experiences to keep everyone updated. I love you all, and my next post will be once I arrive.

LOVE YOU!!!

Xalapa, Mexico baby!

2008-07-22T15:01:00.001-07:00

So I got home thursday night at around 630ish and on Saturday morning at 4 a.m. left for Xalapa, Mexico. Now I know you're thinking I'm crazy, but you wont think that for long once I tell you about how great God is and how AMAZING this trip was!

I went with NEXT worldwide on the trip. We brought 14 from my home church Tcal ( The Community at Lakeridge.) and had people from Prosper church, and Harvest church come with us. All together there were around 40 of us who went. I was the only one who knew enough Spanish in the group to communicate and translate. Thankfully we all had translators and Eduardo to help us communicate.

As a group we worked with the mother church in Xalapa called Vida Plena. The church was located in a building that the church rented out. On Sunday morning we helped set up around 150 chairs along with sound equipment and a projector for the service. At around 11 a.m. people started coming into the church. As a group we were all sitting in the back, but as the people began to sit in and fill the rows of the small church building I noticed a young lady who looked about my age sitting alone. So before Sunday school began I went and introduced my self to the beautiful Diana. She is 21 years old, she studies English at her University, and helps with the children in her church. She also served as mine and Ross' translator for the week. The actual church service started around noon, and the place was packed! Carlos led an amazing worship service, and Paul Mints (Pastor of Tcal) brought an amazing message on the importance of not giving up. For the next three afternoons we evangalized and went through leadership training as well.

Diana & I Diana, Ross, & Me

So Sunday through tuesday afternoon we travelled to Cuatapec and evangalized in a park to the people in the community. Vida Plena is hoping to start a Bible study in the area and hope to eventually start a church in the Cuatapec. On Wednesday afternoon we went to Parke Natura in Xalapa where a group of us hiked for about two hours and then went to play soccer and volleyball with families in the area and from Vida Plena.

The entire trip was amazing and 188 people made a decision for christ while we were in Xalapa and Cuatapec. It was so amazing to see the Lord work and move in a totally different country just as He does here at my home church in Dallas. The Lord truly gave me the words to say when I had none and spoke for me many times. I know that the Lord is going to use the time we were there to bless the church and the community, and to encourage us a body of believers. I loved the people at Vida Plena and know that the Lord has brought us together for a reason. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have gone and to have learned so much through not only my experience but through Next and their training. I have been given a new prospective on life and a missions lifestyle, and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. The Lord never ceases to amaze me!!

Most of the Tcal Group Eduardo, Brenda, Me and Elena Me with two of the Translators.

LAOS!!

2008-07-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

So after Camp Go--> we as a DBU staff along with IBC's staff took the campers on four different Mission trips.

Hong Kong-Luke Lauber & Hilary Darrow
Phillippines- Ben King & Carole Covey
India- Becky Dunn & Justin Smith
Laos-Myself & Jon Dooley

So Wednesday morning after our closing session, Myself, Jon, Nathan & Colette Loudin, along with two students (Jim & Stephen) flew out to Bangkok, Thailand. We spent the night in Bangkok and had quite an adventure to say the least and the morning of the 4th flew to Ubon, Thailand. From Ubon we took a bus to Pakse, Laos.

We checked into our hotel and headed out to the Watpu ruins. They are ruins from 4th century A.D. and are beautiful! We took the high hike to the top, and spent some time in prayer over the people in Lao.

Wat Pu Ruins

The next couple of days were spent out on the Farm. We worked with Boulin Farm company in Laos. Sam Say from Hong Kong started the company. The company is a bean farm company that takes in families from Laos, gives them a place to live on the farm, and teaches them how to properly plant coffee while living on and cultivating the farm the company owns. The families are living on the farm for two years and within that two years the company hopes to not only train the families, but share the love of Christ and show them how to have a relationship with Christ. After living on the farm for two years the family graduates from the program and the company buys them their own land to cultivate and hopefully takes in families and do the same.

So the purpose of the company is to bring Christ to a communist nation. The company also sells the coffee they grow to churches in the state. For $160 you can buy a year supply of coffee from the company. Not only will you recieve a great cup of coffee, but you will also send your money to support missions in Laos. If you would like more information on the company and how to buy coffee just let me know.

So we worked out on the farm for two days and one night with the families on the farm. We were able to plant and dig and do everything it takes to plant coffee. At night we were able to play with the children and teach them songs. It was the most humbling experience of my life. My eyes were opened to the truth of the Word when it says in "how can they call on the one they have not heard?" These people need the Lord and the country of Laos needs the Lord.

HONG KONG Camp Go -->

2008-07-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

I was in HK for about a week (June 27-July3) putting on church camp for youth from International Baptist Church from HK, along with 7 other DBU students/staff, and these are some of the experiences from the camp.

the cabins...
They were different then american ones for sure...the beds were different, and the bathroom shared the same area as the shower. It was interesting but still fun for sure.

I shared a cabin with my co, Carole Covey, and with 5 other beautiful Jr. High age girls.
Joyce-14
Rachel-14
Catherine-14
Natalie-12
Akari-13

We had a fun cabin and a lot of nights when the girls would giggle and sleep in the same bed. :)

The NOOZ
We had a skit segment that I was in charge of called Hik-Nooz. I got the idea from another camp I was at the week before, but basically me, Ben and Luke dressed up as Hicks and gave the daily news. The news were pieces the kids wrote and posted on our wall. Along with the news we had couple of the day. The couple of the day would wear matching inflatable tire tubes, and hold barbie or ken to remind them of their love for eachother throughout the day.

The Service
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10: 14-15
The theme for the week was GO, and our theme verse came from Romans. We talked about the importance of not just having a relationship with Christ but sharing His love and life with people all over the world.
Jon Dooley brought the message every night to camp, and I can't even begin to tell you how great of a job he did. The Lord really worked in him and through him, in order to bring messages that not only tought me a lot, but convicted me and challanged my faith.

Breakdown
Everyday we had breakdown sessions where we as a staff would teach different segments to the kids. I tought Duct Tape Art the first day, where I just sat down with 8 of the campers and we made wallets out of duct tape. The next day I taught a segment on Purtiy and how purity is not a bunch of rules, but a lifestyle we are called to live. I also did some team building exercises one day for our mission teams. (Thanks TbarM!)

Overall
Camp was AMAZING. The food was interesting at times, but the Lord clearly worked and moved. It was a great experience to see how God is the same in Texas as He is in Hong Kong, and He is impacting lives the same way he is here. I was so encouraged by the Kids at camp and the way they believe and trust in the Lord. They had knowledge way beyond their years and a passion for Christ that was undeniable. The had a faith that they lived out and each of them at such a young age!! I was so impressed and encouraged and I can't wait to see what God does next in the lives of these amazing students!!!!!

For Family and Friends all over!

2008-07-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!!!!

So since my life is rapidly changing and I am begining to experience many things, I wanted a way to keep all of you apart of it!! I recently got back from traveling the world, and will be leaving for Hong Kong in a couple of weeks to be the youth intern for International Baptist Church there. So I thought what better way to keep you involved then to Journal about my experience and give you the inside scoop to my life. I will be sharing about daily events, trips, and most of all what the Lord has been teaching me over the past months and days to come. I hope that This can keep us connected and keep you updated on my life. I miss you already!!, and appreciate you thought and prayers more than you will ever know!

ENJOY!