Cabatuan.

The mission trip was very different from what I expected it to be, but God's hands was still behind it all nontheless. There was no great crusades, no ten thousand salvations, no great miracles and healings. But God still moved in a different way. It was alot of ministering to the Christians, waiting upon God, knowing their struggles, praying for the dry land. Yes there were salvations. But salvations are not all that actually mattered.
There were times when I felt I hadn't gave my best, yet it was those times that God pushed me to keep going all out and do it. It's the 'just whack' attitude that God has been challenging my heart.
Alot happened, from being treated like korean celebs at a highschool to ministering to people, to ensuring Boon doesnt overspent shopping(hahah). But I'll just write 5 things or incidents that spoke to me.

1) Del Gado (apologies if i spell it wrongly)
The slums really struck me. We Singaporeans have so much and we are still complaining. It really is true, you'll never fully comprehend what you see on TV until you see it in real life. Heaps of rubbish beneath the houses, dog faeces all over, swarms of houseflies. God forgive our complaining spirits. We really have too much.



2) Fellowship with the Christians/ Praying with them.
The leaders and the youths of the Harvester Churches have been a blessing to us all. Sharing with them about reaching out to their friends really edified me. Bro Ronnie greatly encouraged me about always remembering God, and how he wanted his son to become a missionary. It was really uplifting talking and fellowshipping with them.

3) The faces of the Cabatuananons.
So many, So broken. It really sums it up. From the teenagers chilling out at the Plaza after school, to the tricycle drivers taking a puff. They are so lost. Will anyone talk to them, share with them, show them the way?




4) Praying for the land.
The night of prayer for the city of Cabatuan really hit my core being. I remembered just kneeling down at the plaza to pray, there were teenagers laughing at us. But I prayed anyway. It is but the greatest of what little I can do for a muncipality like Cabatuan, kneeling and praying. I told God I couldn't do anything, so he had to do something. And I know God hears.

5) The hand of God.
It was really interesting to see God's hand with us and in an unexpected way. There wasn't multitudes saved, nor great healings. But was God there? Not one doubt. He was working in us and thru us, the leaders of the Church and all. From the Mayor's blessings, to the police escorts, God has been, and will continue to be the divine co-ordinator.

So my life mission starts now. What will I do after the trip? Will I let the comfort of Singapore soak thru me or will I keep on going? Will my fears keep me down? Will I go back to my old self? Woe to me if I remain the same.

MIP and stuff.

I send off the first group of Missions Intensive Participants off at the airport today! I'm pretty sure they'll have an awesome experience in Bicol!

The week break ahead before I head to Philippines means that I have some time to gather my thoughts and prepare myself for the trip. I guess God's done alot of work in our lives last week throughout the stay-in phase. I came into MIP rather distracted, so there was alot of breaking needed to be done. I received the most from Sister Carrie, though personally feeling she was not an interesting preacher, but God used the most uninteresting things to speak and move my heart.
It was alot of laying down and sacrificing of my heart for God. Anything that reduces my zeal and passion for God and his heartbeat had to be surrendered. It was a tough process and it was a struggle. But God did some amazing things as I began to trust him for more.
The end of the stay-in phase its only the beginning and I know there'll be more. And I trust that God will continue to speak to me in the trip next week.

Until then, I'll keep surrendering.