Julian's visit to Ecuador

Julian visited Ecuador last week and it was a fruitful time for us in terms of planning. We are clearer of where the church is heading and we have some concrete plans for 2011. Thanks to Julian and my core team, I believe that we are in the right direction now.

Julian and I

Our core team

Transiting in New York

Peiru and I transited and stayed in New York for 2 days and 1 night. The buildings and lights in New York are really spectacular! We really like them very much. I also managed to meet up with a track and field friend whom I have not met for 13 years. He has been working in New York for 4 years already. We met up for dinner and had a great time catching up together. I also met up with my cousin for lunch as she is currently working in New York. Below are a few photos:

Peiru and I watched The Phantom of the Opera in Broadway

My cousin and I in her workplace

My good old friend, Yongshun and I in Timesquare

Visit to Singapore

Peiru and I will be visiting Singapore from 11 Nov to 24 Nov. Though it is a short visit, we are looking forward to it. We miss our family and friends and food in Singapore.

We will be in New York for 2 days before returning to Singapore. We are going to watch The Phantom of the Opera in Broadway. We are catching up with a few of our friends in New York too.

Pray that we will have a fruitful and enjoyable trip so that we can come back to Quito refreshed. :)

Happy birthday Laoban!

We celebarated Laoban's birthday yesterday over steamboat. Thank God for Laoban who always cooka nice food for us and gives us huge discounts in Ecuador. Below are some photos of our celebration:

2 options - Spicy soup & herbal soup

This is 10% of our food!

Peiru enjoying the food...

Laoban & LaobanNiang like the food too!

Be Realistic With Men, Be Unrealistic With God.

Read this from one of Yeu Ann's twits and find it very insightful:

Sometimes, we treat people like gods.
We expect perfection.
We make unreasonable demands.
We deny their right to be wrong.
We are people; be realistic.

Other times, we treat God like a man.
We pray too small.
We make reasonable requests.
We deny His omnipotence.
He is God; be unrealistic.

Improving in Table Tennis

I bought a table-tennis table for the church recently because we observe that the family and youths in our church like to play table tennis. One of the youths in our church has also invited his friends to play table-tennis in church too. Now, we have table-tennis session every Thursday so that we can reach out to the youths. Some of us play table-tennis after church service too. I discover that I have improved in table tennis after playing more frequently with different people nowadays.

Surviving well in Ecuador after 2 years

Today is exactly 2 years after we landed in Ecuador.

Thank God for His protection and blessings in our lives. The church has been growing and we have more classes of Mandarin now.

Truthfully, I do not really have a special burden for the people here but God says love your sheep and feed your sheep so it is more like obedience to the words of Jesus.

Pray that we will love our sheep more and give our best in our stay here. Thanks!

5 reasons why leaders quit

Read an interesting article on why leaders quit by Perry Noble. Below is the article:

#1 – Burnout

I once heard someone say, “I would rather burn out than rust out.” Uh…BOTH are bad because NEITHER of them finish well. Too many people in the ministry work themselves into a frenzy, never take time to disconnect and refresh and do absolutely nothing for fun--this always goes bad!

When it comes to leadership circles in America we’ve equated being busy with being godly; however, the haunting reality that confronts that idea is what God Himself said in Psalm 46:10, “BE STILL and know that I am God,” not “be busy!”

If we are not taking regular breaks, doing things “just for fun” and disconnecting then burnout isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when!”

#2 – Unrealistic Expectations

Too many people believe that "ministry = easy" despite the fact that it seemed to go really bad for everyone in the Scriptures that sold their life out to Him! Jesus went to the “place of the skull” to be crucified…why would we ever believe He would lead us to “the place of the mattress?”

When we impose our plans and ideas on God and refuse to surrender to His it usually leads to people “giving up” because “God just didn’t come through.”

#3 – Criticism

Criticism hurts, it always will, and if it ever doesn’t then, according to my counselor, something is dead inside of you. And, it is always personal (especially when someone begins with, “Don’t take this personally, but…).

You can’t let the critics dicate what you think/feel! If you have a ministry that constantly responds to critics then you will not have one that responds to Jesus. You MUST respond to the people who God has placed in your life to surround you and protect you–that’s not criticism but rather correction. However, you cannot allow those who know you the least to control you the most–period!

#4 – Discouragement

Every church leader I’ve ever chatted with has done some serious battles with discouragement. After your message on Sunday the enemy comes in and begins to accuse you, telling you that you did a pathetic job and that no one is going to come back next week. I’ve had to battle discouragement during the message before, hearing voices inside of my head saying things like, “You suck, these people hate you…you need to quit the ministry…” and so on.

This is why it is essential for leaders to get in a place like David did in I Samuel 30:1-6. David faced an incredibly discouraging situation and yet someone managed to find His strength in the Lord. I do this by reading through encouraging letters and emails that I’ve received in the past, placing myself in encouraging environments and focusing on what God’s Word says about me.

#5 – Losing Focus On God’s Power

When we actually believe it is up to us to make people come back to church every week rather than believing we are conduits that God wants to work through to do that very thing…it’s over! Because we fall into the trap of trying to outdo ourselves every week, every series and every year and prayer/seeking the Lord becomes something we love to talk about but fail to do. He saves…He draws people…and He uses us to do it. It’s not up to us but rather allowing Him to work through us to accomplish all that He wants to do!

Use what you have

In Matthew, Jesus told the story about a man who entrusted his wealth to three of his servants. He gave each of them different amounts and left on a trip. When he returned, two of the men had invested the money they were given and actually doubled it. The third servant had exactly what he was given in the first place. The wealthy man asked why and the servant replied, "I was scared. I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't want to lose it, so I buried it." The wealthy man was not pleased and took away his portion and gave it to one of the others.

Now, I don't know what frightened this servant. I don't know what intimidated him. I don't know if he was just busy doing other things or comparing himself with other people. But notice what came out of him when his boss returned—excuses. He was filled with excuses. He may have looked at the other two guys and thought, "Well, they got more than I did so what's the use? I'll never have that much." But, his boss, the wealthy man, was not moved by excuses. He said, "I gave you something to use and increase."

It doesn't matter what we have in our hand, God wants to bless it and multiply it. But, He isn't going to bless excuses. The scripture say that He blesses the work of our hands. So what are we doing with the gifts, abilities and resources He's entrusted to us? Are we using them? It doesn't matter if someone else has more than us; God needs us to do our part. We are important. God deposited in us for a reason. It takes all of us working together to build His kingdom. It says in Matthew 13:12 that "to those who have, more will be given." We have been given something today. Don't bury it. Use it for His glory and watch how He will pour out His blessing and favor on our lives.

Vacation ends in Ecuador

With the school vacation ending, my students from different companies are starting their English classes again. School is starting on 6 Sep which means many families are coming back from their vacations this week. It also means that our English classes will start again very soon. :)

Listen to your prayers, because they locate your level of spiritual maturity.

What are you praying for? Are you asking God to give you more stuff--a bigger house, a new car, a bigger salary? What you pray for indicates what is important to you.

It is a great lesson to examine what the people in the Bible prayed for.

King David, in Psalm 27:4, prayed, One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. He asked God for just one thing: that he would dwell in God's presence. David clearly knew that in God's presence he would receive everything he needed (see Matthew 6:33).

Paul also didn't pray for worldly things. Instead, in Philippians 1:9, Paul prayed that the church would walk in love: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more. Paul knew the importance of love, and so he made it a point to pray that the church would grow more and more in love.

Furthermore, he prayed that believers would be strengthened spiritually: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being (Ephesians 3:16).

In short, your prayers can tell what you consider to be important. If you are only praying for worldly stuff, then you are neglecting what is of lasting value: knowing God, dwelling in His presence, walking in His love, and being strong spiritually.

Therefore, decide to adjust what you're praying for. Learn to listen to your prayers, because they locate your level of spiritual maturity.

Powerful prayer

Commissioning service on 14 Sep 2008

Stressful life

Initially we thought that the life in Ecuador will be much slower. In the end, with all the translation, teaching and church ministry, it turns out much busier and more stressful than Singapore. Thankfully the last day of our translation work is 15 Sep. Less than 1 more month to go! :)

Interesting read about confidence

"Several years ago, our family would pile up on the sofa after dinner to watch one of our favorite television programs, Fear Factor. We enjoyed watching the contestants attempt outrageous and daring stunts. We'd sit and watch in anticipation, wondering what the contestants would have to do next. Each stunt would test the contestant's ability to confront and overcome fear. If the contestant allowed fear to stop them or even slow them down, they would be off the show and the camera would follow them down the dreaded "walk of shame." One person would be eliminated after each stunt until only one contestant remained—the winner who would receive the prize money.

I noticed that most of the time, the contestant who won not only overcame their fear, but they usually approached each task differently from the other contestant—with confidence. Confidence empowered them to perform the tasks faster, more skillfully, and with whatever proficiency was required. There were many times when we could tell who was going to win within the first few minutes of the show just by that confidence factor. You could see it in the winner's eyes.

That was only a television show, but how often do we see this same scenario play out in our own lives? We set out to complete a mission and have our goal in mind only to run straight into a wall of fear. It doesn't take a television show to know how fear can block us from pursuing our dreams. Fear is the enemy of confidence, and it can keep you from your God-given destiny. The only way to break the power of fear and build confidence is to move forward. Confidence isn't built by playing it safe. It's not built when you simply stand still. It's built when you press past your fear.

Throughout life, we all have opportunities to either shrink back and settle where it's familiar, or we can take a step of faith and embrace the new things God has in store. Remember, you were never created to be stagnant. You were never created to take that "walk of shame;" you were created to win. Don't allow fear to hold you back. Keep stretching, keep growing, keep learning and tap into the confidence God has placed on the inside of you!"

My thoughts:

1) Am I showing confidence or fear in my life?

2) If -5 is fearful, 0 is neutral and 5 is very confident, on a scale of -5 to 5, where am I standing?

3) How am I growing in confidence in God each day? Can people tell that I have more confidence in God each day?

My devotion today

"So many people today are living far below the level that God intends simply because they allow negative thoughts to inhabit their minds. When negative thoughts take root in your thinking, they grow like weeds and ultimately direct your life. That's why the Bible tells us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to the Word of God.

Think about it this way; if you went home today and noticed a rattlesnake in the corner of your living room, what would you do? You probably wouldn't just think, "Well, I'll get to that a little bit later. Let me watch the rest of the ballgame. Let me get a bite to eat, then I'll deal with that." No, you'd have a fit! You'd call 911or Billy the Exterminator. You'd get a neighbor to help you. You'd do anything you could to get that thing out. Why? Because it's something harmful, something destructive in your house. Well, those negative thoughts that the enemy feeds our minds can be just as harmful and destructive if we don't immediately get rid of them. Those negative thoughts can cause all kinds of problems and even steal our destiny. We need to have that same aggression, that same sense of urgency in dealing with negative thinking as we would if we were dealing with a harmful snake.

The scripture says in Proverbs, "As a person thinks in his heart, so he will become." Let me ask you today, what's going on in your mind? Are you thinking good thoughts about yourself? Are you thinking positive thoughts about your future? Are there any negative thoughts that you need to get rid of? Start by speaking the Word of God over your life and declaring His victory. Every time a negative thought comes, chase it away with the Word of God. When you take captive every thought, you are reprogramming your mind and setting your life on the course of victory God has in store for you!"

This devotion reminds me of killing the moth in our house recently. I really need to get rid of the negative thoughts like how I got rid of the moth in my house. "Jesus, help me to get rid of the negative thoughts in my mind and fill it with your promises. Thank you so much for the hope you have given to me."

Discover that I can maintain a blog

After maintaining the 'Chronicles of Ecuador' blog for about 2 years, I discover that I can actually keep up with updating a blog regularly. Hence, I have decided to keep on blogging on my personal blog which I have not been using for more than 2 years. :)