From JOHN TENG, Lay Director for Walk to Emmaus # 51, November 6-10, 2011

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope all of you found time during the summer to relax and spend time with loved ones. In the summer months, a wonderful group of men  answered the call to serve on Walk #51. As we enter the month of September, the team is beginning to work together to lay the foundation for the “best walk ever”.

My original walk in the fall of 2006 (WTE #33) was an important milestone in my spiritual journey with the Lord. It was at that Walk that I was so overwhelmed by the Lord’s love for me; I left the weekend with a burning heart to serve the Lord! It was a truly uplifting experience for me.

It was also at that Walk that I first took note of John 10:10—the verse I have chosen for WTE #51. This verse spoke to me personally and powerfully. I always had the tendency to worry and be cautious about every little thing (I still do…). So much so that I missed out on many wonderful things in life because I was afraid or hesitant to try them. Fear had clouded many of my decisions. With John 10:10, I felt the Lord spoke to me, John Teng, “Do not worry! I came so that you may have life and have it abundantly!”

I also came away from the Walk with a better appreciation for the communion—an abundant and joyful feast that the Lord has set for us! The Walk is a feast where we can come and taste the sweetness of the Lord. Moreover, like all feasts, this feast is not enjoyed alone, but with a community, with the Body of Christ.

Therefore, with each Walk, we come together as a community to enjoy the abundant feast that the Lord has prepared for us. We are also called to invite others to enjoy this feast: please pray about who you can invite to this feast as the pilgrims for the upcoming Walks in the fall.

Please lift up team members for WTE 51 & 52 and their loved ones in your prayers as we prepare for the Walk to Emmaus weekends. We will also need your hands and feet during the weekend. Come and taste the abundant feast!

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all! Amen!

De Colores!

John Teng

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FROM CARLA BASTO CLARK, Lay Director for Walk #52 on November 10-13, 2011

Dear All,

Happy Fourth Day.  We are about to begin our Team Meetings for WTE #52.  I am looking forward to working and praying together, and to all the wonders that God has in store for each of us.

So many of the Team have expressed a sense of nervousness, and feelings of inadequacy for their role, in anticipation of the Spirit’s awesome work.  For my part, I have come to see these ’service butterflies’ as crucial friends.  They prepare me to follow Christ more closely, because when I am nervous, I clasp His hand more tightly.

Our Team Verse encapsulates these feelings.   Psalm 27:13-14 says:

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness, while I am here in the land of the living.  Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

It begins with an expression of faith: “Yet”, i.e., despite my anxieties, I know that we will see heavenly wonders, and I believe that His kingdom will come “here” and now.   But I’m reminded not to rush ahead with my own agenda, I have to “wait patiently for the Lord”, by listening to His voice and being attentive to His instructions.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have to wait quite a while for an instruction from the Lord, and it seems to come at the eleventh hour, it definitely requires patience and trust. The Psalmist even encourages me through my anxiety “be brave and courageous”, and again (because He knows I need frequent reminding) “wait patiently for the Lord”.

I am always amazed at how gently the Creator of the cosmos invites us to be part of His body.  But He doesn’t stop there, He equips and guides us in the task, and there is such peace in following His directions, step by step, isn’t there?  I love working on an Emmaus Team, and seeing how the Spirit breathes joy and love into and through each one of us, allowing us to feel His kingdom come.

Whether Christ asks you to speak, pray, sing, clean, counsel or cook over the weekend, you do it for Him alone.  And I pray that you will be surprised, delighted and blessed way beyond your expectations for your part on this Walk.

De Colores !
Carla Basto Clark