Sunday, March 04, 2007

Dedicated this letter to all,

I remembered on the first day of my mission trip, Rachael asked me what is my thought of the day, I just said, “ I do not know what is going to happen.” And before I knew it………………..

My experience
This is the first time that I stayed on the fringe of a slum area. But once I settled down, it is really like just another place for me to sleep, eat and rest. Actually it is really fun playing with the children (I do not have younger siblings to play with except my younger cousins)…of course getting all dirtied and smelly is really where all the fun is…best of all, I get to see so many stars shinning in the dark…and they are all so bright! I simply love riding the jeepney and tricycle (especially the side seat that faces out to the door). And of course, the one peso bread…and the ice-cream bicycle that sings the tune “ paddle pop”. Night time is really cooling after the afternoon rain everyday.

Answered prayers
God answered our prayers, as the team prayed for healing on our brother Mark’s hand. His hand was scalded and swollen red but after praying for him in the morning…at the end of the day…his hand got better by half and no longer so red. Being absent minded in nature, I did not really forget to do this and that, except I kept forgetting about the balloons for our skit performance. I do not know whether I have become a nuisance or helper to others, but I think better leave it to God to decide !!?

The friends that I make
Although, it is just a few days, it seems like we have known each other for months. I feel like that I am just one of their friends (the children), their warmth and love really touched me. It is really a humbling experience as you see fellow brothers and sisters living their life and serving God in Philippines. All of them have set an example for me to follow.
I thought to myself what drives fellow sisters and brothers to serve God in the ministry of the squatter slums…their days may be filled with rejections, discouragements, frustrations or even anger. However, all that they are happy to see…wanted to see…hope to see…are the smiles of the people on their faces and …their cries into joy. All people need Jesus in their lives, sometimes there is only Jesus who can help…and all of them just want to let others know this very fact that there is Jesus…to give them hope and life.

To do
Deu 15:4-11 speaks most to me. I realize that God does not desire all men to be poor, but yet there will always be poor people. I am still seeking for God to show His will for me in the mist of all these sufferings.
I felt terribly ashamed and selfish of myself when I thought about how Jesus cares for others, but never care about how people will response or behave to Him. I learnt about the unconditional love of the workers and Jesus, which seems most “unachievable” to me. I realized that it is “total nonsense” when I love God whom I cannot see, and not love my neighbour whom I can see, anything that is done without love is meaningless. My response to others should not be a function of how others response to me.

To see
Just like in the storybook of Little Prince, it says, “what is most essential is invisible to the eye.” Seng Eng taught me to train my eyes to see, then I remembered (Heb12:1-3).

To feel
When I sang songs with the children at one of the folks’ house, celebrating Jing’s birthday. Suddenly, I felt an intense feeling just bursting out of me while the children sang songs with me. I know that could be just be it…a kind of feeling that just says it all…a kind of feeling that just says hey all these that I’ve done, it’s just worth it and simply nothing can replace this kind of feeling…and it’s indescribable! The feeling is so intense and sudden…the children must have touched me…I guess I found what drives out that compassion and love…they have touched me…deeply.

To think
Never to assume things as they are without understanding the real situation, sometimes what I attempt to think, explain and perceive about things may not be so. To put it simply, I can never be in the shoes of others. As I am not in the shoes of others, I can never totally understand and experience what is the real situation. Nevertheless, as I seek to ask, find out more, try to understand better…think open, be willing to listen and accept differences.

Urgent/constant need for these young lives: If you are wish to sponsor children living in the poor areas of Philippines, do let me know via email (sillybee88@hotmail .com) or pg (92680862), it is a monthly contribution of $15.



Give thanks to:
I want to give thanks to all the my friends who have taught me to love life: my parents and siblings taught me about respect and honor…Rachael taught me how to just be myself, Jo taught me how to be sensitive and sensible, Willa taught me about being true to self, Shu taught me about faithfulness and Barney taught me about gentleness and self-control…Wai taught me about dedication to work…Wendy taught me to trust God…pastor Kok Fai, Linda, Seng Eng and Chwen taught me to be the person that I can be…Brother Cesar, Randy, Romy, Mark and sister Val taught me about quality service to God…and all the children taught me how to love…May all that I have learnt not be just a passing cloud, but a constant reminder to me as a guiding principle to do and just do it…be true to self…and to read the bible.

For my life, I thank God for what is given and what is taken…blessed be the name of the Lord.

“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away,
May the name of the Lord be praised.” ~ Job 1:21

Cheers and God bless,
Meixia a.k.a bee
Friday the 13th Jul

Note: Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong in any of the things being shared. In any case that you do not understand what I am writing, please pardon me for my illiterate explanation and stupid grammar mistakes. Any way, this letter is meant to add some stupid and silly stuff to your life today!

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whisperingwood out
@ |5:41 AM|