home
home feels so weird. i didn't expect to miss everyone as much as i do right now. we left SD and came home today. saying goodbye to non-LA people was hard. as i tried to clean my room earlier (and failed), i started to think about the tour.memories from nasa stuck with me the most, for some reason. there's something about that gym that was very comfortable to me. i learned so much more than i thought i did. God put each of us through different trials on the tour, some of them together as a team and some individually. the whole tour was an emotional and spiritual roller coaster ride for me. but now that it's all over, i'm so glad i went through all of that. i'm so thankful for the new relationships i have with team members. i hope that we will keep talking like we do now. the people that we met on the tour have contacted me already! i was so happy to hear from them when i came online tonight. God truely moved hearts. i feel so privileged to be used by Him and to be part of this ministry.
all of the frustrations and distress have melted away. i miss performing and meeting new friends. i miss that stinky van and everyone cramming around the sink in the morning. music ministry has not been what i expected, but God definitely showed me a different side of Him on this trip.
thank you guys for reading these things and supporting us :] it's so encouraging to know that people are praying for us and our struggles. i can't wait to see you guys tomorrow! yay :D
08/03/2006
norcal is cold
it's weird to be in a cold, windy city when we were just in hot and humid texas a couple weeks ago.the tour is more than halfway through! i feel like it's going by so quickly, but when we try to remember our last meal, it always seems like it was so long ago. the team is getting closer and more comfortable with each other, and when that happens, it's inevitable to have some tension and frustrations between team members.
i've been learning so much about patience and respect. having to live with 15 other people has shown how people handle things in all types of situations. it's been such a blessing and challenge to be on this tour.
when we're all hanging out and ministry or performing on stage though, i truly feel the team working as one for the glory of God. it's such a great feeling to see the faith of the team grow day by day and to see bonds and relationships within team members and also with the people we have met. all in all though, this team and this tour has blessed me so much. God works in mysterious ways for sure! He has thrown us curve balls knowing that we'll only become stronger as a team. i was talking to a teammate earlier and we both agreed that if we really needed to talk, we can talk to any one of the team members. i'm so glad :]
some prayer requests:
- patience of the team
- stronger faith
- physical health
- spiritual growth
- the people we have met
- the people we will meet
- i had a talk with my dad right before we left on tour. he came to see the harvest LA performance and saw everyone worshiping and jumping around. he told me that he supports me going on this trip even though he's not a christian, but he doesnt support people putting religion and God before everything else in their lives. He said that it's ok to believe, but he doesnt want me to prioritize that belief. even though i don't agree with that, my dad's opinion means a lot to me. recently, when i've been deep in prayer or worship, his words come to mind and it becomes extremely distracting. i feel that i'm not able to worship before God freely. please pray for me.
please keep us in your prayers! thanks guys! i miss you all :D
07/19/2006
On the Road Again!
EFC nasa has been so much fun and such a blessing. we left the church this morning and started our way to Arizona. We felt so much warmth at the church. They showed tremendous hospitality and it was easy to bond with the kids at the church. Not many of them came to our performance, but the ones who did come told other people about us and a lot more of them came to BBQ in the extremely hot weather for us.
We spent most of our time at EFC nasa, but went to perform at EFC Houston on Sunday morning. I talked and prayed for a girl named Amanda there. She was such a happy and outgoing person. We were able to talk while playing ping pong. We exchanged information but i can’t really get in touch with her until after the trip. Please pray for her and her summer. she’s in high school and is pretty new to EFC Houston. I hope she finds her home at the church!
I’m starting to feel pretty comfortable.. and I don’t think that’s good. I feel that I’m starting to drift away from “missions” mode and falling into “vacation” mode. Maybe it’s because we are traveling so much in our vans. Please pray for our team, for willing and unselfish hearts. I know that some of the team members are feeling drained physically and spiritually. Also for me, please pray for patience and focus.
Thanks guys :] it’s been a great tour so far, and it has only been a week! I am learning so much. I will try to update soon!
07/10/2006
leaving tmw!
ahh! it didnt really hit me until i started packing today. what a crazy ride it has already been. our second performance at harvest LA was much improved. it helped to see so many familiar faces in the audience. i think the team was a lot more relaxed and natural also. i can't wait to hit the road!
but ofcourse.. there will be carsickness and long hours of pee holding. hahaha. it will be great :D
thank you SO MUCH for my supporters.. for all the encouraging letters and notes. i wouldn't be on this trip without your faithful prayers and support. thank you!
07/02/2006
first performance
the irvine performance went pretty well. it was so encouraging to hear that it relates to people and that it touched them. we still have some kinks to work out, but it’ll only get better from here! praise God! a big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support us! please keep us in your prayers!
I love seeing the weird and wacky sides of team members. It’s gonna be a fun summer :D
Sandy Tsai
at a glance
- Home church
- EFC Los Angeles
- Instruments
- vocal
- School
- 4th year at Art Center College of Design, majoring in product design
- Hometown
- Tai-Chung, TW
- Hobbies
- design, beach, swimming, shooting pool, guitar, movies, shopping, dancing, eating
- Bible verse
- Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Movies
- The Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean, Memento
- Favorite Quote
- "It's not just good...it's good enough." - Krusty the Clown
my story
I was born in Taiwan and came to America when I was 11. I grew up going to church in Taiwan, but failed to find a church I felt comfortable in when I came here. When I was a sophomore in high school, I was invited to a friend’s church and accepted Christ that year. I fell away from God and church after struggling with issues dealing with self worth, but I recommitted my life to God last summer during a missions trip.
I am most “in tune” with God when I am hiding in my closet alone in the dark with my guitar, singing to Him. I “tune in” especially well when I am incredibly stressed and am completely dependent on God.
I am on this trip because I wanted to dedicate my summer to God and I was very drawn to Music Ministry. I want to share my joy in God through worship and music. I hope to reach others through sharing my experiences of how God has taught me in the past.
i confess...
- I've cracked my voice when singing.
- I can't sleep in a room if the closet door is open.
- I open up to others easily.
- I don't read my Bible everyday.
- There are times when I tune out from God.
- I bite my nails.
- I've hugged a stranger.
- I've cried in public.
- I believe in true love.
- I forget to pray before I eat.
- Sometimes I choose other things over quiet times.
- I peek during prayer sometimes.