Yo. Joel here. I just came back from sending a friend off at the airport.

Here are the basic facts.

The guy’s name is Bao Long. (BL)
He’s 23 this year.
I knew him thru a badminton senior of mine called weiluo(WL).
WL, BL and a few others have been good friends since sec 1. But for the last 3 years or so, BL missed almost every outing due to his busy schedule.
And he’s going UK for a 4-5 year course and will probably stay about another year or so to work.



Here's the long story.

Ok. So it was like any other goodbye session at the airport. We went there, talked to him and his family. And sent him off. Im just gonna skip to what I was thinking about the whole time.

Firstly, I felt really different when talking to BL’s family. All this while, I was brought up to think how impt education is. How it would bring about “happiness” thru status, wealth and other comforts. But seriously, when I looked at them, I don think they are any less happy than Bill Gates. Neither do I feel that Bill Gates is any happier than them.
And the sister said something like, “money is not so impt, if you really cant study then just come back.” And the mum added, “we don wanna send a healthy son there and welcome anything less back when you return.” Sounds pretty ‘understood’ I suppose? Maybe it was because BL wasn’t from a particularly rich family, but it seriously felt different today. I felt that sending him to UK to study for more than 4 years would probably cost their life savings and they are so willing to ‘invest’ in something which not only does not guarantee anything back, the ‘investors’ themselves are more than willing to forfeit everything that they have/had, just in hope to see their son succeed. It struck me that this is like the UNCONDITIONAL love that God wants to demonstrate thru Jesus. He knew that He would not get everyone’s love. But still, he chose to die the worst death ever recorded in history, for us. Just (and only) because we are His creation, nothing more and definitely nothing less. Wah. If every parent could demonstrate such a level of love, it would probably lower the suicide rate, the number of youths with low self esteem, and those who desperately seeks to gain everyone’s approval.

Next was when we were walking towards the entrance where we had to say our goodbyes. Wah. It was only then that the full weight of not-gonna-see-BL-for-the-next-4-to-5-years really fell upon me. What made it really worse was that I was reminded of my grandma. I wished at that point of time that my grandma was like BL, leaving us only temporarily. The feeling of things not being in your control was really difficult to deal with, esp for someone like me. But well my grandma had moved on, BL has the opportunity to pursue his dreams and I’m reallllllly happy for him.

And when we said our final goodbyes, someone said “once a bro, always a bro”. Actually, I really didn’t expect them to be so close as BL have not been in contact with them for such a looooooooong period of time. (BL only turned up once in the last 3 years of outings.)

And on my way back, I was just thinking about how stupid it is for people to think that the pasture’s always greener on the other side. Clearly!!! Today’s lesson shows that life is not about what is thrown at you but what you make of the things thrown at you.
1. We hear on the news and from friends all the time about how really poor people make it big and become doctors and lawyers. But at the same time, we hear about how children are not able to study because of the environment they live in which are not as conducive.
2. For those who have always been striving for wealth… I have seen with my own eyes really happy people who are less than average financially and I’ve seen people who are filthy rich but yet are not at all happy/satisfied.
Really, when I take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I see that there’re always 2 extreme outcomes to a very similar scenario. Actually, I felt reminded of one of the Ten Commandments which states that we should not envy others. i felt that there was a new understanding as it can also be paraphrased as “don’t point your fingers and push responsibility.” More often than not, people blame everything around them for the bad things which happen (e.g oh man, I cant run as fast because my shoes are 1 gram heavier than Usain Bolt’s) . Although I must say that some are really not within their/our control (e.g the passing of my grandma), I still make my stand and say that we have the freedom and ability to choose our response. And that (our response) would pretty much make up our character and determine our future…...

God bless BL and anyone who reads this.



Just a short reflection from G12 conference.

I think this year's G12 conference to me is more of equipping us with the skills and more understanding of the G12 system. After attending for about 4 G12 conferences, i feel that i have understand abit more on how the vision works and applies. Those previous conferences were more of restoring hearts and about the Father's Love but this year's conference was more like having the skills to run the cell and how the cell should be run. Apart from still being unsure how the cell intern and stuff works other that its more understandable.

p.s. next year's G12 conference i cannot fall asleep anymore. =)



hey guys, a note to encourage all of us.

as i watched "Facing The Giants" on my ipod today, i felt that God is really speaking to me. In life we all have giants that tear, pin or push us down, but God allow it to happen so that He can show how great and mighty is He. One phrase i heard on the movie when David's father was talking to him and this was what David asked: "why did God made me so small and weak?" and this was his father's reply: "to show how Great and Mighty is He." When i heard that it just boost me! now i know why God have made me this way, so that he can show how Great and Mighty is He! and i never realised it!

And before i started off the basketball game today, i was telling God to help us and whether we win or lose, or how good or bad i play in this game, i'll still praise you. And God indeed have us to pull us through. Even though we lost, they are the giants for us in this game, they are experienced, big in size and this was their 6th season. The first time we played against them, we lost close to about 50 pts, but when we faced them today, the score was 50-71, we lost only 21 pts! 21 pts! and i believe this was God helping us because most of their players are not here and the strongest one is not there too. We are outnumbered with 6 players to 9 players, its the same when Shirlon Eagles against the oppositing team with Shirlon players at 32 and the oppositing at 85. It was indeed a true miracle at the end when we lost with a gap of 21 pts.

And from this, i have a dream. Which i believe God can use all of us and to be the true Overcomer of Giants. My dream was to have a sports group form from our cell, with the talents and gifts God have given us, we must not let it go to waste, if not, God will take it away. We have basketball, badminton, soccer, bowling etc, let us all use this as a platform for God to be shown in our lives and where He can be make known to all.

I hope this note of mine will encourage all of us. =D God bless!



Bro! We just chatted last week! hahaha Finally u do know how i feel when i was in NI. I only have a 100 pounds a month and without internet connection! Well Bro, I believe you will be able hang on and be even stronger when u come back!

So bro it is just a few more months that u need to be there! next time lets go for backpacking at taiwan!



Hey dal, everyone is doing fine man. Everyone is missing ya. =D esp Audris.

Teen cell is growing at a rapid pace, faster than young adults and campus/ns cell. Probably becaues its TEENS. LOL just kidding, but they are indeed growing. =D thank God for that.

Suet Ming is going to aussie to study too. She's gonna be there for a few years. Looks like everyone is going overseas either for months or years. hahaha.

During CNY reunion dinner at Bugis La Mei Zhi

.
Hello guys.

How have you all been? I know some of us have finish army. Some of us moving on to a different phrase of our life. Different school. Different classes. Things must have been a change for all of us. =)

Just to update you guys on my life? i realized i'd be losing contact with everyone if i don't blog my life. So please? Do remember to blog and read the post..

Let me first start with my trip to Taipei.
I started this trip alone guys. I went backpacking alone =) i made arrange to go to taipei and stayed in a hostel throughout my trip. =) reason why i did this? I wanted to spend my time alone. And try to understand myself and how i function... Also, i wanted to spend my time with God. Alone.

hahah actually i dont even know where to start. Lets see.. i think i will blog and entry totally on my trip. This entry will just be too long and naggy if i go on =)

Anway.. the reason why i am blogging is cos.. i miss you guys. i hope you guys miss me too. Living alone away from family and you guys aint no easy thing. It must have been hard for yang to stay alone in US.

Here are some updats too. Please pray for me. I am having a hard time with the training and trying to get rest. I try to train on my own too.. so physically please pray i get better time management and discipline to rest. Spiritually.. please pray. =) its really hard hanging on. So i am hoping you guys would just.. that.. the church is a place where we should be grateful for. I miss my shelter.

Happy valentine's day guys

love dalston



23th Jan : Gh's and Mel's cell Reunion Dinner at La Mei Zi, Bugis.
26th - 27th Jan : Chinese New Year
31st Jan : Chinggay Parade
12th - 14th March: G12 Conference

for those who have not sign up for SOL, here are the schedule for the classes.

School of Leaders (SOL)

SOL Level 1 (English)::8, 15, 22 Feb, 1, 8, 22, 29 Mar, 5, 19 & 26 Apr (Sun)1.00pm – 3.30pm @ Omega Rooms 3 & 4 View: Class schedule

SOL Level 2 (English):8, 15, 22 Feb, 1, 8, 22, 29 Mar, 5, 19 & 26 Apr (Sun)1.00pm – 3.30pm @ Omega Rooms 1 & 2 View: Class schedule



Today was the 1st dance training for the year 2009. I think it will be a great year ahead, working with the adults and youths together. Everyone were grouped in different groups. I'm in the group with quite a few familiar faces, but sooner we'll get to know each other. We are one of the groups with the most youth and our first project will be in march, hokkien service.

When we were given hokkien service to dance for, my mind was thinking "iyo". But later at the end of the training where we were having free worship..God once again reminded that His the One who created dance, His the One who gives the talent and strength to dance. And also i was thinking how can the genre of dance i'm trained in, be use in worship? once again, the same sentences reminded me again.

And i began to realised, it doesn't matter what genre of dance you are doing or are trained. As long as your heart is worshipping God, its focus on God..YOU ARE WORSHIPPING!

Truly God will revealed more as the days comes by. =)

- Gabriel



=) hi guys. just to blog

i have been doing the spartan workout.

30 pull ups
50 squats ( 50kg)
50 dead lift (40kg)
50 floor washer
60 sit up
50 push up
30 pull up

this was Monday regime

30 pull ups
50 squats ( 60 kg)
50 dead lift ( 50 kg)
100 bench push up
60 sit up
30 pull up

this was Tuesday regime

10 mins of 30 kg row
110 bench push up
60 sit up
50 raised leg lift
30 pull ups

this was wed regime

i am 165 cm
i am 63 kg

trying to account for my regime. =) i will get my spartan body!

btw bros please pray for me. =) remember me during cell group k?

love you all

dalston



Hey bros =) how are things in Singapore? Good? How is everyone? Pa are you well? =)

=) I never knew such love is available to me and such warm from the family would be showered onto me. I never expected the kind of care and concern you guys shown. You guys should know that ever since i knew i was coming over to Taiwan, you guys had treated me so well. I know its not just a matter of event that's why you guys are loving me so much but i can slowly feel the love of each one of us growing.

We care more for each other. We love more for each other and we are more giving to each other then before. The world may slowly fade into "love for one another grows cold" but i am sure as a family, we will continue to show the world and the people around us that there is really true brotherly love.

Indeed i am sure God is smiling down upon us as the bible said, " how good when brother love one and another, it is like oil flowing down on Aron's bead. =)

Honestly i hope you guys know how much i love you guys. =) i am proud to be every single one of you guys brother. And i have been missing the cell a whole lot. I miss going out at night to 85 and cheeky's choc. i miss just hanging out and talking nothing but rubbish. Most of all, i miss being among you guys, it always feels like home when i see you guys.

Years have passed and we all grew older. i just pray that as the relationship as brother grows older we continue to function as a family and continue to walk closely like a band of brothers walking and fighting for the Lord. =) Sorry if my post seem very inadequate enough to express my love for you all. Just know that i love every single one of you and pray for the best to happen to you all.

To Mel and her girls( i hope they read this)

Hey ma thanks for giving me advice and affirming me all the time. =) you have really showered me with unconditional motherly love. Its always nice to have one more motherly figure. i hope you and ah pa are doing well.

Hey all the chio bu-es
Thanks for being a great bunch of sisters to me. The joy and laughter you all brought to the cell. The kind of balance you brought to the atmosphere in our cell. I can't thank you all enough. i wish i can name one by one and thank you all but i would be an old grandfather so.. i'll just like to tell you all, that all the actions and love you girls showed is really warming my heart ( since its so cold over here, haha ) and i am just happy to have a good bunch of sister as part of the family. I hope i will be able to resipocate the same brotherly love to you all. May the Lord favour be on every single one of you and may you girls continue to be succsessful in all that you do. =)


Love
Dalston
from Tawain

We are members of Faith Community Baptist Church
YouthNet
Pastor Adrian Ong
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