A trip to remember
Even before I set on this mission trip, I am already thankful for a few people who made it possible.

Thank you Esther Neo, Rong Hong as well as Daniel & Doris (Yea, all the way from Boston!) for contributing financially. Many more thanks to my faithful prayer supporters (My cell group, my Sec 3 group, Rongjie, Michelle and Lilian), though I heard that somehow, many of you didn't get the updates... Ha.

Special cheers to Esther Neo who woke up really early (I think at about 4am) to drive me to the airport. From Serangoon to Woodlands to Changi to Shenton Way (for work). No joke okay.

I thank our Lord for...

1) Protecting my Chinese friends and I when we were in Kunming
After I touched down in Singapore on 25th July, I heard from Mom and some friends that there was a bomb blast on a public bus on 22 July. 2 died and about 14 were injured. And guess what, even though I was in Kunming at that time, I completely have no idea it happened at all! Thank God I wasn't even on that bus!


2) Showing me that He uses not the able but the available.
Initially, we invited one 'S' young man for our training but he rejected us. In his place, another older man, GB turned up. For the first few days, he was sooooo serious. All along we assumed he wasn't keen about learning and he came just to accompany his elderly father (who was a staunch believer).

But surprise surprise! After a few days of interaction, he actually lightened up and he was one of those who was vigorously jotting down notes during lessons.

When we parted, he actually initiated to give me a high-five! Such enthusiasm and youthfulness was certainly not expected! Moreover, he cut down on his smoking - a rare move for a Chinese man.
FYI, GB is already 40+ years old.


3) Being able to catch up the teenage 'S' girls after 3 years
I was so glad to be able to see them again and have heart-to-heart girl talks with them. They asked me many personal questions and I was glad I could help address some of their misconceptions.

Throughout the 3 years, they have grown to be bolder and more confident. When they interacted with other youths, they were visibly more outgoing despite coming from the village. Such confidence can only be the result of God's love in them.


4) Being able to participate in a village church
I could see how God is omnipresent. He is not just a God for the Americans, the Europeans or the Singaporeans who can afford to have a concrete church building, He is also working in villages...




Amazingly, the Chinese teens there taught me this "desert/camel" song while we were atop the mountain/hill. And guess what, when I came back to Singapore, I realise those who went to Korea also sang this particular song when they were there too!

This song speaks of confidence in the Lord despite harsh circumstances.

I believe God is telling me that He is everywhere and He is telling all His people all over the world that He is with us, even in bad times. So let's all take heart!


5) Hot showers with clean water!
In first five days there, I didn't have hot water to bathe. Temperatures were hovering between 17 and 22 degree celsius.
What's worse was that the water that came out had little pieces of blackish what-nots. It looked like rust or some black paint peel.
Even as you bathe and rinse your mouth with that water, you still feel dirty.

Still, I managed to bathe, with much effort, by boiling water in my room and mixing it with the cold tap water. Haha.
Very tedious lah.


My last few days were quite eventful too. Similarly, no hot water. And it's impossible to bathe because that place has no shower facilities. So, I could only do "dry cleaning" in my room.
I washed my hair at the tap, with cold water. And mind you, it's cold at night.


On the last day, we went to a friend's house to stay. Finally, CLEAN, HOT WATER SHOWER IN AN ENCLOSED BATHROOM!!! Hallelujah! Imagine the immense joy as I showered and scrubbed the grime away from my body.

So, let's all be thankful we have clean water - water to drink and to shower, and not having to worry that if you accidentally swallow tap water, you'll get mercury/lead/rust/blackish what-nots into your bloodstream.

With that, I leave you readers with 2 pictures that I think are natural. The goats and sheeps were really close to us!
Feels like New Zealand!

Thank you God! I want to go back again!

I can't believe it.

All my life, I thought I knew but it was only last night I truly found out how to let God work through me.

Quit trying already, Esther!

Hello world!

I'm finally back in the blogosphere after a 19-day hiatus!
So many things happened in between - birthday parties, trip preparations AND the TRIP itself.

First up, Yue's 21st party is long over but here are some pictures for you all to get a taste of the party.

We ended the night at TCC Clarke Quay, sans alcohol. We don't really like alcohol and we don't need it to have fun together.

Denise's retro 21st was a great one as well! She was dressed gorgeously in retro garb and I saw a few people who really made the effort to dress like those in the 70s.
I'm now waiting for Mr. ASK to send the pictures to me... But I predict I'll only get them when school reopens. Gah.


From 14th to 25th July, I was actually away for mission trip and it was a real adventure!

Once again, I got to travel alone again. The first time I did was 3 years ago and in the end, I got to know a Jewish man who's passionate about agriculture and Xinjiang, and also an American lady working in Nepal.


I love to travel alone (ie. taking the plane and navigating in the airport alone).

When I'm alone, I realise I have a heightened awareness of my surroundings - the sights, the sounds and the smells.

I tend to notice little things and make mental notes about cultural discoveries.

I chat with travellers I don't know, and I learn new things they tell me. In strangelands, they tell me of things unknown.


Like for this recent trip, when I was waiting to transit at Bangkok, a Nepali man struck up a conversation with me, in MANDARIN.
His Mandarin was so good, Singaporeans ought to be ashamed!

Travelling in a group would have shrouded my sensitivity because I probably would be busy making small talk with my friends, rather than noticing the things around me.

Given a chance, I would really want to go backpacking, alone, before I am 25!

Anyways, back to my trip. I truly thank God for this trip, in which I witnessed how all things work for the good for those who love Him. It is amazing how everything could fall into place, even when our eyes tell us otherwise.


I shall elaborate more in my next post. There's just so many thanksgiving and eye-opening experiences to share!

Joyeux Anniversaire YUE!
May our Lord grant you more understanding of His purpose for you and more conviction in what you fight for.
BFF love!

***

I think my laptop KENNA-ed virus! URRRGGGHHHH. I cannot attach files to my email. What happened?

Just this weekend, so many events that I was preparing for finally took place. I enjoyed myself much admidst the packed schedules, and got by with just enough sleep.

Work was tiring but not boring AT ALL. With so much entertainment and merriment from Chin Chean and Suk, I felt like I was paid to laugh (at the jokes and super lame games) than work.

Remember the Shui video I was asked to do with another brother from another church? It's finally completed!

Yue's 21st birthday party is over too! At least I managed to buy her gifts (on behalf of the class) and design the Friendship Board on time! Yue, I am so happy for you on turning 21! The post-party trip to TCC Clarke Quay was fab too :)

The RYM Youth Carnival has also come to a close and I would like to say... I am really, really proud of my Sec 3 cell! From the designing of the stall poster to the execution of the game stall, I would say we did a good, no, excellent job! Somebody deserves a special mention and it's Jonathan.

He was such a great sport. Even though he was wet through and through, and soaked cold, he took it in his stride and allowed the kids to spray him wet till the end. At the end of it, when I shook his hand, it was chilly. But he didn't complain at all! What a gentleman.

Now, I'm preparing for my overseas mission trip next Monday, finishing my last week of work in NTU, meeting up with my NTU clique for a Little India food trail, attending Denise's Retro theme 21st party and updating my blog with more photos.

Watch out for this space.

I am so busy, I feel guilty writing this post.

Timetabling, missions video, planning of the RYM Carnival's games stall, writing my newsletter, work, EVERYTHING.
Okay, this is not fun.

Just an update for you all, please don't miss me.