many happenings these past weeks... hmm... where should i start?
ok start with my Joburg testimonies.
This was my first visit to South Africa. The climate was cold but a refreshing change from the humid Singapore. The South Africans are warm and friendly people. Even strangers would ask us how we were doing and one couple even offered to show us the direction, thinking that we were lost.
One of the highlights of the trip was the camp. The camp was held at the valley and it’s a great getaway from the bustle of the city. I had a great time fellowshipping with the African brothers & sisters. They are very musical people, often times, they will break into African songs and dance. We too attempted to dance like them. Alvin also shared with them a Chinese song and they sang along with us. It was great fun! It is a miniature picture of what it will be like when every tongue and tribe worship God. We may be different in our skin colour but our spirits are the same.
I am also encouraged by the goodness of God in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Thomas, one of our South African brothers shared with us his testimony. He was the camp commander of this church camp. Just a few weeks before the camp, his boss asked him to work through the weekend which meant that he had to miss the camp. After much prayer, he asked the boss for permission to go for the camp. God answered his prayer. The boss not just permitted him to go for the camp but allowed him to leave earlier the day before.
Another brother, Tabishu, his family is poor and can’t support him to University. But our God is the provider. Tabishu applied for a scholarship in one of the top university in Johannesburg. There were 600 applicants for this scholarship and only 70 people were selected. He was one of them.
Another experience that touches my heart was a visit to one of the care group meetings. Elvis, the care leader invited us to his house. It was located in the middle of a squatter area. The house was built by him and after fitting a double bed and 2 small tables, there were hardly enough space for people to stand. And there were 17 of us -14 adults and 3 kids! Nevertheless we were undeterred by the surrounding. We worshipped God outside the house under the dark sky that is filled with stars. It was a wonderful time, proclaiming the goodness of God in the open space and the sound of praise resounding at the squatter. After the worship, we packed ourselves into the small room and Elvis shared with us the Word. Many shared testimonies of God’s goodness. It was an unforgettable experience. We in Singapore are really blessed, yet many times we complain that we have not enough & hold back on serving God.
Many things they are doing in Johannesburg are similar to what we are doing in Singapore. Most importantly, we have the same vision. While Hope Singapore has the vision to build strong and biblical people to plant strong and biblical churches in Singapore and all over the world, their vision is to build strong and biblical people to plant strong and biblical churches in South Africa and all over the world. We speak the same heart language. Thus we can connect despite the cultural differences. It just warms my heart to see our African brothers and sisters having this same vision and serving God with the similar commitment and fervency. I’m reminded that all these would not have happened if not for the church planters who were willing to pay the price.
While I was there, I heard stories about the courage of our pioneers. Joburg has one of the highest crime rates in the world. The church planters were undaunted by the dangers and they served God boldly and courageously. I’ve heard about how one of them took the guitar and shared the Gospel boldly in the streets. And how one sister travelled alone in the night to follow up and outreach. (Pic 7) They have given up their stable jobs, homes and rooted themselves in a whole new environment to fulfil the Great Commission. If not for their sacrifices and obedience, we will not see have seen the church we are seeing today.
What we are doing here does make a difference too. While we were at Johannesburg, we encouraged our brothers and sisters with testimonies of what God is doing here. How our church started small, what we have gone through and what God is doing. In fact, Henry, one of the Johannesburg leader shared that in due time, they too will send a church planting team to another nation. Lets continue to act locally by pioneering CGs and think globally. I believe that God will use us the High School/JC ministries to make a difference.
ok start with my Joburg testimonies.
This was my first visit to South Africa. The climate was cold but a refreshing change from the humid Singapore. The South Africans are warm and friendly people. Even strangers would ask us how we were doing and one couple even offered to show us the direction, thinking that we were lost.
One of the highlights of the trip was the camp. The camp was held at the valley and it’s a great getaway from the bustle of the city. I had a great time fellowshipping with the African brothers & sisters. They are very musical people, often times, they will break into African songs and dance. We too attempted to dance like them. Alvin also shared with them a Chinese song and they sang along with us. It was great fun! It is a miniature picture of what it will be like when every tongue and tribe worship God. We may be different in our skin colour but our spirits are the same.
I am also encouraged by the goodness of God in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Thomas, one of our South African brothers shared with us his testimony. He was the camp commander of this church camp. Just a few weeks before the camp, his boss asked him to work through the weekend which meant that he had to miss the camp. After much prayer, he asked the boss for permission to go for the camp. God answered his prayer. The boss not just permitted him to go for the camp but allowed him to leave earlier the day before.
Another brother, Tabishu, his family is poor and can’t support him to University. But our God is the provider. Tabishu applied for a scholarship in one of the top university in Johannesburg. There were 600 applicants for this scholarship and only 70 people were selected. He was one of them.
Another experience that touches my heart was a visit to one of the care group meetings. Elvis, the care leader invited us to his house. It was located in the middle of a squatter area. The house was built by him and after fitting a double bed and 2 small tables, there were hardly enough space for people to stand. And there were 17 of us -14 adults and 3 kids! Nevertheless we were undeterred by the surrounding. We worshipped God outside the house under the dark sky that is filled with stars. It was a wonderful time, proclaiming the goodness of God in the open space and the sound of praise resounding at the squatter. After the worship, we packed ourselves into the small room and Elvis shared with us the Word. Many shared testimonies of God’s goodness. It was an unforgettable experience. We in Singapore are really blessed, yet many times we complain that we have not enough & hold back on serving God.
Many things they are doing in Johannesburg are similar to what we are doing in Singapore. Most importantly, we have the same vision. While Hope Singapore has the vision to build strong and biblical people to plant strong and biblical churches in Singapore and all over the world, their vision is to build strong and biblical people to plant strong and biblical churches in South Africa and all over the world. We speak the same heart language. Thus we can connect despite the cultural differences. It just warms my heart to see our African brothers and sisters having this same vision and serving God with the similar commitment and fervency. I’m reminded that all these would not have happened if not for the church planters who were willing to pay the price.
While I was there, I heard stories about the courage of our pioneers. Joburg has one of the highest crime rates in the world. The church planters were undaunted by the dangers and they served God boldly and courageously. I’ve heard about how one of them took the guitar and shared the Gospel boldly in the streets. And how one sister travelled alone in the night to follow up and outreach. (Pic 7) They have given up their stable jobs, homes and rooted themselves in a whole new environment to fulfil the Great Commission. If not for their sacrifices and obedience, we will not see have seen the church we are seeing today.
What we are doing here does make a difference too. While we were at Johannesburg, we encouraged our brothers and sisters with testimonies of what God is doing here. How our church started small, what we have gone through and what God is doing. In fact, Henry, one of the Johannesburg leader shared that in due time, they too will send a church planting team to another nation. Lets continue to act locally by pioneering CGs and think globally. I believe that God will use us the High School/JC ministries to make a difference.
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