The past one week had been overwhelming... tired. Almost burnt out.
However, it was fulfilling.

Should No-Kia Factor carry on or postpone

4mths of planning for the No-Kia Factor. It was actually an evangelistic event for Good Friday but was postponed till 1st of May.

During our final meeting, the whole program team was still contemplating whether we should further postponed the event when the SARS thing is still lingering. We came up with the pros and cons of having it on 1st of May.

Finally decided to postpone it to a later date... but we needed to propose it to the leadership. Personally, I wasn't sure either to continue or postpone. However, I will be there to support either way.

After much praying and seeking with the Lord... Robert represent the leadership that we would continue with the event. He shared during in the prayer retreat abt the No-Kia Factor... what is the that. We were not to be fearful. However, from the leadership team to the program team... we were all kia. Kia of the rain would come, kia that the students would catch the SARS bugs... kia this, kia that... everything was abt kia. Izzit the event called No-Kia(Dun be afraid). How ironic.

He mentioned that never in the last four years was he so burdened abt an evangelistic event. This one caused so much unrest. Later on, he mentioned God gave him a quiet assurance that He is going do a great work in the event.

Two days before the actual event, Robert used the sharing from Andrew during the prayer retreat. The verses shared to Robert was in Eph 6:10-20. Concentrate on verses 19 and 20.

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

The word fearlessly appeared twice! God had spoken and it doubled confirmed that the gospel must be preached. No-Kia Factor was event whereby gospel will be preached. No-Kia Factor must not postpone. Praise God for that.

The night before No-Kia

The program team decided to meet up to do the last min logistic and some prayer.
We took the opportunity to send off tingling at the airport before heading back to Nav apartment to do the stuff.

I came back to the apartment earlier coz I was drenched. While the rest went to get supper.

That night, I was rather tired and stressed though it was displayed on my face. Thanked the Lord for providing sister Michelle to pray for me over the phone. Her prayers lifted me up both physically and spiritual. Thanks Michelle mei. Praise God for your prayerful heart. I needed that.

Eventually got to pray at 2plus, Foongyin, Yongsheng and I took turns to pray while Kenneth ended the prayer.

I knocked out till 6:30am. Woke up by FY. Her usual blowing of nose.

Actual Day of No-Kia

There were students who came as early as 8 o'clock. Started our SARS screening corner. Junhao, our chief medic, Siew Lim and another lady(Din get to noe her name) ... were busy checking the students and labourers since 8plus till 9:40.

When every team finished their screen, Sufen and I was busy getting the team registered and distribution of the survival kit.

The people who came from neighbourhood schools to army guys. One particular group had a guy with tattoos all over his body. Wow, din know that our event can attract these people. Praise God for that.

I guess there were people who were disturbed by the sight of it. Well, the good news is for all people tattoos or not tattoos they still need Christ.

9:25. Kenneth started the briefing. Around 10mins later, the event began.

Could feel the excitement from the various team. They were running from stations to stations trying to earn points from the Station Master by eating poos, drinking their own saliva after spitting their out, letting meal worms crawling over their hands... etc.

Kenneth, Sufen and I had a short time of prayer before I moved off to different station master some Newater.

12:15. Every team moved back to the end point which was the musical fountain. They exchanged their Log card for a few gospel help-sheets. The leader of the group would then shared the gospel. Almost everyone was trying to do their best to share the gospel. What a lovely sight! Praise God for these people.

I was thankful that the teens were able to be bold to share with the friends they brought. People like Serene Seetoh, Kingsan, Roger, Liwei... and so many more. I sure God had blessed their hearts.

The event ended with the prize giving.

After which the workforce, rallied for a debrief and prayer. Praise the Lord.

I was tired, no more energy left. I wanted to sleep. Mentally dead but Spiritual alive.

Parents' Appreciation Nite

Tonight was the church evangelistic outreach for parents. My dad promised he would come for the event.

So, I stayed home to wait for him to come back.

7pm. Dad wasn't back from work. I took my guitar and started worshipping the Lord. I turned my worship song book and flipped. The song, "The battle belongs to the Lord" caught my eyes. I began singing... the more I sung, the more I believed that the battle belongs the Lord.

7:15pm. Dad arrived home. He told me that he had to rush back so that we could go to church. Wow, I din expect him to do that. I was totally amazed.

Another pleasant surprise came when he suggested we took a cab down. Knowing my dad, he wouldn't take a cab to anywhere unless it's really urgent It wasn't his habit.

Prepare a quick snack for him to munch. Took out his clothes and shoes while he was showering. I was excited.

Thanked the Lord, we were able to hail a cab the moment we were downstairs. I was smsing furiously to many people. Telling them, I was rushing down to church with my dad. Din care what they were thinking. The excitement could not be contained.

Arrived in church at 8pm. Just nice. Pastor Gilbert to end with the last song. An elderly bro in Christ shared about his testimony on how God used his daughter to make him come back to the Lord. Praise God for this man.

Pastor Gilbert urged the Christian children to come to the stage to sing a very old hokkien song to our parents in appreciating them. I tried hard to sing in hokkien. Not easy to look at chinese words and translate into hokkien when your mind is never trained to do that. Nevertheless, I sung. I kept looking towards my dad's direction when singing the song. Tears started to well up in my eyes.

After the song, Pastor encouraged us to tell our parents that we loved them through the microphone. Some of us took turns to tell our parents. I was so fearful. However, I refused to not show my affection for my dad. I took the mike. With mixed hokkien and mandarin.

"Pa, Jesus loves YOU!" "I loved you, too."

Wow, it's was sooooooooooo embarrassing.

Pastor asked our parents to stand up and he would pray for God's blessing to them. Tears started to well up again. They began to stream out from my eyes. Errk... my nose water was dripping down. Gosh.

We returned to our seats. I gave my dad a wrapped around the shoulder... male kind of bonding. My nose was still leaking. Dad asked whether I was cold. My reply was not due to that rather it's after the singing.

Pastor Oh Beng Khee shared a tremendously mind challenging message. God had used his message to touch me and my dad. I could type out the message coz it would take me another 2hrs to give a full detail of it.

In short, he shared what is filial. What is our Christian response of honouring our parents. The whole message touched many parents and children tonight. Pastor Oh made an altar call. Dad signalled that he wanted to go down. I looked at him dumbfound. I asked him whether he wanted to go down. He replied, "Yes!"

I was stunned.

Accompanied my dad in front of the sanctuary. Pastor Oh explained the significant of praying to receive Christ. Then he led in the sinner's prayer. Standing beside dad, I saw him reciting the prayer... I couldn't believe my eyes. Praise the Lord.

A brother from Chinese congregation came over to talk to my dad. Praise God for using this man. Filled up a little response slip for my dad. Moved back to our own seats to get our stuffs before heading down to the foyer for some refreshment.

I wanted to double confirm whether my dad understood what he had done when he prayed the sinners' prayer. He told me he believed in everything(as in every other religion). Though a little anti-climax, I was still thankful that he had made the step to pray that prayer. I think it's still his ego that prevent him to say that he wanted to rely on God. Nevermind, slowly. God is not someone who rushes man. Amen.

Told myself that I will accompany him whether he is free to go to church on sat for the Hokkien service.

The brother took my dad to one of the seats and chatted. His wife came along to share wif my dad. We had our refreshment. Then another sister from Chinese congregation brought her mum over to chat. Dad and I bidden goodbye to the couple. Wanted to bring dad to eat his proper dinner.

Had quite a sumptuous meal.

Daddy suggested taking a cab back. Again? Anyway, this time round he was paying for the cab fare. I had already paid for the coming trip and the dinner... my wallet left a few bucks.

Left Greenridge.

It's a new beginning for my dad and me.

Please pray that:
1) He will start to grow in the Lord in HIS timing.
2) He will understand the meaning of becoming a Christian.
3) He will be free to come to church.

My batteries are running low now. Tired but thankful. Amen.

Had a tremendous fruitful and wonderful this weekend.

ITE Bishan E1
Meet up with Wee Leong(WL) and Roger on Sat morning for the ITE E1 deal.
As we entered, the ITE bishand the whole premise is almost deserted.

Only see a few students sitting at the canteen. Kind of abit disappointed. We moved to the furthest end of the canteen... then Wee Leong and I realised the school authorities had revamped the entire place. They replaced the old tables and chairs which were filled with bird's dropping to a more colourful tables and chairs.

At least they looked nicer and cleaner.

We chatted for awhile before going into a time of prayer... the prayer passage WL chose was Isaiah 43:1-13

Israel's Only Savior

1 But now, this is what the LORD says-
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD , your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [1] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."
10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD ,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD ,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD , "that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"

We pray through some of the verses... claiming promises and some directions from the Lord.
The most interesting part came when WL prayed that by praying we are also doing the work and not physically go into evangelism and presenting the gospel.

It reminded me that praying is also doing God's work. Personally, I'm a person who rather go and get my hands in doing something than to go on my knees and pray. God used WL to remind me that His work is done by first committing our prayers to Him. Not head straight to do the work.

Thanked the God for using Wee Leong.

After we ended praying through Isaiah 43:1-13, we proceed to walk round the school to pray for every corners of the school. Each of us took turns to pray... from praying for the health of students to the meeting the inner needs of the students.

I didn't feel as disappointed like I did earlier. Praise God for being in our midst through the whole session.

Baptism Service in Faith Community Baptist Church(FCBC)

Later in the evening, I went down to FCBC for Dawn's baptism service. I realised that every time I do down to FCBC is someone else baptism.

Once thing similar with my church is that while worshipping God, the baptism is ongoing. I was enjoying worshipping God that I din realised that Dawn had already baptised.

After which the sermon was given by Senior Pastor Khong. The whole message was clear and well presented. He shared about what is the purpose of living... there was quite a no. of things which were very minded challenging but the most striking one was it's all about God. Not abt me. It was never myself. It's always about God. In order to know the purpose of living is we need to embrace God into our lives. Our lives can never be purposeful when He is not in our lives.

There was an altar call for all pre-believers and Christians who had back-slide to recommit their lives to God once again. My people came forward. There were aleast 20 people out in the front. They received prayers and blessings. I prayed that these people will have proper follow up.

At the end of the service, met up with Dawn and gave her nicely arranged sunflowers to encourage her for step of boldness to go through baptism. A new and fresh start with the Lord.
Bidded her good bye b'coz I needed to rush off for the No-Kia meeting

Prayer Retreat

Have a enjoyable time... from 8am to 7pm.

The earlier part of the programme was pray to adore God. I must comment that the method Siew Lim suggested was a very systematic way of praising God. From the alphabet A-Z.

Then we moved on to pray for Post Secondary Ministry(PSM) and for our evangelistic event(No-Kia Factor). As for the No-Kia Factor, we were still very much worried about the upcoming. However, Robert brought out a extremely good point that we were focusing too much on the SARS. He urged us to direct our attention back to the Creation who is all powerful over the whole issue. Praise God for the insightful thought.

The later part of the program was we went over to our property in Race Course Road. Viewing the premises and praying over the various important prayer items... like the building process to the usage of the property. Praise God for the giving us the property in the advancement of his kingdom.

We moved on to MacRitchie to do our Extended Time With God(ETWG). Personally, it was a most fruitful time with the Lord. I had 15mins of purely praising God. Boy, it was difficult initially b'coz I was trying to settle down into the mood of been still with the Lord... there were so many distraction like a couple eating ice-creams next to me... the occasionally, people passing by my bench.
When I got into the mood, I wasn't bother by such thing any longer. Praise God for enabling me.

Several times while I was pinning down my thoughts, I was starting to doze off... due to little wind coming my way... and it was humid. I decided to move up to the cateria. I was enjoying writing down my thoughts upon it was time to gather in our groups to meet.

I struggled about one of my weakness was in relationship. In a BGR kind. As much as I longed for one I wasn't ready to step into one. Getting into a relationship doesn't solved my longing. It doesn't guarantee that I will be satisfied by it. The root issue was I was not totally security in the Lord. I still struggled in finding my significant in the Lord. Unless, I looked to the Lord for security and significant... I will still continue to struggling in BGR.

I decided to start been more serious with God in having more quality time with the Lord... After my sharing... Robert asked Yongsheng to pray for me... during his prayers. A thought came across my mind when he mentioned that I can't love God more... without understanding how much God loves me. Again, I was focusing on the doing part but failed to let God let me experience His Love for me...

Right now, I jus want to taste God's love afresh like the time when I was first received Christ. My 1st love...

"God lead me to your pasture. Take me to the highest plains. Come and touch my life anew so that I can start to love you afresh. Amen."

In His Grace and Love.