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Showing posts from 2015

When Laundry Morning Can Be Fun!

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That one September weekday morning in Ghana, I woke up really early and was surprised by my team-mates. Both husband and wife, Mark and Julie, were doing laundry the old-fashioned way.  It was such a pleasant surprise but I stood in awe.  Cooking and washing clothes are apparently not a 'male thing' to do, yes even in Ghana.  But what I saw was the love of a husband towards his wife.  Since they were both working people and have four children to look after, it was natural that the woman will shoulder most of the 'womanly' things to do.   I am wondering right now - whoever categorized the 'manly' or 'womanly' things to do?  Let me get back to what I saw and thought when I saw my team-mates expressing mutual care and love for each other.  Truly, I went "Wow".  I was extremely pleased that I had a male team-mate, a brother who had no hang-ups about dirtying his hands in soapy water to co-wash dirty clothes with his beautiful wife.  That i

30 Days In Singapore: 30 Blessings And More

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This blog is way overdue, all because of my jet-setting ways.  I love my birth-nation Singapore and so I decided to count my blessings as I flew into this island-city. In truth, I can count much more than 30 blessings for my month in Singapore.  Here are a few of God's blessings showered upon me while in Singapore a couple of months ago: Family At first I did not want to return to Singapore as I was thinking of expenses.  Yes, airfare is easily in the region of US$2,000-2,500 per return ticket from Honduras to Singapore via USA.  I spent very little time to pray about this visit in Aug-Sep 2015 because technically, it was a no-brainer.  The main reason was to return to 'replace' my sister in caregiving to our parents.  I decided that I would trust God to provide the funds for my airfare and my stay in Singapore and proceeded to reserve my tickets 6-7 months before this visit.  And yes, I got my ticket at a very cheap rate! I have had the best times with my pare

Blessed Birthday Singapore! 50 Looks Good on You!

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Today, my birth-nation Singapore turns a grand 50 and I am proud of her. I am thankful for the freedom to practice my faith. I am thankful for the education I have received. I am thankful that I was able to serve my country in the Defence Ministry. I am thankful that my parents have a home of their own. I am thankful that all my siblings have a job. I am thankful that this is where some of my family and friends met their spouses. I am thankful for the diversity of culture and races within the family and nation. I am thankful that true Singaporeans strive to remain harmonious. I am thankful that this is where I met Christ. I am thankful that I have family and friends who continue to look out for me.  I am living overseas but my eyes are on my birth-nation. If there was something I do not appreciate, I am not one to gripe on Facebook, I just write to the Prime Minister's Office about it but I think, "let's be constructive here and let's aways remain a bles

Borrowed that Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer

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Why re-invent the wheel?  I found a good link for guidance to fasting and prayer on the Campus Crusade website.   The only thing I want emphasize is this:  Pray about the period, the type and the reason(s) for your fast before embarking on it.  Be sensitive to what God wants throughout the fast period. http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/devotional-life/personal-guide-to-fasting.1.html

The Fasting that God has Chosen

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So, how does fasting God's way look like?  I guess I could just say, "Oh, everything opposite to my previous blog" and leave it at that.  But I am not doing that.  So, let us see what God says in the Bible. Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry

The Fasting that is Not

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A couple of days ago, a young lady asked me to explain about fasting .  How timely! I had just been reading Isaiah 58. So this one is for you, young lady.   Isaiah 58: 3b  . . . Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? For those of us who put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to understand the kind of fasting that pleases God.  What better way than to discover what does Not please Him. Well, according to the verses above, the following stances definitely do not give God any pleasure: 1.  Seeking to gratify self during the period of fasting. 2.  Treat

Reliable Service = One Thankful Customer

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Some time ago, I was on the Hedman Alas bus from La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula in Honduras.  I booked a ticket on their Executive Plus section which has more leg space (and a snack meal) and sometimes they even play Christian worship songs in Spanish!   Unfortunately, the bus which left punctually had some trouble about an hour into our ride. Hedman Alas was prompt in serving their customers.  Thankfully, I did not have a flight to catch that day and so, I could do the Honduran thing - relax under the trees and wait for another bus to pick us all. About two hours later, we got on a much smaller mini-bus and with legs close to my body, we continued our journey.  Now, I was thankful for the ride but I did not understand why I had to pay Excutive Plus price for that ride.  Or could it be that Singaporeans really expect much from others?  So, I gently asked if Hedman Alas could look into this discrepancy. I am happy to report that after about 2 months, the bus company decided to of

It Is Not The Place; It Is The People Who Make It Home

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I am glad to finally be back in Honduras.  It's home for me but unlike other places that I have visited from April-end May 2015, most people I know in Honduras are just acquaintances and perhaps, just a handful of new friends.  Friendships in a new nation takes time. Just before I left for my 6-week trip to Asia, an Honduran (new) friend bought me a single-cup tea set.  6 weeks later, I unwrapped it and use it.  This thoughtful gift has made me happy despite losing a loved one in recent days or when encountering ministry challenges.  Nothing like a cup of Earl Grey tea, and bible verses to soothe the soul and set some perspectives right. Psalm 34: 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk th

When Languages Collide ...Indospanglish!

My conversations these last few days and through another week might just go like this: Conversation 1 Hotel Staff:  Ya, ibu.  How can I help you? Me:  Si, I like to know the opening hours of your piscina?... I mean your swimming pool. Hotel Staff:  It is open from 7am - 9pm. Me:  oh...bagus sekali.  Por favor, jam berapa is the opening hours of the gym? Hotel Staff:  Same time, ibu. Me:  Terima Kasih. Conversation 2 Me:  Disculpe, may I have your menu please? Restaurant staff:  Ya, ibu.  Makan di sini atau room service? Me:  hmmm...room service.  I like to order the Ikan Gurame en chilli sauce con arroz...I mean with rice, Por favor.  And one soda water please. Restaurant staff:  Okay, ibu. Me:  Please goreng the fish well.  Gracias and my room number is Ocho...no, eight, three, nine; lapan, tiga, sembilan. Conversation 3 Me: Por favor, could you bring the ironing board and iron? Housekeeping staff:  Ya, ibu.  Anything els

Discovering Former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Again!

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22nd March 2015, I received a Whatsapp message from my sisters and cousins that Singapore's Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) has passed away!  Well, we were expecting it but it still shook me a little bit.  If I were in Singapore right now, I will join the millions waiting to pay their respects to a great leader.  But I am not in Singapore, though right now, my heart is among the millions who mourn for the nation's architect. Photo by Reuters In the last two days, I have read so many tributes from all over the world and have once again begun to discover more about this Singaporean in his death than when he was alive.  And what stands out above the rest is that LKY was a man of integrity.  He demanded honesty.  He refused bribes ( http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/lee-kuan-yew-rejected-s33-million-bribe-1960 ).  He was honest about loving his wife ( http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/lkys-daughter-love-does-indeed-spring-eternal ), his children and

Rest day pleasures

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Sitting at my patio.  Having my breakfast of cheese sandwich and home-made mint/ Earl grey tea. Listening to Messianic worship songs.  Watching the birds, bees and more than a dozen butterflies - salve to my eyes.   The constant zooming of cars, buses and trucks do nothing to disturb the serenity.  There is a sense of peace. Love walking around my garden just to check on them, plants and trees. What can I say?  The song I am listening says it all, "My God, My King, Holy, Holy, Holy". Thank you Jesus for this tranquility. Have a peaceful day, Rachel

A Story in the Spanish Language.

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My Spanish language teacher gave me a piece of homework the other day.  I had to create a story, just use my imagination.  Tough call. After being immersed in reality for decades, how do I imagine a story? I guess, imagined stories may have bits and pieces of reality in them.  Anyway, I asked God to give me a creative mind.  And the verdict: my teacher liked my story.  I enjoyed writing it. Naturally, there were grammatical errors to be corrected. So, here's my little story in the beautiful Spanish language: Era un magnífico día.  Salma, una mujer de Indonesia estaba de pie en la playa del hotel.  Su cabello volaba en el viento.  Pero su pensamiento estaba muy lejos.  Ella volvía a su hogar, en su pueblo pequeño en Bali.  Ella recordaría ese último día in Indonesia. La lluvia más fuerte para Bali fue registrada en ese fatídico día.  Su pueblo sucumbió ante las inundaciones.  Salma escapó subiéndose al techo. A ella no le importó todas las personas y las cosas

Who Says that Studying the Bible is Easy? Raise Your Hand, Please.

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As the New Year begins, I am studying the epistle of Jude, a psalm and the story of Samson and Delilah in both English and Spanish.  And it is definitely not an easy task.  It's taken more time to get through this study.  The essentials are all there; still, after making a major word-error among friends in a casual setting, I thought that it would be to my advantage to study in both languages.  Well, everyone had a good laugh at my expense:-).  And then, to be even more accurate, I definitely need to refer to some Greek and Hebrew meanings of certain words as well. Who says that studying the Bible is easy? At the end of the day, I am the one who benefits tremendously from the insights and revelations guided by the Holy Spirit.  So, I gain some knowledge...and then, what?  I usually tell the pastors and leaders whom I have taught, "You have learned nothing until you learn to apply the truths to your life and relationships".   And I need to do that myself first