I think it is only right to accredit this entire trip to God. It has all but began with a lot of dread- lots of processes and lots of bureaucracy affairs. Regardless of how much passion the plan had initially been injected with, by this time of the year (a year and a half after the promise had been made), it was turning into just another box on the to-do list waiting to be checked. Such was the rate of draining, tears fell and laughters ceased, a year and a half later, most of us had learnt to move on and carry on with our lives.
29th July 2011 comes the day for the fulfillment of that promise. The diminishing closeness had become obvious- as compared to the initial months when we had just come back, with some of the Thai compatriots trying their very best to express their longing for us to be back with them, chatting alone became an event that was few and far between. Nevertheless, I am glad that was not the case between Tai and me! We've been talking a lot, and she's one of those late-bedders whom always stay up with me to burn the midnight oil. This trip, she played a huge part too- in helping me liaising with the rest my itinerary as well as my accommodation! With much gratitude! <3
It all began with an unintended wait. Navy taught us two points make a fix, but we only had one, and for a moment I was really expecting to stay the night in the Airport to wait for the return flight the following day. It was so until p'tueng (tai's brother) came with his girlfriend to pick me up! Long journey indeed, but throughout the journey, I was just reminiscing the good old times- The same part of the world, but a complete different set of memories. With that, those memories just keep building, this trip has allowed me to make many more thai friends, giving me even more reason to go back again if given that opportunity!
Surprise no.1, I met a mission team there! It was unplanned, but all of those just fell into place. In them, I witness the heart to learn, the heart to give, the heart to assist! Those were hearts of gold, yet it was also with a lot of human frailties. Such, was the value of a genuine encounter, and that, was truly impactful.
Surprise no.2, I had my first visit to Thailand's famous floating market- exotic food and peculiar cuisine spiced up my first day in Banchang, but even more so, I fulfilled the requests by the KEVIIans to buy food back. Subtly, the relationship was growing, perhaps a potential for future partnership? But for a start, I was just encouraged!
Surprise no.3, prayer meeting! It's strange how I've been tied down and missing out on the prayer meeting back in my own church, but my trip to Banchang brought me spot on to where I most needed to be. And soon, we were in my favorite setting in Thailand- the Thai worship! It is just so different. At the same time, I was just beginning to feel the pinch, I was beginning to feel the desire to linger a little longer, especially with the gradual emergence of the familiar faces- p'kak, p'nut, ploy, nana, p'man, pa'lam, and of course tai! I probably never realize how much I've missed them until I saw them face to face! Those were the very same people whom I've seen a year and a half ago! And the list continued to grow this year, with p'pound, p'joy, pining, p'aor adding to the list. Those were really lovely people!
Surprise no.4, the accommodation! P'pound is a new believer. He has received Christ less than a year ago, and I was just so amazed at how that entire transformation took place! The language was not the most fluent, the relationship was not the most deeply rooted, but the story told was from the deepest part of the heart. It was truly the work of the Spirit- one day it all just unfolded for him, and for that I could only praise God! P'pound is the owner for some apartment-rental place and I had an awesome rest for that one night I stayed in Bangkok! It all feels like a dream now that I'm back in Singapore.
Surprise no.5, Tai is finally back! Most of the Thais work in the city and it's really hard to catch a glimpse of them! This Saturday, Tai played a wonderful host together with the rest of the church's youths! In Singapore I was almost never able to wake up on time, but that day I was already up at 0730h (0630h in Thailand), and I joined the mission team for their morning devotions. Tai came to pick me up at 9, and I had my first motorbike ride without the helmet. She said I was afraid, but I really enjoyed the ride, and her company^^ Met up with the rest at the market and we had our breakfast there, and I think we had fun with the Thais teaching me Thai and I trying to master them. Kot Gai is chicken, Kor Hai is egg, Kor Hun is human, Lam yae is longan, luk chin is yong taufu, hom is smell etc. I am so gonna learn Thai in uni so that I can speak to them in Thai the next time I visit!
Surprise no.6, we were supposed to help out with the preparation for Sports day tomorrow, but there wasn't much that I could contribute. Most of the discussion was done in Thai, and despite Tai's effort to try to translate whenever she could, I was not involved in a huge bulk of the planning. Nevertheless, being amongst them, feeling the closeness they have with each other, indulging in the openness they enjoy with one another, those infectious laughters and jokes, what else could I have asked for? One day, I would really love to bring that to Singapore- with everyone willing to contribute and share their ideas (no fears of rejection but only mutual trust that perhaps only family members enjoy).
Surprise no.7, feast! P'pound and a few others were late and we had a good meal beside the beach for lunch and ice cream at that ever-so-popular Black Canyon! I had my first taste of raw cabs. Perhaps the Thais have formed the impression that Singaporeans are all spoilt and cleaned with weak immune system- they all tried to stop me when I ate the raw crab and the spicy pork sausage-like thing, for fear of me having a stomach upset. Well, my stomach did growl quite badly on my flight back earlier on, but who said I cannot try integrating into a new culture?
Surprise no.8, we had a public worship session at Silverlane! It's a very beautiful place and the mission team, together with RCDC's worship team had booked the open-air pavilion to hold a public performance! Amongst them were secular songs "I'm Yours" and "Peng You", followed by a series of worship pieces! I had to leave halfway to catch my flight, but I enjoyed my short stay there in their presence and to indulge in the music.
Surprise no.9, Pastor Anong drove me to Airport, and the girls saw me off- Tai, Joy, Ploy, P'Aor! That was not the original plan, and I am just so glad they've come! Really enjoyed my last 1 hour plus of ride to airport because of them! Ploy was being as funny as ever, Tai being as gentle and nice as ever! P'Aor has a secret weakness that let us have a very good laugh, and Joy kept me occupied with some occasional questions! I totally enjoyed their presence! And definitely so with that closure game: kob kadoo dung pom (Frog jump make sound!). Thank you so much Thailand Banchang. Each time I leave, I leave with a pinch in my heart- that pinch of departing. I really hope to see you guys again very soon, and the next time I return, I will try to make it a point to stay for a longer period!
Verses from the prayer meeting- Acts 3:1-3
Teaching: people may not ask for what they really need (salvation and not silver and gold)
My takeaway: the necessity to follow through (Peter did not merely say the words but reached out to the crippled physically- reflective of my return journey after a year).
My conviction: I will go back again!
New promises:
1) I will go back again for a longer period of time, with the team!
2) I will learn Thai and go back to converse with them in Thai!
3) I will get my motorbike and driving license and give Tai a ride!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Godly encounter
Dear all, it's been a long time since I last spent any time of sufficient length with you guys! You guys have been a huge missing jigsaw piece in my puzzle of life! Now that I'm making my first step to re-integrate, I'm really beaming with excitement and zeal! Look forward to spending so many more meaningful Sunday afternoons and other times with you all!
Today I had so many things to share, and at the same time, so many people to meet. Above all, other people also had so many things to share too! Therefore, didn't quite have the chance to share with you all some wonderful encounters I had over the course of the past 2 weeks. Nevertheless, I think like many others, this is a nice problem to have- meaning God has been good to all of us, God has been so real, all of us have been experiencing Him in one way or the other, God has been so real- we are on track! ^^
2 weeks ago, that friday before my commissioning parade, I had a wonderful encounter with our Awesome Daddy God! It's so unbelievable and yet, so real! That was the first time in my life, and I was thoroughly overwhelmed, with joy, plenty of them!!!
I started the 40 day-fast (grey book) devotion earlier than the stipulated schedule and that particular Friday, I was already doing the 13th July's devotion. That day's devotion passage was taken from the 3 gospel on the parable of the sower- the one about being choked by thorns (distractions) in life, and a thought about that week's sermon was sparked- the 2nd commandment: do not make idols of any kinds! So I was trying to make sense of a lot of things.
The right-side pages of the daily devotion is titled "seek the Kingdom", and I was suddenly reminded (Gerry's verse for me) of Matthew 6:33. In reference to our church's goal this year, it seemed to click! God's glory; our pursuit! Seek ye first thy Kingdom. Seek and pursue seems to be pointing toward the same thing! But as I was about to equate seek with pursue on paper, I wrote purpose instead. It was amazing! I felt guided, not what I've intended, but what I've been revealed to.
I was stunned! At that point of time, pieces of puzzle began to slowly fall into place. Issues which have bothered me before, questions which I have shared withBernard Yee Meng Ann over meal, all of them were addressed. It felt like the pieces had come together, and before me stood the perfect showcase of God's masterpiece- His plan for us!
So many were the evangelical events, but how about the internal growth. Inconsistencies, lack of commitment. Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's PURPOSE that prevails. Yes, it's that word again! Gerry shared with me, if a cup has hole, it will never be filled no matter how we try to add water into it.
Yet, that was not the end of it! I was prompted to look back to my commissioning day's devotion (10th July), and subsequently, the day's actual devotion (7th July). 10th July devotion talked about Mark 4: do not be obsessed with the know how, but be sheer faith, do what is required! WE OUGHT TO CONTINUE SOWING SEEDS!
7th July probabaly taught us about how we ought to react towards a prodigal son. How aptly each of them fell into place!
So what about the PURPOSE that we've talking about? Replacing pursue with purpose, and write it beside the word "seek"... Seek connotes the element to search and look for, whereas pursue means going after. Have we found the kingdom/purpose already, or should we try to identify them first before embarking on a pursuit?
As I scrolled through the list of memory verses I've compiled, it was pin-pointed. Joshua 1:16 "They answered Joshua, 'whatever you've commanded us we will do, whereever you send us, we will go." Isaiah 6:8 "And I hear the voice of the Lord saying, 'who will go for us,''whom shall I send?'And I answer, 'here I am Lord, send me!"
It's about us hearing Him, and availing ourselves for Him! It's about the expectation He has for us (Psalm 130: 5-6)! It's about being encouraged and keeping faith (Isaiah 42:16, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 73:23-24)!
So at the end of the day, we can proclaim with conviction John 17:4 "I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do."
Praise the Lord!!!!
Today I had so many things to share, and at the same time, so many people to meet. Above all, other people also had so many things to share too! Therefore, didn't quite have the chance to share with you all some wonderful encounters I had over the course of the past 2 weeks. Nevertheless, I think like many others, this is a nice problem to have- meaning God has been good to all of us, God has been so real, all of us have been experiencing Him in one way or the other, God has been so real- we are on track! ^^
2 weeks ago, that friday before my commissioning parade, I had a wonderful encounter with our Awesome Daddy God! It's so unbelievable and yet, so real! That was the first time in my life, and I was thoroughly overwhelmed, with joy, plenty of them!!!
I started the 40 day-fast (grey book) devotion earlier than the stipulated schedule and that particular Friday, I was already doing the 13th July's devotion. That day's devotion passage was taken from the 3 gospel on the parable of the sower- the one about being choked by thorns (distractions) in life, and a thought about that week's sermon was sparked- the 2nd commandment: do not make idols of any kinds! So I was trying to make sense of a lot of things.
The right-side pages of the daily devotion is titled "seek the Kingdom", and I was suddenly reminded (Gerry's verse for me) of Matthew 6:33. In reference to our church's goal this year, it seemed to click! God's glory; our pursuit! Seek ye first thy Kingdom. Seek and pursue seems to be pointing toward the same thing! But as I was about to equate seek with pursue on paper, I wrote purpose instead. It was amazing! I felt guided, not what I've intended, but what I've been revealed to.
I was stunned! At that point of time, pieces of puzzle began to slowly fall into place. Issues which have bothered me before, questions which I have shared withBernard Yee Meng Ann over meal, all of them were addressed. It felt like the pieces had come together, and before me stood the perfect showcase of God's masterpiece- His plan for us!
So many were the evangelical events, but how about the internal growth. Inconsistencies, lack of commitment. Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's PURPOSE that prevails. Yes, it's that word again! Gerry shared with me, if a cup has hole, it will never be filled no matter how we try to add water into it.
Yet, that was not the end of it! I was prompted to look back to my commissioning day's devotion (10th July), and subsequently, the day's actual devotion (7th July). 10th July devotion talked about Mark 4: do not be obsessed with the know how, but be sheer faith, do what is required! WE OUGHT TO CONTINUE SOWING SEEDS!
7th July probabaly taught us about how we ought to react towards a prodigal son. How aptly each of them fell into place!
So what about the PURPOSE that we've talking about? Replacing pursue with purpose, and write it beside the word "seek"... Seek connotes the element to search and look for, whereas pursue means going after. Have we found the kingdom/purpose already, or should we try to identify them first before embarking on a pursuit?
As I scrolled through the list of memory verses I've compiled, it was pin-pointed. Joshua 1:16 "They answered Joshua, 'whatever you've commanded us we will do, whereever you send us, we will go." Isaiah 6:8 "And I hear the voice of the Lord saying, 'who will go for us,''whom shall I send?'And I answer, 'here I am Lord, send me!"
It's about us hearing Him, and availing ourselves for Him! It's about the expectation He has for us (Psalm 130: 5-6)! It's about being encouraged and keeping faith (Isaiah 42:16, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 73:23-24)!
So at the end of the day, we can proclaim with conviction John 17:4 "I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do."
Praise the Lord!!!!
 |
| Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." |
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
reminiscence
Very often, it is easy for us to talk about recent. Even more so, it is easier to talk about worldly things. For a moment I lost sight, and I became comfortable about where I stood. A jolt, a tug, a pain or a hurt- I got reminded of my life before- the one I had when I was a pre-pre-pre-believer. And everything suddenly becomes so vulnerable.
I was born into a taoist-buddhist family.... (to be continued)
I was born into a taoist-buddhist family.... (to be continued)
A while ago, many thoughts suddenly welled up in my mind. It's been a while since I last posted any entry of decent length. Yet, deep in my heart I am convinced that men's hearts are forgetful. One moment, I could be thinking about all the wonderful things, the next could be a flash bank in the mind- all gone.
For a year and a half now, I have been a follower of Christ. A year ago, I was still pretty satisfied with my new identity, sheltered under the coat termed an amateur Christian. It's a comfortable reference, something that did not have to undertake too much responsibility; something which seemingly always allow room for mistakes; even more so, a much easier relevance due to the similarity in the level of novelty- both of us were new!
On retrospect now that I have come a reasonable distance, having overcome the 1-year milestone, undertaking leadership position and actively involved in one thing or the other, my journey has been a vibrant one. Or at least, it seemed so to me. I always found joy in the triumph over the odds as a Christian- in the capacity to worship Him, to serve Him, to love Him, and even to witness for Him. It was a period of immense fire- that passion was burning so violently, but the fuel was being consumed very quickly too. "Take heart!" "Pace yourself." "If you wanna run fast, run yourself; if you wanna run far, run together." None of those were foreign concept, but it took time to realise them, and a little longer to comprehend them.
Like most new Christians, my walk suffered along the way. Idols of many kinds found its way into my life- work, games, rest, friends, money- each one of them effectively sucking away a part of my time for God; each one of them effectively diverting my attention away from Him bit by bit.
Thankfully, God is good. Each time I fell away, each time by grace He comes. Psalm 73: 23-24 "I will hold you by your right hand, I will lead you by My counsel, and afterwards I will take You into glory." He never let go, never did.
Recent weeks, I felt replenished, something different has been at work. The more I dwell in His presence, the stronger that feeling becomes. I dare not say I know full well, but Isaiah 42:16 promises "I will lead the blind by ways they have not seen, on unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light in front of them, and I will make rough places smooth." Each day I look forward with anticipation of what God really has in store for us.
For a year and a half now, I have been a follower of Christ. A year ago, I was still pretty satisfied with my new identity, sheltered under the coat termed an amateur Christian. It's a comfortable reference, something that did not have to undertake too much responsibility; something which seemingly always allow room for mistakes; even more so, a much easier relevance due to the similarity in the level of novelty- both of us were new!
On retrospect now that I have come a reasonable distance, having overcome the 1-year milestone, undertaking leadership position and actively involved in one thing or the other, my journey has been a vibrant one. Or at least, it seemed so to me. I always found joy in the triumph over the odds as a Christian- in the capacity to worship Him, to serve Him, to love Him, and even to witness for Him. It was a period of immense fire- that passion was burning so violently, but the fuel was being consumed very quickly too. "Take heart!" "Pace yourself." "If you wanna run fast, run yourself; if you wanna run far, run together." None of those were foreign concept, but it took time to realise them, and a little longer to comprehend them.
Like most new Christians, my walk suffered along the way. Idols of many kinds found its way into my life- work, games, rest, friends, money- each one of them effectively sucking away a part of my time for God; each one of them effectively diverting my attention away from Him bit by bit.
Thankfully, God is good. Each time I fell away, each time by grace He comes. Psalm 73: 23-24 "I will hold you by your right hand, I will lead you by My counsel, and afterwards I will take You into glory." He never let go, never did.
Recent weeks, I felt replenished, something different has been at work. The more I dwell in His presence, the stronger that feeling becomes. I dare not say I know full well, but Isaiah 42:16 promises "I will lead the blind by ways they have not seen, on unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light in front of them, and I will make rough places smooth." Each day I look forward with anticipation of what God really has in store for us.
 |
| By faith, we have come. For faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. |
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