22nd March 2009

Ok this was our last day in Jakarta.  We went to another Abba Love church for Sunday service.  We worshipped their.  Uncle William gave sermon there with a pro translater.  Yeah, he preached in English.  Hmm... I really admired the translator.  He was really fast and precise.  *Thumb up*

Hmm...After the service, we went for our brunch at a nearby stall.  The noodles there not bad also.  Not too tasty but not bad.  Enjoyed the meal.  Before the meal, Kian Aun wanted to leave them our Give Thanks song and Bernice was the one who taught the Indons.  Hmm... 

After the meal we started our journey to the airport.  Hmm... We checked in everything and we took some photos there with our hosts and then we went to the departure hall.  Hmm...

What I shared here were not the entire thing as we were in different groups.  Some amazing things that other groups experienced I wasn't really clear.  But I will conclude the trip on the next post :)  

21st March 2009

                                          

This was the place we stayed overnight after the extreme prayer.  Hmm... Most of us gals did not manage to sleep tight as the room was too cold and there was so much noice made by people outside the room.  I think it was because they just came back from the prayer.  And we heard uncle William talking so loudly so early in the morning.  *sweat*

Hmm...This was the day most of us looked forward to where we would have our free time and we would have time to shop for souvenirs etc.  Some were looking for branded sports wear as they said the goods are sold cheaper there.  Well, we waited till noon then only went to those places.  We went to a mall, and we had Japanese food.  Mission trip wor...

I did not get to really tour around the giant mall.  I only got to visit their toilets *sweat* Haha... From the time we were at the Japanese restaurant I already in the toilet once.  When my food came, they informed me then I went back there to finish my food.  Then I went to the same toilt again.  After they left, I came out thought of meeting them, but they went different direction.  I was still not feeling quite well so I visited the toilet at another level.  Keke...  That's how I spent my day in the mall.  

Then we went to another place that sells all the sports wear.  I did not get anything from there too.  Haha... There was nothing interesting for me, not too interesting that will get me to spend there.  Some of us did get things there for themselves as well as for family members.  

At 5pm, we had to attend a youth service.  That church is in a mall itself.  The whole church has about 400 youths and kids.  What amazed me was seeing kids worshipping God with their hearts.  I had never seen such scene in my church.  The kids flipped the bible as the 16 year old girl was preaching up there.  It was really impressive.  We played our mime- The Simple Heart there and Carmen shared her testimony there.  

After that we left the church to the Industry again to have our dinner and to have short sharing on the trip as well as the church we attended just now.  After that we went to have satay ayam some where with the local church members- Amos, Erwin and Ricky if I'm not mistaken.  They have been the greatest hosts ever.  

19th- 20th March 2009

The host, Pak Rueben shared on Ephesians 3: 1- 13 and Philippians 3: 7- 8 and his sharing led me to share on John 16:33 I could hardly understand what he shared because of the language.  But I think it was about giving up things for the sake of Christ.  I felt that it's a very difficult thing to do.  By giving up those things cost us a lot.  But we are always comforted because God has already overcome the world, we do not have to worry or afraid (we will do as we are human, lack of faith).  

After the dawn prayer we went back to the house and we packed.  We had our breakfast- fried rice, prepared by his wife and we had sweet tea.  It tasted good and this time without pig skin :P

Our next station was a school- Cendrawaseh Kristen School.  This is a private school and it's a christian school.  It was Erwin's school, he graduated his junior high here.  By the way, Erwin was our guide when we were in the village.  

We joined their KidsGame in the school.  I was observing them and I got ideas for my kids in the center.  Some of the games they can play too :)  After each games they had small group discussion.  The helper will tell them the values they can learn through the games and they related it to bible stories too.  I kinda like it and hoping to be trained.  

After the KidsGame, we went to the junior high school.  We toured around the school then we joined they worship session.  If I am not mistaken, the worship is a daily thing.  We were invited to sing two songs on stage.  We sang Hari Ini Ku Rasa Bahagia and How Great is Our God.  Well, I found their worship dry as it was more l ike a concert than true worship.  However, I also felt they they are really blesssed to be reminded of God's presence everyday.  No matter how each of them worship, no matter what their attitudes are, they received the seed.  In His time, it will grow.  

After that we went to Erwin's house for lunch.  Her mum sells noodles outside his house.  He has a huge house.  We had Bakmi ayam i think.  It was tasty and again he served us a lot of other foods like Popiah, fish crackers, huge bananas, and I had my favorite drinks there- Fanta :)  The headmaster of Cendrawaseh treated us lunch there.  Hmm... We rested at his house and then he brought us to one of Abba Love at Carrefoure.  It was a nice place.  

Oh yeah, we visited another school called SMU? It is a public school and we were invited to join their CF (Christian Fellowship).  I gave my testimony there and we played our drama there- Why Didn't You Tell Me Earlier? by Eliza and Hui Xian.  KM preached, it was actually a summary on the drama and Kian Aun did the ice- breaker. Heh... The CF was really impressive.  The students were attentive and always connected to us when we talked.  During their worship, we can really see that it was from their hearts.  Their attitudes encouraged me a lot and I shared my testimony with the lowest fear level.  These were Senior High students.  Compared to the Junior High students, yeah, their maturity level is higher.   Apparently it was a famous school like our Sam Tet and Ave Maria. 

Then we went to their sports ministry place.  It was a comfy place.  Besides their church, they have a place to hang out.  It is like a second home.  Cool!  There are basketball courts and Futsal courts.  They are superb.  They have so many coach and their players can play very well.  When the other groups reached the Industry also. We had brief sharings on their stay at the villages.  Then we played captain ball and futsal together.  Then we had BBQ and then to the Extreme Prayer.  It was an overnight thing, from 10pm to 5 am the next morning.  But we left at 2am after the refreshments.  

During the Extreme Prayer.  I had no feelings.  The drum beat away all my feelings.  As I tried to focus on God, everyone of my family members, my friends and loved ones accured in my mind.  All their faces flashed in my mind.  I began to pray for their salvation.  I named them one by one.  I named them again and again.  After that only found out that some of us from our team prayed for the same thing.  I guessed God alerted us that we should pray and reach out to our loved ones.  Hmm... It should not stop there.  

18th March 2009

Upon Jervin's request, I'm here to share about my Indonesia trip.  Haha... Yeah, I was back in Ipoh for a week by now.  I was too lazy to share it here again because I shared many times already.  Haha...

18th March

 

When we reached Indonesia's Airport, we were received by the fellow brethren from Abba Love.  Abba Love is a huge church with many branches.  It's a church like City Harvest in Singapore.  Then we were sent to a village called Sehwan.  We gathered at a kindergarten.  The first stop was at the "Mental Health Rehab Center".  We had fellowship with some of the mentally ill people.  One of them played the guitar and sang us two songs.  We sang two songs for them too.  Then we were served butter cookies.  After that we were told to break ourselves into 3 groups because each group will be going into different villages.  My group went to a Ex- lepers village, another group went to a rubbish dump village and another group to a village with a lot of kids(?).  We did not know the conditions of the 3 villages and we did not know what to expect.  So off we went to the respective villages.  

When I reached the village, it wasn't as bad as I expected.  We did not get to bath in the river.  Hehe... I did not know that that is an ex- lepers village also.  I got to know when I found that most of the uncles and aunties do not have fingers, or their fingers and toes are crooked.  Then only I asked Km.  Once we reached the host's house, we were served soft drinks, then we were served Chocolate Ice- blended and then bubur kacang hitam, which we thought it was our dinner.  By now you can see how hospitable are they.  They were so warmth.  

After we bathed, we went home visits.  We went to a few houses.  We were treated Eskrim in one of the houses we visited.  They run a business and they said it was from God.  It's a kedai runcit.  The first thing that the people said when they saw us was Puji Tuhan.  They were ex- lepers.  Because of their sickness, they lost their fingers, toes and legs.  They are poor and yet they praised God.  I can hardly do that, I blamed God for the things that I've to go through.  When my center has visitors, I never said praise God.  I have never said that.  To them, God's people are Luar Biasa, yet I felt that I am just as ordinary as other people.  I did not seriously think that having God is a Luar Biasa thing.  I was slapped twice once I was there. 

Would I praise God when I lose a leg? Fingers? Toes? They are so simple and they place their trust fully on God.  I felt and still feeling so ashamed for trying to run away from God like Adam and Eve.  Shame on me!   :(

We joined their young adult meeting too.  I had language barrier plus I wasn't really alert, I couldn't understand what they were talking about.  They were fun and cheerful.  Their worship was superb and their prayer meeting was so different from us.  They are planning to go on a mission soon, if I'm not mistaken, they will be going in May.  I must remember to pray for them.  Hmm... I took the initiative to talk to them.  I got them to write something in my journal too :)

After that we went back home, we had our dinner.  I swallowed a piece of pig skin.  I thought it was sotong or something.  I had never ever seen pig skin in this form.  I did not want to know what it was too.  But Erwin, he told us.  I was not in time to stop him.  sigh...

We were told that the next morning they have dawn prayer.  It was at 5am, Malaysian time will be 4am.  Ok it was our first night ok?  But we managed to wake up in time.  

Today is the third day I worked with that difficult colleague after the 3 months break from her.  Oh well, I felt that I've changed- not to be more patient though.  I changed to be more direct.  I felt that I'm braver to confront her and those parents.  Oh well, they may feel that I'm not in the right mood.  However, sooner or later they will know that I have become more firm to them.  

I do not know how they may feel with my change especially for my colleague.  But I want to be brave to do what is right at work.  Hmm... It's a tiring and busy day.  But I felt most peaceful at this moment.  I hope that this peace will continue to wrap me tightly.  

I handed my application form for my studies.  Am I ready?  I seriously do not know.  I felt that I will be bound by it.  I will not have so much freedom to be involved in certain activities.  But I'm really in the mood to learn new things and to be as expressive as possible when I teach.  I need to revive my spirit in my area of work as well as my relationship with my family.  I felt that I have neglected them for a while.  Hmm...

I'm in Indonesia :)

Oh man, I've been here in Indonesia for 3 days. I'm having great time here. I met a lot of people that are so fervent in serving God. I met people who can praise God so gladly and so sincerely. I really feel so ashamed of my faith. Sigh...

Yeah, having great time but still I know there is something in my heart that I need to settle. Some of the time really felt that I can hardly focus on God, it could be because of new environment and it could be because of the way of they worship is different from us. I really admire their way of praising God and trusting God. They are so true and so real. Sigh...

You Are My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up, I'd be a fool

You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising up now I'll bless your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down, you pick me up

When I am dry, you fill my cup

You are my all in all

When we were singing this song just now, I finally realised that at the end of the day, the only one who will not abandon me forever is God.  He says He loves me, He meant and still mean it.  He will be with me till the end of time and still He will be with me after the end of time.  It's the true everlasting love.  

A couple maybe in love now, but this love is not going to last.  Some years down the road, there maybe problems, with those problems, the couple  may start drifting apart from each other.  Unforgiveness, hurts, tears will separate them forever.  Even friendships are not everlasting.  One day, we will leave this earth.  Tears swelled when I finally realised that He is the one I need most right now.  The One whom will do what He has promised.  

Most of us are like NATO ( No Action, Talk Only) especially when comes to handling emotions.  One minute, we will be able to think straight, another minute, we mess up what we think we have already thought through.  We contradict ourselves at times.  But God will never ever do that to us.  He mean what He says and He does what He says.  No matter how flowery our words can be when we express our love to some one, when situations or unhappiness come, we change our minds.  I'm struggling hard to do things, to love, to care like how Jesus did!  

I know what I'm talking about.  It maybe a bit disorganised as I wrote whatever that comes to my mind.  I just felt like blogging it...

 

My Heart Is Far From You

Mark 7: 6

He replied," Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 

This verse really struck me when my colleague was reading this passage.  The feeling was like being slapped on the face.  Oh well, yeah, I can tell people how great is God, how He had been and still blessing me, but viewing on my attitude toward things, people, relationships and work, truly, my heart is far from Him.  I have been doing things against His will.  I maybe ruining a bright and purposeful future that He has planned for me.  A lot of temptations came and still are coming my way.  I failed to keep myself away from those temptations.  Sigh... In short, keeping myself on the right path really is a struggle.  O God, help me flee from it.  

Wish You Jesus

I could wish you joy and peace

To last a whole life long

I could wish you sunshine

Or a cheerful little song

Or wish you all the happiness

That this life could bring

But I wish you Jesus

But I wish you Jesus

But I wish you Jesus

More than anything

I could wish you leaves of gold

And may your path be smooth

I could wish you treasures

Or that all your dreams come true

And I could wish you paradise

That everyday be spring

But I wish you Jesus

But I wish you Jesus

But I wish you Jesus

I've wished you everything

'Cause when I wish you Jesus 

I wish you everything

I'm Telling You Now

I copied this image from KM's blog.  It was one of his posts too.  I bet most people had read it.  Yeah, this has been bothering me quite a lot.  What if I'm really caught up in this situation where my friend and I meet with an accident and while we are waiting to find out if we are dead, an angel turns up to me and wants to bring me to heaven while my beloved friend is left alone and soon being caught by an "officer" from Hell.  Yeah, surely he/ she will blame me for not sharing the gospel to him/ her.  Sigh... It's a difficult thing to do as it's quite a sensitive issue.  Well, I could be giving an excuse.  But I won't hide my identity.  Yes, I'm a Christian.  

God's love, God's faithful, God's good.  There is none other people that I know/ knew on earth would do what God had done and still doing for me and for His sons and daughters.  He provides my needs, giving me a heart to love even to person who hurt me badly.  Ability to stay strong when I'm weak, ability to overcome fear and many more.  I wish you (who are yet to find out who this God is) Jesus.  I hope one day we will share the same faith and share the same vision and mission in our lives.  May God reveal Himself to you so that you will also be saved by this Super Hero, a Hero that nobody on this earth can replace.  Not spiderman, not superman, not batman.  He is Jesus!  

Keep on doing what you know is right

Dedicating a song to my friends, my loved ones and whoever that are striving to do what is right.  Well, I do not know how to sing this song.  I found this when I was preparing a song list for worship.  The night before that, a friend was pouring out to me how much struggle it is to stay strong and to do what we know is right.  

Here it goes:

Don't grow weary in doing well

Don't surrender in the fight

Keep on storming 

The gates of Hell

Keep on doing what you know is right

For there will be 

Seasons of testing

And there may be

Weeping for a night

But soon we'll be

Reaping the blessing

If we keep pressing on

Toward the prize

Keep on praying in the Spirit

Keep on walking in the Light

Don't be fearful or discouraged

Keep on doing 

What you know is right

Stay strong my friends, you are not alone!

Things Happen for Reasons

2 things happened strangely lately.  

1.  I brought  my laptop to church for no reason.  However, the people there needed it which i did not expect it to happen.  According to one of them, I was led by the Spirit.

2.  Every time I banked in cheque, I did not write things that are required at the back of it.  But few days ago, I banked in my cheque and I did not know why I was so hard working, i wrote all the things that are required at the back of it.  This morning, I received a call from bank, said that the date of my cheque was wrong and I was asked to collect it.  I answered the call when I was not supposed to as I was having class, just so happened that I went in to office and my phone was vibrating.  

I just felt that things happened for reasons.  Many things happen in life.  Some times we really cannot see the reason behind it especially when we are trying to strive on.  Maybe we should stop asking why and try to enjoy the process of getting to know why.  

March

It's the last week of February now.  I'm taking a deep breathe to welcome March.  Sigh... I really need to commit myself, my whole self to God.  I have been questioning myself if the same thing is gonna happen to the same person when we start working together again.  I hope for change desperately.  *inhale* 

I thank God for the break that I had from that person since January though.   

Oh God, I'm really afraid.  I need self control when I have contact with this person.  I do not want to know how she tries to defend herself.  I do not want to be too smart to sense the lies, the excuses that she's gonna give.  Oh God please, help me through, guide me when it comes to me.  Show me the right way to settle problems, help me to be brave, help me handle my stress properly!  I'm so afraid.  Oh my dear Father, keep me in Your arms, the warmest, the most secured One that nobody can ever provide.  Father, tell me that I can do it.  I need You so much!  

Elim Gospel Hall's New Building

It's amazing how it grows so fast!!!  It has got 4 walls now... Though it's still in the process.  Our group's first project will be in this hall :)  I kinda can't wait for it to complete!  It's really amazing.  

Toothpaste= Giant

I've a child who dislikes brushing his teeth with toothpaste.  Being the naughty teacher, I gotta let him try by forcing it into his mouth.  The same method may not work for every child.  I know him and I hope to help him overcome.  So... I asked my colleague to hold his arms and I helped him brush.  He's an Autistic child by the way.  

We did the same thing twice.  The third time, when I brought him to brush his teeth, he was actually anticipating me to squeeze the toothpaste on his toothbrush and he opened his mouth for me to brush.  I was so happy.  I was so glad that he had overcome his fear.  Of course after every trials we praised him for being so brave and for being so good boy.  We praised him for being hygienic too.  

Looking at him reminded me of facing the giants in life.  We are challenged everyday.  Some challenges are really hard to take.  Using toothpaste to brush teeth maybe a giant for my kid.  With help and bravery, he overcame it.  It takes two to work too.  He was brave enough to struggle less.  He depended on us- teachers as well as himself.  We need somebody stronger to depend on too so that when we are trying to face our challenges, we are able to draw strength from the stronger ones, to be motivated, to be encouraged to press on.  

Have we found the stronger One and have we found the right friends that will help us move on? Are we those kind of friend who would motivate our friends and encourage our friends when they are challenged?  We need friends, we need each other.  Adam needed Eve.  I need you and you and you and you too.  

   

             

LCL

It was an easy day for me due to the intensive training for my new colleague. She gotta teach as much as possible for this two weeks, so most of my kids were passed to her today :) I was just overseeing the sessions. Hmm... Not boring though.

I felt ticklish when I tensed a kid up. He sighed many times and kept telling me that he cannot do. I timed him as he always daydreams. I was so happy that the timer worked for him. He was so afraid to see himself running out of time. And he completed his task on time :) But before he finished his work I laughed when I saw him tension, he must be thinking that I'm a pervert :P haha...

Some time I feel that children are afraid of non- living things- cane, rubber band etc, more than living things- parents and/ or teachers. Haha... Are parents and teachers not comparable to cane and timer and etc? That's why I do not use cane or ruler on my kids. I feel that the cane or ruler takes over my authority. It makes me feel useless :P Haha... Of course, there are more reasons/ facts to it.

People around me seem very into photographing. During CNY I went to my friend's friend's house together with 2 of my friends. There was a pair of twins who were into photographing. I think they were taking the opportunity to sharpern their skills.

As I was grabbing some of the photos from Facebook, I got a chance to look back at the photos in my collection. I observed myself in the photos especially those that was taken without me knowing it. I looked at myself, my expression and thanked those who took them. If not I wouldn't be able to see my expression when I talk, when I laugh, when I'm focus and when I'm lost.

This led me to feel thankful to those who pointed out my weaknesses, my reactions towards certain situations, my goodness, my successes and my foolishness. Without these comments, I wouldn't be who I am now. I wouldnt be able to learn and grow with confident. Thank God for all of you who had impacted my life, and inspired me to move on!

Another Closed Friend's Wed

I think there were too many cameras so all of us stared at different direction. I will not foret the whistle man. That camera man who wore a whistle to get ppl's attention when he is videoing.

SWEET :)

It's a time for us to gather together.

Haha... What is the fan doing there? It spoilt our picture!

AGJ 8368

This morning, I sent a friend to Public Bank located at Jalan Pasir Puteh. I had something to do over there as well. I parked my car right in front of PB. When I was done, i went back to my car and saw this <<<<<-----

A Myvi was blocking my way. I honked and honked for about 7 minutes, nobody came out. A lot of people stuck their heads out to see what happened. But not the owner.

After I honked a few more times, the owner came out from the bank. She walked so slowly as if she bought the road. When she came out, she did not show any guiltiness. She even took her time to check her co-driver side to see if there's any scratch! Oh man, I was getting so impatient. This aunty was fortunate enough, if it's not me, she will kena scold very badly! Sigh...

Happy or Grumpy?

It's a happy day
And I thank God for the weather
It's a happy day
I'm living it for my Lord
It's a happy day
Things are gonna get better
Living each day
By the promises
In God's Word

It's a grumpy day
And I can't stand the weather
It's a grumpy day
Living it for myself
It's a grumpy day
And things aren't gonna get better
Living each day
With the Bible on my shelf


I find it so difficult to sing this song on Wednesdays. Not every Wednesday of course. Some times some of my colleagues will choose this song. Imagine when your mood is so bad, and you are to sing this song. Well, you can choose to be quiet. Some how, it makes me feel weird. But this song also reminds me to thank God and to praise God no matter how my mood is. In all seasons, praise the Lord. The world is still beautiful and I trust that God will help each of us through especially when we are facing problems, be it relationships, work, or health.