Frens' Frens

it seems that Kian's galfren has the same name as another fren of mine i noe..we had a good laugh about it on Sat nite at Boon Keng Prata shop...n of course he had to say,"if u n ur fren-who's-also-got-the-same-name-as-my-galfren get together then when u introduce her to us...its like who copy who..." yes kian...very perceptive...n no, i'm still single...but its a good laugh..

n today, i acted like i'd never been out of Singapore n staying in Australia for 6-9 months at a time when i was like 3cm from some ang mo guys n their chinese galfrens...n they were talkin bout experiences overseas n the places they've been to including Sydney....n deep down i was smilin very slyli....u're talkin bout Sydney? yes, wat do u noe bout it? the charming chaos of Chinatown? the beauty of Harbour Bridge esp at night? the crazy drunkness of Australian pub culture that realli is taken to extremes? Mrs Macquaries Chair..with the superb Harbour Views? Townhall n Worldsquare? Maybe Epping, Chatswood and Strathfield with all their amazing Korean subcultures? Do u even noe that the red pulsating heart of Australia is almost-socialist Labour that would not have Sydney built the way it was (think Newcastle) if they could?

when i'm back home...i kinda miss the place...both Sydney and Newcastle..when i'm there...i miss Singapore n family...such a strange situation huh?

Shhhh...its a SECRET

Reflections on NTE 2

Now, i'd like to go in2 a bit more detail about the Missions phase of NTE and do a small ad for next year's one..

it was wonderful to serve in an Anglican church in North Sydney..felt a bit familiar after those years in St Andrews School and with the background of Pa being a former Anglican minister and all that..we stayed with the minister in charge of some congregations..Nigel Fortescue and his 4 lovely children..Michelle 11, Megan 9,sweet Brianna 6 and wonderful little Brodie, just 3 and so full of energy and life (reminds mi of Elliot but 3 times as active..hahaha)

the real hero was James..who had never sung a single Christmas carol before in his whole life but joined us in singing to the old folks at the nursing home...and on the first day, he acted in the school play for 11 year olds..such a 'Wiseman'...n thanks Harvey for calling mi 'Evil Herod' thru out the mission after that...oh no, i think its gonna stick with the unichurch pple liao..just like somebody callin mi Jothanan after hearin it from Elliot n spreading it aroun...*ahemmmm*...

Children's ministry, as i said, was wonderful...how do we put 'Christ' back into X'mas?how to teach kids about the birth of Baby Jesus and how special it was? (n yes, Moses, everytime u tell a lie, u make Baby Jesus cry......)the hidden talent was Bec Lee...never knew a fourth year medical student had so much in common with 6 year olds...hmmmm i wonder....but it alwaez amazes mi to see gals become suddenly motherly and warm aroun children...is it innate maternal instinct? watever it is, i think that is the most beautiful aspect of a woman...seeing her kindness and generosity and warmth aroun children..(yes, better learn that galss....besides cookin n cleanin)

n of course...we did Christmas flyer distribution at St Leonards Train Station at 7 am in the mornin (super tirin n super scary)...once again..James was able to shine by distributin his lot of flyers fastest..something about a psychology student allows him to convince pple they need to take one of his flyers i guess..

but the talks with the ministers like Nigel, David Lim (pastor of the Asian congregation) and Rick the senior minister were realli the most rewardin...David told us how he qulified as a Doctor after 5 years studyin and 1 year housemanship den decided to go into full time ministry...n how his Christian family practicalli crucified him and den excommunicated him because of that...makes mi wonder...as Asians, is our Christianity onli skin deep? is it a cover for more selfish agendas?so, its alright to serve God thru practicin medicine (n get rich) but wrong to serve God as a minister (because u can't get rich)..n Rick told us that as Christians,we should hav our priorities right...so, u choose ur church first, den where u live next, and last ur job..unlike the world which has it the other way round (n wrongli)..

the testimony time on Sunday was fantastic..we all gave our testimonies at different services...n we all attended at least 4 services..some 5..the Asian church was where James n i were at mainly n it was interestin...of course got a lot of sam gu lok po (3rd uncles and 6th aunties aka busybody-eat-finish-nothin-better-to-do) as Asian churches alwaez do includin mine here in Singapore (lets hope no one from Charis reads this)...but it was worthwhile seein Christians from other parts of Australia n different subcultures (the Asian community in Australia is still different from Singapore n even the white Australia we know in Newcastle) worshippin the same God n preachin the same Word..very encouragin..

anywae...i think its important international students go...we need to care about our fellow Australian Christians n learn the differences in church work in Australia n back home(wherever that might be)..n i think that we will go back much more confident of our Christian faith n teaching..if even James can go...all of us can...Heres to NTE next year..Cheers!

Reflections on NTE

i enjoyed NTE...the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students puts up a great training event each year that really builds Christians well..

this shd b the first of a 2 part series on some of my reflections on NTE..i enjoyed meeting pple who realli are Christians..In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, Slave or Free..but Christ is all and is in all..different languages and cultures, but unity in Jesus Christ..

n the talks were amazing...Greg's exegesis of the book of Hebrews was inspiring..Supremacy of the Son, endurance and running the race..Peter Adams' funny and quirky talks about God's Word...n the missionary-meeting events..the idea of Christ being the centre of the gospel but not the only thing that Christians shd speak about when interpreting the Bible..dat was such a humbling experience..

it was encouraging meeting Christians from other campuses and knowing that we're not alone here...n even FOCUS pple from other campuses...we're not alone truly..the battle for the hearts and minds of university students continues everywhere..i onli wish that it were as dynamic and relevant in Singapore..

i thank God for James man...otherwise i would hav truly felt even more lonely than i was...we're only human and 10 days with pple u barely know does take its toll..no matter how much u care for them in Christ...n i was constantly reminded of certain fundamental truths dat is really hard to remain true to on our own...

i appreciate Nigel, the minister at Naremburn-Cammeray giving us a word in season...how one of the older women at church had gotten married to a nominally christian man and that always held her back in her christian walk n service...n especially in the christian upbringing of her children...n she died without seeing her husband change...well God is gracious and worked in her husband's life after her death such that he realli started living his life for God..But the fact was...God maybe sovereign and gracious...but that does not make right the disobedience and foolishness of His people..I'm not making this up...its a real life ministry story from a real life minister in a real life church..

n i realised that i enjoyed Children's Ministry so much..Phil Jensen always said that Women's and Children's ministries are The Most Important in the body of Christ...n not the least as we are often deceived into thinking..its amazing how much children can be taught using simple tools...simple communication but deep content..if i could make an impact on one kids' life for Christ i'd realli be happy...n if that kid was a Minister's Child that would be worth it...i only wish that when i was growing up as a minister's child i'd had that luxury of good mentoring...mayb i would not hav ended up as screwed up as i am..dats why it means something to me...its worth a god-damn that kids turn out right because Jesus died for these kids..