I’M FINALLY HERE! Credit goes to God for opening the door and sending me as His witness to this land of promise on 1 March 2007.
Just 4 days after I arrived, I was greeted by the season’s worst snow storm. Thank God for sending a CNL sister serving in a neighboring province to come help me settle down and to set up the house. I am now into my second month and things are settling down. It is a challenge to teach English to the local kids as I have to speak very slowly and use body language half the time. Over the past few weeks, I learnt that the locals are quite materialistic. They talk about upgrading themselves, buying houses, cars, changing jobs, migrating, etc. (sounds like most Singaporeans?) Blessed are the poor in the Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3) but many do not realize that they need God and are busy building their own physical kingdom.
Building relationships is a social skill. Everything here is about connections. Sometimes I wonder if people are nice to each other because they want to establish connections or are they genuinely keen in building friendships. We ought to do everything in love (1 Cor 16:14) and this is a constant reminder for me.
I also managed to attend several local fellowships and the dynamics are different in each one. One fellowship impresses me. It is a small house church tucked away at the corner of a small neighbourhood. Small as it may be the presence of the Spirit can be felt and I sensed the hunger of the local believers for more of God. Praise Him for what is happening here!
For the first few weeks, I woke up every morning asking myself why am I here doing what I am doing. Indeed, discipleship is costly – leaving family, friends and home to come to a strange place. I am reminded always that the reason is simply Love. Because God first loved me, I am able to love Him and to do what is on His heart. God’s heart is that we be like big trees planted by the river, trusting Him fully and being a tree that provides shelter for the weak and wounded (Jer 17:7-8). His heart for the lost is that they would come to know and experience His love for them. And I know I am to be that bridge somehow.
HOUSE OF GOD
One of the churches that I visited.
Pray with me that God will:
- Awaken the hearts of the people to realize their spiritual poverty.
- Connect me with people of peace with whom to build relationships with.
- Lead me to the area of ministry that I may be able to serve.
- Cause me to excel in my workplace.
- Protect my family in Singapore and to save them in His time and way.
