Reach Community Church 2/177 Beavers Road Northcote VIC 3070
Tel: (03) 9481 6889 Email: info@reachcc.org Website: reachcc.org
Due cha to the n plea ging C uncerta s up-t e refe OVID r in time r e pro o-date to our strictio s and gram info w rma ebsite n, . tion on o for ur
Pastor: Victor Soo Church Administrator: Sharon Oen
CHURCH SERVICE Celebration Service
Sunday
l 10am - 11:30am
Fellowship Lunch
Sunday
l 12pm - 1pm
REACH Kids
Sunday
l 10:30am - 11:30am
PRAYER MEETING
Monthly Ministry & Prayer Intercessory Prayer
1st Friday of the Month l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Tuesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
via Zoom, please contact our office for further information.
BIBLE STUDY Young Adults
University & Youth Groups
Family
Wednesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Monday l 8pm - 10pm
Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
OTHER ACTIVITIES
MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers)
Men’s Breakfast
Reach United Football Club matches
Praise Dance Table Tennis
Ukulele for beginners
Every 2nd & 4th Friday l 10am - 12pm
20th Mar, 19th June, 16th Oct 11th April, 19th September Thursday l 10am - 12pm Thursday l 10am - 12pm Thursday l 1pm - 2pm
Welcome to the 24th issue of REACH. Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we learnt that things can change very quickly around us, but one thing is certain: Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life, and we can live The Spiritual Life by taking Lifechanging Actions for Difficult Times. With God the Healer, we can continue to Practise Enthusiasm. Do not give up, Hold on to Your Kids, they will appreciate you making Crème Brulee for them, and spending time with them to Play on Words. So, let us welcome the spring, and look to the future with confidence. Reach Message
Life-changing actions for difficult times Reach Testimony
The Way, the Truth and the Life Reach Character
Practise Enthusiasm Reach Book Review
The Spiritual Life Reach Insight
Hold on to your kids Reach Testimony
God the healer Reach Recipe
Crème Brulee Reach Teaser
Crossword – Play on Words
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welcome
Reach / Spring 2021
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Reach Message
Life-changing actions for difficult times
By Pastor Victor Soo
We are living in strange times, and things at certain moments seem surreal around us. This global pandemic is causing untold challenges to people’s lives: from life to death, from home to work, and from play to study. Each day, it is hoped that a breakthrough is near and we can all resume life as before. That mirage quickly vaporises at the next news break. With each further disruption, the negative impacts on mental and physical health take its toll. After over eighteen months of this pandemic, we still have not learned to cope well with it. The stop-starts and varying restrictions exacerbate each situation adversely. Let us consider how we can adapt to this scenario. Do not merely attempt to survive but thrive. May we all learn from the life of The Apostle Paul, and the Book of Philippians. In the passage below, Paul was imprisoned whilst waiting for trial of charge as a Christian witness. His incarceration had been a few years, a gruelling punishment even for a man of God zealously living out his faith. Despite the injustice he suffered and being locked away, he penned a letter to those whom he loved and longed for, imploring them to live well. He instilled in them life-changing values that produce peace and joy. Two thousand years later, we can still apply these eternal principles to our present conditions. During this pandemic, I often hear, “There are so many things I can’t do”. Yes, this may be true but let us change the paradigm. From Paul’s exhortation, there are life-changing things we can do. These shall transform our lives and that of others also. These being:
1. Focus upon The Creator God is the One who gives unto us that which we need most in life, namely love, hope, joy and a future. Do not cast our eyes on that which is fleeting. Forget about pursuing the unimportant, and more so now during such uncertain times. Set our priorities right. If you have not already known Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, invite Him into your life today! Jesus stated that He will be with us unto the end of this Age. This is the confidence we have and what a blessed assurance we have! Make time each day to focus upon God. He is not only the Giver of Life but He sustains us daily too.
2. Unite with the loved ones Recognise that fear creates confusion and instability, and these can easily affect relationships. The long confinement in homes produces tensions, arising from having to be with children at remote learning, the need to cook numerous daily meals, and the loss of doing the things outside of the regular environment. Look now at the other side. Turn the working at home into opportunities to develop meaningful relationships within the family. Foster a deeper relationship at the spiritual level. Cultivate greater affection and sensitivity on the domestic front, and share the chores.
Reach / Spring 2021
Philippians 4:1-9 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
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Reach Message
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Reach Message
Reach / Spring 2021
3. Be intentionally joyful We reap what we sow. Steer yourself away from what you are missing. Start to count your blessings; consider what you have instead. At the end of each day, reflect upon them. Consider yourself blessed. Thank The Lord for each, and will yourself to commence each day to rejoice regardless of the circumstances! Maintain this attitude in order to keep your altitude high at all times. Go one better. Extend your turnaround and express thankfulness to people far and wide who have been blessings unto you and your family.
4. Be prayerful Loneliness is rapidly becoming a Western cultural health issue. People living on their own is increasing and being on your own can trigger depression due to the lack of contact and relationship. Science and medicine have affirmed those with religious affiliations have better health. Let the Shalom Peace of God saturate your mind and fill you, displacing any anxieties, fear, depression and hopelessness. God gives us a lasting peace that transcends what the world offers. Prayer is communication with God, and so utilise this available avenue to release your burdens to Him.
5. Be filled with the right things You and I are mere mortals and susceptible to pain and sorrows from everyday encounters. Some fill our minds and clutter them with troublesome thoughts. There are only so much each of us can handle each day. Relieve yourself from these encumbering exchanges. Inevitably, stress is part of life but we need to manage the afflictions we encounter and manage them correctly. Do not let the negative thoughts and emotions saturate your minds but instead displace them with those which are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. In conclusion, let us practice these life-changing values. Give it a try and in a month or so, it shall become a part of you. Your perspective of life shall be changed for the better, and you can be that blessing unto others also. Be the light to this darkened world!
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Reach Testimony T he Wa y, t h e Tru th , and the Life
Eyes blinded I was born and brought up in a Buddhist-Taoist family in a small town in Malaysia. My father emigrated to Malaysia from China at the age of seven with his parents and four siblings. Most of the Chinese community in the town we lived in were strongly superstitious and were staunch Buddhists and Taoists who engaged in idolatry and ancestral worship. My father ran a business catering for the dead – providing for their afterlife in another ‘spiritual world’. Let me explain what ancestral worship is. The Taoist family is a closely knit group of living and their dead relatives. Ancestral worship is a religious practice based on the belief that deceased family members have continued existence and that their spirits will look after the family. These spirits take an interest in the affairs of the world and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. Family unity is reinforced through ancestral worship which includes offerings of various things, for example, foods, the burning of joss sticks, paper monies, paper-made items such as big mansions with servants, luxurious cars, computers, televisions, clothing etc. It is believed that the deceased relatives need these material things in the other ‘spiritual world’. Recently, even the much adored durians are introduced – papermade Musang King Durians for those dearly departed durian lovers!
Big mansion/ servants/ mountains of silver and gold
Reach / Spring 2021
By Linda Ye
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Reach Testimony
Reach / Spring 2021
The burning of these articles is to keep the deceased ancestors happy, who in return, will return the blessings to the family. Behind this tradition, the desire of the mourners is to ensure that their ancestors will be ‘dead rich’. All these beliefs contradict the biblical teaching of the existence of a personal Creator God who is in absolute control. Romans 14:9 states that the Lord Jesus Christ is the “Lord of both the dead and the living.” The food offerings and the burning of all the ceremonial articles are in reality not offered to the dead but to evil spirits! In 1 Corinthians 10:20: “Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” And in Ecclesiastes 9: 5-6: “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun”. My father’s business flourished in that small town as people, being spiritually blind, spent large amounts of money to worship departed ancestors, especially during the festive month of July known as the ‘The Hungry Ghost Month’. It is believed that the ghosts and spirits of the deceased ancestors are released from the lower realm during this time. The offering of food and burning paper are ways to appease their spirits. My siblings and I sometimes helped to make some of the paper articles to meet the market demands. Our father then rewarded us with money for our work. Eyes opened I was first exposed to Christianity when I was in my teens. I did not believe in this so-called Western religion. The Christmas story of God coming down to earth in the form of a man seemed like a fairy tale to me given my religious background and upbringing. I truly praise and thank God that He led me to England to pursue my nursing career in 1973. It was at the Nurses’ Hostel at a hospital in London where I came to know and received Jesus as my personal Saviour, through the help of three beautiful Christian nurses. I saw the love of Christ in the lives of these three nurses. I was attracted and drawn to the God who had touched and transformed them. I sought to know the secret of their peace and joy. I soon found out their secret – they had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is the Son of God. I subsequently gave my life to Jesus six months after following them to church. Upon conviction of my sins, I repented and renounced of my past participation and involvement in all the occult activities. I praise God that as a result of that, I was delivered and set free from the yoke of evil bondage. Hallelujah! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
My life has never been the same ever since I accepted Him into my life. Being the middle child in a family of nine siblings, I often felt neglected, unloved and resentful, and struggled with feelings of insecurity. But Jesus took away all those negative feelings. He is ever so real to me. He demonstrates His love and care for me. He is a faithful, merciful, loving and powerful God who is also my friend and Saviour. I am truly grateful and thankful to God for everything He has done for me. I do not think that I could have accomplished my nursing career without His presence, guidance and help throughout the years. With my nursing qualification, I could travel and was able to work in four different countries. He also led me to live and work in Melbourne where I met and married my husband in 1992. The most wonderful and amazing thing is that God, in His mercy, also convicted my six other siblings; and the greatest miracle is that even my parents accepted and put their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. My father knew the gods he created could not grant him the peace he longed for. When he was sick, God touched him and he accepted Christ as his personal saviour. Praise and thank God that we can claim the promise of God that “when one is saved, the whole household will be saved”. The God, who speaks the truth, will surely keep His word! I will continue to trust and believe that in His own time He will bring my remaining two non-believing brothers into His kingdom. If you do not yet know Jesus, I want to challenge you to seek Him. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 4:6). Salvation or the decision to receive Jesus into your life is the most important decision you will ever make. Allow God to open up His plan and purpose for your life and bless you in ways this world never can. Having a relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, is the best relationship you can ever have!
Paper money
Paper clothes/ watches/ cellphone
Reach / Spring 2021
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Reach Testimony
Reach Character
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Practise Enthusiasm
Reach / Spring 2021
Practise Enthusiasm During this COVID pandemic and frequent restrictions, it is difficult to keep
During this COVID pandemic and frequent restrictions, it is difficult to keep up our spirit. up our spirit. However, when we put our hope in God and fix our eyes on However, when we put our hope in God and fix our eyes on His glory instead of our current His glory instead of our current circumstances, we can be confident that God circumstances, we can be confident that God is greater than all things. We should not is greater than all things. We should not waste our times in lamenting but waster our times in lamenting but to draw our strength from God, to continue to do the to draw our strength from God, to continue to do the good works He has good works He has prepared for us to do. prepared for us to do.
Express joy and gratitude.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonian 5:16‐18)
Not be discouraged by failure1.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. (Psalms 37:23‐24)
Tackle every given task with our best effort.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. (Colossians 3:23)
Hope in God who renew our strength.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)
Use our talents to bless and benefit others.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10, NLT)
Show positive attitude in completing chores.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14‐15)
Impart goodness onto others.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Affirm others to build them up.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT)
Show genuine interest in others.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Motivate each other to do good.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24, NLT)
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Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Ephesians 6:7, NLT)
Taken from IACC publication Achieving True Success
Author : Andrew Murray
Reviewed by Danny Tanyi
Many Christians long to live a life in ever abiding communion with Christ; a life of holiness and purity, full of love, full of unshakable joy rooted in God; a life of perfect peace even in the storms of life as promised in God’s Word. But alas, they do not know how to obtain it and ask the question, “Is it possible to live as God wants me to live?” The Spiritual Life by Andrew Murray has this purpose: to show the possibilities of the Christian life as God has revealed them in His Word, the hindrances that keep many Christians out of that life, and the steps we can take to come in, embrace, and live a life pleasing to God. Andrew Murray reveals to the readers what it means to be carnal and the way from carnal to spiritual. He explains the blessedness of the spiritual life first from a doctrinal perspective and then from a practical side. He shows us in detail how love - a fruit of the Holy Spirit - is manifested in our lives when the Holy Spirit fills every chamber of our lives. This perfect love, that enables us to love even our enemies is a test of life in the Spirit. He explains how “self” is a hindrance to living that life and answers the questions: Where does self come from? What are its works? How can it be conquered? Furthermore, Andrew Murray leads the readers to see how Jesus Christ lived on earth, in total dependence on the Father and with deep humility. He encourages us to follow Christ’s example and to live in absolute surrender to God, and have daily fellowship with Him. The book teaches how the Holy Spirit works in us: that it brings us the presence of Christ, gives us the likeness of Christ, and works the power of Christ in us; enabling us to live our lives pleasing to God.
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T he Spi ri tua l Li fe
Reach / Spring 2021
Reach Book Review
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Reach Insight
Hold on to your kids
Reach / Spring 2021
By Lee Chyi Lam
As a paediatrician, I have the privilege of working with children and young people, as well as their families. It is always interesting and educational for me to observe the interaction between a child and his / her parent(s). Unfortunately, many of these interactions are far from positive. The negative comments or attitude can come from either side. Sadly, on many occasions, parents, who do not see eye to eye with their children, have no desire to try to understand them. Recently, I saw a teenage girl. From her interaction with her mother, it was clear to me that there was significant tension between them. The girl gave minimal response to the questions I asked, and often referred them back to her mother, indicating that her own opinion did not matter. In medical consultation with teenagers, it is a practice to ask permission to speak to the young people without their parents. In this case, before the mother left the room, she said to me, “Good luck, if you can get anything out of her.” As soon as the mother left the room, the girl changed her demeanour. After asking her a few questions about herself, she sat straight up, and told me the many things that she wanted to do in her life, her various interests, her vibrant wishes and dreams. Eventually I got to the point of asking her about her family, she told me how she felt about her parents, and why she ‘hated’ them. She relayed to me that when she was 8 years old, encouraged by her teacher, she wrote a letter to her family members to express her feelings, hoping that this would improve their relationship. Unfortunately, the outcome was that her parents ‘blamed’ her for how she felt. “Never again will I share my feelings with them” was her resolution. Sadly, this has become a ‘norm’ for many families, especially those with teenaged children. The chasm of the generation gap creates a colossal cleft between parents and their children. Even the so-called nuclear family – parents who are happily married – is not exempted from this. However, just because it has become a ‘norm’, it does not mean that it is right, natural or healthy. This reminds me of a book I read many months ago, by Gordon Neufeld (a clinical psychologist) and Gabor Mate (a family physician): Hold on to Your Kids, why parents need to matter more than peers. The authors share many insights of parenting in this book, which resonates with what I observe at work.
In this book, the authors outline the danger of “peer orientation”: when children and youth look to their peers for direction – their sense of right and wrong, their identity, and codes of conduct; and how this “undermines family cohesion, sabotages healthy development and fosters an aggressive and prematurely sexualised youth culture”. Children who are peer oriented conform to their peer even when they do not agree with the value, behaviour and culture. The book starts with the well-known attachment theory which resonates well with me. Despite the many criticisms on this theory, especially by those who wish to undermine and ignore the different roles of mothers and fathers, it is widely taught, during my paediatric training, as the foundation of healthy development for children. Neufeld and Mate lament that “Children’s attachments to parents are no longer getting the support required from culture and society… Children are increasingly forming attachments that compete with their parents.” They explain that children have an innate instinct to get their sense of direction from someone they are attached to, and this ideally should be adults (i.e. parents or other primary carers). However, when adult parents (or primary carers) are not available, children then orientate themselves to whoever is around and available. And whoever they are attached to will have the greatest influence in their life. Children who are peer-oriented are essentially brought up by other children. Their peers matter more to them than their parents. Other children’s behaviour, often immature, affects them tremendously. When they are being bullied, or rejected by other children, they are more devastated by it, and have no other support to turn to.
The culture that fosters peer orientation
Unfortunately, the value of our society has changed dramatically, driving young people from their family to their friends. The ability to fit in socially and be popular are valued more than family relationship. The responsibility to instill values into children is shifted from home to school or other extracurricular groups, from parents to teachers and the so-called experts. Parental responsibility is diminished to mainly provide physically for their children, neglecting their emotional needs and moral development. In addition, with the loss of extended family, children are now “growing up peer rich and adult poor.” Even in churches and faith-based community, congregations and activities are segregated into different age groups, further “promoting the loss of multigenerational connections.” Neufeld and Mate profess that children learn to be socially competent by interacting with adults, not with their immature peer. Parents should not organise many peer activities for their children to the detrimental of family time.
Reach / Spring 2021
The danger of peer orientation
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Reach Insight
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Reach Insight One phenomenon I observe at work is that with the high divorce rate, separated parents often compete with each other to seek affection and approval from their children, resulting in role reversal. Children become the confidants of their parents, being forced to take sides. This does not only confuse them, but drives them to find their own confidants elsewhere, often among their peers.
The power of building relationship
Neufeld and Mate make a thought-provoking claim that children do not have behavioural problem, but relationship problem. When a child misbehaves, instead of simply trying to correct the behaviour, parents should examine their relationship with the child. “The best response to a child’s counterwill is a stronger parental relationship and less reliance on force.” Neufeld and Mate explain that children’s obedience “arises less from a child’s character than from the nature of a child’s relationship.” Children are often eager to please, and those who are peer-oriented rather than parent-oriented, have not changed this inclination, but simply change the object they try to please. Similarly, when children feel that they cannot please their parents no matter how hard they try, they lose the motivation to do so. Parents should honour and trust their children’s desire to be good, to acknowledge and appreciate their effort to be good, rather than their ability to perform to set expectations. The relationship between parents and their children should base on connecting, not correcting. Although Hold on to Your Kids is not a Christian book, it has many biblical values on parenting. Interestingly, the book quotes Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” - as an analogy of the competition between peer and parents. Children cannot orientate towards both adults in their life and their peers simultaneously, it is either one or the other.
Some thoughts for Christian parents
How should Christian parents counteract peer orientation that divides the family unit and alienates family members? Here are some thoughts: First, from the time your child is born, protect your relationship with your child. Be the one with the greatest influence on him or her, shaping him or her morally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Do not leave this to teachers, tutors, basketball coaches, Sunday School teachers or church leaders.
Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Third, nurture meaningful family time together. Many parents design their weekends to be “child-free”; with every opportunity, they send their children to peer activities (or “hire” electronic devices as their “babysitters”), instead of spending quality time with them. Strive to be creative with family activities, including extended family members when possible and appropriate. If need be, it is better to have a trusted family member or friend, rather than an immature peer, to be your child’s mentor. Fourth, when your child rebels against you, be the adult! How you manage your child’s misbehaviour and rebellion reflects on your ability to manage yourself. Focus on the relationship, not the outcome you expect. Seek to understand rather than be understood. Be patient, you might be in it for a long haul. Ephesians 6:4 (Amp) Father, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Last but not least, commit yourself and your family to God. Seek Godly wisdom, pray earnestly, and yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, living in a society where there is more and more fragmented families, and emphasis on individual independence and social approval, children are driven away from their family to their friends. The resultant phenomenon of peer orientation diminishes parental influence and cultivates a ‘cool’ culture which undermines emotional openness within the family. Even Christian parents naively welcome this phenomenon, giving up their children to unwelcome influence. There is an urgent need for us to rethink about parental role and responsibility. The steps forward are easy to say but difficult to execute in practice, we have no other choice but to counteract this damaging phenomenon by changing ourselves, and yielding our worldly will to Christ-like humility and Godly wisdom. Maybe, God is giving parents just that opportunity to re-connect with their children during this pandemic. Don’t waste the opportunity.
Reach / Spring 2021
Second, cultivate your own character. To be the greatest influence, be sure you are who you want your child to be. Attitude, behaviour and character are caught, not taught. Serve willingly and give generously. Do not grumble or complain about others, especially church leaders or other church members in front of them (or behind their back!) We are all children of God, and none of us is a perfect child. Let your child see that you are making an effort to be the person God creates you to be.
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Reach Insight
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Reach Testimony
Reach / Spring 2021
By Jenny Ng
I want to testify how God has healed me from a deadly sickness - sepsis. Sepsis is a serious condition from the presence of harmful microorganisms in the blood or other tissues of the body and the body’s response to their presence, potentially leading to multiorgans failure, shock, and death. Death rate of this infection is high and rapid. People who suffer from sepsis can die from it within weeks. Recovery for survivors is often a long process. Some people never fully recover. There are many long-term effects. I had severe sepsis in December 2018. On 22nd of December, my sister and her family arrived at Avalon airport in the morning, to visit me for the first time since I migrated to Melbourne in 2011. Just before we went to pick them up, I started to experience some discomfort when I tried to empty my bladder. I brushed this off as I often had this problem, and it usually settled without any medication or treatment. This time, the discomfort became worse. I did not want to disappoint my sister and her family, so I continued to go shopping and day tours with them. My symptom got worse every day. I could not take in any water or food. I had difficulty going to the toilet. I was feeling sleepy, tired, weak and cold, even though it was summer. At nights, I felt very cold and shivered with cold sweats. On 26th of December, during a day tour, I had mild fever and could hardly
talk or open my eyes. At the end of the tour, the bus driver dropped us at the CBD. I could hardly walk. My face was like white sheet. I was taken to a clinic immediately. The doctor tested my urine and told me that I needed to go to the Emergency Department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital straight away. On arrival, I was wheeled to the emergency room within 30 minutes. Little did I know that I was dying. Thank God I had peace and not fear during this ordeal. The night in the Emergency Department ward was an unforgettable one. I was on intravenous drips. The infectious disease team, consisting of six specialists, were very busy trying to save me. I was in a very serious condition. I was at the severe stage and on the verge of going into septic shock, which could have ended my life. The doctors were racing against time. My blood pressure was dropping rapidly. My bladder and one of my kidneys started to malfunction. Worst of all my blood was also infected.
The head of the Infectious Disease Specialist asked me questions to get some insight of my illness. She told me that the infection was lifethreatening. She told me frankly that they did not know which antibiotics worked best for my condition. She
said that there are many types of sepsis, and the origin and type of the harmful microorganisms is very important. The six specialists had a meeting that night, and finally they
The next day I was transferred to the recovery ward for further monitoring. My blood pressure went up and down, and I was told that I would be in trouble if my blood pressure did not stabilise. For the next two days, I was monitored in a normal ward. During my four days in the hospital, I could not drink or eat. I was discharged when my blood pressure stabilised.
Thank God for the six infectious disease specialists, the five local doctors, and the nurses who attended to me. They were dedicated and kind. To date I am still recovering from the condition that nearly took my life three years ago.
As a precaution, I have to present myself to Emergency Department if I have fever. My immune system is still not fully recovered. I get sick easily. People had asked me, “Why are you always sick?” But I know that if God can save me from severe sepsis, these minor illnesses and discomfort are nothing. If you suffer from any kind of illnesses (physical or mental), I want to encourage you not to despair. God has His way. Let us also ask God to give us empathy towards those who are suffering.
Psalm 103:2-6 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.
Reach / Spring 2021
unanimously decided on the best antibiotic, but could not guarantee that it was the right one. The antibiotic was ‘pumped’ into my body. I was semiconscious by then. After a few hours, the head specialist came. Praise The Lord. She told me that the antibiotic seemed to be working but she was concerned that my blood pressure was still very low. The specialists took turn monitoring me throughout the night.
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Reach Testimony
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Reach Recipe
Reach / Spring 2021
` CReME BRULEE By Sharon Oen
Crème brulee is a French dessert consisting of rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelised sugar. Servings: 4 Ingredients: 130g thickened cream 130g Long life (UHT) Milk 1/2 teaspon vanilla extract
4 egg yolks 30g caster sugar
12g rum/Grand Marnier (optional)
Method: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Preheat oven to 160°C. Fill kettle with water and boil – to be used later for water bath. Place 200ml ramekins into deep baking tray. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl, mix until fully combined. Pour mixture through fine sift into a pouring jug. Pour mixture from the jug evenly into the ramekins. Place the baking tray into oven, fill the tray with the boiled water until it comes half way up the ramekins. 8. Bake at 160°C for 15-20min or until just set. 9. Remove ramekins and allow to cool completely in fridge. 10. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon caster sugar over the surface until completely covered. 11. Use blow torch (or place under grill) to caramelise sugar until golden brown.
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Play on words
Reach Teaser
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1. 1. Have a go at guessing the phrases depicting below: 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6.
2
3. 3. 3. 3.
3. 3. 3.
3
4. 4. 4. 4.
7. 7. 7. 7.
7. 7. 7.
7
4. 4. 4.
4
8
8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8.
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Taken from website www.biblepuzzles.com
Answers: 1., Forgive and forget 2. The last supper 3. Passover lamb 4. Nothing new under the sun 5. Golden calf 6. Sermon on
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the Mount 7. High priest 8. Daily bread
2. 2. 2. 2.
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Reach / Spring 2021
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