God sent His one and beloved Son to this earth on Christmas day…with the Salvation plan of dying for our sins to save us from eternal death. This demonstrated God’s love for us, and is the greatest Gift to mankind. We hence rejoice and celebrate on Christmas. However, I suppose…it might be a joyful yet bittter day for God…as the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, marked the beginning of the path to the Cross.

Admist this joyful season, may we reflect on the true meaning of CHRISTmas…and give thanks with a grateful heart.

Matthew 6:28-34
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

3 consecutive days MC – longest days of MC I ever had

feeling better now…but as I was lying on my bed, feeling terrible on the first day…I was thinking: ”This is just a small cold/throat inflammation, but I am already feeling terrible…How much worse would it be for those seriously ill and lying in the hospital!”

a good reminder to love & care for our parents…whom we often take for granted…

每個人有最美的夢想

一路上彼此照亮 扶持擁抱

我們的愛讓世界不一樣

我們愛 因神先愛我們

雖你我不一樣 我們一路唱

走往祝福的方向

我們愛 因神先愛我們

心再堅強也不要獨自飛翔

只要微笑 只要原諒

有你愛的地方就是天堂”

a rather short trip, but we both enjoyed

This is my first mission trip, and I know I would love to go back again someday. This beautiful land and its people has captivated my heart…and I have learnt so much from Lydia and the lovely people in Maubisse…about life, about love, about ministry.

We spent 4.5 days in Maubisse - a place around 1500m above sea level and 2.5 hour drive from the capital Dili, and 3 days in Dili…experienced both the coldness in the mountains and the hotness in the city. Indeed, God is good…and He knows what is the best plan for us. We see His hand upon us and leading us, so real and true.

Listed below is among the many more of His abundant blessing during this trip…

[1] We arrived at Maubisse safely at 7pm just before total darkness and despite driving in low lighting at the last 1hr.

[2] The landlord’s family at Maubisse received us warmly at our arrival, and prepared our dinner! 

[3] We met some UN police guards from China at Sara ‘restr’ at Maubisse, and learnt that they are now stationing here (previously were Indonesia). This is a blessing, because Lydia is unable to communicate well in bahasa, but is good at speaking chinese! They were friendly and exchanged contacts with Lydia.

[4] ‘Jamming’ at Lucia and Leonardo’s house, a blessed and wonderful evening.

[5] Lydia’s interview for work visa and the extension of her tourist visa went smoothly, and all settled within a morning!

[6] Managed to find the CHEGA exhibition by CAVR, and learnt a lot about the history and stories of this land.

[7] Met a Singaporean missionary couple when we were at Cristo Rei in Dili, and that eventually led us to visit Maubara the next day. We were amazed by what a Portugese community organiser has done in this village.

[8] The Portugese at Maubara noticed our flat tyre, and he also offered his help to change it. This is important, because our team is incapable of changing the tyre of a 4WD Pajero by ourselves!

[9] The tyre workshop which Lydia knows of were closed by the time we returned to Dili from Maubara. But we were told of another workshop and it is run by a Chinese boss! It is a blessing for Lydia to have this contact, because the workers in the previous workshop speak only bahasa which Lydia is not good at.

[10] While we were still roaming around and wondering where is the convent kindergarten which Lucia’s sister is working at…and then suddenly, we saw Lucia’s sister on that street!

                                                                    ”Love your neighbour as yourself”

Some people ask me why go for mission trip, and they wonder what difference could we make within such a short period of time…well, below would be my answers:

[1] Having first-hand experience and encounters with the people, I now have a better understanding of the condition in Timor-Leste…and the needs of the missionary there. This enables me to pray specifically with passion for this land.

[2] Meeting people and playing with the children…I cherish all those moments and friendships…and I can now pray by names and with faces from my memories with them.

[3] The children and the people are very happy to have foreigners visiting them and spending time with them. Their joy, laughters and hospitality are genuine and undeniable, which touches one’s heart.

[4] The time spent, our presence, and the little help and support we contribute, whatever small and minor…is meaningful and of great encouragement to the missionary working there.

[5] This trip changes my perspective…about life, about love, about ministry…and am blessed to encounter God’s leading, so real and true during this trip.

On facebook: Maubisse Yellow House

Because my dan dan terrapin laid her first (unfertilized) egg on this date, at the age of 4.5 !!!

My sis called me that evening, while I was still in the office, and she said she had 3 news to tell me.

First, my dan dan is a female (I had always insisted that she is a male, coz “he” is always very active)!

Second, she had just laid an egg!

Third, before they (my sis & my mum) figured out what was that white object in the water, dan dan went to poke at it and bursted it! Yellow yolk flowed out (that was when they confirmed it was an egg), and then she started eating the yolk (my sis got traumatized by this) -_-”"

20 Jan 2011 is again a special day, coz she laid her second (unfertilized) egg! hahaa…keeping at this rate, I might be able to set up a business! turtle egg for sell, anyone?

   <<< my handsome dan dan, photo taken just yesterday…haaa…she still looks like a male to me…Lol

[see previous related posts Some updates >>>, dan dan terrapin]