Day 7 (14 Dec 2011) Part 2

After the second evax walk, we assembled and gave a short account of our evax walk. Apparently, the president in one of  the universities had received a death threat, hence they enforced strict rules regarding visitors onto the campus. So, the reason we couldn't get into the university is kind of spiritual in a sense. We had to then immediately head towards our respective lifegroups, 'cos it was evening already. Me and Nilla, who were in one group, couldn't join Lala's lifegroup and had to split up. I joined Allan, Myrna and Judith's lifegroup while Nilla went with Paul and Florence to a different location. My group quickly hopped to a supermarket to buy snacks for the lifegroup before taking the super-crowded LRT back to the Technological University of the Phillipines, the same area where we did the evax walk in the morning. Yep, no time to shower. All part of doing missions, people. Yeah!

The lifegroup was held in Saint John United Methodist Church from 6pm onwards. Our objective for the evax walk that morning was to invite the students we talked to to come for evening lifegroup that same day. So, we waited outside the church building until it became dark, for a few reasons (1) Waiting patiently for our invited contacts to come (2) The caretaker who was meant to open the church up for us was late. In the end, none of the new contacts came. But hey, the seeds have been sown and God will make it grow. In the meantime, let's start lifegroup!

So, there was me, Allan, Myrna and Judith, and there were the Filipino students: Cor, Ruffa, Paula, Jolibee (wut?) and Chino. Chino did the icebreaker, Cor shared her life testimony, Ruffa conducted the worship (I even remember the songs, King of Majesty, Nothing in Impossible, Our God, All the Heavens), Allan and Judith both shared a testimony, me and Myrna...well...because of the way things turned out, didn't do much. I happily munched on snacks.

Here's the group in all its pixelated glory!

p.s. Please don't ask me why I was making that face.
p.p.s. I looked at the photo again and asked myself, where was Allan? And I was like...ohhhh...

The church was being used by another group at the same time so we couldn't stay for long. Going to the toilet was interesting, because there were no lights in the area. Anyway, I saw a swing reminiscent of the ones I saw in my childhood in many Malaysian houses. And these guys got to it before me.

We headed back to the LRT after saying our goodbyes to the students. Go Chino! He was the only guy at lifegroup that day. We hadn't had a proper dinner, so I was a bit hungry. Well, fast forward until we met up with the other group and shared our experiences. Well, I was a tad jealous. Why, you say?

Well, it's not so much they had their lifegroup on the rooftop of a building, but it's because their pictures aren't pixelated. Okay, maybe having lifegroup on a rooftop (Level 41) is pretty cool.

That's the last time we will work with Hope Manila. As much as we have encouraged them, I think we were even more encouraged. All these students had exams coming up during that time, and they were so close to one another, people with simple faith. There were times where it seemed discouraging but still they pressed on, winning souls for Jesus. Please keep Hope Manila (and perhaps the whole church in general) in prayer and God will open doors for those who believe and persevere. Amen!

Next, final chapter! We go to jail, do not pass 'Go' and do not collect $200! Gasp!

Review: A Passion for the Fatherless

A Passion for the Fatherless by Daniel J Bennet was a wonderful book on developing a ministry towards those whom God has commanded us to take care of (James 1:27). This is an area of ministry that many people today overlook, which is appalling, especially as the number of orphans in the world is staggering – currently estimated at 163 million. That number is horrific – but it is a number that we can improve – and this book goes through many ways this can occur.

Many of those who care passionately about taking care of orphans are usually focused on adoption, and while this is important, and makes up a significant proportion of this book, Bennet goes through the fact that caring for orphans is not just limited to adoption and that our ministry to orphans should not just be limited to adoption, but involves supporting those in other areas, including prayer, mission trips, fostering, and financial support for those caring for orphans in any of these areas.

The other part of this book that I found really useful was theological aspect of orphan care. This is often overlooked. We are spiritual orphans, but have been adopted into the family of God. Orphan care, especially in regards to adoption, is a picture of this to a lost world.

If you are interested in missions, especially in regards to orphan care, then this is an essential book for you!

Compassion Friday

Thank God for Compassion Film 58 event on 18 August in Monash Clayton Campus Cinema.

The film inspired us to do more for the poor and how the church can change the lives of others. Even in developed countries, believers can play a part to fight child poverty. We might not be able to go there physically, but we can certainly contribute our money and spend time to pray for those children.

After hearing the testimony from Megan and Jeremy, I realize how these events can impact the lives of our church members and the children they chose to sponsor. I love to hear how our members grow in their relationship with the sponsored child and how the money gives hope to the children. Personally I am a supporter of Compassion child survival program. After reading the letter, I am delighted to hear stories of how the mothers in Uganda are touched by the love of Jesus, as well as the improved health conditions in the community. I learned that each child is provided with a God-given destiny in their lives. Sadly many died before they turned 5 and never realize the potentials inside them. In the movie, I find myself staring at the eyes of many children who are miserable and lost. There is no joy in them.

We must give back hope to these children in the name of Jesus. Poverty is not just about financial hardship; it also affects people’s emotional and spiritual health. When people encounter Jesus, their whole life transforms. They are no longer slaves in the cycle of oppression, but they are set free to live the life that God has set before them.

The testimonies by various Christians in film 58 challenged me to think bigger beyond my own life circumstances, and encouraged me to take a step further to care for the poor who are suffering in many Third World countries. Things cannot stay the same the way they are, and they don’t have to. The church is called to mission, to partner with different believers around the world to end poverty, to break the chains of injustice as described in Isaiah 58.

The issue is urgent, and the time to act is now.

Review: Go

This was an interesting sequel to the DVD Invisible Children. Invisible Children, among its other work, raises money to help build and set up schools in Uganda, especially in the north (the area most affected by the LRA). They set up a challenge to raise a million dollars in 100 days, and rewarded twenty of the participants with a trip to Uganda. This DVD tracks some of the stories of these people, and the youth in Uganda who they connect with.

This DVD was interesting, mostly in the connections it made between the youth from America and the youth in Uganda. The DVD was keen to point out that in spite of the troubles that the Ugandan youth face, they are very similar to the Americans.

At the same time the DVD does very much highlight the trials that the Ugandan youth face, sometimes to a level that I think is too much (both in terms of manipulating the audience and of not being properly respectful of the Ugandan’s rights for privacy especially in terms of very traumatic events). That said, there are few groups that really highlight the trials that people in similar situations go through, so the Invisible Children organisation is doing a valuable work.

Keep in mind that this DVD is made by Christians, most of the people involved (both American and Ugandan) are Christians, but it is not an exclusively Christian DVD. There is little directly about God. There are a variety of reasons for this, among one is that Uganda does not need evangelisation (it is approximately 80% Christian) but it does need massive discipleship and financial assistance. These are part of our Christian duty as well as preaching the gospel (see James 1:27 for the classic verse on this point), and Go is a useful DVD to think about these issues and how we can help people in Uganda and around the world.

Day Five: Sunday 17.06.2012

After all that worry, I didn’t even give my lesson, just greetings from Australia. The children take part in the second part of the service (the sermon) but they have something for them before hand. They have a similar time at church to what we have: prayer is 9:30-10:00, then the service is officially from 10-12, but usually runs over.

They made a special cake for us all to have, and I just managed to get away with not eating any. I had a Fanta though, which I normally wouldn’t to make up for it.

Afterwards we had lunch at one of the elder’s house’s, with all of the elders there, along with the other visitor, Winnie (from Kampala). I had lots of food, but everyone kept wanting me to eat more. Then Auntie Irene prayed for us.

John picked us up and drove us home, and then we went back into town. Esther needed to get some money out, and I just wanted to see things. It was quiet because it was a Sunday. Esther soon got tired and went back, but I continue on… to receive 1 proposal of marriage from a Congonese man and one offer of ‘friendship’ from a seller of Matoke bananas. Then I headed back on a boda – the first boda ride this trip! It was a lot of fun. I passed Esther on the way and David soon arrived on a boda too, so we walked the last road together.

At dinner we talked a bit about politics. Museveni (their president) was the reason we had difficulty accessing our emails. That’s right, the president blocked my email. I feel important. Anyway, he has been in power for 25 years, and while he isn’t bad, a lot of people have previously voted against him but election results just get ‘recounted’ and he stays in. I told them how we have crooked politicians in Australia – the recent case of one spending millions on things completely unrelated to politics or the good of Australia being an example.

We also discussed the Bushikori clinic. It is extremely important, but it is the biggest cost. Without it though, people can’t get any medical attention, and even if they can afford the hospital, a lot of people (especially poorer people) die waiting. So it needs to stay open, but it is a struggle financially.

Review: Another Man’s War

This is the autobiography of pastor Sam Childers, who is a rather unusual missionary in South Sudan. He is the type of pastor who would have been at home in the more aggressive areas of Reformation Europe, or as a missionary to the Scots and Picts in the early days of Christianity – the pastors who preached with their weapons right next to them ready for the attacks of the enemy.

Childers has had an unusual life, including being a bikie on drugs before turning to Christ and doing construction in Sudan, which lead to his current work there, maintaining an orphanage for children he and others had rescued from the LRA. These children are often in great physical danger, and there is a lot of security and weaponry involved at the orphanage and surrounding areas.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Childers neither skimmed over his life before Christ nor dwelt on it in a way that was distracting. I found many of his comments from being on the field in South Sudan to be interesting, especially in regards to the activities and movements of the LRA and the different political groups operating in the region.

Obviously this book will appeal more to those who have an interest in Africa, especially Sudan and the surrounding areas, but even if you are not , it’s a great autobiography.

It has been made into a movie, Machine Gun Preacher, which will be reviewed in a future post.

Day Four: Saturday 16.06.2012

We had a slow morning, then went into Mbale to go to an internet café. I sorted my emails, but didn’t do much else with the time, although I should have. I actually have some important emails to send (about uni), so I must do that soon. I only cost ₴1500 (about 75c) for an hour.

I spent most of the afternoon reading. We talked a little about some of the missions work that Esther has done (she’s been to the Massai in Kenya, and on a Mercy Ship for 3 years, but has also done other things around the world).

We had dinner with Anne, and she asked if I could teach Sunday school tomorrow. The lesson would run for about half an hour, but I don’t know any other details. I said yes, so I will let you know all about it. I found out at 9PM, so I only had a little prep time, but I usually don’t take much time to prepare. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Review: Crazy Love

This is seriously one of the books that has most influenced me in my Christian life. It’s fairly well known – there are lots of reviews of it out there and it makes it onto Koorong’s “long list” of books that every Christian should read.

This book shows us how radical the love of God is for sinners like us, and how we are called to demonstrate that love to those around us.

Many Christians need to be reminded (I know I need to be continually re-reminded) that we are not here for ourselves. We are not here to just have a good time (though believe me, doing God’s will is often, though not always, good fun). We are here to glorify God and to love our neighbour.

One of the best bits about this book was the set of stories towards the end of different people who have lived or are living lives dedicated to serving God. And while some of these people are famous and go rather firmly into the much-better-than-me category, many of them are of “normal” people who are just like us – and several are from circumstances that are far more difficult than ours. These stories remind us that we can truly do this, that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Seriously, if you one read one Christian book for the next however long (month, year, whatever), it should be this one!

March for the Babies

Okay, this isn't exactly missions. But this is a massive issue in Victoria at the moment.

I would really like to encourage EVERYONE from Hope Church (and anyone else!) to attend this march. This march is to protest the change in the Victorian abortion law, which made our laws the most pro-abortion in the world. Most horrifically, it allows for abortion to happen up til BIRTH. If you want more information about this event, the current abortion law in Victoria, etc, then you can either vistit the March for the Babies site or speak to Sam Rawson. Event: Saturday Oct 13th, Arrive at 1PM (or a little earlier) Meeting at the Treasury Gardens on the corner of Spring St and Wellington Parade. Wear pink or blue! Last year there were heaps of people, but this year we want WAY more. The slogans were dorky, but it is for a fantastic cause - protecting the lives of the unborn!

Day 7 (14 Dec 2011) Part 1

Our quiet time reading begins with Ephesians 4:7-13. I believe it's saying our job is not just share the gospel, but also to build up the body of Christ. Pray that the CCM here in the Philippines will rely on the grace of God (v7) and ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of impartation. We also need to be motivate to reach the fullness of Christ. We can't just be satisfied where we are, however good 'here' is.

Today is our final collaboration with Hope Manila. We've tackled high school students and college students, now it's time for the universities. We planned to visit the Technological University of the Phillipines (TUP)  (I can't remember all the names of the universities but I remember we had to ride the Skyway to access it) in a group, separate into three groups and evangelise in the uni. Unfortunately, we were later informed that we weren't allowed inside. No worries, we can always evax to the students coming in and out of the uni. Unlike Monash Clayton, this uni is very near to nearby coffee shops, so student traffic is high throughout the day, with students coming in and out of uni grounds just to spend time at the coffee shops between lectures.

We split into three groups. Nilla and I were in a group again, together with our student guide. Our first encounter was with two guys happily eating their brunch. We started off pretty well, and were willing to listen to us sharing the A to Z of the Gospel. Turns out they were Catholics. I was about to say good day, when Nilla decided to press on and challenged them whether they had received Christ or not. She wasn't about to leave without making sure. It was a good thing that they were pretty nice guys with lots of free time, 'cos some of the questions we asked them started to make them feel uncomfortable. All the while, I was hoping we weren't overstepping our boundaries. Should we have been adamant to make sure their faith in Jesus was secure? Did we help them cross the line of faith in the end? I wasn't sure. We ended the conversation inviting them for lifegroup, which was happening tonight. We then approached two other guys eating their brunches. One of them was a believer, and his friend wasn't. From what I recalled, because the believer hadn't received Jesus yet, we focused on him rather than his friend with questions about his faith. Then it started to rain, and they both left. I pondered a bit. That was two encounters with Christians that we had that morning, and Nilla's strategy was to keep making sure they put their faith in Christ. I remembered the time when we told that the people here are very eager to listen to missionaries, but very reluctant to commit. I think that was in Nilla's heart, to see that being a predominantly Christian country, should the Christians really have a heart for the Great Commission, the whole country would experience a revival like no other. Instead, the faith has been diluted and people are without conviction. There were beautiful cathedrals all around the city which we were told belonged to cults. Things were serious indeed.

We then headed back to base on the Skyway. We had a simple lunch in a eating place near Hope Church. I remembered that we were supposed to bring a gift that wasn't too expensive to lifegroup later that night, and do a gift exchange, sort of like the ones they do in Christmas office parties. I quickly ran over to a cleverly hidden stationary shop to buy a pen (Seriously, it was hard to find a gift that didn't blew the $1 mark or 13 peso mark).

Our journey then took us to the Technological Institute of the Philippines. It was a cluster of universities located close together, surrounded by a huge wall. We had to take a super-crowded, plenty-of-inappropriate-touching-kind-of-full LRT to the venue. Again, we splitted up into three groups, each to enter a different campus. I think my group got the one that was furthest from the starting point. We walked along the perimeter til we reached the entrance gates. Would you guess it? Again, we were refused entry. That causes some problems. Lala, our student guide from said university, was going to have her lifegroup inside the campus, but we the guests weren't even allowed inside. So, we couldn't join their lifegroup. Sadness to the extreme!

We decided to visit the nearby coffee shops, except there weren't many. This was where we spotted one of the biggest vices of Filipino students: Cyber cafés. Florence later shared she identified a stronghold related to computer games. This culture was not at all conducive for learning, and I can just imagine the students caring more for DoTA than their studies. On the plus side, we did talk to a group of students at a coffee shop. A pleasant conversation, I remember. Most expressed interest in lifegroups and they listened intently as we shared our stories and talked about future careers. That was probably the only encounter we had for that leg of the journey. I was fascinated by the murals on the Great Wall surrounding the campuses, each wall must have been decorated by a student, and there must have been hundreds of sections with individual drawings. We walked past a primary school, and I once again remembered the cyber cafés. Please pray that God will deal with this stronghold over the students in Manila.

The day is not done yet. There still lifegroup to go, plus photos! Will anybody among the people we invited during both evax walks come at all? Stay tuned to hear the next chapter of our Manila mission trip!