Mission 2014 report

Philippines Mission Trip 2014 Tacloban City Team 2 Edition / 30 Nov - 5 Dec 2014

A report of how 15 young professionals gave up their time & money to impact the city of Tacloban.

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:7

foreword Words by Gideon Ren

At the first lunch of the trip, one of the locals asserted that Tacloban City was “unknown� until the Super Typhoon Haiyan (or locally known as Yolanda) visited its shores. And I thought to myself that she is actually right.

lived a Singapore-sheltered life, I cannot proclaim to fully understand the ordeals and experiences that a typhoon will bring about.

As an educator, I have learnt to only talk about it to my students. But this trip has taught my team (including Because all along, I have always myself) what it means to empathize been more familiar with the city and to pray genuinely. names of Manila and Cebu. Having

I wanted my team to understand that “bad news” is a reality of the world and as the Church, we do not live in a religious bubble and therefore do not need to interface with the reality of suffering.

and giving alongside. You have no idea how much that has encouraged us.

As you read this, take moments to reflect as well. Because we are all in this together. Bringing God’s love God has mandated the Church to to the people around us. “be in the world”. The Church will continue to live in the reality of Enjoy. “bad news” but we know God is sovereign and loves His people, and that is the Good News we want to bring, that God has not forgotten anyone. And that was how I decided to cast the team verse of Psalm 112:7.

This post-trip publication contains pictures and team members’ reflections that will give you a glimpse of what transpired during the 6.5-day trip.

As a team, we are thankful to be used by God to bring hope and love to the people over there. More importantly, we had the opportunity to share to them that they can have a personal relationship with God. The good reports would not realize themselves if not for firstly God’s goodness and of course your coveted prayers and generosity. So we want to thank you for praying

team

Headed by Gideon Ren & Cheryl Ng 1. Gideon Ren Team Leader 2. Cheryl Ng Assistant Team Leader 3. Alex Lee Administration 4. Alicia Tan Prayer 5. Glenden Gn Logistics 6. Hilda Yeoh Food 7. Jessie Ng Encouragement 8. Kelvin Lo Treasurer 9. Leong Zhicheng Reporter/Photographer 10. Madeline Videographer 11. Ng Li Shan Medic 12. Sherie Wong Accommodation 13. Tan Wee Huat (Seph) Transport 14. Wu Weiyan Worship 15. Ying Ying Programmes

ta c l o b a n A city of Progress, Beauty, and Love

It is approximately 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Manila. It was the first city in Region VIII to become a “Highly Urbanized City� and is the largest city in terms of population in Eastern Visayas.

Tacloban was briefly the capital of the Philippines, from 20 October 1944 to 27 February 1945.

On 8 November 2013, the city was largely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, having previously suffered It is also the regional center of the similar destruction and loss of life Eastern Visayas, being the main in 1897 and 1912 gateway by air to the region.

d ay o n e Touchdown in Tacloban

After two flights and 7 hours of transit, we arrived in Leyte, Tacloban City, 12 hours later. We were warmly welcomed by Pastor Leo, Mark and Bob from Dream Quest X-treme Missions. Hearing about their plans to reach out to the villagers got us excited as we were able to share in the work that God was going to do in the city.

After settling down in Tacloban Plaza Hotel, we headed to Robinsons to purchase the necessary equipment needed for our paint work the next day.

The night was spent setting our expectations and preparing our hearts for the events that lay ahead.

1

Gideon ren

Main Highlight/ I think one of the greatest takeaway from this trip was that God caused me to be very aware of His Presence and also how He was working during the trip.

During the second rally which we held in Barangay 83A, God impressed upon me that there was a man in the crowd who experienced chest pain from time to time and that the man was afraid to come forward. Therefore I took the leap of faith to speak to the crowd (through the translator) and asked the man to come forward.

Eventually, he came forward and we prayed for him. After we prayed, he reported that he did not experience the pain anymore and felt peace in his heart that God had healed him!

I also had the privilege of conducting a session with the teachers of Marasbaras National High School. I got to share a couple of facilitation techniques with the teachers, as well as on how to make choices in the classroom that will propel learning forward. Initially, I was quite worried that I would not have anything fresh but I was glad that I could rest on His promptings and I eventually just needed to focus on one.

healthily and effectively the entire time.

In all the previous trips, I have always fallen sick towards the end of the trip. I was praying that I will be able to sustain good health in this particular trip and I am really thankful that God has preserved me so much that I was able to lead

I have also learnt that not every good idea is a God-idea. I need to discern in my leadership to first hear His voice, not evaluate an idea.

I want to continue to carry His passion to minister to the people around me.

Right from on start, I have also asked God to help me be able to lead with His wisdom and anointing and I ‘m really thankful that I lean on Him. One thing to make a reality after the trip/

I think God has showed me in this trip what it means to really have The session turned out to be very faith. through this trip, God has fruitful and the school leaders showed me that exercising faith actually asked us to continue such means that we depend on Him on sessions in the future trips. matter what happens. I can exercise that very same faith in God in How did God answer my prayer every other reality in my life back request/ in Singapore.

2

c h e ry l n g

Main Highlight/

Being able to talk to the locals about their experience with Typhoon Haiyan was something new to me.

When I spoke to Tara, a church member, she shared with me how she felt when the typhoon hit Tacloban City last year. While the waters were rising around her, she was meditating on Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd” and her faith really encouraged me.

In times of adversity, she held on to God’s promise and recognized that He is God. God gave her peace and she was not afraid of the upcoming typhoon because God is in control.

With this, I can relate back to my life in Singapore. Although I’ve never experienced a typhoon, I have experienced moments when I

felt fearful and anxious. These were the “unseen typhoons” in our lives that the devil tries to hit us so that we will be destroyed.

I thank God for showing me that I needed to stay still in the midst of my storms and remained rooted in Him no matter how bad the situation in Him. How did God answer my prayer request/ Our team embarked on this trip with a key verse from Psalm 112:7 and over the span of 5 days, I’ve clearly seen how this verse was applied throughout. Despite the countless hiccups from problems with Singapore airport departure, cancellation of programmes and postponed flight departure from Tacloban airport, I’ve never felt a tinge of discouragement and fear in me.

Instead, I experienced God’s peace.

Whenever a bad news surface, our immediate response was to pray because we recognize that it is a spiritual battle and God is bigger than all of these problems. Clearly, I’ve seen how much God cared and protected us throughout this trip and I give thanks that He is full of love for us and the trip has been so fruitful because of a prayerful attitude.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ Building relationships with full attention and a genuine heart. I love how we did not have to use our phones during the trip. It helped us to stay more focused and we spent more time talking to each other.

I want to be genuine in building relationships with people and not allow technology to become my god.

3 Alex lee

Main Highlight/

The highlight for this trip was how God was glorified; not through our good planning or persuasive words but through Him alone. As in every Mission Trip, the very first thing on every prayer would be for things to go as planned (good weather, good health and etc). However, this was a very different trip. Every day there would be something that happened.

Some that come to mind are the risk of not even being able to fly to Philippines, rainfall during one of the rallies, sudden change of venues and programmes and cancellation of flights to Cebu due to strong winds. And these seemed be relentless taunting that says “Are you sure God will turn up?�

In hindsight, these realities cannot be farther from the truth. When we

pray and go into the mission field, are we partnering with God or are we “demanding” God to work according to what we have planned or think in the best? The truth is that He is God and we are not. The truth is that He will draw all men and despite all the “setbacks”, so many people received Jesus into their lives and many more were healed of their sickness.

How did God answer my prayer request/ One of my prayer requests for this trip was to be actively engaging and leaning into God. Unlike back home in Singapore, the situation in Tacloban was so unpredictable.

There was the language barrier, unfamiliarity with the culture and locations. It was really amazing how much prayer was a natural thing to do during my free time in this trip.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ By praying so much during this trip, I realised that it wasn’t enough just to know that God is there or that God will turn up. Prayer forms an important part of my day to day walk with God. Just like how it is not enough to know mutually between husband and wife that they know and love each other. Communication between them will strengthen that relationship so much more.

Relationships do not become stronger with just head knowledge.

So even in the busy-ness of everyday work, I will work on the discipline of prayer.

d ay T W O

Painting at Marasbaras National High School

Our day was spent at Marasbaras National High School, where we interacted with the students and teachers and exchanged local cultures.

For the most part of the day, we painted some of their classrooms a new coat of white and blue.

Everyone displayed spirit of excellence and we knew our efforts were worth it when we saw the smiles on the faces of the students and teachers.

At night, we packed rice and other daily necessities to be given out to the villagers in the barangay the next day.

4 A l i c i a ta n

Main Highlight/

Before coming to this mission trip, I was fasting and praying for a good turnout at the rallies that we were going to hold in Tacloban.

My prayer was to see many people come and give their lives to Jesus Christ. Although it was a simple enough prayer, circumstances proved otherwise.

The sky was overcast during the time we were giving out rice and inviting people to the rally. Several responded that they will not be attending the rally due to the rain.

However when the time came for the rally, many people turned up in spite of the slight rainfall.

What was more incredible was the number of children that came for the kids’ programme who squeezed

into a tiny room, most of them stayed throughout the programme.

I was particularly heartened to see nearly 80%, of approximately 80 kids, choosing receive Jesus Christ into their lives.

be as simple as believing that God can do things that is far beyond our reach.

Through them I realised that God wants to reach out to the little children as well. In fact, the younger the better. Life can be tough for these Filipino kids and we will have to share the gospel to them before their hearts can be hardened by life circumstances.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/

How did God answer my prayer request/ God did answer my prayer when I asked for numbers and salvations in the rally. More than that, He showed me the faith that the local church had in sharing the gospel and impacting lives in the villages (barangays). That encouraged me a lot and showed me that faith can

It was spurred me to dare to ask for more salvations in my oikos.

Through this trip I have also learnt that I should depend on God even in the littlest things. Even for things like praying for good behaviour in naughty kids, organising children’s programme, the questions to ask when visiting a house, so on and so forth.

On top of that, to trust God in the midst of chaos and know that He is still in control even when we are more comfortable taking charge.

This is because His ways are always higher than our ways.

5

Glenden gn

Main Highlight/

Serving in the Children’s ministry was one of the highlights during the trip for me. It was an overwhelming process because of the large number of children and the limited resources we have to engage them.

It was hard to get the attention of the children given their energy and limited attention span; hence it felt difficult to guide them along our programmes.

But through this, I was able to imagine how I was the shepherd while the children were the cattle and they were not heeding my instructions to keep together and move on to greener pastures by wandering off on their own.

Similarly in my case, God was the shepherd while I was part of the

cattle herd where, I would not heed His instructions and wander off instead; getting separated from the cattle and Him.

during visitations. Lastly, I also prayed to be able to break away from assumptions and limitations and I began to tap on God’s strength to get me through rather than my This imagery helped me refocus my own. walk with Him and the desire to let Him get more involved in my life.

It was a challenging moment for me as I was so used to limiting How did God answer my prayer God in my daily walk and I realised request/ how things turned from being impossible to possible when I begin One of the prayer requests before the to let go and let God. trip was healing for my persistent cough that had been affecting me One thing to make a reality after for a few weeks. As the trip came the trip/ closer, I realised that the cough got better and throughout the trip, I would want to make dependence there was almost no cough. I also on God a reality after the trip as even prayed to be bold and courageous before this trip, despite countless during outreach. reminders, I was still doing things in my own knowledge, thinking God had empowered me to step up that I know what is best for me. during the trip to be involved in the Children’s ministry to engage with the large amounts of kids and to be less hesitant to pray for people

6 hilda yeoh

Main Highlight/

I went into Philippines expecting to see people healed but God exceeded my expectations by healing my heart instead. I had a lot of insecurities and personal baggage but throughout this trip, I encountered God on a personal level and I experienced His love.

God knows my strengths and weaknesses, He knows how and when to push me but yet not break me. God’s love simply overwhelms me and it brings tears to my eyes every time and there are no words to describe the gratitude in my heart.

How did God answer my prayer request/ Prior and during the trip, I prayed

for boldness and courage to share the gospel and to pray for others.

Indeed, God never fails and He provided opportunities for me by challenging me to step out of my comfort zone.

will tell me otherwise, I will make that choice to invite the presence of God into every single moment of my life and to go forth in boldness.

Doing missions isn’t the catalyst to make me spiritually alive but Praying for other people has never rather, my daily act of surrender been my strength but God gave me and desire for His presence is. the boldness to do so.

I want to make every day count for During the home visits, I prayed Jesus, so that I may die living, and for some of the families and also not live waiting to die. prayed a girl whom I met at the rally. Though it may seem small, it is a big step for me and I thank God for answering such a simple prayer of mine.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ One thing that I will make a reality after this trip is to respond in obedience to whatever God calls me to do. Though there may be times where my mind and heart

d ay T h r e e Barangay 5A outreach & Night Rally

In the morning and afternoon, we visited the homes in the barangay and gave out rice packs and clothing to the families. We thank God that most of the families were welcoming and received us into their homes and we had the opportunity to converse with them and to pray for them.

Prior to the night rally, we led Dream Quest’s kids’ ministry through a time of games, Bible storytelling and art and craft. During the night rally, there was still quite a turnout of adults and children despite the wet weather. God was definitely moving amongst the people as many were healed and saved.

7

jessie ng

Main Highlight/

Evverything was new for me as this was my first mission trip and I couldn’t be more grateful. Looking back, it was clear that God’s hands were in everything we did, from how He provided one of the best accommodations, to wonderful meals and favor with the villagers and school teachers.

What impacted me the most in this trip was the privilege to speak to the people of Tacloban, especially the students at Marasbaras National High School. It was during this that I saw how God has NOT forgotten about them nor did they forget Him. The students were still very grateful for the smallest things we take for granted, such as food on the table

and a roof over our heads.

How did God answer my prayer request/ Before the trip, one of the expectations I had listed was that I wanted to see three people saved, five persons healed and to speak over people. God definitely exceeded the expectations I had. As a team, we saw more than 50 people saved, healings after healings and for the last point of speaking over people, I was given the opportunity to speak out in faith what I felt God prompted me to say.

He has answered our prayers in many ways and we have definitely seen how this trip has been so fruitful because of a prayerful attitude.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/

One thing I’d like to make a reality after this trip would be to always remain prayerful. Throughout the trip we were constantly told to be prayerful and it is something that I’ve completely taken for granted in my everyday life. Back home, things are so easy to obtain and prayer seemed like a mere request, Having seen how God moved in rather than a cry to God of how these situations has really taught great His glory is. me that I should not undermine small things like people asking Moving forward, I really hope for healing for small things like that this testimony to God’s glory headache, backaches, because God would not be a fleeting thing but works in the biggest and smallest something that I’ll apply every day ways. for the rest of my life. All glory goes to God!

8 k e lv i n l o

Main Highlight/

One highlight for me is how God was faithful even in my doubts. On the 4th night, when the 2nd rally took place, we went up to setup chairs for people who wanted to be prayed for healing. The first 2 ladies, whom we prayed for, were healed, but it took multiple times for complete healing to happen.

It was then that I started to doubt God as the next elderly man came to the seat. He mentioned that he was a fisherman and had back pain.

We started to pray for him but I was sceptical that he would be completely healed.

However after praying, the man immediately stood up and said, the pain is all gone. He thanked me but in my heart, I knew I did nothing

but was used as a vessel for God to work. It was through this that God reminded me, how He works is not always how we see it. He can choose to heal people in parts, completely, or not at all. God is God and I cannot limit how He works or try to move His hands through prayer.

I am confident that God’s hand was upon us throughout this trip as more signs and wonders followed us as we ministered to the people of Tacloban.

How did God answer my prayer request/

One thing for me to bring back is to be constantly prayerful and focused on God. The devil will constantly try to kill, steal and destroy us. But if we keep our focus on the Lord, we are able to know when to act and when not to.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/

One event that shows how God answers my prayer is when it started to rain just as the 1st night rally was about to begin. All of us were praying fervently for the rain to stop. It stopped for a short while, This is not an easy task especially and then rained again. when everything around us is trying to draw our attention away This went on for several times, from God. But the bible says “we when finally God answered our are his people, the sheep of his prayers and the rain stopped. Our pasture” Psalms 100:3. programmes for the rally could continue and the rain only came back after we had come to the end and when everyone went home.

9

l eo ng zh i ch eng

Main Highlight/

The main highlight of my trip would be the encounter that I with God. It was on Day 3, I had a bad flu that day and we were going around the Barangay to distribute food and inviting the people for the night rally. Though, the flu didn’t subside, deep down in me I kept praying and desiring for more for Him. I wanted the people who were coming for the rally to encounter God and I would like the same as well.

While we were waiting for our dinner, I was praying as usual and suddenly, I had a God moment.

My heart felt like it was literally grabbed by God and it was like a close friend coming by to say “Hi!” At that moment, my every desire, wants and needs fell away. Only

He mattered at that point. I was reminded that I was nothing when I first knew God and now He has brought me so far. As long as He’s in my life, everything is going to be alright.

Lastly, not forgetting the God moment, I believe that it was another way of how God left me astounded.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/

I still thank God for the many salvation and healing but what He As I ponder and reflect, the did in me, I will never forget. thoughts that tried to distract me in the Philippines and Singapore were How did God answer my prayer not very different. Rather, they were request/ exactly the same. The difference was that in the Philippines, I was Before the trip, the prayer from my very conscious of it. heart was to leave me astounded.

I also didn’t want the trip to be a With that in mind, one thing that I one-time thing but a stepping stone would like to make it a reality is in to which God can use to mold my the area of disciplining my thought character. life. I realize my habits in this area is really weak and its time to put He answered this through the many more effort to mediate on God’s means; team mate’s encouragement, word and who He say He is. feedback, debrief, sharing and not forgetting the rally.

d ay f o u r

Return to Marasbaras National High School & Night Rally

The day was spent at Marasbaras National High School where we conducted various lessons to the students. The morning was spent conducting an art therapy session (portrait drawing and kite making) and our members had the opportunity to share their testimonies to the students as well. After lunch, we taught study habits such as mind mapping, time management and brain storming to the older students.

News reached us that Typhoon Hagupit was estimated to make landfall on Tacloban on Saturday. Because of this, the school was ordered to close early so that the students can go home and prepare for an evacuation with their families. As a result, the sports fiesta that was planned for later got cancelled. So we headed to another barangay The night rally saw over 200 attendees, with many healed and many giving their lives to Jesus. More than 80 children turned up and we were able to share with them about God’s love.

10 ma del i ne y eow

Main Highlight/

One of the highlight for me was when we went to Marasbaras National High School on the last day of ministry. This was the second time we were there on this trip and held programmes for them. One of the programme was kite making where we taught the students to make a simple kite and to write a letter to God on it. One of the students wrote “Thank you God for good heath, the food we eat everyday, the shelter that we live and the clothes we wear.”

God used that to speak to me.

These were the things that we take for granted as Singaporeans and we never pray or give thanks for it. I’m thankful that through this trip, we are reminded that God has provided for so many

of the little things in our life and One thing to make a reality after we should also thank God for it. the trip/ How did God answer my prayer One thing that I want to make request/ reality back in Singapore is not to give up. During the painting of one Throughout this trip, God has been of the classrooms at Marasbaras answering my prayers and indeed, National High School, there were nothing is too big or small for Him. so many times that I wanted to During the first rally, there was this give up as it was really tiring. In my disabled girl who was brought by head, I was screaming for God to her grandfather. give me strength.

My heart was looking out for them all the while and I felt that they really needed to know and experience God’s love so much. They have to know who Jesus is before leaving and God answered my prayer! God showed up and I managed to have an opportunity to share with the grandfather and he received Christ after that. Praise God!

Many times in Singapore, we give up too fast when we encounter tough situations. But we need to have this desperation in our heart to push through and shout out for God’s strength.

That’s when we rely on God. We need to know that we must depend on God and not ourselves. With this, we will have to always stay prayerful at all times and not only during a mission trip.

11

Ng l i sh an

Main Highlight/

My main highlight would be what God showed me through this different culture and nation; a city that is searching for hope and restoration. God told me to look beyond the physical condition of the people and beyond people being healed of their sickness (which is really amazing).

He told me to look into the condition of a person’s heart, which also made me to look into mine.

On one of the day, God specifically told me in the morning to pray for peoples whose heart may have bitterness or anger towards Him and others.

During that very night, I had the opportunity to pray for someone who struggled with this very issue

and I also subsequently had the chance to share to this person as well. Through this, I understood that the way God guides and leads me is more than what I can ever imagine.

How did God answer my prayer request/ One of the prayers that were answered was the safety of my mother back in Singapore. She felt unwell during the middle of this trip.

She could not move and was very giddy. But thank God that she did not fall down and was well immediately the next day without needing to see a doctor. I want to thank God for his protection!

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ Matthew 5:13-16 that I read on the

first day really spoke to me. I want to learn to be the light and salt at my home, my workplace and in every place that I am in.

Knowing the cost of following Jesus and to live set apart as a Christian (e.g. not to gossip, not to complain, to do everything with excellence and integrity, and etc).

12 S h er i e Wo ng

Main Highlight/

Throughout this trip, God constantly showed up and worked in ways I would not expect. On the morning of the 3rd day, while we were walking to give out rice and clothes, a lady invited three of us to her house. I was hesitant to enter into her house when I saw that her family is relatively well off.

However we went in and as we begun to share about why we were there, we noticed that the 73-yearold mother in the house was looking pale and she was coughing.

We asked to see if she wanted healing and found out that she was suffering from cough, neck, and back and chest pain. She agreed and after prayer, she was healed from her back and neck pain!

Praise God! Then the 75-year-old father who was grumpy from the moment we stepped into the house wanted us to pray for him as well.

We found out that he has arthritis on both his knees and as a result, could not bend his knees fully and had difficulty in walking.

After praying for healing, he was able to bend his knees fully inwards with no more pain. He was so amazed that his face lit up with joy and a big smile. Praise God! They were really thankful that we came as we were their first visitors since last year’s typhoon. More than the physical healing, This encounter has taught me not pass quick judgments based on external factors but to realize that God uses the most ordinary ways to reveal His glory and love.

How did God answer my prayer request/ One of my prayer requests was to not be distracted and zone out when I am physically tired, and that God will provide sufficient strength for the entire trip. Indeed, God provided me with more than enough energy.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ During this trip, He showed me that He doesn’t just reveal Himself though just rallies or conferences but He works through every moment even the smallest of tasks such as the visitation of houses. In the same way, I want to carry the same sensitivity and consciousness of God’s presence to others as I spend time with my community in Singapore.

d ay f i v e Peace in the midst of the storm

Due to the early evacuation of the villagers and the high tide, our planned visit to a barangay in the morning was cancelled. Instead, we spent the morning sharing about our highlights of the Mission Trip and reflecting upon God’s goodness. We were scheduled to depart Tacloban City for Cebu in the evening but our flight was delayed and then cancelled due to bad weather.

We thank God for providing us with accommodation for the night and for a flight out the next morning. Indeed, His peace resides in us and as our team verse Psalm 112:7 says, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”

13 Ta n wee H uat

Main Highlight/

For this mission trip, the main highlight was how clearly God was in control of everything. For example, the first rally it rained and stopped a few times which was really discouraging. Most of us had doubts about the rally but we persevered on and continued to attend to the guests.

Finally when the rained stopped again, it didn’t rained again until the whole rally ended! I asked the villagers if this kind of things happen in Tacloban, but they said that the rain here is usually long and heavy. That night, the rain was heavy but God held the rain for the rally, and many felt the uplifting of their soul, were saved and healed.

How did God answer my prayer request/ Before the trip, I had a faith target to make a Filipino friend and understand what they are going through. I think God really answered by allowing me to have long conversation with Filipinos even at the airport while waiting for the flight transfer.

When I arrived in Tacloban, I was told that I look like a Filipino which caused them to warm up easily when I conversed with them. I thank God for all these opportunities and I find myself having different opinions and respect for the Filipinos.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ I think some things which I can take back from this trip is to not falter or based my trust in the face of unexpected circumstances or

even insufficient preparation rather I should be trusting on God to deliver as we put in our best.

I also realised how social media have affected our lives and needs to be controlled in its usage. Lastly, in Singapore, there are so much prejudice and I find that such prejudices are usually not based on the full picture.

Instead of going along with those prejudices, I need to be accepting and always seeking to know the full picture before making any forms of decision as a disciple of Christ.

14 Wu W e i ya n

Main Highlight/

The main highlight of the trip would be being able to be used by God to preach and share the good news of hope to the people at the rally. And what really got me was when hands were raised during the invitation for people to receive Jesus into their lives.

Also when the Pastor asked them what did they feel after praying the sinners’ prayer, the people responded by saying they felt a burden being lifted off them! At that point I was just in awe of what God was doing and moving in the hearts of people.

Just simply so amazing to be able to be involved in God’s works and advancing His kingdom!

How did God answer my prayer request/

with different functions, I think something I have to work on would be to keep focusing on that bigger picture/vision, not being too caught up with the performance or whether there is value in the things I’m doing while serving.

I think God answered my prayer request by showing Himself so real to me during the trip, speaking to me through His Word, guiding me along the way and showing me the things that I can pick up and learn. Only when I focus and am aware of the bigger picture, then I would be Also helping me to be humble and able to throw away the difference allowing me to be so sensitive to other people have and properly the Holy Spirit. advance His kingdom.

One thing to make a reality after the trip/ One thing that I’m going to make it a reality after this trip would be the thing that God shown and spoke to me about through Pastor Leo, Mack and Bob. The three of them have different gifts and God called them to the same purpose, just like a body consisting of many parts

15 yi ng Y i ng

Main Highlight/

The highlight of the trip for me is how God will always listen to our prayers, and how we should not take healing as a personal victory.

Instead, it should be seen as a step closer to salvation for that person as they have.

We prayed for an old lady for her neck pain and fever, and she was healed instantly! We then prayed for an old man who had knee pain and couldn’t bend his knees. He was healed completely and could bend his knees!

He was so joyful when he was healed and he was so thankful and couldn’t stop smiling!

How did God answer my prayer request/ I prayed that God will reveal to me more of myself and that I could feel His heart for His people. Indeed, throughout the 5 days he kept showing me things about myself and the areas I needed to work on.

I always thought that the challenges I face are very tough to handle.

tin roofs and wooden planks, and how they struggled to get sufficient food daily really broke my heart One thing to make a reality after the trip/

Always be prayerful and pray for anything from the tiniest thing to big bold prayers. During the mission trip I kept a prayerful heart because I know I am at Sometimes I would keep asking the battlefield and I have to stay God why he allowed me to go prayerful for every thing, because through certain things and my faith anything could go wrong. would even waver. The people in Philippines lost their houses, jobs, Now that I am back, I have to keep and family due to the typhoons, yet being prayerful because it keeps they still had so much faith in Him, me close to God. Furthermore, the and trust Him with all their hearts. familiarity and comfort of home does not mean it isn’t a battlefield They are struggling with basic here. necessities, yet they remained faithful and prayerful. I am so touched and encouraged by their faith. Seeing how they had to struggle living in houses made of

d ay S i x Let the adventure begin

Our morning flight to Cebu departed 20 minutes early and took only half an hour instead of a 50-minute flight and we had sufficient time to checkin for our flight back to Singapore.

God’s hand is definitely over us as we all reached Singapore safely, well before the typhoon.

to be continued...

Credits

Special Thanks: To our Lord Jesus Christ Design: Leong Zhicheng Editor: Alex Lee Photos: Gideon Ren, Glenden Gn, Madeline, Leong Zhicheng