...Of Money and Uni.

God has been good to me.

I'd just recieved my paycheck from DSO, and it's a surprise totally out of the blue. I know that when we honour God, God will honour us - He has indeed blessed me richly. And not to forget I'm still waiting for my next paycheck from Uncle Noel for the recent PLMGS Camp. Now I can fully concentrate on the upcoming JoinT event which my youth group is organizing.

I'd also recieved my letter of acceptance from UniSIM, I will be taking a degree, BA (Honours) in Sociology with Communication Studies. It was a journey that God had led me all along since the time when I had to decide whether to attend the University of Canberra as there was an opening for me with a bursary. But I didn't feel right about that option, and asked God

"Dad, is this what YOU really want for me...?"

That day I attended church, and had a Word of Wisdom session with Ps Tony. When went into a time of practical sessions and Sister Julia prayed for me. She saw a vision of a blue print, but without any structural design lines. She felt that God was saying that God wants me to be involved in His plans, to put in what I desire and choose; God wants to co-labour, not dictate, well at least for this issue. The beautiful thing was that I saw the same vision even before she spoke, and was amazed at how similar both our visions were.

And so into the unknown I plunged myself, trusting 100% in God that what He has spoken, He will accomplish. And now I am holding my letter of acceptance in my hand.

God is good all the time.

T.A.G.S!

T.A.G.S - To A Greater Success!

I'm finally back from Malaysia, spending 4 days with 162 screaming girls from PLMGS. In the beginning I was worried that I wouldn't be able to handle these kids. Every one of the 162 girls are leaders in their own different fields - some are prefects, some are peer leaders, while the rest come from all the individual CCAs.

Initially it was quite difficult getting thru to them on the first day, maybe perhaps they were still unfamiliar with the camp setting and with the sudden appearance of a big bulky guy who is supposed to be taking care of them for the next few days.

My group encountered the most problems throughout the camp. We lost our way for the 1st game, and had to rush lunch in order to catch up with the timing for the bus that’s leaving. During the jungle track, we were the last team to complete our tasks and had only 15 mins to enjoy the waterfall at Kota Tingi.

Honestly, I felt that I let the group down, but I kept up my spirits with the help of God and an old army maxim I learnt as an NCO that "what is done is done, now carry on!"

And God is good, because despite getting lost and ended up last to arrive at the checkpoint, we had our baptism of fire that day, and it held us together against all adversity. Our worst mistakes gave us our greatest unity. Despite us being last on the jungle track, everyone, even the shy and the quiet ones encouraged one another to carry on.

I witnessed how the girls would challenge those among them with fear of heights to take the plunge at the Flying Fox station, their cheers and encouragement disarming the fears that so often incapacitate them.

I was touched when this girl approached me and thank me for helping her to overcome her fear.

I thank God for the opportunities to teach about biblical leadership through the devotion sessions, and how crucially important it was to hide God's Word in their hearts as leaders. And thru all the difficulties, I was able to teach one important lesson to them all -

Leaders dare to try, they dare to fail, and they dare to pick themselves up and try again.

God is not looking for strong or capable leaders. He's looking for those who would avail themselves and say "yes", to be refined by God for His purposes.

God has indeed blessed me greatly with this trip. Though officially I was there to work for Uncle Noel, money was the last thing on my mind (Seriously! The pay is quite low!) I simply wanted to be used by God for His purpose in the lives of all these young impressionable minds, to burn into them the eternal principals of Christian leadership, that “to be the first you must be the last, that in order to lead, you must serve” – these were my parting words with them.

I witness the beautiful scene of the girls singing praises to God and worshipping Him, and responding to an altar call given by one of the teachers to be a leader that God would use in PLMGS. I’m not sure whether it’s the peer pressure or what, but every single one of them responded.

To end the camp, each group had to fold up their “group identity sheet”, and upon this sheet were the group name, icon, and motto. I could see the sadness in their eyes when I explained to them that the camp will be officially over when I fold the sheet up. When the girls heard this, they grabbed the sheet from me and refused to let me fold it. (Ha!) To tell you the truth, it was quite heart wrenching to ask the sheet back, and to fold it one by one. “Even though by folding this sheet we officially disperse this group, TAGS (my group) will live on forever in your hearts and in your memories.”

I never thought that I would have such a strong bond with my girls. Instead of an “instructor – trainees” kind of relationship, it was more like an “older brother – younger sisters” kind of thing. Their enthusiasm and joy made my day. (Not to forget the screams and their endless girly giggles!)

Thank God for using me in such a special way, perhaps next year I'll see them again?

Perhaps...

Not that Issue again?!

A friend of mine is experiencing some problems with his girlfriend of close to 3 years. Apparently they broke up on the reasons that they both needed more time to sort things out.

Don't worry, this friend of mine is a faithful brother who loves God, just that his turn of events got me really thinking.

But the seeing him weeping quietly in the corner has profound impact on me.

I always believed that if God has called two people together, their relationship will together produce a fruit that one cannot bear alone. God had it planned all along when He took Eve out of Adam - they are inseparable and part of each other.

"Not good for man to be alone..." It's a mystery uttered by God that I can't seem to grasp.

Anyway the dangerous part is for us to base our feelings on shallow emotions ALONE. For guys it’s particularly dangerous because of the issue of lust - decisions can be made solely based on that, and many lives are ruined. The danger of dangers is that we claim our own selfish choices as ordained by God.

For many, trusting God for their soul mate can be a scary and risky affair. It once was for me, and I wanted to play God. But as I grow older, it seems for my case, trusting God is not a choice; I'll be doomed and die a bachelor if I didn't trust God!

He always has His own timing, just like how God brought Rebekah to comfort Isaac at his hour of need.

I’ll trust Him, like in everything else both small and big in my life.

Heh.

Of course as usual mom keeps on asking, asking and asking "when" and "who". I told her to buy me a plane ticket to Vietnam and I'll return with a nice wife.

Her response was a sarcastic laugh.

So for now I'm not planning to "fish"; had enough of that nonsense long time ago.

I'll just trust God that He not only knows the plans He has for me, but also the means by which I'm gonna achieve it.

(For Richard it involves a rose and playing guitar below the house of some girl who stays on the 3rd storey. heh heh No wonder you want to learn the guitar... =P)

The Greatest Gift.

Tired man.

Work is really exhaustive. I now have a better appreciation of my dad who goes to work everyday even at such an old age to slog so that the family can have a better life.

Christmas is coming. I want him to recieve the greatest gift.

Labour with me, will you?