God heard my silent whisper

Had dinner with a 50 year old lady who went to study at Regent College for 2 years. She was sharing how she laid 4 "fleeces" before the Lord, and how He answered everyone of them. I joked that I should do the same. "Try Him" was her reply.

Last night we had an end-of-year party. The highlight of the night was the lucky draw. Top 3 prizes were digital cameras. Since the last time I won anything at a lucky draw was 20 years ago - a T-shirt, I didn't think very much of this draw. Still I silently uttered a prayer in my heart to Father. "If you really want me to ----, then let me win the digital camera."

I got the second prize - an exilim 4.0 megapixel digital camera. You can imagine my lack of faith cos they had to call my name a few times before I realised I won.

One fleece down. 3 more to go.

Lessons from a Pastor - Principles of church growth

Had dinner with Pastor Margaret from Sarawak last night. In her distinctively quiet and unassuming manner she recounted how they built their church from scratch.

Every family was involved. Two or three families would buy a pole, and every family would bring 2 bags of cement each. Bit by bit, as the materials came in, the church was built.

Someone asked her why there was no money in the church bank account. Her reply was "What for ? As the Lord provides, so we give out."

I learnt 2 lessons last night.

There was ownership by the church members. Everyone chipped in and contributed to the building of the church. The members were poor, and yet there was a sacrificial spirit among them to see God's work established. They were prepared to go the extra mile, to make the extra sacrifice.

A giving attitude despite having little. Having the faith to believe in Him to provide, and being obedient to continue giving. No point storing for ourselves treasures on earth, when we are missing out on eternal promises.

I was blown away when she said,"I may be poor, but my Father is rich, and He has many children."
Underlying that statement belies her trust in the Lord who owns everything, and her understanding that her Father will move the hearts of His children to give towards His work.

Reliance and partnership.


Where does this leave us ?

We are rich. And yet we often cannot even bring a small plank to contribute to the Lord's building.
We have treasures in the bank account. And yet we cut back on our giving.


What will our Father think of us ?

Lessons from the field - The birds and the rice

Was in the van with Tita on the way to the mall on our second last day, when she suddenly stopped on the way out of IFL. She stared at the ricefields and then got out of the van. She looked pretty upset.

There were birds in the ricefields. Hungry birds.

If nothing was done soon, there would be no more rice for harvest.

Such a fitting end to the mission trip, I thought. A reminder.

In a few hours' time, we would return to Singapore. Back to the busy-ness and frantic pace of city living. There will be "birds" all around. "Hungry birds" that will require our time, our efforts, our energy. If we are not careful, there will be no rice left. If we are not careful to guard what lessons we have learnt from the field, if we do not ponder them over in our hearts, we will lose the fruit in no time. Nothing left to harvest.

So what do I do with the lessons from the field ?

Lessons from the field - Are you prepared ?

Deo received an sms from Tita requesting for medical help for typhoon flood relief work. One of the 2 doctors of our team was requested to go - it meant going back to IFL and flying via helicopter to the flood areas.

I jumped at the idea. Wah .. fly by helicopter sia ! Shiok !

Someone from Singapore smsed "Do you really have to go ? It's dangerous."

My reply "That's why I'm here for. To be available whenever, wherever, however."

Brave words. Almost bordering on proud.

Soon after, the reality hit me. We would be flying over NPA (read rebels) area. They wouldn't be very sympathetic towards military helicopters flying overhead.

Was I willing to risk a real danger to my life ? The climb up Dueg mountain suddenly paled in comparison.

Did I really mean what I said ? To be available regardless ?

The next 48 hours proved to be trying. I was sick with a low grade fever, sore throat, running nose and cough. We were stranded in different places, not knowing what the plans were, where we were headed.

As I surrendered myself to Him, there was peace. Peace amidst the uncertainty. Joy amidst the confusion. An assurance from Him who watches over my coming in and my going out.

The helicopter flight turned out greater than expected. We had free lodging at a "hotel", free dinner and breakfast. I had much needed sleep on a proper bed. Recovered sufficiently from my flu. Managed to attend to 100 + patients.

His grace is sufficient for me.

I would never have experienced all of that if I hadn't taken the first step of faith to go.

Am I prepared for more ?

Lessons from the field - The morning after

On our way back from Dueg, we travelled the same mountain road we came from earlier.

In the daytime, everything looked different. The path seemed less treacherous. The trek seemed less ardous.

It was the same mountain road.

The mist and darkness changed my perspective of it. The light showed me what it was really like.

He will not bring us through trials we cannot bear.

Lessons from the field - One step at a time

The mist and darkness descended so quickly we were taken by surprise.

It was a 1 1/2 hour trek up to Dueg after the truck got stuck in the mud.

Within 1/2 hour we were reduced to tiny steps as the mist and darkness combined ensured we could only see a few steps ahead at one time.

I had come on this trip with questions. And I wanted answers ...

Well ... I got my reply ... "One step at a time"

This is Christian spirituality. Many times we can only see one step ahead. But we will never know what lies ahead of that step if we do not take the one in front. And we can be sure the next step will come into view after this one.
The other re-assuring thing was : just as there were people in front of me whose steps I could follow so that I did not fall into the mud, I could also follow the foot steps of saints that have travelled ahead of me.
At the same time, there were also those who were trailing behind me, depending on my foot-steps to lead the way.

One step at a time. Will I trust enough to take it as it comes ? Will I be an example for those who come behind me ?

Lessons from the field - His ways are higher

As usual, our luggage aka medicines got stuck at customs.

As usual, I was stopped.

This time, they refused to let 2 boxes through.

Strangely enough, this time round, I had peace in my heart during the "interrogation" and "checking". No fear. Maybe it was resignation that it had happened again. I remember sms-ing some of the first team to start praising God when their 16 boxes got stuck. All had gone through and the theme of our team became "prayer and praise". I told our team outside who had gotten through customs
to also praise God.

Praise us through I thought.

God had other plans.

I was brought into the "inner room" - to unpack all the medicines and to account for every sample I brought. Told the officers why I was there, that I was a doctor, it was a medical missions, the Aeta at Dueg and Bataan will benefit from the medicines, so "sayang" that they are holding the 2 boxes from me ...
They seemed rather fierce at first, but slowly warmed up to me after a while. They became more sympathetic and even smiled and started chatting with me.

The atmosphere definitely got even warmer with the entrance of Diana. They thought at first we were "high school sweethearts" or "married" (groan. Diana was thrilled. I wasn't really.) Diana was all giggly when they thought we were college students... She certainly started chatting them up after that.

It was amazing how events turned around. They started opening up. One of them was a Christian who attended a church in Manila. He had been corresponding with a Singaporean lady and been trying to bring her to Christ. We exchanged email addresses. My mission from him was to try to meet this lady and bring her to church. Another guy had been to Singapore once. We invited him back to Singapore again.

By the time we left the office, one hour had passed. We had become friends of sorts. Can you imagine - we shook hands and blessed each other in the Lord.

The 2 boxes are probably still at the customs office now. But I left with something more valuable - an email address (He wrote to me a few days later) and a Singaporean name to pray for, and hopefully to write to and evangelise to.

Praise Him. He knows what's best. His ways are higher.

Lessons from the field - God of all creation

He's the God of all creation. From Ministorm Winnie and Typhoon Nanmadol (yes, I now know the name)the week before to sunny bright skies the day we landed at Ninoy Aquino Airport, I was amazed at how He changed the weather and how the typhoon missed IFL.

Just the night before, the first team were huddled together in "fear" of the impending typhoon, braving strong and howling winds. The very next morning, the second team landed safely on Filipino soil, almost sweating under the bright sun.

That was the first of many lessons about Himself that He revealed this trip. He's the God of all creation. Trust Him.

I will hide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Breaking the silence

Back from the mission trip more than 2 weeks ago. Been wanting to write for some time but either never found the time or the energy.

Thought I would start now. Stuck at work. Got woken to see 3 patients in labour.
Funny how it was quiet before 12 midnight. Suddenly after the clock struck 12, they started streaming in. Everybody wants a Christmas eve or Christmas baby I suppose...

Ok, since I'm waiting for one more patient that just strolled in ... Here goes ... Learnt a couple of lessons during the trip and decided to name the series "Lessons from the field"...

Re-alignment

How self-centred we can all be ! While we are here safe and sound in our concrete houses, our brothers and sisters are braving the storm in IFL and Bataan, and other parts of Luzon. Instead of worrying about OUR trip and flight, we should be praying for THEIR safety and health.

2 am. That's when they think the typhoon will hit IFL.

Someone said to pray the typhoon will pass over them.

Re-alignment of attitude and posture. A posture of prayer and submission. An attitude of awe of God.

"When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, you are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God."

Abba, protect Your children.

Let our hearts be still amidst the storm.

God of all creation

The tropical storm Winnie and then the upcoming typhoon (a more complicated Filipino name which I have not memorised) have made quite a few people worried. Got a couple of sms-es already. "Is the trip still on ? Is it safe?"

Frankly I don't know. It really depends on whether the plane flies to Manila tomorrow morning. Will flights to and from Manila get cancelled due to 200km/hr winds ? Will the roads to and from IFL be flooded ? Will the first team come back in time ? Will we even leave Changi ? Will we be stranded at Ninoy Aquino Airport ?

Really, it all depends. Depends on the good pleasure of the Lord.

So Lord, what do You have in store for us this trip ?

Been hearing this song the whole day. Literally. Putting together another video clip that cannot be played on other computers ...

"Into your hand, I commit again.
All I am, for You, Lord.
You hold my world, in the palm of Your hand
And I am Yours, forever.

Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am.

I'll walk with You, wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I'll trust in You
And I will live, in all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever."


Your ways are higher, Lord.

We submit.

Musings ...

Just volunteered to run clinic for a colleague who went post-call (otherwise known as - go home for much needed sleep / recreation after an overnight call). Thought it might be a nice change from the mundane ... was told I was crazy since the clinics are very busy ... oh well ... we'll see.

Typhoon sweeping across north of manila. Hmm.. that's where we'll be going next week. Thank God the first team is safely in Manila already. Was worried they might get stuck coming down from Olangapo.
Come to think of it, there are always rumblings of trouble before every trip ... communist rebels one year, terrorists the next. now typhoon.
In the end, it all seems to work out anyway.
God is in control. Amen !

Ok the clinic assistant is here. We can start clinic now.

Let me get my coke first ...