Top 10 List

Woo...the end of 2008 is nearing and besides the events that have occurred in this most ever wonderful year IMAO, there's this group of wonderful people who have really impacted my life in one way or another. haha this is my top 10 list of people that I really wanna thank God for:

Starting with...

1) Jeremiah Wong (Buddy) - He's a very special brother and just completes the other half of the puzzle of success for NS group. He complements me wonderfully well. Truely a joy and blessing to be serving alongside him and together with him, NS has acheived a milestone this year and a truely great acheivement. Thank God for you buddy!

2) Colin Seah (Shepherd) - Thank God for his timely reminders as well as keeping my spiritual life in check. Its been tough with his work commitments but he has remained faithful. The opportunities and exposure that he has allowed me to have with others really improved my social skills a notch.

3) Raymond Ng - Though Uncle is no longer around and thanks to his departure, ppl have started to call me Uncle (before i got TEEHEE) too. Learnt alot from him but yet at the same time wish him the best in his adult ministry!

4) Lancaster Lee (Sheep) - Truely a teachable, humble and loving brother and also 1 of the few who is able to take my fiery personality and pressure. He is truely a man of God who seeks to do the best and has performed extremely well this year! Ba Chor Meeeee Sheep!!!

5) Teo Wei Siang (Sheep) - The longest sheep that i have taken so far, almost 2 years le. Its just so easy for us to talk things and his willingness to change has really seen his group grow as well and has discipled ppl faithfully! God will you use you even more greatly next year!

6) Lemmuel Ang (Sheep) - The funniest sheep that i ever had, joker or not, he brings laughter into my life and through sharing his life to me everytime, it just makes God look all the more greater and evident. Miss you!

7) Elicia Tan - Thank God for sending someone whom i'm able to communicate with so easily and without any restrictions. Even though she's young, she's truely a Godsend and i'm amazed by her potential. She's brought joy and assurance to me that the future generation of christ followers will be great!

8) Liyan - Never expected to work with her on many projects but its been a seamless process. Good working partners i would call it. Looking forward to working with her again next year in the area of missions. Shi-jie~

9) Jorris Ng - Love the times where we chat about life in the late nights and she has been very encouraging to me. Even though she's in PSPT now, hope to spend more quality time with her next year!

10) Pastor Jasmine (Boss) - Turely admire her single-minded focus on God. She really has been God-inspired and a true blessing for POLYDINS. Really wanna thank her for giving me oppotunities to learn from her and in this coming year, i'm sure it will be even more wonderful! I will treasure this opportunity~

There are many others as well~rayna, celestine, jeremy kiu, nel, jovin, terence, jeremy etc....really Thank God for those who really make this decision to serve God! 2009 will really be a year of change and even greater transformation! Stay tuned!

Thank God for 2008~

That face of victory and joy...2008 has really been a great year for me and Xmas isn't even in the picture yet.

God has really blessed me greatly this year!

1) Birth of T-NSB as well as NS reaching a sub-district! (Thats over 50 guys in a campus!)

2) A new spiritual buddy in 'Jeremiah'

3) Giving me an opportunity to work with a second mentor 'Ms Leanne' besides Colin whom I have learnt alot from in the past months (eg. planning events, missions, service leading)

4) Involvement in Missions (The 2 STM to Batu Pahat and Kathmandu) as well as next year

5) A memorable birthday in Nepal

6) Planning Gen Next Camp '09

7) ORD LOH!

Of course...thats not all. Not just me but for everyone here's a very special blessing you could receive this coming 24th Dec....

Cya there! It's gonna be a wonderful and special time...

"BIG" Update

The stretch from the month of November till today has been draining me out much in physical, emotional as well as mental terms but I really thank God that he kept my spiritual life in check, which was the main thing.

Its time to post some of the most anticipated pictures from my mission trip to Nepal.

Introducing...Miss Nepal 1986-2008 and beyond! Lalita Subba

Bestowing us with a farewell gift: A flag of Nepal.

Make a wish...make a wish...

testimony sharing...

Bro Kasi...future student leader!

random food...cereal+ maggie mee + biscuit

in the micro van...

more of Miss Nepal...

at the cafe...

Daily Routine

Truely Unforgettable 22nd Birthday...

The Celebration...

Sis Devi's Birthday...

Uncle who is going to US soon to work...

Martin...future Pastor!

I dunnoe why she likes to pose like a bird...

Me and Ps.Prakash

Deathmatch?

Your typical Nepalese food

Dinner at Lolli's house...

Me and Shimu

Family Photo? LOL jking...

Hohoho

I took videos of the Hope Kathmandu service as well but it will take quite a while to post them up. This mission trip was really wonderful in the sense that even though most of the time i was going there to impart, I was able to expose myself to the culture in Nepal, their lifestyle as well as the condition of the place.

It was through this trip that i realised how weak i was physically. I vomited on the second day and had fever. The next few days was even worse as i kept having diarrhea and had to go to the toilet multiple times in the wee hours of the morning. But God was really great and he blessed me with so many beautiful and wonderful angels to take care of me...talking about being blessed. My face was white and paley throughout but when it came to teaching and testimony sharing...the brightest smile and joy in my heart immediately came alive. I just love to teach and impart the Word of God and about God's character. I really thank God for all the opportunities for me to teach in each of the CGs.

Definitely i will felt burdened after the trip that I wanna do so much more for them but i know that God placed me in Singapore at this point of time for a single purpose...and thats to finish the work he has for me here before i plan to go for church planting/mission trip. Really want to affirm the following people:

1) Lolli - She is truely a Godly, beautiful woman of God who never fails to inspire me. I am so encouraged by her spirit and her heart of committing her life to serving God. Having used to the life in Singapore, its not an easy transition for her in terms of both language and culture. Through this 1 and a half years since she went back to Nepal, I can see that she has really adapted to life in Nepal and is able to blend in with the culture whilst staying focused onto God. In Nepal, she's at the prime age to get married and definitely she has no lack of suitors but her single-minded focus on God really inspires me alot. She is truely a Godly woman. Her future husband will truely
be blessed by her spirit alot. Jia you sweetie!

2) Ps.Prakash - His humility is really evident as he seeks to give whatever credit that he has attained to God. A truely sacrificial and giving man as well, always doing his best to meet the needs of others. Yet he is firm as well when required. Really pray that he will continue to bring Hope Kathmandu to greater heights and really break 50 and have really stronger shepherds and leaders rising up. God will surely honour us when we commit our lives to serving him and doing his work.

3) Liyan - she's like a shimu, guiding me, telling me the do's n don'ts yet at the same time giving me lots of room to take the lead. I wun call her my mentor but an indirect disciple of mine. She really has a big vision for God's church and is really ambitious in her thoughts. She has taught me how to see the 'giant' picture not just big picture of the church and several stages and elements of building the local church which is something that I have never got myself involved in before. Thank God for her life and ever-lasting faith in God. You will never know how such a sweet and innocent looking woman can actually be a strong and ambitious woman for God till you look at her. Ren bu ke mao xiang.

Really looking forward to next year's trip! Gonna do more, bring a team there to impact more, the student ministry in particular.

Talking abit about NS Camp, it just ended today and I would say it was a totally unique camp. The pics are not up yet but will post a little when its up. Got to say that its my first time preaching the Word of God in a camp and it was a cool experience. What i learn was that I can't teach the same way as how i teach in workshop. There are different skillsets required which is something i need to learn and improve upon future opportunities to preach. Overall it was a great camp and the committee really worked super duper hard. Thank God for Terence and Joel who really did a wonderful job of organizing this camp despite it being their maiden effort.

Xmas is coming!

I am so looking forward to "The Gift". Jesus is the greatest gift that we can and we will ever receive and its totally FREE~~~anticipating what Jesus can and will do in the hearts of the non-b....its coming....

Next Update*

1) Nepal STM
2) NS Camp

Stay tuned...for now its teaching preparation....

I don't look like a "Christian"???

My 7th post...('7' is my fav number)

Some facts:

- I never heard of 'Jesus' before in my life till Oct 2003.
- I thought 'Jesus' was a complete JOKE (who would want to follow a guy with a long beard and white robe, spells LOSER all over and totally UNCOOL.)
- I was FIRST attracted to the community, then decided to receive Jesus into my life.
- I'm a home grown Poly Convert (no high school background)

Had a chat with my army buddy

Army Boy: "Hey rich, after knowing you for a year, i realised you don't look like a christian at all leh. You don't mix with your church people? How come you so different?"

Me: "(paused for a moment...hmm was quite sad.) okay, not really leh. I got so many wonderful friends in church. Btw hor, what kind of impression does a 'christian' give you?"

Army Boy: "LOL they keep trying to convert me. Got 1 time they psycho me to church then try to convert me. LOL i siam. Lucky you not like them if not i stay away from you also."

Me: "lol, anyway how many people did you get to know from that church?"

Army Boy: "LOL only my fren who brought me there then when they start to psycho me, i siam le lol."

I'm glad i'm not the kind of 'christian' that he mentioned.

Jesus's gospel is fixed throughout generations to generations. But people's mindsets change throughout generations to generations. Who is gonna believe, much less follow a long bearded man in a white robe who sacrifices his live to redeem all of our sins? Through trying to convert someone and throwing the Gospel at him and expect him to believe it?

The answer is we are Jesus's best ambassadors. We should never skip the need to bring love and friendship through our community. People may not be able to experience firsthand the love of God through the Gospel or Service but through our lives and the vibrant community that we have that attract them, they CAN.

Let's do it shall we? =)

Untitled

Joined SP today to send Randall and Joella. I also got to finally know Mrs Dorcas-in-person (i've heard things about Dorcas this and that but i din really seen or talked to her in person.)

Also did this more specific and advanced personality test. You can try it out too if you haven done it before. It has 16 personality configurations in total and based on responses from many people, its accurate and precise.

The Link: http://www.ipersonic.com

And once again i believe would be to the dismay of others is that i'm a SI (Spontaneous Idealist). Haha yea no sign of dominance. Get to know the real me y0.

These few days i've been thinking of many things as well. Perhaps you readers can pray for me in these areas:

- Finance (Supporting yourself is not easy...)
- Focus onto the Kingdom (Cast out distractions/temptations)
- Leadership (Courage and Wisdom)

Ciao... Service Tml =)

Facebook

I'm quite amazed that I actually will use "Facebook". Usually i find this kinda thing rather cumbersome and a waste of time but on Tuesday night as i went for the "Missions Response Night", I realized how Facebook can actually be a powerful tool for me to network with so many more people whether is it globally or locally. And i was encouraged to have one. I would say that its much better than "Friendster" in terms of communication and its much more convenient and easy to use lah.

Okay if you know me and haven add me to your Facebook, do add me yeah through rich8jes@hotmail.com. Xie Xie all of you!

MY DEAREST SHEEP FINALLY YOU ENLIST!!!

For once, i shall let him take centre stage...haha really hope that you will grow to rely on God more while you're in NS and also grow physically and mentally tougher. Be a MAN! =)

Encouragement Cards FTW

Encouragement cards were always something that i found it hard to do as I would prefer to affirm the person face-to-face (more feel and personalization i find). But as time went on, it has eventually won me over that encouragement cards are really powerful tools. Face-to-face affirmations do impact people for that period of time but encouragement cards will stay with you just like an asset for life. Encouragement cards not just mere cards but cards which reflect your spiritual life, your growth and progress in your relationship with God and also assure you that there are others running together with you in this long race.

As i was looking through my box of accumulated encouragement cards over the years, it really brings back not only memories and tears but joy in my heart that I have really grown these past few years. There was a set of 5 cards that I received from a person in which up to this day, the impact that these set of cards has made still remains firmly in my heart. Its from the same person giving it to me at different stages of spiritual life: new believer, shepherd, CL (when I was in TP). In particular, i remembered a sentence which this person wrote: "You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity!" Beautiful. That's the power of encouragement cards. And i'm so going to bring that element back to my ministry. Let's really seek to encourage and build one another up! I'm learning and improving in this area too! Love Love Love!

Eph 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

btw, to date i still love this drawing the most though its from 3yrs ago. cute sia. =)

"Advance"!!!

Back from leadership camp! Thank God for this camp, the committee as well as the bros & sis who made it all the more wonderful!

- Teaching: Through the teachings which centered around Courage, Wisdom & Annointing, as i reflected upon these 3 areas, without all these, we wouldn't be able to last in this long race that we're in.

"Courage" whereby we are assured in God in situations which we really feel like running away or finding a better way out rather than facing it, yet at the same time FEAR God as well and revere him!

"Wisdom" to understand, foresee and analyse things and situations around us to uncover the hidden, to really seek God for the best solution!

"Annointing" to authenticate/credit leadership, to have faith to rely on God's work and his power to work great things in us and around us!

- The "After" Hours

Really enjoyed the fellowship time with the Bros & Sis after the end of each camp day and the BBQ nite was awesome as well! Got to share my convictions and thoughts with a few bros. I'm here not to learn only but to impart as well! Really enjoyed this time. And it also allowed me to clarify some of the matters that had been lingering in my heart. Treasured the talk with Jasmine and Jeremiah.

- "NEW" Blood

Got to know many new potential leaders as well as some current leaders throughout the camp! Its glad to see new people rising up to take the lead! Geck Ting, Priscella, Luke, Shirley, Dennis, Lestari, Amanda. Maybe i left out a few ppl but anyway jia you guys, God has great plans for all of you!

- "DISC"

LOL to the dismay and shock of others, why am i not a "D"? And why of all instances would i have "I"? DISC tests are situational and people do change. As known to many, I was definitely a "D" in the past when it comes to ministry and am still "D" when it comes to my DMM but put my DMM aside and bring the play and fun as well as social factors in, i'll let loose. Perhaps people have the impression that "I" must be very talkative people but i'm not. Well you don't need to be outspoken and talkative to be "I"! I can say that the way i am to others has changed partly due to the fact that i work with sisters much more now than in the past which my "D" personality at times can be overbearing, thats why i learnt to change myself to be a more people-person but yet at the same time, adapting this style has made my whole self changed over the course of a period of time as well, eventually and subconsciously losing that choleric personality. I can't go into the details but anyway, i'm the convincer a.k.a psychoer in small groups and not crowds.

- "Response" times

Those climatic moments. God, may you just implant a vision into these people's hearts. Really excited to see these people's desires and convictions for you and may you prosper them just as how you prospered David and his kingdom. I just feel so priveleged and blessed to pray over the potential leaders and the CLs. Kaien ,Kelvin, Priscella, Mag, Joycelyn, Faith, all of you will be a river of blessing to other people! Stay focused!

Looking forward to the next 10 weeks! Let's "Advance" the kingdom!

The "Four" Pillars of Poly Men Ministry

Being an avid lover of Hong Kong TVB Dramas (that's where I picked up most of my Cantonese besides talking to my Granny...), I just started watching this drama called "The Four". I just love TVB's iterations of various ancient chinese novels though their endings often leave much to be desired.

It tells the story of 4 vagrants coming from different backgrounds and band together to form a special group of constables. One's a heartless cripple, another a wilful wonderer and not-to-forget a steel fisted warrior and a cold blooded killer. Totally unique in their own right, you think it would be hard for them to come together but they all have a common goal: Justice. (sounds cliche i know)

As I watched this series, a single tear rolled down my face. Its nostalgic and really brings back the good old times that i had in the past too. It reminded me of this photo:


It was taken during my birthday last year~and I really treasure this friendship and brotherhood with these people. God is really wonderful and these people have really impacted my life alot. Being the youngest out of them didn't matter. We were bounded by a common vision and that is to be the pillar of the Poly guy's ministry for others to model. Even amidst the fulfillment of this vision, as some of us are in different life station and are in different levels of leadership and ministry, I really love these people alot.

Raymond Ng (The Family-Man):

A wonderfully engaging person. He makes you feel comfortable and is a great listener. A very fatherly-person. Raymond, I have learnt greatly from your acts of service towards others, your heart for your people, your heart of servanthood for those around you. The reason why you are so well-liked and remembered by many is because when people see how you serve, how you love others, they are attracted to love others as well. Continue to grow in Adults and focus on God. Glad to see you share about your CG! Stay strong in the Lord!

Colin Seah (The Manager):

An excellent manager in the sense that he knows how to manage groups efficiently, how to mobilise and utilize people to their fullest potential and strengths. Just like his nick Eagle Eye, he is able to spot many potential people. If he was born in the era of "The Three Kingdoms", he could fight with Cao Cao/Zhou Yu/Zhuge Liang but God has called him to lead his people in this generation. Being my shepherd for 2 years as well, I have learnt much from him as his focus on expanding God's kingdom is an inspiration to others.

Jeremiah Wong (The General):

The front-liner of any army troop, the voice of any team. He is the Manliness of the Manliness. Charismatic, knowleagable and focused for God. He is inspiring and the fruits in his group really show it all. He may look serious but if you take some time to get to know him and understand his conviction, he can be an inspirer to any. He has a really big heart for God and we are definitely gonna build this Guy's ministry strong yea!

In the eyes of Man, we may lose completely to F4, Farenheit etc. but in the eyes of God and his Kingdom, we're the ultimate winners. Stay strong bros~