The Vine and the Branches "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that DOES bear fruit he PRUNES so that it will be even more FRUITFUL." ~ John 15:1-2 This year I am blessed with the opportunity to serve on leadership at my fellowship, CCF (Chinese Christian Fellowship), at Cal Poly. Even MORE.....God blessed me and a couple of others to start up a separate "Chinese-speaking" ministry. Every since my freshmen year at college, God has been consistently bringing international and exchange students (mostly chinese-speaking people) into my life. Therefore, I felt very convicted in starting this new ministry. Of course, we saw risks in doing this. Unity is a big issue because people in CCF now will have the option to choose to go to one OR the other. Some questions were raised up....."People already feel comfortable in the English ministry, would there actually be people coming?"......."How is this going to help maintain the unity of CCF?" God answered the first prayer. It is almost the end of the quarter, and there are now around 16 dedicated people who are coming to the Chinese ministry! Not only that, we are getting non-believers who are so willing to learn more and also serve along-side with us! I am so encouraged with the fruit that God is bearing, and I am excited to see what's going to happen next quarter! Now to the downside.......... This past week especially, CCF had a joint gathering BBQ at Pismo Beach. It was good seeing new and old faces at the English part of CCF. However, it was sad that only 1 other person from the Chinese part attended the BBQ..........it felt so different..........I felt so disconnected...... Personally, I was really hurt. Where is the unity in CCF? Today I was challenged by a verse in John 15:1-2.......... God is the gardener, and as gardener, He will cut off branches that do not bear any fruits. In addition, for the branch the DOES bear fruit he PRUNES so that it will be even more FRUITFUL. Pruning hurts. God knew from the beginning that starting a new ministry will require sacrifices. In my case, I feel hurt because I don't feel as connected to some of the brothers/sisters I used to be so close to. But I see fruit in the Chinese ministry, and God is telling me "Robert, you can do it! Persevere!" Learning to persevere is hard. Many times I feel like giving up, but I am revived knowing that my work in the Lord is not in vain. It's God's way, not my way. Just wanted to end with a verse..... "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." ~ Galatians 6:9 | 
