Upload
audreylimx
View
224
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
1/11
2011 T E A M R E F L E C T I O N S 2012
That was the prayer of each of the 23
members of the team that went from
Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church in
Singapore to Timor Leste, from 27
December 2011 to 3 January 2012.
During the short 8 days (and before
and after), God worked: He broke, He
mended, He tested, He healed, He
opened doors, He changed plans, He
showed how the whole world is indeed
in His hands.
The following pages contain thoughts
penned down after returning to
Singapore. As you will see, God opened
the eyes of many hearts to Him and His
people. With each members unique
presentation of their thoughts, we hope
that you will be encouraged by what
God has done, and what He will do. Do
read and enjoy!
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord
L-R: WITH THE CHILDREN WHO
ATTENDED CAMP, GEARING UP
FOR PAINTING
ARRIVING IN DILI LYDIAS HOUSE BLESSING THE TIMORESE
THINK OF TIMOR
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
2/11
RYAN
GOD WORKS.
I'VE BEEN TO EAST TIMOR TWICE
AND HAVE NEVER FAILED TO FEEL
GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US DURING
THE TRIPS. EVEN WHEN WE WERE IN
A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND OUT OF
OUR COMFORT ZONE, GOD WAS
THERE. MANY OF US FELL SICK, BUT
GOD PROTECTED US SO THAT WE
CAME BACK TO SINGAPORE SAFE AND
SOUND. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE
TO WORK WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS
TO SERVE GOD AND TO SEE HIS
WORKS OUTSIDE SINGAPORE. GOD
HAS TRULY OPENED THE HEARTS OF
MANY TIMORESE.FIND JOY.
THE CHILDREN IN EAST TIMOR ENJOY DOING ANYTHING! SINGING, PLAYING
SIMPLE GAMES- ALL THESE BRING SMILES TO THEIR FACES. IT MAKES ME
TREASURE WHAT WE HAVE IN SINGAPORE AND TO FIND JOY IN THE LITTLE
THINGS IN LIFE. IT ALSO REMINDS ME OF THE JOY WE CAN FIND IN
KNOWING JESUS.PRAYER IS POWERFUL.
GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. THE WEATHER, NO MATTER HOW UNPREDICTABLE
IT MIGHT BE, IS UNDER GOD'S CONTROL.
SHERLYN
THE LORD OPENED THE EYES OF MY
HEART.
HE SHOWED ME.
THAT HE IS AT WORK.
IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUTHS WHOWENT.
WHERE THEY HAD TO STEP OUT AND
STEP UP.
IT WAS A JOY SEEING THEM PRAY
FROM THEIR HEARTS.
IT WAS A JOY SEEING THEM SERVE
WITH THEIR HANDS.
LORD, MAY THEY EXPERIENCE YOU
AFRESH EACH DAY.HE SHOWED ME.
THAT HE IS AT WORK.
IN THE REMOTEST PART OF THE
EARTH.
WHERE BLANCA, A MISSIONARY, HAD
STAYED FOR NINE YEARS.
IT WAS AN ENCOURAGEMENT SEEING
HER PERSEVERANCE IN THE LORD.
IT WAS AN ENCOURAGEMENT SEEING
HER DISCIPLE LOCALS TO GO INTO
THE VILLAGE TO BUILD CHURCHES.
LORD, MAY SHE CONTINUE TO FIND
STRENGTH IN YOU.
HE SHOWED ME.THAT HE IS AT WORK.
IN EAST TIMOR.
WHERE SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS
REAL.
IT WAS HEART WARMING TO SEE
LYDIAS LANDLORD STEP INTO HER
HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
IT WAS HEART WARMING THAT
LYDIAS PRAYER OF TEACHING IN THE
LOCAL SCHOOL WAS FULFILLED.
LORD, YOU ARE STRONGER THAN
SATAN.
JENNY
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE A DIFFERENT MISSION FIELD.PROGRAM COVERED:
1. SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMP - ENGLISH AND CRAFT
THE CHILDREN WERE ENTHUSIASTIC AND EAGER TO LEARN. THEY WERE ARTISTICAND MUSIC AND GAMES BROUGHT JOY TO THEIR FACES.
2. VISITATION AND EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH
WE VISITED THE HOSPITAL, CHURCH AND A FEW FAMILIES.AS IT WAS RAINING EVERYDAY, THE TERRAIN OF THE COUNTRY WAS "ROUGH"
AND FULL OF POT-HOLES.
THE WEATHER RESULTED IN MANY CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY AND THE NEEDS
DIFFERED FROM PLANS.AS A TEAM, UNITY PREVAILED.WE MANAGED TO MEET ALL EXPECTATIONSINCLUDING COOKINGTHE NEW YEAR'S EVE "FESTA AND DINNER". WE SAWGOD'S WORK AND HIS LEADING. WE EXPERIENCED HIS BLESSINGS FOR THETEAM. WE SAW A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW ON OUR WAY BACK TO DILI.
DURING THIS TRIP,I LEARNT NOT TO BE OVERWHELMED AND ANXIOUS WHEN"UNEXPECTED" AND MULTIPLE CHANGES WERE MADE. MY WELL-ORDERED LIFEWAS INTERRUPTED BY FRUSTRATION, IRRITATION, FEAR AND DOUBT.
INSTEADAS A TEAM WEDISCUSSED, LOOK TO GOD, ADAPT SWIFTLY ANDFOLLOW THROUGH WITHTHE TASK.
SHERLYNANDRYAN
JENNYSHARINGTHEWORD
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
3/11
The mission trip to East Timor really opened the eyes of my
heart. Although it was a big team, I think that God spoke to
each and every one of us who went in His own special way.
Personally for me, God told me something that I had always
needed to hear; that I was special. For a long time I had been
struggling with feeling wanted and accepted, as most of the
time I felt excluded and useless in one way or another. It
was so easy to tell that God was real when we were in
Timor. We had morning devotion in front of the endless blue
(my favourite colour) ocean when we were in Dili, and in the
majestic mountains up in Maubisee. Everything was just so
beautiful and perfect, and I realised that the God who
created what was in front of me, had created me. He even
knew my name before the creation of the world and I just
felt so special and loved. Every single one of us was created
in His image, so if the ocean and mountains can be so
perfect, then what more are we to ask of God, if we are
even more special than all that? During a sharing session,
Sherlyn had also reminded me that God knows every tear
that I cry and he keeps them. That Gods unfailing love is
enough for me.
Not only did God show me His love, He showed me that
He is sovereign over all. When we came together as a team
on the last day of the year to pray to ask God to stop the
rain, I could not stop myself from crying. Because at that
moment I knew that we serve an all-powerful God who can
do the impossible, and He had stopped the rain for us. He
did not have to, but He did. Everything is possible for he
who believes Mark chpt 9 v 23. That night when we were
back at the guesthouse, I had very bad cramps and a
headache and I wasnt able to join the rest of the group to
watch the fireworks to celebrate the New Year. I had gotten
out of bed for a while to try to see the fireworks but after
about 5 minutes I could not take it and I had to go back to
bed. It was the first time that I could remember that I was
spending New Year in bed! And all I could do was lie
helplessly in pain as the rest watched the fireworks in the
other room. (With the exception of my sister who was also
lying on her mattress) But that had allowed me time to just
pray and thank God for the whole year that had passed, and
I was spending New Year with God instead. Although the
pains had lasted till the last day of our trip in Timor, I knew
that God was my strength and that He was with me.
I am thankful that I was able to share Gods love for me with
the children during the 2 day childrens camp; that I was able
to bond with them and learn more about them. God had
really opened the eyes of my heart and I had grown so much
closer to Him over the 8 days we were there. Although we
are back in Singapore now, with only buildings and not
mountains to surround us, God is still as real to me and He
has helped me with something I could never do; daily quiet
time. I thank God that this passion for Christ and yearning
for God has not died down, and I pray that God will give me
more opportunities to share His love with those around me.
All glory goes to God!
KATHY
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
4/11
KAH
LOONGI have always been a rather careful person,
not wanting to risk much especially not myfamily filled with young children. When the
invitation was open for this trip, somehow I
felt that God was calling me to go and that
means the whole family as well. I was hoping
that I could find some logical excuses so that
I can justify my decision for not going. Well it
seems that the further I wanted to run away
the stronger the calling. I finally stop resisting
and decided to just obey. From that point on
I realized all I can depend on was God and
my trust in Him.
I learned that obeying God is really not all
plain and simple. While preparing for the trip,
God showed me Joel 2 and it was just not all
that encouraging except the FACT that God
is; Slow to anger, Compassionate, Loving and
Gracious (Joel 2:13). When Zack got real sick
during the trip, I have to accept that God is
indeed still Compassionate, Loving and
Gracious. I can no longer just say I trust God
but I must live it in my prayers and
submission to Him. In fact, I must be Slow to
anger and at times it was hard to practice
when I hear the moaning and crying for help
from my son.
Faith, I feel was my greatest lesson learned.
God prepared me and see us through. Indeed
He will not allow you to be tested beyond
your power to remain firm (1 Cor 10:13)
HEATHERBefore that week away from all the usual comforts, there had been many things
undone and even more that need undoing. It was a time for Him to do more of
the deep faith work. Dismantling and undoing the trust in self, the trust in others,
the trust in doctors and medicine. It was time for him to break me (and us, as a
family) so that He could rebuild us.
I shared with a few young parents about how Zack fell sick the moment we
arrived in East Timorabout how the supposed allergy problems were really a
virulent virus about how the fever went up and up about the trip to see the
doctor that we couldnt communicate with about the limitations at the hospital
we visitedabout how the sickness in him went on for five of the seven days of
this very short term mission trip.
They were stunned, shocked, stressed on my behalf. It was hard to hear. But I had
to go on. I had to share what God was doing while bodies and spirits languished
under the weight of sickness and the added weight of being far from home and
our usual ways of coping.It became a time for prayer work. Every time the fever went up, Zack asked for
us to pray for him. Daddy, please pray for me AGAIN. He was learning, too. Hedidnt ask for more medicine, he asked for more prayer.
It became a time for faith work. In tears we offered ourselves again and again to
Him. We offered our son to Him. We are yours. He is yours. Its all yours. In our
helplessness we came back to that place againwe knew were nothing; we had
nothing. We couldnt cure our son, we couldnt get him to the best doctors or
hospital, we couldnt even get him the best medicine.
And all the while the Enemy was whisperingSee? See what happens when you
bring kids on a mission trip? See how much trouble and worry youve caused
yourselves and your team and the missionary you are supposed to be helping? I
bet you wont do this again. The enemy is betting on us coming undone. But weknow better than to fall for his lies. We need faith. And with faith (which is a gift
from the Father) we will obey Him if He calls us to go again. We said it in tears
that night, after giving the midnight dose of medicine to the boy burning with
fever. We said we would obey; we said we would not listen to the Enemys
whispers, we would not be undone by temptation. If we were to be undone, it
would be at the hands of our Maker. Our undoing would be for our
transformation, for our remoulding into the vessels ready for deeper faith work.
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
5/11
CHILDRENS CAMP
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
6/11
1. Gods Provisions.
By Gods grace, we spent within the budget S
$34,121.00. Actual amount spent was S$29,938.20. In
total for this trip, we raised S$7,471.00. Members paid
S$17,050.00 and Church approved S$9,600 (16
persons x S$600/person). God had made it possible for
us. All praises, thanks and glory to Him. Lesson learnt
was our willingness to trust Him.
2. Able to witness how God answers my prayers despite
of Satans disturbance.
a. Overcoming our challenges by depending on God,return to Him with all your heart. Joel 2: 12-13.
Reminded me that God is in charged, obey and take
orders. Our Itinerary changes last minutes. Lesson
learnt, willing to accept change and be adaptable.
b. By overcoming my unbelief Mk 9:23-24, like the spirit
possessed Boys father. Be prepared to seek and pray to
God with intensity, Mk9:29. Lesson learnt, God
intervened through our persistence prayers and sent
angels to guard over us before, during and after the
trip. 2 personal incidents I shared before and after thetrip.
i) Before the trip, when praying for the trip during
Wednesday church prayer meeting , knew that
spiritual warfare started, my car broke down
twice between November and December
2011, especially that Thursday night (22/12/11),
when I came to church to help Kah Loong to
pack the items for the trip, my car radiator give
way. Somehow, God had directed me to call
the two workshops and only one workshop(nearby my house) that has the spare part to
get it fixed on the eve afternoon of Christmas
day, while most of workshop already closed for
the holidays.
ii) When I returned from the trip, shocked to
hear from my wife that Anna went into a daze
(not of herself) on the evening of 27 Dec
2011, same day that we left for ET. Then I knew
that Satan had attacked the weakest one in my
family. Probably God had allowed it to do so (Irecalled when I was doing B.S with my
pathfinders on the book of Job) but God may
have told Satan not to lay a hand (cause hurt)
on Anna. I knew it because
during Wednesday church
prayer meetings, I shared andasked the church to pray for
my relationship with my
daughter, Anna for healing and
also her relationship with
God, to return to church on
Sunday. God had allowed this
crisis to happen so that I
could mend this relationship
with her and as a family to
pray for her and asked God
to deliver her from the evil
ones. On 5th Jan 2012 evening, my wife and
good self together with her, we prayed and my
wife asked her to read the scriptures. That
night, the evil ones left her, she became
conscious of herself and filled with joy of relief
throughout early morning, could not sleep.
Then I knew how God answered my prayer the
next morning, when she was okay.
c. On the way up to Maubisse (2nd day), a funny negative
thought came into my mind, ask God, why I spent so
much money on the airfare, come to this remote place
and help up in this childrens camp (23 of them) and also
23 of us. It was Satans temptation that cast doubt in my
mind, but then I remembered in my quiet time lessons,
Mk9:36-37 & Mk10:13-16, that taught me that these
children are precious in Gods sight and He will not lose
anyone of them. Once again, God reaffirmed and
strengthen my thoughts, when Jenny Cheang shared her
devotion (3rd day) on the parable of the lost son (Luke
15:11-31). At that moment, I realised how unfaithful and
discourage I am, I repented whole heartedly to Him. The
Lord welcomes me and any of the children into His
Kingdom.
d. On 4th day, Winnie shared on 1 Corinthians 13 chapter
on Love. Love is patient and kind (V4a). It was not easy
for me. By nature / temperament, I am an impatient
person. The Lord has to slow me down and I have to
wait for the host, Mr. Tonito who is busy with his
customers in his provision shop on the first day
morning of the New Year. The Lord taught me to relax
and wait to go along with their way of life (culture
immersion) to show love and understanding and not to
provoke one another.
KOK WENG
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
7/11
God opened my eyes to see
His majestic power & authoritythrough His wonderful & purposeful
creation
His hand at work in East Timor, demonstrating His sovereignty over all
nations
that I can trust in Him not just in the bad times but in the good as well
that prayer is something that I lack in my life
Prayer was something that hit me hard partly because I was guilty of not having a
healthy prayer life prior to the trip. But God is so good! He showed me the
importance of relying on Him through prayer. In Timor we had nothing to depend
on in times of trouble but God alone. In Singapore however, its almost as if we
lead totally different lives, not trusting/depending on God our Creator for ourneeds, sometimes distracted by things such that we forget He is right there,
waiting for us to call on Him. We seem to be leading different lives because we
depend on ourselves or others too much, to bring us through difficult times. We
learnt it the hard way, each of us from last years (2011) mission team, we learnt to
trust in Him always, and when trouble arises, to turn to God first!
It is with joy that I can say, through His grace, from mission trip till now, I was able
to sustain a healthy prayer life, and He has worked wonders in my ministry work
in SYFC and also at home. Praise the Lord!
BEN AMIN
AGNESWHAT I LEARNT FROM THIS TRIP:
1) I LEARNT TO SURVIVE ON FEW RESOURCES AND
LEARNT TO DEPEND ON GOD.. 2) I LEARNT TO BE
PATIENT AND SUBMIT TO THE AUTHORITY..3) I
EXPERIENCED GOD'S LOVE STRETCH OUT TO PEOPLE
IN TIMOR..4) NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD,
AND GOD CAN STOP THE RAIN AND HOLD IT UNTIL
OUR PROGRAM ENDED, EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND
WE WENT BACK TO OUR GUEST HOUSE BEFORE THERAIN STARTED AGAIN..5) PRAYER IS IMPORTANT..6) I
EXPERIENCED GOD PROTECTION..7) I EXPERIENCED
HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN ME..8) I EXPERIENCED LIFE IN
EAST TIMOR..9) I EXPERIENCED BREAKTHROUGH IN ME
{{ PRAYING TOGETHER WITH MANY PEOPLE IN
PUBLIC,OPENLY }} ( COS I'M ACTUALLY VERY SCARED
TO PRAY IN PUBLIC WITH MANY PEOPLE ) 10) I
LEARNT THE MISSION TRIP IS NOT ABOUT US, NOT
ABOUT HOW MUCH WE DO..IT IS ABOUT GOD,TO SEE
GOD'S HAND WORK AND TO GLORIFY HIM....
MY THOUGHTS TO GOD:
1) GOD, ALTHOUGH THE TRIP IS VERY TIRING AND EVEN
FALL SICK, AND MANY DIFFICULTIES, OBSTACLES I
FACED..BUT I WILL STILL CHOOSE TO GO AGAIN TO
SERVE YOU THERE, AND I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY,AND
EVEN THE SPIRITUAL WAR FARE IS GOES AROUND TO
ATTACK ONE BY ONE..2) IF YOUR CALLING FOR ME TO
GO AGAIN, I WILLING TO STEP OUT FROM MY
COMFORT ZONE TO GO AGAIN..3) GOD BEFORE WE
CAME BACK TO SPORE MY COMFORT ZONE MY
HOME ..I HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO GO
AGAIN,BECAUSE MY HEART TELL ME ( I WILL GO
AGAIN )..4) GOD I KNOW I CAN'T BEAR TO LEAVE AND
LEFT MY HUBBY ALONE, AND WILL MISSED HIM SO
MUCH,BUT IF GOD YOU WANT ME TO GO I WILL STILL
GO AND I'M SURE MY HUBBY WILL VERY HAPPY TO
SEE ME SERVE YOU THERE ..
MY PRAYER:I NEED PRAYER FOR TO CONTINUE TO DISCIPLINE
MYSELF EVERY DAY MUST SPEND TIME WITH GOD AND
OBEY HIM..
ENCOURAGEMENT:
I AM VERY ENCOURAGED BY EVERYONE OF MY TEAM
MEMBER, THEY WORKED SO HARD, EVEN THOUGHTHEY ARE VERY TIRED AND MANY OF THEM NOT
FEELING WELL, BUT THEY STILL TRY THEIR VERY BEST
TO DO THEIR PART, TO DO WHAT GOD WANT THEM TO
DO..
GIVING THANKS:
I THANK GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE
TO GO ON THE MISSION TRIP. ALTHOUGH I DID VERY
LITTLE DURING THIS TRIP, I LEARNT ALOT IN THIS
TRIP, I'M SO GLAD THAT EVERYONE WAS UNITED.
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
8/11
NICHOLASHaving been to the East Timor Mission Trip, it truly was an experience for me. Initially going there without
any expectations whatsoever, I went there to accept whatever that came. It was indeed like I was telling
myself, Que sera, sera. (Translated it would be: what will be, will be.) The one word which I could indeed
use to summarize what I learnt from the mission trip, it would be this word that we all know: faith.
Why do I say faith? Without faith, we can never accomplish anything in life. The same goes for the progress ofthe trip. I truly found myself depending on God throughout the whole mission trip. Since I did not fulfill the
task of having someone pray for me personally, I just thought that God would be enough. I was right. I have
been right the whole time. God was indeed sufficient for me. Faith in God cast the dark clouds aside when
we wanted to have a small celebration with all the kids and some of the people living in the vicinity. The
clouds looked like they wont go away for a long time. However, we all got down on our knees and just
started praying for God to push the clouds away. When we finished, the storm finished as well. It was truly a
miracle which I saw before my very eyes. One which I dont see in Singapore personally. Haha.
Apart from caring for our own team members, I discovered that people in East Timor and other poorer
countries indeed need the touch of Gods hands. They need to be brought to God. They need to be blessed. I
guess thats one of the objectives of the Global Day of Prayer, where we pray for God to touch the hearts ofthose who need him so much. East Timor happens to be one of those places.
In all, I learnt that we ought to count our blessings each day and not just thank God for everything when
things go our way. We should thank Him for every single thing we have. Time: every week, every day, every
hour, every minute, every second. We need to thank Him for giving us the chance to live out the next day. To
be grateful to God. To thank God for letting us live good lives. To thank Him for letting us exist to make the
world a better place and most importantly, to bring people to Him. Indeed, without God, we are truly
nothing. Useless, if I may add. We need to always be faithful, to always believe that God is always there and to
look to Him when we are in need of Him. Prayer is our weapon. We should always use it. Not just for
requesting things but to thank God for His grace.
JANELLE1) God Is really powerful. A lot of the other people would probably share this in their sharing as well but
well, this is also what Ive learnt. Haha. During the last day of the year 2011, we were supposed to have a festa
for aunty Lydias landlord and for the kids that came during the camp. We were also supposed to paint the
landlords house. However, it started raining really really heavily after we just finished painting the house. And
the rain didnt look like it was going to stop. By 6pm (the festa was supposed to start at 4) the rain was still
pouring down, as heavily as ever. We started to get really scared and worried as no one could come in such a
heavy downpour. So we started to pray. And in like less than an hour, while we were still praying, you can
already hear the rain starting to die down. By the type we stopped praying it was just a light rain and the
children were gathering outside. So while some of us went to get the tables and chairs, the rest of us just sat
around the living room singing praises to God. By the time we stopped, the rain too had stopped. Another
miracle: the landlords house was still more or less painted! (:
2) Prayers really important. I never took much notice of the verse that said where twos or threes gather in
my name, there I am with them. - Matthew 18:20 (NIV) however, during this trip, I really saw the power of
prayer. On the first day of the childrens camp, it rained during lunch. So a few of the youths and zacky
gathered around to pray. When we stopped, the rain had also stopped and we could have lunch outside. It
was really amazing how God blew away the rain, just for us.
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
9/11
MINLING
FIRSTLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE
TO GO FOR THIS MISSION TRIP BECAUSE HE HAS SHOWN ME SO MUCH OVER
THERE. I HAVE SEEN HIS SOVEREIGNTY AND MAJESTIC SELF OVER AT
TIMOR AND WE ONLY CAN COME BEFORE HIM HUMBLY AND ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT HE RULE OVER ALL THINGS AND HES THE ONLY ONE WHO IS IN
CONTROL OF EVERYTHING.
I CAN SAY THE EIGHT DAYS MISSION TRIP WAS FILLED WITH MANY
CHALLENGES. THERE WERE CHANGES TO BE MADE IMPROMPTU, MANY
SPIRITUAL BATTLES AND PEOPLE FALLING ILL. HOWEVER EVEN AS WE FACED
ALL THESE CHALLENGES, WE LEARNT TO MAKE PRAYER SO MUCH MORE
IMPORTANT AND TO KNOW THAT AT THAT POINT OF TIME, WE HAVE NO ONE
TO TURN TO BUT GOD. WE WERE KEPT ALL THE WAY. HE HEARD AND
ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS.
NOW THAT GOD HAS OPENED THE EYES OF MY HEART, I HAVE EXPERIENCED
HIM BEING SO REAL THROUGH THIS MISSION TRIP, ITS MY TAKEAWAY FROM
TIMOR TO SINGAPORE SO THAT I MAY CONTINUE TO TRUST IN HIM AND
REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US OVER THERE!
MAY OUR SHARING ENCOURAGE YOUR HEARTS!
AUDREY
HAVE YOU EVER TALKED TO GOD ABOVE, TELL HIM THAT YOU NEED A FRIEND TO
LOVE, PRAY IN JESUS NAME BELIEVING THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER...
DEAR GOD,THANK YOU FOR THE MANY LESSONS YOUVE TAUGHT ME DURING THE TRIP. IVE
BEEN REMINDED TIME AND TIME AGAIN OF YOUR MAJESTY AND YOUR MIGHT.
JUST AS YOU CALMED THE STORM FOR YOUR DISCIPLES, SO YOU CALMED THE
STORM FOR US. YOUR POWER NEVER FAILS.
EVEN THOUGH THE TEAM FACED MANY ILLNESSES AND PERILOUS JOURNEYS, YOU
HEALED, PROTECTED, AND GUIDED.
JEHOVAH JIREH THE LORD IS MY PROVIDER. FOR EVERYTHING WE LACKED,
YOU PROVIDED A WAY OUT. WE COULD NEVER COMPLAIN THAT THERE WAS NOT
ENOUGH OF ANYTHING, LORD, YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME.
THROUGH THE LIVES OF THE TIMORESE AND MY TEAM MEMBERS, IVE SEEN HOW
POWERFUL THE LOVE OF CHRIST IS. I CAN LOVE LORD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE
SHOWN ME HOW.
I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE, LOVE YOU MORE, EXPERIENCE YOU MORE.
AMEN!
VALERIE
I FELT THAT THIS MISSION TRIP WAS GREAT. SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST MISSION
TRIP, IT WAS BETTER THAN I THOUGHT. GOD WAS REALLY REAL DOWN THERE.
WE ALL COULD SEE THE WONDERFUL CREATIONS THAT HE HAD MADE. THE SKIES,
THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SEAS. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US WERE SICK, I THINK
THAT THEY ALSO ENJOYED THIS TRIP. OVER ALL, I REALLY ENJOYED THE
MISSION TRIP FROM 27 DECEMBER 2011 TO 3 JANUARY 2012. I HOPE THAT I CAN
GO FOR THE NEXT MISSION TRIP THE END OF THIS YEAR!!
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
10/11
1. I saw God's sustaining grace throughout the trip (in daily
devotions, sharing by song leaders and answered prayers) in
midst of fierce spiritual warfare within and without.
Within such as my fears (of puncture tyre and Valerie'shealth), miscommunications and unspoken expectations of
each other.
Without such as weather and road conditions/external
factors beyond my control, food preparation and physical
ailments of team members.
I learnt humility through submission unto God especially in
matters beyond my control.
How did we overcome? Only by faith through prayer! Kok
Weng's devotion reminded me to believe when I pray! " If
you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who
believes. Mark 9:23 NIV
Kah Loong's devotion reminded me to press on and honor
God even in bleak situations! Even now, declares the Lord,
return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping
and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he
relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:12, 13 NIV84)
These are only a taste of God's sustaining GRACE.
2. I saw how God never passes up on us as long as one of us
came with a servant's heart. How simply carrying Abigail
landed Lydia a teaching position in the Maubisee school and
my 10-year preparation nursing my own children was put to
use.
3. I saw God's unfailing love through Sister Branka; who was
called, obeyed, harvested 29 converts in 10 years, sent them
out to church plant in 6 villages including an elderly man, whowas baptized 1 day before after 9 years of working on him.
She, a trained nurse conducts seminary for 4 pastoral
trainees. In her own words (paraphrase) 1 brings 10, 10
brings 100 and 100 brings 1000s to Christ, the multiplying
effects of just 1 who obeys the call!!
Initial 2.5 years, she walked daily into this village from her
residence crossing the rocky stream we drove through to
enter the village. On many occasions, she also evacuated
patients on foot through the same path.
Lesson:- God prepares us in his time for his work. No matter
how long and arduous it seems, the end brings harvests if
only I continue to plough in His Grace and Glory.
The village's clinic was built and medicines are mainly
provided by Australia. The local Health Ministry hardly sent
any panadol all these years despite Branka sending bi-mthly
report to them.
Lesson:- God's ability to mobilize the world for his work.Spiritual warfare is very real in remote places where
resources are limited; ie medical and water resources. People
resort to witch doctors for solutions but God destroyed
many and only 5 are left.
Lesson:- Like in the healing of a boy with an evil spirit in
Mark 9:14-29, PRAYER is our weapon and resource against
the devil. We must never be complacent even when things
appear to be smooth sailing. Especially in Singapore where
resources and technology are at our finger tips.
"If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him whobelieves. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do
believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:23-24
NIV84)
Her church was eager to pray and prayed for us first. I was
taken aback because I thought we came to give (prayer and
spiritual support). But God intended us to first receive His
Blessings through his people we came to "mission".
Lesson:- I was truly humbled and blessed by God and this
people's love. I was so touched by God's presence in our
midst although I don't understand their prayers, tears just
streamed down my eyes.
We gave them in our abundance, but they gave all they had -
God.
Experiencing the Father's love first hand enabled me to love
others. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love
never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV84) God's love never
fails, He desires to satisfies us for His Own Glory! I'll live this
new year in expectancy of greater things from God.
Lastly, as Sherlyn shared on the last devotion from (1
Corinthians 9:25-27 NIV84), this is my prayer:-
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict
training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we
do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not
run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a manbeating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so
that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified for the prize.
Amen!!
WINNIE
8/3/2019 Timor Reflections
11/11