Dear Brethren,

Thanksgiving for Kemaman Mission 27-29 November 2013

When I read the newspaper report last week that the east coast of Malaysia especially in Terengganu and Kuantan was badly hit by flood, my heart was so thankful to the Lord that He spared us from it as we had our VBS in Kemaman, Terengganu, the week before the big flood. In fact, the newspaper article specifically stated that the small town of Kemaman in Terengganu was the worst hit. How gracious and kind God is towards us who are unworthy of His grace and mercy!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2

From the start of this trip when we need to arrive on time in Larkin bus station, JB by 9.45pm to take the night coach to Kemaman that the Lord was there to lead and help us in the journey despite the causeway jam and bus delay. The Lord brought us safely to Kemaman in the night coach as we slept and trusted Him for safety and protection. The Lord touched the hearts of more than 40 children and youth to attend the VBS with many coming from unbelieving families. Thank the Lord to teach them God’s Word with 4 lessons from Nehemiah and praise God for salvation for some who received the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Thank the Lord for helping the children to see God’s goodness when we prayed for good weather to go for an outing on the second day afternoon. We prayed and trusted God according to His will to bless us with good weather. The Lord is good and we testified to the children about it. There was rain in the VBS but it occurred in the middle of night and by morning it has almost stopped. Indeed God is sovereign and rules over the winds and waves.

I can testify that when we serve the Lord from our heart and depend on Him, He will never fail us. God will always provide all our needs and protect and keep us in His grace and power. Every work for the Lord will be blessed when we do it in His Name. Every mission trip encourages me to go on for the Lord to serve Him in more missions as we experience and taste that the Lord is good. His grace is all sufficient!

Thanksgiving for Church Van that ran out of diesel

On 30 November 2013 (Sat) afternoon Shomerim and Ebenezer had a combined outing. Due to the rain, the Lord graciously provided us the home of Elder Douglas Ho in Choa Chu Kang for the meeting venue. After the meeting, we had dinner and I then drove about 10 youths home in the Church van. I did not notice that the petrol tank is near empty and also the empty petrol light was not working to alert me about it.

At the SLE expressway, suddenly the van was shaking awhile and then stalled. Thank the Lord for giving me the presence of mind to glide the van with its momentum to the shoulder of the expressway road. Thank God the road was then not so busy to allow me to do it. The Lord’s timing is always so wonderful. I tried to start the van again and after a few tries, the van got started. I noticed the needle was at the empty petrol sign and was not sure if it was the cause of the problem. The van moved and stalled again. Again it managed to start and this time I decided to exit from the expressway.  I was not sure where I was heading. I just did not want everybody stranded in the expressway. The van stalled a few more times and finally I saw Yio Chu Kang MRT. It must be the last few droplets of diesel that the van finally died about 100m away from the MRT. How good the Lord is to all of us to protect us and also for transport home for the youths.

The Lord touched the heart of a brother to come to the rescue and to buy a tin of $5 diesel. At first, he just could not pour the diesel into the van diesel hole as it does not fit. Again with wisdom from God, he used a paper plate as funnel to pour the diesel into the van. I was never sure if this was the cause of the problem as it is an old van which can run into any problem suddenly. Praise and thanks to the Lord that the van could move and I drove all the way back to Tampines. Every step of the way in this trial, the Lord was there for us. Every step of the way, He guides and provides for us. How kind and good the Lord is to His own children! Let us always trust in His good Hand in our lives.

Elder John Leong