17th December will mark exactly 1 year since I got home from spending 10 months in Timor and God has just been amazing! It was definitely a struggle in the beginning trying to get used to everything and jumping back on to lead the best youth ministry in the world! I had my struggles and difficulties with many challenges and testings that came in every direction, but God is so good to have sustained me and the R5/6's youth ministry that is still alive, kicking AND GROWING! Here's a latest picture of just some of the wonderful youths I get to lead in R5/6 in our recent outing to Universal Studios in November! (:
If you haven't met this God I'm talking about, YOU HAVE TO!! (: No one loves me like He does, no one cares about me like He does, no one knows me like He does and no one has died for me like He has (: I mean, what a God!!
One of the most exciting things that happened this year was attending my very first Edge Conference! Well, we started this conference in 2009 but I was in East Timor so I missed it. But this year, I had the opportunity to serve in the conference working on Programmes. It was pretty insane because I didn't know what to expect and it was right before my exam period! But when you serve alongside a God that will not disappoint, you are sure to know that everything's going to work out just fine! (: Here are some shots (some I took from Conference Photographer - Jacky Woo) and from my own stash!
The theme for the conference!
Best opening I've seen! Here the drummers (James, Joshua & Sam) are getting ready to blow our minds with their mad drumming!
The countless of young lives touched and transformed at the conference!
Worshipping God!
One of the speakers - Ps Jude Fouquier, Powerful man of God!
Another fantastic speaker - Ps Henry Seeley of Planetshakers! He led worship on the last night too (:
Here's the committee I worked with throughout the conference, what a great bunch!
The highlight of the conference for me was on the last night as I was worshipping. One of my friends tapped me to say that Ps Jeremy wanted to see us at the soundboard and my first thought was, "Oh no, what trouble are we going to get into!" because he called all the committee members together. Then as we gathered, his first words were, "I want you guys to stop singing for a second." And i thought, "Oh man, we can't even sing?!" HAHA but!! He said, "I want you guys to stop singing for a second and look at all the young people who are lifting their hands worshipping God. This is what it's all about. All the time, work and effort - This is what it's all about." WOW, that was probably the que for my tear ducts to open its floodgates. I couldn't stop crying just in awe of what God was speaking to me. Sometimes, when you have given so much to the ministry, thoughts like "is it really worth it", "why am i trying so hard", "why do i sacrifice so much" etc. would come and haunt you. And this year, I had to make a very difficult decision to give up something that I really wanted to do and it has been the biggest struggle trying to come to terms with it. But as I stood there that night and looked at the hundreds of young people lifting up their hands to worship, tears started streaming down my eyes because I knew - IT WAS WORTH IT. The assurance and peace in my heart, knowing that no lucrative job opportunity or brilliant exam results would replace that kind of contentment and satisfaction I felt serving in God's Kingdom. That the more I poured into His Kingdom, the more God poured into me! I am so blessed to be doing what I am doing in His Kingdom!
Tomorrow, we will hold a youth encounter where our young people will commit 2 days to consecrating and encountering the living God! Next tuesday, I preach for the first time in my life at a youth camp with Agape Baptist Church (I know, "OH MY WORD.") and in the same week, christmas net outreaches will take place all over the city. I have an action packed life! (: Never a dull day!
The past months have been challenging - from my Thyroid scare, to an insanely tough school semester, to my grandfather's sudden passing, to making very difficult decisions and even right now, my Grandma is in the hospital in critical condition (we are believing for a complete healing, pray with us!!). But I have SO much to thank God for! (: To praise Him in the good times, and to praise Him even in the bad times! WHAT A YEAR! I have learnt so much in this one year and I know I am a changed person because of what God is doing in my life (: Looking forward to a greater year ahead in my life, family and ministry in 2011! (: In the meantime, Merry Christmas everyone! (:
