The eve before

I couldn't help the slight anxiety as everything came together, meetings and packing...and tmr I'm flying! And today I had a slight flu. Just feeling a bit tired. But I'm thankful now, for some moments of sitting at the computer, to be able to blog, to listen to worship songs, so settle my heart.
Tmr morning its work, afternoon meeting, go home pick up bag, then go airport. ;p

I'm physically a bit challenged, but I am excited cos i will get to see the projects I have been reading about for the past one week. God is challenging me to let go off things, as I am still desperately trying to be in control of diff situations in my life, this need for security and assurance and edification is strong. ;O

Updates on work!

In the office right now! We have to work on satudays but off on mondays. I can think of some plus and minus points for such an arrangement! But anyway it is not something I have control over. ;) The week feels a little short, cos saturday doesn't exactly feel like a working day. Plus I heard on Sat they usually have events going on. So yes, time passes. In my new job, I am even more conscious of how I spend my time, because I know my salary comes from donations. And so I try not to slack too much. ;) However, for the first one week I have been here, I've not been too busy. Just been reading up on documentations on projects, compiling it into a spreadsheet summary. Starting to follow-up on some issues here and there. Basically the time has been good, as I also surf into sites that introduce Cambodia, and also sites of various NGOs in Cambodia or other places. It has been encouraging, inspiring and uplifting to hear of such stories. At the same time, heart wrenching to look at photos and to read into Cambodia's history. If u have time, look at photos here: http://www.julian.li/cambodia/
They grabbed my heart big time. ;p

Yup, and so it has not always been good, there were also low periods. Shan't elaborate here. Its just been a little difficult cos of the transition. Most of it does not have to do with external influences, but more of my expectations about things, and adapting to a new environment. I'm learning learning...

I'm looking forward to next week because I will be going to Cambodia to visit the various projects and ministries there. I am really super excited. Will share photos when I'm back. =) I hate to take aeroplanes tho. ;p

Seee u!
I'm *zonked out*! ;o

Myanmar Crisis

You could donate through World Vision, understand from the news today that WV has been in Myanmar for the past 40 years, so has a existing r/s with the govt. They are sending in medical supplies.

http://www.worldvision.org.sg/cyclone-nargis-08-2.html

To donate:

http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_newsroom.php

Want to encourage us to give....One of my ques on giving is, how do i noe the ple will receive this money that I am giving (e.g. corrupt govt etc). Was watching the news this evening right after I had this thought and they were interviewing WV about how they had been in Myanmar for 40 years, and the govt trusts them etc. Sometimes we just gotto give in faith and not allow our skeptism to prevent us from doing anything . :P

Lets pray..... 22,000 seems like a number to us...but it is 22,000 precious lives...

Bitter- Sweet Beginnings

Thought I would just update a bit of how work has been! Today was my third day of work. I don't work on Mondays, but have to work on Saturdays. :)

Work has been bitter-sweet, or sweet-bitter? The good thing really is I am surrounded everyday by projects that are close to my heart, GB has a presence in schools, orphanages, slums, dumpsites etc. And I feel blessed reading the documentation thus far. ;p Also, GB is located away from the maddening crowd. The low-rise housing against the blue sky is idyllic. Makes one take a step back to appreciate life. Everyday I eat low priced food like prawn mee, teochew porridge, you mian. Which is unlike in my old work place whereby we go to cafes and restaurants q frequently. Haha. Is that good or bad? U guess? :P It helps to save money, makes me full, and I guess weekends I can look forward to richer meals.

The more challenging part is to adjust to the culture in a social org. There's a lot of things going on, and documentation is not wonderful. Have to sieve through many emails to find out the history, and also, people are too busy to teach me. So that gets a bit challenging. Plus it takes slightly more than an hr for me to get to work. So it is pretty tiring. Have to pray for God to guard my heart and to grant me strength.

haha..so here goes...this whiney little girl...who shd be counting her blessings. ;P Update again soon!

Snippets of Japan & other Linkages

Came back from Japan yesterday morning around 130am! It was a turbulent flight, and I felt scared. Always had some air sickness here and there. Feels like I'm suspended in mid air, and the plane may suddenly plunge downwards, or it may hit something and burst into flames on the runway when it is about to fly up. ;p

I'm not really intending to write a blog about my travels, like day 1 what we did etc etc. heh. I will upload my photos on Facebooks later, with some captions. ;) Just felt like writing today some random thoughts here and there.

Woke up this morning, feeling really happy. It was this holidayish mood. Same kind of feeling I had as a sec sch gal, waking up in the morning on a school holiday (e.g. Dec? ) :) I felt happy & grateful. And you know what, I am looking forward to work starting on the 2nd of May. Its really a rare kind of feeling for someone to be looking forward to work. And I know in my heart that I've made the right choice.

Went to GB yesterday night for a meeting, and just sat there to listen to the projects going on. I was happy. Street kids, slums, orphanages, schs. =) Ofcos I believe that idealism remains a dream if it does not have its roots sunk down somewhere in realism. I see the cultural diff in a NGO. There's inefficiencies going on, because simply, a lot of the situations are dynamic and unplanned for. And NGOs have much less resources than companies, whether it is money, talent, manpower etc. I feel like in a way, everyday is a faith situation, whereby you have to lean on God to give wisdom, empower you to go beyond what reason limits you to.

Japan...

(1) Unlock yr dreams

I kind of enjoyed Japan, and I am a somewhat disney convert. ;) I don't mean the commercialism. I mean the spirit behind the Disney dream. It was the 25th aniversary, and songs played as mickey & minnie and loads of other disney characters paraded past us.




I liked the positive energy in DisneyLand. "Unlock your dreams"- Indeed, who would have thought that one man's dream could give rise to so many diff disney characters, cartoons etc.

(2) High Life
Another thought that I had... I kind of enjoyed the "high" life in Japan. Shopping, eating (wow, the quality of life is very high). And kind of gave thanks for the plenty. But I didn't buy the branded stuffs there, cos Im not really a branded person. But as I observed my own buying patterns, realised that I am actually quite frugal. Like I don't really need multiple bags, shoe, and I feel the pinch buying a cup of juice for 5 dollars. Anyway I saw Sunday Times had this article about being frugal is chic these days.
But anyway...I know God will provide for me. As in being a christian is not being an ascetic. But rather, being contented in much and plenty.

(3) Missions
Again another random thought. I saw the linkages between the countries I had a burden for, and my childhood:
Philippines- My domestic helper of 6 years was from Philippines, and we were really close :) After that we had 2 others, so in total I was exposed to the Philippines culture for 10 years.
China- Went to China several times as a child with my parents, and also visited my relatives in the Kampong in China.

As for Japan- in pri sch, a grp of them visited my pri sch, and I made a japanese penpal. :)
Actually I don't feel that much burden for Japan, until recently I heard about how the gospel will come from Asia, and one of the places is Tokyo, back to Jerulsalem. Its quite fascinating I feel. Prayed quite a bit for Japan while we visited the different places. I'm amazed by how clean, neat things are, and how polite people are. Ple still need the Lord.

Japanese fathers are such family men. The way they care for their little kids with such gentleness and seriousness. =) I can imagine my heavenly Father caring for me in the same way, so it was interesting seeing the parallels.

So anyway.... I feel that I am still a very "homely" person as well, cos I like sleeping in my own bed, eating my mum's food etc. So I prayed and asked God, if He really calls me to a certain country that He will make it very clear to me. And perhaps China, Philippines or Japan are good choices since I feel comfortable in these cultures? Hmmmmmm.

P/S: China 's landscape and scenery is much more beautiful in my humble opinion. :) But I've not seen the mountainous parts of Japan that much yet.

For the First time

Had a few first time experiences over the past few weeks:
1. Killed my first cockroach. Just killed my second cockroach 2 days ago.
2. Lizard in my wall above my bed. I actually prayed for it to go away, and it moved after some time to the window and disappeared.
3. For some reason, on sat night when I got back home, my parents room window was mysteriously wide open. Before I left the house it was closed. I was home alone, took an umbrella and insect repellent (to spray into the eyes of any intruders?). But thank God there was no one, and everything was intact. Maybe the wind blew.

Hope to train myself up for third world experiences. ;p Must stop being a da xiao jie.

4. I'm going to Japan tmr night! :) For a one week holiday. hee. Its on of the little luxuries I've given myself before my new work begins. As u can see, this first time experience is a bit incongruent with the above.
Take care folks.

Farewell GIC!

Finally have some quiet moments to pen down my thoughts. It has been quite a busy week, and I'm rather tired cos of lack of sleep. But I am thankful and happy!

Last fri was my last day at work, and I felt so loved by my colleagues!

Actually on Thursday, we had CF, and I thanked God for how He blessed me for the past 3 years in GIC. 4 main blessings: Fellowship, grace, favour and trust (teaching me patience and trust). At the end, they gave me a box, and in it was some photos we had taken together as well as farewell notes from some of them. I was so touched!!
On fri, I gave out some bookmarks etc to my colleagues. And had one of the most satisfying lunches- You Mian and Avocado Shake at Amoy Street. Really, I am one easy gal to please, as long as u give me good company. =) But yes, these 2 food items had been my fave from Amoy Food Street.

After lunch, ard tea time, my colleagues asked me to go over to the round table- the cosy corner we always have our chats and food. And there was a spread of egg tarts, chicken pies, cakes, ice-cream. Food bought from all over Tanjong Pagar.

This is my division :)
Made my rounds to take photos. Have uploaded them into Facebooks.

Received some other presents...including a samsonite luggage bag, which was really sweet. :)

Then last night, I had ba cho mee, oyster omlette, sugar cane and bbq chicken wings with another good colleague at blk 85 bedok. ;p

So now I am happily tired. And tmr begins the first day of my liberty. Hooooraay.

Surprised by joy

I'm in the last days at my company, Friday is my last day of work. Yesterday, I experienced the same joy that griped my heart at Balai. Fellowshipping with the people from Healthserve and just being there, in the heart of geylang, amongst the people whom God loves, made me very happy. I am deeply touched by the sacrifices and love of these people towards the marginalized. And I am encouraged by being in fellowship with them! Managed to visit the clinic with Shar yest. And stood in the clinic as Des examined his patient, and it was actually part counseling cos the patient had some sort of psychological problem that he was ill. Talked to the founders too, and heard stories of people who walked the streets to pray and befriend people there for 1 year or 2 years. So u have the singapore version of Hedi Baker. Hee.

Ya, so this warm feeling in my heart lasted all the way from last night until today. And its a confirmation from God what truly makes me joyful. =) And so I leave my company feeling full of assurance, peace, joy and anticipation at what lies ahead. The joy that is worth more than a million dollars. In the words of a fren who works in an NGO, "You must have taken a huge paycut but you know what, it's all worth it. I know."

I feel like this is a season of fruitfulness for me. I've been really busy these few days, but I find a sense of purpose and feel like I've walked out of that valley of darkness. In a way, surprised by this joy that I am experiencing. Church has been fruitful, with loads of activities coming up for the young adult ministry. And other then that, also met a chinese gal and am hoping to give her bible studies. There's also testimony sharing this sunday at the prayer meeting on the Breakthrough weekend. And tmr, I will be sharing at my company CF about the past 3 years at GIC. :)

Well basically, life is full of possibilities now. Meeting loads of like-minded people and hearing about lots of good things that ple are doing. And I believe God-inspired things. I now have a renewed sense of the importance of prayer, because it is God who is the source of love, and He is the one who places love and burdens amongst christians. And in His own time and way, He will accomplish the healing of the broken hearted and draw all men to Himself.

More encouraged!

I am super thankful that recently I've gotten in touched with some like-minded individuals and non-profits founded by Singaporeans.
One of them is Radon International founded by 2 young singaporeans- actually ard my age. They reach out to refugees in Thailand.
http://newlifeoutreach.blogspot.com/
http://www.radion-international.org/

And today, I got introduced to a ministry reaching out to ple in Geylang. :)
http://www.healthserve.org.sg/
Anyway happy exploring these links. :)
There's always positive energy flying around when u meet like-minded individuals. So happy & excited!

Encouraged

Pretty thankful for the past few days. I'm almost being treated for all my meals :D heh. Realise that my love language may be receiving gifts, aka I feel very loved whenever someone gives me something.
Met up with D after a long while, and we went to Miss Clarity Cafe and Food for thought. Then he sent me home though he stays at Choa Chu Kang! I've not encountered male chivalry for some time. ;p And then Tues I met up with my colleague S, who is from Adam Road Pres Church, and he said his wife was also going to start work in a missions organization, to care for kids of missionaries! That was pretty encouraging. And then had tea with JS at coffee bean after work, whereby I got to talk and share about some of the stuffs I encountered at work! It was pretty edifying. Then today, I had korean food with my "powerpuff" girls colleagues. So this pretty much sums up mon to wed. I've been on the receiving end for loads of love from others. And I hope it never ends, like I can keep receiving. haha. I think my love tank is slowly being filled up. Nevertheless, it can always do with more and more filling up!

The transition period to a new job is pretty weird for me. Cos I'm not that busy at work, and I feel pretty sentimental. Today, I collected my letter from the HR, which stated the period I worked in the company, my last drawn pay etc. As I stood at the interview room, it just felt like yesterday when I sat there for my interview in my suit and resume, and those fears and excitement, not knowing what to expect from my interviewees. So it was pretty surreal. U know I can't say, I don't like money or status, and when I looked at the last drawn salary, there was a little stir in my heart.

Yesterday as I read the bible, these verses spoke to me and encouraged me:
7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deut 31: 7-8

Joshua must have felt pretty intimidated having to lead the Israelites to the promised land. And to fill the shoes of Moses! Yet God promised Joshua, that he was not to be afraid, but to be strong and of good courage. Because the Lord Himself went with Him. And yes, Joshua had a calling from God to fulfil.

Another verse blessed my heart
31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:31-34

I take these verses literally. Literally, sell all you have and follow after Christ, because He shall provide. Why "little" flock? Cos like little children, we are come to the Father and trust Him. Little children who are just so trusting to rest in His promises.