Hello! We trust that this latest oKerrance finds you well. It about 4 months since we last wrote, so the attempt to keep up our news every two months has failed miserably. As a result, we have a lot of news in this letter, which we will try and keep abbreviated!As you may have read in our last newsletter, it was a great privilege to be able to visit South Africa with James’ family in December last year, and which was kindly paid for by them. We all had a great time, travelling within the Western Cape Provence. The scenery was spectacular, as was, of course, the wildlife. It was a real eye opener for us to see the polarity between the poverty of the townships and the wealth of the suburbs in Cape Town. Pray for that country that the Good news of the Lord Jesus would continue to grow as it has been doing, and that justice and mercy would prevail.
This coming June sees us take some leave to visit Batam (Indonesia) for our annual ORPC church camp and Malaysia (for a week long family break). Pray that we will be challenged and refreshed to serve our Lord Jesus ever more fervently as we do what we do this Summer.The Labour that springs from Love at SMUCF (1 Thess 1:3)
We have just finished our corporate meetings for this year at the CF (which will start again in August), although that doesn’t mean we will stop meeting over the Summer! As you may vaguely remember in our last update and the calendar of events, we had a five week series on Love, Sex & Marriage in January - February, which was (of course!) well attended. This gave me an opportunity to tackle this topic in depth, spelling out the Biblical truths and the practical implications for the student’s lives. It spurred on many conversations and it was encouraging to see the students thinking through the issues. Give thanks that many were challenged to think through implications, and pray that the word that was preached is imprinted on their hearts.
The day after Valentine’s Day saw the CF hold an evangelistic dinner at ‘Surf and Turf’ in the Funan Centre (an IT mall here in Singapore). The event went off well, with the talk provocatively titled, ‘Freedom for Sex’, which followed on from our series on Love, sex and marriage.
We have just finished our corporate meetings for this year at the CF (which will start again in August), although that doesn’t mean we will stop meeting over the Summer! As you may vaguely remember in our last update and the calendar of events, we had a five week series on Love, Sex & Marriage in January - February, which was (of course!) well attended. This gave me an opportunity to tackle this topic in depth, spelling out the Biblical truths and the practical implications for the student’s lives. It spurred on many conversations and it was encouraging to see the students thinking through the issues. Give thanks that many were challenged to think through implications, and pray that the word that was preached is imprinted on their hearts.
The day after Valentine’s Day saw the CF hold an evangelistic dinner at ‘Surf and Turf’ in the Funan Centre (an IT mall here in Singapore). The event went off well, with the talk provocatively titled, ‘Freedom for Sex’, which followed on from our series on Love, sex and marriage.
We were very glad to have Richard Chin, the national director of Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students join us to give the talk, and a number of people expressed an interest to find out more about Christianity. We have since begun a group for those interested to find out more about Jesus Christ, through the ‘Christianity Explored’ series in Mark’s Gospel. A number of international students are attending the course so please do pray for both the teachers (to proclaim clearly the Truth) and for those students (local and international) who do not yet know the Lord, that they would come to understand, know and believe in Jesus.
Following the busyness of the opening two months, we have been studying 1 Thessalonians (our series was entitled, ‘Turn, Serve & Wait’). Its an encouraging letter, challenging us to ‘Keep on Keeping on’ in faith, love and Hope in readiness for Jesus’ return. Pray for the students who are graduating, that they will persevere in their desire to serve Christ at a time when their focus on the return of Christ can be lost by the worries of the world, either as they look for prestigious jobs or are become obsessed with success.
Below are some things to be praying for as we enter into the mid year holidays,
*Pray for those who have been attending the ‘Christianity Explored’ Group
*April Bible Camp – ‘How to be a fool’: Studies from 1 Cor 1-4, challenging us to the heart of ministry and life (21st- 24th April. Speaker: Foo Yuk Yee)
*Annual General Meeting – pray as we vote in our new EXCO – that we would be faithful and responsible to the Biblical truths regarding who we should vote for and why (26th April).
*Pray for our Potential leader’s training, that those invited would be challenged to understand, and live biblically as well as be trained to present the truth clearly in their teaching (May – June).
*Summertime Mark Bible Studies (Tuesday & Thursday evenings)
*Summertime Romans Studies (Tuesday evenings)
*Pray for the planning and organization of the Freshman Orientation Camp, as well as the planning for the year with the new EXCO (June / July)
*And lastly, pray for me (James) that I would be faithful, bold and clear in preaching and teaching at various youth fellowships and churches over the summer and at SMUCF.
From Maria,…
New things for the New Year
Whats new?
Josiah & Jessica starting Primary 1/pre-nursery at schools that are new to them, new teachers, new classmates, new schedules & routines, new school bus rides, new swimming class, new uniforms, new books, new bag, new shoes,…etc etc
I thought both Josiah & Jessica would be overwhelmed by it all, but it turns out that to get on top of all their ins & outs, all the scheduling & logistics & administration, I was more overwhelmed than they were! I think it took me a good month into the year to think through how I could juggle Jos’ timing with Jess’ timing, when I could do… when I could go… when I could bring… when I could attend…
Although overwhelming to start, this year’s schedules has seen a lot of answered prayers from last year.
Please join me in praise & thanksgiving to our Lord for the below!
Praise God that this year’s schedule allows me to have a 2 hour break during weekday lunchtimes to pray, to read & meditate on the bible, to prepare studies & some days to exercise & grocery shop! It’s a much needed time for me, a nice break since Jessica was born!
Praise God too that the timing allows me to join a bible study group which consists mostly of stay-home ministry mums. Although our kids are around, we are still able to get through our bible study & to pray & support one another. This group has been a real blessing to me, after having felt rather isolated for the past 2 years.
Praise God that both Josiah & Jessica have settled into their school & routines happily. Jessica took 3 weeks to ‘let go’ of me, but now she asks for school everyday!
Josiah (18th Dec 2001)
.JPG)
Josiah had a smashing time holidaying with his grandparents & aunty in South Africa last December. He loves the sand & the sea, he loves seeing & interacting with lots of different animals, and he loves the fact that there are more people (besides mummy & daddy) to spend time talking to & doing things with. He even got the chance to celebrate his birthday together with grandma!
Thank God for the continuing relationship building with his grandparents & aunty & a safe & fun holiday for Josiah.
Josiah is enjoying Primary 1 so far. He was happy that his friend Nicholas was going to be in the same school as him, & he was happy his Chinese teacher took time in the beginning to explained things to him in English when he did not understand what was going on. His favourite subject is PE (Physical education) & he looks forward to Recess (half an hour’s break) at 3pm. He gets on the school bus at 1130am for 1230pm start at school, & he returns home at 7pm. School has been good for him as there is routine & predictability & a good outlet for his youthful energies! He will have exams coming up in April-May period, which means more hard work will be needed in the study of the Chinese language.
Thank God that Josiah is enjoying school, please pray that he will be more motivated in things that require more hard work when he grows in the knowledge of Jesus.
Jessica (5th Aug 2005)
Jessica works on ‘trust’ when it comes to adults. As a baby, she would only be held by anyone who ‘fed’ her - she trusted them as they looked after her need for food. Growing up, building trust took more than just giving her food. It meant playing alongside her, talking to her, dressing her, & doing just about everything with her. So naturally, having been away from grandparents & aunties, it took her a while to trust them last December. It took about 2 & a half weeks of staying under the same roof to ‘warm up’ to them & by the time she was happy to be with them alone, it was time for us to leave! Similarly with pre-nursery school, 3 weeks were needed for her to trust her teachers. But once you are on her ‘good side’, you will be able to enjoy lots of affection & lovely smiles. Needless to say, mummy gets lots of hugs & kisses along with lots of ‘I want Mummy’s echoing in the background on most days!
Thank God that as a result of a good transition into pre-nursery school, Jessica has also been able to go to Kids’ church by herself, freeing mummy & daddy to listen to Sunday sermons together after 2 long years!
New things for the New Year
Whats new?
Josiah & Jessica starting Primary 1/pre-nursery at schools that are new to them, new teachers, new classmates, new schedules & routines, new school bus rides, new swimming class, new uniforms, new books, new bag, new shoes,…etc etc
I thought both Josiah & Jessica would be overwhelmed by it all, but it turns out that to get on top of all their ins & outs, all the scheduling & logistics & administration, I was more overwhelmed than they were! I think it took me a good month into the year to think through how I could juggle Jos’ timing with Jess’ timing, when I could do… when I could go… when I could bring… when I could attend…
Although overwhelming to start, this year’s schedules has seen a lot of answered prayers from last year.
Please join me in praise & thanksgiving to our Lord for the below!
Praise God that this year’s schedule allows me to have a 2 hour break during weekday lunchtimes to pray, to read & meditate on the bible, to prepare studies & some days to exercise & grocery shop! It’s a much needed time for me, a nice break since Jessica was born!
Praise God too that the timing allows me to join a bible study group which consists mostly of stay-home ministry mums. Although our kids are around, we are still able to get through our bible study & to pray & support one another. This group has been a real blessing to me, after having felt rather isolated for the past 2 years.
Praise God that both Josiah & Jessica have settled into their school & routines happily. Jessica took 3 weeks to ‘let go’ of me, but now she asks for school everyday!
Josiah (18th Dec 2001)
.JPG)
Josiah had a smashing time holidaying with his grandparents & aunty in South Africa last December. He loves the sand & the sea, he loves seeing & interacting with lots of different animals, and he loves the fact that there are more people (besides mummy & daddy) to spend time talking to & doing things with. He even got the chance to celebrate his birthday together with grandma!Thank God for the continuing relationship building with his grandparents & aunty & a safe & fun holiday for Josiah.
Josiah is enjoying Primary 1 so far. He was happy that his friend Nicholas was going to be in the same school as him, & he was happy his Chinese teacher took time in the beginning to explained things to him in English when he did not understand what was going on. His favourite subject is PE (Physical education) & he looks forward to Recess (half an hour’s break) at 3pm. He gets on the school bus at 1130am for 1230pm start at school, & he returns home at 7pm. School has been good for him as there is routine & predictability & a good outlet for his youthful energies! He will have exams coming up in April-May period, which means more hard work will be needed in the study of the Chinese language.
Thank God that Josiah is enjoying school, please pray that he will be more motivated in things that require more hard work when he grows in the knowledge of Jesus.
Jessica (5th Aug 2005)
Jessica works on ‘trust’ when it comes to adults. As a baby, she would only be held by anyone who ‘fed’ her - she trusted them as they looked after her need for food. Growing up, building trust took more than just giving her food. It meant playing alongside her, talking to her, dressing her, & doing just about everything with her. So naturally, having been away from grandparents & aunties, it took her a while to trust them last December. It took about 2 & a half weeks of staying under the same roof to ‘warm up’ to them & by the time she was happy to be with them alone, it was time for us to leave! Similarly with pre-nursery school, 3 weeks were needed for her to trust her teachers. But once you are on her ‘good side’, you will be able to enjoy lots of affection & lovely smiles. Needless to say, mummy gets lots of hugs & kisses along with lots of ‘I want Mummy’s echoing in the background on most days!
Thank God that as a result of a good transition into pre-nursery school, Jessica has also been able to go to Kids’ church by herself, freeing mummy & daddy to listen to Sunday sermons together after 2 long years!
Thank You for your Support
SMUCF is completely independent and self supported. If you are able to be involved in our work in giving financially either to us individually or the organization, please do contact Lee Keng Yi at (65) 97692360 or at kengyi@gmail.com . Thanks : )
SMUCF is completely independent and self supported. If you are able to be involved in our work in giving financially either to us individually or the organization, please do contact Lee Keng Yi at (65) 97692360 or at kengyi@gmail.com . Thanks : )
