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