ivstaff_binghamton's Xanga

NYC Alumni Service Opportunity!

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:52:30 GMT

Hey there! For those of you in New York City, check out this great opportunity with World Vision and InterVarsity:

InterVarsity Alumni - New York would like to invite you to our second event this summer - a service project with the Storehouse of World Vision. The Storehouse is currently having a Backpack Drive in hopes of distributing more than 7,500 backpacks and zippered binders filled with basic school supplies to give to children in need throughout NYC. You can be a part of that by volunteering a few hours to help compile some of these backpacks. Here are the details to the service project:

Date: Saturday, August 4th
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: The Storehouse at Worldvision, 900 East 136th Street, Bronx, NY
RSVP at: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/jennifereyu@gmail.com/ivanserviceproject

Also, check out our website at www.ivcfnyc.org/alumni to find out about other events for this summer!

Basileia 2007

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:15:08 GMT

(most of the crazy Binghamton crew)

I had lunch with a student yesterday and we talked a bit about Basileia, in what was an encouraging conversation for me.

She said that all semester she has been hearing that we want to be about seeing students and faculty transformed, the campus renewed, and world changers developed. She said she became torn – for someone just looking for a safe place, a youth group, that isn’t a safe direction to head. That kind of purpose and vision seemed audacious.

(pam and janahlee)

Through the spring, she realized how much potential exists within our group, even while being disappointed in how we were squandering it. She started to think that maybe she was crazy, but we actually could be a group asking God for big things.

Two important things happened for her at Basileia:

1) She was affirmed – she was told that her discontent with the status quo and her desire for change wasn’t crazy! She met other people who wanted the same things for their campuses.

2) She was equipped (her words). We were not only trusting God with a big vision, but we also wanted her to have the tools to pursue it. She felt like she walked away with greater vision and practical skills.

Basileia means ‘kingdom.” This students’ experience is just what I hope Basileia is – a week to enlarge the vision of what it means to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God on campus, and to equip students with the tools they need to cooperate with God to see his purposes lived out. She was one of 19 Binghamton students at Basileia this year. I am thankful.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Sat, 05 May 2007 01:20:31 GMT

At the slender open throat of

morning glories

hear the buzz buzz buzz

of drunken bees

wondering at their unpopularity

as, bewildered, they go about

the business of buzzing and being,

bringing forth

fruit from stubborn trees

Broken Families

Sat, 05 May 2007 00:53:14 GMT

Tonight I spoke at InterVarsity. I agreed to it in January, and then it promptly flew out of my head, as things are apt to do.

The topic was an important question: Where is God when my family is broken?

I had scheduled a retreat day yesterday and couldn't really work on the talk much, and I feared I had mistreated this important topic, so I had no choice but to release it and its outcome to God during my prayer day. You would all hope I would have released it before the crisis point, but no, apparently I thrive on miserable drama.

SoI went into tonight nervous, knowing it would not be the best talk I've ever given, but also thinking that God would use it in some way. Someone told me that I kept turning red while speaking (thank you Scottish heritage), which I think happens when my emotions are close to the surface.

Many of us have brokenness in our families, and some have a LOT. I think at the least, God used tonight as a catalyst for people to start talking to and praying for each other. I hope he continues to work in deeper and significant ways. I got to pray with a woman with a difficult family situation, and I thought about how Jesus must care so much.

I used the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as our model for a messed up family (gosh they were dysfunctional) but also one through whom God gave blessing and provision. I have hope for us.

Virginia Tech

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:32:13 GMT

As I listen and read breaking news and commentary, finding the same stories, I wonder how Binghamton students are feeling in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings.

At a daily prayer meeting on campus I half-expected to see more, but it was just the usual Tuesday crowd. Are we praying? I have been surprised by my own reaction – in the face of national or world tragedy I am often sad or prayerful, but it doesn’t enter my day in a palpable way. I have an ability to focus on what is in front of me in the moment, but yesterday I found myself preoccupied and a little bit anxious.

Perhaps it’s because this happened on a college campus. Knowing there is an InterVarsity chapter there, I think of them as my students. Maybe it’s because the shooter was Asian American – I fear that my students will feel deeper sorrow and shame in that common identity. I fear the media enforcing frustrating or hurtful Asian stereotypes in their coverage.

I have found wisdom in the words of some of my colleagues. One has issued a call to lament. I am too quick to fix and too slow to cry out to God, not with answers but with anguish and grief, trusting his grief to run deeper.

One reminded us that many campuses around the world experience violence against students a common experience (even at the hands of their own governments), and encouraged us to pray in solidarity with them.

Who can make sense? Grace and peace be us all today.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:24:46 GMT

What do you get when over 22,000 people get together for five days of worship, Bible study, challenging discussions and prayer?

You get tired, that's what! That's why I haven't updated my xanga yet. But more than tired, you get excited about what God is doing through the Church, and this generation of students! I will update as soon as I scam some good pictures off the students (I only took a handful) and I'll fill in some stories.

If you just can't wait and wish you were there, you can listen to the Urbana speakers in the comfort of your own home (I know!) by clicking the icon below access to the webcast.



And, if I haven't quite figured out how to link a picture with a site, click HERE. (My students are embarassed for me).

I plan to revisit a few talks myself in the next few days. Check back soon!

Prayers for Urbana

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:46:47 GMT

Twenty seven! There are 27 students from Binghamton attending Urbana this year, mostly from InterVarsity. There are also four Binghamton alumni, two in the Open for Business track. I have asked each of the students to get someone to pray for them while they are there, and I also invite you to pray for us!

Delegates arrive on December 27 and leave January 1. I will arrive December 26.

Please pray that we are attentive to the Holy Spirit, for what he might say to us as individuals and also what he might say to us collectively as we pursue mission on campus. Pray for COURAGE to obey.

Please pray that nothing would distract us from the things the Lord will say or do -- sickness, confusion, unresolved conflict, sleepiness, etc.

Please pray that students make wise choices about sleep, time, seminars, and money while at the Convention.

Please pray for me as I facilitate morning Bible studies and afternoon seminars. I have long hours at Urbana and early mornings. Please pray for my health and my attitude, that I see it as a privilege to serve in simple ways that enable the delegates to listen to the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers! I'll update you after I recover from Urbana!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:36:12 GMT

3 out of 5 people who visit this site know Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko, or wish they did.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:30:29 GMT

What are YOU reading? If you are an Asian American woman, or an Asian American man who cares about Asian American women, or hey -- even someone who has possibly ever even read a book by Amy Tan ...have I got a book for you.

Hot off the presses, InterVarsity's: More Than Serving Tea -- Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership and Faith.

I hope this book will be read and discussed in campus fellowships, small groups, and churches.
Here is just one of the comments recommending this book (from a former Urbana speaker):

"Boldly exposes the key struggles Asian American Christian women face in embracing their personal identity in Christ and expressing their kingdom discipleship interacting with critical issues like ethnicity, gender, family, society, traditions, etc. With a brimful of insights and inspiration, this volume is a must read for both genders of all races and cultures."

—Dr. T. V. Thomas, Cochair, International Network of South Asian Diaspora Leaders (INSADL)

Rain Update

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:24:27 GMT

The county was under emergency while it dealt with floods, stranded cars, and mudslides. I got a call last night that my pastor's son was swept away off the road, and they "expected the worst." He was later found alive in a tree.

Anyway, I knew campus was bad when I left. Apparently, it got worse Here are some pics:

Walking toward the Union... First Floor Watson Engineering Bldg.

Watson Lecture Hall

Things are getting better now.