Reflections

I could blog about the day to day events of mission trip, but a lot of people would do that and it would most probably be out on the TEENS blog anyway. So you can always go there and view our day to day activities. I guess this time round, for the sake of future Monica and my readers, I'm going to do my reflections on my blog.

Ok some background info first. Among the whole group, we got split into 2 main groups, WOW and Agape. I was in Agape and this Agape programme is mainly for single parent children. My level did Agape preschoolers.

Ok now to my reflections.

This year, my mindset before I went for mission trip was very different compared to previous years. It could be because of the whole year in Melbourne and stuff, but when I went there, prayer was a very important thing to me. I went there, not with the intention of socialising and catching up, but really with the intention of sharing the gospel. It was just this burning desire in me, to reach out to those who were lost.

There was this girl, Luwena. 5, 6 years old perhaps? She was not an Agape kid and her mum did not want her to come anymore. On our last day of programme, she too understood that it was her last day, and she started sulking in one corner. That was so unlike her bubbly spirit and once I realised why. I carried her in my arms and then we started like crying together. Through her tears, I could tell that the seed has been planted, an impact has been made. I felt so sad that she was feeling sad. And then, the first thing that came to mind, teach her to pray. That short simple prayer just brought so much comfort to me and to her as well. That short simple prayer worked wonders. And that affirmed me. The power of prayer is not something to be underestimated.

And for those who have not heard, I was hospitalised because I had a very bad case of food poisoning. I don't mean to sound arrogant and stuff, but it wasn't difficult for me to find the silver lining to that situation. I'm glad that my body is able to get rid of all the 'poison' in my body and that it was not all contained in me. I'm glad my body is able to show signs when I'm dehydrating, so that I know I've to force water down my throat. And just simple things like that, stuff that I never noticed when I was healthy. So I guess, the food poisoning was really a blessing in disguise. And ultimately, the best part of the whole thing was that, I had comfort, knowing that no matter what, God was in charge.

We learned about each child's background and some stories really touch me. Preschoolers are not as dumb as I thought they were. They are really matured in their thinking. Even those in primary school are matured enough to look after their family, to put others before themselves. It really made me think about my own actions. I know from young, that I have a lot. But it only really hit me during this trip. That God has really provided so much for me. He meets not only my physical needs but my spiritual needs as well. Throughout the year, He has really shown me that He's more than just King. He's my comforter, He's my friend. And it was just things like that, that really make me happy. The more He reveals Himself to me, the happier I get each day. And I wanted the children to feel that same happiness I had. It's not that I don't have a single worry, but I've learned that God is always in control. And that single knowledge is one of my greatest blessings. So why shouldn't the kids know about it? I guess I can't say they are too young to understand, because they really have matured thoughts for their age, but I guess they do need time to slowly digest that they have a Lord and Saviour who died for them and on top of that, conquered death.

Anyway, praise the Lord for many accepted Christ this year. I'm not sure of the figures, but it was really a good number.

And another thing. During POW WOW (which is like our nightly gathering whereby we have praise and worship, devotions and blah blah), and when we started sharing. It really touched me to see that everyone has grown spiritually. It was no longer the case when there would just be this awkward silence. There were actually people sharing and on top of that, quoting scripture. Really, praise God for that.

I think it was Penny from OCF who shared on 1 Corinthians 13, on how without love, all our actions is nothing. As I shared that with the group, and throughout the whole mission trip, I realised how true that verse was. It wasn't hard to love the children, no matter how playful or naughty they were. I'm glad that God is teaching me slowly how to love unconditionally. And as I love, the want to see them saved just grew stronger and stronger. I guess all these things just come naturally with love. And, I really miss the children.

Oh yes, and this trip has really reaffirmed what I want to do after uni. This trip has really affirmed the choices I've been making. I think I'm more or less on the correct track. Yeah (:(:

Alright. That is all I have for now. I'll blog again if I have anymore to add. Till then (: