LongDi

Long Di came by Christine's house when morning devotion is about to end. He is thin, average height, wears specs. He is prim n proper, wears a short sleeve collared shirt tucked into his slacks. His shirt is slightly yellowish and old, looking like an aged cloth in a dusty environment.

When he first walked into the house, he seemed quiet and unassuming, like a nice quiet boy brought up from a humble family and moved to the city to further study. He studies law in the university, or maybe already graduated.

He greeted me, put his hands together, "chom-rik-sue", with a smile. His eyes lighted up upon meeting us, and we sat down in the living down. The conversation started, and this 24-year old humble young man spoke.

He talked about the ministry that he is running, trying to create avenue for young people to earn a living while furthering their studies in the city's uni after moving in from the provinces. The 3 learning centres that he is overseeing and the leaders he is training up to live a better life and impact the society. And the clear vision he has for the future.

He does not seem to express the fiery passion for God outwardly like i thought a person with his capabilities would. His tone is calm, he explains what he does like how i would talk to my friend about where to lunch out later.

And in this same unassuming, natural conversation, he ended with this last sentence which i could not remember exactly but is roughly like this:

"My life is meant to live for God, so this is what I will continue to do for His glory".

This is the 10-min conversation that shattered my pride. The many years growing up in church, eventually thinking that to live all for my King is the greatest honour and arduous journey which also command the utmost respect among the same-faith peers is actually just as simple as this - it is only the natural thing to do so.

To follow Christ, to bear his cross, to love God n love others. Isn't that what I have signed for as a Christ-follower? To follow in His footsteps, to fulfill his calling in the works of my hands, to be molded like him in mind, soul n strength could only be the only mission of my life. I can't wash my sins away, I won't earn enough to laugh at the streets of gold, I can't even do anything of my own well without living in His grace.

So this might very well be it, not about being here in Cambodia to do all the wonderful things but more than that - witnessing the lives of the quiet people who magnified Christ and changed the world, and be inspired to do so for the next 50 years of my life.

orphanage programme

e went into the 2nd phase of the mission trip, to join Christine in the Khmer ministry. Ordered about 80 crab fish & sausage sandwiches and brought it into the orphanage. Kids run out of the building to greet us & wanting to hug us even before we got down the ‘tut tut’. They lined up for the sandwiches and we hand it to them one by one, they hold their palms together n thanked us before receiving it, with such pure sincerity and appreciation that I am moved to near tears. To put it in short, we played games, sing songs, did a drama, boon fei shared a bit..

We go off again, saying byes n getting hugs.. I wouldn’t understand that significant contribution we did to impact the place, what have we done to deserve such joy n love from the kids, but while on the way of the sunset ‘tut tut’ ride to the Russian market roadside eatery stalls, it seems that the dusty air and unfamiliar surroundings have dawned on me that He breathed life into my soul. God still breathes, in every willing life, no matter in the slums or royal palace, he died so that we have the opportunity to live; or probably in my case, to see and feel His heartbeat, to learn to love and live.

*P.S. Beef noodles ‘ho sek’ & beef satay ‘ho dai’ wor..

14-28 Aug mission trip..

Pre-mission trip..

Thank God the sharing @ SDJ went well. Although i have forgotten to share my experience, hopefully the story-telling is sufficient.. Boon Fei said for 1st timer is not bad, said that i am a natural sharer... hmm..

Time passed fast and TnT Camp went by like a flash during the long weekend. A lot of good things happened and I'm glad that no matter how uncertain the future holds & how much facts and emotions fluctuate, God loves me dearly & is in control.

I just bought some dry food n wet tissues for the upcoming mission trip to Cambodia.. still have a list of ministry preparation which i haven't completed - testimony, worship leading... kid's drama, song leading, sharing, games.... drum teaching, english teaching assistance..

Want to be fully prepared, also spiritually, for this. I have always wanted to go overseas for missions, i have waited for more than 5 yrs for this....

public speaking for dummies

Internship in church just in the beginning few days has open up my eyes to the many needs of the people around me that has tumbled into the sight n ears of the church full time ppl.

actually have someone guiding in how to listen, how to respond with empathy.. it's common sense but nice to hear from someone saying it again.

tomorrow ish friday CF, need to give 20-mins worth of sharing to 80+ students!!?! so nervous, public speaking is NOT my thing.. prepare prepare prepare.....

Letting God choose..

sigh, yeah..

"We may have secret longings too deep to utter to others—perhaps a desire for marriage, or a work or ministry we’d like to perform, or a special place to serve. We must put each desire in God’s hands and pray, “Lord, You must choose for me. I will not choose for myself...”

http://odb.org/2010/05/05/letting-god-choose/