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Be Still

14 Jan

At the asking of a fellow missionary, I have accepted the Lord’s invitation to spend 3 days in silence retreat. I have not done this before and am not sure if I can remain at ease not talking at all when there are people around. Many friends are equally concerned that I may feel very uncomfortable considering my bubbly personality. I am thankful that God is gracious to bless me a great time of rest and joy.

 

Upon checking in, I found out I will be the only one staying on the ground floor. Sr. Cecilia has specially arranged the room for me because of my fractured foot whereas everyone has to “climb” the stairs to get to their rooms on the 2nd floor. It was a big place. With not much light outside, the memory of the trauma at Timor came flooding my mind. But the Lord spoke, “Do not fear for I am with you“. God’s comforting words calmed my heart,  I did not fear for the first time since returning home.

 

I felt safe, protected & peaceful that I became very comfortable as I sat on the bed, and before long, I was sleeping soundly… more rest followed the next day with naps after breakfast and lunch. It had been a restful time.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28

 

It was refreshing to be in God’s presence, just BEING with Him, enjoying Him and not have to DO anything. In the absence of man, we can hear God. During this retreat, God reminded me of the joy I have in Timor, the smiles on each of the kids in Maubisse, the gifts I have been blessed to connect with the kids at their tender age. Not forgetting their parents & many others whom the Lord has brought into my path. I thank God for blessing the friendships to blossom & I pray that I will earn the privilege  to bring the truth to them one day. At the same time, I am also reminded to rest & trust in God to take me back to Timor, at His time.

 

As I checked out of the retreat centre, the passage spoken by the spiritual director lingered on …. 

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
       and because I love you,
       I will give men in exchange for you,
       and people in exchange for your life.

 - Isaiah 43:4

 

Indeed, we are all precious & honoured in our Father’s sight. Praise God for His unfailing love whose power will see us through all circumstances. I am thankful for the people God has sent to care & comfort me, helping to heal & restore my soul. Amen.

 

In His Love,

Lydia

On my feet again!

8 Dec

My God is working out my life for me! 

Visit to NUH Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery today is yet another amazing experience of God’s omnipotence.  The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.  In a span of just 3 weeks, my fracture has almost healed, without any plaster cast or bandage, just daily supplements & loads of rest.

 

The fracture line is almost invisbile on the X-ray and I am able to stand on my feet again ………. and walk! 

 

It is a great feeling to regain my mobility but it is awesome to know my God is mighty to heal!

 

But I am not ready for prolonged walking so I will still have to rest more, elevate my foot (swelling & pain will continue for a while) & not exert myself …. do not walk for more than 15 minutes at any time.

 

Next review will be in Jan 2010 …. will continue to rest & trust in my God who is working out my life for me :)

 

In His Love.

Lydia

Coming Out

26 Nov

It’s been 2 weeks since I return home from Timor-Leste. Not exactly a fantastic feeling having been told that my fracture has not healed despite in plaster cast for 6 weeks.  So back to using crutches again, foot elevated at all times ==> REST!

 

So it is really nice to be invited to join Latreia social night & to be reconnected to these wonderful ladies who have been praying for me. Throughout the evening, everyone was filling me in about what’s happening in their life (work, family, church). 

 

It’s encouraging to know the group is bonding well & serving faithfully in Alpha & the upcoming Christmas with the Community event.  Before the evening ends, I was given the book on “What the Bible says about Emotions” and a card that encourages me to stand firm & to come out stronger for the Lord.

 

Angels are messengers from God and I am happy to say, I have just met four beautiful ones  :)

 

In His Love,

Lydia

Galler

21 Nov

Galler Chocolatiers S.A was founded in 1976 by Jean Galler, a graduate of the Hotel Business School of Liège and trainee at Gaston Lenôtre in Paris. 

 Although the business has grown considerably since 1976, the foundations on which it was built remain the same:

· A Passion for chocolate
· A Love of perfection
· Continual creativity

 

Why am I talking so much about chocolate when this journal is about God?  Well, this box of Galler fine dark chocolate has indeed been presented to me by God’s angels! 

 

I have been invited to the post-Alpha social night by the committee chairman. Which actually means good food, fine wine & great company.  And everyone at the dinner party tonight was given a thank-you gift for their contribution at the Alpha course. Even though I was the only invited ”guest”, I was also presented with this box of beautifully wrapped Galler chocolate, complete with a pretty ribbon!

  

Much has happened in the last few weeks including shock & trauma, I did not think anything else will surprise me anymore. But I was stunned. My facial expression probably said it all and I was silent.  I did not know what to say.  The person said quietly “I do not want you to feel left out”.

 

These may be simple words to many but this act of kindness made me feel so much of God’s presence.  I felt that He has just sent His angel to comfort me, to make me feel loved.  And to know that many people care for me, not because of what I did but because they are God’s children, filled with love & compassion.  I ask that God will also fill my heart with the fruits of the Spirit so I can comfort others in need.

[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

                                                                   - 2 Corinthians 1:4-5

 

Blessed by His Love,

Lydia

Find Rest My Soul

6 Sep

Since arriving at Timor Leste on 18.8.09, the OLOY ET team’s schedule had been packed with orientation, CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training, shopping for furnishing as well as moving up to Maubisse with Ps Ivan. The renovation of our rented home is not completed (though landlord had promised to hand over the house on 31.8.09) so we had to stay at guest houses for the time being. Team was feeling physically and emotionally tired.

Ocean View Beach Resort - Floating Restaurant

Ocean View Beach Resort - "Floating" Restaurant

To recharge and refresh, team decided to check out a beach resort highly recommended by many Singaporeans who had been to Timor Leste. After driving through an industrial area, what greeted us was a beautiful beach, then the rustic resort that was complete with a “floating restaurant” at the sea. The resort’s atmosphere was laid-back and peaceful.

Danny, owner of the Ocean View Beach Resort

Danny, owner of the Ocean View Beach Resort

As we soaked in the sea breeze while waiting for lunch, Danny the hospitable owner showed us the chalets and gardens at the back of the hotel. I was most impressed with the chalet (mobile home actually!) which came complete with a sun deck where I enjoyed reading and watching sunset in the evening.

Beach Chalet

Beach Chalet

After lunch, each of the team members had time to be alone by himself/herself to rest; email/surf internet (WiFi available!) to catch up with loved ones; take a stroll at the beach or read a book! Thank God for the restful afternoon and running water for shower.

View of the Beach

View of the Beach

In the evening, we were most appreciative of God’s provision of roast duck & roast pork which Danny had prepared in-house. Danny had brought in the traditional Chinese roasting oven so he could prepare such almost-impossible-to-find dishes to bless many Singaporean friends ☺ All of us went to bed feeling very blessed by our Almighty God who has made the impossible a reality for us!

Scrumptious Dinner. Happy People!

Scrumptious Dinner. Happy People!

With love from Timor,

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