4/15/06 Congratulations Tina and Darien!

Congratulations to Tina and Darien for their Baptism/Confirmation! (Click the thumbnail to see all pictures)

4/8/06 Passover Dinner Event

AMAZING event by Martina and all the Lighthouse members! WOW! Write your own comments about this memorable event!

It's an informative and delicious fund raising event!


A tone of hard work behind the scene:


Thank you everyone!

3/31 to 4/2 Retreat: To Live and Die with Jesus

Wow. What a weekend! The retreat was at the beautiful San Juan Bautista, about an hour south of San Jose. Some 60 people came to listen to Father Pan, an inspirational speaker and priest from Taiwan.

Father Pan covered many topics, including the hope we have as Christians, the great love God has for us, the Eucharist as the highest peak of the liturgy, and the paths we can take in our lives.


Briefly, Father Pan explained to us that the hope (盼望) for us Christians is one that will never be dashed, unlike the many hopes of this world. This is because the Christian's hope already been fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus we can live peacefully and look forward to life after death.

Father Pan also related the story of a French woman named Marthe Robin, to remind us how suffering and death can be beginnings of greater things (just as a seed must die in order for it to bear fruits). Marthe, born in 1902, became bedbound by a mysterious illness when she was in her late teens. But her love for God never abated. Though by 25, she lost ability to swallow and eat and lived only on the weekly Eucharist, and though she suffered weekly the stigmata of Christ (the intense pains of Christ's death on the cross), she was willing to dedicate her life to God. She lived to be 78. During her life, she met tens of thousands of people who visited her at her small room, and inspired many, including Father Finet who with help of Marthe, started a lay movement called Homes of Charity (Foyer de Charité). Similarly, Jesus died but his death was not the end. Rather it brought about the salvation for all.

In his final lecture, Father Pan compared the journey of the two disciples in Luke 24:13-35 to the journey of our lives. We are like the disciples. Jesus takes the initiative to come into our lives (not vice versa). However, it is often difficult to recognize Christ in our lives. But our task does not end when we believe in Jesus. Rather, it is the beginning of our mission to spread the Good News. This bible passage also highlights the importance of the Breaking of the Bread.

Eight Lighthouse members attended this retreat. During one afternoon, we took a short trip to the 200-year-old Mission of San Juan Baptista (see picture at right).

It is truly wonderful to see such a young and enthusiastic priest, very knowledgable in theology to lead this retreat. Let's pray for Father Pan and for all priests who work so hard, that they stay healthy and continue to inspire believers and non-believers.

4/1/06 Testimony of the Samaritan Woman (John 4)

With most of the members going to the two excellent retreats, a small group met at Shih-Chi and Liu Lei's warm and beautiful home. Jenny prepared maps of key geographic locations referenced in the scripture, and lead us in the study of John 4.

After the sharings, the wonderful hosts provided a delicious and abundant "Love Feast", Liue Lei even played her Accordion for us. Check out the pictures and emails to see what you've missed!

Here are some emails after the meeting:

#1 of 2

Thank YOU, Shih-Chi and Lei, For your wonderful hospitality! It was one of the most enjoyable bible study meetings ever! Thank you, too, Jenny, for the nice visual aides :) And Tony and Wendar for enhacing my leaning experience, as always. See you at the Passover Meal, Tina

#2 of 2

Dear Shih-Chi and Lei, You two are wonderful hosts, we enjoyed your warm and loving home very much. Thank you very much for hosting and providing the healthy and delicious love feast with strawberries, porridge, and my favorite egg tart. It was delightful to hear Lei playing the Accordion. Like Tina's thumb indicated in the picture, you guys are the best. :) Sometimes, it is only in a small group like what we had last time, we are able to have close interactions with each other. Thank you Jenny for the wonderful preparation and lead, it was also very touching to hear Tina's story and Lei's story about the conversion of her roommates. In deed, it is not at this mountain or at that mountain, it is the worship in Spirit and in Truth that is the most precious. Praise and thank the Lord for giving us this opportunity to share our 'life' together. May God bless and lead us always, +Tony & Wendar