For such a time as this

I'm back from the land that's been extremely close to my heart- Mae Gone! Such a beautiful place, fresh air and roosters that have no sense of time. They are perpetually making noise through the night when it's not even daybreak yet! But other than that, the mission house there has had many changes. It's really becoming too comfortable.

Though we only had a small team of youths to lead in the children's ministry this year, God made it possible. It's not about me and my limitations but about God and how great He is! I serve an awesome God! We had a great time learning about "Walking with Jesus". *Walk, walk walk walk in the light hey! A big "thank you" to all those who prayed for us. I'm going to miss this annual trip from now onwards...I wonder how the kids will be like when I next return!

Raising Woody

and just like that, Woody has grown up. He's an active chirpy little guy. Been doing flight trainings with him and he's hilarious to watch. He takes off like a kid jumping off the side of the pool. Though I'm gonna really miss him, I hope he'll be able to return to the wild soon. A couple more days in flight school and he'd be ready! What kind of bird do you think he is? Cementpecker?

tweet tweet

Day 7. Woody opened it's eyes today and more feathers are growing out! We have no choice but to bring him with us to the mountains of Mae Gone, tomorrow. I hope the journey is alright with him. Do pray for the bible conference, children's ministry and medical ministry we'll be having up there. Goodnight world, I am exhuasted. How I wish Woody won't wake me up tonight... I terribly need sleep!

Human mama

Found this baby bird just in time before Aargon came for it! It's siblings were all killed and the nest destroyed because the tree they were living in was chopped down by our neighbour. I do not feel confident that I can save it but I don't know what else to do, other than give it 24 hours of care and hope that a miracle would happen!

I tried to leave it were I found it for an hour or so, hoping mama birdie would come back but it never did! Poor little fellow. I'm guessing it's about 4 days old. Lois and I have been getting all the advice we can get. From dawn till dusk, we take turns caring for it. Feeding it using a syringe every 30 mins, checking if it's droppings are normal looking, making sure it's kept warm by using a heating pad we bought for winter.

Coping with this little one, in this already crazy week is super stretching! However, when I tap it's "nest" and it turns to me and gapes for food all my weiriness is replaced by joy of seeing it recognising me as it's caregiver now. What shall I name it?

reflections on a rainy day

Good tuesday to you all. I can hear the rain on my window sills! For the first time in ages it is raining and I have no complaints. Hopefully it will clear the terrible haze, please!

So, how's everyone doing? I, for one, am tired. This is the time of the year where school is out, camps are in and mission teams are here. In fact, one team arrived tonight. Just within this week, I've to attend 2 graduation ceremonies and a wedding!

Sharing by Rev. Norman. Do you remember when Jesus said: "Only one thing is needed?"

Yup, it was when He visited the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was upset that Mary was not helping her. Mary was just sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him. I am often like Martha. But I want to be more like Mary! I want to learn to choose what is better. I want to learn to sit quietly at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He is saying.

Pictures taken on my walks. Wah, it's 1am now. Have a great wednesday...

I asked for a miracle, He gave it to me.

The wondering and anticipation has come to an end. I've finally received all my results back! Whoopieeeee! That felt so great. Really it was God who helped me so much especially on my Maths. Called for a celebration by dropping in on the newest cafe in town.

I will be your strong tower and guide you every hour, just place your life completely in My hands.

Summer days

I woke up early feeling all excited. It was the same excitement I had back in primary school, when my teachers brought the class out on an excursion trip! This time though, I was the teacher. Weather was just perfect for what we planned, Games Day!

The kids were all ready with their cute lunch boxes and colourful hats. We hired 2 'songtaews' out to a nature park 20mins away from town. We played so hard, once I touch my bed tonight I'd just konk off. Oh! how it makes me so happy to see them running around. The wonderness of a carefree life. I hope these pictures might bring you a little bit of joy too!

Jesus loves the little children,
all the children of the world,
red and yellow, black and white,
they are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Mug shot

I make people look like this. For the past few afternoons, Lois and I went down to Bethel Bible College to teach whatever we know about mime, which really isn't alot but we tried our best to share skills on this silent art.

They gave me the name "Mrs. Bean". Not sure if I should take that as a compliment. Anyway, I take interest in miming because you don't have to open your mouth! Just through your body and facial expressions you can convey a complex story. If there be a time in my life I don't feel like talking, hopefully I'd still be understood.

By the way...

This makes me laugh everytime I look at it.

Remind me

I have a little secret to tell you... I enjoy working in such a position too! I know it's a terrible posture, I'm trying to change but I like my knees... alot haha. These boys are always so absorbed in doing their craft.

Looking back on this week, I realised how self absorbed I was. I have been worried about the stories/messages I am doing for children's camps, whether or not the programme planned flows well. As much as I know God's in-charge, a part of me was stressed out because I felt like I had bring it about. I was responsible to make it good, to please Him.

Thankfully God had a talk with me through the message at church today. "The discipline of the silence of the heart" I have been tied down with busyness and have forgotten that rest I have in Him. God is not pleased based on how much I can accomplish for Him, He looks at my heart! That was liberating. It's only when I abide in Him, that I'd be able to serve Him and love Him tirelessly.

Meet Marvin.

Puppet making workshop. Cut, sew, glue, dry, paste, sew more and more, come up with a script. Very useful skill but I am tired to the max! Haah. I'll let Marvin talk on my behalf...

3rd Yr Anniversary

I missed posting this on the actual day- 1st March 09, but there was a good reason behind it! The 3 ladies in our family were down with food poisoning. There seems to be an outbreak of this in Mae Sai! Thank God for Dr. Dad who nursed us all back to health.

This evening as I watch the day depart, I asked myself what has been the most exciting experiences these years... It's been those where God does something through my life that only He can do, those where I realise I can do nothing.

Mae Sai, Thailand has become my home. Home is where the heart is. I surveyed my family's feelings. Lois said, "It's been a faith growing experience." "Like a roller coaster ride" said Mom. "I can't thank God enough." Dad whispered. I shut my eyes for a minute, listening to the crickets of the night. "Amen" I muttered.

I thought I should take this opportunity to share with you about how God has lead me to apply for admission to East Asia School of Theology. Even as I treasure the remaining months I have here, I know that God is leading me a step at a time.

- God spoke to me through this verse, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15).

- The first week of our return to Mae Sai in Oct '08, I called P.Sam & P.Kul to invite them over to our place for lunch. During the call, P.Sam asked me how my exploratory visits to the bible colleges. I told him that I was more inclined towards East Asia School of Theology. Guess what? He told me that after much prayer God was leading them both to EAST too! I felt absolutely cared for by God. If I were to head there, God even had my classmates planned out.

- 6th Oct, I received a letter from my brother. He left me with many encouraging thoughts. His most important question to me was “What does God want you to do? How do you know?” As I wrote to him, things became a little clearer to me. My brother gave me a couple of verses and this was my favorite “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body whether by life or by death.” (Phil 1:20)

- I continued praying and fasting, waiting upon His will. I gave myself a personal deadline of 31st Oct, when I would decide to fill in the application forms or not.

- On 30th Oct evening, just before heading for bed, I received an email from the EAST admissions officer asking if my application was on the way. She also mentioned that she will be praying for me until the day I physically enroll.

- Most Friday nights, our family gets together to catch a movie on DVD. On this night, 31st Oct, we watched ‘Prince Caspian’. You might think I’m totally nuts. How can a show speak to you, Lydia? But I certainly felt it did.

“Arise, kings and queens of Narnia.” (Prince Caspian remained bowed low)
“All of you” said Aslan.
“I do not think I am ready” said Caspian
“It’s for that very reason I know you are.” Aslan replied.

- Dad also confirmed with me regarding my training. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Col 1:28)

Thank you for all your encouragements and faithful prayers in my life!