what she says: February 2006

I've never got down to writing down about my trip to India since i've come back for more than a week ago, and I think i've repeated my experiences countless times. I'm not complaining though, and this is a long overdue entry on it. And i shall try to summarize the entire week's worth of experiences in India. I've drafted it so many times, often trying to finish the entry in bits and pieces from home and work whenever i can. Here we go...

There were some trepidation before i actually went to the trip. I guess my fears were warranted as I was going to be travelling with a group of people I hardly, or rather, don't even know. That was the prelude to the trip.

It felt almost like I was entering Primary 1 all over again, except that I'm more grown up and a little more independent, and I didn't cry. I boarded the Chennai-bound flight, and thankfully, most of the members were sitting around us, and I sat right next to Dr Thio. And I was kept at ease and entertained by her many encounters near and far. And it was only the beginning.

Along the trip, I made new friends.

Dorothy's this very nice lady from Hong Kong, who made me communicate in cantonese at ease

Ryo and his wife Wan Lee not only look out for one another, but also for the interests of the rest of the team.

Thomas and his fiancee Lydia showed what it means to be in love, even at their age.

Mr Thio, the leader of the pack, was endearing as he is frank. Anointed too.

Dr Thio, wife of Mr Thio has much spiritual insight that's inspired me to dig even further.

Tiong Howe is the epitome of a marketplace evangelist, inspiring.

Esther and Natalie shared wonderful testimones of how God blessed them, and demonstrated what the lovers of the Word are like.

Christine Chan, the lady who's extravagant in her praise and worship to God.

Suat Keng, the lady who knows her food and loves yoghurt, a mother of a daughter who's the same age as me, yet raring to go.

Yew Lin, one half of the dynamic duo, as Ruth

Chris Ang, the other half of the dynamic duo, as Naomi. And the roomie who really took care of me.

And then there was Brother Yanakan, who taught me so much about servanthood and humility, and being in the joy of the Lord. I heard he took leave from work from another state in India, just to travel to Thanjavur with us, to look after us, and eveyrday, he would be the first to arise, and last to bed. And yet, you will never find a word of complaint from him. He reminds me of Jesus.

Little me was the youngest amongst them, but there was no airs about them. You couldn't even tell that there's someone who owns a law firm in KL, a law professor, an engineering prof etc. High-flyers, by the standards of the world. Modest and humble, as children of God. And this mission trip would have been disguised if not for the rallies and the crusades. We lived in hotels, comparable to a 4star hotel in SG, and no one got hungry, and I had to decline some of the dishes when I was already filled to the brim. I'm taken with Indian food already!

Other than the friendships that I had made, I learnt so much on the trip. I didn't just have to adjust to another's country's culture, but also to the culture of the team. Everyone was so different, and initially, I was very reserved and I kept to myself most of the time. Every night when I got back to the hotel room, I would pour out a day's worth of thoughts and experiences into my journal. But the days went by and I got to know the others better, and it was refreshing to be in the fellowship of people who have seen, heard and learnt so much about God, and their experiences, I was more inspired than anything.

On one of the few days we had afternoon meetings for the indian believers, I was asked to share my testimony. Thankfully, I had prepared myself mentally the day before, as i suspected that I might be called upon. It was my testimony, simple yet personal. I told them the story of my life, about my family, how we came from being so broken to being restored in Him. I prayed that my testimony touched the lives of those who heard, even though it was translated into Tamil. When we came back to Singapore, a member of the team emailed me, saying that she was reminded by my testimony about certain issues in her life and how she was encouraged to go and deal with it. I was amazed at how open she was and the decision that she has chosen to make, and it's at that moment that I knew for myself that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10

I had gone to India expecting to see signs and wonders, and saw them I did. I got to pray for the sick, needy and a little boy who was deaf and dumb, but who got healed after that. Amazing isn't it? Even though I felt a little disappointed, at not being able to witness something as astounding as a limb growing out of a stump or something to that effect, I came back with a new sense of wonder. That it was nothing on our human effort to heal, but "It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him" Acts 3:16. And when you see the throngs of people who came to the dais desperate for healing and a touch from God, compassion washes over you, but I wonder if it was anything like the compassion that Jesus had when He saw the crowds coming towards Him. Pure compassion. not mixed with pity of sympathy.

It's not possible to articulate all that I had went through there, be it in thought or flesh. But if anything, I returned with a new sense of hunger, a dissatisfaction in essence of my current relationship with Him, that there must be more than this than just living the circle of life.

We had a BBQ of sorts. It was interesting to see people from different ministries in the same one place, simply hanging out. I'm sure some of us established new-found friendships, whilst, there might be others who sat back a little, simply soaking in all that was going on.

A few of them came up to ask what the occassion is, and the purpose of this gathering. There really isn't a fixed agenda, but just to gather people from different parts of the church, in one place, so that we can get to know one another better. Singles and married alike.

Nonetheless, tonight will be known as "that BBQ night" to the few who came today. I hope those friendships that were deepened will go deeper still, and those that only began today, will not end here.

And in parting, here are some snapshots of The BBQ.

We look good, pretending to do anything. haha.

BBQing amidst skyscrapers.

All of us!