The first quarter of 2013 flew by! We were back in Singapore for the Chinese New Year break and this year’s home visit was significantly different from last year’s. I remember last year, we spent a lot of time at the clinic, being referred from one doctor to the next, being advised to take several X-rays. This year, however, we got to spend more time with our family and friends. The many gatherings gave us plenty of opportunities to share the Gospel with our loved ones and to counsel some of them in their difficulties. It has been almost 6 years since we moved to East Asia and this is the first time we both felt that our home trip was truly enriching.
While we were in Singapore, CTM Church members and leaders were “thrust into the deep end of the pool,” learning to serve one another, from reception to ushering to worship leading and even to the Sunday sermon. Before, they each served separately in their ministries, but now we see greater collaboration and inter-dependence amongst them, helping each other out. For a long time, we had difficulty finding someone to lead the Children’s Church. It was not up till the day we had to leave for Singapore then did someone finally step up to the post. When we returned to CTM Church, some members shared that while we were away, amazingly no one felt pressurized or stressed. In fact, they had all enjoyed serving in church!
This year is a challenging year for us. Perhaps it is time for us to learn how to “let go?” Or perhaps to prepare the hearts of the members in CTM Church? Or perhaps we need to intensify our training and equipment program? Perhaps. The many uncertainties and unknowns ahead is currently driving us to a deeper reliance on God. Thanking God in all situations is definitely something we want to experience and live out.
Please pray for a viable platform for us to stay in this city. Let God’s faithfulness and miracles be our guide in this.
