haven't been updating my blog for ages ~ i'm back from Philippines and this mission trip is awesome ~ the gist of it ~
This was my first mission trip. This trip is meaningful to me because from this trip, I felt that my relationship with God has strengthened. I have learnt to seek Him and to wait upon Him. The entire trip which include the preparation stage (before departure) – God has shown me His faithfulness and how by trusting in Him; He’ll bring you through the most impossible things and how He has tamed my heart to wait upon Him. My dad has actually prevented me to go for this trip on the week we are leaving. I have to listen to my dad everyday - telling me not to go. But, I wasn't a bit worried that I can't go. I was packing my bag eventhough my dad kept telling me I can't go. There's a strong feeling inside of me that tells me I can go and I just continue to fast and pray.
Being in Samal is an eye-opener. I felt that I have been challenged in many ways and it has impacted me to change my ways and my thoughts. During the rope course, I remember that I prayed at every juncture of an obstacle. Being a person who’s afraid of a lot of things, especially heights, I put a stopped to things that I think it will kill me. And, living in this fear, it has prevented to experience the fullness in life.
To know that God was with me at all times and to embrace in my faith for Him, I braced myself to do the things that I would never had done because I have submitted to my fears that have been planted in me all this while.
Men have many fears in life that may put a full stopped to the things they can do. One thing with men, they have already thought of the outcome of fear even before they try to overcome it or living out of it. Fear is a setback for many that have prevented many to move forward and to discover new aspects of their lives. Crossing the fear barrier is not easy as there are many uncertainties that men feared. Unless men have certain assurance; he’ll never attempt to cross this high pillar in their lives. I found that this assurance can be found in God; being said so this will again challenged our trust and the faith we have in God. How much we think God can do for us? It comes back the issue of how we think again. Let’s say, if we move our perspective to think how God thinks? Another question will emerge; do I know God enough to know how He can help me?
I felt that men will only accept His help when they foresee each situation is going to be a dead-end for them and there are no avenues that they can turn too. Why wait till we are at such state? I think men should put themselves in the shoes of those mentioned (i.e. to be at dead ends) and allow God to come in to interfere in their lives. All the time we say that we submit our burden to God, we know very well ourselves that we are still holding fractions of it in us unwilling to give it all to God caused we are not assured of our trust in God.
This is the barrier everyone should overcome – it’s the mind that has overpowered of our lives that have also prevented God to interfere in our lives.
They are too afraid to crossed the untouched realm in their lives.
The devotion and the heart the people in Samal have for God has touched me greatly. The kids that are so tender in age (i.e. below 10 years) could demonstrate to me the importance of God and the tremendous love they have for God. They walked 7-9km on uneven and rocky path just to get to church that starts at 8:30 in the morning (they must have woke up extremely early walk to church). I felt guilty about it that I have not loved God enough and because of the comfort of my own life, I have sometimes take the walk of faith with God for granted in many ways.
The many things in Samal have taught me lessons to live a life that puts God at the top of everything. I have learnt to put my trust in God more and how by trusting God; He’ll bring you through the obstacles that are in front of us. I thank God for putting me in this trip and sending me constant reminders through the people and through various events (e.g. camp, visitations, etc). I realized that when you trust in the Lord; and when God has ushered you through all the difficulties; your faith will be brought to a higher level.
The trip is great.
"For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100:5
ok ... for the moment this is it ... will write more bout the trip soon ~ hope u'll be encouraged by this ~ nite nite all n have a blessed week ~
