One of the highlights for me was leading a seminar during Christian Emphases Week, when HBA takes a break from its usual schedule to focus on spiritual growth.  There are special speakers, worship sessions, service projects, and seminars.  I knew immediately what seminar I wanted to teach.  I am indeed passionate about literature, but the deepest desires of my heart center, of course, on knowing and loving Christ more.  I thus put together a seminar on several writers who have helped me immensely on my spiritual journey:  Anne Lamott, perhaps the only Christian writer ever to read on National Public Radio's "This American Life"; Henri Nourwen whose The Return Of The Prodigal Son has brought me to tears countless times; Frederick Buechner, who as chaplain of a New England prep school wrote sermons for adolescents and then published them as a compilation; and, of course, C.S. Lewis.
 
     A few of the students who ended up in my seminar were believers, and a few were not sure where they were on their spiritual journeys.  That only made it more fun.  It was such a thrill to see these students interacting with the texts, laughing at jokes, examining their own lives against the ideas and ideals presented, and even, I hope, hearing the voice of God calling them higher, deeper.
 
     We ended the seminar with my favorite C.S. Lewis quote.  Speaking of his conversion from atheism to Christianity, he says:
 
           The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so
           abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly
           understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy.  The hardness
           of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our
           liberation. 
 
     We all have had times when we ask, "Why is God doing this to me?"  Or, "Why is He allowing me to go through this if He loves me?"  I explained to my students that Lewis reminds us that even those experiences we think will destroy us will only open us up more to the love of God and that even in those moments when it seems we can't bear the burdens of life anymore, God is, in His infinite goodness, freeing us to receive more of His grace.
 
 
Philippines Mission Trip
 
     Please pray for me as I will be co-leading a short-term missions team to the Philippines this June.  I first went to the Philippines as a 16-year old with our Kalihi Union Church youth group.  Now, fourteen years later, I'm leading one!
 
     Our team of thirteen people will be going to Pangasinan from June 12-26 to help with youth ministry and evangelism with our partner church, Christ Our Life Ministries.  My dad will be going as well and I am so excited to have him as part of our team.
 
Please pray for:
 
-Team training.  I am responsible for helping our team to prepare for the trip by leading seminars on missiology, spiritual warfare, team-building, cross-cultural evangelism.  Pray that God would give me wisdom and discernment.
 
-Team unity.  We asked God for a diverse team--and he answered!  We have team members from age twelve to six-something, members who have been Christians all their lives to those who have just recently found the Lord.  Perhaps most importantly we have a great variety of giftings and life experiences.  Pray that god would use all of them to build up His body for His glory.
 
-The Philippines.  The people there are so warm and generous, so open to the Good News.  Pray that God would give us divine appointments to be a blessing to these beautiful people.
 
     I will need to raise $2000 for this trip, which covers transportation, lodging, and ministry expenses.  Please prayerfully consider supporting me.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make a check to "Christian Vision" and in the memo line write "Missions."  Thank you so much for your support not only for this mission but all through the years.
 
In Christ's service,
 
Andrew Hongo