Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
ONE MORE DAY!!
Since the day of my graduation on the 21st all the way up till today, been feeling lots of different feelings! Watching my dad and mum cry at my graduation really encouraged me (: Not in a sense of me being gleeful at the sight of my parents crying but that I knew that as hard as it was for them to see me leave, they were proud of me (: and they knew they had to release me (: This is a long way from the day I remember first telling them about God speaking to me to go into the mission field. They thought it to be absolutely ridiculous and one of the many outrageous things that I would suggest to them that I wanted to do. It was a difficult time for me to see how my parents didn't support me but just seeing them cry that day, I knew that God softened their hearts already. My parents said YES somewhere at the beginning of November and I can see God really moving in their lives! They took a step of faith to do something many parents would probably never do - allowing their little girl to be sent to a place where they cannot see but can only pray for me and allowing me to stop school for a whole year just so to obey the call of God on my life. They have been crying every time I'm prayed for on the platform! Forever will I thank them for taking this step of faith even though I know how difficult this is for them, I LOVE YOU MUMMY & DADDY (:
Wow, it's crazy when you consider how in just a day's time my life would completely be changed. It's not a 5D4N camp where I can come home if I didn't enjoy myself, that at least I would go home soon. 10 months! New bed, new home, new family, new church, new life but same God (: It is scary to think how I will be leaving all these behind for 10 months and yet this excitement I have that I cannot explain or express is bubbling in me! It's like this sadness and nervousness of taking this step of faith but knowing for sure in your heart that this is one step that I will never EVER regret. I want to know God like never before and I know during this 10 months, it'll be just me and God really. He'll comfort me in times of need and when I start to miss home and everything back here, He'll be the one to embrace me and give me strength and focus to press on (: Or when I start to get discouraged and question what in the world am I doing here, God will be my loudest cheerleader!
Will I miss home? Yup I will. But I am so honored and privileged to know that I can partner with God in this wonderful plan He has for the land of Timor Leste. To be able to just play my little role in His grand scheme of things. Sometimes God calls us to things so much bigger than ourselves, it can be ending a wrong relationship that you thought you will never make it out of, or a call on your life that you cannot imagine being fufilled through you or even just being a net leader this year! But when God calls, be sure that He will be faithful and give you sufficient grace to see you make it and come out victorious! He uses all those weaknesses and turns them around for His glory! When He works, He doesn't need our help! But what an honor that He would want us, these little dumb things that constantly disappoint him, to partner with Him. Sounds so funny, but knowing Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm not saying this lightly because I've KNOWN OF Jesus for coming 21 years but really known Him personally only when I was 14. The changes He has done in my life and where I am today is solely because of the continuing work that Jesus is doing in my life. Surrender is the toughest thing to do but once you allow God to take full control of your life, it'll be a life surely worth living!
Haha sorry I talk too much sometimes when I get carried away! Go crazy for Jesus and watch what happens! (:
Wow, it's crazy when you consider how in just a day's time my life would completely be changed. It's not a 5D4N camp where I can come home if I didn't enjoy myself, that at least I would go home soon. 10 months! New bed, new home, new family, new church, new life but same God (: It is scary to think how I will be leaving all these behind for 10 months and yet this excitement I have that I cannot explain or express is bubbling in me! It's like this sadness and nervousness of taking this step of faith but knowing for sure in your heart that this is one step that I will never EVER regret. I want to know God like never before and I know during this 10 months, it'll be just me and God really. He'll comfort me in times of need and when I start to miss home and everything back here, He'll be the one to embrace me and give me strength and focus to press on (: Or when I start to get discouraged and question what in the world am I doing here, God will be my loudest cheerleader!
Will I miss home? Yup I will. But I am so honored and privileged to know that I can partner with God in this wonderful plan He has for the land of Timor Leste. To be able to just play my little role in His grand scheme of things. Sometimes God calls us to things so much bigger than ourselves, it can be ending a wrong relationship that you thought you will never make it out of, or a call on your life that you cannot imagine being fufilled through you or even just being a net leader this year! But when God calls, be sure that He will be faithful and give you sufficient grace to see you make it and come out victorious! He uses all those weaknesses and turns them around for His glory! When He works, He doesn't need our help! But what an honor that He would want us, these little dumb things that constantly disappoint him, to partner with Him. Sounds so funny, but knowing Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm not saying this lightly because I've KNOWN OF Jesus for coming 21 years but really known Him personally only when I was 14. The changes He has done in my life and where I am today is solely because of the continuing work that Jesus is doing in my life. Surrender is the toughest thing to do but once you allow God to take full control of your life, it'll be a life surely worth living!
Haha sorry I talk too much sometimes when I get carried away! Go crazy for Jesus and watch what happens! (:
Monday, February 16, 2009
God's heart for missions
Pastor Boey (Asst Pastor of the JB church) & The Team! (: He really is an inspiration,
A man of God!
On friday, our teams got an opportunity to see the fruit of VFC's heart for missions in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The church there was set up in 1980 and now has a congregation of 3000 people! We were there to visit the social works that the church started there, 32 in total. They are fully supported by the government which is rare for a church because it is a muslim dominated country. But the government has acknowledged that the homes and rehab centres they set up works and have such a high success rate that now, even the government is behind them! (: If God is with you, who can be against you!
That was what VFC used to be called in the old days!
While waiting for the pastor to come back we went for Prata!
[left] Yuan Yee looking happy!
[right] Pei pei really wanted a picture like this to show how she does not have a body or something like that, it was quite hilarious :D
Picture of the ladies who are in their 30s! HAHA okay if they see this I am doomed.
The JB Church:
All the vans we saw that was owned by them had these words like, "Jesus is Lord", or for those that we used by the homes had, "Jesus is Hope". Pretty cool (:
On the way to the first home, we drove past a really cool home with this driveway! Wasnt fast enough to catch the house itself but it was NICEEE. Very Orange County-ish.
The first home that we stopped at was a Drug Rehabilitation Centre. Outside they had these signs!
[left] The name of the centre - Calvary Care Centre. Was really proud of being from our church seeing the name of our church everywhere! (:
[right] Chinese for "Jesus Loves You" (: He really does! (:
This room I THINK, means Prayer Room, I THINK. It's for those who just entered, they'll be put there to pray, separated from the rest until they are ready to live with the rest of them. Inside there, the chinese words are a verse i think :D
Two extremely beautiful puppies on the compound!
The guy in blue is Bro Raymond from the R3/4 team to Remexio. The other guy in brown beside him is one of the head supervisors of the place. This place takes in addicts and also mentally unstable individuals. This guy in brown used to be from this centre as an addict, but through the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ, he was completely set free from his addiction and came back to the centre to serve those who are still working their way there (: His testimony will surely encourage those in the centre that there is hope for them too! On one of the walls right at the front of the centre, it says "Nothing is impossible for Jesus". How powerful for each of them to know that there is hope! They learn and memorize verses everyday because the supervisors can stop them anytime along their way to test them. The Word of God is life for these people and they believe that if they can continue memorizing it that one day this very Word will become so embedded in their hearts and mind and be the key to transforming them!
Combined home - A stretch of houses for the elderly, the adults and the children of every need:
This guy serves at the combined home, heading it if I'm not wrong. He also used to be living in this home but all Glory to God who changed him and now he is married and back here to serve those who are still struggling (:
Looking at this granny makes me sad already :( She is the oldest female in the home, 95 years of age. She was spreading kaya on the bread when I walked in and I smiled at her, said Hi and shook her hand. To my surprise, she speaks fluent English! She told me she was Eurasian and she started talking about her life (: Very sweet lady who is so grateful for what the home has provided her (: When I had to leave, she was like "SO SOON?". I mean I'm not very good with old people but I think for her to have someone talk to her and spend time with her meant alot to her already (: So I just had to say bye with a smile and ran off quickly :( Jesus take care of her from the top of her head to the toes on her feet! May she be able to stand up and praise You! (:
Kids who were preparing for school (: The little indian girl beside me probably couldnt understand 99% of what I was saying but she kept smiling at me whenever I said anything! She's a little shy here (:
Pei Zhen (: This extremely intelligent young lady lives at the home with her aunty. Her birth mum had triplets and she was the oldest, but her birth mother didn't want her. So her aunty took her in and now she's inseperable with her! The aunty lives in the home and loves Pei Zhen like her own, I'm thinking she'll eventually adopt her! (:
The boys there do this curriculum called the Alpha & Omega. It is one where they learn their subjects and also bible lessons at the same time (: So they get free education and education on the Word of God too! (:
In another classroom, they were very fascinated by the camera. Kept wanting to take pictures! Jesus loves the little children!!
TEH TARIK :D SO NICE :D
The couple who takes care of a boys home somewhere else, very selfless, all for the furtherance of God's Kingdom! (:
It was there that I'm like people need to see this to see where their Missions Faith Pledge money is going! Because of their giving, the JB church was started and through them all these lives were touched! (: God's heart is to see the nations of the world touched by His love, through His people. How will they know if nobody tells them! We had the opportunity to speak to Ps Shane Comiskey and he shared with us something that really changed my perspective of missions. He shared about how when his wife and himself were in Uganda, they had a translator who were with them the whole time. The couple was there to check on the churches there and the translator wanted them to go to his village to tell his village about Jesus. So Ps Shane agreed and the translator warned them about how his brother was quite anti-christian so he may be a little hostile. They accepted that and just went in, so halfway while Ps Shane is sharing the gospel, this brother of his broke down and started crying! WOW, he asked "What took you and christians so long to tell me the truth?" because Ps Shane told him he has been a christian for then, 20 years and this brother wanted to know why he kept the truth for 20 long years without telling others about it! WOW, missions is not just a programme or something that VFC pushes you into doing, it is really an expression of passing on this freedom of knowing the TRUTH about Jesus Christ! That is why we need to go and tell others, whether in school, your family, at work or out of the country! Not because we need to make numbers for our cell groups or the church, but because they NEED to hear it! (: How can we keep it to ourselves!
What I've learnt even from the short trip to JB was the reality of the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ to affect lives and completely turn them around (: You dont need to be someone big with a name to yourself to make a difference! Many of those who serve, you might never know who they are, but to those whose lives have been touched by them, these names they will never forget (: All they did was allowed God to do His will in their lives and look at how many children now have homes that they know are safe to go home to, or elderly who now know they can have a bed to rest on or just men and women who can live in a place where they will be cared for (: God is truly an awesome God!
[By the way, i'm flying on the 28th of Feb instead (:]
Love God, love others, that's all (:
Monday, February 9, 2009
Never thought
Never thought I would be able to run every morning, but I did. Never thought I would be able to see the lights of 5am, but I did. Never thought I would be able to cook meals, but I did! (: Never thought I would be able fast (not eat for a whole day!), but I did. Never thought I would wash cars, but I did. (8 cars and 1 van to be exact!!)
In action!
Madeline & Jesse were so sweet to individually prepare a little token of appreciation for our hard work! (: Totally made my day (:
To be honest, all of the above are things I would have never done on a normal basis. So in a certain way, God is really taking me to places! (: Learning how to do all these things really is quite amazing! You do feel a sense of satisfaction too ha. Running in the morning is probably one of the hardest things. I quit floorball in JC because I really detested running and now I'm here, running every morning at 5AM!! Training a lot of my discipline. (which I sorely lacked!)
At the same time learning to face rejection in the worst way possible. During one of the street evangelism, we were quite sad already because we faced quite a number of rejections. We walked past a community centre and I spotted a whole bunch of line dancing aunties! I'm thinking to myself - THIS IS IT! At least ONE auntie will be saved! So I strode over with a stack of tracts in my right hand and go, "Hi Auntieesss.." and before I could say anything else, ALL 8 OF THEM TOOK OFF! "Oh sorry! My bus come already!" or "Oh sorry, I need to go home!!" I stood there, in a blink of an eye, it was an empty piece of land before me. Could have almost heard the crickets! Hurt.. HAHA not really, was very very amused more like it! So if anyone of you feel rejected when you go out to evangelize, take comfort that I exist.
Been very blessed at the same time to have been able to lead someone to Christ just as we went out to do door-to-door to invite people to Good News! Singapore. This young girl called Angel greeted us at the door as we opened and her heart was so open and ready to receive the Lord! So we quickly jumped on it and asked if she would like to accept Jesus into her heart and she said YES! We were ecstatic!! I was so excited yet nervous to lead her in the sinner's prayer and so just in case I missed out anything, after the prayer I was sure to explain properly to her what she just did (: God is in her heart and life right now! And many more will be saved too in Timor I'm so so excited! God has been putting into my heart His desire to see signs and wonders being accomplished in Timor through our lives and I am nervous but I am very sure that I will be able to witness the extraordinary! Not because we pray good prayers or because we are so spiritual, but because we serve a GREAT God who can work through anyone! (:
At the same time, I really am feeling so fortunate to be surrounded with people who have been so supportive! (: From Chilli Crab dinners (OH MY WORD I'M HUNGRY!) to gifts, I am really too blessed! Sis Helen, a lady from church, gave us little presents to just say she appreciates us and that she is behind us (: Completely made my day with a simple gesture (:
Charis Wong also made me some oreo cupcakes! They were delicious for the record Charis! (: Added some fun to breakfast! (:
ON TOP OF THAT, Estherf, Dorothy & Joash bought me a pair of strapped sandals things from Havaianas that I've wanted to bring to Timor!!! :D It was already not sold in Singapore and somehow, they popped into this shop that had a last pair left by someone who came to exchange their footwear and IT WAS MY SIZE! ALL GOD I'M TELLING YOU!! :D Thank You so much guys! (: I'll be wearing it often!
In about 15 days I'll be leaving for the land of Timor, but tomorrow, my dear friend Esther Wee is leaving for Melbourne to study. Been pretty hard to think about the reality of it happening. I have known her since I was in primary school! I remember when I switched schools in Primary 5, I prayed very hard to meet someone I know in the class because I was so nervous! LO & BEHOLD, I see Esther Wee in my class! Been through so much together since (: As we were going through 2008 knowing what could happen in 2009 with both of us separating, it was a very hard thing for both of us. But we knew God was bringing us in a different season together and we prayed hard for each other for peace and open doors (: God heard them all and we are really going our separate ways! She has been such a blessing to me and I am going to miss her so much, I don't even know how am I going to see her walk towards the departure gate :( Thank You Jesus for giving us such a precious friendship that we know will last a lifetime (: I LOVE YOU ESTHER WEE :(
It is never easy knowing you are leaving and seeing and knowing all these amazing things that God will be doing in Singapore. Youth camp, GC Conference, Reinhard Bonnke & our own youth conference possibly would be one of the many things I would be missing. Still is hard to think about it because I know for a fact how God would be moving in those places (: But I know that all in all, knowing you are in the will of God is the most contented place to be (: I know God has called me for such a time as this and making my dream of going to missions come true (: JESUS YOU ARE TOO AWESOME!
A little bit more of training this week - (:
Gorgeous young lady!
Jabie the live demonstration during our First Aid class on how to "unchoke" a choking person!
Brendan, Joanna & me: "Ermmm doctor, can you please show us again, we didn't quite catch it!" "Quick take picture!"
HAHA
Jane loves taking pictures!
A very common sight and pastime HAHA
THE TEAMS: 3/4 team to Remexio, Pei Pei to China & THE CORPORATE YOUTH TEAM!!
sorry it's another long post! :D
(:
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4
In action!
Madeline & Jesse were so sweet to individually prepare a little token of appreciation for our hard work! (: Totally made my day (:
To be honest, all of the above are things I would have never done on a normal basis. So in a certain way, God is really taking me to places! (: Learning how to do all these things really is quite amazing! You do feel a sense of satisfaction too ha. Running in the morning is probably one of the hardest things. I quit floorball in JC because I really detested running and now I'm here, running every morning at 5AM!! Training a lot of my discipline. (which I sorely lacked!)
At the same time learning to face rejection in the worst way possible. During one of the street evangelism, we were quite sad already because we faced quite a number of rejections. We walked past a community centre and I spotted a whole bunch of line dancing aunties! I'm thinking to myself - THIS IS IT! At least ONE auntie will be saved! So I strode over with a stack of tracts in my right hand and go, "Hi Auntieesss.." and before I could say anything else, ALL 8 OF THEM TOOK OFF! "Oh sorry! My bus come already!" or "Oh sorry, I need to go home!!" I stood there, in a blink of an eye, it was an empty piece of land before me. Could have almost heard the crickets! Hurt.. HAHA not really, was very very amused more like it! So if anyone of you feel rejected when you go out to evangelize, take comfort that I exist.
Been very blessed at the same time to have been able to lead someone to Christ just as we went out to do door-to-door to invite people to Good News! Singapore. This young girl called Angel greeted us at the door as we opened and her heart was so open and ready to receive the Lord! So we quickly jumped on it and asked if she would like to accept Jesus into her heart and she said YES! We were ecstatic!! I was so excited yet nervous to lead her in the sinner's prayer and so just in case I missed out anything, after the prayer I was sure to explain properly to her what she just did (: God is in her heart and life right now! And many more will be saved too in Timor I'm so so excited! God has been putting into my heart His desire to see signs and wonders being accomplished in Timor through our lives and I am nervous but I am very sure that I will be able to witness the extraordinary! Not because we pray good prayers or because we are so spiritual, but because we serve a GREAT God who can work through anyone! (:
At the same time, I really am feeling so fortunate to be surrounded with people who have been so supportive! (: From Chilli Crab dinners (OH MY WORD I'M HUNGRY!) to gifts, I am really too blessed! Sis Helen, a lady from church, gave us little presents to just say she appreciates us and that she is behind us (: Completely made my day with a simple gesture (:
Charis Wong also made me some oreo cupcakes! They were delicious for the record Charis! (: Added some fun to breakfast! (:
ON TOP OF THAT, Estherf, Dorothy & Joash bought me a pair of strapped sandals things from Havaianas that I've wanted to bring to Timor!!! :D It was already not sold in Singapore and somehow, they popped into this shop that had a last pair left by someone who came to exchange their footwear and IT WAS MY SIZE! ALL GOD I'M TELLING YOU!! :D Thank You so much guys! (: I'll be wearing it often!
In about 15 days I'll be leaving for the land of Timor, but tomorrow, my dear friend Esther Wee is leaving for Melbourne to study. Been pretty hard to think about the reality of it happening. I have known her since I was in primary school! I remember when I switched schools in Primary 5, I prayed very hard to meet someone I know in the class because I was so nervous! LO & BEHOLD, I see Esther Wee in my class! Been through so much together since (: As we were going through 2008 knowing what could happen in 2009 with both of us separating, it was a very hard thing for both of us. But we knew God was bringing us in a different season together and we prayed hard for each other for peace and open doors (: God heard them all and we are really going our separate ways! She has been such a blessing to me and I am going to miss her so much, I don't even know how am I going to see her walk towards the departure gate :( Thank You Jesus for giving us such a precious friendship that we know will last a lifetime (: I LOVE YOU ESTHER WEE :(
It is never easy knowing you are leaving and seeing and knowing all these amazing things that God will be doing in Singapore. Youth camp, GC Conference, Reinhard Bonnke & our own youth conference possibly would be one of the many things I would be missing. Still is hard to think about it because I know for a fact how God would be moving in those places (: But I know that all in all, knowing you are in the will of God is the most contented place to be (: I know God has called me for such a time as this and making my dream of going to missions come true (: JESUS YOU ARE TOO AWESOME!
A little bit more of training this week - (:
Gorgeous young lady!
Jabie the live demonstration during our First Aid class on how to "unchoke" a choking person!
Brendan, Joanna & me: "Ermmm doctor, can you please show us again, we didn't quite catch it!" "Quick take picture!"
HAHA
Jane loves taking pictures!
A very common sight and pastime HAHA
THE TEAMS: 3/4 team to Remexio, Pei Pei to China & THE CORPORATE YOUTH TEAM!!
sorry it's another long post! :D
(:
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4
Monday, February 2, 2009
3 more weeks!
This is probably THE latest time I've slept in a looong while but I only get to post one entry a week so I must do this! So the 3rd week of training has just passed which effectively means I'm about halfway done with my training in Singapore (: that also means I'm another step closer leaving to Timor! Really mixed feelings about it, it's a mix of - WHOOOPEEE! :D and whooopeee :( Really excited to leave so that I can get on the ground and do the work but at the same time to leave my Singapore life for 10 1/2 months! So it's confirmed, I'll be leaving on the morning of 24th Feb. Scary to think I only have 3 Sundays left, how quick!
But God has been doing some crazy amazing things :D Thank you to those few souls who actually read this and I apologise for the upcoming loooong post! Today after evening service, I met some of them from R11/12 to have dinner and we had so much fun! (: This is the nicest picture of the night!
Besides trying very hard to not fall asleep by amusing myself with transforming notebook papers to worm like creatures,
I attended very interesting yet controversial lessons, and even did house cleaning at the RMD's house (of which I cleaned my heart out and that my mum would be so proud of). It was really quite a nice place (: (okay, I used my phone to take these so I may not have really captured the beauty of the home)
mock fire place!!
so pretty! (:
Had fun doing that with the other girls from the 3/4 team, Jane & Pei Pei (: Amazing women who have such a servant heart towards the things of God and carrying such joy with them at the same time was very encouraging (: I'm learning so much!
This week has been a shorter week due to the Chinese New Year and it was also when I experienced some interesting reaction to me going to missions. The first person who spoke to me on CNY was my uncle, whom upon finding out that I took a year off to go into the mission field violently put the idea down as irrational and not clever (to put it nicely). I don't normally talk to him much but this time he really had a lot to say regarding this issue. Of course, I felt really hurt and was almost angry too. PERSECUTION!! Felt close enough to that and didn't react much too.
But I remembered talking to God and trying to calm down. I was reminded that they are not going to be able to understand it when we do crazy things for God, not because they are bad people, but because of the scales on their eyes that prevent them from seeing the Truth. But later on he suddenly became really nice again (: ha the amazing thing is the exact things happened with Joanna and Brendan too!
With Saula not around, as a team, we've been forced to step up in terms of prayer and devotions. It is hard to not have a leader on the team but it has been a lot of learning for us to live together and to lift one another up. I can see God really moving in everyone of our hearts and we are very excited to see signs and wonders in Timor! Healing and salvation will surely come to Timor because the same God that performed miracles in the New Testament is the same God we serve today! If it can happen then, why not today!
I've been so blessed in many ways (: On thursday night we were to visit a Divisional Overseer's House and so we went to the Wong Brother's house. We didn't expect much but we walked out overwhelmed. The food was of course GOOD :D swedish meatballs!!
The fellowship was amazing, we could sense a genuine love and care for us as a team (: I guess it does feel lonely sometimes as we train because we feel quite cut off from the world la haha. I won't deny that training has been challenging on many levels, emotionally and spiritually especially. But being with the family really encouraged us! With their prayers (and red packets! :p), it really lifted our spirits up and we left feeling really encouraged and blessed (:
Thank You Uncle Chee Keong, Aunty Juliet, Elijah, Tim & Jerry for hosting us! (:
One of the most memorable things that happened this week for me was attending the Bahasa Service on Sunday Afternoon. Before going, I was honestly not very excited. I knew I was pretty much going to sit there and let the Bahasa words float around me. But as we walked in and saw them worshipping, I could have just been so embarrassed about what I previously thought! It was basically like this - 1 classroom, 1 worship leader, 1 guitar and 8 people in the congregation EXCLUDING the gideonites. I, of course stood there not understanding a single word they were singing and was furiously flippling through the song sheet trying to figure out what song they were singing! haha. At the same time, so humbled by their worship unto the Lord. It was so pure and earnest. No need for a sound check or a full band. No need for every chord to be played correctly. No need for a stage. Just pure worship unto the Lord (: Makes me think about how even in church with everything to facilitate worship, people are still nonchalant about lifting their worship to Him. I am guilty of that too! Getting distracted by every small thing! But this is really the heart of worship, it's not about the songs or the people singing the songs, it's about WHO we are singing these songs too (: Because we serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, then we should worship Him with all our heart (: Plain and simple!
It was held at Chatsworth International School.
The lady in pink down the first row recognized me!! She said "Hi Gladyss!!" haha I think because she was one of my CW Kids' domestic helpers who always sat in my class! :D
cute kids HAHA
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory! (:
But God has been doing some crazy amazing things :D Thank you to those few souls who actually read this and I apologise for the upcoming loooong post! Today after evening service, I met some of them from R11/12 to have dinner and we had so much fun! (: This is the nicest picture of the night!
Thank you esther, dot, desmond, joash and john (who was only here for today :( )! SYDNEYY!! haha, I miss those times tooo much I'm telling you!
Besides trying very hard to not fall asleep by amusing myself with transforming notebook papers to worm like creatures,
I attended very interesting yet controversial lessons, and even did house cleaning at the RMD's house (of which I cleaned my heart out and that my mum would be so proud of). It was really quite a nice place (: (okay, I used my phone to take these so I may not have really captured the beauty of the home)
mock fire place!!
so pretty! (:
Had fun doing that with the other girls from the 3/4 team, Jane & Pei Pei (: Amazing women who have such a servant heart towards the things of God and carrying such joy with them at the same time was very encouraging (: I'm learning so much!
This week has been a shorter week due to the Chinese New Year and it was also when I experienced some interesting reaction to me going to missions. The first person who spoke to me on CNY was my uncle, whom upon finding out that I took a year off to go into the mission field violently put the idea down as irrational and not clever (to put it nicely). I don't normally talk to him much but this time he really had a lot to say regarding this issue. Of course, I felt really hurt and was almost angry too. PERSECUTION!! Felt close enough to that and didn't react much too.
But I remembered talking to God and trying to calm down. I was reminded that they are not going to be able to understand it when we do crazy things for God, not because they are bad people, but because of the scales on their eyes that prevent them from seeing the Truth. But later on he suddenly became really nice again (: ha the amazing thing is the exact things happened with Joanna and Brendan too!
With Saula not around, as a team, we've been forced to step up in terms of prayer and devotions. It is hard to not have a leader on the team but it has been a lot of learning for us to live together and to lift one another up. I can see God really moving in everyone of our hearts and we are very excited to see signs and wonders in Timor! Healing and salvation will surely come to Timor because the same God that performed miracles in the New Testament is the same God we serve today! If it can happen then, why not today!
I've been so blessed in many ways (: On thursday night we were to visit a Divisional Overseer's House and so we went to the Wong Brother's house. We didn't expect much but we walked out overwhelmed. The food was of course GOOD :D swedish meatballs!!
The fellowship was amazing, we could sense a genuine love and care for us as a team (: I guess it does feel lonely sometimes as we train because we feel quite cut off from the world la haha. I won't deny that training has been challenging on many levels, emotionally and spiritually especially. But being with the family really encouraged us! With their prayers (and red packets! :p), it really lifted our spirits up and we left feeling really encouraged and blessed (:
Thank You Uncle Chee Keong, Aunty Juliet, Elijah, Tim & Jerry for hosting us! (:
One of the most memorable things that happened this week for me was attending the Bahasa Service on Sunday Afternoon. Before going, I was honestly not very excited. I knew I was pretty much going to sit there and let the Bahasa words float around me. But as we walked in and saw them worshipping, I could have just been so embarrassed about what I previously thought! It was basically like this - 1 classroom, 1 worship leader, 1 guitar and 8 people in the congregation EXCLUDING the gideonites. I, of course stood there not understanding a single word they were singing and was furiously flippling through the song sheet trying to figure out what song they were singing! haha. At the same time, so humbled by their worship unto the Lord. It was so pure and earnest. No need for a sound check or a full band. No need for every chord to be played correctly. No need for a stage. Just pure worship unto the Lord (: Makes me think about how even in church with everything to facilitate worship, people are still nonchalant about lifting their worship to Him. I am guilty of that too! Getting distracted by every small thing! But this is really the heart of worship, it's not about the songs or the people singing the songs, it's about WHO we are singing these songs too (: Because we serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, then we should worship Him with all our heart (: Plain and simple!
It was held at Chatsworth International School.
The lady in pink down the first row recognized me!! She said "Hi Gladyss!!" haha I think because she was one of my CW Kids' domestic helpers who always sat in my class! :D
cute kids HAHA
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory! (:
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