kairos 1 @ berkeley - gracepoint fellowship church

Posted by Kevin Tan:

July 4th. Independence Day. Where do I begin? We did so many things and had so much fun that, at the end of the day, it didn't seem possible that it had been just one day. We began with a winding drive up Mount Diablo, and spent much of the drive trying to solve ridiculous math riddles that, in combination with the curving road, made our heads hurt.

Regardless, once we disembarked, we were primed and ready to take on a grueling and challenging hike that would remind us of the importance of persistence, determination, and discipline. However, after three minutes of hiking, the trail leveled out. We'd driven up so far that there was no trail for us to hike!


We didn't give up, though, and found a menacing rock that all of us but Grace (who guarded our lunch!) scaled. Afterwards, we ate a lunch of sandwiches and eggs with a pinch of salt, but Tony and Yang indicated that this was nothing compared to the barbeque we were going to have later that night. I knew that I wasn't the only one excited when I heard that.


The menace.

A quick drive down to Alameda led us to our next activity, biking. Having not ridden a bike in almost four years, I was hesitant about getting on. However, I found out that it really is true that you don't forget how to ride a bike once you've learned how to, although Eugene found out that the hard part is learning how to. The coastline of Alameda was an incredible sight as we biked through, and we arrived at a grassy field next to the coastline. A game of Ultimate Frisball (Using a Football!) that pitted the experienced staff versus the energetic students ensued as the waves and birds provided the background setting. It was a very fun game that highlighted the importance of teamwork; the staff kept abusing the Ken-Tony longball and good passing and catching from everyone, but the students took advantage of a lightning fast blitzkrieg that all but tied up the score at 4 to 4. At this point we were famished, so we took a few pictures, packed up, and headed home.

Take note of Kevin and James and their lovely pose.

Back at Yang's new place, the kitchen bustled with students and staff alike washing vegetables, peeling corn, and making beef patties. Some of the guys set up the grill outside, while others who had nothing to do played with some very realistic Nerf Guns! The patties and hotdogs hit the grill, and the incredible aroma had us all very hungry but very happy. Before long, everyone was seated with a home-made hamburger, Yang's specialty salad, Dora's scalloped potatoes, grilled corn on the cob with a special honey sauce, and huge hot dogs. Yang's specially ground beef was spectacular, with a nod to the secret ingredient that made it all come together: bacon!. It was one of the best meals that I ever had for July 4th, and many people agreed. After we finished cleaning up, everyone took a popsicle and headed out for the finale: fireworks.



As we waited for fireworks, we played Word Volleyball, another ridiculously fun Korean game. And although we weren't able to see any fireworks up close, we were able to watch multiple displays all over the Bay, capping off an amazing day. I personally was very happy for the opportunity to share a part of my life with a few new people I hadn't met before, as well as strengthen the bonds that I'd had with those that I did know. All in all, I truly felt, and still do feel, that our July 4th was a window into the fellowship and celebration that God desires all of his children to enjoy, a window into heaven, if you will. Praise the Lord for his guidance over our lives, and for the opportunity to develop and strengthen new and existing bonds with our brothers and sisters. As I told a friend later, "If you didn't have fun today, there's got to be something wrong with you!".