a story of love, grace and mercy

2006-05-15T00:06:00.000+08:00

Dear supporters even though the mission trip has ended, you can still play a part by praying for charis, students and teachers alike.

John 14:12-14
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
And whatever you ask in my name that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

May God be glorified in whatever we do! :)

United in Christ,
Shu Yan

2006-04-22T20:32:00.000+08:00

I did not give you any sweets

I made you do assement books repeatly

Iwas harsh to you

I never praised you once

I gave you challenges that you thought you couldn't do

But,my child

You did them all

My child

I love you

My love for you was silent

Unfathomable

Complex

You never understood why I refused to cocoon and cuddle you

I set you questions that you couldnt answer

Because I didnt want you to be proud

I don't want your talent to become your poison

I gave you challenges that seem unattainable to you

Because I refused to believe that you were dumb

My child,I loved you not for the drawings you gave me

But for who you are

Beneath your michief

Is a heart of purity

When I saw how the world threatened to corrupt you

or take away your innocence

I cried out in anger and indignition

My reprimandation was harsh

I didnt want to see you walk the path of darkness

My child

the greatest gift I can give you

is the reason to live

I lashed out at you

when you felt dejection from you results

or when you called yourself stupid

If you surrender at this juncture in life

Then I ask

Is this your miracle?

Is this the product of your spirit soul and heart?

I didnt encourage you

Because I wanted you to find the strength and courage inside you

I see it in you

But you don't
because you are blinded by your misery

Children,

Our friends and family will help us through a crisis

But the first step

is ours to take

my child

we choose

if we want to live or die

And

my dear children

it is never easy to choose

This is my gift to you

Strength that will waver but never falter

Courage that will not fight but defend

posted by cerelia

2006-04-16T19:47:00.000+08:00

Hi Charis team and supporters

Its the first time i'm writing in this blog. Thanks to all of your support throughout the trip.

Thank God that he had changed me in His ever good ways.

Well...hmm what can I say? I guess what Shu Yan has written in the last blog was really God's work in us amd the children:)

Ok, that's all for now.

God bless all!!

Boon Ling/Wen Lin

2006-04-12T15:49:00.000+08:00

Hi all we are back from Charis Student Care Centre and Bugis Backpackers!

Lessons learnt:

The main thing I learnt was really just to trust. At times when you couldn't control the kids, at times when kids reaction could sometimes hurt you, at times you feel that you aern't good enough, at times when nothing seems right... He'll gently whisper: I'm in control.

And true enough He is in control! Even as I trust Him, as I lift up everything into His hands, I felt much better, really. Relieved. And amazing things He did! Noisy kids are able to listen what we've got to say. Ultimately, It is not us and our programmes, it is Him and His works, using people like us... thank God for His love, grace and mercy that have brought us here.

I thank God for my team, each one of them has an important lesson for me to learn, there is a purpose that God place us together, why we couldn't go for bethany or cambodia. And here we are at charis.

Yi Wei: I learnt how to be wise, and use the wisdom God has given us. And, how to manage kids! I learnt not to bear grudges and to come fresh everyday! I learnt to be more sensitive.

Klement: I learnt to be prayerful, even before planning to commit everything to Him (Prov 16:3). And also, to be sensitive to the team.

Wen Bing: I learnt that it is very encouraging to encourage each other in the word of God!

Cerelia: I learnt appreciate poems more. I learnt to think indepth. I learnt to use metaphors!

Hui Ling: I learnt that smile is a very useful to brighten up someone's day. I learnt to be open.

Boon Ling: I learnt to share. I learnt how nice it is to have peanut biscuit for everyone!

Amadea: I learnt to be open and honest. To admit my weaknesses and to trust God.

Bo Chun: I learnt to take initiative!I learnt the spirit of volunteerism and generousity.

I also thank God for the faith that He has added unto me. Even as I was writing the encouragement cards to each and every child, I prayed and believe that God will minister to them one day. I didn't have faith like that in the past. Response of the kids no longer affect me. Not that I've hardened my heart but I've learnt to trust in a God who's thoughts and ways are higher than mine. Because it's really not me ultimately, it is Him and the bible did promise us that in Isiah 55:10-11, His words, that we have told the kids, they will not return voided but will fulfill God's will.

For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower,
And breader to the eater
So shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

That very last day, God assured me of their salvation as I was walking back from the centre to the mrt station. I have never felt so sure before. And I really thank God for that! :)

Posted by Shu Yan

2006-04-02T15:40:00.000+08:00

Today is the 7th day of our mission trip.We went to Acts Centre(an extension of St Andrew's Catherdral early in the morning.Rev Ng preached about the significance of the cruxifiction of Christ Jesus.

For the past 6 days,we have built substantial rapport with the students at Charis Student Care Centre.We spilt ourselves into two groups as we had to go to the student care centre managed by Charis Methodist Church.One of the centres is near geylang methodist primary while the other is near geylang regional library.

We played games such as superhero,musical and get to know you games such as blow wind blow with the students.In addition,we also held bible story telling sessions for the students.For the lower primary students,we had more opportunites to share christ with them as they had less homework to do.We also told them our testimonies.For the upper primary students,opportunites were limited as most of them barely had free time due to the heavy homework load.

Really sorry for such a late update..will update more later...should the computer at Bugis Backpackers permits.Thank you for your kind understanding

Love,

Charis Team

2006-03-24T23:40:00.000+08:00

a long time ago

it was just us and Him

He came from a place we did not know

He proclaimed words that we did not understand

We could not fathom His actions

All in all

we never seeked to understand

Then one day

He was taken away

To the Cross

Nail by nail

It peirced through His holy skin and flesh

Each stab

a price for our rebellion

And when his blood flowed

It washed away all sin and entities

All that was left

was love grace and mercy

posted by Cerelia

2006-03-24T13:01:00.000+08:00

Faith is the key to productive life!
A productive life means to have a life full of abundance.
Have you ever wonder how to live a live free of
weakenesses, inadequacies, disappointments, failures or defeats?
The answer lies in faith itself!

Faith is so amazing!
Something logical and easy can be transformed from the impossible by it.
It renews our minds and even sends us out to conquer without fear!

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith, it's impossible to please God.

To me, trusting God fully without seeing Him is what I will call it as faith.
We can't see God but we know that He's here with us and believe in Him at all times!
So how can we have faith?
There are 3 major points.
We just simply have to hear, to speak and to act!

1) Let's start from 'to hear'.
Faith is a conviction brought into the heart when God speaks.
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Thus, we have to read our bibles constantly so as to allow faith to fill our minds.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will then hear the voice of God.
Faith will be born if conviction is in our hearts.

2) After hearing the word of God, we have to speak.
Romans 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
From here, apostle Paul wanted to tell us that whatever we say is a result of all that we believe in our hearts.
After hearing clearly God's voice, we must set our goals.
Speak about our goals as if they have been achieved.
Declare them and we will bear witness and be more encouraged.
Our goals must be of the impossible.
This will show that we are making an effort in faith, not just simply meet easy standard of ours.
Remember that only when we depend on God and not by our own will, we will then be able to reach our impossible goals.
Sound like mission impossible?! hahahahz~

3) Finally, we have to act in faith!
This is certainly not going to be smooth and easy.
We may even meet more difficulties and troubles.
But we just have to seek Him continually.
By doing so, we will make things happen for Him!
Our destiny is formed by faith.
Desires in us will be produced and await for us to take actions.
With faith, we will not see obstacles coming our way!
James 2:17
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Faith is definitely a 'must' tool in our lives!
It will give us passion and with our passion,
we will keep on going for God's glory even when we meet difficulties or feel tire!

I'm going to share with all of you my experiences.
I had a setback and I was very disappointed with God.
I drifted away from Him but He shows me His wondrous love.
He brings peace and joy into me and I never stop trusting Him.
Because of my faith in Him, i decided to run back to Him.
Just like a small child running happily back into his father's arms!
But things did not go well for me.
I did not do well in my studies but I continue to surrender all to Him.
During my previous test period, I had church choir rehearsals.
I was stuck between God and studies.
But by faith, I chose God.
I went for choir rehearsals on the nights before my tests.
And the final results were out!
Miracles from God!!!
I see great improvements in my studies!
I've been sharing Christ with my friends and praying for their salvation.
And 2 out of these friends have came to know the Lord,
and accepted Jesus Christ into their lives!
By faith, I accepted God's challenge to win 12 lost souls during these 3 months.
By faith, our mission team is going to set off to glorify God's name!
How amazing God is working in my life!
Every single day, I see His miracles, experiencing His love.
I'm not a person who is good in words. I cannot express myself well.
But I just want to tell you that God is always there for me.
He has never forsake or leave me.
2 Cor 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.
Hallelujah!!!

With faith
HuilInGz

2006-03-20T13:37:00.000+08:00

Reaching Children for Christ

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:13-14

The NEED

Many of us have been eternally blessed with the joy of the salvation Lord Jesus brings. But many in our own community have yet to even hear of the gospel our Lord has commissioned us to preach. Charis Care Centre provides before-and-after school care to primary school children, taking care of daily needs such as food and academic learning. Due to the shortage of manpower, many lack the individual attention and guidance that is much needed. Many more have not yet heard of who Jesus is and never experienced the love that the Lord gives. Children give some of the most wonderful praise to our Lord but many of these children do not yet know of His existence.

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
Mark 9:36-37

The PLAN

A team of students from the polytechnics, under the guidance of a staff from Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ will be sent to Charis Care Centre from 27 March to 8 April 2006. During this time, our team will organize programmes and activities, tutor these children and assist the centre in taking care of their daily needs. We seek to bless them by being good role models and giving them the opportunity to now who Jesus is. Our mission trip team is part of the “GEN 12II” project organized by the campus ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Based on Genesis 12:2, where Abraham was blessed by God so that he becomes a blessing to the nations, we want to be a generation that seeks to bless others as God has richly blessed us!

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mathew 28:18-20

The Search for PARTNERSHIP

We are looking forward to the great and mighty works God will do in the lives of the children at Charis Care centre. But this project cannot be undertaken without the support of our fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ. During the period of mission trip, we sincerely invite you to join us in prayer and supplication. Further, each member needs to raise $350 individually to cover lodging and other ministry expenses during these 2 weeks. The team will be staying out during this project to fully commit in this mission project and also to gain missionary experience as we learn to focus on God’s work. Gen12II is more than a project. It really is about the heart of God. Please join us in this journey in bringing people to God.

Please pray for us for…
§ The presence of God through the program and for the Lord’s name to be truly glorified.
§ Open hearts for the children, parents and staff at Charis, that they may experience and receive Christ’s love.
§ Compassion and love to serve the needs of the children, to show them who Jesus is in a personal way and to be good model.

Your RESPONSE

After prayerful consideration, I would like to be part of the project through:

- Giving a love gift
Please cross cheque to “Campus Crusade Asia Ltd” with (name of member/Charis Care Centre Mission Team) written behind, and send it to 15 South Buona Vista Rd S(118146) or pass it to him/her personally. Thank you!

-Being your prayer warrior:
Praying for this cause on Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun

The GEN12II Project 15 South Buona Vista Road Singapore 118146 Tel: 64796230 http://gen12ii.everystudent.com.sg
Sending a generation that seeks to bless
Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ

Posted by Yu Shu Yan

2006-03-19T15:25:00.000+08:00

a story of love, grace and mercy

2006-03-15T21:48:00.000+08:00

cerelia..hahahha typo error. but it's ok! unique!
guys pls sign off with our name so we know who post e entries.
is there like any tagbox??

cheers,
wenBing

2006-03-15T02:17:00.000+08:00

As the date for our mission trip draws nearer,
let us continue to pray for one another
and walk with our God righteously!

Thank You to all our financial and prayer supporters.
As well as a BIG Thank You to our Heavenly Father.

The commissioning held at Foo Chow Methodist Church
on 13th March
was so enjoyable and wonderful for all of us!

Indeed, God has called and chosen us to do His will.
We are honoured to response to His calling
and we want to glorify Him!

Remember the 3 'Go's when going out to the harvest field:
1. Go in Faith
2. Go in Humility
3. Go in Anticipation

On 16th March, we'll be meeting up at yiwei's house.
God bless us!

2006-03-14T23:47:00.000+08:00

Prayer requests from Charis Team

- that the Lord will prepare our hearts for the trip

-the Lord will sustain each of us in physically & spiritually daily.. and we'll focus on Him alone

-God will prepare our hearts to believe n trust Him, serve Him n grow in >Him>daily n also during the trip

- The heart of the kids will be prepared to get to know God more, or be>saved or grow spiritually

- All of us (including the kids n each of us) will be able to experience God in a personal way that we can know and understand...also we'll not doubt but clearly know that the Lord is the one speaking

- the programme prepared for the kids will be suitable for them n help them to grow spiritually or to know God...that leads to salvation.

- that each of us may be indeed be Christian that can be faithful to God & be grounded by His word

- be thankful in all way

2006-03-12T23:25:00.000+08:00

Hello Everyone,

We are the Charis team form Wave 1 of gen 12II.Welcome to our blog.Do visit it for updates on the trip and for the spicy bits abt what we have been doing!

The team consists of 8 students and 1 staff.The staff is yiwei from NYP.Kudos to her.A dedicated and faithful woman she is.The students are Clement,Bao Chun,Boon ling from TP,Wenbing from SP,Huiling,Amadea,Shuyan and Cerelia from NYP.

Will update more in the next couple of days.Cheerios.God bless.

Love,

Charis Team