On June 7, the annual picnic of the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington (CCCGW) once again took place at the scenic Black Hill Regional Park. More than 200 brothers, sisters, and friends gathered to enjoy a time of fellowship in the Lord, sharing delicious food, participating in fun games, and delighting in one another’s company.

One of the most unpredictable aspects of the annual picnic is the weather, and this year was no exception. Leading up to the event, the forecast raised some concerns. On the morning of the picnic, as the setup team arrived at the park before 10:00 a.m., heavy rain was still pouring down. But as people began arriving from all directions, the clouds gradually lifted, the rain subsided, and by 10:30 a.m., the sky cleared and the sun broke through. Once again, God’s faithfulness and mercy were on full display—He is the Lord who hears our prayers and governs the heavens! Special thanks to Brother Steve Lee, our Official Board Chairman,  who steadfastly moved forward with the event despite the uncertain forecast, and to all the brothers and sisters who united in prayer and trust in God.  This weather-tested faith made this year’s picnic especially precious, meaningful, and filled with thanksgiving.

 The picnic was a full-church effort, with every fellowship contributing in unity and coordination to ensure the event ran smoothly. Starting from 9:00 a.m., various serving teams arrived early to prepare food and set up the area. The “BBQ Vanguard Team”—composed of Brother Jian Zhang and his son Aaron, along with Brothers Guozhang Yu, Kun Zhang, and Xuelong Wang—were among the first to arrive. They brought all the barbecue equipment and food supplies, took charge of setting up the site, and manned the grill throughout the day.

Nearly every fellowship contributed, in one way or another, to the delicious food shared at the picnic. Martha Fellowship prepared lettuce, onions, and tomatoes for burgers and fried chicken. Living Water and Mark Fellowships teamed up to provide cold noodles and tea eggs. Genesis Fellowship brought eight large watermelons and sliced them fresh on-site. The Youth Unity Fellowship prepared ice and five gallons of lemonade and helped transport bottled water. Carmel Fellowship was in charge of moving audio equipment, banners, tables, and chairs, while also assisting with food distribution. The English Women's Fellowship and Jiamei Fellowship each prepared large trays of salad and helped with serving food as well.

The picnic feast was truly abundant and satisfying: savory beef burgers and hot dogs, fresh salads, stir-fried noodles, grilled lamb skewers, crispy French fries, flavorful tea eggs, refreshing watermelon slices, cold noodles, and Brother Jian Zhang’s signature fried chicken wings—all paired with icy lemonade and plenty of drinking water. There was something to delight every palate!

Additionally, there was no shortage of volunteers who helped the event run smoothly. In terms of activities, Sisters Yin Yin and Yutao Liu coordinated the games, bringing energy and fun to the day. Sister Sheila Lee thoughtfully brought water guns for the children, while Sister Shawny Yang set up a face-painting booth that was a big hit with the little ones. On the registration and ticketing front, Sisters Grace Sang and Shurong Ying managed the on-site check-in. The ticketing team, led by Brother Tong Woo, handled ticket sales and crowd flow. The raffle, organized by Sister Ada O’Donnell, Brothers Kevin Yeh and Tony Woo, and Sister Grace Sang, featured beautiful prizes generously donated by several sisters, adding an element of extra surprise and joy to the event.

Elder Stanley Chan served as the host for the event and personally delivered supplies to the park. Elder Chan and his wife Cindy arrived early at the church that morning to assist with transporting supplies, laying a strong foundation for a successful event. Brother Guozhang Yu acted as co-host, offering hands-on support throughout the day.

​​Throughout the day, children ran about joyfully with water guns while adults enjoyed delicious food, played shuttlecock, and took part in various fun games. Each time someone won a raffle prize, cheers erupted and faces lit up with delight. The entire park was filled with warmth and laughter, made even more enjoyable by the nearby amenities—playgrounds, volleyball courts, fishing spots, and boating areas—all of which contributed to a rich and unforgettable day.

One notable highlight was the flexibility and thoughtfulness shown by brothers and sisters in response to the uncertain weather. To ensure the freshness of the food and prevent potential waste if the event had to be canceled, they chose to delay purchasing all the ingredients. Though this made the prep work more intense and challenging, their care, love, and wisdom in service were fully evident.

The Lord truly provided for every need—from the weather to the manpower, from the food to the co-workers—His grace and love were present in every detail. May we remember this joyful, united gathering as a beautiful testimony in our spiritual journey. To our faithful and good God who hears prayers, be all the glory and praise! Just as we sang together before the picnic began—“How Great Thou Art”—our God is truly great beyond measure!