Manila Mission Trip 2013

It is totally out of my expectation. I never, once in my life, thought that I would be part of it. Mission trip? It just sounds a bit too impossible and unreachable for me. I remember when I realized I've decided to go, I was scared. Tons of worries about the uncertainty just came, telling me how much I need to prepare, and yet how much I am unprepared.

There I went, touched down in Manila, Philippine, with little or even zero expectation. Have no idea what to expect, but ever since He left the door opened for me to come, I know, He is going to do something really amazing. No idea what, just something big.

Met up with those flying from different part of the world, as well as the host AFJC (Ambassador for Jesus Christ) we had a little chat. Sitting beside one of the volunteer of AFJC, started to listen to his story. Through the little conversation, he told me the story about this killer, who have killed countless of people, and a one last pastor before he was put into the jail. He was paid to make sure the pastor stop sharing gospel, either the pastor does it willingly, or the killer forces the pastor by putting him to death. The pastor gets to share the gospel to the killer, before he was killed. Then, the killer was caught. While he was being investigated, Jesus popped out in his mind. He prayed to God, saying that if Jesus is so real that He can get him out of this and stay alive, he will, offer the rest of his life to God. Oh well, the way I describe, it does sound a bit unrealistic. But just imagine, when you are at the edge of dying, I bet you would try whatever way to keep yourself alive. The moment when the killer started praying, I believe there's at least a hope and trust in God, even it might be just as small as mustard seed. And there it goes. The next day, the newspaper published that this killer was sentenced to death, which in fact, he was being exiled to another far away prison, continue living with a new name. Ever since then, he became a pastor, sharing gospel inside the prison. Don't ask me why, I don't know how God works, but He is always able, even when it seems like a miracle to us.

I was amazed. Remember how I said I don't know what to expect? After that, when I opened up myself to just listen to many of his stories, I was so touched. I know, God is starting to do something in me, even when I bring no expectation, He is going to make me unexpectedly amazed at Him. That night, I was really excited, I just can't wait for more to come. :)

On the way back to our hotel, we witnessed the big contrast between the city and the slum areas. Have you ever experience the feeling when you realize you are actually breathing EVERY SECOND? Here in Manila, the air is so polluted that you can be so aware of your breath, because each and every breathe, you are breathing in something more than just the air. I wonder, how do they survive in such a polluted place.

Day Two

Things happened. Tyre punctured, team members lost their voices, tired, sick... One of the host, Alvin Toh reminded us to pray. He said, just think about when we are proclaiming so loud that we are here to impact the nation, to bring something different, what would the devil do when he heard about all these? But our weapon, PRAYER, is always more powerful than anything. We prayed for unity, prayed for God's covering. It felt so good after prayer, I really love how powerful this weapon is, all the time. :)

Putting on the full armor of God, off we go to the first station, Manila City Jail. :)

Just a random picture, the common public transport all around Manila. They call it Jeepney. Hehe.

Taaaa there we were inside the jail. Allow me to repeat again, this is Manila City JAIL. Guess what, they have churches built inside the jail, and the money used to build the churches were actually from the prisoner's tithe and offering. *jawdropped* The picture above was one of the chapel, taken during praise and worship session. They were singing in Tagalog, a language that I totally don't understand. I was lost in the beginning, but then something changed. As we continue to worship Him, I can really experience His strong presence. That's when I truly understand that no matter where we are, what are we singing, His presence stays the same. So touched by their hearts, to just want to give it all to the Lord. Looking at their joyful smiling faces, it changed my whole perspective of how should a prisoner be. I thought it was suppose to be sufferings, but they are different. They have God, who can bring them so much joy, that despite the poor environment, joy that came from the heart. So cool!! Praise the Lord! =D

Met up with more of the AFJC volunteers, Groupie :)

Next station, AFJC Pre-School Ministry.

A total of 30 sponsored kids at the age of 4 and 5, they are simply adorable. We prepared activities for them, told them the story about the birth of Jesus, play around with them. Also, watched their Cute-Die dance performance. You know, all the tiredness just suddenly went away. No wonder it says in Matthew, that unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Kids are simple, and that's why I love them. But.. hehe.. I do admit I am a little biased towards those cute pretty little girls. Awwwwww ♥

Day Three

Divided into small groups, we were then heading down to the slum areas for the feeding programme.

Chocolate porridge, milk, and bread. All ready for the kids. :)

Talked to a few kids there, suddenly the compassion just arouse from my heart. A question pop out in my mind, after today, am I still seeing them? I have seen the condition of their living life, so different from mine. How I wish, they can live a better life, and grown up to be a better person. How I wish, I am actually able, to provide them a better future. The first time, that I truly experience, the urge to take care of them, stranger kids. The first time, when I truly wish, God can make me a super billionaire, that I will have the ability to do something. I guess, this is the kind of feeling that you can only feel when you are physically there, experience and understand the needs yourself.

Alvin and Jace :)

This is the man, with amazing passion for God and His people. Years ago, together with his wife, went to Philippine with literally nothing, but the heart and passion wanting to expand the kingdom of God. He did bargain with God a lot before he made the decision, but no one can overpower Him. ;) The couple obeyed, they went, and true enough, God never forsake them. It's hard in the beginning, but that's when God performed many miracles through the couples. They formed AFJC, with just the two of them in the beginning, until the many volunteers they're having today.

Alvin shared, that our responsibilities are to share the gospel, to love the people. We are never meant to convert anyone. We share, we love, and the rest, is all in God's hand.

Let me share with you one of his amazing testimony. One day, he saw a woman with this big and round stomach. He thought that she was pregnant, but after that he realized it's some kind of disease. The woman passed by him, went into her car. That was when Holy Spirit prompted Alvin to follow the woman. Trust me, it is hard. You don't normally follow a stranger and talk to her randomly about Jesus. Oh well, at least it is hard for me, it does take a lot of courage for me to do that. I believe it's never easy for Alvin, but he chose to let the Holy Spirit move, and he WENT by FAITH to the car. Surprisingly, the woman allowed Alvin to enter her car!!  Had a little chat with the woman, Alvin shared to her about Jesus, and that's also when he get to know more about what happened to this woman. Alvin offered to pray for the woman. GUESS WHAT, Miracles happened!!! As he laid his hand on her stomach and started praying, the big round stomach just went smaller and smaller and smaller!! In the end, both of them were tearing with so much joy inside the car. Amazing how God moves hey? Nothing complicated. Just a simple prayer, with Faith, God can move mountain, through you. :)

Day Four

We had a good rest, woke up really late today. Had some food and fellowship before we went down to the Hospital ministry. :) That's when I was again amazed by Alvin's many testimonies. He told us how God healed his arm miraculously, and that made him truly believe that this is a God who heals. PTL

There we go, bringing little goodie bags to bless the patients :)

To be honest, I think I was quite lost. I know we were to pass them goodie bags, I know we were to bless them, but I dont know what's the way of blessing. Until I was there, I realized, we, including myself, were to bless the patient by praying for them personally. *OHGOSH* You know, it took me some time to say yes every time I was asked to pray publicly even during my own lifegroup. But this time, definitely unprepared, I was to pray for these strangers. *OHGOSHOHGOSH* No idea how I did it, but all the glory to God. SERIOUSLY.

We entered into different wards, started by the local volunteer sharing gospel and testimony in Tagalog. I don't understand a word, but I can see, the fire that burns so strongly, as well as the joy in his face, to just want to bless the people by sharing to them this wonderful God. I was really encouraged, by that strong passion. When I was praying for different people, all I had in my mind was to ask God to take care of each and everyone of them. I might not be able to truly understand how they feel like, but I know God can. No matter what nationality, young or old, they are all God's children. And the Father, will never forsake His own children, not a single one will be left out. I prayed for much joy and peace to be in their hearts, that they will still look up to the Only One, no matter how bad the situation is. I really thank God, for just being there. I have no idea what is going to happen to them next, but I am so glad that they are not alone, they have Daddy God. :')

I remember I was not allowed to go hospital most of the time, you know, it seems a little too germ-ish to the parents. So yea, I don't remember I enter the hospital very often. Even the few times that I did, it was back home, Malaysia and Australia. They have good facilities, they don't look scary. That was the first time, when I witnessed the true condition of a hospital with my own eyes. It was not very bad, it was just not a place that I would want to stay overnight. But to this people, they don't have a choice. Witnessing all these for the first time, I don't feel good. It's just some down feeling from within, and I don't know how to describe everything.

On this very same day, I heard the story of this girl, one of the volunteer of AFJC. When I first met her, the first impression to me was: What a joyful girl. She is really active and outgoing, talkative and friendly, with lots of smile on her face all the time. I love being with her, she can just made me feel warm and happy. :)

But today, she came with red rashes all around her eyes. She told me it was allergic to some food and I bought it without a second thought. Until when she started to cry while talking to some other people, and then I realized, it wasn't allergic, it was done by the mother. I don't know how, but the mother always use many different ways to abuse her. She couldn't report because she has two younger brothers at home, she needs the mother. Seeing her crying, I just couldn't stand. My heart was pumping so hard, yet not knowing what to do.

Sitting inside the jeepney, my mind started to wonder a lot. I told God, I don't understand. Compare to myself, who is having a way better life than them, why do they need to suffer? For once, I thought God is really unfair. He blessed many of us so much, but to many of the rest, they are living in such a life.  For once, I told God that I couldn't take it any further. I dont want to, I want to run away from this place, I want to just go home. I felt so little, so tiny, that I couldnt do anything to help. I am just here for 8 days, no matter how terrible the traffic is, how polluted the air is, how bad the condition is... it's just 8 days. After that I will be going back to my own town, continue living my happy life. But for them, what can they do? They strive to change but just couldn't get out of the condition. They are sort of stuck there.. forever.

Looking out the window up to the dark sky, I saw this crescent moon, with this one and only star beside it. Sorry my phone is too weak to snap the wonderful view, so I went and google... ;)

Google said this phenomenon is called Earthshine, the crescent moon with the Venus star accompanied aside. Complicated, google yourself. Hehe. But to me, the point is the very smiley face of the moon. Daddy God knew I was down, He knows me so well that He showed me the smiley moon, told me not to be sad, but smile. :")

We celebrated a volunteer girl's birthday. But at the end of the day, the focus became the mission trip team, who came all the way from Australia, to try their famous BALUT. It is basically a developing duck embryo... to be EATEN with a little salt. If you ask me was I eating egg or was I eating baby duck, I have no idea. Basically, it was disgusting. I am not showing any picture here but you can google yourself if you are interested. Congratulation to majority of the mission team members who conquered the BALUT so easily. I mean majority, not all. HAHA =D

These are the bunch of amazing people, with great heart and passion for God. They have many amazing testimonies about how they came to know God, and how they stood firm to follow closely after, even though it means persecution by friends and even family. To be a little honest, I used to be really racist. Growing up in an environment with just Chinese all around, I don't mix a lot with other races. But each and everyone of them, are just so awesome that the more I spent time with them, the more I love being with them. Taking this opportunity, I would really want to shout a big THANK YOU to everyone of you. You guys just made our trip so memorable, so impactful. Continue this journey with Him, I can't wait to see many of you rise up to be amazing leaders, to bring more and more people to know Him. :)

Day Five

After breakfast, Sabbie get us to shared about what we have learnt from yesterday. Oh well, I was really struggling inside whether to share that really down part. I felt like keeping it to myself and let God deal with the feeling Himself. Thank God, He convinced me to share, and I am so glad that I did. 

To some of them, it was not their first mission trip. They are definitely more mature and experienced in dealing with these things. And because I told them how I felt, I have received so much encouragement from the team members. They shared with me different things that helped me to change my whole perspective. They said, a lot of the time, the devil will try to define for us what is good and what is bad. We thought we are having good life and they are not, because that's how and what good and bad are defined by the devil. But have you ever ask God, is that what He thinks too? We are here to bless the people here, by doing what we can, even though it is only little that we have. It is the devil, who told us that we can't do anything, who asked us to leave the place and do nothing. But we are sent here, definitely with a purpose, a great one. 

Then, we went for house visitation to the family of the kids from AFJC Pre-School. Walking through the alley, visiting to those houses that I don't even know if I should consider it a house, it truly taught me to understand what is it about the necessities of life. Often times, we take things for granted, we requested a lot more than what we need. To them, a shelter that can cover them from little rain or sun, is more than enough. 

I suddenly felt so happy when I was with the families. They really dont seem to have a lot compared to our standard, but somehow, they sort of owned the whole world, by just being satisfied with what they have. They are always grateful, and appreciate everything in life. They smile, they laugh. They have the true joy, that many of us in the big cities strive to taste even a little. What a joke. :)

Day SixIt is the day, that we have been preparing and looking forward to for so long, the Crusade day. It is the day, whereby we introduce to the people in that city, who Jesus is. 
I remember the atmosphere was really bad at the beginning of the day. The weather was bad, everyone is not united, the devil was just trying different ways to stop us. But thank God, we have Prayer! I can tell you so truly how prayer can work so powerfully. The whole atmosphere can just changed, without you knowing. Super awesome! :)

Everyone is ready, to fight this battle against the devil, together with our highest God. :)

The time has come :)

It was really an eye-opening experience. I witnessed the heart of Alvin and the rest of AFJC. To them, it means so much when they see salvation, when there's another one being added into the kingdom of God. They have been working so hard, praying so hard, not for personal enjoyment, but to fulfill the commandment of God, to make disciples all over the nation. It grew my heart for the lost, helped me to understand even a bit more about God's unconditional love for His children. Throughout the whole crusade, blackout happened, people lost their focus, devil was just trying so many things to bring us down. But guess what, God's presence was just there to protect us and the whole crusade. It's such a great joy seeing many people raising up their hands claiming that they want to receive Jesus into their lives, as their personal Lord and Savior. Imaging if the crusade didn't happen, all these people will not never truly know who Jesus is, not being able to recognise the one and only God, what a waste! and how much would that hurt the heart of our God? AFJC is amazing, for simply having the obedient heart, willing to be used by God anytime anywhere. 

Before I end this post, I would really want to thank God for giving me this opportunity, an opportunity that I would never use anything for exchange. Thank you Lord, for this wonderful experience. Even with each and every single one of my team member, I thank you, for all the support throughout the whole trip. It wouldn't be the exact same thing if it's without any ONE of you. I thank God for the bond that we have built throughout the trip, and the memories that will definitely last for life. Even though we might be scattered all around the world, I believe, we can still shine so bright for Him. I pray that the things that we've learnt, the compassion heart that we've gained, will never stop there, but carried forward to our whole life. Hey team, I love you. ♥

Happy Birthday to Le Brother

To this wonderful dear brother of mine, Happy Birthday! :)

If you ask me if I'll ever expect such a great impact when I first know him, it will be a definite No. But it is just so amazing, how God can build relationships for many different people in different ways. I havent know him for long, just this one and a half year when I am here in Brissy. And it's only until this half a year, that I get much closer with him. But during this short peiod, surprisingly, he had made a super great impact in my life. I wonder, how would it be for those who have knew him for years...

Let me tell you a bit about him...

Can you see the one standing on the table, trying to snap a picture? Yeah, that is the who. In our life group, he is the exclusive photographer. Each and every small or big event, he will make sure there's at least a picture being taken. And if possible, video recording would be even better. That's why, most of the time, you wouldnt see him in our pictures. He says, he just want to capture those important moment, he doesnt need to be inside.

I laugh a little when I review back this picture. :) This is the brother, who makes us smile, or even laugh at many many times. He doesnt mind if he will lose his image, if that means he can, through that, release a bit of our stress. 

This was early this year, when he went back Malaysia for a short holiday. We sent him off to airport, and I insisted a picture. I remember him saying, I will be back soon, why do we need a picture? But today, I am so glad, that I insisted. 

Yeah, FYI, he just went back to Malaysia again yesterday. But this time, it means for good. I cried, so badly. Never once in my life, that I send people off with so much tears. It has been so long, since the last time I came out with unstoppable tears. Thanks SF, you've made me the ugliest of Christmas season all my life. 

Some people asked me, why are you so sad? 

I dont know. To me, SF is beyond a friend. He is a brother, and sometimes, even act like a father to me. When I was away back home, he will send me pictures of the group activities, make sure I stay connected. Whenever he sees someone being left out, he will be the first to approach that someone. And you will see, he did not do it because he has to, he did it because he is willing to. He always asks, how can I help you to grow in God? Answer him properly, he will really do whatever it takes. His little white dolphin, which is the name of a car, is like a UQ9's car. He told me before, that little white dolphin, fetch people who serve God. :) He is always encouraging. Whenever I feel myself inadequate of doing many things, he helps me to see in different perspective. And trust me, his many simple example that came out from his heart, never fail to speak something to me. He used to be so timid when I first know him, but when he chose to rise up, he had done so much great things that I'm so sure, it's God who shine him through. He is just a very dear brother that I can share so much with, because I know he will never judge, and somehow it's just so comfortable sharing to him. 

Throughout this one year, it has been so many ups and downs for him. We, as a family, witnessed how he has been separated from his loved one, that she has to stay in Malaysia, while God continue to call him here in Australia. He lost his job, and through his perseverance, God gave him another one. When his visa was going to expired, God brought him sponsored visa. When he thought everything was going well, that he will be staying for few more years, God suddenly tell him that he lost his visa, and he needs to leave this place in a week's time. Yes, I do mean leaving and settling everything he has in Brisbane and go back Malaysia for good in ONE week time. He told me before, it is not great feeling hanging here and there, it is hard being so uncertain. But then he continue saying, where God calls him, there he will be, all ready. I believe it is so difficult for him, physically. But when he is so confirmed that God can do amazing things in his life, that God always has the best plan for him, I can see how willing he is, to just follow closely after.  

But to me, it is not so easy after all. After we've been through the visa problem, I thought he can really stay for few more years with his employer sponsored visa. But when I was being noticed, it left with technically, 2 full days for me to say BYE. Oh well, he did hinted me for countless times that I can recalled back now, but I am just too not serious to think that he was joking. He says, he was trying many different ways to see if anything will change, and even until the last day, I am still having hope. I guess it is just too sudden, and I havent really accept the truth yet. It is like part of my life, being taken away, while I get only 2 days notice. The brother said, I am a drama queen. But I guess, I am just not so good in hiding my feeling, like he did. Fine, I mean, I did not choose to hide.

Sf, finally you've got what you want all these while, back to Malaysia. Sorry for being so selfish and stubborn, wanting you to stay here forever. Looking at all those smiling and happy faces back there, I somehow think it might be the best way, perhaps. People there need you more than we do. Tonight, I want it to be the one last night of me crying. Tomorrow onwards, whenever I miss you, it will be transformed into something really powerful, that can keep me going like what you really want to see. Sf, I've promised God, that no matter if He allows you to stay, I will try my best, not to despise myself anymore. I want you to see a different me, and be really proud of this sister. I want everything that you've impacted into my life, being passed down to many. For you, I cant wait to see you shine even brighter for God. Together with WZ, I believe you both can do even even greater things. And please, faster get married. You know what I mean. :')

Thank you, for watching over me like a big brother all these while. Thank you for the many memories that we had together. And when I say I wish I would have never know you, I wasn't really mean it. In fact, I thank God, for this wonderful relationship in the family of Christ. I thank God, that I've know you, and the impact that you have brought to me. Super duper thankful that I have you, and I know you will still continue to be there whenever I need you. Thank you SF, you do mean a lot to me. :') Take care.

Sorry if I've went a bit off topic. I mean, Happy Birthday Siew Foong Yeoh!!!! :)