So today I have completed uploading all my journals from my Nepal MITE trip.
This post officially ends updates from me on this blog.
Its been quite a journey, and I'm forever thankfull for the experience He has lead me through.
Right now I'm trusting Him daily for directing my steps as i plan for this next stage of my life.
With my God for me, it can only be brighter days that I'm looking forward to. As this song goes, my heart sings to the same tune and heartbeat.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
8th August
It’s the last 4 days of my stay here in Nepal, and I really don’t know what I should journal about. So many things about the last 26 days are starting to run through my mind at this moment. Counting 26 days could seem short, and back home, weeks past like they never existed. But over here, I’ve come to learn, see and experience so much that my mind registers a period longer then 26 days spent here in Nepal. I am looking forward to returning home.
Yesterday morning it started out wet. I had to cycle to Jars of Clay to be trying out a few drinks. I felt good about myself yesterday for accomplishing a few things. Firstly, I had done up 3 drinks SOP, which involves coming up with the right mix of ingredients for the drink and executing the drink making procedure. Along with the execution, I had to record the instructional sequence for the procedure. This is for facilitating the training of the staff at Jars of Clay. Secondly I edited the customer service Job description template and detailed down the purpose, roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and the service crew.
As I was typing away at my computer at Jars of clay, I imagined if this were my own business, it was not going to be easy. I am just an intern now, and so typing out and trying out the SOPs and JDs was like a fun thing to experience for me. But I felt that this was not the case for Gloria and Loong. Their work here is not easy; firstly being away from home for a long haul is not easy. Secondly doing a business along with ministry is even more of a challenge. So it brings me to my thoughts on the 17th and 19th of July, that we really need to hear God call and direction before we make a move, and put our hearts, soul and mind and strength into that purpose.
10th August
Yesterday was my last day at work at Jars of Clay. I finished concocting and taking pictures for each step of the SOP drinks instruction manual, and also finished coming up and editing the customer service steps, barista and front of house job descriptions. I had my final tandoori meal for lunch here in Nepal, and it tasted superb. Had 7 chickens and 3 nuns packed and frozen to be brought home for people back home!
So today is going to be my last day in Nepal, and I am excited to be heading home tomorrow as well as looking forward to spending my last day here. I plan to cycle down to town and just experience the streets of Nepal one last time before I leave.
It’s the last 4 days of my stay here in Nepal, and I really don’t know what I should journal about. So many things about the last 26 days are starting to run through my mind at this moment. Counting 26 days could seem short, and back home, weeks past like they never existed. But over here, I’ve come to learn, see and experience so much that my mind registers a period longer then 26 days spent here in Nepal. I am looking forward to returning home.
Yesterday morning it started out wet. I had to cycle to Jars of Clay to be trying out a few drinks. I felt good about myself yesterday for accomplishing a few things. Firstly, I had done up 3 drinks SOP, which involves coming up with the right mix of ingredients for the drink and executing the drink making procedure. Along with the execution, I had to record the instructional sequence for the procedure. This is for facilitating the training of the staff at Jars of Clay. Secondly I edited the customer service Job description template and detailed down the purpose, roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and the service crew.
As I was typing away at my computer at Jars of clay, I imagined if this were my own business, it was not going to be easy. I am just an intern now, and so typing out and trying out the SOPs and JDs was like a fun thing to experience for me. But I felt that this was not the case for Gloria and Loong. Their work here is not easy; firstly being away from home for a long haul is not easy. Secondly doing a business along with ministry is even more of a challenge. So it brings me to my thoughts on the 17th and 19th of July, that we really need to hear God call and direction before we make a move, and put our hearts, soul and mind and strength into that purpose.
10th August
Yesterday was my last day at work at Jars of Clay. I finished concocting and taking pictures for each step of the SOP drinks instruction manual, and also finished coming up and editing the customer service steps, barista and front of house job descriptions. I had my final tandoori meal for lunch here in Nepal, and it tasted superb. Had 7 chickens and 3 nuns packed and frozen to be brought home for people back home!
So today is going to be my last day in Nepal, and I am excited to be heading home tomorrow as well as looking forward to spending my last day here. I plan to cycle down to town and just experience the streets of Nepal one last time before I leave.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
6th August
The past three days passed real fast, and I did not get the chance to journal here. But instead I was writing the things I have been learning on my written journal.
Just got called out by Loong because it’s raining hail outside! How exciting!! I’ve never experience hail before!
On Tuesday, I took a hike around the mountain resort after lunch alone, and I started to notice that usually there are green pastures on top of the ridge lines. I was listening to Ps Judah Smith share on “Green Pastures” before from John 10:9. And it was like God was helping me experience what I learnt. Climbing up to the ridge may not be easy, but on the way up the sight of the green open ridge spurred me on, and once I got to the top the sight surrounding me from the top was well worth it. Jesus said he is the gate, and anyone who enters through the gate will go in and go out, and he will find green pastures. In Psalms 23, David also testifies to God leading him to lie down in green pastures.
So today I got the chance to share with the Sophia home girls during devotion time, and the Holy Spirit lead me to prepare and share about the lessons God has been teaching me from my experiences and from the Word. So I shared on how we can get “A command, A promise or A Lesson” from our time spent with God. So I shared on the promise of how, despite being in the midst of our circumstances, Jesus said he would lead us who have entered the gate, to green pastures. I learn a lesson from the girls as well. They could recite the whole of Psalms 23 for me!! Their ability to memorize so many scripture verses leaves me thinking that I to should learn from them.
The past three days passed real fast, and I did not get the chance to journal here. But instead I was writing the things I have been learning on my written journal.
Just got called out by Loong because it’s raining hail outside! How exciting!! I’ve never experience hail before!
On Tuesday, I took a hike around the mountain resort after lunch alone, and I started to notice that usually there are green pastures on top of the ridge lines. I was listening to Ps Judah Smith share on “Green Pastures” before from John 10:9. And it was like God was helping me experience what I learnt. Climbing up to the ridge may not be easy, but on the way up the sight of the green open ridge spurred me on, and once I got to the top the sight surrounding me from the top was well worth it. Jesus said he is the gate, and anyone who enters through the gate will go in and go out, and he will find green pastures. In Psalms 23, David also testifies to God leading him to lie down in green pastures.
So today I got the chance to share with the Sophia home girls during devotion time, and the Holy Spirit lead me to prepare and share about the lessons God has been teaching me from my experiences and from the Word. So I shared on how we can get “A command, A promise or A Lesson” from our time spent with God. So I shared on the promise of how, despite being in the midst of our circumstances, Jesus said he would lead us who have entered the gate, to green pastures. I learn a lesson from the girls as well. They could recite the whole of Psalms 23 for me!! Their ability to memorize so many scripture verses leaves me thinking that I to should learn from them.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
4th August
Yesterday we made our way to Dulikel Mountain resort, an hour’s drive away from the valley. It is nice to get away from the valley, from all the pollution, jams uneven roads and crowds! Reaching the resort, it felt like I entered another place. It’s off peak season, and we got our 3 days 2 nights package at a steal! With all our meals covered, accompanied with an amazing view of the Himalayan mountain range.
I shall be a grateful guest by giving them some advertising. Not something uncommon that I do, as with my iPhone, I’ve been an ambassador for it ever since I got my hands on the iPhone.
Check out this mountain resort at http://dhulikhelmountainresort.com
I was sitting with the view of the Himalayan mountain range in front of me before breakfast, but I’m only able to see the valley in front of me because it is too cloudy.
Anyway breakfast was great, our conversations lead to discussions of the Nepali culture here about how sometimes we westernized and globalised people unconsciously bring and air of arrogance with our actions. It’s so natural to feel superior to a culture which is less developed and different. I was sharing about what was on my heart when I was sharing at church last Saturday. I was afraid the Nepali would discredit what I said about the blessings I receive from God to be able to come to Nepal because I’m from Singapore and to them Singapore is a prosperous country, and its easy for me to say God has blessed me. But I prayed that the Holy Spirit was the one convicting and teaching them. All I did was point out that I viewed them as my brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are all under the same covenant. It feels like there’s still so much for God to be teaching me here from this cross cultural experience. But I know until perfecting comes, we are to allow His love to be made complete in us, for
Yesterday we made our way to Dulikel Mountain resort, an hour’s drive away from the valley. It is nice to get away from the valley, from all the pollution, jams uneven roads and crowds! Reaching the resort, it felt like I entered another place. It’s off peak season, and we got our 3 days 2 nights package at a steal! With all our meals covered, accompanied with an amazing view of the Himalayan mountain range.
I shall be a grateful guest by giving them some advertising. Not something uncommon that I do, as with my iPhone, I’ve been an ambassador for it ever since I got my hands on the iPhone.
Check out this mountain resort at http://dhulikhelmountainresort.com
I was sitting with the view of the Himalayan mountain range in front of me before breakfast, but I’m only able to see the valley in front of me because it is too cloudy.
Anyway breakfast was great, our conversations lead to discussions of the Nepali culture here about how sometimes we westernized and globalised people unconsciously bring and air of arrogance with our actions. It’s so natural to feel superior to a culture which is less developed and different. I was sharing about what was on my heart when I was sharing at church last Saturday. I was afraid the Nepali would discredit what I said about the blessings I receive from God to be able to come to Nepal because I’m from Singapore and to them Singapore is a prosperous country, and its easy for me to say God has blessed me. But I prayed that the Holy Spirit was the one convicting and teaching them. All I did was point out that I viewed them as my brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are all under the same covenant. It feels like there’s still so much for God to be teaching me here from this cross cultural experience. But I know until perfecting comes, we are to allow His love to be made complete in us, for
Sunday, August 2, 2009
2nd August
Today I went to the ancient city of Batipur in the Kathmandu valley. In this valley there are three areas, they are Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Batipur. At Batipur, I had to pay an entrance fee of 750 rupees. Inside I saw temples and palaces with intricate wood carvings, and architecture that showed the skill of the workers in the 15th century. Even today there are still skilled painters and pottery still being made at Batipur today. It’s just amazing how much talent goes into the worship of their gods and kings. Man was made to worship and I learnt that worship is placing worth on something. If man puts enough worth in something, naturally effort will follow from the heart. There is effort put into building Batipur, unlike Kathmandu whereby the trash is everywhere and there seems to be no order in that town.
Yesterday I shared at Wesley Methodist church. I was rather nervous before the sharing, but I kept praying that it would be God speaking through me by the Holy Spirit, and that somehow the people would come to understand His love abit more. After the message I really would not be able to know if the people came to understand God’s love abit more, but it affirmed certain things God has been teaching me. I had to share from what I was convicted by, and by doing so, helped me see God’s love for the people I was sharing to. God loves his people of every tribe, nation and tongue, and these people where my brothers and sisters. So surely God wants to show them more of His love with whatever means possible. I prayed that I might be one of those means, and so I believe for those who were open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they would have come to understand God’s love abit more.
After service, I went to visit one of the church member’s husband in the hospital. I was appalled by the conditions of the wards in that hospital. Apparently that was one of the newer hospitals in Nepal! The sheets were stained and the place was not a pleasant place to be at all. It was like in those world war two movies. I was telling Loong that if I were ever sick in Nepal, going to the hospital here would not even be an option. God showed me how much we are blessed back in Singapore, and I have so much to thank God for.
Today I went to the ancient city of Batipur in the Kathmandu valley. In this valley there are three areas, they are Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Batipur. At Batipur, I had to pay an entrance fee of 750 rupees. Inside I saw temples and palaces with intricate wood carvings, and architecture that showed the skill of the workers in the 15th century. Even today there are still skilled painters and pottery still being made at Batipur today. It’s just amazing how much talent goes into the worship of their gods and kings. Man was made to worship and I learnt that worship is placing worth on something. If man puts enough worth in something, naturally effort will follow from the heart. There is effort put into building Batipur, unlike Kathmandu whereby the trash is everywhere and there seems to be no order in that town.
Yesterday I shared at Wesley Methodist church. I was rather nervous before the sharing, but I kept praying that it would be God speaking through me by the Holy Spirit, and that somehow the people would come to understand His love abit more. After the message I really would not be able to know if the people came to understand God’s love abit more, but it affirmed certain things God has been teaching me. I had to share from what I was convicted by, and by doing so, helped me see God’s love for the people I was sharing to. God loves his people of every tribe, nation and tongue, and these people where my brothers and sisters. So surely God wants to show them more of His love with whatever means possible. I prayed that I might be one of those means, and so I believe for those who were open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they would have come to understand God’s love abit more.
After service, I went to visit one of the church member’s husband in the hospital. I was appalled by the conditions of the wards in that hospital. Apparently that was one of the newer hospitals in Nepal! The sheets were stained and the place was not a pleasant place to be at all. It was like in those world war two movies. I was telling Loong that if I were ever sick in Nepal, going to the hospital here would not even be an option. God showed me how much we are blessed back in Singapore, and I have so much to thank God for.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
1st August
Yesterday I spent the majority of my time staying at home and preparing for a sharing that I would be giving at church today. It’s like one of those days back in Singapore when I just stay home, check emails, have lunch, and watch cable! It’s nice to do that once in awhile, but people who know me know that I cannot do that for more then two days! I’m the sort that needs to get out and do stuff, meet people and keep busy.
After slacking for three quarters of the day at home yesterday, I went for a home fellowship. Loong scootered both of us to this shed like house, and inside I was welcomed by over 10 people in this small room. The room had two beds, two armed chair, one small television and a table. You can imagine how cramp it would be after all that furniture, and there where 10 people fellowshipping inside. This home visits are conducted at different family houses each Friday, and only the pastors and a small group of church members stay the same. The purpose was to visit and have home fellowship with different families who attended the church.
I felt really blessed to be at the home fellowship. And God pointed me out especially to the young ones in the house. They are going to be the generation who will rise up to create change in this land. To see hope and bring hope to this country.
So today I’ll be sharing during service, and I’m rather nervous. I feel I’m not cut out for it, I’m not funny or charismatic enough, and maybe I would not be able to make the right emphasis at the right time. But I am rejecting all these feelings in Jesus name right now. I pray that I would simply be His vessel, to connect His heart with their hearts, and that the Holy Spirit would be the one speaking into their hearts and to the spirits.
Yesterday I spent the majority of my time staying at home and preparing for a sharing that I would be giving at church today. It’s like one of those days back in Singapore when I just stay home, check emails, have lunch, and watch cable! It’s nice to do that once in awhile, but people who know me know that I cannot do that for more then two days! I’m the sort that needs to get out and do stuff, meet people and keep busy.
After slacking for three quarters of the day at home yesterday, I went for a home fellowship. Loong scootered both of us to this shed like house, and inside I was welcomed by over 10 people in this small room. The room had two beds, two armed chair, one small television and a table. You can imagine how cramp it would be after all that furniture, and there where 10 people fellowshipping inside. This home visits are conducted at different family houses each Friday, and only the pastors and a small group of church members stay the same. The purpose was to visit and have home fellowship with different families who attended the church.
I felt really blessed to be at the home fellowship. And God pointed me out especially to the young ones in the house. They are going to be the generation who will rise up to create change in this land. To see hope and bring hope to this country.
So today I’ll be sharing during service, and I’m rather nervous. I feel I’m not cut out for it, I’m not funny or charismatic enough, and maybe I would not be able to make the right emphasis at the right time. But I am rejecting all these feelings in Jesus name right now. I pray that I would simply be His vessel, to connect His heart with their hearts, and that the Holy Spirit would be the one speaking into their hearts and to the spirits.
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