Monday, January 05, 2009 @Monday, January 05, 2009
Cambodia Mission Trip (17th to 21st December)
I have always felt that I am a young Christian despite being a Christian for close to 7 years and mission trips are for people who has a calling from God. Yet, I took a leap of faith and joined this mission trip. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”- Phi 4:13. Now, I know that God is using my hands to spread his unyielding love and mend many broken lives in Cambodia. He can turn every bit of effort that we made to extend the Kingdom of God in Cambodia. Just like the beautiful cross ornament, pieced together by all the broken ceramics (showed to us by the pastor in Cambodia), our efforts will not be futile and broken lives will be mended by Christ.
The Children’s Ministry, in my opinion, was a great success. As the organizer with Michelle and Shu Jun, I think that everything went smoothly as planned. Special thanks to Channie and family and to Elaine, who provided us with all the kindergarten materials. We taught the children simple animal words, did colouring and paper-cutting exercises, lots of running activities and created 4 Christmas trees as the final product. It was a great delight seeing the kids receiving their little gifts of stickers and candy canes with gratitude.
I love to have morning devotions with the entire team. It was indeed enlightening hearing words of wisdom on life from the adults who have already been through life much longer than me. I know that as I graduate this year and stepped into the society, there will be countless temptations and being warriors for God, it is very important to cloth all my friends and myself in prayers. How easy it is to enter the “broad gates of life” and enjoy the luxury that the world promises! I choose to lead my life by the standards of god and would enter only through the “narrow gate of life”. I will run the spiritual race and not the material and worldly race. Do not conform to the pleasures of the world, but be transformed by the renewal of the spirit- Rom 12:2. I will continue to guard my heart and be a living testimony to God’s good and perfect will.
Visiting of the slums and squatter settlements is an eye-opening experience. Poverty is so rampant and real. What touched me greatly was seeing that a Cambodian Christian woman could be contented and testify the goodness of our Lord Jesus even though she is living in a dilapidated state and often suffer from hunger. This is indeed a true and pure heart of a Christian, who can sing praises of worship despite the lack of basic necessity and threat of survival. Another Cambodian mother was willing to abandon her child in the orphanage so that her son would be able to at least receive some decent meals. She is willing to part with her beloved son to ensure his survival- this is the heartache of a Mother. I pray that God will continue to pour blessings on this country. God, Cambodia has been through a lot of hardships and poverty and I pray that you would rise up righteous leaders to run the politics and economy of this country. May this country be blessed with peace and prosperity.
Listening to the pastor’s speech was also inspiring when he told us the reality and hardships of a Missioner. Many times it can be discouraging, when you feel that there are just too many problems faced by Cambodians that you do not know where to start. It is even more discouraging when you are facing a corrupt government. Somehow, when the pastor was speaking, the image of David and the Goliath came to my mind. I choose to believe in miracles and that through God’s strength, all things are possible. Seeing a bunch of Chinese Christians who were caroling in the Chinese eatery place where we were having dumplings for dinner was encouraging too. There are actually a lot of brothers and sisters in Christ doing the word of God in Cambodia- we are NOT alone.
I came to this Cambodia trip expecting to just serve unconditionally for Christ. I will always do my best in what ever small role I played, be it assisting in the medical registration counter, buying of the milk powder and doing the percentage charts for the children. But I realized that I am also on the receiving end for this trip. I have received the love from the people in Prep Tual and was exposed to the lives of some Cambodians. When I looked back at my Cambodia trip, I will always remember the innocent smiles on the children’s faces- how they would run up to me and pester me for a hug, cling on to me like a koala bear and give me a kiss on the cheeks. This is what I will remember of Cambodia- the simple pleasures of life. Although I do not know what God’s plan is for my future, I hope to serve again in another mission trip some time in the near future, for I have discovered the joy of serving. I have once again renewed my faith, refreshed in the spirit of God, and ready to run this race for Him.
Labels: hols
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @Saturday, December 27, 2008
I know.. i have been too busy catching up with life that I haven't been blogging for months. I have been wondering how my mindset has changed since I left Denmark. Will I still be as stressed and caught up in the rat race of studies and work like all my other peers or can I stand firmly in my believe that life is more than just studies and learn to lead a more contented life? I do feel different in my attitude towards studies last semester. I am no longer the panic stricken .. stressed .. perfectionist that I used to be. Somehow, I seem to be able to embrace my imperfections more now.. I just know that as long as I tried my best, and leave the rest to god, God will really provide:) Somehow, I came into terms that I may not get everything that I prayed for and I should stop treating God like a genie.
Facing failures is a learning experience..
This holidays have been fulfilling. Besides catching up with my friends as my usual vacation activity, I have dedicated an entire week to God. (Church camp: 15-17 dec, Cambodia Church missions trip: 17-21 dec)
Vietnam Business Study trip (30 Nov- 7 Dec)
I guess u would have seen the photos that have been uploaded on facebook. This trip was a student initiative by Val who called some of us to join her committee to organise it. My role was to mass email the entire contact list of texile companies and wait for their reply. I felt so honoured that Fenix textile company actually replied and had their CEO personally flew to Vietnam from HK to give us a presentation. He introduced us to the fashion history and guided us around the factory. The CEO was a sincere and traditional man who believes in respect for others. I hope that one day, when I am successful, I could find time to help the community or the younger generation in one way or other.
This trip, we visited 4 companies- a textile factory, property company, industrial park, brewery. Vietnam is a up and coming market and with a young and growing population, it will be the next China. We visited the Vietnam National University, interacted with the students, and have lotsa fun during dinner and in the pub on our last night in Ho Chi Minh City.
With creativity.. lives will be improved.
We spent 2 days in Muine after our Business trip in HCMC. We walked through the streams, took cable car to see the reclining buddha, climbed up the sand dunes and had a breath taking view of sun set. We were singing and dancing around at the top of the sand dunes. I also had an interesting encounter with a little viet girl who have stolen my slippers while we were busy merry-making. The entire team actually combed the top of the sand dunes before realising that it was taken by the children. I remembered tearing when I saw that the little girl wanted to exchange cash for my slippers. How could such impressionable, young girl be exhorting for money? what has tourism done to these children? I felt really foolish when i refused to believe that my slippers were stolen by the little girl and continue to search the sand dunes, thinking that it might be buried in the sand.. how naive. Nonetheless, my trip to Vietnam was an enriching and fun experience.
Church camp- INFINITY (15-16 December)
This camp was a good time for reflections. What do I want to do in my life? What do I want to do for God? I want to be remembered as a woman of esteem- a person well respected because I am not afraid to try. I hope to be an influential women for God, who is willing to contribute to the future generations and for the extension of His kingdom. I will not be afraid of Failure and will do my best in everything I do to bring Glory to God.
Living life to its fullest..
In this camp, we also talked to the women leaders in church and asked them about their views on relationships. The discussion caused me to ponder whether I could embrace singlehood when it comes to a point where I have to choose between God or a non-christian husband. The idea seems a little scary but I guess I will honour God above it all..
Cambodia Mission trip- I will type on a different post.
Emcee in cousin Tian Cai's wedding
My cousin and his beautiful wife, Xin Rei! So happy for them.. hope they will have a blissful marriage:)
And I am the Emcee!! hahaz.. I am actually proud of this because I have not done Emcee since kindergarten and I did not know if I could handle the situation. But knowing that God will bring me through this, I have graciously accepted the Emcee offer and I never regretted my decision. I had a wonderful experience being the host for the evening. This is my gift to my cousin.
All the girl cousins:) Love them to bits!
Mummy and the TANs(Terence, Adeline, Nataline)
December holidays was well spent. Now it is time to embrace my final semester in School..
Labels: hols
Friday, December 21, 2007 @Friday, December 21, 2007
whee..! i just love christmas=)
seriously.. the guys r playing soccer in the office.. the bosses r on holiday in this festive season and everyone is in this merry making mood! work is like tossed out of our minds.
i wanna meet up w my close frens during this period before my exchange! i wanna shop for winter clothes and spent time w my family.. learn how to cook and iron and wash clothes..
learning all these stuffs are neccessary survival skills and above all- i need to cope psycologically and emotionally. nvm think positively: Adeline.. ur gonna have FUN!!
5 days to new year- my resolution:
learn to do my best and leave the rest to god
Labels: hols
Saturday, July 21, 2007 @Saturday, July 21, 2007
There are just too many events tt happened during this short 2 mth plus of holiday compared to my 4 mths of school term .. i really really enjoyed this school term break and prayed tt i could get revitalised and energised to embrace the following school term w zest~.. 5 core modules-yikes!
I was browsing thru my hp organiser and these r e following events:
19/5 - 20/5: NBS trial camp
Hygeia waiting for our 1st game
Hygeia's bubble face=)
The 8 ah guas fr e 8 different OGs
The 1st fright night pix- we all dressed up as army ghosts
3/6: Celebrated grandma's birthday lunch and headed down to e botanic garden for a stroll. I was v glad tt we had this family gathering as this was e 1st time in many years tt everyone can set aside this date to accompany grandma. I do feel rather remorseful tt i am always too absorbed w my own life.. my own frens.. tt i have forgotten abt grandma. Even though my grandma lives w me, i hardly interact w her and i do pity her tt due to her poor eye sight, she could not walk far and visit her frens (even tho she tends to deny this fact). I have ever wondered: what if one day, ah ma pass away, will i feel guilty not spending more time w her? The thought tt my grandma will die one day sends chills down my spine.. It is really ironic tt i pray to god to bless my grandma w longevity.. part of it is for my own selfish reason- so tt i can do sth for grandma ONE day.. when im free..
Family lunch at a hokkien restaurant
My favourite photo- grandma smiling so widely by e swan lake =D
Everyone at orchid garden
4/6: Clarinetist's dinner at fei cui.. holland v. I really missed jy.. fen.. havent been catching up w them. This is probably a once-in-6-mths dinner every time kare is back to spore. Thank god tt fen is well now and is going to NUS Science fac next year=) im looking forward to e next outing which is coming real soon at e end o july- goin to fen's house to bake and watch movies..yay~
Fen, me, kare, jy
hahaz.. cant help laughing at kare's funny expression
e both o us posing w a bowl o dessert
9/6: Went to e zoo w my parents, grandma, fifth aunt and cousin baby chee wee.. Its been quite some time since i have last visited these animals in e day .. one year ago, kare treated us to night safari =) visiting e zoo really remind me of my childhood days where my parents will bring us to e zoo at least once a mth. I vaguely remember tt e giraffe and deer are e 1st few animals tt greeted me when i entered into e zoo then.. but when i revisited e place, apparently, they have changed e zoo entrance.
11/6- 13/6: ODAC camp at lata berembun- msia
E picturesque scenery.. waterfalls.. lush greenery.. cooking in e wild.. washing up by e riverside.. e rollar coaster rides from e fast and furious vehicles.. new friendships forged ~ But sad to say, this is my 1st round o mosquito bites on my legs.. yikes!
All of us in this fast-n-furious vehicle
The magnificent waterfall
The entire ODAC grp tt went for e trip
O.D.A.C formation by e 4 youngest member there
BFFzXZxxzz!! hahaz
Ron, SJ and me.. e A.s.S grp
This is one o e best ODAC trips tt i have ever went.. e pple tt went for this trip are really nice and enthusiastic bunch o peeps.. so great tt we r still keepin in contact even after e camp, like e east coast blading outing on e 24/6 for ron's birthday.
Ron, me and Sj eating ron's bday cake
The girls rollar blading
16/6- 17/6: NBS Snr camp! There is even more fun w e SAs like jas chew..hf.. cammy.. chin yee.. rudith.. ken etc who sacrificed their wkend for hygeia!
The chief programmer of fright night decided that rosie and I werent too appropriate in acting as the army ghosts and decided to give us the robe instead. I guess girls in red robe do look rather scary eh?
Li xiang and i
rosie-me- ivan.. e ghosts in e master room
The hygeia programmers!
30/6: Mind's cafe outing w HTM peeps. They r my colleagues fr work. I really appreciate their help and guidance over my 2 mths o work attachment there. They r e ones, esp e part timers tt make workin more relaxing.. lunch break more enjoyable =) I have learnt a great deal there since it is a small auditing firm and most o e time, e snrs will ask me to handle e compilation cases by myself. Im really proud tt within 2 mths, i have completed ard 12 cases.. they r e 'babies' o my hard work =)
The 4 part timers posing at e entrance of the office
Colynn and I at our work place
hahaz.. e super fun dinosaur bone game!
carina and fulia.. a great laugh after e bone game
A nice pose w e bone=)
E bone grp! kean- fulia-carina and hubby- wenting- colynn- me
6/7- 12/7: Taiwan trip
Another trip where there is great food.. scenery and shopping. It has been quite some time since my family could travel together. e tour guide was really an expert in e history o taiwan and definitely a great entertainer w his jokes durin e long hours o travelling. I felt culturally enriched rather than satisfying my materialistic pleasures in shopping.. hahaz... My 2nd round o mosquito bites..
Oh.. and coincidentally, jing wei, my clarinetist jnr came along for e taiwan trip!! hahaz.. e trip was much more fun w her and her other 2 frens- yi xian and ling yi..
16/7- 21-7: NBS FOC..!!
I really love HORUS!! u all rox.. =)
It is e time o e year w all those cheering, shouting, being crazy, COT, getting real wet and dirty, new friendships forged, losing voices,.. a whole lot o wonderful memories stored.
My 3rd round o mosquito bites.. sigh.. it will prob take some time before e scars on my legs healed. =(
E traditional photo formation
Programmers w our BEST mascot
programmers e jiu wo=)
e privilege o being a hygeia girl- a photo taken w all e horus guys!
Family photo: chariotes, hygeia and horus!
Besides all these events, there are regular dinner meetings after my work w SC frens.. Band pple.. Uni frens.. etc and my weekly exercise at true yoga. yay! im now one step closer to toning up my muscles =) I will upload e pix of all e dinner outings on facebook real soon..LOve my holS..! muacks!!
Labels: hols
