It has been quite a week as things start to warm up towards project lives! in October.
There seems to be a thousand and one things running through my mind...how we can do things better, how we can raise more funds, how can we strengthen our businesses, how can we position ourselves strategically, what else should we do so we can keep our ministries afloat.
I worry. I have 11 staff working for me in Thailand, 40 other part time/contract staff, 20 odd children, domestic violence victims, 100s of families we need to sustain and help, 8 villages around our area that need assistance and so many broken lives just needing a touch.
I somehow lack faith; faith to believe that God will supply all of my needs.
Its strange i say that especially if you have followed us on this journey of faith and seen how God miraculously sustained us. But yet still, my human side compels and drives me to work harder, on the belief that the harder I work, the more adequate will be the financial provision.
But as i reflect, it should never be about me. What good would it do to my organisation if I so continue on this track, pursuing financial stability with my own strength. Where then would God be ? So what if we become the world's biggest NGO if we no longer have the anointing of God to change lives. How would we be different from the other big NGOs and wouldn't our work be just be rendered meaningless if lives are not changed ?
I guess its a season for me to spend more time with God again.
May RADION never be about me, but all about God.
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.
Friday 29 July 2011
Monday 25 July 2011
Diary : 25 July 2011 (A New Move Of God ?)
We've been busy hosting guests and old friends over the last 2 weeks. And last friday when the last of the guest departed, i felt a little disoriented. The normal schedules of bringing friends around and having lunch with familiar company suddenly stopped, throwing me back into the reality of the mission field.
From an operational standpoint, volunteers, guest and visitors can be a disruption to work, but sometimes these "disruptions" can turn out to be a blessing. Forcing us to take a break and re-prioritising our lives.
So here I am, the first monday, back to routine of work, recharged over the last couple of weeks and even more encouraged by what I'm hearing from Singapore.
Allow me to share.
Many years ago, Singapore was prophesied to be the antioch of asia. There was much hype, people got really excited, but time soon wore them out and few even remembered and held on to that promise. Though I know that Singapore will have a revival, i didn't expect it to tarry for this long. The long drawn wait surely worn the excitement off me as well.
But as I was talking to Alvin over webcam, I was encouraged to know that God was stiring people in his ministry. There was a new move of God ! And just when I thought it was an isolated case, another close brother texted me to tell me that he can no longer push off the call of God.
Somehow God is moving in our community once again and I'm excited to see how things unfold over the next few months ! May this be the start of the revival that we've been all waiting for !
From an operational standpoint, volunteers, guest and visitors can be a disruption to work, but sometimes these "disruptions" can turn out to be a blessing. Forcing us to take a break and re-prioritising our lives.
So here I am, the first monday, back to routine of work, recharged over the last couple of weeks and even more encouraged by what I'm hearing from Singapore.
Allow me to share.
Many years ago, Singapore was prophesied to be the antioch of asia. There was much hype, people got really excited, but time soon wore them out and few even remembered and held on to that promise. Though I know that Singapore will have a revival, i didn't expect it to tarry for this long. The long drawn wait surely worn the excitement off me as well.
But as I was talking to Alvin over webcam, I was encouraged to know that God was stiring people in his ministry. There was a new move of God ! And just when I thought it was an isolated case, another close brother texted me to tell me that he can no longer push off the call of God.
Somehow God is moving in our community once again and I'm excited to see how things unfold over the next few months ! May this be the start of the revival that we've been all waiting for !
Wednesday 20 July 2011
I don't want to be anywhere else...
Last evening, we did the worship differently. We got the kids to think of a bible verse they remembered best and why it meant so much to them. After much sharing, the kids started to recount and open up about their past.
The staff were so moved as some kids were saying things like :
A boy who was an ex addict said, I don't even know where I'll be today and probably still roaming the streets if not for RADION.
Jai, one of the oldest girls who is from a neglected family told us that since stepped into RADION and found a place where people loved her for who she is. In her words "I don't want to be anywhere else, this is my home"
Just hearing these stories of little lives being transformed and changed tells us its all worth it... despite the pain, the struggles and heartbreak working with broken children.
Right now we're seeing a greater influx of children being brought to us, more complex and challenging cases such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse and so on. Do keep us in prayer and if you would like to be part of this outreach to children and know how you can support us, please drop us an email at
general@radion-international.org
The staff were so moved as some kids were saying things like :
A boy who was an ex addict said, I don't even know where I'll be today and probably still roaming the streets if not for RADION.
Jai, one of the oldest girls who is from a neglected family told us that since stepped into RADION and found a place where people loved her for who she is. In her words "I don't want to be anywhere else, this is my home"
Just hearing these stories of little lives being transformed and changed tells us its all worth it... despite the pain, the struggles and heartbreak working with broken children.
Right now we're seeing a greater influx of children being brought to us, more complex and challenging cases such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse and so on. Do keep us in prayer and if you would like to be part of this outreach to children and know how you can support us, please drop us an email at
general@radion-international.org
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Diary : A Meeting That Did Not Go As Planned
What an AWESOME day !
We're at the children's home doing a regular sharing and God interrupted!
Halfway through the sharing, i was prompted to talk about worship and loving God. I did not get too far due to my limited vocabulary in Thai and struggled much to explain to the kids about "giving your all" during worship, not just the voice, but much more than that. But in the Thai vocabulary, I could only explain it as "pouring out of ourselves to God"
It did not go as expected, and it sure does not look like a good start. But we went into worship trusting God to be in control. Now things just got worse, the choice of songs by the worship leader was off, the tone was way too slow. Everything was seemingly wrong.
But just in less then 10 mins into worship, the children started to break into tears almost simultaneously. It was definitely not the message and neither was it the choice of songs. But somehow something moved in the spiritual realm.
The children's worship couldn't end !
The girls were weeping and the staff were all teary. The whole floor was stained with tears from heartfelt prayers. As you hear the little ones pray, it was not about coming from a sad background, neither was it about something that did not receive. BUT a hunger to know God, interspersed with repentance from a lifestyle of indifference.
We all knew it was God who interrupted.
And may He continue to interrupt all our future meetings, so that His people can meet with Him.
We're at the children's home doing a regular sharing and God interrupted!
Halfway through the sharing, i was prompted to talk about worship and loving God. I did not get too far due to my limited vocabulary in Thai and struggled much to explain to the kids about "giving your all" during worship, not just the voice, but much more than that. But in the Thai vocabulary, I could only explain it as "pouring out of ourselves to God"
It did not go as expected, and it sure does not look like a good start. But we went into worship trusting God to be in control. Now things just got worse, the choice of songs by the worship leader was off, the tone was way too slow. Everything was seemingly wrong.
But just in less then 10 mins into worship, the children started to break into tears almost simultaneously. It was definitely not the message and neither was it the choice of songs. But somehow something moved in the spiritual realm.
The children's worship couldn't end !
The girls were weeping and the staff were all teary. The whole floor was stained with tears from heartfelt prayers. As you hear the little ones pray, it was not about coming from a sad background, neither was it about something that did not receive. BUT a hunger to know God, interspersed with repentance from a lifestyle of indifference.
We all knew it was God who interrupted.
And may He continue to interrupt all our future meetings, so that His people can meet with Him.
Sunday 10 July 2011
Diary : 10 July 2011
We have just arrived 2 days ago in Chiang Mai and looks like the next few weeks is going to be busy with guests coming from Singapore to visit and a supporter going up to Phetchabun in August.
The work is getting more and more exciting as we grow; attending to more complex child rescue cases, more challenging decisions and an enormous amount of emotional stress.
RADION is alive today not because it has good management. But the very grace of God that sustains us. Most will never hear of the pain & struggles, the number of times i contemplated throwing in the towel and giving up. Even lesser people will see the tears that drip on the floor and the daily mountains of apparently insurmountable challenges.
Its only through trials that you understand how weak you really are and how God is everything you need. I guess that is why men of old prayed for wisdom.
For me, its simply the wisdom to see God in the picture and not lose sight.
The work is getting more and more exciting as we grow; attending to more complex child rescue cases, more challenging decisions and an enormous amount of emotional stress.
RADION is alive today not because it has good management. But the very grace of God that sustains us. Most will never hear of the pain & struggles, the number of times i contemplated throwing in the towel and giving up. Even lesser people will see the tears that drip on the floor and the daily mountains of apparently insurmountable challenges.
Its only through trials that you understand how weak you really are and how God is everything you need. I guess that is why men of old prayed for wisdom.
For me, its simply the wisdom to see God in the picture and not lose sight.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Diary : 7 July 2011 (Child Rescue)
3 months ago, a shy and quiet girl was brought to our field office with a distraught mother seeking assistance. She claims that the step-father has his eyes on the daughter and she was afraid that her daughter will be raped.
We interviewed the child in depth, but nothing came up. Nothing in her statements helped to confirm the risk that the child was facing. So, we without any solid evidence, we could only assist thus far. Only advising her to seek help if problems occur.
Recently, another villager reported that this very same child was again at risk of being raped. We quickly took this piece of information seriously and got the village head to arrange for an urgent meeting.
Today, the mother brought her child to the office. This time, the little girl was not only quiet, but visibly scared; her hands were cold and trembling. It was only after a long while before she started to open up; telling us that her step father will go to her room once in a while to peep at her sleep.
When we probed further, she told us that "once in a while" meant that he came into the room around 10 nights in a month when her mother was not around ! That's a staggering once every 3 days !
She told us of how the father occasionally slip his hands on her thighs while she froze in fear and pretended to sleep. And many days she would be so scared of sleeping alone that she will run to the neighbour's house to sleep.
That was when we decided that the situation calls for us to extract this child into safety.
She suddenly looked up at us and spoke up for the first time without being asked....
She said in her soft voice.. "He told me that he would give me money if I allowed him to fondle my breast, but i didn't"
That was the final straw. Our team quickly arranged all the paperwork and extracted this poor child from her home that very same evening.
After whisking the child into the safety of our vehicle, my staff looked at the child and asked her "are you happier now that you're safe?" She replied in her soft, shy voice...."very... very happy"
What a day !
We interviewed the child in depth, but nothing came up. Nothing in her statements helped to confirm the risk that the child was facing. So, we without any solid evidence, we could only assist thus far. Only advising her to seek help if problems occur.
Recently, another villager reported that this very same child was again at risk of being raped. We quickly took this piece of information seriously and got the village head to arrange for an urgent meeting.
Today, the mother brought her child to the office. This time, the little girl was not only quiet, but visibly scared; her hands were cold and trembling. It was only after a long while before she started to open up; telling us that her step father will go to her room once in a while to peep at her sleep.
When we probed further, she told us that "once in a while" meant that he came into the room around 10 nights in a month when her mother was not around ! That's a staggering once every 3 days !
She told us of how the father occasionally slip his hands on her thighs while she froze in fear and pretended to sleep. And many days she would be so scared of sleeping alone that she will run to the neighbour's house to sleep.
That was when we decided that the situation calls for us to extract this child into safety.
She suddenly looked up at us and spoke up for the first time without being asked....
She said in her soft voice.. "He told me that he would give me money if I allowed him to fondle my breast, but i didn't"
That was the final straw. Our team quickly arranged all the paperwork and extracted this poor child from her home that very same evening.
After whisking the child into the safety of our vehicle, my staff looked at the child and asked her "are you happier now that you're safe?" She replied in her soft, shy voice...."very... very happy"
What a day !
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Some things on my plate.
Feeling rather overwhelmed with the workload and feeling rather drained out.
Apart from the daily routine of managing staff, handling volunteers, drafting papers, talking to kids and trying to clear the seemingly endless list of things to do.
Some of the things on my plate.
Admin
- Praying for 3rd Director so we're able to upgrade from non-for-profit to "charity" status in Singapore.
Manpower
- Staff recruitment in Chiang Mai
- Staff recruitment in Phetchabun
- Staff recruitment in Singapore
Operations
- Search for a piece of land in Khek Noi to build the new children's home
- Source for suppliers and design of plastic bags, relief bags and bookmark pouches.
- Source for staff T-Shirt donors.
Marketing
-> RADION SINGAPORE 2011 pamplets
-> RADION Thailand plastic bag printing
-> Food Distribution food donations
-> Village Outreach Video Launch
-> PROJECT LIVES! 2011 eDM - For Mass Email
-> RADION CORPORATE OVERVIEW - For queries
-> PROJECT LIVES! 2011 School eDM
-> Instructions for Satellite Collection Points.
-> List of items on high priority.
- Pre-PROJECT LIVES! Backend
-> Photo exhibition printing sponsor
-> Pamplet printing sponsor
-> Gift cards to tag along with sale items
-> Volunteer management for actual event
- Plan for PROJECT LIVES! in October.
-> 9 Oct - STK to arrive in Singapore
(However facing massive paperwork issues due to the children being hilltribe kids)
-> 13 Oct - Student Awareness Dinner
(We have a food sponsor, but have yet to have people sponsor the venue. This is to raise financial support for ministry costs)
-> 15 & 16 Oct - Public Collection
(Still looking for suitable venues and sponsors for exhibition panels)
-> 18 Oct - RADION's first GALA dinner.
(Aim to raise SGD50,000 to help build our first field office in Khek Noi.)
-> 19-21 Oct - Collection of donations in kind from corporate donors.
(Corporate donors have been lobbied, but no confirmation as yet)
-> 22 Oct - Transfer of storage to Salvation Army for loading
(Waiting for Salvation Army's response)
->23 Oct - Final loading before closing container
(Waiting for shipping sponsor)
Apart from the daily routine of managing staff, handling volunteers, drafting papers, talking to kids and trying to clear the seemingly endless list of things to do.
Some of the things on my plate.
Admin
- Praying for 3rd Director so we're able to upgrade from non-for-profit to "charity" status in Singapore.
Manpower
- Staff recruitment in Chiang Mai
- Staff recruitment in Phetchabun
- Staff recruitment in Singapore
Operations
- Search for a piece of land in Khek Noi to build the new children's home
- Source for suppliers and design of plastic bags, relief bags and bookmark pouches.
- Source for staff T-Shirt donors.
Marketing
-> RADION SINGAPORE 2011 pamplets
-> RADION Thailand plastic bag printing
-> Food Distribution food donations
-> Village Outreach Video Launch
-> PROJECT LIVES! 2011 eDM - For Mass Email
-> RADION CORPORATE OVERVIEW - For queries
-> PROJECT LIVES! 2011 School eDM
-> Instructions for Satellite Collection Points.
-> List of items on high priority.
- Pre-PROJECT LIVES! Backend
-> Photo exhibition printing sponsor
-> Pamplet printing sponsor
-> Gift cards to tag along with sale items
-> Volunteer management for actual event
- Plan for PROJECT LIVES! in October.
-> 9 Oct - STK to arrive in Singapore
(However facing massive paperwork issues due to the children being hilltribe kids)
-> 13 Oct - Student Awareness Dinner
(We have a food sponsor, but have yet to have people sponsor the venue. This is to raise financial support for ministry costs)
-> 15 & 16 Oct - Public Collection
(Still looking for suitable venues and sponsors for exhibition panels)
-> 18 Oct - RADION's first GALA dinner.
(Aim to raise SGD50,000 to help build our first field office in Khek Noi.)
-> 19-21 Oct - Collection of donations in kind from corporate donors.
(Corporate donors have been lobbied, but no confirmation as yet)
-> 22 Oct - Transfer of storage to Salvation Army for loading
(Waiting for Salvation Army's response)
->23 Oct - Final loading before closing container
(Waiting for shipping sponsor)
Monday 4 July 2011
Diary : 4 July 2011
Didn't really know how to react.
After we've received news of Kuak's disappearance, I felt terribly let down.
You see, Kuak is not amongst the brightest of children. In fact, he's so poor academically that he can't even read a single thai alphabet. The teachers in the public school gave up hope after some time and decided to just push him up the levels; they thought that if they can't help him, maybe a primary 6 certificate will at least get him though some doors.
He promised so many times to put in effort in his studies, but simply looses interest. It reached a point whereby i have to make a very difficult decision for a young 13 year old boy. To send him back home or to send him back to primary 1 so he can try again.
Sending him back, his life will just end right there. Sending him back to school, it will just do him no good because he can't even read.
So we decided to do something incredibly crazy. We've decided to home school him, till he is able to read and write and send him for vocational training.
You see, home schooling and vocational training is a significant investment into this kid's life. But i felt that since he wanted a shot in life, lets give him the best chance.
But after less then 3 months, he ran away from the home. Put yourself in my shoes. After the runaway case of Kig & Kua. The kids are just trying to follow their footsteps, give up on their future and have their way with their lives.
For me, I've to make every effort to keep them on track and focused about not giving up. My staff struggles every day to help these problem kids, but little is appreciated.
After Kuak ran away, all that went through my mind was how to stop running away from becoming a trend. I thought to myself, once he comes back maybe I'll give him corporal punishments, or maybe i should expel Kuak as a clear sign or maybe i should just send him to a boy's home. I thought of everything to keep things in order at the STREETKIDS home and preserve my staff morale.
But when the call came in this morning about kuak coming back. None of these went through my mind, instead i felt a sense of relieve that he is safe. One part i feel like expelling him, but again, he's a streetkid; he already had nowhere else to go, thats why he is here in the first place. The other part, i feel like giving that boy a another chance, and possibly cause more staff attrition.
But after much consideration, i reminded that the very reason why RADION exist is to let people understand the love of Christ- the stubborn love of Christ for His people. And despite how much we do in our daily lives that hurt God, He still loves us the same.
I guess now i'm starting to understand the long-suffering love, the heart wrenching love of God.
After we've received news of Kuak's disappearance, I felt terribly let down.
You see, Kuak is not amongst the brightest of children. In fact, he's so poor academically that he can't even read a single thai alphabet. The teachers in the public school gave up hope after some time and decided to just push him up the levels; they thought that if they can't help him, maybe a primary 6 certificate will at least get him though some doors.
He promised so many times to put in effort in his studies, but simply looses interest. It reached a point whereby i have to make a very difficult decision for a young 13 year old boy. To send him back home or to send him back to primary 1 so he can try again.
Sending him back, his life will just end right there. Sending him back to school, it will just do him no good because he can't even read.
So we decided to do something incredibly crazy. We've decided to home school him, till he is able to read and write and send him for vocational training.
You see, home schooling and vocational training is a significant investment into this kid's life. But i felt that since he wanted a shot in life, lets give him the best chance.
But after less then 3 months, he ran away from the home. Put yourself in my shoes. After the runaway case of Kig & Kua. The kids are just trying to follow their footsteps, give up on their future and have their way with their lives.
For me, I've to make every effort to keep them on track and focused about not giving up. My staff struggles every day to help these problem kids, but little is appreciated.
After Kuak ran away, all that went through my mind was how to stop running away from becoming a trend. I thought to myself, once he comes back maybe I'll give him corporal punishments, or maybe i should expel Kuak as a clear sign or maybe i should just send him to a boy's home. I thought of everything to keep things in order at the STREETKIDS home and preserve my staff morale.
But when the call came in this morning about kuak coming back. None of these went through my mind, instead i felt a sense of relieve that he is safe. One part i feel like expelling him, but again, he's a streetkid; he already had nowhere else to go, thats why he is here in the first place. The other part, i feel like giving that boy a another chance, and possibly cause more staff attrition.
But after much consideration, i reminded that the very reason why RADION exist is to let people understand the love of Christ- the stubborn love of Christ for His people. And despite how much we do in our daily lives that hurt God, He still loves us the same.
I guess now i'm starting to understand the long-suffering love, the heart wrenching love of God.
Sunday 3 July 2011
Diary : 3 July 2011
The first part of today was filled with fun, bringing the kids from STK home in Phetchabun for a trip to the waterfalls. The cool-refreshing water was definately a good break away from the mundane work at my desk.
But the good news ends here.
Just 30mins ago, we received a call from the Chiang Mai centre. One kid ran away. Kuak. This morning Kuak was just acting up and refused to participate in any activities, claiming that he was tired. So the staff allowed him to his room to rest. But only to find Kuak climbing up and down the wall for fun.
So the staff called his bluff and got him to help out with some gardening chores. He was not happy and started to spew vulgarities at the other kids. He was duly reprimanded by the staff and soon he just broke down crying.
Without saying a word, he went into his room, packed his belongings and disappeared out of the door.
As of right now, the Chiang Mai staff are still combing the area for that kid. We're concerned that this naive child may fall into the hands of child traffickers.
Child trafficking is on the rise and the kids are usually kidnapped for their organs. Lets just keep this kid in prayers.
But the good news ends here.
Just 30mins ago, we received a call from the Chiang Mai centre. One kid ran away. Kuak. This morning Kuak was just acting up and refused to participate in any activities, claiming that he was tired. So the staff allowed him to his room to rest. But only to find Kuak climbing up and down the wall for fun.
So the staff called his bluff and got him to help out with some gardening chores. He was not happy and started to spew vulgarities at the other kids. He was duly reprimanded by the staff and soon he just broke down crying.
Without saying a word, he went into his room, packed his belongings and disappeared out of the door.
As of right now, the Chiang Mai staff are still combing the area for that kid. We're concerned that this naive child may fall into the hands of child traffickers.
Child trafficking is on the rise and the kids are usually kidnapped for their organs. Lets just keep this kid in prayers.
Saturday 2 July 2011
Diary : 2 July 2011 (Mass Food Distribution)
Apologies for the long lapse, I've been down with a bad cold coupled with the worst cough. Wasn't able to sleep very much for the past 3 nights and have just started to slowly recover.
Much of yesterday was spend resting and recuperating and today i managed to pull myself out of bed to attend to the mass food distribution. I'm surprised by the turn out; combining children and adults we're probably looking at 120pax, the biggest turn out to date.
The sermon i preached was about God's authority over spirits. As some of you may already know, the villagers are terrified by this news that a truckload of evil spirits were coming to the village. Villagers quickly went to the witch doctors to quickly get a talisman which is made of bamboo before sticking it on the front door. According to them, this is the way to ward off evil spirits.
So i decided to preach about God's authority and how when we have Christ in our lives, we need not be afraid of the evil spirits.
Though the sermon was one of the shortest i've preached, but this round saw the biggest response for salvation call. More than 20 people came forward to receive Christ in their lives.
What a joy !
Much of yesterday was spend resting and recuperating and today i managed to pull myself out of bed to attend to the mass food distribution. I'm surprised by the turn out; combining children and adults we're probably looking at 120pax, the biggest turn out to date.
The sermon i preached was about God's authority over spirits. As some of you may already know, the villagers are terrified by this news that a truckload of evil spirits were coming to the village. Villagers quickly went to the witch doctors to quickly get a talisman which is made of bamboo before sticking it on the front door. According to them, this is the way to ward off evil spirits.
So i decided to preach about God's authority and how when we have Christ in our lives, we need not be afraid of the evil spirits.
Though the sermon was one of the shortest i've preached, but this round saw the biggest response for salvation call. More than 20 people came forward to receive Christ in their lives.
What a joy !
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