1+1=3

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!


Wednesday, July 30, 2008 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 got my thoughts down without paper @ 8:25 PM.	What to expect from here Give me the Internet and a whole truckload of ideas, I give you this blog. Expect a good dose of alternative perspectives about issues, and also a peek at my really happening personal life! ;) GRAPEVINE BOOKMARKED Bookfishing The Sartorialist Foreign Policy FLASHBACK CREDITS Design/Layout: Naziz