W263

Monday, March 30, 2009

Here's our testimonies! Enjoy reading! =)

MERRIEN
Before:
I was just an ordinary primary school student, living a mundane, routine lifestyle. Looking back now, it seems like my past was not very exciting. Actually, I believe that I had all along been a good girl. I don't disrespect or rebel against my teachers and parents. I was excelling in my studies and got into the best class for 4 out of 6 of my primary school years. So I'm not really the kind that transformed from a black to white sheep when I met God, but there's so much more that God has in store for my life...

Conversion:
Usually, I believe that we hear 2 kinds of testimonies of how people got saved. 1 is the super extraordinary, dramatic and mind-blowing kind, and the other is more like 'well, I just said the sinner's prayer.' So obviously I'm in the second category. However, it really does not matter which you belong to, what matters is what God does with your life after that.

Here's my experience... I was so-called 'born' into a Christian family. My siblings and I attended a Sunday school in Magelang, my hometown in Indonesia, since we were really young. I doubt that I understood the things about the bible and Jesus then because I was merely 4 years old. When I migrated to Singapore at the age of 5, somehow my mother didn't bring us to church. My siblings started going to City Harvest when I was about 7. Since then, I kept hoping and desiring to go with them but my mother did not want to let me go yet. Finally in Primary 5, I officially joined W263, my brother's cell group then. During the second service that I attended, I went down for the altar call, not because I was moved by the presence of God but because of the choice I had made since I was young, to be a Christian. It did not seem like a special event to me then but now it has become a really precious moment.

After:
If I were to type out all the blessings God has given me since the day I accepted him, I would probably be stuck to the computer for days or even weeks. When we say "God is good, all the time." there's really no lie in this sentence.

How God has changed me:
· wiser(revelation exceeds information)
· talents have bloomed(singing, dancing)
· self-confidence(a lot)
· determination, stronger will power(more important than any physical abiliy)
· less critical, les judgemental towards others
· more caring, generous, accepting
· more thankful for everything in life(academic results, friends etc.)
· lots more...

And I haven't even started on how he has blessed me! Haha well if you want to find out more you can ask me personally. Have I ever regretted allowing God into my life? Never have and never will. He is truly amazing :D

XIXI
In the past, I used to be a normal teenage girl who’s always worrying about school, homework and friends. Everyday was like a repeat of yesterday, I was living for the sake of living. My future was hidden by a thick fog, and this added to my worrying list. Changing my ambition now and then, I didn’t know what I wanted and what I was living for. I was lost.

I knew about God since I was 7 years old because I was in a Presbyterian primary school and I had Christian value lessons once every week. We sang praises to God every morning and we had pastors from the neighboring church coming to our school occasionally. When the preacher asked for those who wanted to accept Christ into their lives to pray a prayer with her, I prayed. I didn’t attend a church because my family had no Christians and nobody invited me. After I graduated, I lost all touch with God. However, I never forgot about Him. I prayed to Him that He would bring me to a church because I really wanted to believe in Him. And after 2 years, He answered my prayer. My new classmate, Merrien! invited me to church and eventually I got saved :D

With God in my life, I feel assured that He has a great plan for me and that I truly have a great calling in Him. I’m confident that he created me to be special and to be a star that shines for Him. Even though I’m still unsure of my future, I don’t have to be afraid because He would always be there for me and I know that He’ll reveal my future to me at the right time. My worries reduced greatly because God says that I do not have to worry about tomorrow because He is my provider. When I encounter failures and hurt, I’m always comforted by the truth that He’s there for me and as long I trust in Him with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding and acknowledge Him in everything that I do, He’ll straighten me path. Thank you , Lord! :D

PEARLYNN
I was raised from a Buddhist family. My parents are devout Buddhists. Ironically, I was brought to a Presbyterian church for my kindergarten education. My grandparents lived nearby so my parents felt it would be more convenient for my grandparents to pick me up from school when my parents were working. That, was my first encounter with God. From there, my teachers [who I still greatly admire] taught me about Christian values and introduced me to God and his wonders. Even as an innocent child, I adored God and prayed to Him regularly. As I was young [and a little silly!] then, I felt that God was mysterious and very exciting. ;)

When I was seven, my parents sent me to a missionary primary school. Many of my friends and teachers were Christians. Immersed in the Christian culture, it was inevitable that my understanding for God grew deeper and deeper. Well aware of the fatal consequences if my parents knew, I secretly became a Christian when I was about eight. Thousands of pastors have preached about nominal Christians. They are those who attend church faithfully once a week and read their bibles as faithfully once a week during service as well. Although I knew much about Jesus and his miracles, I did not feel the presence of God. In other words, I did not feel the ‘connection’. So for most of my primary school life, I was a nominal Christian.

From then on, I backslidden from God. School work began to pile and as I did not attend any church in primary school, I soon drifted away from Him.

Despite the fact that my current school is not a Christian school, I met MERRIEN. She introduced me to City Harvest! The rest, as they say, is history. After an amazing service about two years ago, I accepted Christ after back sliding fully and wholeheartedly. It’s no surprise that the schools I’ve been sent to were all God’s plan. I mean, although my parents are strong Buddhists, I was sent to Christian schools. How cool can that get! I was saved.

My life did not drastically change! However, I feel much happier. Every service that I attend is something to learn from. Every message has a beautiful, impactful meaning behind it. Every verse from the bible is wise and powerful. Now, I feel the presence of God as well. This is especially so when I am praying together with my cell group and in our little connect group. The most significant thing that happened though, happened to my Ah Ma. Last year, she had to undergo millions of blood tests and wait excruciatingly for the results. During that period, I prayed vehemently to God, asking Him to heal my Ah Ma and to take away whatever that she has.

God answered my prayers. My Ah Ma had merely had gall stones! My joy was impossible to contain. I was utterly grateful to God and very dumbfounded. That was probably the first time my prayer was answered. I truly understand God and his plans. I know that I can rely on Him and depend on Him. I also know with God’s blessing, I can be a blessing to others too! With God around, I know that there’s nothing in life I cannot conquer.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

JIAJING
Before I went to church, I didn’t expect that church is this way. Eversince then, every visit to church I learnt something. I’ve learnt how to pray in areas of my education, family, friends and for myself.

Along the way, I also learnt that not everything will go the way I want it to, but I do know that God wants me to experience and learn something through all the failures I went through. This helps me to continue to pursue what I am doing and stop me from giving up. Although sometimes I don’t see God, I know that he’s always been blessing me. No matter what I have done wrong, He will also forgive me and continue to protect me in my life.

SHIRLYN
Before i got to know Christ, i was a person that had no spiritual life. I felt that there wasn't such a thing was a God. Whenever i was sad, the first person i would turn to was a friend. But sometimes i feel that a friend isn't enough because she couldn't always be there for me at all times and may not understand me. I kept things to myself and sometimes i would feel very terrible. There are also many obstacles in my life that i couldn't seem to overcome.

When merrien introduced me to church at first, i wasn't convinced that He actually exists in this world. But when i saw people prayingso fervently and loving each other wholeheartedly in church and after church services, i would feel like there is really Him that exists. Soon after, i realised that i have been wanting to come to church more and began to open my heart to Him and receive Him into my life. Although it was a hard decision to make, but soon after i realised that i do believe that there is Him who exists.

After i got to know Him, I always prayed to him before i sleep at night. Whenever i was feeling down, the first i'd turn is to him, and then friends.He provides the comfort and the sense of peace in my heart. Whenever i feel scared during examinations, i know that i can put my trust in Him and He'll relieve all my stress and cease my troubles from pilling up. When something bad happens, i'll pray and knowing that everything will be fine at the endof the day. I'd use bible verses to constantly remind me of things, to encourage me, and to provide the tenacity for me. He's just like a bestfriend, an advicer and a consoler. My life has certainly changed after i got to know him.

JESSICA
I was brought up in a Christian family, and my parents were also people who were always involved in all the church activities. However, my whole family backslided. And i never went back.

I grew up in an environment where i didn't really know how to express my feelings and always wanted to please everyone to make them happy. On the surface, my parents bring me out on weekends and we are like a super happy family, but to me, it was a family where i can never say what i feel because my parents had the traditional values of doing what you're told.

Having low self-esteem, I was always struggling with my own problems and hiding it behind a big smile on my face. I grew up thinking that I am alone, and I never liked to burden others of what i thought would be silly, childish thoughts to them. Life was just this game of proving you're worth to people, how well you can please them. Confidence was never found in my life, and I was constantly trying to fill up this emptiness inside of me. So i constantly downgrade myself to make others feel good, thinking that making people happier could fill up this gap.

When I was in Sec 1, i started mixing with the wrong people and experimenting with the bad company that parents always warned us about. Getting into a relationship where i was being manipulated mentally, i started to slowly sink into depression. My low self esteem sunk lower till it hit rock bottom. I started to blame people for my mistakes, and became a very angry person. Taking revenge was like breathing to me. I got influenced and cursed and swore every chance i got. I threw my temper every chance i could and acted like a spoilt brat, bearing all sorts of petty grudges. Suicidal thoughts would flood my mind everyday.

It was during the start of my Secondary Two year that God gave me one of the biggest challenges that i believe, makes me what I am today, integrating myself back into church, joined a cell group.And most importantly, re-dedicated my life back to God and was determined to get my life back on track. I started re-evaluating my life and realised that i was in a relationship that made me a vengeful person and how rebellious i have become. I took the first step and broke off that relationship despite feeling strongly for him. It was during that point of time when i was still recovering, that my friends decided they could not take the new changes i decided to put in my life. That point of time was one of the lowest and I had no one to depend on. It was like being crushed under one big rock after another.

During that point of time, I also had to undergo counselling sessions with a psychologist weekly. I started to blame God for taking away my friends, making me do things that made me lost everyone whom i thought were dear to me. I started getting angry with myself all over again. However, God works through mysterious ways. He started putting different people into my life,People who gave me the courage to face life more positively. People who were optimistic, and made me aspire to be more like them. I started depending on God more and learnt to let go of the past hurts.

These friends came from all walks of life, different types of personalities that helped me to see, make changes in myself. There were people I aspired to be, and people that showed me how i was like, challenging me to change myself, Some that were what i think, were there to make a difference in my life. And others, were just there for me to lean on whenever i felt discouraged. Slowly, as I started to lean more on God, i learned how to be myself, how to express my feelings in a positive manner. I start to react to things more positively, and learnt how forgiving is forgetting.

God started blessing me in many areas as well. Financially, my family is much more stable than last time. I am now blessed with a few good friends, whom i know will always be there for me. Friends who tell me my mistakes immediately, love me for who i am, and are there to lean on.I admit that till now, I still do not have a very healthy level of self-esteem yet. But I am getting there. I still get discouraged, and till now, i still get discouraged and lose confidence.But nobody ever said this walk with God would be easy. As time goes by, as the challenges God throws at me gets tougher, I thank God for trusting me so much with all the tough challenges.

I believe that God never gives you something that is too big to deal with. God is like this loving father to me who’s always there no matter what I’ve done, to him or myself. He always stretches your limit, believing that we can always go further than where we are now.
Running this marathon for four years with God and counting, has never been a better experience.I never regretted anything in my life ever since He came and turned it all around. God will never give you a door that can never be opened.But God will always give you a door, make you search for the key and learn the most important lessons in life about Love, Faith, Hope, Compassion and Joy. That people can never teach you in this lifetime, or the next.

DARRELL
Hello all,
I am Darrell... Haha...Today, i will be sharing about my life story...nott yours but MINE!!! MINE! MINE! Ok...without further ado... My life story...

I was born in 22 oct 1990...oops... tats too far back...ok... I came to church since I was 9...but i din exactly became a Christian at den...going to church was just for the sake of going...I was brought up by my mum... i lived double lives...1 was a goody 2 shoes person and a devil in the life ... From P3 on, i was very rebellious... i was insecured... no love... as I was raised up by my nanny since young...my mom was working as my father died young...my nanny was considered to me as my mother... i was with my nanny til 12... in P4 i was very very rebellious... I din respect any1 anymore xcept my nanny, her husband and her children coz every1 treated me differently...because i din look like the rest... i was bigger in size... i even scold my teacher the 4 letter word in P4...things became worse... I started getting into fights every single day from P5 on...din care who i was against... as long as u have sumthing against me,tats it... no matter if u are bigger size den me or not...frequent lying... my academics were poor...P6 , i came to CHC children church...although nothing changed much... nearly even join gang in sec 1...bcoz i was in normal academic class...bad influence...

Until i joined a Cg in 2003...Hui Fang was my 1st cell group leader. 1 day i was in service...i dunno y...but i felt the so much love during service... and started to weep for no reason... later, i found out tat it was the the love of God... that was touching me... tat day, i told myself i was not gonna live the life tat i lived b4...

Now, still struggling... people dun change overnite... but i tried to change...although i am still bigger in size...but i try my best to be a better person...without God, i can do nth much...but with him i can do much more...from then on,i prayed, and i started to learn control my temper... i try to say nicer things to ppl... i dun get into fights anymore... although i still make ppl angry amd not very socialable...but i am trying to be more socialable...I wanna thank God for wad he has done in my life and is still doing...

REBECCA
I was not a rebellious teenager who always gives problems to my parents and teachers. I am a shy and soft-spoken person by nature. I have difficulties expressing my thoughts and feelings to people and would always keep my problems and feelings bottled up to myself. This resulted in me building a wall between me and the people I come into contact with. I would say I did well during my secondary school days – I was very prominent and excelled in the school’s track and field scene, I was in the best class throughout the 4 years and I was the deputy head prefect of the prefectorial board, actively involved in many major events in school. But nobody knows that beneath all those, is actually a girl who struggles with low self-esteem and is very insecure and unconfident of herself.
There were many things happening at home during my secondary school days and many bad and negative thoughts were constantly in my mind. My friends tried to get me to open up to share but I was reluctant to. I was then eventually referred to a counselor by my teacher. I had a bad impression of counseling back then and so I was very closed up and refused to share much with my counselor. It’s an irony that I am now friend with my back-then counselor.

During my JC days, things at home were pretty much still the same. I hated and dreaded going to school, and would always find ways and means to take MC to skip school. Hence, I performed poorly in school. However, through my CCA and a CIP expedition to Sabah, I got to know this friend whom I became quite close to and she eventually brought me to church. I remembered always rejecting and finding excuses not to go initially. However, God’s timing is always perfect. I went for my first CHC service and I still remember vividly that Pastor Kong preached on DREAMS and there and then I thought it was something that blew my mind away.

Things did not really get better after I got to know Christ and hence I got very discouraged. I kept going rounds in circles in areas of my thoughts and emotions. My leader had a hard time “tackling” me as I was self-centered and not exactly very teachable. I remembered that she would always tell me that we should not live our lives based on emotions but on convictions, and that we should never despise the days of small beginnings. It did not make any sense to me back then as all I bothered and wanted was for my problems to go away, missing the bigger picture that God has installed for me. And even though I go to church regularly and was serving in a ministry, I did not have a very real and genuine relationship with God and hence I eventually backslided.

Not long after, I got sick and tired of the aimless life that I was leading and I kind of told one of my JC friend casually that I felt like going back to church and so she brought me to W263. It was not easy initially and I constantly struggled with thoughts of giving up. However, God always works in ways we cannot see. After being integrated, I made a decision to want to commit my life to serve God and not to leave Him ever again.

God has indeed moulded me into a better individual through these years. He has changed my mentality of many things in life. He has helped me to be more patient and loving towards people around me through serving in a ministry. He has also helped me to become a person with better self-esteem, more confident of myself and I have definitely found my identity in Christ. He has also blessed me in different ways in areas of my poly life. Even though I have wasted 2 years in JC, He reminded me that nothing that I have gone through is ever wasted. Also, although there may still be problems going on in my family sometimes, however, slowly but surely, things have started to change for the better. I am believing that my breakthrough will definitely come if I continue to stand firm on His promises.

As I look back now, God has indeed been good and faithful to me. It’s true that in life, problems are inevitable, but nobody said that our walk with God is a bed of roses. Christianity is an inspite-of faith, and I’ve realize that no matter what I go through in life, I can trust in God and lean on His strength to see me through. For with God, nothing is impossible! :)

Jeanie
I grew up in a Christian family. Was "trained" to attend sunday school since i was a kid. I knew all the bible stories, but i never experience God before, all i had was head knowledge. As i was attending a chinese sunday school and i don't like chinese back then, i started to dread attending sunday school. Hence, i started to find excuses not to attend sunday school and soon i stopped attending all together.

I came back to God once again through Girls Brigade, started going back to church and was very active. However, when i was in sec3, i was very involve in my class committee and had many class outings on sundays. I backslided, chose my friends and gave up God again.

However, my turning point came when i was in Sec4. My dad had to go through a heart bypass due to some artery blockage. The operation was unsuccessful and my dad had a stroke at his brain stem which blurred his vision totally. At that point of time my whole family was feeling very lost and worried as my dad was the sole bread winner. The subsequent nights i had dreams that i was back in church and even preaching infront of a group of people. I felt that the dream was very silly and i thought to myself that the dream will never come to past. After many nights of having similar dreams, i was getting frustrated. One of the nights i woke up after having the same dream, i prayed, " God heal my dad and i will come back to You."

True enough, God is our healer, my dad vision got better as the days go by, even the doctors were surprised by my dad's recovery. Deep inside me, i was shocked and thankful that God indeed heard my prayer. I knew and was convicted that God is indeed real and eventually i came back to God. Until now i'm still amazed by how God works in your life and how He speaks to you through situations. Life is not a bed of roses even with God in your life, but what you can believe is with God, all things are possible and you will be able to overcome the various difficulties in your life with Him. God is good all the time and all the time God is good... =))

W263 blogged at 2:22 AM

may Your light shine...
in the darkness...

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Our history... =D

2004:

Potluck at Darrell's

Hui Fang's chalet

Christmas at Singapore Indoor Stadium

2005:

Pizza at Jurong Point

Easter at Singapore Indoor Stadium

'Incredibles' at Sentosa

EMERGE

Jeanie's 21st birthday chalet

Sentosa outing in Oct

Christmas

Thanksgiving cell group

2006:

Changi Airport 1Jan

EMERGE

September Blast 1Sep

Dance Masquerade 8Sep

Christmas

Thanksgiving cell group

2007:

Irwin's farewell for NS and Merrien's birthday celebration 8Jan

Chinatown 20Feb

Cineleisure

XODUS 3Mar

Benny Hinn's Conference 13-15Apr

EMERGE

Subzone meeting 15Jun

Sentosa Outreach 16Jun

Captain's Ball Practice

Camp IGNITED 15-16Dec

Steamboat 28Dec

Changi Airport 30Dec

2008:

18May

Camp ALIVE 6-8Jun

60 Seconds Of Fame 5Sep

Pulau Ubin 6Sep

Jian Ting's farewell for NS

Asia Conference Showtime audition 22Oct

Get Set, Get Wet 26Oct

Last cell group meeting before multiplication 7Nov

Dress-up weekend 16Nov

Asia Conference 19-23Nov

Pyjamas Party and Jian Ting's birthday 27Dec

28Dec

2009:

VivoCity 4Jan

18Jan

Chinese New Year 24-25Jan

8Feb

Valentine's Day Barbecue 14Feb

15Feb

Marina Square 1Mar

Look at how much we have transformed!
Wahahaha hope you all had a good laugh :)

Let's all love God and each other more and more each day ya?

Merrien

W263 blogged at 9:29 PM

may Your light shine...
in the darkness...