FINISHED BACKTRACKING!!

Cindy Valencia Koh Siew Lan needs to get some sleep. Will include more revelations that I received in future blog entries instead of simply event entry.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SOT IN LESS THAN 8 HOURS TIME! =D

First fellowship session

Friday, 24 February 2006

We planned to have fellowship at Dorothy's place today. However, somehow, dunno why...quite a few of them couldn't make it and the International students had to go and do their medical checkup. Anyhow, we went to have lunch together and a few of us went back to church to read our bible/Faith that Overcomes the World. Had quite a good fellowship too! Tony, Marc, Jasmine, Kelvin, Kun Ming, Malvin (awhile with us, awhile go checkup) and me! We chit-chat for a while and set off to Expo! Kelvin, Malvin and I took the train and apparently, Mal, after realizing I know how to suan people, kept suan-ing me throughout the trip, but of course I'm not 'hurt'! Haha...

Looking forward to better fellowship sessions!! =D

Chapel with Pst Ulf

Thursday, 23 February 2006

7.40am. Already about 20 people are queueing at the gate. Everyone was excited for Pst Ulf's session. Tony was also one of those queueing!! So cool. As he usually comes last in our team, today he is third! (Aft Alex and Dorothy) By 7.45am, team 15 has fully arrived, except Kelvin as he is coming from army camp. So proud of all of them! By 7.55am, the queue has already extended to near the void deck of the flat nearby. Everyone is really, really excited.

Today's attire is super formal, so all the brothers came in suit! So cooL! Take photo!!

8am. The security opened the gate and everyone walked briskly into the lift to 4th floor. When I reached, I saw a big mess before my eyes. There were bags on the floor, chairs forming into first and second rows, people trying to get chairs. WOW! Everyone was so urgent that they start laying their own chairs and booking their own seat, making sure that they have a seat in front! Amazing. Of course I joined in the "fun". However, I couldn't stay long in the chaos, was quite happy someone (I also forgot who was that in my state of shock) asked me to go opposite to buy food.

The session was great! In the short session, Pst Ulf really motivated us to become fruit-bearing trees for God and enlarged our faith capacity. More to come in the next 3 services!

Interview with Harvest Times

Tuesday, 21 February 2006

Sis Jen told me to go for another interview today. Honoured! =) It's interview with HT, and unlike the previous one, there are only 3 of us. Privilege!

Most of the qns were directed to Andrew, the brother from Papua New Guinea but I guess the most interesting comment I made was that I actually look forward to SOT everyday as Team 15 is simply so wonderful. The team is like a family to me and coming for SOT is like meeting up with my family. In fact I was really excited on Monday night as I can see my teammates again! First day of SOT I look forward to Friday as I was really tired, now I don't like Fridays as I have to wait another 3 days to see my teammates! =)

Team 15 you are the best!

Visited Kun Ming

Sunday, 19 February 2006

Malvin, Marc, Jasmine & I went to visit Kun Ming today. Felt quite bad as Mal & Marc waited an hour for us. Kun Ming injure his leg really badly and could not walk.

His family is really hospitable. His mum prepared dinner for us and we all ate together like a family, fellowshipping over the dinner table. His mum even peeled oranges for us and make us eat, just like her own children.

After that we all shared our conversion experience and it was amazing!! Everyone has his/her own story to tell about how God miraculously moved to bring him/her to Him.Let me just VERY BRIEFLY (partly cos I forgot the details) share abit: (we shared for almost 2hours!)

Marc
He met with an accident and could not walk for a year. During that year, bro Fuming and the CG went the extra mile to have CG meetings and visitations at his place and that really touches him. This makes him rededicate his life to God.

Mine
God's love filled the emptiness in my heart as I was the youngest and only female in the family.

Kun Ming
His conversion was in school after God spoke to him many times. He did not go to church after a long while, a friend introduced him to CHC.

Malvin
He was actually a muslim!! (Razali!!!) Oopz...hope he won't kill me for declaring his used-to-be name. Anw, he decided to give Christianity a try after Islam failed him and God worked a miracle for his mum and Father God stood in the gap left behind by his natural father.

Jasmine
She wanted attention and tried ways and means to find it yet was even rejected by her closest friend. She came from a Christian family and alwiz thought that God was a distant entity. Only when she stepped into CHC that she realized that she can have a relationship with God.

Caroline (Kun's sis)
She was so fed up with her good friend and wondered how on earth she could tolerate her friend anymore that she broke down and cried. Kun Ming took this chance to share about God's unconditional love to her and gave her a salvation invitation, there and then she received Christ in his room. PTL! =D

We prayed for Kun Ming and their family before we left. Hope that this year will be the miracle year for their family!

Opportunity to share with Marc

Thursday, 16 February 2006

Marc has been in church for quite some time and I always assumed that he knows everything there is to know about God theoretically. Today, when we were travelling together, Marc asked me how to actually get a revelation from God from the Bible. I was quite shocked but I really thank God for this opportunity to share with Marc. I realized that there are many things that people do not know and I do not know too. I admire the learning attitude of Marc and I wanna be like him. There is nothing to be shy about asking even the basics of Christianity. Also, I've learnt not to take it for granted that the basic things of Christianity is automatically instilled in Christians but it takes someone to teach.

Lydia's testimony

Met Lydia at the bus stop outside church on my way to tuition. She was very friendly, asked if I was a bible sch student and after that we started chatting. Lydia is from Taiwan and was a full-time church staff. To my surprise, she is only a 5-yr Christian and 3-yr member in the church she is serving in. I asked her what motivates her to serve God full-time.

She shared with me that actually after her conversion, she wanted to serve God after about 5 yrs in church, who knows after 1+yrs, her pastor asked if she wanted to serve in church. She initially did not want to but her pastor asked her to reconsider. She then asked God to baptize her in the Holy Spirit if He wants her to serve Him full-time. Who knows a few days later while riding on the roads, she suddenly started speaking in tongues! WOW! God really moves! The next day, God also spoke to her through a Psalm about giving her life totally to God and nothing else matters. She knew it was God and so she went ahead.

She also shared with me that she is very inspired by Pst Kong as every yr, Pst will go to Taiwan to train the leaders. 4 times a year, 3 days each time, 12 hrs each day. WOW. In one day, Pst will finish teaching one BS book we have in CHC and in the 4 times a yr, he'll finish the whole series. Pst teaches from 9am-10pm everyday. WOW. She said she's very amazed at the strength and determination of Pst, that towards the end, even though they are already very tired, Pst is still teaching energetically. WOW. I, personally, am very impressed by them too! 4hrs of SOT everyday is already like quite tiring for me and they could endure 12 hours! Looks like I need to start building my spiritual muscles. =)

Interview with Word of Life (Sweden)

Wednesday, 15 February 2006

Bro Bobby told me yesterday that there is an interview for some of us with Word of Life (Sweden). I was quite excited as usually I'll only watch people being interviewed on the video screen and this time I'm going to be interviewed! =D

I was one of the last few to be interviewed and we were repositioned from the Children Church Hall to Roof Garden (nicer view anyway..=>). The interview went smooth as I shared about how great SOT has been so far, how every praise and worship session in the morning are just so refreshing and recommend that every believer should come SOT! =)

Led Prayer Focus

Tuesday, 14 February 2006

After SOT today, Sis Jennifer told me that Pst Zhuang says I can lead in the Prayer Focus. When she mentioned this, it was only 10 mins before prayer focus. I still can remember Sis Jen's face "matter-of-factly" saying it. To me, it was something new, something I take as a challenge. Yes, I led a CG prayer meeting before but this time I'm leading a group of SOT students! More than that I only had 5 mins to really think of what to do. However, I also "matter-of-factly" replied "OK" and went ahead.

Initially I was quite nervous but slowly it was fine. I thought it was quite good as many of the people stepped out to pray. Thank Jasmine also for assisting me. Got to know quite a number of international students too.

It was really a great experience and causes my faith and boldness to rise up to the next level. There was no room for me to panic or draw back but just step into it and do it. God must have arranged this to force me to enlarge myself. Thank God for this as I am really much confident now, knowing that God is the One Who leads me to do all these. =)

Team 15 celebrated Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, 14 February 2006

Prior to today, Kelvin and I planned among the sisters and brothers to do something special for each other for today. During our 2nd break meeting, Kelvin announced that the brothers had something for the sisters and gave each of us this "kacang putih" lookalike thing with lotsa chocolates inside. Following, Michelle said she also prepared something for everyone and gave all of us this nicely wrapped "present". After that, Faith gave the brothers a "friendship pen" each from the sisters, together with handmade cards for each of them. Then, Jasmine took out a box of 'Rocher' and gave us one each. WOW! I feel so blessed! Feel so blessed to be in this team in which everyone loves and cares for one another. =)

Alex's & Samuel/Saral's testimony

Heard that Alex gave up his job as an accountant in Hong Kong to come all the way to Singapore for SOT. Got to fellowship with him that day and found out that he is married and had initially planned to have a child this year, before God spoke to him to come... Wow...the sacrifice he made is really great. His wife too. Not easy to be so supportive.

Sam and Saral also showed me their family photo. They left their child in the care of their mum to come here to be trained in SOT. Wow.

All the international students are really inspiring. Makes me feel that I can certainly do much more for God...that what I'm doing now, all the sacrifices I've made so far are pretty insignificant. To think I alwiz think that I've done so much. Haha...well, at least now I'm getting more and more motivated each day to do more for God! =)

Kun Ming's vision

Well, I don't really remember the date but one morning I was fellowshipping with Kun Ming in the cafe and I asked if he has the desire to be a CGL. He started sharing with me about his motivation to come to SOT. He wanted to be trained in the Word before he starts his course in design. He desires to be a outstanding interior designer in future. His dream is to start a CG of interior designers and hold a special outreach meeting once a month. In this meeting, they'll share creative ideas inspired by God on interior design inspired, to set a benchmark for this field. Through this meeting they can reach out to other designers. WOW! Really making a difference in the marketplace! I'm believing with him to see this day come to pass!

Malvin's testimony

Saturday, 11 February 2006

Malvin came for my CG today and after that we fellowshipped for quite awhile. He shared with me how God blessed him and provided a way for him to come SOT. One of which most amazing is how God spoke to him the whole day about Matt 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God and when he got home, he saw an envelope on his table and when he opened it, he poured out a stack of Singapore dollars! WOW! He knew that it was God as at that time, he needed the money to pay for the S$50 registration. And....in the envelope was a small note that quoted Matt 6:33! WOW! On it was also a smiley face...when he saw that he immediately broke out into holy laughter...he told me he alwiz wanted holy laughter but only until that day that he received it. God is so amazing...

New water bottle!!

Friday, 10 February 2006

Early morning when I was sitting in the cafe, saw Priscilla (this sister from another church whom I sat with yesterday) and she came to pass me a water bottle she bought for me! WOW! Yesterday I met her at MRT and she told me that she wanted to go get a new bottle for herself and I was pretty excited as I was thinking of getting one to. As I asked her how much does one cost, she asked if I wanted one. Actually I do want one but wanted to save up for the last lap of Building Fund so I just said I'm still deciding. God is amazing! She actually bought one and blessed me with it!! I'm truly blessed as it was only yesterday that I got to know her and immediately she bought something to bless me. Thank God for wonderful people He put in my life!

First Day of SOT

Tuesday, 7 February 2006

Went for PA briefing with Bro Bobby. Wow...there are like 1001 things to note during PA. I'm really amazed at the excellence of the church. Even the gap between the 2 white boards gotta be closed up. Markers must put 3 different colours. The lights, the curtains, the everything...amazing...

Right after the briefing, I went to find my team. Wow! Immediately a few of them took the initiative to find out who have arrived, where are the rest who have yet to arrive. I'm impressed! I mean, first day of school and they are already looking out for one another. One of them also took the initiative to station himself (Malvin) at the cafe to get all the team members to sign Kelvin's card. TODAY IS KELVIN'S 21ST BIRTHDAY! So efficient such that when Michelle just barely came into the room and I asked her to go sign the card, she had already done so. WOW.


We celebrated Kel's birthday...I think he was pretty surprised as it was only yesterday that we found out it was his birthday and yesterday's orientation ended quite late, but today we were all ready to give him the pleasant surprise of a bday cake and key-shaped card! =)


It's possible 'cos of excellent team mates...
Jasmine (Powerful CGL)
Kelvin (Mighty CGL to be)
Kun Ming (Great guitarist)
Michelle (Anointed keyboardist)
Eunice (Gorgeous designer)
Marc (Silent contributer)
Faith (Prosperous financial advisor)
(Dr.) Tony Tan! (hahaha...)

International students...
Malvin (Powerful Zone Leader from Malaysia)
Alex (Best accountant from Hong Kong)
Dorothy (Charismatic CGL from Taiwan)
Saral &...
Samuel (Beautiful husband & wife from India)

And yet to join us....ALTONA!!

I think we make the BEST TEAM 2006! =)

SOT Orientation

Monday, 6 February 2006

Reached church at 6.50am to help out as team leader. First time in my life. Haha...alwiz had problems being on time for 8am classes, yet today absolutely no prob! =)

Helped in registration before attending the briefing. The P & W was awesome! It feels like a new beginning of my life. Pst Tan shared a great message on aligning ourselves right in life.

We got into our teams. PTL all my team members are in WYZ zone! We are Ministry Team 15. It was so exciting when we started planning for the game! Everyone was so excited and got themselves involved in the discussion, including the International students, even though it's the first time most of us are seeing each other. When Bro Edmund flag us off, we immediately ran up to the lobby and opposite! Seeing everyone in the team so excited really motivates me to chiong ah!

We very quickly gathered the items stated, formed the longest line within minutes, found our clue card in less than 5 minutes with the help of another team, picked the "Travel by cab" mode to go Jurong Point. It was unbelieveably smooth sailing!

After sending the team off to the various cabs, I had to go to school. So sad! My whole mind was on the team and I kept msg-ing them in sch. On my way to Marina Bay to meet them, Kelvin called and said something very sad happened. I was quite taken aback. He said they lost their morale while moving to the last station and suddenly I heard some sobbing sounds. Sensing something amiss, I said, "Stop acting!" Then he said, "We finished the race first!" WOW!! Amazing!! We were the 2nd wave that was flagged off yet they managed to come in first! Faster than all the teams which went off at 1st wave! WOW WOW WOW!!

Eventually we didn't perform as well at the cheer item and got 2nd but I'm already so proud of Team 15!! I firmly believe that all of us in the team will end off this year very well!!

Finally started on a blog on my SOT life!

I finally sat down to start this blog! Figured out that if I don't start soon, I'll never do it...To start off...tomorrow is SOT again!! We'll be doing GOTP with Pst Ming!! =) Alex will be sharing revelation in the morning! So looking forward...=)
Now, time to backtrack to the first day of SOT......