This is the last entry before it turns into June. Marking the middle of 2011.
How fast time flies and every day I'm still astounded by God's provision and love.
Today another dear sister just passed us another cheque, and after being in the ministry for 4 years. It is not always about the amount written on the cheque that matters, in fact, its the support & love that the cheque represents.
In a mission field where its spiritually dry and physically exhausting. Many times I contemplate giving up. And its always at this point that i remember the people who have supported me, the people who say "Eugene, we're in this together, though i can't be with you. I'll be watching your back with prayers."
It is this very support and love that pushes me on no matter how tiring the journey may get.
In this season, I'm also learning to take the most essential step of faith - trusting God for the 15,000SGD the ministry needs every month.
I'm learning that somehow as we learn to let go, God rallies more people to come alongside us and open more doors.
So as I head into June. May this entry be a reminder to trust in the Lord that He's always in control.
About Me
- Eugene Wee
- Join us as we embark on this journey of faith. Journey with us by praying alongside & supporting us every step of the way. May this journal and our lives be a testament of God's love in a hurting world.
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Sunday 29 May 2011
Diary : 30 May 2011
One of the most touching songs. I first heard this song during Alvin's Wedding and true love what an appropriate song about God's unconditional love in the context of Alvin & Liling marriage.
But more than that, it brought to memories the times I've failed and how God was faithful.
So here is the song : [LINK]
But more than that, it brought to memories the times I've failed and how God was faithful.
So here is the song : [LINK]
RADION May Newsletter !
It has been an awesome 3 months ! Read more about it here !
RADION May Newsletter !
RADION May Newsletter !
Friday 27 May 2011
Thursday 26 May 2011
26 May 2011 (New STK)
Today was spent speaking to the medical team to bring them up to par on the situation on the ground. There is quite a bit of excitement and I guess its going to be something new.
This is the first time we are hosting medical students, prior to this we only worked with doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. So this is also a new learning area for us!
The struggle i'm facing is of course a financial issue, on one hand I'm obliged to earn decent money for the social enterprise so that we can continue to doing our work. On the other hand, i also understand that some of these students do not come from the richest of backgrounds.
A friend this evening commented. "Wah, with such a low margin, why do it ? Its not worth it especially when there is so much time and effort involved" Its not really a margin even. In fact the cost is so low it cannot even cover all the manpower cost.
But i guess, its not just about the money.
Its also about being able to join hands with a group of people who will in the near future lead & craft our medical scene. And if this trip can help them see what I see, who knows we may have a whole generation of doctors who will be willing to give up creature comforts to join hands with us to serve the poorest !
Talking about the poorest & marginalised people. Our boy Meang is back... Again. This poor boy lost both his parents to HIV and since have been pushed around by his own relatives. The little boy is seen as a liability and no one really wants to care for this child, pushing him from one uncle to another, from one family to another.
I guess after many years of being pushed around, you lose a sense of value in your life. I last heard that this child is getting in quite a big mess in school and the teachers felt that he was no longer manageable.
So, that's where we come in.
Today as I shared with my staff in Thailand. "Our ministry is a simple reflection of how Christ loves the church."
This is the first time we are hosting medical students, prior to this we only worked with doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. So this is also a new learning area for us!
The struggle i'm facing is of course a financial issue, on one hand I'm obliged to earn decent money for the social enterprise so that we can continue to doing our work. On the other hand, i also understand that some of these students do not come from the richest of backgrounds.
A friend this evening commented. "Wah, with such a low margin, why do it ? Its not worth it especially when there is so much time and effort involved" Its not really a margin even. In fact the cost is so low it cannot even cover all the manpower cost.
But i guess, its not just about the money.
Its also about being able to join hands with a group of people who will in the near future lead & craft our medical scene. And if this trip can help them see what I see, who knows we may have a whole generation of doctors who will be willing to give up creature comforts to join hands with us to serve the poorest !
Talking about the poorest & marginalised people. Our boy Meang is back... Again. This poor boy lost both his parents to HIV and since have been pushed around by his own relatives. The little boy is seen as a liability and no one really wants to care for this child, pushing him from one uncle to another, from one family to another.
I guess after many years of being pushed around, you lose a sense of value in your life. I last heard that this child is getting in quite a big mess in school and the teachers felt that he was no longer manageable.
So, that's where we come in.
Today as I shared with my staff in Thailand. "Our ministry is a simple reflection of how Christ loves the church."
Wednesday 25 May 2011
25 May 2011
Today we spent a whole evening at DBS building working out with our bankers on our financial arrangements and how DBS can help us reach more sponsors.
The bankers were awesome and they will be trying to provide us with the best rates for GIRO as well, so more goes to the people in need rather than transaction costs !
Yes. So in the next few months, we'll be opening up GIRO for our supporters. This will ease of all the trouble in sending in your cheques, mission pledges, financial support etc. And best part it will also facilitate a smoother audit process !
We're praying that this platform will be in place soon so we can start our outreach work to get more people to support !
The bankers were awesome and they will be trying to provide us with the best rates for GIRO as well, so more goes to the people in need rather than transaction costs !
Yes. So in the next few months, we'll be opening up GIRO for our supporters. This will ease of all the trouble in sending in your cheques, mission pledges, financial support etc. And best part it will also facilitate a smoother audit process !
We're praying that this platform will be in place soon so we can start our outreach work to get more people to support !
Diary : 24 May 2011 (Backdated)
Was having some difficulty logging on to blogger over the last few days. So I'm going to try to back-blog !
Today, I received word that an elderly lady has passed on. She is one of the many that we have reached out to, and i'm further saddened that she has not yet come into an encounter with Christ before passing on.
You see, in the village i work in. Its filled with husbands hitting wives, many times battering them to their death. But this family that we reached out was different. The husband loved the wife very much. So much so that during her sickness, he walked 2km everyday just to reach us to ask us to come visit.
Many times as we prayed with the elderly man, he would break into tears. Knowing that time was short but there was nothing he could do to help his wife's condition. The family had no money for dialysis treatment and all they could do was to wait.
I guess he must have been devastated and I wish I was back in Khek Noi for the funeral.
Today, I received word that an elderly lady has passed on. She is one of the many that we have reached out to, and i'm further saddened that she has not yet come into an encounter with Christ before passing on.
You see, in the village i work in. Its filled with husbands hitting wives, many times battering them to their death. But this family that we reached out was different. The husband loved the wife very much. So much so that during her sickness, he walked 2km everyday just to reach us to ask us to come visit.
Many times as we prayed with the elderly man, he would break into tears. Knowing that time was short but there was nothing he could do to help his wife's condition. The family had no money for dialysis treatment and all they could do was to wait.
I guess he must have been devastated and I wish I was back in Khek Noi for the funeral.
Monday 23 May 2011
Diary : 23 May 2011
Finally managed to catch some sleep last night. Having not slept for 36 hours was not something anyone would look forward to.
Anyway, today in my meetings with 2 pastors who are mentoring and advising me. I'm reminded of the following important truths.
1 ) Its not how much I accomplish for God that matters, rather its how I live out my life in obedience to Him.
2 ) I'm also reminded that having days of rest is important. (For those who know me!). I've a tendancy to get absorbed in my work ! Pastor Steven's famous words "Observing the sabbath is not an option. Its a commandment !"
I'm grateful for people who can speak such wisdom and truth into my life.
Anyway my flight back to Chiang Mai will be on the 9th. There are more things to prepare for the medical team coming up on the 14th. But more than that, I think I also want to prepare my team spiritually before the team arrives.
Anyway, today in my meetings with 2 pastors who are mentoring and advising me. I'm reminded of the following important truths.
1 ) Its not how much I accomplish for God that matters, rather its how I live out my life in obedience to Him.
2 ) I'm also reminded that having days of rest is important. (For those who know me!). I've a tendancy to get absorbed in my work ! Pastor Steven's famous words "Observing the sabbath is not an option. Its a commandment !"
I'm grateful for people who can speak such wisdom and truth into my life.
Anyway my flight back to Chiang Mai will be on the 9th. There are more things to prepare for the medical team coming up on the 14th. But more than that, I think I also want to prepare my team spiritually before the team arrives.
Sunday 22 May 2011
Diary : 22 May 2011
Was unable to sleep for the whole of last night for unknown reasons. It was just insomnia coming back.
Today managed to meet up with an old classmate of mine and he has been helping RADION on the sidelines since 2 years ago. Though we have different religious believes, I being a Christian while he is a Muslim. Its heartwarming to see how people will put aside religious differences to rally alongside us to help the less fortunate.
The meeting was fruitful but I had to run off for Alvin's wedding preparation today. For those who do not know, Alvin is my other director for RADION Singapore. And next week he will be officially married !
I've also taken the time while commuting to finish a book entitled "The coming influences of China by Carl Lawrence. I teared a couple of times as I read of such faith amongst the believers of old and I grieved at the lack of Christians willing to leave the comfort zone to do that which the Lord commanded.
Read the book if you have the opportunity :) An awesome book for those who are planning to head into missions !
Today managed to meet up with an old classmate of mine and he has been helping RADION on the sidelines since 2 years ago. Though we have different religious believes, I being a Christian while he is a Muslim. Its heartwarming to see how people will put aside religious differences to rally alongside us to help the less fortunate.
The meeting was fruitful but I had to run off for Alvin's wedding preparation today. For those who do not know, Alvin is my other director for RADION Singapore. And next week he will be officially married !
I've also taken the time while commuting to finish a book entitled "The coming influences of China by Carl Lawrence. I teared a couple of times as I read of such faith amongst the believers of old and I grieved at the lack of Christians willing to leave the comfort zone to do that which the Lord commanded.
Read the book if you have the opportunity :) An awesome book for those who are planning to head into missions !
Saturday 21 May 2011
My Shattered Past - Part 1
I'm the second child in the family. Both my parents weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I remembered as a young child, my dad will be driving a company van while my sister and I will be in the front seat with mom.
Every time we saw a police, we would quickly duck below the dashboard as can't be in the van without safety belts. But that was all the transport we had at the time.
My parents worked hard and fought against all odds to feed the family and soon their hard work paid off. They finally attained a middle-upper class status.
At a young age, I enjoyed the benefits of my parents hard work; traveling around the world, traveling around in big cars and enjoying all the comforts in life.
My parents understood the importance of a good education and I did fairly well in in my studies. But I deep inside I was not a happy child, many nights I would contemplate ending my life and nothing helped. Holidays, friends, academic excellence. Nothing helped.
Sure I had friends. Sure I smiled a lot in school. But deep inside, I hated life and never understood why I even existed, every day was a torture.
Until I found God when I was 15. My whole life was transformed, inside out. That was the most precious thing I had.
I served the Lord for many years and my only goal was to be a pastor when i reached the age of 25. I even planned out exactly which bible college I wanted to go to and how it will all turn out.
My life was planned out. So i thought....
Every time we saw a police, we would quickly duck below the dashboard as can't be in the van without safety belts. But that was all the transport we had at the time.
My parents worked hard and fought against all odds to feed the family and soon their hard work paid off. They finally attained a middle-upper class status.
At a young age, I enjoyed the benefits of my parents hard work; traveling around the world, traveling around in big cars and enjoying all the comforts in life.
My parents understood the importance of a good education and I did fairly well in in my studies. But I deep inside I was not a happy child, many nights I would contemplate ending my life and nothing helped. Holidays, friends, academic excellence. Nothing helped.
Sure I had friends. Sure I smiled a lot in school. But deep inside, I hated life and never understood why I even existed, every day was a torture.
Until I found God when I was 15. My whole life was transformed, inside out. That was the most precious thing I had.
I served the Lord for many years and my only goal was to be a pastor when i reached the age of 25. I even planned out exactly which bible college I wanted to go to and how it will all turn out.
My life was planned out. So i thought....
Diary : 21 May 2011
Last month, my accountant and deputy head in Thailand came up to me looking slightly worried. She looked at me and said "Boss, based on our current finances, we will have to close RADION down in 6 months"
I looked up and smiled and said "6 months is AWESOME !"
I explained that 3 years ago, we had so little in our accounts that literally every week, we'll have to consider the option of closing RADION down in the event that funding does not come in.
Her background in accounting conflicted with every single thing i said. But she just looked at me nodded in support, heaved, smiled and gave me the "You are incredibly mad" look.
You know, looking ahead, RADION really needs a staff in Singapore to not only raise support but also communicate with sponsors and the good news is that we have found a perfect lady to do the job!
She has already been an awesome help to RADION for the last few months, working without pay and we are planning to bring her into full time starting Jul/Aug.
Yesterday, as we sat on the dinner table. She looked at me with a little bit of sadness in her eyes and said..."Eugene, [RADION]... funds are not much, are you sure you want to bring me into full time ?"
She was worried that by her coming into RADION, funds will run dry and we will have to close RADION down earlier than planned.
I've gone through the days where our office desk was a cold cement floor. And God has carried us though, so in that I place my trust and continue to do what that God places on my hearts; to reach the broken for Christ.
Do I struggle ? Of course! RADION has 11 staff in Thailand, 20 street kids going through rehabilitation and 100 families in Thailand that need us to be there for them.
Do I get worried? Of course I do, but you see, I believe in a God who loves these people more than I do. A God that has never failed and a God that always knows whats best.
And in that God I put my trust to provide for the ministry's every financial need.
So.. at the yesterday's dinner table ...I just smiled.
I looked up and smiled and said "6 months is AWESOME !"
I explained that 3 years ago, we had so little in our accounts that literally every week, we'll have to consider the option of closing RADION down in the event that funding does not come in.
Her background in accounting conflicted with every single thing i said. But she just looked at me nodded in support, heaved, smiled and gave me the "You are incredibly mad" look.
You know, looking ahead, RADION really needs a staff in Singapore to not only raise support but also communicate with sponsors and the good news is that we have found a perfect lady to do the job!
She has already been an awesome help to RADION for the last few months, working without pay and we are planning to bring her into full time starting Jul/Aug.
Yesterday, as we sat on the dinner table. She looked at me with a little bit of sadness in her eyes and said..."Eugene, [RADION]... funds are not much, are you sure you want to bring me into full time ?"
She was worried that by her coming into RADION, funds will run dry and we will have to close RADION down earlier than planned.
I've gone through the days where our office desk was a cold cement floor. And God has carried us though, so in that I place my trust and continue to do what that God places on my hearts; to reach the broken for Christ.
Do I struggle ? Of course! RADION has 11 staff in Thailand, 20 street kids going through rehabilitation and 100 families in Thailand that need us to be there for them.
Do I get worried? Of course I do, but you see, I believe in a God who loves these people more than I do. A God that has never failed and a God that always knows whats best.
And in that God I put my trust to provide for the ministry's every financial need.
So.. at the yesterday's dinner table ...I just smiled.
Friday 20 May 2011
Diary : 20 May 2011
Today started with a slightly lower note. Though i've expected the 2 runaway boys to leave, but part of me still clings on to the hope that they will come to the senses and return back to complete their studies.
I've spoken to Puu to give the 2 kids another 3 days to reconsider before having to pull the plug. And the reason is that after this week, we will no longer be able to explain the child's absence to the school.
Today was the same, with meetings and such. Met an old navy colleague who has just left the service, but the beautiful part, he too came to the saving knowledge of Christ. That was probably the highlight of the day :)
Dinner was fun today, especially in the company of old friends. :)
Tomorrow is going to be another long day. So thats all for now :)
I've spoken to Puu to give the 2 kids another 3 days to reconsider before having to pull the plug. And the reason is that after this week, we will no longer be able to explain the child's absence to the school.
Today was the same, with meetings and such. Met an old navy colleague who has just left the service, but the beautiful part, he too came to the saving knowledge of Christ. That was probably the highlight of the day :)
Dinner was fun today, especially in the company of old friends. :)
Tomorrow is going to be another long day. So thats all for now :)
Thursday 19 May 2011
Diary : 19 May 2011 (Good Start To School !)
People may say that after 4 years of dealing with street kids, I would be more resilient and it should not affect me that much.
But these kids are like family to me, our ministry runs like a family unit rather than an organisation. When one kid run away, it affects the rest.
Though I'm a long way from Chiang Mai running from meetings to meetings. My heart was with my staff who were looking high and low for these 2 kids, I knew my staff were trying their best, because the staff loved these kids as much as I do.
The good news came in around 11pm last night, just when I got home from meetings. Puu (My deputy head) tells me that the 2 boys were found 450km away from Chiang Mai in Phitsanulok province. Our staff was at the train station to pick them up before calling their guardians and parents.
Deep inside I'm terribly disappointed with the 2 kids and its the first day of school. Skipping school will mean that they have forfeited their chances of an education and will have to wait for one more year. But i was also relieved that Kig and Kua were safe back in Khek Noi.
We have left both of the kids to discuss with their parents if they wish to continue their rehab or they which to opt out. As much as I want to force a child to change, he has to desire to change, keeping him but not his heart will be meaningless and furthermore deprive someone of a chance to be on the programme.
Anyway, thats the end of the bad part. Here is some good news from Thailand.
The night before the children started school in Chiang Mai, they were very concerned that they will be looked down upon by the Thai students. So they prayed that they will not be looked down upon and if possible, find good friends.
The 8 kids came back from school laughing and in high spirits. When the staff asked what happened. They told us that "GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS!" everyone spoke of how great the school was, with teachers who cared and they were not looked down upon. In fact most of them even found new friends !
Tim was the cutest. He told us that his classmate asked him "How many pens do you have ?" He replied "Just one" so the little girl told him "If you loose your pen, i will lend you mine, and if you need to erase anything, you can borrow my liquid paper too"
Most of them feared school so much, but I'm glad the first day went well for them :)
But these kids are like family to me, our ministry runs like a family unit rather than an organisation. When one kid run away, it affects the rest.
Though I'm a long way from Chiang Mai running from meetings to meetings. My heart was with my staff who were looking high and low for these 2 kids, I knew my staff were trying their best, because the staff loved these kids as much as I do.
The good news came in around 11pm last night, just when I got home from meetings. Puu (My deputy head) tells me that the 2 boys were found 450km away from Chiang Mai in Phitsanulok province. Our staff was at the train station to pick them up before calling their guardians and parents.
Deep inside I'm terribly disappointed with the 2 kids and its the first day of school. Skipping school will mean that they have forfeited their chances of an education and will have to wait for one more year. But i was also relieved that Kig and Kua were safe back in Khek Noi.
We have left both of the kids to discuss with their parents if they wish to continue their rehab or they which to opt out. As much as I want to force a child to change, he has to desire to change, keeping him but not his heart will be meaningless and furthermore deprive someone of a chance to be on the programme.
Anyway, thats the end of the bad part. Here is some good news from Thailand.
The night before the children started school in Chiang Mai, they were very concerned that they will be looked down upon by the Thai students. So they prayed that they will not be looked down upon and if possible, find good friends.
The 8 kids came back from school laughing and in high spirits. When the staff asked what happened. They told us that "GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS!" everyone spoke of how great the school was, with teachers who cared and they were not looked down upon. In fact most of them even found new friends !
Tim was the cutest. He told us that his classmate asked him "How many pens do you have ?" He replied "Just one" so the little girl told him "If you loose your pen, i will lend you mine, and if you need to erase anything, you can borrow my liquid paper too"
Most of them feared school so much, but I'm glad the first day went well for them :)
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Diary : 18 May 2011
Today started on a low note.
The children at the chiang mai centre woke up at 5am only to realise that 2 kids (Kua & Kig) had packed all their belongings and left the streetkids shelter while everyone was asleep. And they were nowhere to be seen.
Their guardians have been informed and a police report will be made in the next few hours.
I'm terribly disappointed. Kig is one of the more promising kids on the programme although he comes from a background of substance abuse and gangs. But he wanted that chance in his life to break away from stigma.
Since Kig arrived in Chiang Mai, he already ran away twice. Kig has a tendency to run away when he faces problems in schools or in relationships with his peers.
Today is the first day of school and was supposed to be a fresh start for all the 11 kids. And the 2 boys probably ran away because they were just too fearful of competing with Thai students, and having to face the stigma of being a hilltribe kid.
The staff took months just to negotiate with the school to accept these kids and give them that credible chance. And now months of effort is about to go down the drain.
Such a heartache and while sometimes I want to knock some sense into these kids, but if you see it from their eyes, they are scared. And after all the years of being looked down upon, they have a reason to be fearful.
But i guess this is the nature of working with street children with shattered backgrounds. Pray alongside us that the kids will understand that if they do not fight for their future, they will never be able to fight off that stigma on their lives.
The children at the chiang mai centre woke up at 5am only to realise that 2 kids (Kua & Kig) had packed all their belongings and left the streetkids shelter while everyone was asleep. And they were nowhere to be seen.
Their guardians have been informed and a police report will be made in the next few hours.
I'm terribly disappointed. Kig is one of the more promising kids on the programme although he comes from a background of substance abuse and gangs. But he wanted that chance in his life to break away from stigma.
Since Kig arrived in Chiang Mai, he already ran away twice. Kig has a tendency to run away when he faces problems in schools or in relationships with his peers.
Today is the first day of school and was supposed to be a fresh start for all the 11 kids. And the 2 boys probably ran away because they were just too fearful of competing with Thai students, and having to face the stigma of being a hilltribe kid.
The staff took months just to negotiate with the school to accept these kids and give them that credible chance. And now months of effort is about to go down the drain.
Such a heartache and while sometimes I want to knock some sense into these kids, but if you see it from their eyes, they are scared. And after all the years of being looked down upon, they have a reason to be fearful.
But i guess this is the nature of working with street children with shattered backgrounds. Pray alongside us that the kids will understand that if they do not fight for their future, they will never be able to fight off that stigma on their lives.
A New Chapter
I have been encouraged by many people to write a book, they tell me that the experiences and stories will be a "lasting legacy to many".
But my friends, i'm afraid I'm not much of a writer and my goal in life is not to be the most famous man in the grave. So I'll probably give book writing a pass till the Lord calls me to it.
What I will do, however, is to attempt to write a small diary on this blog whenever I can. This will not only feature success stories, but also struggles and my human failures.
...... so may a new chapter begin.
But my friends, i'm afraid I'm not much of a writer and my goal in life is not to be the most famous man in the grave. So I'll probably give book writing a pass till the Lord calls me to it.
What I will do, however, is to attempt to write a small diary on this blog whenever I can. This will not only feature success stories, but also struggles and my human failures.
...... so may a new chapter begin.
Monday 9 May 2011
Monday 2 May 2011
Everything Is Worth It
Every single day on the mission field is difficult physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The harsh terrain and unforgiving weather up in the mountains can prove to be fatal if one is not hardy enough. The temperatures can change from 42 to 2 in a matter of hours and having a bath in icy cold waters is really not that fun. The things that are placed on the dinner will challenge even the adventurous ! A weaker stomach, and you'll find yourself with a nice case of food poisoning and surely medical help is available- just 30km away !
Now this 3 years have been most uncomfortable to say the least. I've chosen a path less journeyed by most - a journey into the fringes of society to reach the ones who need it the most. A place where no one really wanted to go.
That's probably the reason why RADION is still the only NGO in this village of 14,000.
I did not decide to serve because of convenience nor popularity, i decided to serve because there were real needs. People were starving, womenfolk battered to death, children left to the streets and exploited by drug gangs.
So i told the Lord, "If no one is willing to get their hands dirty, send me."
The ministry to street children is not always popular amongst the locals, in our infancy stage, many quizzed our rationale for helping the ones that the village has given up, the ones that are perceived to be hopeless and the trash of society.
And it surely didn't make things easier when we started sheltering village women who had been beaten up by their spouses. In the eyes of many, these women deserved the battering they received.
We took the womenfolk in, gave them jobs to care for our street children. They were the only ones who were willing to do the job actually.
They were the only ones who understood what it felt like to be hurting and an outcast of society.
We were jeered upon and were subject of household gossips.
The Christian community provided little financial support as some commented that we're "not evangelistic" enough. But our main aim was not about forcing people into conversion, but about pointing them to God and allowing them to make a decision on their own whether to accept Christ or not.
RADION is not about talking, but showing people that God loves them, not through words, but our lives & actions.
People will say that hurting people are most receptive to the gospel and thus its easier to get converts.
I beg to disagree.
While hurting people are in need of emotional support, more often than not, their hurts are so painful that it contradicts the idea of a good God.
How do you ever tell hurting people that God has a good plan for you ? How do you tell that to a woman that has just been battered by her husband ? or how do you tell that to a kid that has been sold by her own parents ? Or a girl whose family has been shattered by violence ?
Last Sunday I was overwhelmed with tears as I saw a girl on the streetkids program worshiping. No one taught her to raise her hands in worship, but she did. As she sang, tears flowed down her cheeks. Towards the end of the service, the communion was being served, the kids were unsure if they should partake of the communion.
So i told them "if you're not ready, honor God and give the communion a pass. If you've really decided to follow Christ. Join me"
The cup & bread swiftly passed through the isle and it stopped in front of the young lady. She'd finally made her stand. As she picked up the bread and cup, her eyes filled with tears as she recounted of God's goodness.
What she did not know is that as I sat behind, I was tearing with joy. Finally a child has calculated the costs and decided to follow Christ on her own accord.
After the service, she was still clinging on to the cup, holding it all so tightly and her face was still stained with tears.
That moment was beautiful and it was something that i've waited for.... 3 years of toil and that moment made everything worth it, the physical pain, the emotional strain, the spiritual ups and downs.
The harsh terrain and unforgiving weather up in the mountains can prove to be fatal if one is not hardy enough. The temperatures can change from 42 to 2 in a matter of hours and having a bath in icy cold waters is really not that fun. The things that are placed on the dinner will challenge even the adventurous ! A weaker stomach, and you'll find yourself with a nice case of food poisoning and surely medical help is available- just 30km away !
Now this 3 years have been most uncomfortable to say the least. I've chosen a path less journeyed by most - a journey into the fringes of society to reach the ones who need it the most. A place where no one really wanted to go.
That's probably the reason why RADION is still the only NGO in this village of 14,000.
I did not decide to serve because of convenience nor popularity, i decided to serve because there were real needs. People were starving, womenfolk battered to death, children left to the streets and exploited by drug gangs.
So i told the Lord, "If no one is willing to get their hands dirty, send me."
The ministry to street children is not always popular amongst the locals, in our infancy stage, many quizzed our rationale for helping the ones that the village has given up, the ones that are perceived to be hopeless and the trash of society.
And it surely didn't make things easier when we started sheltering village women who had been beaten up by their spouses. In the eyes of many, these women deserved the battering they received.
We took the womenfolk in, gave them jobs to care for our street children. They were the only ones who were willing to do the job actually.
They were the only ones who understood what it felt like to be hurting and an outcast of society.
We were jeered upon and were subject of household gossips.
The Christian community provided little financial support as some commented that we're "not evangelistic" enough. But our main aim was not about forcing people into conversion, but about pointing them to God and allowing them to make a decision on their own whether to accept Christ or not.
RADION is not about talking, but showing people that God loves them, not through words, but our lives & actions.
People will say that hurting people are most receptive to the gospel and thus its easier to get converts.
I beg to disagree.
While hurting people are in need of emotional support, more often than not, their hurts are so painful that it contradicts the idea of a good God.
How do you ever tell hurting people that God has a good plan for you ? How do you tell that to a woman that has just been battered by her husband ? or how do you tell that to a kid that has been sold by her own parents ? Or a girl whose family has been shattered by violence ?
Last Sunday I was overwhelmed with tears as I saw a girl on the streetkids program worshiping. No one taught her to raise her hands in worship, but she did. As she sang, tears flowed down her cheeks. Towards the end of the service, the communion was being served, the kids were unsure if they should partake of the communion.
So i told them "if you're not ready, honor God and give the communion a pass. If you've really decided to follow Christ. Join me"
The cup & bread swiftly passed through the isle and it stopped in front of the young lady. She'd finally made her stand. As she picked up the bread and cup, her eyes filled with tears as she recounted of God's goodness.
What she did not know is that as I sat behind, I was tearing with joy. Finally a child has calculated the costs and decided to follow Christ on her own accord.
After the service, she was still clinging on to the cup, holding it all so tightly and her face was still stained with tears.
That moment was beautiful and it was something that i've waited for.... 3 years of toil and that moment made everything worth it, the physical pain, the emotional strain, the spiritual ups and downs.
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