I have been ill since I came back from Thailand… a team mate joked that maybe some of us caught the bird flu.. whoooaa!
So this congested feeling.. coupled with a yucky sounding voice is making me feel rather down. And Lil has got the same thing too… sigh!
And our kids are also ill on and off.. taking turns.
Just few days ago… we had a family outing… to the the CLINIC!! ha ha!
Safe and sound.. back from Thailand…
It’s been a good time for all. We served, we learned, we grew as
individuals and as a team.
It was especially good to have wives and kids on this trip.
During one of our sharing times on the last morning, our wives
expressed that it’s been good for them to be part of this trip, to
support their husbands, and to also personally experience what goes on
in the exciting ministry of Asia Impact, our hosts.
Thanks for praying for us all =)
This evening after a short walk around the small tourist town near our hotel.. heading back to our room, a guy from China walked alongside us. He asked a rather strange question… pointing to my kids saying, ‘Are these all yours?’
In my mind I was thinking, ‘Of course, they are..’ and i was briefly tempted to make some quick joke or something. But then I replied politely, ‘Yes, they are …’ To which he replied. ‘I have a little one… 8 months old’
Then it was my turn to ask a silly question, especially since it’s posed to a Chinese, ‘Is he your only child?’ But of course, with the one-child policy in China.. could they have more?
As we parted, this man whom I’ve only just met said in mandarin… “I am so envious of you…’
In a simple encounter like that, suddenly things were put in perspective once again. How blessed Lil and I are to have Joshua, Emily & Zachary! Now all the hassles in taking care of them, dealing with tantrums and sickness, carrying strollers, baby bags & bottles and tons of kid stuff here and there suddenly don’t matter that much any more.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them!”
Psalm 127:3-5a (NLT)
Hello.. fr Cha’am, Thailand!
The past few days has good! Everyone including the familes are well-settled.. and we’ve re-connecting with some people we have not seen for a while. The past 2 sessions we led in songs in worship also went well. Thanks for praying…
Today, our 7Days team met up with the YRR team (the folks who hosting us in our last trip to that big country). We talked about stuff that could help us improve future partnerships.
The following story shared by one of them greatly encouraged me…. to know that God is still moving there:
“The girl that designed our 7Days concert poster and flyer… was actually a non-Christian student. After our concerts in her city, she had sleepless nites.. and felt she needed to talk to someone about Jesus. Believe it or not, she prayed to received Christ…! Now her nickname in-country is called ‘7Days’!! =) Though faced with various family persecutions but she’s growing in her faith! Praise the Lord! God surely works in amazing ways!”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 Â
Tomorrow, we leave for Cha’am, Thailand for the Asia Impact conference.
7Days, ForeRunner’s Chinese band has the unique opportunity to be used by God to lead 800 over people in Praise & Worship during the 6 days we’re there. It is indeed a privilege for us to bless, encourage and refresh these faithful labourers in the harvest fields of East Asia.
Pray along with us… specifically that all at the conference would be reminded of the centrality of Jesus in our lives and mission, refreshed in the privilege of our incredible calling, and spurred on to continue to persevere in our mission.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Our campus ministry recently printed an evangelistic booklet called
“After the sea calms”
It include reflections, pictures, real-life testimonies, and answers to
difficult questions.. and a simple presentation of the gospel.
It’s great for Christians to give to their friends and colleagues, as a
conversation starter…
It’s a beautiful full-color 12-pages booklet.
They are making available to other ministries and churches. cost is
$0.50 each.
Do take a look at the PDF version at www.sccc.org.sg
(ordering instructions are also on the website)
The past week has been quite an adventure…
I first went in for my in-camp training with a rather heavy heart… basically, feeling negative about the whole army thing– this whole sudden thrust from a civilian sedentary life to a rigorous, regimented life in green!
But somehow, like always, I knew God had something in store for me.. to learn to be His child, and His witness.
What transpired then were days of seeing clearly how God worked in my heart, and through me.
I shared my life, and my faith with about 8-9 people.. all soldiers I met for the first time. Through several unique ‘divine’ appointments and opportunities that clearly presented itself, I encouraged one Christian brother (who was feeling rather down-hearted), engaged in a deep conversation about the Christian faith with one guy, and discussed about spiritual issues with several others.
I’m sharing this not to say that I’m a super-Christian… but to demonstrate that it’s God who was working; and that He does it so wonderfully when one is relaxed and willing!
I guess I was simply experiencing what my Senior Pastor in my church has been emphasizing all this while…. to be a PDA Christian! (To walk in Personal Revival, trust God for Divine Appointments, and seek to practice Active Obedience)
Through it all… this has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable in-camp training I’ve ever been though! God is sooo good!
Phew… finally back from my Army In-camp training..
And yes, we all survived.. my 1-week long training was quite interesting.. and filled with many ‘divine’ appointments. I hope to share more in the blog.
And Lil and kids did well too. Like me, she experienced God’s grace and strength through it all!
God is good! thank all for praying!
I’ll be headed (tomorrow early morning) for a 1-week In-Camp Military
Training. (10th-15th Jan)
I’m not sure how intense is the training.. but you can pray for safety,
protection, and opportunities to share my faith.
Lil will be with the 3 kids alone.. so do pray for patience, joy and
wisdom as she takes care of all of them.
Pray especially for rest in the spirit…
Thanks! =)
