Heart (hard) Lessons

I must say that throughout all the meetings we had
This would be the most 'impactful' one (to me, at least)
Hence, the title of this post.
But why, you may ask?
Well continue reading then :)
I'm sure those who were there at the meeting might know a little of what I mean

The day started with Linda and Laura's belated salvations testimonies
They're both sisters who grew up in this very church
Linda's the elder one who used to be really mischievous and would lie or steal to get what she wanted. Because of the lack of love and financial support from her family then, she started to feel her self-confidence drifting away and thought herself inferior to do anything. She did accept the Lord at a young age, when she was in a camp. However, she always doubted whether she was truly saved by the Man who died for her sins, considering she never really felt washed away from her sins. It was not an overnight change, she tells us. Gradually, she started to build her relationship to know this Man personally and learn from the good & even the bad experiences. Before her own eyes, her family relationship started to improve. Now she takes God's word seriously and help mentor those in need.

Laura, on the other hand, had always felt rejected amongst her friends during her primary school times and didn't feel that she rightly belonged anywhere. When she started to attend MIF (our church teenage fellowship), the love and sense of belonging she felt there touched her life. She was encouraged to read the Bible which told her that God is in control of all things. She began to serve Him through MIF and still continues to faithfully serve. Now when she feels down, she knows the Lord is always there for her.

After their sharing, D-Way taught us some rope and paper tools that may help us during our trip as we share and evangelize to the children who do have short attention spans.
There's a picture of my 'tearing cross'
and the other was a 'Cut & Restore' rope illustration.
Hope you guys have been practicing and perfecting your 'skills'.

The week before, D-Way asked each of us to bring a favorite piece of clothing or the most expensive piece from our closet.
So each of us obediently brought what we liked best and shared why we chose that piece out of the lot. We had from ManU jerseys to expensive sweaters to even pillow cases (even though it isn't considered clothing...dun worry May people won't know it's you *cough*)
After we talked about our reasons...
D-way said nonchalantly, "Okay can i use that plastic bag?"
You see this plastic bag? We're going to put what we've all brought today and bring it to Phillipines because we're going to give it to the person we think needs it.............
Well the reason why there's so many dots there is because I didn't clearly hear what he said after that.
I'm not sure how hard it was for you guys, but...
To be real and honest, i found it hard to give away that piece of clothing I brought
I never thought it would be this hard, indeed it has hit straight to the heart
Things need to be sorted out with the Lord who was willing to give His only Son away

I guess this is partly what Jesus meant when he said in Luke 9:23-25,

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

The meeting then closed with some rules & regulations of what to bring and not bring on the trip
As well as an encouragement from D-Way to come back from Philippines without our luggages and only with the things on our backs!
God always gives us more than what we've bargained for, doesn't He?

Signing off, Xinn

What is our heart's desire?

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Saturday at the Nursery

We had our meeting on a Saturday, last week, since Sunday was Youth Sunday and some of us were tight down.

Considering Timothy was unable to join our previous meetings, he shared his personal salvation testimony. He, too, was from a Christian home but was more involved outside church walls and with friends that could not help him develop his faith in Christ, instead led him to be more interested in sinning than pleasing God. But when he was in Form 5, a friend of his became terminally ill and Tim would follow his dad to pray for that friend. He witness how he's friend still had the motivation to seek God even in times like these and how the father came to know Christ even when his son was leaving soon. Soon after Tim's friend passed away, Tim confirmed his decision to turn to God away from his own selfish ways.

After Timothy shared, D-way post a question to know what is our perception on missions?
We all had our own answer to that question...
James - Showing Christ love not just by words but by action,
Tim - Being a testimony to show that God has the power to change lives and bring joy
Yong - Being compassionate to the needy
Ping - Reaching out to touch lives
Xinn - Bringing the hope of salvation and love to anyone that doesn't know Christ
D-way - Not just about going to 'kampungs' to share or help but missions has evolved into so many different ministries that enable the sharing of God's words

D-Way continued to share two portions of the Bible that impacted him about missions
1) Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich man and Lazarus)
Firstly, He pointed out that our riches should be build in Heaven and not in the world . This simple parable depicts what is pleasing in God's eyes and what isn't.
The reality of hell is all so surreal but the burning truth nonetheless. We need to ask ourselves, "Do I want to see people go to such a place as this?". So think again, how important is missions to you?

2) Rev 5:11
"Then i looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang,...."
The picturesque thought of the vast number praising God is magnificent. The many believers worshiping the true God, in the end days, is such an encouragement to bring more to Christ that'll form the crowd.

It is true that we still face struggles in our walk with God. As we shared our own individual struggles in setting aside time for God, it became clear that preparing ourselves for this mission trip has not made us immune to trials and temptation. Whether it is work or studies or the excuse of "so much to do, so little time", it is this time that we need to be strong in our foundation of God! Like what Rev. Yeo shared few weeks back, we all must have an assured goal and not run aimlessly. Each of us were given our own notebook to journalize our experiences with God each day as we prepare to set out for Him.

James suggested that we should fast every Friday together to pray for our team as a whole and this mission that we will be taking on. Do feel free to join us in this time of fasting as we petition our prayers and requests to our Father in Heaven.

Next Meeting: 17 Aug (Sunday) 10am - Pr. Maggie's Time
Homework for us : Find any information about Philippines to share with the group and refine our salvation testimony
Homework for Ping: Prepare the salvation testimony and mission testimony paper
Homework for Laura: Prepare Salvation Testimony and re-Charge her walk with God
See you guys then!

Hebrews 12:1-2

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 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.

Signing off, Xinn.

Mission Interview

Last week... Each of us had a taste of what a mission interview is like with Bro. Voon Horn and Sis. Suat Lian (one of our YM advisers and his wife)

The interview might have been a little behind schedule but it managed to flow smoothly.
They both made the atmosphere so approachable.
There is no right or wrong answer, just a time to get to know our reasons, expectations, limitations, preparations and of course, our prayer requests.
This interview was not only out of formality,
it was also important as a reinforcement to each of us that we are all accountable to God, His people (our church and the people in Manila) and our teammates when we go on this mission.
It is a mission where we youth can gain experience and exposure,
but it is also "Putting yourself in the front line," as Bro. Voon Horn said.
"And that requires the Armor of God and the Sword of the Spirit," Sis. Suat Lian ensures.

Personally, I feel that this interview was essential.
We may have our own thoughts and reasons, for this mission to Manila, all figured out in our heads
But having the chance to share it out made those things even clearer,
And hopefully making our commitment towards our preparation and voyage even stronger.
You know... more black and white, more ascertained...

I may not know what was said or heard in each interview
But I do hope that even through an interview,
God has assured us the glorious plan He has in stored for each of our lives

"For even a long, dangerous journey can be faced confidently when God is leading the expedition."
Signing off, Xinn.

P.S I'm having trouble attaching our preparation schedule to this post. Will continue to figure it out.

Worms into Butterflies

This was our first time meeting up...
Marking the beginning of many other interesting meetings to come
We gathered at our church office meeting room last Sunday (27/07/08) at 10am, after the first service
Joining us were... one of our prayer warriors, Chew Sim and our Youth President, See Shyong.

D-way briefed us on a few arrangements concerning the church's mission policy, our financial issues, and the possibility of arranging some events in the near future to raise funds for the Philippine children and teenagers.
We also managed to delegate certain tasks amongst ourselves, to involve everyone and work as a team.

After that, it was time to share our own personal salvation testimony.
Each of us was told to prepare a short testimony of how we were before Christ, during conversion and after conversion.
Most of us came from Christian homes/backgrounds...
As a matter of fact, all eight of us came from Christian families
What else do we have in common?
We were all blessed to know the Lord at such a young age and had accepted Christ into our lives during our teenage years.
Despite the similarities in some part of our stories,
as we continued on...
Each testimony began to be different from one another - unique and meaningful in its own way

D-way started the ball rolling by sharing how having God in his life changed his mere head knowledge of God's Word into heart knowledge.

James continued on by saying that attending baptism class has alter him to live a new life that reflected who God is in his character and personality.

Next was May... She remembered how she used to be so focused on her studies that it became top priority in her life. She soon realized that studies can only do so much and throughout her teen years, God has showed her that there are more important things in life than that.

Then there is Yong Yong, the child with the perfect Sunday School attendance. Learning about Jesus and who God is, prompted her to accept Christ into her life. It was not a complete 180 degree turn for her but each new day became a learning process to be a better Christian and to continuously walk with God.

Ping Xin always lifted her hands at alter calls in various evangelistic meetings, knowing that God was her Saviour but never really committed herself at the end of the day. Finally at the age of 14, she made the decision to make a commitment to Him and to live a life more pleasing unto Him

Noelle always felt that there was something missing in her life and tried to fill it with the many things the world could offer; thus, turning to her rebellious ways. One day, when she was on the beach, the Lord came to her heart and asked her to let Him in so He could bring meaning to her life. Since then, God has been ever faithful to her.

And Lastly, there's me (Xinn Ee). Although I accepted God as my Personal Saviour during my mid-teens, I didn't make Him Lord of my life nor had a relationship with Him. Later on I began to discover that God wants more than just mere recognition, He wants a relationship with me. Today, He has become my faithful Friend and someone I can always trust.

So maybe it's like what May said,
we have all been metaphorically transformed by God in His own way.
And blessed with the opportunity to start living our lives anew for Him.
From caterpillars to butterflies.
Oh wait, in May's case, from a worm to a butterfly.
Yes, our God can do even the impossible! :)

We all have the same Father, the same Saviour and the same Lord.
But He chose to work differently in each of our lives
Still each individual path has brought us all together for this mission
It certainly proves God's profound understanding and amazing love for all His children

Till our next meeting then...
God bless!

Signing off, Xinn.