Jen Lee's 38th-40th weeks (18 Nov - 12 Dec, 2010
hi everyone,
The update below was originally written on 6 Dec, but I had very poor internet access, so I was not able to send this out.
It’s been over three weeks since I last wrote, my oh my, how time flies when we are having fun :)
The following update was quite high energy, but I must admit that holidaying with young kids is no joke. I will need to catch up on sleep when I’m in New Zealand. I am going to be there from 13 Dec to 2 Jan, so there will probably be a long break after this.
I should still be checking email every few days or so, please email me with prayer requests if you have any, ok?
Take care and God bless, wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and Happy 2011 in advance!
- jen
----BEGINNING OF UPDATE-----
Hey everyone,
I’m now in Gold Coast with my sister Jane and bro-in-law Benson and two nieces Joy Lynn and Jill Lyanne (notice that the little ones share the same initials as me :). We’re staying in a service apartment right smack in the middle of Surfers Paradise and we can see the ocean from the living room as well as from my bedroom :) In short, it’s Paradise :)
We’ll be here until Thursday and then on Friday we’re heading to my favourite island paradise – Tangalooma! Woohoo – can’t wait to feed the wild dolphins…yay!
Then on Monday my sister and family head home, while I head to New Zealand to spend Christ-mas in Christ-church (so happens that I will be there on the actual day :) as I am actually going all over the south and north island). Will greet the new year in new zld :) Looking forward to travelling on my own – think it’s important to have some time alone – this will be my personal retreat for the year I guess. It’s a good time for it as I will be able to reflect on the year…
So for the next few weeks until early January, my email updates may not be very regular – but there may well be some long emails from my reflection time after I get back :)
For now, I want to look back in gratitude for the Tasmania mission trip that I was on from 22 to 30 Nov.
The seven of us from my church lifegroup – Suyin, Soomei, Samuel, Joel, JP, Jono and me (the 3S4J group :) flew from Brisbane to Melbourne then to Hobart on the 22nd – some of us felt quite unprepared as the exams had just ended the week before and we had a church conference from 19-21 Nov. Nonetheless, God truly looks at the heart and we were humbled at how He chose to partner with us to touch lives.
Some highlights (pics can be seen on Facebook via this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=301470&id=609891843
1. Got to share the gospel on the plane ride there to a Viet student who recently graduated. She was very open and happy to have a clear picture of what Christians believe :)
2. Got a free coke from Tiger Airways (they are not the most generous of budget airlines – we ran into some problems with their web check-in and five of us ended up charged for doing an airport check in. Still trying to get our $125 back for that – would appreciate your prayers!) – the luggage compartment above me was sealed off because it was spoilt so I jokingly asked the air steward whether I could get a free drink since each passenger is entitled to some luggage space. At first he said he could only give me water, but later he passed me a can of coke and a cup of ice J I gave it to this Finnish guy I was talking to as I can’t handle coke on a empty stomach. Later the air steward came back and was surprised that the two of us had just met as he thought we were travelling together (actually his exact words were, “Wow, Tiger dating service…”. Haha, very funny)
But seriously it was the beginning of what I would come to experience as God’s special anointing that comes upon His children as they step out to serve on mission trips. Later when we met the Hobart leaders, one of them, Andrew, talked about this and encouraged us to tap into this level of favour from God :)
3. Street evangelism using tracts, “freestyling” (basically just going up to people that God prompts you to go to) and treasure hunting (we get clues from God before setting out. Then we find people based on impressions we received about the person’s location, appearance, name, prayer needs, other special clues) – while I have done some campus outreach, going out on streets to talk to complete strangers was going to another level. As our group is made up of Asian students, we were also intimidated about approaching Caucasians at first. But thank God for His help to step out of our comfort zone. Also thankful for my journalist background – experience (and thick skin :) helps with striking up conversations. But God uses whoever is willing, regardless of their “skill set”.
I was inspired by the example of the younger believers in the group, who really grew in their confidence as they decided to take the plunge. Those of you who have never been on short-term mission trips, you should get on the next one – it truly opens your God-horizons :) We were able to share the gospel with the many who were open, both young and old, regardless of colour/gender. The three salvations and one rededication that God blessed our group with attests to this – 2 are Australians, while the other 2 are internationals. 2 girls, 2 guys :) 2 students, 2 non-students :)
4. It was a great encouragement to our group that we were able to be an encouragement to the Hobart church members. As the church planting effort has been underway for only a few years, the congregation is quite small – about 20 people attend their Friday lifegroups/Sunday services.
It’s not easy to be in a small church – there are so many things to see to.
Many of us look up to the Hobart church leaders as “spiritual giants” as they are so committed to fulfilling God’s call – e.g. David who went up to a group of people heavily under the influence of alcohol, to tell them about how Jesus is better than grog (slang for alcohol) or drugs. They swear at him, tear up the tract in his face and threaten physical violence, but he just keeps on until they tell him to leave. And then he moves on to other people and does not let the negativity seep in. But even such spiritual giants are in need to encouragement every now and then, and the Hobart leaders told us that they were encouraged by how our group was willing to step up to serve God J Encouragement is like a gift that keeps giving – they were encouraged, we were encouraged that they were encouraged, so we continue to encourage them and others :) So go and encourage someone today!
5. The skit and songs that we prepared were very well received. All the hours of practice paid off :) You can see the skit here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150343611635398 - thanks Joel for uploading it!
6. During Sunday service, Pastor Mark from Melbourne (he happened to be visiting the Hobart church at the same time J) prayed for me and I was so touched by God’s message through him. Pastor Mark saw a long corridor, and he sensed that it was unclear where the door is. His interpretation: Though I don’t know where my destination is, God knows. This spoke to me as I have often wondered what I will end up doing with my life. I started tearing. There was more to come. In the middle of his prayer, Pastor Mark said “When one sinner repents, all of heaven rejoices”. There was no way he could have known that this was the exact verse that touched my heart when I accepted Christ at the age of 9. The tears really flowed now.
Then, the clincher – Pastor Mark said he saw a beautiful diamond. Those of you who read my last update will know that God has been speaking to me about trusting Him even as He cuts and shapes me to be a diamond. Since then, the word diamond has come up in the church bulletin (in the testimony portion) and also during the leader’s conference (before the mission trip). Again, there was no way Pastor Mark could have known all this as I had not met him before this. Such affirmation from my Abba Father…I am so thankful. I also stand amazed at how God can speak through mere humans, and I want to avail myself to do the same.
I could go on and on about the Tassie trip, it was so much good fun (we had many memorable jokes, funny moments etc). One of us got “engaged” to a rubber toy lizard – ya, no kidding :) The mission team leaders got some loving from us on our last night in Hobart – Suyin and Sam were floured and 'whipped' (with whip cream lah :). We alarmed the security guard but he was cool when we told him that it was for a birthday celebration (Suyin had originally planned to “sabo” sam as his bday is in mid-dec, in the end we sabo-ed both of them * insert evil laughter here *)…
But I think I’ve written enough…ask me more if you are curious about what else happened…that’s all for now :)
Love,
Jen Lee
The update below was originally written on 6 Dec, but I had very poor internet access, so I was not able to send this out.
It’s been over three weeks since I last wrote, my oh my, how time flies when we are having fun :)
The following update was quite high energy, but I must admit that holidaying with young kids is no joke. I will need to catch up on sleep when I’m in New Zealand. I am going to be there from 13 Dec to 2 Jan, so there will probably be a long break after this.
I should still be checking email every few days or so, please email me with prayer requests if you have any, ok?
Take care and God bless, wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and Happy 2011 in advance!
- jen
----BEGINNING OF UPDATE-----
Hey everyone,
I’m now in Gold Coast with my sister Jane and bro-in-law Benson and two nieces Joy Lynn and Jill Lyanne (notice that the little ones share the same initials as me :). We’re staying in a service apartment right smack in the middle of Surfers Paradise and we can see the ocean from the living room as well as from my bedroom :) In short, it’s Paradise :)
We’ll be here until Thursday and then on Friday we’re heading to my favourite island paradise – Tangalooma! Woohoo – can’t wait to feed the wild dolphins…yay!
Then on Monday my sister and family head home, while I head to New Zealand to spend Christ-mas in Christ-church (so happens that I will be there on the actual day :) as I am actually going all over the south and north island). Will greet the new year in new zld :) Looking forward to travelling on my own – think it’s important to have some time alone – this will be my personal retreat for the year I guess. It’s a good time for it as I will be able to reflect on the year…
So for the next few weeks until early January, my email updates may not be very regular – but there may well be some long emails from my reflection time after I get back :)
For now, I want to look back in gratitude for the Tasmania mission trip that I was on from 22 to 30 Nov.
The seven of us from my church lifegroup – Suyin, Soomei, Samuel, Joel, JP, Jono and me (the 3S4J group :) flew from Brisbane to Melbourne then to Hobart on the 22nd – some of us felt quite unprepared as the exams had just ended the week before and we had a church conference from 19-21 Nov. Nonetheless, God truly looks at the heart and we were humbled at how He chose to partner with us to touch lives.
Some highlights (pics can be seen on Facebook via this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=301470&id=609891843
1. Got to share the gospel on the plane ride there to a Viet student who recently graduated. She was very open and happy to have a clear picture of what Christians believe :)
2. Got a free coke from Tiger Airways (they are not the most generous of budget airlines – we ran into some problems with their web check-in and five of us ended up charged for doing an airport check in. Still trying to get our $125 back for that – would appreciate your prayers!) – the luggage compartment above me was sealed off because it was spoilt so I jokingly asked the air steward whether I could get a free drink since each passenger is entitled to some luggage space. At first he said he could only give me water, but later he passed me a can of coke and a cup of ice J I gave it to this Finnish guy I was talking to as I can’t handle coke on a empty stomach. Later the air steward came back and was surprised that the two of us had just met as he thought we were travelling together (actually his exact words were, “Wow, Tiger dating service…”. Haha, very funny)
But seriously it was the beginning of what I would come to experience as God’s special anointing that comes upon His children as they step out to serve on mission trips. Later when we met the Hobart leaders, one of them, Andrew, talked about this and encouraged us to tap into this level of favour from God :)
3. Street evangelism using tracts, “freestyling” (basically just going up to people that God prompts you to go to) and treasure hunting (we get clues from God before setting out. Then we find people based on impressions we received about the person’s location, appearance, name, prayer needs, other special clues) – while I have done some campus outreach, going out on streets to talk to complete strangers was going to another level. As our group is made up of Asian students, we were also intimidated about approaching Caucasians at first. But thank God for His help to step out of our comfort zone. Also thankful for my journalist background – experience (and thick skin :) helps with striking up conversations. But God uses whoever is willing, regardless of their “skill set”.
I was inspired by the example of the younger believers in the group, who really grew in their confidence as they decided to take the plunge. Those of you who have never been on short-term mission trips, you should get on the next one – it truly opens your God-horizons :) We were able to share the gospel with the many who were open, both young and old, regardless of colour/gender. The three salvations and one rededication that God blessed our group with attests to this – 2 are Australians, while the other 2 are internationals. 2 girls, 2 guys :) 2 students, 2 non-students :)
4. It was a great encouragement to our group that we were able to be an encouragement to the Hobart church members. As the church planting effort has been underway for only a few years, the congregation is quite small – about 20 people attend their Friday lifegroups/Sunday services.
It’s not easy to be in a small church – there are so many things to see to.
Many of us look up to the Hobart church leaders as “spiritual giants” as they are so committed to fulfilling God’s call – e.g. David who went up to a group of people heavily under the influence of alcohol, to tell them about how Jesus is better than grog (slang for alcohol) or drugs. They swear at him, tear up the tract in his face and threaten physical violence, but he just keeps on until they tell him to leave. And then he moves on to other people and does not let the negativity seep in. But even such spiritual giants are in need to encouragement every now and then, and the Hobart leaders told us that they were encouraged by how our group was willing to step up to serve God J Encouragement is like a gift that keeps giving – they were encouraged, we were encouraged that they were encouraged, so we continue to encourage them and others :) So go and encourage someone today!
5. The skit and songs that we prepared were very well received. All the hours of practice paid off :) You can see the skit here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150343611635398 - thanks Joel for uploading it!
6. During Sunday service, Pastor Mark from Melbourne (he happened to be visiting the Hobart church at the same time J) prayed for me and I was so touched by God’s message through him. Pastor Mark saw a long corridor, and he sensed that it was unclear where the door is. His interpretation: Though I don’t know where my destination is, God knows. This spoke to me as I have often wondered what I will end up doing with my life. I started tearing. There was more to come. In the middle of his prayer, Pastor Mark said “When one sinner repents, all of heaven rejoices”. There was no way he could have known that this was the exact verse that touched my heart when I accepted Christ at the age of 9. The tears really flowed now.
Then, the clincher – Pastor Mark said he saw a beautiful diamond. Those of you who read my last update will know that God has been speaking to me about trusting Him even as He cuts and shapes me to be a diamond. Since then, the word diamond has come up in the church bulletin (in the testimony portion) and also during the leader’s conference (before the mission trip). Again, there was no way Pastor Mark could have known all this as I had not met him before this. Such affirmation from my Abba Father…I am so thankful. I also stand amazed at how God can speak through mere humans, and I want to avail myself to do the same.
I could go on and on about the Tassie trip, it was so much good fun (we had many memorable jokes, funny moments etc). One of us got “engaged” to a rubber toy lizard – ya, no kidding :) The mission team leaders got some loving from us on our last night in Hobart – Suyin and Sam were floured and 'whipped' (with whip cream lah :). We alarmed the security guard but he was cool when we told him that it was for a birthday celebration (Suyin had originally planned to “sabo” sam as his bday is in mid-dec, in the end we sabo-ed both of them * insert evil laughter here *)…
But I think I’ve written enough…ask me more if you are curious about what else happened…that’s all for now :)
Love,
Jen Lee
posted by thejenlee at 12:18 PM
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