2010 Eric Wong

Eric with Shoshanna and Melchijah
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at a Starbucks enjoying my morning coffee and toasted sandwich. This was after a long bike ride so the meal tasted exceptionally delicious. As I was eating, I realized that the body of Christ was a lot like my sausage egg and cheese English muffin. With the English muffin as its core, the slowly simmered sausage and the carefully melted cheese on the egg defined the sandwich. Unseen to the consumer, various spices such as oil and salt were also used in the process. Each of these ingredients played a different role, but they all worked together to represent its chef in service to others.
My experience on PaLM’s short-term missions trip resembled a finely crafted English muffin.
Every year a team from the NY/NJ Metropolitan area is sent to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona to share God’s love and plan of salvation. This year, the team consisted of fourteen members. Although this quantity deviates from the normal twenty-three or so people, it was a number that amplified the body of Christ. After several training sessions, the fourteen of us headed off to Arizona. The day we arrived was only a couple of days after my annual church retreat. This meant that I was facing the mental and physical fatigue accumulated during the four days at the conference. As I looked ahead to the next 10-11 days, I did not know how it would be possible for me to serve God on this trip to my fullest capabilities.
One of the main concerns I had was the lack of human resources. There was a limited number of workers for the tasks that needed to be done. It was like preparing a meal on Top Chef without enough time and ingredients. Lessons needed to be prepared, cooking and cleaning needed to be done, skits needed to be practiced, and trips needed to be planned in the limited amount of time that was available. Not only that, but it was also expected that the work we did would be presentable. Before the missions trip even began, I felt overwhelmed with the number of tasks that needed to be completed. The Lord, however, was gracious.
Within days of leaving, God comforted my fears by showing me what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote Ephesians 4:11-13. It says that Christ equipped the members of the church with gifts “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.” Everyone on the team was a different ingredient that the chef used to create a delicious meal that was worthy of being served. In our small team, one person was in charge of cooking, another was assigned to cleaning, and yet another was given the task of leading the VBS, and still others had the role of driving. Besides the roles that could be seen outwardly, there were many different seasonings that were not visible but were nevertheless vital, such as encouragement and prayer.
The ingredient I played in the Arizona recipe was leading singspiration and K-1 in VBS. Since each member took care of his/her own role, it allowed me to focus on my part as a teacher. I was relatively new to teaching so the extra time I got to prep and reflect on the day was a blessing. Besides teaching, I also got to play volleyball, to talk, to share a meal, and to learn with the Navajos because everyone did their part. And after every day, in our debrief meetings, I got feedback from my teammates such as suggestions for improvement, encouragements, and praises. Despite the fact that we were a smaller team, we supported each other and came together to represent the body of Christ as a unit to glorify God. Eric
My experience on PaLM’s short-term missions trip resembled a finely crafted English muffin.
Every year a team from the NY/NJ Metropolitan area is sent to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona to share God’s love and plan of salvation. This year, the team consisted of fourteen members. Although this quantity deviates from the normal twenty-three or so people, it was a number that amplified the body of Christ. After several training sessions, the fourteen of us headed off to Arizona. The day we arrived was only a couple of days after my annual church retreat. This meant that I was facing the mental and physical fatigue accumulated during the four days at the conference. As I looked ahead to the next 10-11 days, I did not know how it would be possible for me to serve God on this trip to my fullest capabilities.
One of the main concerns I had was the lack of human resources. There was a limited number of workers for the tasks that needed to be done. It was like preparing a meal on Top Chef without enough time and ingredients. Lessons needed to be prepared, cooking and cleaning needed to be done, skits needed to be practiced, and trips needed to be planned in the limited amount of time that was available. Not only that, but it was also expected that the work we did would be presentable. Before the missions trip even began, I felt overwhelmed with the number of tasks that needed to be completed. The Lord, however, was gracious.
Within days of leaving, God comforted my fears by showing me what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote Ephesians 4:11-13. It says that Christ equipped the members of the church with gifts “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.” Everyone on the team was a different ingredient that the chef used to create a delicious meal that was worthy of being served. In our small team, one person was in charge of cooking, another was assigned to cleaning, and yet another was given the task of leading the VBS, and still others had the role of driving. Besides the roles that could be seen outwardly, there were many different seasonings that were not visible but were nevertheless vital, such as encouragement and prayer.
The ingredient I played in the Arizona recipe was leading singspiration and K-1 in VBS. Since each member took care of his/her own role, it allowed me to focus on my part as a teacher. I was relatively new to teaching so the extra time I got to prep and reflect on the day was a blessing. Besides teaching, I also got to play volleyball, to talk, to share a meal, and to learn with the Navajos because everyone did their part. And after every day, in our debrief meetings, I got feedback from my teammates such as suggestions for improvement, encouragements, and praises. Despite the fact that we were a smaller team, we supported each other and came together to represent the body of Christ as a unit to glorify God. Eric
2010 Jane Liu

Jane with Tia
Twenty years. It’s been twenty odd years. That’s the amount of time that elapsed since I last set foot at Bedford Park, a place I knew too well, a place that allowed me to dream, wonder and believe that everything was possible, including reaching that towering, sycamore tree which stood in front of the swing set. That was every child’s dream, that is, to reach a leaf or branch every time the swing propelled them forward. And of all the changes that took place within those twenty years, it was still there. Stoic. Resilient. Unscathed. And now at 10 pm on a Sunday evening, I don’t quite understand how Doug, my Chow Shepherd mix and I ended up, here. Of all the places we could have ended up, why here? The next thing I knew, I found myself sitting on a swing. The swing set was brand-new and the seats, rather uncomfortable. It didn’t have the same flexibility an old swing seat would have. As I propelled myself up, up, up towards that same ol’ tree with a smile on my face, Doug was tied to the fence and lying down he watched me with his tail wagging. That’s when it occurred to me. I knew why I ended up there that night…
Back in a place called Little Black Mountain Spot in Arizona, live a group of special people. And I had the privilege of meeting them a few weeks ago. I was invited into their community with every intention of giving and serving wholeheartedly. I wanted to use my gift of teaching and be used as His instrument. But unbeknown to me, God had other plans. In lieu of the lessons I planned for VBS, none could compare to the lessons I had learned. For example, it was in Arizona that I got to experience the body of Christ, as my team would edify me and keep me accountable. And the greatest part of it all was knowing that these brothers and sisters played a role in my spiritual walk. And for that, I am forever grateful. It was also in Arizona that I got to experience God through a different lens, His creation. Whether it was through our incredible hiking trips or our drive back to the compound after an exhausting day’s work, God’s handprint was evident in every sunrise, rain shower, canyon, or cattle herd. God was clearly there. It was in Arizona that God validated His purpose for me, that I could do more than simply teach in a school. He stretched me and made me uncomfortable, as I had to take a leadership role for which I am thankful for because it made me rely on Him more and myself less. In Arizona, I also learned to accept help when it was offered and not be scared to ask for help when I needed it. Who knew it would feel so liberating? And last but most certainly not least, it was in Arizona where God reminded me the importance of having faith. And not just any faith, but a childlike faith. Looking into the faces of the Navajo children, you can’t help but smile at their innocence, their resilient spirit, and their inquisitive and curious minds. Every day I looked forward to being surrounded by their disheveled hair, their dirt covered jeans, and their white smiles, which seemed to shine even brighter next to their sun-kissed auburn skin. Their spirits were so warm and their understanding of nature and the elements were so different than mine. But for some reason, every time I looked at them, I also saw reflections of my old self. In a way, God used them to remind me how jaded I had become by life’s demands and disappointments. He also used them to remind me to laugh and smile more, to believe in the things I once believed in as a child and it didn’t take very long before I started to truly believe that I served a God who cared deeply for me…
For you see, back in the compound, the first thing I noticed upon arriving was a swing set. It wasn’t anything fancy. In fact, it was anything but fancy. It had chipped red paint, squeaking chains, and 2 out of the 5 swings were no longer functional. However, that was also what made it attractive, at least to me. And a few yards from the swing set stood a flagpole. Every morning I would do my quiet time on the swing as I watched the sun completely rise. Afterwards, I would swing for a while. And my goal was always to reach the flagpole even after knowing full well it was impossible. The main reason I treasured that space was because God met me there every morning. And the more time I spent with Him, the more I leaned on His promises. Sooner than later, I started to wait in expectation for God to provide and provide He did.
That night at Bedford Park, as I continued to swing and contemplate on the lessons I learned even after my trip was over, it made me smile knowing that a couple thousand miles back in a place called Little Black Mountain Spot, children were probably on the swing set at the same time, wondering in awe about God as they too are trying to reach the seemingly unreachable. And as I walked back home with Doug, I realized that although I never reached that sycamore tree or that flagpole, God allowed me to attain something even more difficult to reach, something I didn’t even realize I had lost sight of – my childlike faith… Jane
Back in a place called Little Black Mountain Spot in Arizona, live a group of special people. And I had the privilege of meeting them a few weeks ago. I was invited into their community with every intention of giving and serving wholeheartedly. I wanted to use my gift of teaching and be used as His instrument. But unbeknown to me, God had other plans. In lieu of the lessons I planned for VBS, none could compare to the lessons I had learned. For example, it was in Arizona that I got to experience the body of Christ, as my team would edify me and keep me accountable. And the greatest part of it all was knowing that these brothers and sisters played a role in my spiritual walk. And for that, I am forever grateful. It was also in Arizona that I got to experience God through a different lens, His creation. Whether it was through our incredible hiking trips or our drive back to the compound after an exhausting day’s work, God’s handprint was evident in every sunrise, rain shower, canyon, or cattle herd. God was clearly there. It was in Arizona that God validated His purpose for me, that I could do more than simply teach in a school. He stretched me and made me uncomfortable, as I had to take a leadership role for which I am thankful for because it made me rely on Him more and myself less. In Arizona, I also learned to accept help when it was offered and not be scared to ask for help when I needed it. Who knew it would feel so liberating? And last but most certainly not least, it was in Arizona where God reminded me the importance of having faith. And not just any faith, but a childlike faith. Looking into the faces of the Navajo children, you can’t help but smile at their innocence, their resilient spirit, and their inquisitive and curious minds. Every day I looked forward to being surrounded by their disheveled hair, their dirt covered jeans, and their white smiles, which seemed to shine even brighter next to their sun-kissed auburn skin. Their spirits were so warm and their understanding of nature and the elements were so different than mine. But for some reason, every time I looked at them, I also saw reflections of my old self. In a way, God used them to remind me how jaded I had become by life’s demands and disappointments. He also used them to remind me to laugh and smile more, to believe in the things I once believed in as a child and it didn’t take very long before I started to truly believe that I served a God who cared deeply for me…
For you see, back in the compound, the first thing I noticed upon arriving was a swing set. It wasn’t anything fancy. In fact, it was anything but fancy. It had chipped red paint, squeaking chains, and 2 out of the 5 swings were no longer functional. However, that was also what made it attractive, at least to me. And a few yards from the swing set stood a flagpole. Every morning I would do my quiet time on the swing as I watched the sun completely rise. Afterwards, I would swing for a while. And my goal was always to reach the flagpole even after knowing full well it was impossible. The main reason I treasured that space was because God met me there every morning. And the more time I spent with Him, the more I leaned on His promises. Sooner than later, I started to wait in expectation for God to provide and provide He did.
That night at Bedford Park, as I continued to swing and contemplate on the lessons I learned even after my trip was over, it made me smile knowing that a couple thousand miles back in a place called Little Black Mountain Spot, children were probably on the swing set at the same time, wondering in awe about God as they too are trying to reach the seemingly unreachable. And as I walked back home with Doug, I realized that although I never reached that sycamore tree or that flagpole, God allowed me to attain something even more difficult to reach, something I didn’t even realize I had lost sight of – my childlike faith… Jane
2009 Steve Yee

Steve led Eddie to Christ.
My family would like to share with you our thoughts about the short term mission trip to Little Black Spot Mountain. We initially had not thought about going on this mission trip. However, we heard that the team was short on the required number of people. They needed at least twenty people. Our family of five would make the team even at twenty. My wife and I gathered our kids together and sharing with them the Palm mission trip. We told them to pray about for the night and we would discuss it again. The next evening, I ask my family to cast their vote to see if we should go. We voted in favor of going but with much reservation. So that night, we prayed together and ask God to lead us by faith. Our journey had begun.
Before the actual mission trip was the mandatory training. These meetings allowed us to get to know the team and work as a team. We learned about the Navajo culture, their history, their economic and spiritual condition in preparation for the trip. Three things I learned most about the training are unity, flexibility and how tough it would be to share with the Navajo. The part I worried most about was the sharing. Pastor Howard warned us that the Navajo people are very quiet, to expect one-word answers, and not be discouraged if they are not very responsive. We prepared as much as we could with the assignment that was placed upon us, but our family really did not know what to expect from this trip. We were anxious because we have never been to the reservation before and know so little about it.
The day came for the trip, we all gathered in the airport early in the morning to catch our flight. Our team was together, physically and spiritually, from that point on until the end of the trip. One lesson God has taught us is how important the team was to each other. It is so amazing how God brought together this group of people from different churches. God really taught all of us how important our actions and words are to each other. The words of encouragement lifted our spirits and helped bond our team. I found a lot of joy working with this team. The spirit of God was truly leading all of us.
The most nervous time for us on this trip was the first day of VBS, where we meet the Navajo people for the first time. One of the reasons why I had hesitated going to this mission trip was that I did not initially have a burden for the Navajo people. How could I? I never met one. Well, as it turns out, after finally getting to know some of the Navajo kids and adults, it was already time to go. The kids were so precious and friendly. The adults have had their share of hardships. Here again, God taught me that we should not base our burdens on our own feelings. We need to align the center of our hearts with what is in the center of God’s heart. And at the center of God’s heart is the burden for all His lost. As I mentioned earlier, I was nervous that the Navajo were very quiet. Praise God, through God’s work and the commitment of PaLM and all the supporters to continue their relationship by coming back each year, the heart of lot of Navajo’s were already opened for us to get to know them and to share the Gospel with them.
The enemy does not want us to share the Gospel with the Navajo. There is a spiritual battle out here. Please pray that God will continue to open doors for PaLM to continue the relationship with the Navajo. We pray that God will open the hearts of many Navajo people to forgive what has been done to them, whether by America or by missionaries; that God will heal them and draw them to Him.
My family thanks God that we did not miss His fishing trip to Little Black Spot Mountain. I pray when God presents to you an opportunity to go with Him on His fishing trip (mission trip with PaLM or otherwise), you do not miss it. If God is at the center of it, it will be the best fishing trip you can ever go on. You will come back with incredible fishing tales. A great joy for me was to see my kids grow in Christ during this trip. I ask my daughter what is one thing she learned from this trip. She said, “When I faced difficult moments, I always know that God is there.” Steve
Jonah 4:10 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.
Jonah 4:11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city.
Before the actual mission trip was the mandatory training. These meetings allowed us to get to know the team and work as a team. We learned about the Navajo culture, their history, their economic and spiritual condition in preparation for the trip. Three things I learned most about the training are unity, flexibility and how tough it would be to share with the Navajo. The part I worried most about was the sharing. Pastor Howard warned us that the Navajo people are very quiet, to expect one-word answers, and not be discouraged if they are not very responsive. We prepared as much as we could with the assignment that was placed upon us, but our family really did not know what to expect from this trip. We were anxious because we have never been to the reservation before and know so little about it.
The day came for the trip, we all gathered in the airport early in the morning to catch our flight. Our team was together, physically and spiritually, from that point on until the end of the trip. One lesson God has taught us is how important the team was to each other. It is so amazing how God brought together this group of people from different churches. God really taught all of us how important our actions and words are to each other. The words of encouragement lifted our spirits and helped bond our team. I found a lot of joy working with this team. The spirit of God was truly leading all of us.
The most nervous time for us on this trip was the first day of VBS, where we meet the Navajo people for the first time. One of the reasons why I had hesitated going to this mission trip was that I did not initially have a burden for the Navajo people. How could I? I never met one. Well, as it turns out, after finally getting to know some of the Navajo kids and adults, it was already time to go. The kids were so precious and friendly. The adults have had their share of hardships. Here again, God taught me that we should not base our burdens on our own feelings. We need to align the center of our hearts with what is in the center of God’s heart. And at the center of God’s heart is the burden for all His lost. As I mentioned earlier, I was nervous that the Navajo were very quiet. Praise God, through God’s work and the commitment of PaLM and all the supporters to continue their relationship by coming back each year, the heart of lot of Navajo’s were already opened for us to get to know them and to share the Gospel with them.
The enemy does not want us to share the Gospel with the Navajo. There is a spiritual battle out here. Please pray that God will continue to open doors for PaLM to continue the relationship with the Navajo. We pray that God will open the hearts of many Navajo people to forgive what has been done to them, whether by America or by missionaries; that God will heal them and draw them to Him.
My family thanks God that we did not miss His fishing trip to Little Black Spot Mountain. I pray when God presents to you an opportunity to go with Him on His fishing trip (mission trip with PaLM or otherwise), you do not miss it. If God is at the center of it, it will be the best fishing trip you can ever go on. You will come back with incredible fishing tales. A great joy for me was to see my kids grow in Christ during this trip. I ask my daughter what is one thing she learned from this trip. She said, “When I faced difficult moments, I always know that God is there.” Steve
Jonah 4:10 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.
Jonah 4:11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city.
2009 Regina Lie-Seid

Regina is standing between Lilly and Judy
Part
or whole?
Who is in control?
Is it God or me?
Sometimes I
wonder.
Dependency is not always comfortable,
Because often I think I am more than capable.
Of using whatever I possess,
To work hard to obtain and ensure success.
Accomplishing tasks single-handed,
Falls short of the model God intended.
Because our Creator lives in community;
The Father, Son, Spirit - in unity.
Twenty from New York were destined to be,
Of one heart and mind - a community.
Living, serving, and playing together.
Each with a unique personality and character.
God fits all the pieces to create a new whole,
Every imperfect part possessing a role.
Each had a purpose and is part of a story,
To shine for Him and to bring Him glory.
I am learning to trust and follow His lead,
Allowing me to more accurately perceive,
A reality that is not limited in view,
Of the mighty and wonderful things God truly can do.
Regina
Who is in control?
Is it God or me?
Sometimes I
wonder.
Dependency is not always comfortable,
Because often I think I am more than capable.
Of using whatever I possess,
To work hard to obtain and ensure success.
Accomplishing tasks single-handed,
Falls short of the model God intended.
Because our Creator lives in community;
The Father, Son, Spirit - in unity.
Twenty from New York were destined to be,
Of one heart and mind - a community.
Living, serving, and playing together.
Each with a unique personality and character.
God fits all the pieces to create a new whole,
Every imperfect part possessing a role.
Each had a purpose and is part of a story,
To shine for Him and to bring Him glory.
I am learning to trust and follow His lead,
Allowing me to more accurately perceive,
A reality that is not limited in view,
Of the mighty and wonderful things God truly can do.
Regina
2007 Wendy Fung

Wendy with a Navajo friend
I believe that going on any missions’ trip is taking a step outside our comfort zone. But, the experience of going on such a trip also grows us closer to our Lord and to each other, for the glory of God. I went on my first missions’ trip to Arizona with seventeen other team members. I went praying that God would use me to spread the gospel of Christ to the Navajos on the reservation. God is good. Even before I left for the Reservation, He provided my fundraising and prayer support. That was already an encouragement, followed by other blessings from the trip.
Many people imagine that it’s really hot in Arizona. However, in the areas that we lived and worked, it would be cool in the mornings and night and uncomfortably hot only in the afternoons. Aside from the weather, one of the things that stuck me was the beauty of God’s creation. On the first day of VBS (Vacation Bible School), my class learned that God is our Creator. The lesson, as it turned out, served as a reminder for me as well…yes, God is the Creator of our world. When I looked at the endless skies and vast land, it was filled with God’s glory. The beauty of the Reservation reminded me of Psalm 108:4-5: “For great is your love, higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted oh God above the heavens and let your glory be over all the earth.”
I co-taught 2nd-3rd grade tutoring and VBS. I learned to be flexible in our tutoring classes, accommodating and changing the lessons to fit the kids better. We had times to play and get to know each other better. The Navajos were friendly and open to our presence, actions and words. In our VBS classes, we reviewed the basics of who God is, who Jesus is and who the Holy Spirit is. Our team was there to share the good news of Jesus and bring them one step closer to God. When the kids had questions, I would answer as best as I could and prayed that the Holy Spirit continued to work in each of them. I was proud of the kids in my class for memorizing Romans 5:8 and reciting it at the potluck dinner on Thursday evening.
The Navajos are a simple, humble people. But since sin exists, they are also a broken people who need Jesus. Even as Christians, we aren’t perfect but by God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored and forgiven. The two weeks in Arizona seemed to start slow yet end too fast. It was a blessing to serve the Navajo alongside my team members and to be challenged daily to take up my cross. I praise God for protecting us during our time there! Going on this mission’s trip has put the Navajos closer to my heart as we shared Christ’s love in words and actions. I am thankful for the work that God has started with the previous teams and know that God will continue to grow the planted seeds of faith through our team and future PaLM teams.
Many people imagine that it’s really hot in Arizona. However, in the areas that we lived and worked, it would be cool in the mornings and night and uncomfortably hot only in the afternoons. Aside from the weather, one of the things that stuck me was the beauty of God’s creation. On the first day of VBS (Vacation Bible School), my class learned that God is our Creator. The lesson, as it turned out, served as a reminder for me as well…yes, God is the Creator of our world. When I looked at the endless skies and vast land, it was filled with God’s glory. The beauty of the Reservation reminded me of Psalm 108:4-5: “For great is your love, higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted oh God above the heavens and let your glory be over all the earth.”
I co-taught 2nd-3rd grade tutoring and VBS. I learned to be flexible in our tutoring classes, accommodating and changing the lessons to fit the kids better. We had times to play and get to know each other better. The Navajos were friendly and open to our presence, actions and words. In our VBS classes, we reviewed the basics of who God is, who Jesus is and who the Holy Spirit is. Our team was there to share the good news of Jesus and bring them one step closer to God. When the kids had questions, I would answer as best as I could and prayed that the Holy Spirit continued to work in each of them. I was proud of the kids in my class for memorizing Romans 5:8 and reciting it at the potluck dinner on Thursday evening.
The Navajos are a simple, humble people. But since sin exists, they are also a broken people who need Jesus. Even as Christians, we aren’t perfect but by God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored and forgiven. The two weeks in Arizona seemed to start slow yet end too fast. It was a blessing to serve the Navajo alongside my team members and to be challenged daily to take up my cross. I praise God for protecting us during our time there! Going on this mission’s trip has put the Navajos closer to my heart as we shared Christ’s love in words and actions. I am thankful for the work that God has started with the previous teams and know that God will continue to grow the planted seeds of faith through our team and future PaLM teams.
2007 Daniel Ngai

Daniel working on crafts
I had been looking forward to the Short-Term Missions trip to Arizona for weeks before we actually left for it. Hearing all about the Navajo people, what we were going to be doing on the Reservation and getting to know my awesome team members during training sessions gave me extremely high expectations for the trip. Little did I know to what extent my expectations would be fulfilled and ultimately exceeded.
This year, we were told that the trip would be very different than past years, in that we would be both teaching VBS and conducting tutoring. I was anxious about this arrangement—especially about being well prepared and ready enough to teach the 4th-6th grade boys. However, tutoring actually went very successfully. My co-teacher, Spencer, and I were able to help each boy almost individually. Although the addition of tutoring to our schedule doubled our workload, it was a great chance to form a personal relationship with the boys and let them know that we weren’t only there to teach them about God and be through with our trip. I am so thankful that we had this opportunity to get to know each boy well through tutoring.
Teaching VBS was also a big challenge. It took place after tutoring and after lunch, when most of the team was already very tired from teaching tutorial and running around with the kids the whole morning. Also, it goes without saying that it was a hard task to keep the boys’ listening with their short attention spans. Because the majority of them were ages nine or ten, stinkbugs, Wal-mart and “when can we have snacks” often became the topic of conversation in our class. However, when Spencer and I asked them about their faith, many of them said either that they were Christians already or that they understood salvation better. Many of the boys have been coming to PaLM’s VBS for several years in a row, and I experienced firsthand God’s faithfulness in nurturing the seeds planted by teams from past years.
Some of my fondest memories of the trip come from the time spent with the team, whether in the van, in the Big House, cooking, cleaning or playing with the kids. They were a blessing to me. The younger team members were really fun to be around (the adults were really cool too!!), and they filled our trip with laughter and made it that much more enjoyable. I was so encouraged by their willingness to serve despite the heat and their tiredness. The adult team members and “veterans” of the trip led our group with humor and fun attitudes and bestowed their various nuggets of wisdom on the younger members. They also worked their hardest even when completely exhausted. Pastor Howard and Auntie Fay (along with their whole family) and Auntie Yan’s willingness to come back to the reservation each year and minister to the Navajo is an extremely inspiring example of faithfulness. The group also taught me an important lesson—the necessity of fellowship and mutual prayer. This was made evident through our nightly meetings where we shared about the events of the days and some prayer items for the Navajo.
And the kids…what can I say about the kids? Playing and hanging out with them was definitely my favorite part of the trip. They LOVE piggyback rides, so the phrase I heard most throughout the trip was “Can I have a piggyback ride?!” When it was time for them to leave on the last day of VBS, I was so reluctant to say goodbye. Many of them are so needy, and yet they are content and find happiness in the smallest things, things that we take for granted every single day. Seeing their smiling faces and contagious joy every day was such a great experience and it’s the thing I miss the most about this STM.
The two weeks I spent in Arizona were incredible. God taught me so many things about myself, about Him, and about serving Him. Now, whenever anyone mentions stinkbugs, or Wal-mart, I smile and remember the great time I had in Arizona with the Navajo!
This year, we were told that the trip would be very different than past years, in that we would be both teaching VBS and conducting tutoring. I was anxious about this arrangement—especially about being well prepared and ready enough to teach the 4th-6th grade boys. However, tutoring actually went very successfully. My co-teacher, Spencer, and I were able to help each boy almost individually. Although the addition of tutoring to our schedule doubled our workload, it was a great chance to form a personal relationship with the boys and let them know that we weren’t only there to teach them about God and be through with our trip. I am so thankful that we had this opportunity to get to know each boy well through tutoring.
Teaching VBS was also a big challenge. It took place after tutoring and after lunch, when most of the team was already very tired from teaching tutorial and running around with the kids the whole morning. Also, it goes without saying that it was a hard task to keep the boys’ listening with their short attention spans. Because the majority of them were ages nine or ten, stinkbugs, Wal-mart and “when can we have snacks” often became the topic of conversation in our class. However, when Spencer and I asked them about their faith, many of them said either that they were Christians already or that they understood salvation better. Many of the boys have been coming to PaLM’s VBS for several years in a row, and I experienced firsthand God’s faithfulness in nurturing the seeds planted by teams from past years.
Some of my fondest memories of the trip come from the time spent with the team, whether in the van, in the Big House, cooking, cleaning or playing with the kids. They were a blessing to me. The younger team members were really fun to be around (the adults were really cool too!!), and they filled our trip with laughter and made it that much more enjoyable. I was so encouraged by their willingness to serve despite the heat and their tiredness. The adult team members and “veterans” of the trip led our group with humor and fun attitudes and bestowed their various nuggets of wisdom on the younger members. They also worked their hardest even when completely exhausted. Pastor Howard and Auntie Fay (along with their whole family) and Auntie Yan’s willingness to come back to the reservation each year and minister to the Navajo is an extremely inspiring example of faithfulness. The group also taught me an important lesson—the necessity of fellowship and mutual prayer. This was made evident through our nightly meetings where we shared about the events of the days and some prayer items for the Navajo.
And the kids…what can I say about the kids? Playing and hanging out with them was definitely my favorite part of the trip. They LOVE piggyback rides, so the phrase I heard most throughout the trip was “Can I have a piggyback ride?!” When it was time for them to leave on the last day of VBS, I was so reluctant to say goodbye. Many of them are so needy, and yet they are content and find happiness in the smallest things, things that we take for granted every single day. Seeing their smiling faces and contagious joy every day was such a great experience and it’s the thing I miss the most about this STM.
The two weeks I spent in Arizona were incredible. God taught me so many things about myself, about Him, and about serving Him. Now, whenever anyone mentions stinkbugs, or Wal-mart, I smile and remember the great time I had in Arizona with the Navajo!
2006 Vanessa Yu

Vanessa with some of her kids
As cliché as this may sound, God never ceases to amaze us with the completion of His Plan in all circumstances; His plan is essentially the only plan. This summer at Arizona was another opportunity for me to see the power of God in action in my own life. Bluntly stated, it was pretty complicated and difficult for me to come on this trip. Although I was faced with many challenges along the way, I was also able to learn/grow from these challenges.
I was actually part of the Spain team, which in the end got cancelled. My attitude towards that at first was to get angry and disappointed in God. I had switched around my summer plans in order to fit in that trip and now it was getting cancelled. It was hard for me to understand God’s plan at that time, but praise God for working in His ways and showing that He is the one in control and for giving me the great opportunity to join the Arizona team.
Joining the Arizona team, I had somewhat low expectations due to the fact that the trip to Spain was cancelled. Reflecting back on the Arizona trip now, I’ve realized that my only expectation was to “get a lot” out of it; to be stretched outside my comfort zone, be challenged/changed, and see more of God’s mercy and the works of His hands. I was challenged as I learned about the Navajo culture and their lifestyle and then learned to be able to relate and talk with them. I had never gone on a short term missions trip with adults before, so that was a challenge in itself- to be able to talk with the rest of the team and build lasting relationships with them. Lastly, I saw so much of God’s beauty in His Creations, everything from the sunsets, to the vast desert plains, to the cactus plants, the rock structures of the Grand Canyon, the relationships that formed between our team and the Navajo people, and the smiles on each of our faces at the end of each day.
I was actually part of the Spain team, which in the end got cancelled. My attitude towards that at first was to get angry and disappointed in God. I had switched around my summer plans in order to fit in that trip and now it was getting cancelled. It was hard for me to understand God’s plan at that time, but praise God for working in His ways and showing that He is the one in control and for giving me the great opportunity to join the Arizona team.
Joining the Arizona team, I had somewhat low expectations due to the fact that the trip to Spain was cancelled. Reflecting back on the Arizona trip now, I’ve realized that my only expectation was to “get a lot” out of it; to be stretched outside my comfort zone, be challenged/changed, and see more of God’s mercy and the works of His hands. I was challenged as I learned about the Navajo culture and their lifestyle and then learned to be able to relate and talk with them. I had never gone on a short term missions trip with adults before, so that was a challenge in itself- to be able to talk with the rest of the team and build lasting relationships with them. Lastly, I saw so much of God’s beauty in His Creations, everything from the sunsets, to the vast desert plains, to the cactus plants, the rock structures of the Grand Canyon, the relationships that formed between our team and the Navajo people, and the smiles on each of our faces at the end of each day.