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!