My Chinese Name

So it's all started during ci en's wedding. The wedding was basically consist of 2 languages: English & Chinese. One of the MC start asking me what's my Chinese name because he'll need to translate it. And of course everybody else (the keppo friends) started to butt in :p

All my life, I've been told my chinese name is: Chai Song Na (direct reading, please pardon the spelling). And I never knew how to write it or how to say it in the correct way, and sadly, I also don't know what's the meaning. And because I don't know how to write it, my Chinese expert friend (Arlin :p) can't help me :( And they all say that chinese doesn't have a "Song", and Song is korean and the fact that I'm not korean T.T

Just by the little information they know, according to arlin: I'm a vegetable delivery T.T I feel a bit sad, because for all I know Chinese names are usually deep and meaningful and for girls they usually have relation with being pretty or graceful.

The one that name me is my Great great grandma and my Grandpa, but both are already went back to be with the Lord. Feeling desperate, I quickly sent my dad a message to see if anyone in the family can help me with this.

And thank God my Grandpa's brother was able to write down for me and now I finally know what's the meaning of it :D Proudly sharing:

What it means:

Chai Song Na is how you would say it in Hakka/Khek Language (in the many language of Chinese) so I wasn't technically wrong on the "Song" and in Chinese Mandarin it would say: Chai Chang Na, this what the most common people use.

After knowing what it means, I think it somewhat fitting: I do like to sing/talk/make noise hahaha :D but deeper meaning would be that I always sing praises to God :) and I would certainly hope I am, I do and I will :) Thank God for my Great great grandma and Grandpa who name me :D they're thoughtful.

What's your Chinese name and the meaning do share :D

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. May the spirit of Christmas live in us not only on Christmas time but everyday of the year :D

Urgent House Renovation

Wednesday morning:

Sunday after church, my dad had a gathering with his choir member (near the church; the church is walking distance from my house) Anyhow.. so as my dad walked home after the gathering he saw that our roof has fallen a bit. he start panicking, with the help of my uncle who also live nearby, they saw the roof (using ladder and flashlight) and its indeed  not in a good condition (the woods holding our roof has been eaten by termite) and it could fall down anytime, basically it's dangerous, especially urgent because rainy season is just around the corner.

The house need immediate renovation. So we've been trying to found a new temporary house that we can move in immediately while having our current house fix. My dad feel a little bum-out because the temporary house we suppose to live in has just renewed their contract. So we have no spare-house.

So we are still in search and in need of temporary housing for about a year T.T A lot of places for rent asking  for 2 years contract. And my dad prefer to be in the area soalnya it'll be easier for him to control tukang2 and any renovation done on our house. There's one empty house in particular we've been praying about, except that the  owner doesn't have any intention to rent-out the place, we've been asking them to re-consider :) It's walking distance from my house too.

We've been praying for about 3 days now, and God still sustaining our house so far :) so thank God :)  we've been slowly moving stuff from 2nd floor to 1st floor. According to my dad if the roof happen to fall, 2nd floor gonna be super damage while 1st floor still going to have strong foundation to hold. and 2nd floor is where our room is too, where we hang out the most! - -" It's a little scary to think: what if the roof fall when we're taking shower/when we're sleeping :D but i know He listens to our payers and His protection is upon us.

Praying for my dad, he's super stress and he's always the pessimistic type, so i was hoping through this he can also increase in faith and trusting that God will indeed meet our need in His time. Hopefully this could be our "experiencing-God" experience. We feel that God was involved from the beginning. First: He warns us, through my dad, could accidentally see the roof when he was walking home, anyone could miss seeing that, i mean i pass the house all the time i never pay attention to the roof, plus my dad rarely hangs out outside church activity, so we believe this was not a coincidence. Second: He provides us with enough money for renovation just a few days before this all happened (through the payment of our place that we rent out). I'm sure He'll bring us through this as well :) Plus, He said: i can trust Him

Wednesday evening:

During dinner time, we received good news, that they're willing to rent the place for us for a year

Thursday:

They gave us rent-price

This weekend:

they need to do some cleaning and touch-ups since the house was unattended before.

Next weekend:

the moving-day! :D

Hopefully we can endure the temporary house well :)

I'm just in awe seeing all this in front of my eyes.

Praise God, He has meet our needs, again! <3>

"you can trust Me"

We (my parents and I)  just had a blood test check up last week. Prior to the blood test day we prayed together especially for my dad, he had trouble going to the bathroom (doing number 2) so we're afraid something might be wrong on his stomach. He's planning to have his feces check.

Let alone, last month one of my relatives got into the hospital, and we found out that his duodenum was bleeding, he was throwing up blood, it's was pretty critical. My dad, in his life had experienced this twice! By God's grace, he's still alive and well. Plus my grandma passed away from stomach/colon cancer. This whole thing add to our worry.

I've watched the daughter of my relatives, when his dad was in the hospital. It's just such a devastating view. My heart broke for her broken heart, seeing his dad lying on the hospital bed, especially during critical time. We all cried but at the same time she has to be strong for the family, it's tough T.T

Back to my prayer: it's hard for me to pray to God with all these worries i have. What if God gave me the worst scenario ever, i'm not ready, i don't want to, i can never be ready. But during prayer time, God gently whisper to me: "It's ok na, you can trust Me." so i continue praying. Whatever happen, i can trust Him.

The blood test result came back 2 days after. And praise God for our results. After getting back the result, that voice re-sounded again in my ear: "I told you, you can trust Me." even when things are the opposite "you can trust Me." :')

Once again He proves us wrong (from all the negative thoughts we had/have)

He's a God we can trust :') <3>

Report: Mission Trip 2012

Here I go, again :)

For last year's trip, our Pastor actually had gone and surveyed the place before the actual trip. This year, all of us have no clue, where we're heading, whom we're meeting, all communication with local church/organization was done through emails and phone calls. 

I was pretty surprised to find out that Banjarmasin is the 2nd largest Muslim city after Aceh in Indonesia. Big mosques can be seen even from the airplane as we approached the city.

Our 1st destination was 5 hours away from the city where we landed. We're being picked up by the members of local church and Pastor Erwin who's leading the mission team. a little background on Pak Erwin, he used to lead the church in Banjarmasin, and then decided to go out and do mission-work instead. I was just in awe by that story alone, because a lot of us would seek the comfort in settling down (with work, family, etc) but yet he choose being away where financially uncertain and serve in these little villages that we're visiting. One of the member that went with us on the mission trip was previously a Muslim and was led to Christ through Pak Erwin. And as I met him in person, he's very humble, approachable and close to these villages that he ministers. I am truly touched by what he's doing. These villages where we visited were quite behind, some still doesn't have electricity.

Back to the trip :)

It's one of those times where I find myself most dependent on God. You see there're these little things that worry me:

1. bug (mosquitoes and its friends) 

at home, I'm the only one who always get bit - -" and plus with my sensitive skin, bug bite on me usually gives me swollen skin and leaves a "forever" scar. I came prepare with all kinds of bug repellent

2. bed & bath

I don't live at a hotel where they change your bed sheet and towel everyday, but I do have the comfort of knowing that my bed and bathroom is clean and no random things will fall on me while i'm sleeping :D I came prepare with sarung and flip flops.

Despite all the preparations I bring with me, I have to say a little prayer everytime. "God help me as I want to go to sleep. God please be with me as I go take a shower. God please don't let anything fall on top of me when I'm sleeping, etc".

And surely God listens and He answers me in His way and I could come back one piece, praise God. Through ibu Esther, who also sensitive to bug -> I couldn't escape the mosquito bites, even so, ibu Esther bring this medicine, that reduce my swollen to no scar :)

Our 2nd destination was in this place surrounded by river, so the only way to get there is through bridges. There's this bamboo bridge, really shaky and only has strings each side. I mean: people could really fall down easily from this bridge. I was really scare crossing this bridge, but I have no choice I need to get across. Through Melinda (the Banjarmasin mission team) God helped me. She would hold my hands as I cross the river, everytime :) God is so sweet, until the last day, I was able to cross that bridge myself, no-human hands, only God's hands :) I'm an Indiana Jones for God. (It's really 10x scarier than the suspension bridge in Canada)

It's the fastest time in my life God had answered my prayers. 

When we're still on our way to the village, I was joking to yossi. She offered me a bread, and so I told her, "No, I don't want roti, I want ayam goreng." and then we laughed. She even opened her pringles for me saying that "this one is the closes to ayam goreng." and then alvin said "don't get your hope high (because it might be tough to get ayam goreng)." So we finally stopped for lunch at this restaurant. And our team came down, a lot of us were busy going to the restroom. While waiting for the restroom, just out of curiosity I checked the lunch we're having, for they already prepared at the table. Guess what? it's ayam goreng!!! :D

This ayam goreng had comforted me so much for I know God is with me on this trip and He listens to my prayers. I had so much confidence in praying for the people there too :)

Children's KKR time is amazing. It's so wonderful seeing these two ladies from domba kecil who dedicated their lives serving God. All 3 villages, 3 different messages, 3 different needs, all met. On one of the KKR the message was about obedience, and it so happened there's this kid who's quite naughty and loud and the beginning. When we're singing he would talk and play/bug his neighbor that ibu Esther had to come separate them. But after the message, at praying time, he prayed so wholeheartedly, that made my heart melt. WOW! I got reminded that God's word has power! power to change :')

Got close with some of the kids there too, it's a wonderful experience, they walked us back to where we're staying, they crossed the bridge no problem - -" they even run on it! I really hoped they turned out to be a woman after God's heart. I would love another opportunity to visit them again :)

I just want to end this with something ibu Leoni said:

"kita aja yang dari kota ke desa udah kayak gini ga betah, gimana Tuhan Yesus yg dari surga ke dunia."

It humbled me :')

I am deeply loved

and guess what?

you are too :')

Mission Trip 2012

Prayer Request:
We are leaving this coming Thu. Unlike the previous 4 trips, the mission trip schedule is really tight this time. We are trying to accomplish a lot of things (3 KKR, Health Care, & Sunday School Training). So, please pray for the mission trip such as:
1. The God's Word may touch the heart of the people
2. Keep the evil from hindering the work of God
3. Touch everyone of us so we may have a tender and compassionate heart like Him
4. Provide us strength, health, and courage to serve Him.
5. Weather


Can't wait to join God at work :')

It's mom. Who else?

Happy Mother's day!

May 11

A year ago today, i was packing and saying my goodbyes to friends and family of san jose; and to my used to be everyday life; shops at target and valleyfair, eats at santouka, verde, tea-era, hiking underneath the blue skies, driving through cherry blossoms, all CHURCH activities + kissing lotsa babies. Cheers for 1 year surviving Jakarta!


Here i am today as i wrote on my journal, i still have some uneasy things in my heart. but as i read my devotion this morning, God reminds me: (like He always does ... )


Every journey has some parts to it that you won't like, but you can still worship God through those parts. And I would suggest you adopt this attitude: "Maybe this part that I'm in right now is a phase of my life and I'm not going to be here the rest of my life. But this is where I am for now; therefore, I will worship God right now." The apostle Paul says, "Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering." (Romans 12:1 MSG)


A-men!


Today: I go to work M-F. Recently been spending friday nights and weekend @D'core or doing things related to D'core. Met yossi at least once a week for yummy meal she made! choir and sunday service are my only church activities, sometimes i go to filemon-fellowship w/ yossi. Thank God for new babies to kiss :* chubby-ones too. Accompany my dad on his check-up routine. Loves eating fruits time with my parents! Grateful :')


Praying today for all the shukoi victims, family and friends!
Praise God for a good weather today, so the rescue team can go to the site.