Journeying together

Since the last email, I was absolutely amazed at the responses that came in. Please forgive me for not being able to give you my target support figure just now as I believe that figure is still under negotiation but what I do want to share with you is God's amazing answer to prayer! Within two days, I received, at least in pledges, almost 50% of the target figure! There are a few incidents that I would like to share with you just so you can rejoice with me in this aspect of my journey. I received one email almost immediately after sending out my last blog to say that they had been praying about where to send the excess funds that God had blessed them with. Their generosity and joyful giving definitely humbled me! Another email the next day was from a friend who had been praying about supporting me financially but didn't know how much with and my $10 a month suggestion was just the kind of answer that she needed. Other responses were also from people who I had no idea would even bother to read my email or my blog and I am just so very very thankful to the Lord for His amazing grace and providence through these generous friends. Another incident that I especially wanted to share just because it reminded me that it is not just about me receiving these financial gifts but remembering to be generous in the midst of it. We had met up with a friend for dinner and as she was about to buy something on the way home, realised suddenly that she didn't have enough cash. Of course, at the time, I didn't think much of it and offered $4 to top up what was needed to make the purchase. It's not much after all. She had mimicked my dad saying, "your reward shall be great in heaven" and we both laughed knowing that it was true but not always what we want to hear. Much later that evening, I got a text message from her that read "Tks for ur $4 :) I'll send you [x>$4] a month for ur year ahead..." (For those of you who don't understand my geeky x>$4 explanation, it's an amount more than $4). I replied saying something along the lines of "thank you so much, Praise the Lord and who says God doesn't give us some rewards now". I just continue to be amazed at not only how God is providing but how He is working! Praise the Lord indeed and please do continue to pray with me that I will be able to testify over and over again of God's faithfulness and providence! He is indeed Jehovah Jireh, my provider!

I also wanted to say a big thanks to those who prayed with me and for me for my time of sharing this morning (Sunday) at the youth service. I was quite nervous about it this morning as I again struggled with sleep last night and wasn't feeling particularly excited about talking much. As I walked towards the church from the train station, I was just reminded about the exact thing that I wanted to share and I was just a little encouraged in my spirit knowing that He would provide strength and grace enough just when I need so that He would be glorified. I got into church a little early and was so glad to be able to find an empty room and just go on my knees and commit the rest of the time to the Lord. I remember my dad often sharing that when he didn't know what to share, he would often do that. So I committed the time I had to the Lord, committed my mouth again to the Lord confessing my tiredness and my fears and my reluctance but also submitting to His calling to be a faithful testimony. I am truly thankful to Pastor Joshua who "made" me do it because it was defnitely a wonderful opportunity for me. More than that, I was so encouraged by some of the feedback that I got. The fact that some of the leaders were mentioning the possibility of the youth linking up with me in my journey and somehow supporting me in prayer and possibly financially as well. Of course, I am not expecting any huge financial support but how incredible would it be to have these youths journey with me in faith through prayer. Please do pray for this possibility of working more closely with the youth. Pray not only for their involvement but also that individually, they would reach higher heights in their own faith and in their own walk with the Lord. Especially as we all look forward to a new year up ahead, please do pray that these young people will start well, will maintain consistency throughout and will also finish well at the end of the race. 

I also mentioned above briefly that I was struggling again with sleep. I confess that I didn't want to share this possibly because of pride or maybe it was denial but either way, I think I would really appreciate prayer for sufficient sleep. It has been almost 2 months now that I have been struggling to fall asleep. Most nights I don't fall asleep until past 2am (which is not normal for me just in case it is normal for some of you reading this) and having to wake up around 6am though on some occasions I have pushed it to 7am. When I do eventually fall asleep, it is usually more like half-asleep as even the slightest noise outside the flat keeps me awake. Please don't be worried for me. While I am sharing this struggle, you should also know that God has been so very gracious in sustaining me. It has been a wonderful challenge to spend those conscious moments in prayer (Colossians 4:2, Luke 18:1). So far, even with the lack of sleep, God somehow has granted me grace to continue each day without headaches and without feeling overly tired though every now and again, the lack of sleep does finally get to me. Especially in this week ahead, there are many things to be done which involves earlier mornings and longer evenings. I am really excited, however, about many of the possibilities and opportunities that are held in any of those commitments. Praise the Lord indeed!

Wow. There is just SO much that I would love to share. So many answers to prayer that I would love to further testify of. So many words of encouragement that I have received that I would like to pass on. However, I realise that I can only write so much. Thank you all again and again and again, however, for being faithful in prayer and in friendship. Thank you also to those who I may not be so close to but who have responded so generously! I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for you and I hope, trust and pray that as you journey with me, you will be blessed even more in return. May you likewise discover Christ to be the fulfillment of your every need! 

'...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for ALL things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labour and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers.' -1 Timothy 4:7-10

I just got off the phone with Uncle Jason in the Singapore office after receiving what I thought was the scariest email I've read. That's right, it's the email about raising support. Contrary to what I thought about the costs for joining the Melbourne office as opposed to the Sydney office, it is actually higher though I think it is also because the original budget that they gave me did not include the amount that OM Singapore would have to deduct. In any case, my immediate reaction was: PANIC! I'm hoping to leave by January for the new recruit's conference, where on earth is all this money going to come from and not just for the first month but for the months to come at least for the first year! I don't know if you knew this but so far, I have not seen any finance coming in apart for my small salary while I continue to work here in my home church for a few more weeks. At the same time, I am thoroughly encouraged by God's continued faithfulness in using me where I am. Though the last couple of weeks felt... difficult, I was amazed that God could still use me to be an encouragement to others. It is a huge privilege to be able to continue to stay in touch and pray specifically for those God brings to memory and in seeing Him answer those prayers, I am sure that God will be faithful in providing for where He has called. Praise Him indeed!

For those of you who would like to support me financially, I am asking if people would be willing to support me for S$10 a month for one year (i.e. 12 months). Of course, you are more than welcome to give less or more, as you are able and as the Lord leads but if possible, I would like to see more people giving a little bit rather than a few people giving loads. As my parents often remind me, this is not "my ministry" nor "my journey" but a journey that I want to involve as many people as possible. Please do email or call me for more information about my support raising. I would be incredibly grateful. In any case, please do not feel obliged to give, more than anything, I would simply appreciate your ongoing support through prayer. Yes, do please continue to pray not only for financial breakthrough but that I will continue to have my eyes fixed on Him for strength, for comfort and for direction.

My parents arrive back in Singapore today though they leave for Manila tomorrow (surprise, surprise, always on the go). Please pray for them as they go to celebrate OM's anniversary in the Philippines. Praise God for the way He has brought OM Philippines from what it was to where it is now and we continue to pray for its future impact in that nation. Pray also for me as I've been asked to share at the youth service this Sunday for 20-30mins. Being more of a behind-the-scenes type of person, I'm extremely nervous about speaking in front of the youth in my home church but I'm praising God for such an amazing opportunity! Please pray that God will give me the right words and that the youth will be blessed and stirred up to seek after God more fervently. Pray also for the youth leaders as they continue to journey alongside these teens, guiding them onwards and upwards for God's glory. 

Thank you all again for your continued prayers, for your kind messages of encouragement and for your faithfulness in friendship. I certainly have not stopped giving thanks to the Lord for you all. 

Trusting in God's Faithfulness,

Debbie

Last night, I was given the opportunity to share a little bit during our church's weekly prayer meeting. I was a little nervous about it because I just haven't felt like praying recently and at the end of the day, some times I would much rather try to sleep (which I haven't been managing to do recently either- thanks to those who have known about this temporary insomnia and been praying). You know how in times of discouragement we often don't feel like praying though I've heard many times and in fact repeated many times the quote: 'If you feel like praying, pray because it would be a shame to miss out on such an opportunity. If you don't feel like praying, pray because it is dangerous to remain in such a state.' Not to mention the many verses such as Luke 18:1 and Philippians 4:6 that remind us that we "ought to always pray and not lose heart", to "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let [our] requests be made known to God". I also like how Romans 12:12 (NIV) also says "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer". Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 22:40 & 46 and Colossians 4:2 also remind us that we should   always be watchful and pray so that we won't fall into temptation. My dad often reminds me also that Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray in the context of their tiredness. 1 Thessalonions 5:17 reminds us that we should pray continually and Ephesians 6:18 goes on further to remind us that we should "pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints". 

Why am I sharing this? I'm sharing this because I am so very grateful to the Lord for reminding me of the power of prayer. Yes, through prayer we reach the world, we see God doing great and wonderful things where we cannot go but through prayer, we also see God's hand in and on our own lives. In prayer, it is not possible to stay discouraged. In prayer, it is not possible to be anxious. In prayer, it is not possible to feel fear. Why? Because in prayer, we see God. Prayer is all about God, His will and His kingdom. In prayer we discover more of His love, His faithfulness, His grace, His mercy, His sovereignty and His power... in short, we discover Him. And this is why I can be joyful in hope because He is my joy. And this is why my "affliction" is tolerable because He suffered so much more for me. And this is why I want to be faithful in prayer because without Him, I can do nothing, I am nothing. 

That last verse I mentioned, Ephesians 6:18 was written in the context of spiritual warfare. It is a good reminder that we are constantly in the midst of the battle. It is so easy to slip into a state of complacency and not realize the great danger that places us in. Indeed, it is dangerous to stay in that state where the armor of God just begins to slide off our thinning bodies. Before you know it, not only do we not have the strength to oppose the lies of the devil with the sword of truth but there is also nothing to guard our minds from the fiery darts of discouragement. So yes, thank you so much to all those who have been praying on my behalf just as Paul says to the believers in Ephesus "that utterance may be given me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephsians 6:18-20). I am greatly and hugely encouraged and I pray that you will be too, to press on towards that goal, the higher calling of Christ Himself.