calling

when we speak of mission...
we would quote from the Great Commission
a calling for all believers to disciple and
bring the good news to all corner of the earth

as if only a fraction mentioned about this
is mission just a tiny part of being a Christian?
or we could have chosen or perhaps not chosen
to become a missionary.

it is actually......
the whole of Christianity
it is the essence of the bible
no matter how you flip and
where you look
it is a missionary work

going places
leaving homes
claiming lands
Abrahamic covenant
your descendants will be as vast as the stars and sands
just think of any biblical characters
what are they doing, where are they going....
it is all about mission, mission, mission

God is a missionary God
That's why He sent Jesus
He left Heaven (His Home) and His Father (God)
to be here, on the earth

do we have a choice?
nope....
that is why we are here on the earth
the purpose of our mere existence

as missionaries

Miss Ion

when i step into the hall of the church
i was half expecting something...
an answer
an assurance
a lead
a start
i keep searching for connection, clues and leads

each word i heard
i take into my heart
like a thread sewing up my bleeding heart of doubts and uncertainty
it makes so much sense
and it points out a direction for me

words here and there
that are personal
details that feel so close to me like life history

the questions i had in mind
for so long
answered....
i may have been listening to those exact same answer before
but that day...
everything seems peculiarly accurately pointed out
and suddenly a bulb lights up....
God lifts away the cloud of fuzziness
i guess....
it was God's timing for me to understand, perceive...

and it calls for next step...
taking next step.............

i have another adventure to venture
only God knows where He is going to bring me next......

a new start

i like the aroma of the fresh dewy morning
it is not an easy sight
not that easy to wake up,
morning bird, nope! (i am more like a bat)
i am a late sleeper and riser

what can i do?
with this blogging and now
i am into SUPERNATURAL
wow...what an adventure as vampire slayers
killing demons and evil spirits

my point is
i need a new start
something to inspire me
build the passion in me
a desire so strong that it burns me
enlightens me
bring life to the things i do

it has become monotonous
goal less
point less
meaning less
it used to hold such strong determination

i am not losing hope or faith
it is just that...
i know i could do better than this
i know i could achieve and accomplish so much more
i am not gloating over anything
i want to live my life to the fullest as God has called me to be

i may not be successful
but i could inspire people at some levels and areas
which i will hold on to

keep giving in the sense that
it is not an transaction or mercy giving
but uplifting people
bring the best out
bring people together

serving to me...
is about people
always has been and will always be
what is the biggest service i could present to God?
anonymousity, discreet and genuinity
work in an effortless way
and yet fruitful
be independent yet dependant on God
giving yet everything comes from God

before going to MPPO
i have been asking myself repeatedly....
what is my calling?
what is calling?
i really could not come up with a definite real life answer
there are certain biblical principles and multitudes of explanation

for anything it may concern,
i am looking for an answer i could called it my own...
it came to me calling is when preparation meets opportunity
i have been preparing my whole life for something...
it has always seem to be task A, responsiblity to B, ministry C and other stuffs
but i knew that it wasn't it

after i went to mppo...
i knew it...
it is mission
God is equipping me to be a missionary

To be continued......

peru

i joined the class taught by missionaries
serving in Peru for the last 7 years
they are from Hope Singapore

He told us that mission field work is worthwhile
and is the most definite struggle of life

but being there, you could say that
i was there
experience it just as Jesus was
it was worth it.

He was a researcher and was full time serving in church
before he was commited to go to Peru
he went there with his wife not long after they got married

he is a bright man with analytical thinking and simplicity in his speech
he used business model and economics to explain the mission work and how
to cross cultural boundaries
every analogy that occurs in this world could be used in expanding the Kingdom of God
He was humorous and engaging with the audience

His speech included:

(1) We are fortunate to be in Malaysia because it is a vast land. We are adaptable creatures by nature; exposed to different cultures, mentalities and personalities of all kinds. (friends from different states have different way of communicating in their distinct dialect)

(2) Thus, mission work makes more sense to us than Singaporeans like he is. (we are indifferent to different people as we approach these on daily basis)

(3) Our concept about time makes us more willing to travel as in 3 hours to visit a relative is logical while in Singapore, we would end up in the river by then. (we are more willing to spend time in travelling and hard work)

(4) He mentioned that it would be easier if we entered 3rd world countries; as they are more accepting as long as you bring funds or assistance into their countries.

(5) the entry vehicle will be more appropriate in business form than as a expariate. when you are working, your time is encapsuled by your employer, and you could have lost your job during economic crisis, very volatile. (i am a learner in this)

(6) the preparation of a mission work could not be taught or explained much, we need to experience it on site (observe and learn)

(7) learning the whole essence of the new language would take up to 3 years. it would be better for the translator to speak out the native words as it is more heartfelt and touched the congregation. (start to learn new language, when i learnt Germany, i found out that through language we could experience their way of thinking and thoughts construction)

(8) when we enter the new culture, we must abandon our self, knowledge of the past and the way of thinking. it is a relearn process. humbling experience!

(9) behavioral analysis and pyschological learning is important to be able to adapt into a new environment. (start analyse and test trial people reactions and responses today!)

(10) be realistic! and be hopeful at the same time...there would be times you asked yourself many conflicting questions and stepped in grey areas; and had to make a decision; to do it or not to do it! Be it "why am i here?" , " am i doing the right thing", to "should i bribe."

mppo

i was at kl with my family last friday
torn between whether to go to MPPO or not
to attend all the way through or just half way

nevertheless,
i made it at hope kl at 9am....

the opening speech was by Pastor Simon

he opened the day with:
(1) God is a missionary God
(2) every incident in the bible from Genesis to Revelation
mentioned about mission of God

bringing people to God

scattering us all over the earth to bring people back to God

(3) also he stressed that mission is the heartbeat of God

(4) Church should not only be indulged with pastoral care, pastoring work and shepherding

(5) people's need will never cease, ever be satisfied and never ending

(6) problems will pile up and up

(7) serving in the church will never end

(8)whoever come to mppo should blow his trumpets
as we get back to our own local churches to
exclaim "remember missionary work."

it is the most important thing of all
the final quest of all

then we proceed to our classes:

there are beginner classes and intermediate
as i came last year, so i joined the intermediate one.

Mission of life: People-tasking

There are 2 groups of people:

task-oriented or people-oriented

What is our task?

Reaching and touching people
Our task is people

How do we touch people?

Through tasking, activities and fellowships.
We reach people through tasks.

To be task-oriented, we need to be people-oriented
People-oriented person connect through tasks.

they are oxymorons, aren't they
not contradiction

We need to find out and see that both need to be bridge together like point A (task-oriented) to point B (people-oriented)

That understanding connect both.

Our mission of life: People-tasking

a walk down 9th Avenue

i like to observe their expressions and look into their eyes

hoping to catch a glimpse on their thoughts and mood of the day

some will even gaze up and smile a greeting

What is the connection we have in common?

Other than the road we walk on

Where do our destinies crossed?

day in, day out

our path crossed

do i really care for you, my familiar stranger?

every stranger is a friend in making

i wish to touch your...

heart

soul

life

i wish to be a part of your...

destiny

fate

..............life.

i wish no more

i should do more

i should no more

i will do more

Not only more

But no stopping

it is not that "Would you accept me?"

it is "Would i make room for others...?

God, let not fear and self-love resides in my heart

but compassion for souls...

cracks

If something goes really wrong,
we have to admit that we did something right wrongly

There are good methods with good intention,

however, there are many ingredients and associated condition that we have to consider too

We have to be adaptable and not hesistant to make changes
Excellence and standard may be the hallmark of God
certainly, it is true
and it is a command of God
certainly, it is something i hold on and look up too

However, over stressed will cause:

(1) unreactivity; afraid to move, fear of failure, will not step or do more,

knowing that will be receptive to critism

without practicality in help and suggestions

it is not something that a person or two could readjust,

because quality control (QC) became a culture

i observe in churches that grow,

the QC is not so stringent and rigid,

it made me question of the concept applied,

i could not have said that those churches are compromising

because i see the results and experience the atmosphere

(2) obedient and uncreative people;

no longer question or give suggestions and ideas

because we are used to system and standards like ISO.

slowly, no improvement,

just stabil and consistent

flat

by commending obedient and submissive people there are some disadvantages because...

(3) it is hard to retain certain type of people like:

- free-spirited and minded

- innovative and creative people

- those that spurred and jump on their feet

- individual with own mind set / opinion

- people that are more free-flowed, catalysed by situation

I believe in:

(1) Accepting personal style

(2) Different and striking concept each and everytime

(3) Fun and enjoyable for all (i dislike too task oriented until lose all the joy)

(4) Working as a team and everyone acts as a servant to everyone

(5) We rise and fall together as one entity

(6) Let people be comfortable to step out of their comfort zone (willing heart)

(7) Make everyone feel at home and belonged

(8) Walk the talk, action exceeds words

(9) Result-oriented, accept others' success method (learn from those who made it)

Conclusion:

I will still be adamant in my belief and culture breakthrough that i am entrusted to invade.

At the same time, be flexible, aggressive, never step back, be positive at every circumstances and be encouraging to others. Keep going!

friend or fiend

i wonder if we accomplish our objectives of the nite
however, we did gain some connection of friendship

i discover:

(1) how everyone hunger and cautious of a friendship
- wonderful friendship ends in high school
- as we grow older, we are more careful in our selection of friends

(2) everyone's expectation and definition of friend varies
- normal friend / acquaintance
- close friend
- friend that serves a purpose / disposable

(3) to build up the atmosphere of love and unity, we need to be friend first-
i was surprised that this first step of relationship is not even stabilised
we need to bind together up and close

(4) unsettled forgiveness issues - once betrayed, forever remembered
this barricades us from achieving and having meaningful relationships
what a waste - a friendship may be just around the corner and
our fear has cost the very best of us!

(5) for our community to grow, we need to embrace the whole of an individual just as God has
loves us, unconditional love has to be shown not just preached!

(6) we need to be salt and light. (people must have a taste and see )

i see a direction for our church..
i see Hand of God upon us.
Amen..
I need to know God still pours out His Grace on us...

sammi

i woke up after a tearful night
i surfed through the internet
and bumped across a youtube video
about sammi cheng
a canto pop-star who went missing
from the scene for 2 years

i saw the dramatic change in her, humility and genuinity
i really could see how her life
switched 180 degrees, used to be wild and eccentric
i am amazed of God's grace in her

when i saw her onstage in her concert
reading testimony
to the whole packed stadium full with fans
her trip with Gigi Lai for World Vision
her baptism
her interview
her choir with other Christian artists for 512 incident
my body was surged with emotions, tingled and
i think to myself:

(1) i did not use my networking to expand my influence to win people for God
(2) i did not use my identity as a Christian to reach out
(3) my testimony of God's love is not practical and realistic
(4) i did not do my best, my very best
as a whole, i just repented before God and say to myself, " Angie, be real " repeatedly,
with tears flowing freely for hours
i could not contain myself
i could not control myself

Sammi says she had insecurity and use her coolness to defend
there are so many times i react just to defend and sometimes offend

The real me would:
(1) cry easily
(2) evangelise freely
(3) use Bible verses to support my words

i no longer did the above.
i did not live a new life after the hurt, pain and betrayal issues.
i should not waste anytime longer to hide myself under the layer of pretendency

suddenly, i wake up after a deep slumber
i wake up with a new real me.

Thank you Ah Mi for the genuinity i see in you.
it gives me the courage to live by the way God has intended for me.