I spent one and a half months in Singapore this Spring – much longer than I had initially planned on staying. Indeed, our heart makes plans but it is the Lord who establishes our steps (Prov 16:9). Although it looked like it was circumstances that had prevented me from returning, I could see that it was really God’s good purposes that He has kept me back in Singapore. He used the time to refresh and encourage me through the Body in fellowship and prayers. God also realigned my values – values that are central to the core of the gospel and the heart of Jesus Christ, before sending me back out to East Asia again. I’m thankful for this restful time back home. Mostly, I am thankful for the reminder that our God does and wants to relate to us in intimate ways.
I was actually ready to jump right into action after this year’s Spring Holidays. I had ideas and plans for trainings and activities with people that I was following up with. However, during the time of waiting back home and even after I’ve returned to East Asia, it seems like God is saying that apart from those that I am already involved in, I am not to make any new commitments just yet. Instead, the only thing that I should work at is prayer and intercession. This has been hard to keep to because it is always easier to quantify work done when there are trainings and other meetings involved. Besides, there are potential partnerships at my door. It was a daily struggle until God convicted me that “Prayer is work!”
Let me invite you to join me in prayers for what God wants to do in this city.
X and J is a young couple who are believers from another city but felt led to move to this city. They have been here since 2007 and have been faithfully serving the student body. Weekly, students come to faith because of their faithful witness. They have expressed needs for partners to labor together in discipling these young believers. They are also looking for inputs to creatively communicate biblical truth in ways that the younger generation can identify with and see that the Word is relevant even today. X and J also have a young son. Ask that God will meet their personal needs as individuals and as a family.
CR is a single lady from this city. She believed many years ago but only made Jesus Christ Lord about 2 years ago. She has matured very quickly and has sought to live out godly principles in her personal life as well as in running her business. Apart from overseeing a church that was started 2 years ago in her shop, she is also facilitating a training group in her friend’s shop. While she has been faithful with the responsibilities that God has given her, the individuals that meet in her shop are not as faithful. Many of them have been distracted in their personal pursuits and have not been consistent in meeting. Despite that, CR continues to follow-up with these individuals mostly on a one-on-one basis. Ask for encouragement and wisdom for CR as she follows up with these individuals. Ask that she will grow in skills and spirit, maturity as she perseveres in her labor, knowing what God has called her to.
Ask for Holy Spirit’s work in these people’s lives that they will make Jesus Lord of all. Ask that His church be firmly established and flourish in His time.
