CULTURESHOCK

Worship Team Retreat

2008-06-19T00:29:00.000-07:00

It was more than I expected it to be! We had an awesome time up in Penang Hill Bethel House again. All of those who when up with us came down different, change and exited. I'm encourage also by the all the hidden talents that have emerge from within our team! We came down with 5 newly composed songs and a new fire that is passionate about worship!

Pasar Malam

2008-05-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday 20th. My wife and I were kind of bored so we just decided to drive around Penang. As we are around Tanjung Bungah area, we saw cars streaming out of the market! We found a parking spot and so took a tour around the night bazaar that was flowing with people.

"Mari mari mari, satu ringgit satu!"

There were lots of stalls and the one that caught our attention is the Durian and the Mango stall (picture). Cannot believe, Tau Chiu is still fifty cents here and the Lok Lok stall is really mouth watering.

Stop going just to Queens and Gurney only people, pasar malam are great place to shop, eat and observe people. Monday is at Relau, Tuesday at Tg. Bungah, Wednesday at Farlim (Biggest One), Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday I don't know?? Anyone know?

FGA 25th Annivesary Dinner

2008-05-13T23:53:00.000-07:00

4th May, FGA celebrated her 25th anniversary! It was a night truly to be remembered, the decoration was beautiful, the food is great and the drama and dance are excellant. The only thing is that the AC was on a little bit late, many people including me were soak wet!

The picture we've been waiting for!

2008-05-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

This is the picture that was taken from the Spice cafe, Justin with a flowery decoration, I think it is a morning glory.

Lemon Grass Drink

2008-05-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was labor day, no school & no work! I took this opportunity to take out some of the youth 4 breakfast and a trip to Batu Ferringghi. It was an awesome day, except for the humidity and the heat of beautiful Penang.

We first stop at Kaleel for some rotis. Elisha gobbled down 3 roti telurs, Ivy had a bomb while the rest of us has roti canai, well except for Sharon who had only a glass of teh ais and lots of giggles for breakfast.

After filling our tummies we headed to the Spice Garden. We didn't tour the garden because I think it cost from RM 16- 20 per person. We when to directly to the Spice Cafe while we took some photo shots before we reach. It is a really scenic place, over looking the sea and surrounded with nature, and butterflies! A really perfect place to chill, relax and refresh one self with spice drinks such as lemon grass drink, nugmet drink, spice tea, coffee and more. Joyce had a black pepper chocolate cookie!

It was really an awesome day.. check out the pictures.

Down but Up

2008-04-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

It has not been an discouraging month, maybe year... ha ha.
Everything seems out of control and there is an army that surrounds me from all sides. I feel like as if I could no longer fight this endless treats and spears from the enemy.

People that I'm passionate about, the people I live for seems to turn against me while I speak the truth. The people whom I love seems to stick jagged knife into my back while I'm asleep. People that I trust have broken the cord and people that I lead are leading down.

Parents seems against me while I put their children at the highest interest, children thinks I'm against them because I try to get them to walk in the light. What is going on oh Lord.

I'm glad that I was able to meet with 5 youth pastors and leaders of Penang yesterday. They too share the same struggles and challenges that I face and because of this I didn't feel alone. We shared our heart and later prayed for one another.

I'm also glad for a wife that stands by my side to support and encourage me.

I hear the voice again... Do you trust me son?

The Himalaya

2008-03-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

3 weeks have pass since Rama and I arrived at Kullu Valley, the hill valley of the Himalayan range. Winter have just pass but the wind are still bitterly cold, snow are still present at most of the mountains around Kullu.

One month had pass since Rama's nice (Shristy) died in a tragic accident. Rama's mother is still going through the trauma for seeing the accident and still cry many times everyday. There is no way anyone could comfort her. However, Shristy parents have improved tremendously and there have been some joy in the family again after a long time.

We have a week more to go before we take our long journey back to New Delhi, every time I think about the journey I tremble because of the treacherous roads of the Himalayas. We will be arriving in Delhi on the 1st and flying back to Malaysia on the 2nd, arriving only on the 3rd.

Shristy is very dear to all of us, we do not understand why God would allowed this to happen but we put our complete trust in Him because He knows more then us and He is good. (Jer 29:11)

Pix1: Kullu Women

Pix2: Kullu Village

LetsFlick!

2008-01-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

Wahh.. It is really challenging adjusting to the absent of my laptop. Now I have to go to the Church office and use Celeron for everything. Sob. I've been having some kind of allergic reaction too on my hand due to some insect bite. Well I'm getting better anyway!

Last week some of us from fireBRANDS when to MBS to learn and play "Ultimate Frisbee". It is really fun... lots of running though. We have learn who to flick the Frisbee in different methods.. need to improve la.

Anyways.. I've bought 8 Frisbee for fireBRANDS and I'm hoping we can take up this new sport regularly!! I'm sure we'll all develop skills enough to compete! Anyone? Let me know if you wanna FLICK!

Remain Captivated

2007-12-26T18:40:00.000-08:00

Symbolically we have cross the Red Sea, from the oppressive hands of Pharaoh (Satan) into the hands of Father, freedom! Now we walk in the light, we walk in the truth, now we walk with Father. We are free, no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. We are CAPTIVATED by Love, by Grace, by Forgiveness and we are now a NEW CREATION! Lets celebrate, lets blow the trumpets, lets rejoice and continue in the newness of relationship with God and one another.

My only concern is...

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt like what happen to many of us in Harvard. They only remembered God's Wonder until they became hungry, thirsty and tired. Further down the chapters in Exodus were not very pleasant, one of the repeated sentence were "The people complained to Moses and they murmured." What happen to them? Loss of Vision and Faith?

My fellow fireBRANDS... Let His love remain in your heart, let His love be seal eternally in you and remain Captivated by His love and Embrace. Tough times will come, weary times. Remain Captivated! This is my prayer for all of you... That you will Remain in His Love.

Pre Camp Fast and Pray@ Bethel House Pix

2007-12-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures we took in Penang Hill last weekend. Familiar faces huh.. ah.. the Dog's name is Lingo. We really had a good time up there seeking God and praying for the camp. I really like to go up there again because it is cozy and quite, away from the city's buzz. It is a great place to seek God and to listen to Him. Hmm... when should we go again?

UPDATE!

2007-12-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

Ha ha... I really need to update my blog! But the thing is... My Laptop when to the repairmen a week ago and he still can't find wats wrong with it. Now... it is sent to BenQ for further inspection!

Alsooooo... Have been SUPER B.U.S.Y (Burden. Under. Satan's. Yoke)! Not under Satan's yoke but Youth Camp's yoke!! There is just so many things floating in my mind as if it just lost gravity! Well... its my first youth camp.. that's why. Ha ha. Will update more after I'm free from this YOKE! Ta!

Baminton

2007-11-09T01:51:00.000-08:00

Played badminton today... influence by Nicole?? No la... by Uncle Aaaaaa Seng! Ha ha. Anyway it was fun, Joyce, Marilyn, Nicole, Jesher and Zachary(Marilyn's brother) played too.Maybe this can be a regular sport for fireBRANDS together with CP Ball?? Anyone??

Vision of Waves

2007-11-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, 2 Nov 07. One the youth CG was invited by Auntie Ogie ( Philippines ) to her house for BBQ and some fun. She really wanted her son (Oliver) to gel with us, but most of all... she wanted to encourage the youths! As she shared her heart with the us, I begin to see a picture, a vision... Waves, big waves, splashing into the shores.

The waves symbolizes the move of God. As each waves splashes into the shore, another wave begin to rise once more. Each wave also represented different age groups in fireBRANDS. There was surfers and their surfboards too, surfers are each individual youth and surfboards are their life, skills, talents and gifts.

There were many surfers surfing the first wave, but there was none when the last wave watered the shores. The surfers were with their boards by the beach... sitting and watching the wave, some were grumbling.

There is a new wave coming, a big one and it is beginning to rise! Question is... fireBRANDS... are you ready to paddle out to open waters with your boards (life, talents, gifts) and catch the 40 feet wave? I AM. R U?

HOW LIFE GROWS?

2007-10-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

How life grows? Lately I've been asking questions about life in our youth service. Thanks for the many honest response, basically life is withering away. I hear the glory of the pass where there was a hundred strong, but now we are only thirty plus and crawling to stay alive.

We have prayed every week that the attendance (life) would grow in the youth... Would life just grow supernaturally without effort??

So... how does life grows? How would a plant grow? How would we grow physically? It is simple and I believe God doesn't make it confusing. With balanced nutrition, proper sunlight, a little water and a seed would end up a tree! How can we grow fireBRANDS?

Balanced Nutrition:
Sunlight- Worshipping God whole heatedly, praying and receiving His gifts and anointing.
Rain/Water- Diving into the Word of God individually, absorbing it till growth is evident.

I believe as we get this right individually, we shall see the growth corporately!

ONE SEED=ONE TREE=MANY SEEDS=!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Till next time!

Indonesian Worship @ fireBRANDS!

2007-10-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

Last Sat was awesome! Somehow I manage to bring together everything and gave a wonderful time of worship to God in Bahasa Malaysia and in fireBRANDS!

We started with pre-service prayer together with the Indonesian leaders, then Joyce and Nicole took off with a great ICE-BREAKER. They were suppose to get to know 5 people from the Bahasa Service and vice-versa, also they must remember their names, age and shoe size!? Ha ha. After all that, we begin the worship led by Pasuria, Dimin and myself. It was amazing because we were all from different services and races but the unity was obvious. We found UNITY in DIVERSITY!! It is call UNIVERSITY... Ha!

Many were bless by the worship and the short encouragement from Pasuria, that is to live a life of worship!

Creating a blog?

2007-09-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've finally created a blog... why? I guess it could help others as I paste up upcoming events and maybe pen down some thoughts. So, hope that some of you would drop by next time!