Just got back for an awesome mission trip with a great team. We began the day really early in the morning. Met at Jess’ house for devotion and it was my turn to share. We had some time praying as well and we began our journey quite excitedly. On our journey there, we were practicing our bahasa words and singing bahasa praise and worship songs.
Our first testimony came when Kuan Cheen’s car had some problems. Praise God there was a mechanic where we stopped at who even recommended us a good place to have lunch at.
Then, reaching at our destination there, firstly we found out that Ps Markus wasn’t expecting us. As a result, we went to two new villages and we knew that this was where God wanted us to be. It was His plan and not ours.
We were excited at what God had in store for us. I thank God for the team; for its flexibility and willingness as a team. What we did and what we saw, wow! Personally, I felt privileged to be given of such an opportunity.
The first night of debriefing, I cried because i felt God’s joy in whatever we were doing. I had to hold back my tears until debriefing and when Alwyn said if i had anything to say i started crying. Those people touched my heart. With just a guitar, they worshiped their hearts out. They have such simple faith despite not having the benefit of having service every week. I felt for the people that i prayed for and I wanted to cry again when this girl told me that if not for my testimony of my salvation she wouldn’t have anyone to relate to. She was amazed that in one and half years of me being a christian, there were such amazing testimonies. That’s what i call God’s miracles.
Besides ministering and befriending the villagers, I had a great time with the team. We had so much laughter. I enjoyed my role in the kitchen as I really do enjoy cooking for them, or anyone!
I had moments where I paused to look around me and see such beautiful people the villagers were, the beautiful nature that God had created and to observe little things about my teammates that I didn’t know before. Spiritually, I had stirrings in my heart. There were quiet moments in the night, while everyone was asleep I was awake praying and thinking. When we took a walk, I also prayed for the village, reaching out my hands. And i thank God for the affirmations i got as well.
I have had a tougher time at work right before the trip; not forgetting the fainting spells and also the car accident that put me in a mixture of emotions. But i refused to give in to the devil. I could have pulled out from going for the OA trip because of the discouragement, but I’ve always had a heart for missions and said No! The devil can’t get the best of me and I am going! I want to do His work and lay down the other aspects of my life at His feet. Only God can help and direct me at what I am supposed to do for His glory and I only want to obey Him.
Here’s to awesome times doing His work!! Seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added unto you!
by Tasha
As some of you know, me and my fiancée (Adeline Lim) got engaged in 20 October 2007 and when it came to deciding the date and venue of the wedding, we sought and asked the Lord through fasting and prayer that He may give us wisdom and favor in choosing an appropriate date. We looked and inquired into many hotels and places, and after a period, we really felt that 25th October at Eastin Hotel was the place that we really felt at peace with. However, we also had another obstacle, as I was still currently taking my CPA exam (this happened in 1st quarter of 2008). The problem was if I happen to fail any of my final 2 papers which I was taking in May 2008, I would have to take my papers again at the end of October, which would mean I would need to attend to my exam the day after my wedding. I’m not sure if anybody likes the idea of taking exams after weddings, but the thought of that happening was like a nightmare to both me and Adeline. Although I was confident that in my own abilities, but the risk was there if something should happen, and our once in a life-time wedding would be ruined.
It was a trying time for both me and Adeline, we considered other dates but we never really felt at peace, and in our hearts of hearts, we knew we were settling for 2nd best. We eventually decided to continue seeking and praying, and eventually decided, by faith and faith alone, to go ahead with the date. I received strong objections from my family, who felt it was really unwise to do so, who wouldn’t, but both of us felt strongly that this was something that we have to go through in our wedding to make us stronger and believe that God would deliver us from.
Come end of April, it was supposedly my off-peak period as an auditor, and I was sure that I could spend more time to study, but how wrong was I. I had to work till late hours into the wee morning, and weekends was spent more on rushing jobs for my managers, and catching up sleeps. It was scary for me, cause I was lacking energy to serve God and not having enough time to study. It also obviously affected my relationship with Adeline, since I was spending more time on my work than building up to our wedding day.
To top it all off, I was getting was only able to get 1 & ½ weeks of study leave compared to 3 weeks my collegues were getting for the same paper, because I didn’t sign a study bond with them. Needless to say, I was really worried that I might actually end of failing 1 of my papers, and screw up the whole wedding plan.
Exam came, results were out I was told. I casually logged online, and before clicking on the link, I said in my mind, “God, I don’t know what to say, but whatever it is, nothing changes the fact that you are with me all the time.”
I clicked, I saw and He conquered. 2 Distinctions for both papers. It was definitely not what I expected. A sigh of relief, a weight of my shoulder, and I suddenly I could breathe again. It’s more than a result, it was a gift for our wedding. A gift of faith, a testimony that we can share, a platform that we can have our first step into our marriage, knowing God has so delivered us with His mighty hand. A sign of greater things to come for both of us, as long as we trust and look to Him in all things.
One from our very own LIFE Core Team member, Jason Martin!
On the 15th of December 07, I took one of the biggest/scariest steps in my life. I proposed to Jess Chia….thank God she said ‘Yes!’ Both of us were on Cloud 9 and everything was great. As we began planning for the wedding (which is on the 13th Dec 08), I was slowly spiraling into despair as I saw the cost for the wedding escalating. Soon the thoughts of the expenses became so overwhelming that they haunted me day and night.
After about a month of ‘oppression’, I decided that enough is enough. ‘I am a child of God and am therefore more than a conqueror. I should not be living under the circumstances but above and beyond it!’ On a Sunday morning during prayer time, I lay all my burdens at the altar. It was a much needed liberating experience! Bear in mind, the problems were still there but I knew God was on my side. In February, my faith was challenged by God and I increased my First Priority Pledge even though I was in lack.
Soon after, I received a bonus, which is something unheard of in my company. The following month, my appraisal was due. My manager, instead of dishing out some ‘constructive criticism’ just looked at me and
said, “You’re getting married this year right, how much do you want?” He took the calculator and typed in an increment figure that was double the amount of what I even wanted to ask for! I just sat that dumbfounded
marveling at God’s goodness. Subsequently Jess got an unexpected promotion in her company. And just 2 weeks ago, I received a job offer from a better company. The amazing thing is that I received the offer on the same day that my bond with my current company ended. Coincidence, I don’t think so!
With 6 months left until the wedding, I still do not have the sufficient finances or all the answers. But what I do know is that my God holds my future and He is able to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus! 
