Friday, June 16, 2006
After receiving numerous comments (complaints) that my Blog is too spiritual for general public consumption, I've decided to balance it out a bit! Browsing some really old pictures and some new ones so I guess I'll just share some pictures of antiquity and chronicle my journey to the present day...
When I was 17. Cool afro huh?
Raffles International Boarding School
After completing my SPM, I did my A-levels in Singapore under ASEAN. This is the place where I stayed. Looks good on the outside doesn't it? The company was good though, many bonds were formed in the the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of being Malaysian, truly Asian.
Still can't forget the 'rebellion' we ochestrated on the 31st of August, when we opened our windows at midnight and shouted 'Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka!'
Didn't study in RIBS though, its just where all of us stayed. Many of us studied in a place called Anderson Junior College.
Non Mihi Solum - Not for myself alone.
AJC's crest. Can't really remember much about my 2 years here... all a blur. Circumstantial amnesia (during traumatic experiences) probably. All I can remember is our uniform (yeah we had uniforms in college) looked really like the ones the MRT workers wore. So sometimes in the MRT stations you could mistake one of the workers as a student and vice versa. My class was 11/02 and we had a really nice tutor by the name of Ms. Stephanie Lim (no longer a miss though) and all of us agree that she was probably the nicest and the most beautiful teacher of the entire college. She's happily married now with a baby boy called Evan. Besides her, another tutor of note is my Biology teacher by the name of Mr. Hillary Ho. (no typo here) Blogging about him reminds me of the time when another classmate of mine blogged about him, said some er... hilarious stuff, and he caught wind of it, and there was some big ruckus. Seemingly, Singapore looks seriously upon such things, and the poor girl had to make a public apology.
A big part of my life in Singapore (at least the latter part of it) revolved around church. City Harvest Church, its pastors, its people and its ministry really shaped what was the foundation of the faith that I now hold on to. One sister of mine really encouraged me in my difficulties probably without even knowing she was doing it. She's the first passionate, totally sold out Christian I knew back then (I know plenty now!) and in everything that she did, she glorified God to the fullest. Her name is Chen Sue Ann, a Malaysian scholar from Ipoh. Haven't seen her or talked to her for years... but I hear she's doing great.
Chen Sue Ann. God bless you!
Also wondering how my cell group leader, Brother Patrick is doing. A real man of God, truly encouraged by the way he lives his life. Back then, our cell group sizes were huge! (what would you expect from a 20,000 strong church?) Our meetings would have around 50-60 ppl at once packed like sardines in a house. Our worship once brought a police patrol car to our doorstep! (neighbours complained) and it was here that the importance of praying in the Spirit and edifying your inner man was disciplined into me.
Finishing my A-levels, somehow I knew that God had done a great work in my examinations. Initially a failing student, God brought my grades from B F F F to B B B C in 2 weeks for my trials. Inspired, I knew with 1 month before my actual examination, God can work another miracle provided I had faith enough to believe, and strength enough to work according to my faith. In the end, God blessed me with a result I've never achieved before in my 2 years there: A A A A
Light (and salt) of the Earth. CHC Singapore 2003.
Came back to Malaysia, really challenged, looking for a place to serve and to grow. At the start of my life in Singapore, I always wanted to come home... but at the end of it, I didn't want to. I was reluctant to leave behind all that I've come to love. But God has plans for me.
Went back to Singapore for a short period to attend the ONLY prom I've ever attended in my life. It was a pretty sad affair with people more concerned with taking pictures than paying attention to the performances/food etc.
Singaporean college-mate. Can't remember her name though.
At the end of the prom, everyone was taking more pictures. I was pretty much the social recluse (hard to believe, but believe it!) back then... so I didn't know anyone besides my classmates. Two girls walked up to me and asked me to take a picture of them, which I gladly obliged by taking her camera off her hands. The girl whose camera it was looked at me and said, 'No... I want to take a picture with you!' (Honest!) This is a studio shot of me for the prom. Check out Eugene How's one as well (if you know him)
I came back to Malaysia, this time for good. I could have continued my studies in Singapore in NUS, probably on a scholarship as well for any other course besides Medicine. But I was determined to do Medicine, in which scholarships are seldom offered. Thus, I enrolled into IMU and I'm currently in my 3rd year (and facing my finals this coming July.) God showed me exactly where to serve and grow in: CampusCity Ministries and the ACTS Church under AYA. The circumstances of me joining CC is quite amusing... but I'll leave that out. Much of my life ever since coming back from Singapore has been full of experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything. The joy, satisfaction and fulfillment of 'doing something, saying something that could change a person's life and point him in the direction of Jesus' is undescribable. This is the reason I live my life for. (thank you, Sue Ann for sharing this with me.)
AYA 9th Anniversary Dinner 2004. That's Kat.
My 21'st birthday. The rose among the thorns.
LifeParty 2005 Green is In! Jason Ding the Hippie.
AYA Dream Malaysia Awards 2005. with the Sma (and my italian silk shirt.)
Christmas Musical 2005 The guy who sang a better song. Jason Ding the rockster.
and no, my zip isn't blue. There's something wrong with your eyes.
AYA Festival 2006. Me and my wife - Melody! (You can't touch her, Martin Smith!!!)
AYA Festival 2006. Can't see... *cough* smoke... in our eyes... That's Michelle by the way.
Melaka trip on my 22nd birthday. Thank you for making it memorable!
Since joining AYA and CC, we've been to many states around Malaysia including Kedah, Perak, Johor and Kuching. Strangely enough, I don't have many pictures of our GiGs (Get into God rallies as we call them) One of the most memorable ones was the GiG in Kuching! (hence, the Yodel and 'Happy Birthday Michelle' songs... oh, you should see Michelle eating her cake.) Excellent place, people and food. Would like to work there someday, maybe during my housemanship years.
and finally the most recent happening would be the Easter Play 2006 'Something Playing in my ear and other true stories.' Honoured to be given the privelege to serve God in this manner. Would do it again even if it means getting slapped another 8 times. Managed to share my testimony (hence 'other true stories') after the play. I shed a few tears. lol.
Ms. Samantha Wong the makeup-person. Me with 3 weeks of beard.
Dan the Man putting the finishing touches. I don't wanna die young.
'Ssup with you, dawg?'
'My gwen-fadher...' Chris. She can sing.
and finally...
When I'm 68. No more afro.
Aeternalis
6:27 AM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I wish I was by the sea... or in some tropical island far away. (well, not too far.) Even though I can't swim much and I can even drown in a lifejacket, I like the sea somehow.
(and that's the only narcissism you'll see from me, Michelle!)
My mind's saturated now from all the studying... at the point when the words just become a blur of ink swirling together. Even though the going is tough and progress is really slow, I know that God is working in this. Page by page I turn, disease by disease I learn. There's 4 weeks left, and it seems like a lot of time but I think my peers and myself will know otherwise. Having to cover every system from head to toe, know anatomical structures of the remotest parts of your body, (I mean like who cares where the piriformis is?) as well as the formation of urine... Sigh. Just venting some frustration I guess. Don't get me wrong though, I'm far from losing Hope. God's been a pillar of strength in all this and through the next 30 days or so, He'll continue to be! Do pray for me and the rest of us medical students!
The two messages by Pastor Kenneth and Pastor Sandra over the weekend were also God-sent, Spirit-lifting messages. Pastor Kenneth talked about being drunk in the Spirit. Pastor Sandra talked about relationships as she always does, but everytime I hear her speak on this, I always learn something new. She reminded me as did someone else to the importance of being yourself. And of waiting and trusting in God. I went to the services with an expectancy that the Word would change my life, and God didn't dissapoint. Looking forward to next weekend!
Aeternalis
2:56 AM
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Sunday, June 04, 2006
Deeply ministered to by the messages of Rev. Irvin Rutherford. Many of us are. Testimonies of lives lived in Faith for the Glory of God always encourages me. Often times, I wonder if my life would have such an impact as these men of God have had in their lifetimes. But wondering won't get me anywhere. I know where I want to go, and Jesus with me, I know I will succeed.
Rev. Rutherford taught me two things today: take the 'if' out of our relationship with God
and the second, a confirmation of God's revelation on my life:
'You can't truly need God, until God's all you've got left.'
Hillsongs - Heaven
I need Your Love
Like the desert needs the rain
I need Your touch
Like the fire needs the flame
One moment without You near
Is heartache I cannot bear
A lifetime with You O Lord
Is Heaven I long to Know
Heaven
Come over me
Like the oceans meets the shore
Shine on my life
Like the morning steals the night
Aeternalis
10:45 PM
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Friday, June 02, 2006
It's 3.25 am on the 2nd of June, and I just woke up from sleep. It's raining, I was dead tired before I slept, and I have a class at 8.30 am. With only 3 hours of sleep I should be irritated beyond measure, but I'm not. I sat up on my bed, the first thought on my mind is that God wants to do something and excitement filled my heart. It wasn't always like this, but now I thank God that He's as delighted as I am with the intimate relationship that we share. So, sitting there in the darkness, I was just overwhelmed by the wonder of it all, overwhelmed by the Love and Grace that covers my life.
A personal breakthrough of mine is realizing the need of God. It seems that I cannot go to sleep nowadays without really coming to Him. I used to struggle alot in being faithful with my quiet time, but that's changed. Yesterday, my whole day was filled with ministry. I worshipped, danced and prayed for the King I love, and at the end of this fulfilling day I was exhausted... Expecting God to understand my need of rest, I talked with my God for 15 minutes and feel asleep.
Here I am 3 hours later, refreshed and renewed by the only One who can give rest. As I expected, God understood my need of rest. He took care of that. But I didn't realize my need for Him is greater than any other need I'll ever know.
So now, I'm going to meet with the Lover of my Soul.
Hillsongs - Simply Worship
I come to You in humble sacrifice
Hear my heart, I worship
The cares of life, I lay them at Your throne
With child like faith I simply worship You
No greater love has my heart ever known
In awe of You, I worship
My spirit soars when my heart meets with Yours
Embraced in love, I simply worship
Jesus, How could I live without You?
Jesus, I simply worship You
Your love compels me to come
Into Your presence, I will run
Aeternalis
3:24 AM
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