Changes

Oh guess what I did today!
Well, of course I went to work today BUT today, I went SHOPPING with daddy!
In my whole life, this is the VERY first time I am shopping with my daddy alone.
Frankly, it’s a very fresh and new experience for me.
I wanted to go with Mummy but Mummy didn’t want to go.
Daddy overheard and said he’ll come and pick me up from work and go to Ikea with me.
Suddenly, I thought I heard my heart skipped a beat.
Haa!!!!

I had a very fun time with daddy.
I brought him to all the shortcuts in Ikea. I think at the end of it, if I had just left him there, he would have been very lost. Haha!
After our purchases, we settled for a meal and 2 free drinks! (The wonderful perks of being a member!)

As I stared at the man sitting opposite me, I realized how much my daddy had aged.
You know, I have always labeled daddy as a very stern man. A man of great integrity and a VERY sensitive man. He is also a man who is VERY particular and a daddy who is very far away from me.
As we shared a plate of Swedish Meatballs, we had a father-daughter chat.
Not only has my daddy aged, I realized also how much he had changed.
His face has softened so much… Look so much warmer… Look so much friendlier.
I wonder why I didn’t see it before.

Perhaps, I have been too busy…
Perhaps, I have taken my family for granted…
Perhaps, I have conveniently labeled my daddy who’s far from me not giving him and myself a chance to see him in another angle.

OooOhhh…
The TALK of the day at home is “Spanner attacked Sparkle!”
Sparkle has been SO naughty lately that he forgot that Spanner’s the older one in the “family”.
Today, Spanner cannot “tahan” already. Attacked Sparkle back and poor sparkle… Lost many strands of hair.
“He deserve it?” *shrug*
I only know I got the greatest benefit! Sparkle stuck to me like glue!


See… that’s him under my chair and my VERY messy table. :P
Haha!!

Check this latest gift out!
Sister saw it and bought for me…
I love the 2 faces most!
Warms me up… In all our busy-ness, I hardly see sister… but the 2 smiling faces seems to make me feel that we are still great sisters!
Perhaps I will bring it out with me one day… (It will really be the greatest joke to have me bringing out a mirror!! Haha!!)

A birthday wish

The whole of yesterday I was bugged by the question “WHOSE birthday is it today?”
25th August seemed to ring a bell to me!
It seemed to be someone’s birthday!!!
I frantically rushed through my brain, checked my PDA & still, nothing speaks to me…

Had a day with a lunchtime presentation, observation of downtime at another clinic & ending off with a dinner with my little sheepie. NOT forgetting, the question “WHOSE birthday is it today?” ringing in my head.

After dinner, I went home and just didn’t feel like doing anything at all so I blasted my music and chatted online for awhile.
As the music was blasting, I felt myself just praising and worshipping God. (Yes... I was singing in my most horrible voice!)
And as I was reading a book, SUDDENLY, I remember WHOSE birthday was it today!

It was a very old friend of mine, Paul!
My dear 1st year poly friend.
How could I forget him?
Man!
This guy protected me from a few shields before!!!
How could I forget him?
But then again, we lost contact.
Sadly, after our poly days, we just went different ways.
Or should I say, after year 1, we just went different ways.
We went to separate class, he fell in love, I fell in love, and well…no one bothered to keep in touch with each other. Heeee…
Thinking back, how I wished I had kept in touch with my 1st year poly friends.
They were really the one who got me out of my turtle shell!
They were really the one who protected me from physical harm. (NO I wasn’t an Ah Lian if you were thinking of that)
What’s left now in contact are those poly friends (2nd & 3rd yr friends) who went to Uni with me.
No no.. Not regretting. Just reminiscing the good old times.
Perhaps, given now, I would have handled differently from before.

During my QT yesterday, God reminded me of His faithfulness to me.
Reminded me about how through challenges (Not problems) in life that I have actually grew stronger.
Just like silver is refined under heated fire, so are we.
Thank you Lord, for the many challenges that’s placed in my life.
Life is REAL exciting following you!

Not forgetting, Happy Birthday Paul... Happy Birthday brother… Wherever you are. Miss the Bus 74 rides with you. *smile*



P.S: There is a change in the theme for my company’s D&D… Changed from Fields of Gold to Night Adventure! HOORRAY!!! No more masquerade!!! A prayer answered! Heee…

I witnessed...

Today I witnessed an accident just 1m away from me.
I was at the traffic light awaiting for my green man and this bike turned left and the next thing I knew, *BANG* and I saw him lying there.
Frankly, I can't really remember what went through my mind there and then.
I thought I nearly teared though!
I thought my heart was at my throat...
I thought too that I better don't go crowd near him. There was SO many people around him.
Yet I did ask myself - Why didn't I move forward to help?
I guess, I was gripped by shock!

As I made my way to CG, I kept that guy in prayer.
Pray that no more harm will come unto him...
At the same time, I can't help but thank God for my life.
Life's really so precious....

Zzzz....

On Moonlight Bay

Had an enjoyable off day yesterday.
Stayed at home and did a couple of things for my parents.
Well… Hmm… Maybe it’s what my parents did for me!
Haha!

Yesterday was a day filled with blessings.
I woke up feeling SO fantastic!
I actually forgot that it was my off day and hey! When I woke up, though tired, I just didn’t felt like sleeping!

My daddy bought “you tiao” otherwise known as Dough Sticks.
Opened my last packet of White Coffee and have a wonderful breakfast with my parents.
Oh ya… Not forgetting that my 2 dogs joined in too!
Spanner naughtily jumped up my daddy’s chair when daddy went to the kitchen.
When daddy came out, Spanner could still give that silly haughty look “Alo… You left the seat already ok? My turn to sit…”
Haha… well.. of course, we can’t spoil them so I shooed him down!

Lately with my parents retired, I thought that it’ll be good that I set up my VCD player for them so that they can enjoy.
But again, with the advancement of technology, I also thought that it’ll be good if I scout around for a cheap DVD.
Well… That was just an agenda that I have in mind….
Little did I know that this turns out to be a blessing NOT only for my parents but for me!!

When I was downstairs with a friend for tea, daddy called me and asked how come the DVD cannot be played in the VCD.
Then gotta explain to him that VCD is the lower version and usually lower version cannot play a higer version disc…
Then he told me that he’ll probably buy a DVD player then.
Aiyo.. Panicked man! Quickly tell him don’t buy (cause daddy can be quite an impulsive buyer) cause I am buying for them.
Heeeee…. This brought about a blessing in my life!
He told me that he’ll give me money to buy 2 sets!
Not one set but TWO!
Heeee… One for me….
Well… I went up, grabbed the NTUC link card and went down to buy 2 sets!
Now, I can stay in my room to watch shows liao…
Let’s see… What can I rent… *think think think*

As I think, this song “On Moonlight Bay” keeps ringing in my head.
It’s a very very old movie called On Moonlight Bay with Doris Day acting in it.
Man!
It was a show along with Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Calamity Jane, My Fair Lady that I grew up watching & singing with! (Can anyone identify?)
I guess… I grew up in a household where my parents love music so much that from young, I was exposed to musical shows.
*Sings*
We were sailing along on Moonlight Bay
We could hear the voices ringing
They seemed to say
You have stolen her heart
Now dont go way
As we sang loves old sweet song on Moonlight Bay
*Sings*

I FOUND IT!!!!
I found the link!!! I found the FREE SONG!!!
http://free.hostdepartment.com/b/bryanjames/On-Moonlight-Bay.htm

Anyway, went to catch a movie just now – Must love dogs.
Indeed, it was a rather old show like what my friend advised but I thought I could do with a slow moving show in a fast paced environment.
I enjoyed myself totally – ESPECIALLY the part with the HUGE black dog! Haha!
I particularly like what the main actor said… Something along the line of isn’t it through heartaches and pain that one grows stronger.
It strikes a chord within me thinking “Hey… that’s true! In no matter what situation don’t we go through one problem and when we look back, we can see how much stronger we have grown? We stop growing when we stop facing challenges.”

All righty...
Nighty nights!

Worship Night

Of late, I bump into some human relationship issues at work and I do want to seek God to learn and know how to love people.

I think that when God first created Adam, He really went all out to love Adam and beCAUSE God is Love that’s why He love us... So much so that He sent Jesus to shed blood on the cross.
Hmm… I ask God "God, what makes a loving person?"
I think a loving person would need to die to him/herself continually.
Cause when we love others, we can't only love those who appear lovable to us but we have to yearn to love those who are not-yet-so lovable yet.

Just came back from Worship Night and feeling real refreshed!
Heee... I met up with Yan Yan and when we were making our way to Nexus, I was thinking "Oh no!! I'm late"...
Only to realise that "Hey.. Not many pple yet..."
Ah Long reminded us that hey.. it's ok not to have many people.. Just worship God... What wise words.
Indeed, it brought me back to the fact that I went not cause of my agenda but God's agenda.

Today is a night where reminiscing sets in...
Was reminded of God's first love for me, my first love for God, His plan for me and my life in His hands.
I was reminded that God created us for a plan that has already been drawn out for me.
I AM on the drawing block in the hands of God.
My career, my life, my family, etc.. is in the wonderful hands of my Creator.
There is no greater love than the love that God has given to me.
I was again reminded of my first love for God cause He first loved me. :)

All righty!!!
Time to get back to my agenda.. Haha!!
Nights!!!!!!!!

Thankful heart

~- A song that touched my heart -~

"We rode into town the other day, just me and my Daddy
He said I’d finally reached that age,
and I could ride next to him on a horse
that of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
and so we stopped to find out why
There was that man that my dad said he loved,
but today there was fear in his eyes

So I said Daddy why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is he dressed in that bright purple robe?
I bet that crown hurts him more than he shows
Daddy please can’t you do something?
He looks as if he’s going to cry
You said he is stronger than all of those guys
Daddy please tell me why, why does everyone want him to die?

Later that day the sky grew cloudy

and daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy, boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering

if there was something that he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out,

I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds to a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from a cross:

And it said : Father why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming
Why are they casting their lots for my clothes??
I bet that crown hurts him more than he shows
Father please can’t you do something?
I know that you must hear my cry
I thought I could handle a cross of this size,
Father remind me why,
why does everyone want me to die
When will I understand why?

My precious Son, I hear them screaming.
I’m watching the face of the enemy beaming
but soon I will clothe you in robes of my own.
Jesus this hurts me more than you know
But this dark hour I must do nothing.
I’ve heard your unbearable cry
the power in your blood destroys all the lies
soon you’ll see past their unmerciful eyes.
Look there below see the child trembling by her father’s side.
Now I can tell you why, she is why you must die."

Lyrics by Nicole Nordeman. Titled "Why

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"

Infinity

Gifts gifts gifts!
Conclusion? Amazing friends I have!
The gift of friendship is the best anyone could have.

Let’s see… What’s new in my life… In NO chronological order…

1) New E-cards
Hey! Actually, it's a new friend made too!
Well.. Not exactly new friend.. Classmate for a year but didn’t talk till after a durian outing.
Haaaa!!
Man! This is a lovely card! Really like the first statement - No one can outgive God. Amen to this statement!

Sadly.. This e-card is a Multimedia clip.. Can't save it out.. *tsK*... Can only do a "alt-prt-scr".

And 2 e-cards from 2 lovely brothers Beng and Shawn.
Shawn’s birthday ain’t too far away from mine… :P Man! His present is still lying on my table! I am LATE!

NOT forgetting E-greetings from Tiger & Wendy via Friendster..

2) A lovely watch from Jan. A real surprise honest. She came to meet me for lunch. I was JUST so glad she came cause I was lunching alone which is one thing I dreaded most! But hey… she has to surprise me that day with this. *Sigh*
Hee!!! And what’s more important is a card that’s bought AND beautified by her.

3) This gift came early – Five Love Language for Singles.
Came in very helpful during my trip.
Spoke about what is our primary love language but MORE important, the Language of God is Love.

4) As I was packing my “luggage” in Bangkok, suddenly, Guessie ask me “Hey…! You packing already huh? Wait wait…”
And out come this!

Hee!!! So sweet! Dreams in progress for my door knob!!! But sadly, it’s a tiny itsy bitsy bit too big…. I can’t close my door if I hang it. So it’s just hanging off my shelf now. :P

5) A phone from my dearest sisters – Carol (my blood sister) and Amy (my ex-housemate). I am going to treasure this phone dearly!

6) SHOES SHOES SHOES!
Sandals from Caren, shoe from CG!
Heeee….. New footware.

7) What’s my favourite activity of the night? Journalling! Jan spilled out to Chris that I needed a new journal and presto! I got a new journal! Haaa!!! I must say that This brother VERY steady! Used a shawl to wrap it up. Very creative! Jaw dropping…

8) Shepherd know the sheep best? Nay… Sheeps know their shepherd best!
Haa!!! My both sheeps gave me earrings!
Heeee….. Well… Let’s see when I feel like being vain. :P

9) DinNEr, LuNCh & SupPer
Best way to celebrate is thru food!
The BEST way to a person’s heart is STILL food! Heee…
Met up a friend in between lunch hour, quick dinner before appointment or even dinners and not forgetting a dinner coming up with a good friend this Sat…

10) CardS carDs CarDs
Lovely cards from friends…
The centre one was from the students in Bangkok. They got news about my birthday and gave me a card. Man…!! Ain’t they sweet?!

A lovely card from my dear shepherd... Together with a very beautiful butterfly hairclip... Hmm.. JUST that my hair's VERY short now.
The butterfly is too nice to stay in a corner so it became my bookmark for my bible. :P

11) SMSes SMSes SMSes….
Man… SO many so many smses that I really can’t bear to delete all (HOWEVER, deletion has to take place cause phone no space.. haha!!!)….
Still remember I got a call from a long time poly friend while I was sleeping.
I really struggled to stay awake and talk to him cause it’s been such a LONG time that we have caught up and what better time than birthdays?
Gosh… Miss him and his wife and cute little Rui-anne!!!

Sms from my classmate Bea who missed my presence in class! (I took leave of absence *sob*) Haa!! She does know how to make me feel good leh!
Haaa!!!

One sms "jio" me go watch fireworks... but *sigh*... I can only watch it on TV. Like a sick cat at home on National Day!!

Another sms from cousin to check me out if I remember her birthday since she remembered mine!

Yet another come from a long time ago friend "Bet you must have thought I'd have forgotten your birthday right?" Haaa!!! Honest, I doubt he will forget la... Public holiday leh! *smirk look*

Smses from ex-housemates, ex-classmates, ex-roommates, ex-churchmates, ex-Cgmates, ex-shepherds,….
Hey… I seem to be still living in the past ya?
Haha!!!
Well… Onward and Forward I go…!

Infinity) Memories and love from God and friends and people who touch base in my life.

Up & Down Part II

Hi hi!
Finally got the photos ready! (These photos are from Nel's cam. Still pending Yanling's)
Work has been so busy even since I got back from my trip and I have finally completed my journal.
I can’t believe it!! It’s already past mid-August! Fly fly fly…
I reckon that if I still don’t post these photos up, I may never post at all already.. And I think I will have friends knocking me down. Haaa!!!
Let’s do it the chronological way.

5th August - Day 1

Had a whole morning of rest before making my way to the airport with my parents and sister for a VERY early birthday "bash" at Swensens T2.
I think I am getting a little closer to my family lately that even though it's just a short trip, I felt I was missing them. (Weird! For people who knows me, I was NEVER homesick or missing anyone for my 2 years when I was in Brisbane)
Anyhow, had a wonderful filling lunch and took down orders from my sister "I tell you ah! Must buy the potato chips for me hor!!! Tomyam flavour hor!! U can dun buy me anything but that chips is a must!"
Wah seh... stress man...
Wait cannot find how?
“This is a mission trip you know? Not a shopping trip.” Quoted from Anthony. Hee... :P

Right.... feeling very heavy, I made my way to T1 and met up with Beng, Guessie & Nelson.
While accompanying Beng to NTUC, I bumped into Gerlene. I was SO stunned to see her carrying a guitar!
Man! That is a heavy thing to be carrying overseas... :P *Lazy Sandra*
Felicia, our new baby, was so nice! She came to send us off! Aiyo... we were all so touched!

Waited for all to arrive and went checking in.
Amidst my checking in, I thought I saw Tiger.
"Must have rushed from work!" I thought.
Wanted to say a hi but my guess was he's rushing for check in.
Haa!!!

*sigh*... All the rush and for nothing.
Our plane got delayed. We could just wait patiently for the plane to arrive to bring us to Bangkok.

Arrived at Bangkok after ONE fantastic sleep and ONE VERY nice rainbow to welcome us!
*Yawn*

Transitted 2 hours and wow.. when we walked from the international airport to the domestic one, I felt as if I was talking through a time tunnel!
There were markings to tell us how many more metres to go!
Calculated to be 500m in all.

We were greeted warmly by Ps Pornlert, Noi, Oh & Nit.
We were just simply too tired to take much photos plus the fact that we were too focused on the good food served!

Checked in at Tanya Inn, said a quick prayer & met up for the final evaluation of the day and Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………

6th August - Day 2

Woke up for breakfast and met up with Oh who brought us around in a rented van.
We first went to speak to Ps Pornlert and ask him questions on the situation in Thai and how evangelism is done there and what are the main problems that they are facing right now.

We ended off the conversation with an example that Ps Pornlert shared.
Moses was a man who doesn't want to go anywhere but he allowed God to lead him. When we serve God, don't limit God. God is Unlimited. Just trust in Him.

Very encouraged by this pastor!

A quick snap at Hope CR sanctuary

We next made our way to Hope Chiang Saen (CS) and was hooked up to Ps Dumrong.
We were pleasantly surprised to see a church in the making!
The four main pillars were up. But the windows and doors not quite there yet.
The builders were just in the midst of piling up the bricks..
Woah.. what a sight it was for me. This is literally building a church.



And what Ps Dumrong said touched me lots. "The building will be ready when there is the burden from the people of the church."
It's really true.. cause it's the people that made up the church.
It doesn't belong only to the pastor.

We then went to Khong river to visit a sister who attends Hope CS to encourage her.
Just a background, across Khong River and you will arrive at Myanmar.
We went... say hi.. and we ended with a prayer.
We prayed for Hope CS to be able to grow from 25 to 40 by year end. Prayed for the building to be ready. Prayed for the hearts of the people to be soft.

After which, we headed for Ps Dumrong's house/nursery to visit his wife who was scheduled for delivery on 11th August.
We left for Golden Triangle but only after saying a prayer for safety, wisdom and God's anointing on this family.

We gave tracts to those store holders at Golden Triangle.



The word "language" spoke to me strongly.
Was thinking to myself that if I were REALLY to go another country for mission, I have to master the language!
Man!
Language can really handicap a person.

It rained slightly... but by then, we are nearly done with the stretch of store holders and we made our way to Hope Mae Chan (MC).
We were greeted by the pastor and a few members from the Worship ministry.
A few of us, being dreamers, quickly went up to the stage to ACT a little... :P
I took the drums!! Love percussion! :P

We left after another fruit feast, prayer and went to Mae Chan market to hand some tracts to the stallholders.
"Yesus Rak Khun, Phra Jiaow Rak Khun, etc..."

*YawN*... Gotta admit, waking up EARLY ain't my forte...
On the way back to Chiang Rai, I found my head feeling VERY heavy!
ZZZzzzzz......



We met up with Noi (Oh's wife) and their lovely daughters and ended the day with BBQ!!!
Man!
This is a VERY interesting concept!
We BBQ the food in the middle... and the sides were for the soup.

Beng & Eugene was the champion!
We surrendered with our white flags but they could still go on... *sigh*...



7th August - Day 3

Breakfast and we are on our way to Hope Mae Sai (MS)!!!
Finally the mountains and tribes here we come!
Arrived at MS at about 820am. Greeted by a little cutsey dog.



And then met up with Ps Naruamon and proceeded for our service. My FIRST ever Thai service.



We also met up with the BSP students from Bangkok.
Pleasantly surprised cause we didn't know they were there.
It was very nice cause one of them spoke English pretty well...
Least Penny could share her testimony more at ease. :P

We performed two songs also. I love you Jesus and Before the world began.
Really wanting to encourage them that even before anything, God already has them in mind. Before birth, God already know the number of hairs on our head. God already has a purpose drawn up for us all. And above all else, God loves us.



Being a small church, we could enjoy lunching in the church.
They have all the food ready by the time service as over!
Wow... fantastic man!
Homecooked lunch!
And boy! It taste fantastic! But hmm... a little hot.. :P
Well.. I pop myself beside Gift, a BSP student.
One of my own personal agenda was really to learn more about the Thai Culture and I am VERY interested in how other culture worship God.
Very encouraged by her as she shared slightly about her life.

After lunch, we brought our things to a motel which we stayed for the night and we made our way to the mountains to visit the members of Hope MS.



We were greeted by a very shy little boy and his parents.
Personally, I was very touched by their hospitality.
Talk about possessions, we may be richer but hey... when we all went there, they took out so much food to serve us.
Realised that in Thailand particularly in the mountainous/village areas, evax is done mainly through relationship cause all the villagers keep a lookout for one another.
We visited several households and before we left, we prayed.

After all the visitations, we went on another 20mins ride to one village that's VERY inside.
Hope of God Napong.
When we alighted, we were warmly greeted with a tribal dance and the Akha tribe people came and put flower garlands around our neck.
And shortly after, we found ourselves dancing round and round too!
As I was dancing, I was thinking, "Which is my left feet? Which is my right?"
Haha!
I fumbled SO much!



Shortly after, we joined them for the service.
Pastor of Napong shared on how happy he was to see all of us and he testified that God is the ultimate source of living.
When he first went to pastor that village, he doesn't even know how to speak the language of the tribe.
But God is good and He is faithful.
So long as he is faithful to God, God will be faithful.
After awhile, he mastered the language!
Indeed, obedience before anything else.



After that, Penny went to play with the drums and asked the drummer to teach her while Nelson went jamming with some guitar...And a birthday song was sung for me. *Awww*
Caren and I decided to do some more talking.
Haha!!! Yak non-stop..
We continued with the BSP students from Bangkok and boy...! When we left, we were "dragged" to leave.. Haha!!
So much to talk, so little time...
Thank goodness, we do have sufficient time to exchange emails.



We ended off with an evaluation in the night.
For me, Sunday was one humbling day for me.
I learned so much.
I learned what's being thankful is all about.
I learned that the Language that God speaks is Love.
I learned that God yearns nothing more than obedience from us.
I learned that God uses anyone so long as the heart is willing.

8th August - Day 4

Next day, it was a R&R day.
Not that the other days were not R&R but this day, it was walking around Mae Sai.
Went from mountain peak to another peak.
When we were in this peak, we were pointed to the other peak and were told that "That's the next place we are going to!"
And we all went "Aaaww....! Clouds!!!"
At the same time, we got to see how CLOSE Myanmar is to Thailand.
It’s just like JB & Singapore.
Their causeway qutie interesting.
Gave me the feeling of the period drama shows that you travel from one country to another and cross the gate. Know what I mean?
That blue colour roof thingy on the right of the photo is the “gate”. Myanmar is left from the picture.



Haha!!!
We went to visit the Princess Mother's flower garden "Mae Fah Leung's Garden".
Boy oh boy!
Flowers flowers flowers!!!!
It's like a flower paradise....!
Ok ok.. I am being crazy over flowers.. That's me.... *SMILE*






We were brought around and finally Noi and Oh brought us to a Presbytarian church that's pastored by Noi's brother in law.
Guess what?
It's my first time in a padi field... and my 2nd time fishing.
*sigh*... The simplicity of life is just so beautiful.
I see fields and fields of padi...
There isn't any tall landscape and I can see the sky...
Just sit by the pond and enjoy the wind (And flitting mosquitoes).





Can see who's riding that scooter? YES! My dear CL!



I did put my hands on that scooter too… Heee… though I have been driving and on the road for years… and I also, I do know how to ride a bike but hey.. When I first started on the bike, I just found myself being UNABLE to control it..!! Haaaa… Really gave me 2nd thoughts to obtain a bike license.
But no doubt, I love the feeling being on a bike. Nature just rub against you.

Again, I can’t keep my hands off dogs…


And another thing I can’t resist????


9th August - Day 5 (Midnight)

Traveled back to Bangkok and was received by some students from the Student Ministry house. Stayed there for a night NOT before another birthday song was sung and a birthday cake was cut!
Thanks brothers! Thanks sisters! Thanks sheepie! Thanks shepherd!
Been such a blessing to KNOW that I am in this BIG family of God… I know… I know that if I were to be in trouble, they will be there for me.
Not forgetting all who remembered my birthday and sent me all the smses all the way from Singapore.
It warms my heart so so much!
Well… Next blog, I will share some gifts that I received…. :P

For now, that’s it.
Memories too overflowing. Words are just limited.

Up & Down Part I

For the past 5 days, I have been up and finally down.
I went up to the north-est part of Thailand in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and back down to Singapore.
Man! Why does holiday have to end so so fast?

Indeed, no matter what, all good things have to come to an end.
What’s most important is that I have lots of wonderful memories to bring home with me.

It has truly been a blessed & humbling trip for me.
I have always known that I am blessed but it was a good reminder again to know how REALLY blessed I am.

When I first arrived in Bangkok, I was greeted by a very faint rainbow.
Man!! I was so excited that I kept shouting in the plane. Ok… Hmm.. NOT really shouted but loud enough for people in the vicinity of 1 row in front and back of me to turn to look outside the plane.
But it was so comforting to see God’s covenant! Seemed to tell me that He will be with us throughout the trip.

Well… transited 2 hours at BKK before we reached Chiang Rai at 1030pm.
Was greeted by a lovely couple, Oh and Noi together with Nit (a CL at Hope CR) and Ps Pornlert.
*sigh*… What a scene… We were so excited seeing each other and we were busy “Sawadeeka-ing” and “Sawadeekup-ing”… Haha…
It was a REAL messy scene... Haha!!
Was treated to a wonderful meal! It’s called Rice Soup and boy! It taste like Teochew Mui (Porridge)…
Then we headed to Tanya Inn which was the motel that put us up for the next two days.
Personally, it was quite saddening that we arrived so late. It’s quite a one day lost. Nonetheless, I was so filled with excitement when we first stepped into Chiang Rai…
I kept asking God “What’s in store? What do you have for me to learn?” Boy.. Was I in for a GREAT surprise!

2nd day was a church hopping day…
We hopped from Hope Chiang Rai to Hope Chiang Saen to Hope Mae Chan.
Had a wonderful sessions with all the pastors there.
One thing shared by Ps Pornlert that touched me lots is this:

Even though we have many languages, the most important language is the love of God. If we have the love of God, we can go everywhere. Many times, we can’t help others cause we don’t love enough.

It’s amazing really cause before the trip, God reminded me that “…every tribe and tongue will confess that He is Lord…”
Though Ps Pornlert joked that whatever we take back is only 50% of what he said cause of language barrier, his heart for God spoke volumes!
Anyhow, we had a fun time giving out tracts at the Golden Triangle and at Mae Chan. I was paired up with Caren and all we could say was “Sawadeeka, Phra Jiaow ruk khun” & “Yesu ruk khun”… Haha!! But hey.. Thai people are really friendly. They took the tracts, smiled at us. Least they didn’t chase us away!!!
Well.. the time we left Mae Chan, it was already 5pm. And we headed back to Chiang Rai. Ended off with a VERY nice BBQ dinner…
Man! This mission trip seemed to be getting better! Haha!! I was expecting cup noodles honest! :P

Next day, we woke up early to leave for Mae Sai where we were to stay for the night.
My first time to a service where I don’t understand the language AT all…
However, when I first entered the sanctuary, I could just feel the presence of God. It was such an emotional moment for me honest. Heee…
By the time praise was over, I was bowled over at this Love Language of God.
When I looked around at the service, wow… there was even people from the tribes there!And they were praising God! There was dancing and there was singing!
When worship was over and Holy Communion time came, I simply cannot control my tears.
Boy… even as I type now, I can feel tears… Hee…
Anyway… amazingly, (Must be God’s timing), the BSP (Bible Study Program) students from Hope Bangkok was there to bless Hope Mae Sai and there was this Brother Ake who spoke English very well. Thus Penny was able to share a testimony and there was an interpreter!

After the service, we checked in Huaen Kham Resort Hotel. For this time, we squeezed 5 gals into one room instead of having 2 rooms. Low in $$$ already!!! :P
Yeah! I finally did not waste my effort in bringing my sleeping bag! So happy!
Haha!!!!Well.. after checking in, we did a quick wash up, change out and went to the mountains to visit the church members of Hope Mae Sai.
*sigh*… I think once in a while, this type of trip is REALLY very VERY helpful to remind us how BLESSED we are in Singapore!
The villagers lived in houses where there is no electricity. The house was in total darkness and there wasn’t a lock to the door in the house. Basically, it was in the open.
Visited several households and with each household, I was brought back to the love of God. When we asked what prayer request they seek for, it was simply for God’s love, God’s peace and His protection. That simple.

Hmmm… That night ended with the visitation to Hope Napong. Hope Napong is the church for the Arka Tribe people.
When we arrived there, we were greeted by a tribal dance and music that they played for all of us.
Shortly after, I soon find myself enjoying a dance together with them. Man! It was SO heartwarming! So heartwarming to know that every tribe, every nation just share this joy of the Lord….
What really invoked my emotions was when I realized that the Arka tribe was a despised minority group and they have their limited area that they can be in.
Boy… Who am I to complain about having no freedom? Who am I to complain about my job? Who am I to complain about not having enough when I already have a job and a roof over my head?
I asked the school teacher, Ice Cream, (See! Isn’t God amazing?! He placed interpreters for us!!!) how does the Arka apple feel? And she said that they feel worthless, they feel rejected.
*sigh*… that was told to me JUST before I stepped into the service. Can imagine how I felt? I was totally humbled!!
I chose a seat that’s beside a tribal person and when we were welcoming one and all, *sigh* cry-baby me start to cry again!
Aiyo… I almost dun know where to hide my face! I was smiling & crying at the same time. Haha!
Anyway, we had a REAL fun time cause we played a game together! Haha!!Then Penny went up to share again. Heee… Guess she has never thought that she would be sharing so many testimonies in just one day.

Oh man… I didn’t realized that I have already written so so much.
There are still SO much more for me to write!
I haven’t finish writing about our wonderful host and my motorbike experience and OH YES! My birthday experience!!
I promised that in the next blog, there will be pictures involved! And yes.. More stories!
For now, this is it.
Heee… Time to get ready for work tomorrow.
Back to civilization. Haha!

Refiner's Fire

My colleague asked me a VERY interesting question this week - Do you have any eternal value in your work now?
That really got me thinking.
We came into the conclusion that as followers of Christ, we CAN make our job into one with eternal value.. i.e. IF we share His word to those around us.

*** Time Travel back to 1992 ***
Friend asked "What if my grandma didn't hear about Christ? Would she still be able to go to heaven?"

*** Back to 2005 ***
As I am preparing for the mission trip, I am reminded of the verse that spoke about our beautiful feet.

Romans 10:14-15

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!""

At the same time, I was brought back to 1992 when my friend asked that question.
Isn't it true "How can one believe in the One whom they have not heard of?"

All righty!
I am going to be VERY quiet at least till 9th August..
Chiang Rai here I come!
Gonna bring my beautiful feet away from Singapore... :P

Later.