He who has a Why to live for can bear with almost any Hows….

This is the 7th time that I have involved in NDP. 3 times I was involved as part of the Parade and Ceremony Secretariat, once as Parade Marking 2IC,  3 times on operations standby….however as a mentor for the motivators, this is my second time. It is a totally different ball game compared to all my past involvements in the NDP as a military personnel. There are a few reasons that have propelled me into this journey as a mentor for the motivators, of particular, the ITE students. One of the main reasons that I have decided to commit myself to this is the potential that the ITE students possessed. 3 ITE students have touched my heart and opened up my eyes to see the potential that they possessed, once given the right opportunities, right values and right platform. These 3 are none other than my beloved cell members (also my spiritual sons) Lin De, Daron and Eugene. They all possess equal potential, leadership qualities and character as any poly or uni graduates. And once they are committed to a cause or beliefs, they are willing to go all out for it. That’s the spirit they possess, loyalty, courage and resilience. This is what touched me and inspired me. I believed that their journey has not been easy. But they have proven themselves to rise above the trials and situations that have come against them. They are a gem that is currently being refined, and in due time, they will shine with immense brightness wherever they go.

Cluster I Mentors – Estee, Daron, Melvin, myself and Lin De

Likewise, I see the immense potential in every motivator (this year they are called the Bay Ambassadors ). Their energy, their creativity, their laughter and their daringness, never fails to encourage me and spur me in what I am doing. At this age, I believe they are looking for their identity and most importantly looking for someone who is willing to model for them the right virtues and value that will build their character and set the direction for their life journey. They are also longing to hear voices of affirmations, believing in them and in their potential. This is what TOUCH does in NDP, believing in them and their potential; and building in them the values that will be rock foundation for their success. 

Cluster E Motivators (NDP 06) and Cluster I Bay Ambassadors n Motivators (NDP 07), you guys and gals are amazing!! Well done for a splendid performance in these 2 NDPs. You have done well and rise up to the occasions and the tasks given. I believe, that without you, NDP will not be such a success. Believe in yourselves, in the potential in each of you and dare to dream….for you all will conquer much if you do not give up Thank you for trusting us and letting us be in this journey with you.

 “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”          Rom 8:37

P/S: Trying to figure out Rockyou to post up the NDP 07 photos I have taken…akan datang

 The journey starts way before Ps Khong announced the campaign after the G12 International Conference. It started when I picked up the book “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybel. In the book, Bill Hybel talked about living in the 3Ds, Develop Friendship, Discover their Stories and Discerning the Next Step to Take. This gave an essential framwork for personal evangelism but most importantly living a life  senstitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and constantly reflecting the nature and glory of our Lord Jesus in our lives. Though Ps Rol has shared about this many times, however, the mesage and principles only set into me when I read the book. It began to dawn on me that, many a times, I have only been interested in bringing my friends to church and sharing Christ in the process of our meetings and in a way, I must say, judging them subconciously. I have never really been concern about their lives and the happenings they are going through as a person. After reading the book, I am convinced that I need to be more genuine with my friends and the people around me, not to shortcircut the journey and process the Lord is leading each one of them; and to live a life of 3Ds.

Now coming back to the 100K campaign, the campaign call for us as a church to bless 100k people in 40 days and to present it as a gift to our nation. In the same vein, it is an opportunity for us to pray a prayer of blessing and offer “answered” prayers to these people we bless (check it out here http://www.fcbc.org.sg/service_news.asp). Initially I was daunted by the idea that each of us will have to bless 20 people in this campaign. How to find 20 people to bless? Since Ps Khong announce of the campaign, I began to ask the Lord for strategies and even plans to do it. As I was seeking the Lord during this period, I was bedridden for 3 days (see earlier post in May 07, Virus Attack……DEFCON 1 DEFCON 1…). During these 3 days, the Lord revealed to me the word “Bridge” while I was in bed fro the 3 days. He revealed that the strategy for me is simply to bridge once again with my family members, my friends and my ex-colleagues. I am to simply maintain my relationship with them and to “find time” to remember them and to meet them. With this, I began to list down the names of people that I will make an appointment to meet. I list a total of 27 names.

Now the next challenge is, where do I find time to meet all 27 of them? I have got NDP07 rehearsals, ministry to attend, work to do, study to complete, where do i find the time? The Lord is so good, for 3/4 of the campaign time, it fell into my 3 weeks break for my part-time degree course. With that, I make dinner appointment every other day where I do not have cell groups, ministry, NDP rehearsal and work. Literally I am out every other night.  If those, who for whatever reason we can’t meet, I will call them or sms them, letting them know about this 100k campaign and that I want to bless them and what is their specific needs that they want to be prayed for. However, I thank the Lord for it, I am able to meet or call to bless 70% of the names I have listed. Along the way, the Lord has also allow me to bless strangers  ( 1 cab driver and 1 man who shared a hawker centre table with me) or freinds whom I know but not in my list by have just popped up somehow meeting me (1 ex-colleague and 1 friend who is doing his PhD in US).

The most amazing thing is how the Lord lead me to bless an ex-counsellee whom I have counselled during my SAF day as a paracounsellor. He is on my list of ex-colleagues to bless. I tried to contact him, however he has changed his mobile number. So I thought it is going to be one of those whom I have to striked off…..and then…..he just called me one of the night out of the blue. I immediately made arrangement to meet him the next day to catch up, bless and pray for him there and then in the hawker centre he is working at. Isn’t the Lord great? Even in moments where we thought it is impossible, He makes it possible.

Personally, though we are to bless 100k people but I found myself being more bless in the midst of it. I am blessed to see that I can indeed be a blessing to others and also that I can now end every dinner appointments or any catch up sessions with this question without any pretent and fear…. “Is there anything that I can pray for you?”.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphah procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” 2 Cor 2:14

Once again the sweet little six years old strikes again with her favourite song, “Somewhere over the rainbow”.

Her smile, her voice,  her confidence and her childlikeness never fails to amaze me. Simply reminded,

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” 1 Tim 4:12 

She can really sing. At her age, her voice is really so amazing and crisp I am also very encouraged by the crowd’s response and encouragement they gave to her

She is so sweet and so brave for her age  

Remember to stop the blog song as you watch the video

Dear all, think I owe an explanation for this long awaited post (particularly to my Mui who I know will visit often to hear of any update from me). Well, will update the happenings during the past 3 weeks soon, but meanwhile to keep everyone (who read this blog and I know you are a dear friend of mine) abreast of the most significant moment for me now…..I am now in the final semester of my BSc(Psyc) course. This will be more challenging than the last sem as I have got 3 modules to take. They are Research Methodology B, Human Information Processing and Counselling Psychology. Like i said earlier, I will definitely be a “panda” during this period of time…..

Furthermore, this quarter will also be the “busy” time of my work, review of this year plan and progress, planning and budgeting for next year, audit etc etc….. Well, for those who have known me all these years….yes…life is still pretty much the same….keke….as busy as before :-p As I was sharing with my staff this afternoon, I am reminded of Psalm 139:10

“even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me” (NLT)

“Even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me” (NASB)

“even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast” (NIV)