Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Be the light in the darkness
(Photo courtesy of Alvin; editing by Yining)
Team mates, let's continue to shine the light for Jesus as we continue with our lives back in Singapore. Let's not forget all that has happened during the past 11 days and treat it as a dream. Keep the Hmongs, RADION and the people in Thailand in our prayers!Till we meet the next time, take care and press on for the Lord, my dear Brothers & Sisters! =)
much love,
Ning
What have I learnt about mission?
Just in case u don't know, I don't normally blog at blogspot. Usually my blog is found at multiply. so if u want i can send u.
Basically thru this trip. God has changed my perception on what worship is about.
Worship is not all about singing songs, playing guitar and dancing. It is a continuous process. It is about allowing God to be ur top priority. Making Him our desire. In order to do so, we must surrender the things we are holding back from drawing close to God. We need to pray. No matter how good or bad our circumstances may be, we need to be able to give those to God and allow God to fill u.
Only God can satisfy ur needs. Man may fail me but God will never fail me.
He is my best friend. He loves me as who I am. It doesn't matter what I do.
I hope tt God will always be my desire. Let's press on in prayer!!! ya?
alright!!
Basically thru this trip. God has changed my perception on what worship is about.
Worship is not all about singing songs, playing guitar and dancing. It is a continuous process. It is about allowing God to be ur top priority. Making Him our desire. In order to do so, we must surrender the things we are holding back from drawing close to God. We need to pray. No matter how good or bad our circumstances may be, we need to be able to give those to God and allow God to fill u.
Only God can satisfy ur needs. Man may fail me but God will never fail me.
He is my best friend. He loves me as who I am. It doesn't matter what I do.
I hope tt God will always be my desire. Let's press on in prayer!!! ya?
alright!!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Final Day at the Refugee Camp......
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
- Jeremiah 29:11-14
Lord, I claim the above verses for your people who are inside the refugee camp. They are crying out to You, and I know You have heard them.
It was our last day of ministry work at Phetchabun, and we were at the refugee camp again. I did what I promised myself earlier – to hold back my tears until I completed the tasks of ministering to the people. Well, not completely… but at least I was not acting like a depression maniac who talk and cry at the same time! I finished my task of serving the people, and saved the crying for lunch time. Heh :) There must be at least a thousand hmongs who were blessed today by the milo and biscuits… and most importantly the gospel of God’s love. Pictures and full reports to follow!
Thank God for sustaining the team through a long and difficult day under the hot sun. Thank God that I survived – I popped in 4 tablets of panadol since last night to contain the feverish sensation and slept less than 4 hours. The fatigue accumulated from the past days had caught up on me, and I was pushing myself through the day. It felt like I had reached my max, and was walking on water. I know very clearly it was the Lord who carried me through (your prayers too!).
I thank God for the growth that took place in the students during the trip. It was more than an answered prayer. I was not expecting to see SO much, but God is full of surprises. I know all of us will not be able to look at the life in the same way as before anymore. Seeing how God transforms lives is the most amazing and rewarding thing that can happen. The transformation took place in my own heart as well. Thank you Jesus.
We will be leaving this village tomorrow and will be back in Singapore before midnight. The children in this village are around me now as I am typing at the computer. We received so many presents from them – old toys, flowers, self-made accessories and drawings. Touched :)
There were so many other things which took place and I was not able to blog all of them… and this is going to be my last blog post in this website. I hope these updates from the mission field made your partnership with us more meaningful and enjoyable.
Thank you for praying for my team. We really appreciate it. You have made a BIG difference, and we thank God for YOU!
In His love,
Jacob Ng
- Jeremiah 29:11-14
Lord, I claim the above verses for your people who are inside the refugee camp. They are crying out to You, and I know You have heard them.
It was our last day of ministry work at Phetchabun, and we were at the refugee camp again. I did what I promised myself earlier – to hold back my tears until I completed the tasks of ministering to the people. Well, not completely… but at least I was not acting like a depression maniac who talk and cry at the same time! I finished my task of serving the people, and saved the crying for lunch time. Heh :) There must be at least a thousand hmongs who were blessed today by the milo and biscuits… and most importantly the gospel of God’s love. Pictures and full reports to follow!
Thank God for sustaining the team through a long and difficult day under the hot sun. Thank God that I survived – I popped in 4 tablets of panadol since last night to contain the feverish sensation and slept less than 4 hours. The fatigue accumulated from the past days had caught up on me, and I was pushing myself through the day. It felt like I had reached my max, and was walking on water. I know very clearly it was the Lord who carried me through (your prayers too!).
I thank God for the growth that took place in the students during the trip. It was more than an answered prayer. I was not expecting to see SO much, but God is full of surprises. I know all of us will not be able to look at the life in the same way as before anymore. Seeing how God transforms lives is the most amazing and rewarding thing that can happen. The transformation took place in my own heart as well. Thank you Jesus.
We will be leaving this village tomorrow and will be back in Singapore before midnight. The children in this village are around me now as I am typing at the computer. We received so many presents from them – old toys, flowers, self-made accessories and drawings. Touched :)
There were so many other things which took place and I was not able to blog all of them… and this is going to be my last blog post in this website. I hope these updates from the mission field made your partnership with us more meaningful and enjoyable.
Thank you for praying for my team. We really appreciate it. You have made a BIG difference, and we thank God for YOU!
In His love,
Jacob Ng
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Psalm of the Day
Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
- Psalm 86:17
Despite the uncertainties that we might not be able to enter the refugee camp, I felt sure that we definitely would be going there to carry out God's miracle in the place. The psalm of the day came alive to me when I was reading it up the hmongs' hill. God was sending us there as an answered prayer - our brothers and sisters there have been crying out to God for a "sign of His goodness"...
As I was facing the barbwire and looking into the living condition inside, I felt a very heavy burden in my heart. These people were the ones I have been crying out to the Lord for. My dear brother Alvin Ong reminded me gently, "Cry later, now we have tasks to do."
I tried my best. However, when the second batch of the hmongs came out, God intended for us to pray and minister to the people after the skit and songs. I was holding a camera with one hand and using the other hand to reach out to the children with prayer. When I touched one of them, I knew I could not contain the tears anymore when I felt the deep hurt. I cried for healing. For restoration. For Jeremiah 29:11. For all the faces I saw. "A hope and a future!" I cried. My God remembers every face that I met... He has all their names written at the back of His hands... the suffering of these people drove Him to the Cross...
I prayed because I am just a man. I prayed because I am not God. I can do nothing for them, except to pray. I know you love them more than I can ever do. God, will you deliver your people... please?
Today I was like a cry baby on the mission field, and had to remind myself again and again that I need to wipe off the tears and carry out my tasks. So many things need to be done here... and the trip is already coming to an end soon. Tomorrow we will be going to this camp to serve these people again. I pray that we get to minister to more people. So many people broke down and received Jesus into their lives today, and I am asking God for more. Praise God :)
"Cry later, now we have tasks to do."
I will.
Keep us in prayers, please. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Jacob Ng
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
- Psalm 86:17
Despite the uncertainties that we might not be able to enter the refugee camp, I felt sure that we definitely would be going there to carry out God's miracle in the place. The psalm of the day came alive to me when I was reading it up the hmongs' hill. God was sending us there as an answered prayer - our brothers and sisters there have been crying out to God for a "sign of His goodness"...
As I was facing the barbwire and looking into the living condition inside, I felt a very heavy burden in my heart. These people were the ones I have been crying out to the Lord for. My dear brother Alvin Ong reminded me gently, "Cry later, now we have tasks to do."
I tried my best. However, when the second batch of the hmongs came out, God intended for us to pray and minister to the people after the skit and songs. I was holding a camera with one hand and using the other hand to reach out to the children with prayer. When I touched one of them, I knew I could not contain the tears anymore when I felt the deep hurt. I cried for healing. For restoration. For Jeremiah 29:11. For all the faces I saw. "A hope and a future!" I cried. My God remembers every face that I met... He has all their names written at the back of His hands... the suffering of these people drove Him to the Cross...
I prayed because I am just a man. I prayed because I am not God. I can do nothing for them, except to pray. I know you love them more than I can ever do. God, will you deliver your people... please?
Today I was like a cry baby on the mission field, and had to remind myself again and again that I need to wipe off the tears and carry out my tasks. So many things need to be done here... and the trip is already coming to an end soon. Tomorrow we will be going to this camp to serve these people again. I pray that we get to minister to more people. So many people broke down and received Jesus into their lives today, and I am asking God for more. Praise God :)
"Cry later, now we have tasks to do."
I will.
Keep us in prayers, please. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Jacob Ng
Hmong Lao Refugee Camp Outreach
hi peeps...
today was our first day outreach to the Hmong Laos. It was full of suprises and thanksgivings.
We woke up like 6am in the morning for prepare our selves for worship and loading up our biscuits onto the van.
But before i shared with u what happened today. Let me share with u guys abt what we were doing yesterday.
We spent the whole day praying and worshiping yesterday. And whole day, it reali means whole day men.. we gathered together to prepare our hearts and also to intercede for the Hmong Laos.
Through that few hours of prayers and worship, we saw how God was working among us. There were restoration of relationships among some of the team mates and healing of our past hurts etc.What was the most amazing thing was the Holy Spirit was constantly at work and moving among us. The Holy Spirit led many of us to pray and minister to the ones who are mourning among us.
I praised God at one instance, the Holy Spirit prompted me to step forward to the old lady who was hosting us for accomadation, to pray for her (since she was standing in the midst of us listening to our worship.) And i thanked God that i obeyed Him.
No one can ever imagine that small gesture of moving forward to that old lady to pray for her. She broke down into tears. She mentioned she was so touched by our act of worship. She saw God in us though she do not understand our language. And finally, she made the decision to come back to Christ through that time of worship.
what we saw was not just only the Gospel can transcends language, worship also can!!! God presence transcends all things men!!Praise God!!!
Lets talk abt today.
Actually there were news saying that we may not be able to go into the refugee camp cos we have nt get an approval letter from the leaders of the refugee camp.
Yet, we choose to go in faith today. We loaded up our biscuits and milks powders onto the van. And we drove to the camp.
Several things to give thanks:
1. that God allowed us to go into the camp.
2. one of our shift during the milk mission which was supposed to reach out to the kids. It turned out to be a ministering time for the Hmong Laos adults who came for the special programs during our Milk!mission.
The Holy Spirit led us to pray the ppl at then. Many of these adults broke into tears after watching our skit. And we thank God for using that skit to turn ppl back to Christ. Many of them chose to surrender their pains and past hurts unto the Lord.
3. we prayed for physical healing for the ppl too eg. difficulties walking and seeing. The most amazing thing was that, the person who prayed for these ppl was our host lady wh just came back to Christ ytd.praise God!!
today was our first day outreach to the Hmong Laos. It was full of suprises and thanksgivings.
We woke up like 6am in the morning for prepare our selves for worship and loading up our biscuits onto the van.
But before i shared with u what happened today. Let me share with u guys abt what we were doing yesterday.
We spent the whole day praying and worshiping yesterday. And whole day, it reali means whole day men.. we gathered together to prepare our hearts and also to intercede for the Hmong Laos.
Through that few hours of prayers and worship, we saw how God was working among us. There were restoration of relationships among some of the team mates and healing of our past hurts etc.What was the most amazing thing was the Holy Spirit was constantly at work and moving among us. The Holy Spirit led many of us to pray and minister to the ones who are mourning among us.
I praised God at one instance, the Holy Spirit prompted me to step forward to the old lady who was hosting us for accomadation, to pray for her (since she was standing in the midst of us listening to our worship.) And i thanked God that i obeyed Him.
No one can ever imagine that small gesture of moving forward to that old lady to pray for her. She broke down into tears. She mentioned she was so touched by our act of worship. She saw God in us though she do not understand our language. And finally, she made the decision to come back to Christ through that time of worship.
what we saw was not just only the Gospel can transcends language, worship also can!!! God presence transcends all things men!!Praise God!!!
Lets talk abt today.
Actually there were news saying that we may not be able to go into the refugee camp cos we have nt get an approval letter from the leaders of the refugee camp.
Yet, we choose to go in faith today. We loaded up our biscuits and milks powders onto the van. And we drove to the camp.
Several things to give thanks:
1. that God allowed us to go into the camp.
2. one of our shift during the milk mission which was supposed to reach out to the kids. It turned out to be a ministering time for the Hmong Laos adults who came for the special programs during our Milk!mission.
The Holy Spirit led us to pray the ppl at then. Many of these adults broke into tears after watching our skit. And we thank God for using that skit to turn ppl back to Christ. Many of them chose to surrender their pains and past hurts unto the Lord.
3. we prayed for physical healing for the ppl too eg. difficulties walking and seeing. The most amazing thing was that, the person who prayed for these ppl was our host lady wh just came back to Christ ytd.praise God!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Worship GOD
When we talk about worship, what comes across your mind? what about prayer?
Today the team had the privilege to be renewed and praised God with a full day session of worship and prayer.
God used different team members to speak to us through the Bible.
Worshipping God was taken to a whole new level, to invite His presence, to have an intimate encounter with God.
Worship is an incense that flows to the heaven
The wife of the host family also rededicated her life to God, as she felt the presence of G0d through the worship to God. Amen!
She says,
"I don't understand what you are saying, but I know that you are worshipping God"
We are moving into the Refugee camp tomrrow, amy the palns that we plannend be GOd -directed and the Hmong Lao people will see God's love over pouring our from us.
Keep Praying!
Today the team had the privilege to be renewed and praised God with a full day session of worship and prayer.
God used different team members to speak to us through the Bible.
Worshipping God was taken to a whole new level, to invite His presence, to have an intimate encounter with God.
Worship is an incense that flows to the heaven
The wife of the host family also rededicated her life to God, as she felt the presence of G0d through the worship to God. Amen!
She says,
"I don't understand what you are saying, but I know that you are worshipping God"
We are moving into the Refugee camp tomrrow, amy the palns that we plannend be GOd -directed and the Hmong Lao people will see God's love over pouring our from us.
Keep Praying!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Updates of new Links
A Note f0r all readers and supporters, We have linked our blog to
(1) Radion International's Official website and also their (2) blog
so that you will be further encouraged by the things that GOd is working here.
Let us continue to pray for the guidance and wisdom on how to carry out follow up with the Hmong Thais that received Christ and continue to grow in love with God.
(1) Radion International's Official website and also their (2) blog
so that you will be further encouraged by the things that GOd is working here.
Let us continue to pray for the guidance and wisdom on how to carry out follow up with the Hmong Thais that received Christ and continue to grow in love with God.
Easter Harvest
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12
Lord, give us the heart of wisdom to know what truly matters in life. How many days left do we have on earth to do crazy things for Jesus?
Yesterday, we took the children in the village for a hiking excursion and had a swim at a water fall. A "war" took place in the water as we slammed and threw seaweeds at one another - a popular game among the kids. It was extreme fun as we fellowship with the children in real WILD WILD WET manner. I think I wasted my childhood on nintendo games...
The day ended with a campfire dinner. Through songs, games, sharing and "magic" performance, the gospel was presented to the children. 17 children made the decision for the first time to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. How else can we respond, but to praise Him? Thank God for everything!!!
As we said our farewell to the children, there were hugs and tears aplenty. We really love the children here to bits and pieces... but we have to say our goodbye. We know that for some of them, this may be the last time we get to see them. Lord, will You please continue to watch over them so that even if we do not meet them again in this life, we will play and worship with them in heaven?
We are now preparing to visit the refugee camp on Wednesday and Thursday (26 and 27 of March). Today the team was given some time for a personal retreat and rest with the Lord, and to visit some of the village households we visited last week.
We are praying everyday asking God for this land, and are expecting to see great miracles happening at the refugee camp. 6000 souls are there, waiting...
Thank God for keeping everyone of us safe and healthy. Please continue to pray for us.
Thanks.
Jacob Ng
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12
Lord, give us the heart of wisdom to know what truly matters in life. How many days left do we have on earth to do crazy things for Jesus?
Yesterday, we took the children in the village for a hiking excursion and had a swim at a water fall. A "war" took place in the water as we slammed and threw seaweeds at one another - a popular game among the kids. It was extreme fun as we fellowship with the children in real WILD WILD WET manner. I think I wasted my childhood on nintendo games...
The day ended with a campfire dinner. Through songs, games, sharing and "magic" performance, the gospel was presented to the children. 17 children made the decision for the first time to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. How else can we respond, but to praise Him? Thank God for everything!!!
As we said our farewell to the children, there were hugs and tears aplenty. We really love the children here to bits and pieces... but we have to say our goodbye. We know that for some of them, this may be the last time we get to see them. Lord, will You please continue to watch over them so that even if we do not meet them again in this life, we will play and worship with them in heaven?
We are now preparing to visit the refugee camp on Wednesday and Thursday (26 and 27 of March). Today the team was given some time for a personal retreat and rest with the Lord, and to visit some of the village households we visited last week.
We are praying everyday asking God for this land, and are expecting to see great miracles happening at the refugee camp. 6000 souls are there, waiting...
Thank God for keeping everyone of us safe and healthy. Please continue to pray for us.
Thanks.
Jacob Ng
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thank God it's Friday (and Saturday!)
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. - John 1:10-13
I had the most memorable Good Friday in my life on 21 Mar 2008.
The team spent the day preparing for a "mass-evangelistic" event in the village at Radion Shophouse, shopping for the food and preparing for the skit and programme. We were not able to predict who would happen, and could only pray and pray. BBQ food were served to the villagers and the gospel was presented to them through games, songs, a skit and a message. About 40 villagers turned up, and 11 of them prayed to receive Christ. God even provided a 7-year old boy to be our translator during the song presentation, and the village church pastor was there to pray for his own people. A lady with HIV whom we ministered to the day before turned up too and received Jesus to be her Lord and Saviour. Praise Him!
When I was waiting for my turn to appear in the skit and praying, a thought came to me: what if all the events, brokenness, trials, pain, joy... everything in my life was set up simply for this moment to present the gospel to these people? I told God, "Here I am, nothing much to offer, but use me."
As we looked back, we knew that it was everything about God as we witnessed how His hands were moving throughout the entire event. I was so moved by what God was doing in this place. At the end of the day, the team was overwhelmed with tears of joy as we gave thanks.
On Saturday, we brought the village children for an excursion to the river. The gospel was presented to them through a "magic" show and 15 children made the decision to receive Jesus. More details to come, with PHOTOS!
Thank you for partnering us with your prayers.
The visit to the refugee camp is next week, and we are really looking forward to witness more of God's work in the camp.
Have a blessed Easter Weekend!
Jacob Ng :)
I had the most memorable Good Friday in my life on 21 Mar 2008.
The team spent the day preparing for a "mass-evangelistic" event in the village at Radion Shophouse, shopping for the food and preparing for the skit and programme. We were not able to predict who would happen, and could only pray and pray. BBQ food were served to the villagers and the gospel was presented to them through games, songs, a skit and a message. About 40 villagers turned up, and 11 of them prayed to receive Christ. God even provided a 7-year old boy to be our translator during the song presentation, and the village church pastor was there to pray for his own people. A lady with HIV whom we ministered to the day before turned up too and received Jesus to be her Lord and Saviour. Praise Him!
When I was waiting for my turn to appear in the skit and praying, a thought came to me: what if all the events, brokenness, trials, pain, joy... everything in my life was set up simply for this moment to present the gospel to these people? I told God, "Here I am, nothing much to offer, but use me."
As we looked back, we knew that it was everything about God as we witnessed how His hands were moving throughout the entire event. I was so moved by what God was doing in this place. At the end of the day, the team was overwhelmed with tears of joy as we gave thanks.
On Saturday, we brought the village children for an excursion to the river. The gospel was presented to them through a "magic" show and 15 children made the decision to receive Jesus. More details to come, with PHOTOS!
Thank you for partnering us with your prayers.
The visit to the refugee camp is next week, and we are really looking forward to witness more of God's work in the camp.
Have a blessed Easter Weekend!
Jacob Ng :)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Salvations @ Petchabun Village
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" - Philippians 3:7-8
It is Day 3 of the mission trip. The team is safe and getting used to the climate and food. We thank God and the supporters' prayers for our safety, well-being, and the SALVATIONS of 9 souls (including 7 little children) in the village during our home visits!
As my team went to different homes to give out packets of "kway teow", we were able to pray for the people and ministered to their felt, despite the language barrier. Many of the people here may have heard of the name "Jesus", but do not know who He is. There were those who saw the sick being prayed for, and requested for us to pray for them as well in their areas of felt needs. There were believers who said they are struggling with their disappointment in God because they think nobody cares... but we were there to show them how much God loves them that He sent us!
We spent the night before today praying for the people here and asking God for this land. We do not want this to be a "mission tour"... 6000 souls are now in the refugee camp in need of the Lord and He loves each one of them. We do not know what we can bless them but we know that God is leading us in every step.
We sang this song in the morning before we set out to minister to the villagers:
"Be it in a quiet pasture, or by a gentle stream;
The shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep,
The shepherd of my soul will be my guide ."
So many more things to share, but I have so little time with the computer. Need to rush off now... as we look back, the day has been thanksgivings aplenty. Our Shepherd is faithful :)
Thank you for every prayer that you have prayed for us. You are making a difference in Thailand!
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Jacob Ng
It is Day 3 of the mission trip. The team is safe and getting used to the climate and food. We thank God and the supporters' prayers for our safety, well-being, and the SALVATIONS of 9 souls (including 7 little children) in the village during our home visits!
As my team went to different homes to give out packets of "kway teow", we were able to pray for the people and ministered to their felt, despite the language barrier. Many of the people here may have heard of the name "Jesus", but do not know who He is. There were those who saw the sick being prayed for, and requested for us to pray for them as well in their areas of felt needs. There were believers who said they are struggling with their disappointment in God because they think nobody cares... but we were there to show them how much God loves them that He sent us!
We spent the night before today praying for the people here and asking God for this land. We do not want this to be a "mission tour"... 6000 souls are now in the refugee camp in need of the Lord and He loves each one of them. We do not know what we can bless them but we know that God is leading us in every step.
We sang this song in the morning before we set out to minister to the villagers:
"Be it in a quiet pasture, or by a gentle stream;
The shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep,
The shepherd of my soul will be my guide ."
So many more things to share, but I have so little time with the computer. Need to rush off now... as we look back, the day has been thanksgivings aplenty. Our Shepherd is faithful :)
Thank you for every prayer that you have prayed for us. You are making a difference in Thailand!
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Jacob Ng
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Updates from Phetchabun
Dear friends and supporters,
We have reached Thailand Phetchabun safely! Don't worry! We're all safe and sound! :) It was a really long journey from the airport all the way to the village that we are reaching out to. It was a long 8 hours van ride. Thank God for the provision of comfortable vans! :)
Though the living condition here in Phetchabun is not as comfortable as compared to Singapore, we are still thankful that God provided for the place that we have! We're staying with a family in the village. They're very nice people and cleaned up the place for us before we reached there :) Thank God for that :) It's a beautiful place where we get to see the sunrise at a cliff as we do our Quiet Time in the morning :) Oh yes, not to mention, we named the cat in the family, it's named Hope! :)
We had a long and fun day today! We had ground training and had a mini outing with 4 of the village children! We went to the river to catch fishes and trekking to a place where they had very nice rocks and waterfalls! The little ones were so happy :) Praise God for this opportunity to have fun and interact with them! :)
Do continue to uphold our team in your prayers! Till date, we have 5 team members who are not feeling well (stomachache). It could be due to the fact that the team is still trying to adapt to the village living condition and food. Don't get us wrong, the food is actually very nice! :)
We're gonna rest well tonight and be charged up for our outreach to the villagers (Hmong Thai) tomorrow! :) Thank you for praying for us, we really appreciate you! :D
We have reached Thailand Phetchabun safely! Don't worry! We're all safe and sound! :) It was a really long journey from the airport all the way to the village that we are reaching out to. It was a long 8 hours van ride. Thank God for the provision of comfortable vans! :)
Though the living condition here in Phetchabun is not as comfortable as compared to Singapore, we are still thankful that God provided for the place that we have! We're staying with a family in the village. They're very nice people and cleaned up the place for us before we reached there :) Thank God for that :) It's a beautiful place where we get to see the sunrise at a cliff as we do our Quiet Time in the morning :) Oh yes, not to mention, we named the cat in the family, it's named Hope! :)
We had a long and fun day today! We had ground training and had a mini outing with 4 of the village children! We went to the river to catch fishes and trekking to a place where they had very nice rocks and waterfalls! The little ones were so happy :) Praise God for this opportunity to have fun and interact with them! :)
Do continue to uphold our team in your prayers! Till date, we have 5 team members who are not feeling well (stomachache). It could be due to the fact that the team is still trying to adapt to the village living condition and food. Don't get us wrong, the food is actually very nice! :)
We're gonna rest well tonight and be charged up for our outreach to the villagers (Hmong Thai) tomorrow! :) Thank you for praying for us, we really appreciate you! :D
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
leaving on a jet plane!
Hi Friends & Supporters,
We're finally leaving for our mission trip! Here's an update on what I believe should have been sent out to you all (but just in case!):
As the team gets ready for the departure, let me update you on what the team has been doing.
If you recalled from the previous email, the team was denied access to the Refugee Camp and permits have been sent to be approved and it was finally approved! :) We're going up to the Refugee Camp on the 26th and 27th Mar while continuing our contingency plans of reaching out to the Hmong Thai villagers of Khek Noi (very near the refugee camp!) before that.
The 2 sub groups of people, the English team and Drama team have each come up with different programmes to connect with the children, villagers and refugees.
The English team has put together a series of games, songs and magic show to illustrate the gospel to the children especially during the Children's Outing where we're going to bring the Thai village kids to different places.
The Drama team has put together a skit that involves the whole mission team during the Good Friday Outreach to the Thai villagers where we'll also be having a BBQ. A slight variation of the skit will also be presented to the Hmong-Lao refugees when we go up to the camp for MILK mission!
Isaiah 65:24,
We're finally leaving for our mission trip! Here's an update on what I believe should have been sent out to you all (but just in case!):
As the team gets ready for the departure, let me update you on what the team has been doing.
If you recalled from the previous email, the team was denied access to the Refugee Camp and permits have been sent to be approved and it was finally approved! :) We're going up to the Refugee Camp on the 26th and 27th Mar while continuing our contingency plans of reaching out to the Hmong Thai villagers of Khek Noi (very near the refugee camp!) before that.
The 2 sub groups of people, the English team and Drama team have each come up with different programmes to connect with the children, villagers and refugees.
The English team has put together a series of games, songs and magic show to illustrate the gospel to the children especially during the Children's Outing where we're going to bring the Thai village kids to different places.
The Drama team has put together a skit that involves the whole mission team during the Good Friday Outreach to the Thai villagers where we'll also be having a BBQ. A slight variation of the skit will also be presented to the Hmong-Lao refugees when we go up to the camp for MILK mission!
Isaiah 65:24,
God said"Before they call,i will answer;while they are still speaking I will hear"
this is the confidence that we have in HIM.
this is the confidence that we have in HIM.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gifts is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
- Let us Give Thanks for every blessing He gives us, and that we continue to be filled by the Spirit to listen to His voice
- May the team be filled and running on God's strength as the daily events will wear us out. Pray that we'll keep our eyes on God
- Prepare the hearts of the people, regardless of Hmong Thai or Hmong Lao, to be touched by God's love for them.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Gen12II Chiang Mai Team Prayer Calendar
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Link to find out more
Hey this is a good web-link to give a glimpse of what Lao-Hmong people http://www.time.com/time/asia/photoessays/laos/index.html See you all tomorrow!!!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
greatest thanksgiving??!! THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
despite of all the changes of plan here n there during our planning process.. ranging from the fact tt we are banned from going into the refugee to reach out to the Hmong Laos then later we were called to reach out to the hard ground of Hmong Thais village....
we finally see a breakthru of the prayers tat we made for the Hmong Laos....
we were finally approved to go into the refugee camp.....yeah!!!!
Today we saw our awesome God glorifying himself thru this answered prayer....His Glory is been Unveiled!!!
I thank Him for being the FAITHFUL GOD in our lives and oso to this team....
i thank Him, that in Him i can trust....
i thank God for teaching us the precious lesson and that is to pray....Prayer is the Greatest Work....when men work, work...but when we pray, God works.
In Isaiah 65:24, God said"Before they call,i will answer;while they are still speaking I will hear"
this is the confidence that we have in HIM.
i think when we choose to do our very best for God, God Himself will do the very rest...we just need to be faithful to pray n reflect His glory in our lives.....
i believe that at the end of this trip God will cause us to see even greater things abt him...n i believe that He will bring deliverance n salvations to this land, the ppl in the Thailand...
i believe that today is just the beginning of His great works that we gonna see... WE WILL SEE MORE OF HIS GREAT WORKS WHEN WE ARE IN THE FIELD!!!
Let us continue to carry a prayerful spirit to pray for bigger breakthrus and salvations in the land...
love u God!!
corn
we finally see a breakthru of the prayers tat we made for the Hmong Laos....
we were finally approved to go into the refugee camp.....yeah!!!!
Today we saw our awesome God glorifying himself thru this answered prayer....His Glory is been Unveiled!!!
I thank Him for being the FAITHFUL GOD in our lives and oso to this team....
i thank Him, that in Him i can trust....
i thank God for teaching us the precious lesson and that is to pray....Prayer is the Greatest Work....when men work, work...but when we pray, God works.
In Isaiah 65:24, God said"Before they call,i will answer;while they are still speaking I will hear"
this is the confidence that we have in HIM.
i think when we choose to do our very best for God, God Himself will do the very rest...we just need to be faithful to pray n reflect His glory in our lives.....
i believe that at the end of this trip God will cause us to see even greater things abt him...n i believe that He will bring deliverance n salvations to this land, the ppl in the Thailand...
i believe that today is just the beginning of His great works that we gonna see... WE WILL SEE MORE OF HIS GREAT WORKS WHEN WE ARE IN THE FIELD!!!
Let us continue to carry a prayerful spirit to pray for bigger breakthrus and salvations in the land...
love u God!!
corn
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Team photos from tuesday
Hi people, here are more photos for u to view the team @ work
You can view it at this weblink share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AYs3LNs2atmFQ
Enjoy viewing. The video file is too big to be uploaded...
You can view it at this weblink share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AYs3LNs2atmFQ
Enjoy viewing. The video file is too big to be uploaded...
Will You Go Out Without Knowing?
"He went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8
Have you been "out" in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question - "What do you expect to do?" You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a "going out," building in confidence on God. "Take no thought for your life, . . . nor yet for your body" - take no thought for the things for which you did take thought before you "went out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him - what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God.
(Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest", January 2nd.)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Hi supporters,
Perhaps you've been hearing my fellow team mates saying that they've got team meeting pretty often.. Thought that it'd be good to show you what we'd done on our last meeting! =)
We learnt how to dance with the song 'Give Thanks' and rehearsed for the skit for Good Friday. Here's some snapshots of them!=)
Cheers!
Perhaps you've been hearing my fellow team mates saying that they've got team meeting pretty often.. Thought that it'd be good to show you what we'd done on our last meeting! =)
We learnt how to dance with the song 'Give Thanks' and rehearsed for the skit for Good Friday. Here's some snapshots of them!=)
Cheers!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A video to share..
Hello supporters and team!
My friend shared this with me, and I wanna share this beautiful video with all of you! At the end of the video, I was in tears.. Hope it'll minister to you like how it did to me! After watching, don't forget to share the joy! ;D
Yining
My friend shared this with me, and I wanna share this beautiful video with all of you! At the end of the video, I was in tears.. Hope it'll minister to you like how it did to me! After watching, don't forget to share the joy! ;D
Yining
Monday, March 10, 2008
Making Time
Making Time
"But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
John 15:7-8 (NIV)
How can I find time to have a "quiet time" with God? Even if I found the time, how do I know what to do during this time?
Ever ask yourself these questions? I have. There was a time when these questions left me speechless because I didn't know how to answer them. I knew people who would spend an hour alone with God each day, and I wondered what their secret was. What was it that enabled them to do that? What kept them from falling asleep sitting there alone with the Bible? How did they know what to say, read or think about during all those minutes? How did they keep from getting distracted? How did they even manage to find an hour of free time each day? I kept waiting for a season of my life to come during which a block of time would regularly present itself and my spirit would drive me to God. I wasted a lot of time waiting for that to happen and I've learned it never will without some effort.
"Rachel, how do you find time to have a quiet time?" I was asked not too long ago. "I don't find the time," I answered. "I have to make the time. I can't expect to find time -- that'll never happen. There's always going to be something needing my attention, calling my name. I have to make the time, and that means sometimes I have to let other things slide. I have to be OK with letting less important things slide," I confessed.
I've come to realize it's a matter of choice, a matter of discipline... and a matter of active investment. E.M. Bounds wrote, "The lazy man does not, will not, cannot pray, for prayer demands energy." What a simple but profound statement. When I don't pray or spend time reading the Bible, it's because I simply don't want to expend the energy on it. Bounds is saying that people who do not pray much probably claim to be too busy or too bored with it, but in reality are too lazy to press into God. Wow. Ouch!
I believe we have to be earnest in pressing into God and this will bring glory to God as today verse says. In the words of a little shoe company called Nike; we have to "just do it." Let's carve some time in our days to be quiet before the Lord, to read His words and pray. We can trade a small portion of our time and energy for a large portion of His grace and power.
Purpose to stick to it for several weeks until it sinks into your schedule, and your soul begins to respond. If you want some help being accountable on this, or some ideas for how to start, visit my blog listed below and we can do it together for the next six weeks. I know we'll find it is more than worth the effort.
Dear Lord, I want to make time for You. I want to read the Bible and understand it. I want to pray and see You answer. Help me to press in closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Reflections:
What is stopping me from pressing into God?
Do I truly not have any time in my day to spend with Him?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 28:23, "Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say." (NIV)
Isaiah 32:9, "You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say!" (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:15, "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." (NIV)
Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (NIV)
Corny
Friday, March 7, 2008
Praying to seek God' direction
Psalms 85:6 "will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"
The Group had a team meeting with Ben, the co-leader of Radion International to share more about the contingency plans. We thank God for the time for team members to share as a group their encouragements and desire to partner with God in this process.
We had a time of prayer and praise before we invited Ben to share with us the contingency plans for the mission trip.At the moment, another permit has been sent to the Thai military for approval, which takes supposedly 15 days to process.
With a slim chance to enter the refugee camp to minister to the Hmong Lao, Ben has shifted the focus the villages surrounding the refugee camp. These are Hmong Thai people living in the village of Khek Noi which is located in the same area of the refugee camp.
There are 2 Groups of Hmong people in this case.
The Hmong Lao who came from Laos, residing in the refugee camp
&
The Hmong Thais, who live in Thailand.
The Hmong Thais, as observed by Radion International is that they would like the people of Hmong Thai to help in the outreach efforts towards serving the Hmong Lao in the refugee camp.
Ground situation
An instane that Ben was sharing was that when they had approached the local church to partner with Radion International in serving the hmong Lao in the refugee camp, their reply was "how much would they be paid?"
Everyone else in the room had a rude shock with the 'huhs' and 'whats'.
The existing social problems-vices such as drug trafficking amongst some of the people, Drug abuse and
also people with the HIV virus having shared needles.
New Focus
The team's new focus would be to help minister to the Hmong Thais, to awaken them from their slumber through God to bless them by reaching out to these groups of people.cleaning their houses and also to teach the children english, showing Christ-likeness and to be that shining light for our Creator.
As are continuing to pray even as there is no news of the pending permit of being approved. We pray that in everything we do, we do it for God's Glory.
As we had an extended worship time, It was a time of re-dedication, to remind everyone that regardless of the plans that were being made, That Jesus is in control, that we offer our lives to Him as he does his work through us.
He is the Everlasting God
Pray on!
Isaiah 40: 28-31
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He wil not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of te weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on sings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk; and not be faint.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
His Word
His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23-
As everyone continues to pray..Let the Word that is God breathed be our comfort.
Below is a link to some articles that that speak about being faithful. Let us be faithful to out God as he had to us
http://www.rbc.org/browseTopicsSection.aspx?Topic=128
Thank God for speaking to Team Member, Yining, for the sharing of the link.
Let us be encouraged and stand firm in the presence of dark times(:
As everyone continues to pray..Let the Word that is God breathed be our comfort.
Below is a link to some articles that that speak about being faithful. Let us be faithful to out God as he had to us
http://www.rbc.org/browseTopicsSection.aspx?Topic=128
Thank God for speaking to Team Member, Yining, for the sharing of the link.
Let us be encouraged and stand firm in the presence of dark times(:
Updates
just in case you haven't been following closely about the situation after the deportation..
Ground Sources
latest update from Benjamin & Ronald..
Our team will be restricted to enter the refugee camp due to refugees' conflict with military. Ben will discuss with Eugene on the contingency plan. Let's pray for God's direction.
***
Dear supporters & team mates,
Let us continue to pray for the Hmong people and also against spiritual warfare! nevertheless, do also remember to give thanks in all circumstances! :)
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
--1 Thessalonians 5:18
Yining
Ground Sources
Our ground sources also informed us that during the deportation. The 11 who previously signed the voluntary deportation paper refused to be deported. The tension came when they had to be pulled away into the trucks. It is also reported that the camp is in an emotional state under fears of further deportation.
All foreigners (teachers, ourselves) have been kept out of the camp till further notice. The military commander in charge has mentioned that permits would likly be released after this weekend.
So after we do secure the permits, we'll rush the medical kits. Hopefully that gives the refugees some security if they do go into running
(source: http://newlifeoutreach.blogspot.com/2008/03/ground-sources.html)
***
Ground Report: Refugees Fear Coming Out
Today I've just received news that the refugees are so gripped by fear that most of them are not coming out of their homes. Not even to the morning markets or schools for the fear that the military will deport them.
(source: http://newlifeoutreach.blogspot.com/2008/03/ground-report-refugees-fear-coming-out.html)
latest update from Benjamin & Ronald..
Our team will be restricted to enter the refugee camp due to refugees' conflict with military. Ben will discuss with Eugene on the contingency plan. Let's pray for God's direction.
***
Dear supporters & team mates,
Let us continue to pray for the Hmong people and also against spiritual warfare! nevertheless, do also remember to give thanks in all circumstances! :)
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
--1 Thessalonians 5:18
Yining
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Let Us Be Like Clay
Hey all,
Let us be like clay, ready to be molded and used by God, however He pleases in whatever circumstances.
Let us be like clay, ready to be molded and used by God, however He pleases in whatever circumstances.
"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the Lord. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!" Jeremiah 18:6
God knows how to bring salvation to your family, your friends, your community, and your world. Accordingly, He looks for those who will allow Him to shape them into the instruments He requires to do His divine work. Clay has no plans of its own, no aspirations for service, nor reluctance to perform its given task. It is clay. Moldable, pliable, totally submissive to the will of its master.
At times we excitedly announce to God: "I've discovered my strengths and gifts, and now I know how I can best serve You!" At other times we inform Him, "I am aware of what my weaknesses are, so I know which tasks I'm not capable of doing for You." Yet this is not characteristic of clay. God is no limited to working with strengths (2 Cor. 12:9-10). He can mold us into whatever kind of instrument He requires. When God's assignment demands humility, he finds a servant willing to be humbled. When His work requires zeal, He looks for someone He can fill with His Spirit. God uses holy vessels, so He finds those who will allow Him to remove their impurities. It is not a noble task, being clay. There is no glamour to it, nothing boast-worthy, except that is is exactly what Almighty God is looking for. Compliant, moldable, yielded clay.
If your tendency is to tell the Father what you can and cannot do for Him, submit to His agenda and allow Him to shape you into the person he wants you to be. Like clay.
(God Looks for Clay, January 6, Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby)
Our 10 team commitments!
Hello Team!
We have come out with 10 commitments that everyone is strongly encouraged to 'use'! May this be another step to be even more united as a team, being labourers for God's harvest field!
Also, here's one verse I'll like to encourage you guys:
"I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me."
--Psalm 120:1
Even if things dont seem to go right, continue to pray cos our mighty and awesome God never fails to listen! Don't give up! :)
Cheers,
Yining
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