Greg Hatanaka

我今年選擇參加YSMP，是因為我從妻子Jill那裡聽說，宣教士們一起生活並互相服事彼此代禱是她最美好的回憶之一！去年，我參加了Masterlife課程，該課程強調了傳福音和向你遇到的人分享福音的重要性。儘管我知道分享福音的重要性，但實際在向鄰居和同事們分享我的信仰卻不容易。我可以為他們禱告也盼望他們得救，但要真正談論我作為基督徒的信仰卻很難。我也知道我們教會異象的三個異象之一就是我們成為一個有使命感的教會。今年年初帶著這些想法，我報名參加今年的YSMP，想服務當地教會、社區並分享耶穌的愛。也許這樣做我會看到自己在見證方面的不足並嘗試突破。

初遇挑戰

我想盡我所能提供幫助短宣隊。到達鳳凰城後，我的首要任務之一就是訂晚餐。這是在短宣隊第一次開會時就決定的。我知道我可以做研究並找到一家不錯的餐廳。這應該不會太難吧？然而，接下來發生的事情著實讓我大吃一驚。首先，出發當天我被通知到阿卡迪亞浸信會也需要一塊吃飯。因此不是訂購15人份，卻是訂購30人份！其次，我被要求將這頓飯每人的預算控制在10美元以下。當我得知新的訂單數量和每頓飯的費用時，我們已經到達亞利桑那州，而沒有選擇地點或訂購任何食物。感謝神，我能夠在預算之內找到一家足夠近的餐廳。當我們帶回食物時，每個人都餓了，剛剛完成了破冰活動！在我們到達白河之前，第一個任務就感覺很複雜，但感謝DC、何杰和Jonathan的幫助，我們完成了這任務。

我們一早啟程長途駕駛到達鳳凰城後稍作休息。鳳凰城的第一華人浸信會教堂（又名FCBC）慷慨地為我們安排有空調的體育館和淋浴設備可住宿。令我驚訝的是，那天晚上的溫度比LA更低。因為很冷，我的第一個晚上睡得不好。帶著睡袋在硬地板上躺了大約一個小時後，我意識到我的身體還沒有為這些艱苦的環境做好準備。我事先就知道我只能睡在睡袋上。但直到到達那裡我才意識到睡在地板上有多難。我試想著去白河鎮將遇到所有美好的事情。讓我的注意力集中在期待去白河鎮。隔天早上，幾位FCBC的會員很慷慨地為我們準備早餐。在健身房地板一晚疲累醒來有早餐吃的感覺真好。鳳凰城的教會熱情接待了我們。感謝主有鳳凰城的這家教會！

漸入佳境

我們開車到白河鎮大約五個小時。當我們到達白河鎮時，長長的旅途終於結束。現在是時候卸貨並開始打掃教堂。我專注於清潔和整理廚房和儲藏室。當我在廚房幫忙時，我注意到烹飪團隊已經開始準備晚餐了！我們很幸運有Lisa和何杰作為我們的烹飪團隊。我們在白河的每一天，他們都盡全力地不怕疲累地預備美味的飯菜！有時他們可能會因為要準備飯食而無法加入上午或下午的小組會議。我看到廚房團隊在YSMP中扮演著多麼重要的角色。

有一些活動是在我們到達白河並安排好住宿和服事安排後臨時決定的。我們其中一些人雖不是負責上午活動的領導，但可以幫忙籃球營、手工藝或烹飪課。籃球訓練營的第一天，負責籃球訓練營的喬治邀請我擔任小隊長。鑑於我之前有打過籃球經驗，我很願意這樣做。作為小隊長，我必須防止團隊中的孩子走散並為他們加油。我看到我的團隊在比賽中贏得了幾個獎項！儘管比賽不那麼嚴肅或激烈，但當地孩子們都享受籃球營。第二天，DC利用休息時間向年幼的孩子們分享福音。他把所有的孩子圍成一個大圈，與所有的孩子坐在一起分享福音並大聲祈禱。第三天Brian也這樣做了。在祈禱期間，我看到聖靈是如何感動年幼孩子有敬畏神之心。讚美神，有些孩子可能是第一次聽到福音！籃球營對於孩子們來說很有趣，可以練習和學習一些基本的籃球訓練，同時也可以了解耶穌。我體會到這些年輕的靈魂和他們的命運其實比我們教授的訓練和籃球課程更加重要。

隨著日子一天天過去，我對我們的日程安排越來越熟悉。每天起床、穿好衣服後，我們都會進行晨禱。在這些靈修過程中，我有時間反思我們來這裡的目的，我想與白河的阿帕奇人分享耶穌基督。每天結束時，Jonathan牧師都會召開一次團隊會議，讓我們有時間在日記、敬拜和祈禱中寫下我們學到的東西。這也讓我們有時間在一天結束時進行反思，並向小組分享我們所經歷神作工和讚美神。我看到我們的團隊每天都更加合一。

精誠團結

我在本次YSMP中的任務之一是為青少年聖經學習做準備並授課。我在家時以為我的課程已經完成，並打印了我的講義以供分享。然而，到達白河後，我意識到我的課程需要調整讓青少年能理解。另一個老師謝瑜利用他空閒時間鼓勵幫助我做好準備。總的來說，我很擔心且我的課程還遇到了其他挫折。當時我們在戶外上課，正值雷暴雨，我們一看到閃電就立馬進會堂。進去後我們不得不分成兩個房間，所以我們按性別分開。女教師Frances和Marie把女孩們帶到一間房間。在另一個房間裡，我和謝瑜帶著男孩們。我感覺到我房間裡的學生注意力分散了，所以我決定與他們分享我的見證。後來我自己忘記了課程講到哪中斷。我很感激謝瑜在我分享我的見證後一起幫忙完成了課程。

當我通過一起分享、服事和祈禱與我的團隊更親近時，我注意到我們越來越緊密，並且變得更像一個整體！為我們經驗豐富且忠誠的領隊讚美神：Jonathan牧師和DC，他們讓我們的團隊充滿活力並致力於我們的使命。我還感謝亞凱迪亞教會的領隊，他們是虔誠的青年領袖，他們讓自己的青春專注於服事和熱愛當地的白河社區。在我的分享的開頭，我提到我想知道如何向白河鎮的人們分享福音和我的信仰。我真的有機會這樣做，特別是在青少年聖經學習課程和家庭歡樂之夜（我們的最後一晚活動）。我從今年的YSMP中學到了一些。首先，我看到我們團隊的團結是如何一天天而變得更加堅強。

到最後一晚，在小組會議期間，儘管這將是我們在白河的最後一晚，但我感覺到我們的團結達到了最高水平。其次，我了解到YSMP是與當地教會合作。我們在那裡時，有當地人（年輕人和老年人）支持我們。他們不僅準備了印地安油炸包，也幫助處理我們在教堂周圍砍下的灌木碎片，幫助設置籃球網，每天晚上之後清潔和打掃教堂等等！Hoyt牧師夫婦還參與了教會VBS週的籌備和各種活動。最後，我原以為我可以靠自己努力不太需要其他人幫助，但當我在白河時，我必須非常依賴我的隊友，如果沒有他們，我就無法完成我所做的事情。如果沒有白河浸信會，即使有機會分享我的信仰，這一切也是不可能的。白河的教堂看起來我們在西洛杉磯的會堂不同。但他們和我們有共同的信仰。他們給了我機會分享我的信仰。

感謝CBCWLA給我機會參與今年的YSMP。

I chose to go to YSMP this year because I had heard from my wife Jill that it was one of the best memories of serving one another, praying with one another and just living together as missionaries! Last year I went through the Masterlife class that emphasized the importance of evangelism and sharing the gospel to people you would encounter. Despite me learning of the importance of sharing the gospel, I struggled with actually sharing my faith to people including my neighbors and coworkers. I could pray for them to be saved but to actually speak about my faith as a christian was difficult to do. I also know that one of the three visions of our church vision is that we be a mission-minded church. Early this year with these thoughts in mind, I thought of going to this year’s YSMP and help serve the church, community and share the love of Jesus. Perhaps while doing this I may see my weaknesses in witnessing and try to break out of it. 

I had set my attention on doing whatever I could to help. One of the first tasks given to me was to order dinner once we arrived in Phoenix. I took this task as it was offered early in our preparation phase at our mandatory meeting. I knew I could do research and find a nice restaurant to get food. This shouldn’t be too difficult, right? However, what happened next really took me by surprise. First, I learned that Arcadia Baptist Church would also need to eat. So instead of ordering for 15 it would be 30! Second, I was asked to keep each meal under $10. By the time I learned of the new order count and cost per meal we had already arrived in Arizona without having selected a location or ordered any food. Praise God, that I was able to find a restaurant close enough and within budget. By the time we arrived everyone was hungry and just finished the ice breakers! This first task even before we got to Whiteriver felt complicated, but I got it done thankfully with help from David, He Jie and Jonathan. 

Once in Phoenix, we got a chance to rest from the long drive and early morning start. The church in Phoenix, First Chinese Baptist Church (aka FCBC) graciously arranged for us showers and sleeping quarters inside their air-conditioned gymnasium. To my surprise, the temperature that night was actually chilly compared to my apartment in Los Angeles. Even though it was cool, my first night sleeping was rough. After lying on the hard floor with my sleeping bag for about an hour I realized my body was not prepared for sleeping on hard floors. I knew beforehand that all I would be using to sleep on was a sleeping bag. But I didn’t realize until getting there how hard it was to sleep on the floor. I tried to overcome my discomfort with thinking of all the good things that would come from going to White River. This kept my mind focused on looking forward to getting to White River. In the morning, a couple members from FCBC graciously came to serve us breakfast. It was a nice feeling to have breakfast after waking up in the gymnasium and after having an uncomfortable rest that night. The church in Phoenix provided warm hospitality to us. Thank you Lord for these churches in Phoenix! 

Our drive to White River took approximately five hours. When we arrived at Whiteriver the wait was finally over. Now it was time to unload our vehicles and start cleaning the church. I focused on cleaning and organizing the kitchen and storage space. While I was helping in the kitchen I noticed the cooking team already starting to prepare for the dinner meal! We were blessed to have Lisa Yip and He Jie as our cooking team. They worked together tirelessly throughout each day we were at White River and made some amazing meals! Sometimes they may miss the group meetings in the morning or afternoon because of the attention to their task. I saw how big of a role the kitchen team plays at YSMP. 

Some of the planning came after we arrived and settled into our living and serving arrangements for the week. Some of us who were not leaders for the morning activities had the opportunity to support and help with basketball camp, crafts or cooking class. The first day of the basketball camp I had been asked by George Chui, who led the Basketball camp to be a team captain. I was happy to do so given that I had some prior basketball experience. As team captain, I had to keep the kids in my group from wandering off and to cheer them on. I saw my team win a couple prizes during the games! Even though the games were not that serious or competitive the kids all enjoyed participating in the games. On the second day, David Chang shared the gospel with the younger kids during a rest break. He huddled all the kids in one large circle, shared the gospel and prayed out loud with all the kids sitting together. Brian Pan also did this on the third day. I could see how the spirit was moving as the kids were respectful during the prayer. Praise God, that some kids may have heard the gospel for the first time! The basketball camp was a fun way for kids to practice and learn some fundamental basketball drills but also to learn about Jesus. I saw how these young souls and their destiny became more important than the drills and basketball lessons we were teaching. 

As the days went by, I got more acquainted with the schedule we had. The beginning of every day after getting up and dressed we would have morning devotions. During these devotions, I had time to reflect on our purpose of being there and to remember it for Jesus Christ who I want to represent and share with the Apache people in White River. At the end of each day, Pastor Jonathan held a team meeting which gave us time to write things we learned in our journals, worship and prayer. It also gave us time to reflect at the end of the day and share to the group any praises or things we saw about how God was working that week. I saw our team grow more in unity each day. 

One of my responsibilities at this YSMP was to prepare and give a lesson for the youth bible study. At home I assumed my lesson was done and printed out copies of my lesson to share. Yet upon getting to White River, I realized my lesson was not ready for youth to understand. It took Yu, the youth bible study leader, in his free time to help me get prepared. Yu (or Xie Yu as he is known by) stood by me in order to help me feel prepared. Overall, I felt my bible study had other setbacks despite my worry. There was a thunderstorm so we had to go inside once we saw lightning. After going inside we had to split into two rooms so we divided ourselves by gender. The women teachers, Francis and Marie, took the girls into one room. In another room, Xie Yu and I had the boys. I sensed the youth in my room were too distracted from the move so I decided to share with them my testimony. After doing so I had forgotten where I left off from the lesson. I am grateful that Xie Yu finished covering my lesson where I had left off before I shared my testimony. 

As I got closer to my team through sharing, serving and praying together I noticed we were bonding and becoming more of a single unit! Praise God for our experienced and devoted leaders: Pastor Jon and DC who kept our team energized and engaged with our mission to serve. Also I am thankful for the leaders at Arcadia church whose devoted youth leaders kept their youth focused on serving and loving the local White River community.

In the beginning of my message I mentioned how I wanted to see how I can share the gospel and my faith to those at White River. I had opportunities to do so especially around the youth at the bible study and during the Family Fun Night (which was the last event for us). There are a few things that I learned from this year’s YSMP. First, I saw how the unity of our group became stronger as the days progressed. By the last night of our stay, during the group meeting, I could see our unity and bond so well compared to the first night. So in my experience at YSMP the unity would grow unless there were bonds made before arriving. Second, I learned that for YSMP you are going with a partnership with the local church. There were local people (young and old) who supported us while we were there. They prepared Indian fry bread, helped dispose of the shrub clippings we cut around the church, helped set up the basketball nets, clean and swept the church after each night and so much more! The local pastor, his wife and children (the Hoyt’s) were also engaged with the setting up and various activities at the church’s VBS week. Lastly, I believe I was trying to do as much as I could without help from others. Yet when I was at White River, I had to rely on my teammates so much more that I couldn’t have done what I did without them. Even for the opportunities to share my faith. None of that would have been possible if it wasn’t for this church in White River. The church in White River may look different than our church here in West LA. But the people who go there have the same faith as we do. They gave me the opportunity to share my faith with those at White River.

Thank you CBCWLA for giving me the opportunity to go to YSMP this year.

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