You Gene

Just in case you haven't been blessed by eugene in your life let me introduce him to you.

This is Eugene Tseng

Eugene won't pose for me, he didn't like my suggestions. So I stole pictures. (Props to Garnet I believe)

Well the reason I want to blog about Eugene is because, throughout my Christian life, and little before it, God has very sovereignly placed people in my life that have very specifically encouraged me. A few examples include a friend I used to live with, she encouraged me and challenged me to stop being dependant on my own righteousness. Then a friend I served with, she taught me the importance of church and the inerrancy of the word. Then I lived with two brother who taught me how to serve and be humble.

Unfortunately these friends have all since stopped encouraging me for the most part. At least to the extent they used to. But thats life, the only ones somewhat gauranteed to stick with you is your family. But even they can come and go. Luckily God is everlasting and never changing.

Anyway, back to Eugene. Eugene encourages me to be gentle and disciplined. Never before have I lived with someone who woke up at the same time as me, and sometimes before me! Why does he wake up so early? He doesn't have work (though he is very studious and does research like every day). Eugene gets up to read the Word everyday! That doesn't sound like much and hey, thats expected, but sadly, at least among the brothers and sisters I know, that is a very rare thing. Eugene goes to church early so he can help the ops crew. Not many collegians, and frankly not many adults serve at Berean. It's true 10% serve the other 90% but maybe even that is too generous. But not only is Eugene in Ops crew, he's also on prayer team! That means right after setting up he and the prayer team (two more encouragements in my life) intercede for us. Actually I don't know what they pray about because I'm in first service but I think I know.

I know Eugene is genuine, selfless, and very intentional to glorify God in his service so it really sets him apart from others that I see serving. Not to judge, but I know sometimes in my own service, glorifying God is not top priority.

But apart from talking the talk and presenting himself in a "holy" way, Eugene lives it! Anyone who hangs out with Eugene knows that he cares about you more than himself. He is considerate and kind, gentle and patient, joyous and peaceful, good and self controlled...... dang starting to sound like...... fruits of the spirit?

Daily we wake up around the same time, try and work for Christ, come back and share joys, work out together encouraging each other to work hard, and we end our day praying as we sleep at the same time. Never have I been so disciplined.

I am secretly (or maybe not? i dunno) traditional, being the oldest of my family, immediate and extended. Oldest in my class, and until recently oldest among my friends. But this younger brother has totally humbled me and I am soooo thankful for him.

Let me end by illustrating his birthday last week. Eugene got a digital slr as a gift that a lot of us pitched in for. The thing is..... Eugene isn't really into photography, but he said once at Resolved that he wanted one in light of our paparazzi church group. Well someone picked up on that and decided to get him one. Though Eugene may have only had a small interest, upon receiving the camera he was very thankful and appreciative. In fact, he has since bought three accessories (charger, memory card, and photography book) to become a better photographer (he's promised me a cool picture of myself.... cool? haha). Eugene was also suprised on his birthday day, about half an hour after he went to sleep. But he smiled got up, talked with his friends, distributed cake and thanked his friends. Can I add that he got up early for DWYS the next day? Lastly, for his dinner we went to the shack and jo's pizza in santa monica. I don't know why he drove for his own dinner, but he did. Eugene likes food just as much as the other guys but we were there way past bedtime and he didn't even eat at jo's. It kinda seemed to be more for the guys than Eugene. But Eugene was very appreciative and thankful, never complaining, almost trying to please his friends in appreciating him haha.

I guess I'm just trying to express my appreciation. I think God challenges us in different ways and he is certainly challenging me through Eugene. I won't back down and I will work to be sanctified. Thank you God ^^

Eugene doesn't back down......