Tanjong Uban Mssion Trip Dec 2009

2009 was certainly a fruitful year in Mission for our cell. Just this last weekend, 8 of us were down Tg Uban again. This time round, we were there to celebrate Christmas with them. With the Christmas theme in mind, the whole bunch of us assumed various roles for both the adult and children service and carried them out all to the best of our abilities.

Just a few photos to share here.

Photo 1
Preparation before the adult service
(1) Filling our hungry stomach with hot Ayam Penyet (no food is shown, just us taking pic away while waiting for food)
(2) ZL doing some last minute prep for the worship powerpoint (which in the end we didn't use. But great effort still!)

Photo 2

The team at work for the adult evening service. Jade and LH leading games which the locals totally loved. Alice doing her Testimony of knowing Christ and of course Mr XB who shared the impt message of our salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The rest of us were more involved with the children service on the next day. But no photos from me due to flat camera batt =(

Photo 3
The silent night moment - Singing Silent night (duh) with lights off and candle lit. All prep by the church there.
Photo 4
The locals having fun throughout the night - worshipping and enjoying the games and service.

Photo 5
My camera resurrected to give us this 1 last shot before we leave the house church. What a nice picture. And there's even a large painting thay prepared for Grace Assembly of God. I think it's hanging somewhere in Mike's house now.

CELEBRATING BENSON'S AND ALVIN'S BIRTHDAY

On 14 Nov, we went downtown for a good time to celebrate the birthday of two of our dear brothers. Thanks guys for the good food, good drinks and desserts and good company.

From: benson yeo

hey guys,

I wish to add on another testimony that came out of this trip.

I went for this mission trip with a very unprepared heart. I did little prayer over it and the origami which we were supposed to try at home for the children program, I didn't. Even the packing was a rush and I forgot my contact len case and solution. While on our way to the ferry terminal, I was not feeling all ready to go and minister to the people there. I started wondering how this trip will turn out to be like, whether I can really be of use to God over in Tg Uban and whether God would touch me.

Then came the part when we reached Ps Morhan church and becos of the change in schedule, we had time to pray. We started the prayer session wanting to commit the whole program into God's hand and pray things will be on time despite the hiccups. But God has a greater agenda for the prayer session as we started to press in more. We not only prayed for the programs, we took turns to pray for each other. We took turn to lift each other up to God and ministered to one another earnestly. God's presence was undeniably was us. At one point, I was overcome with His presence that I was choking back on my tears as I struggle to speak out thanks-giving to Him. That prayer session gave us strength needed for the rest of the mssion trip and beyond.

And in this mission trip, I also come to realize how little faith I have. I have to confess it did not dawn on me that the trip delay and the church 1st Anniversary was God's idea. To me, I see it as just a coincidence and nothing else. It was through this trip that God show me more of what He is capable of doing. That I just need to have faith alone. Fanti's pregnancy is no coincidence again, it was through her faith in Christ that she conceive.

Echoing the same setiments as the others, we have been ministered possibly more than we have ministered to the people there. Despite so, I do feel our presence in Tg Uban has encouraged Ps Morhan and the congregation there in many ways. If we are willing vessels, God will do mighty work through us over in Tg Uban. For the upcoming trip on 19 and 20th Dec, it will be good for us to join them in a celebration. Let's see how we can minister to them this time round =)

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 11:01 PM, Candida Ho wrote:

hi guys,

i think we had a great mission trip. After this trip, I personally feel that God has touched us more than we've touched others.

We often said that God can change negative things and problems to be good. Well, we initially thought that we would be delayed due to Mike's forgetting to bring *something* (no offense), but during the time spent waiting at the church, the four of us gathered to press into the presence of God and prayed for one another on a much more personal level, and the upcoming programmes for well over an hour. We really felt the presence of God with us (and I rarely feel God's presence so strongly), touching us and refreshing us not only for the activities ahead, but for our own spiritual lives. Though each of us had busy weeks, may be dry spiritually or even apprehensive about the trip, I believe we came away from the prayer with a renewed sense of purpose.

Our trip was initially supposed to be more than a month ago, but this new date fell on the church's 1st anniversary. I had thought it was a pleasant coincidence, but after our prayer session, I came away feeling that God had placed us there at that time to share in the mini celebration of the church, and to give Pastor Morhan spiritual support and prayer on that significant day. Pastor Morhan led worship for the first part, and though there was only a guitar, he was really passionate in his worship. I mean, I had always thought that he was a soft-spoken and unassuming guy, but when leading worship, he was like all fired up. (by the way, can you believe he's the same age as us..27/28... ). I felt that we had also drawn closer to him; because the group was small, we spoke to him more, and our prayers for him were more personal.

Prayers were answered (Fanti and alice ? =) ), and more prayer requests were brought forth. There is no end to the supplications of our lives to God, whom, through these prayers for the people, reminded me that God is in control of our lives, and whom constantly seeks our communion with Him.

Generally the mission trip really gave me a shove forward in my prayer life, making me pray more than ever before because we had the time, because we were with one another on a spiritual mission, because the people around us needed it and were hungry for it, and because the situations around us (e.g. new tuition centre, Iceh's muslim friend who was confused and whom was brought to the church at the very last minute for prayer) required it. I felt that I had grown spiritually coming away from the trip.

I hope that this email has given you some encouragement =)

You are my sweetheart gentle and blue

Do you care, have you a part

In the deepest emotions of my own heart

Tender with breezes caressing and whole

Alive with music, haunting my soul

Planet Earth, gentle and blue

With all my heart, I love you

~from 'Planet Earth' (1991) by Michael Jackson

---

From: Alice
Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 9:26:03 AM
Subject: Re: [combine_ya] An Update and an Upcoming Event!

HI Arthur

Great update below =) i'll be there!

Yo guys, for those that are not travelling anywhere this dec, do try to make it.. our cell have talking about finding a place where we can consistently be going back and not doing various hits and runs and God has opened up doors at Tanjong Uban. And even for activities like house visitations, we'll defnitely come across as more sincere when we go back and ask how's the situation that we prayed for the last time etc..

When we talked to them, they didnt really have a huge celebration for christmas last year.. But this year, it's only beginning of NOv and they already aer putting up christmas deco here and there. So we can try to spread some christmas cheer and show love for them this year =)

I'll also ask everyone during cell this thurs or at iguana this sat.. =)

Keep the Faith

Alice.

---

From: Arthur Ng h

To: Cell group

Sent: Monday, 9 November 2009 10:28:51
Subject: [combine_ya] An Update and an Upcoming Event!

Hi people,

Just wish to share that it was a good mission trip last wkend. We know that the aim of a mission trip is to minister and touch others with God's Word.... but the funny thing was, I thought it was more of the other way around for me ~ Indeed the presence of God is strong in Pastor Morhan's church, and the power of God is evident. A member named Fanti, whom Candida and Sylvia prayed for during the previous trip for a child, is now bless with a baby inside her. What a powerful testimony ~ Personally, I have never seen people so hungry for prayer and for God to come into their lives. I mean, if someone ask you for your prayer request, when was the last time u actually just want a prayer of good health and protection over your family? It is this simplistic view which I realise how much they depend on God in their lives. Pastor Morhan did mention to us the positive effect of our first visit, and that is the people are more receptive to his regular visits. From this, I believe that the seeds have been planted, but the battle is not won yet. The church in Tanjung Uban needs the support it can get and I strongly encouraged all of us to help them grow spiritually.

In Matt 16:18, Jesus said "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it". Therefore, let us play a prominent part in this Tanjung Uban church and be God's instruments for the expansion of his Kingdom. An interesting to note, our second visit coincide with the first anniversary of the church! Hallelujah! Why am I so happy? To non-Christians, it may be brush off as a mere coincidence. But me? I knew that it was pre-planned by God in His will for such a wonderful thing to happen! Especially after the first initial date when all the ferry tix were booked, plus the choices of dates to choose from afterwards. At that time, we didnt even know that the date (Nov 7 and 8) we chosen was their anniversary!

An upcoming event will be the preparation of the Xmas event on Dec 19 and 20. And i can only say one thing about it - It's gonna be a big celebration in Pastor Morhan's church! Let us bring the joy of Xmas and the love of God to the people in Tanjung Uban. Im really looking forward to a time of fellowship and bonding over there. Hence, I will like to put together a team soon and start preparing for it. I hope to involve everyone in preparation for this, but I will also like to know who can go over to Tanjung Uban. Let me know your availabilty promptly? Appreciate it =)

~ Let us go forth and bless others, for God has always bless you ~

Hi all, we had a wonderful mission trip over the weekend. It was supposed to be a low-visit but it is anything but low-key.

For one, the trip was postponed from earlier date and now we believe we know why. The 7-8 Nov is significant because it was the first anniversary of the church. Also if we had been there earlier, we will not be able to get to know and view the site of the church's second outreach.

We had a good Saturday service with the church. Our team lead part of the worship and Bro Ronnie preached. The church put up special items with the youth and children dance. I was unexpectedly made to babysit a group of kids for the night. Our team contribute a 2 kg cake (blackforest with mocca cream). The warmth and connection with the church members deepened (at least I felt).

The children's service on Sunday was supposed to be small with about 20 children but there were 40 of them there. So we split into 2 groups - Arthur and Candy doing drawing and paper mask with the younger ones and me, Benson and Alice doing origami.

THEN we went to look at the new location. It is in an area with many houses and is about 10 min's drive from existing church. Currently it is a bit run down and need quite a lot of reno works. But there are potentials - and we prayed on site for God to use the location to reach out to the neighbourhood. And we gave Pastor Morhan $500.

The $500 is, tentatively, not the $300 that was collected earlier because not all have indicated consent. So anyone who wants to be involved in giving the new work can let me know. See below for Pastor Sara's (the overseer) comment. As for earlier concerns, we have spoken to Bro Ronnie who called Pastor Scotts and the feedback is that there was no contribution to sponsor a tuition teacher. With the second location, Pastor Morhan will be fully occupied as he will run the first centre on Mon, Wed and Sat and the second on Tue, Thur and Fri. Church service will be added to the 2nd centre later as the centre grow. I think it will be very demanding on Pas Morhan but from what we are seeing in his work so far, he has the zeal, passion and the personality to minister to the community.

And since the church's Christmas celebration will on the 19/20 Dec, we told Pastor Morhan that we would like do the Christmas celebration for them. It will be a party that they can get the neighbours to come. Candida will be out of town on that date and Sir Arthur has kindly volunteer to organise (clap, clap). So, the first thing we need to know is who will be available and are keen. It is a 'hot' date for many but I hope you can block that day to have a Christmas event for the church. So far, we have 4. I wish we can have at least 8 people.

Pls think thru these info. Let us hear your view.

PS: Pls remember to bring your passport before leaving home if you are joining us this Dec. I forgot mine.

Rgds

Mike

Aug - Oct!

It's been some time since we updated the blog since the mission trip.

children's day event in the last weekend of Aug was fun but tiring. or at least really, the comments made by the kids are really whacky and cute (yes alice saying they are cute). Some of them are really smarter then their age, or even smarter than me.. astonishing! wat are those milk powders doing to kids siah.

Then It was the August birthday celebration in Zhou's kitchen.. Dunno where the pics are at though!! (prob in FB as usual!)

Sept bday celebration was at HV, Breko and 3 monkeys. Monkey suit man ended up serving us on teh table thinking we can't recognise him in his monkey suit, but we did hehe. and with xb waiting forlonly for his wine that never came.. boooo..

Prob should load more pictures here.. =)

Next up! OCt, some of them are going for the bintan trip for a followup. Benson, Mike, Arthur, candy, ray and sylvia.

Let's all pray for them!

~~ Alice

bintan mission trip

This mission trip is a little different to me, for one of the rare times i "escaped" with nothing in charge.. .. Candy realised only after or during the trip.. =) *whew*

So i had plenty of chance and opportunity to observe.

Thank God for the folks who would rise up to the occasion to do something that they never dared or wanted to do despite the initial hesitation.. like Arthur in his sharing, Jade for Mc. . .slyvia and benson to take the courage to share the testimony..
And folks who are willing to use their giftings fully like amanda, yvonne and ruby in their kids, ben and ray for music, mike and jade in their language.. and definitely candy for coordinating the whole thing and present for every meeting and practise..

one thing i love is actually the teamwork that everybody is willing to help and coordinate and do their bit. .

Alot of us, actually do manage to click with folks and communicate with them, talk to them and pray with them, it's good to see that there are non christians who came to listen to the words and participate in the worship. It's good that we can sow some seeds in these ppl's heart..

Let's continue to pray for this church and the pastor.

Alice.

Bintan STMT July 2009

Random pix from Benson Phone:

Yvonne with the locals BBQ-ing away. Thanks Yvonne for enduring the heat and bbq for us all.
Anyway, the guy with the guitar speaks good English. Realised only nearing the end of sat svc.

We finally got our hands on Durians. 10,000 Rupiahs / KG.

Posing

Rows of houses in Tanjong Uban

Barren lands. No street lights. Requirements to see a star-lit night.

Children Svc on-going inside.

Remove the centre lid and u will see how deep this well is. Covered for a gd reason.

Piecing our Theme verse