Israel 2007 (24 Nov - 6 Dec)

**SUPERPOKE**

My Friends

This evening, I had this urge to write about a few friends who have been very dear to my heart. I have gone through different seasons of life with each one of them and we laughed and cried together. Most of them are far away, some geographical, and others, life phase. But each one of them, I truly thank God for because God shows his love through friends too.

CAMY

I first attended Camy’s cell under William Loke. She didn’t like me and I didn’t like her. Then I don’t know what happened, we became good friends. She is an auntie-killer who is very good with words. Camy is a Malaysian who prefers to be Singaporean, exact opposite of Joyce. We led cell together, did some pioneering, handled difficult Justin, left for Sec ministry together and locked ourselves in William Loke’s toilet to cry together over having to leave Pre-U ministry.

Before Camy left for Sydney, we had lunch at Macdonalds and she gave me a card and a handmade necklace. I appreciate Camy for being very real and yet God fearing, Her love for her people is an inspiration to me. I enjoyed the time we spent in Sydney shopping for food to BBQ at Bondi Beach, and each time she comes back, we really don’t have much time to catch up. Even a one hour lunch at a hawker centre is so precious to me.

Camy, I hope to have a bit more time with you when you come back next. Come my house, I will cook for you!

XIAOHUI

I first met Xiaohui on 17 April 1992 at my very first TGIF cell event at Horng Chiang’s house. I didn’t quite like her then and for a while, our paths didn’t cross even though we attended the same cell group. A few years later, she had become my cell leader trying to catch hold of me by meeting me for service and praying for me during our weekly sponsor-sponsee time. Our friendship grew over the years and this is one friend I thank God for as we survived a few roller-coaster rides in this journey. In March 2003, both of us traveled to Japan, ate the udon, tried the onsen, sat in my favourite ferris wheel at Odaiba and bought many things at the famous 100 yen shops. This July, my dear friend will be entering into a new phase of life.

Xiaohui, just like that email you sent me, may you become like that wife in Proverbs 31 who will bring many blessings to her husband. Love God at all times.

JOYCE

Joyce is a Malaysian from Penang. When I first knew her, she was in some TOUCH Youth STEP Program with Xiaohui. She came across as very sensible, genuine and humble. Somehow I felt drawn to her and I knew that there was just this quiet strength in her. She was there for me before I left for YOM trip and after I got back when I got into a slight depression. She was there for me when I was worried about financing studies and trusting God. I remembered once, I shared with Joyce that I struggled with tithing for a particular month cos I thought any cent put into my study fund would be good. She told me firmly but gently that I cannot rob God just for my own self-interest. Those words spoke into my heart. I gave and soon after, the Lord gave. It was a difficult time to see Joyce leave and migrate to Melbourne. I remember we cried the whole morning and afternoon after service at Octopus coffeeshop as it was known. It was simply heartbreaking to have to let go of a friend, someone close to my heart. Then we were in our very early 20s. Through these past years, I have met up with Joyce in Melbourne, picking strawberries and BBQ, flew to Bali to meet her and then went kayaking.

Joyce, you are a woman of strength to me. I will always remember that time we spent at your hotel room in The Pan Pacific. It was a good time sharing, crying, praying and just allowing God to release many pent-up emotions. I know God has a plan and destiny for your life. Joyce Chew is not dead. Even though we don’t have the chance to meet up as often as we would like to, I want you to know that you are one of those who have left a huge footprint in my life.

HAYLEY

I have known Hay for close to 19 years now. We met in Sec one as school girls and now she is a mother of one girl, and they live in Melbourne. We aren’t very alike in personality or interests. I seriously don’t know what drew up together as close friends. Again like the other friends who had to migrate, giving up and letting go was a painful process. In 2004, I packed my bag and stayed with Hay in Melbourne and we spent 10 wonderful days together cooking, shopping for groceries, chatting and joking about Jacque, some funny guy that she wanted to introduce to me then. I always joke that Dennis, her husband is like a school principal who is firm and strict and proper. I think she needs someone like this to discipline her J.

Having left the family physically, I know her heart is still very much at home here. Many things that she finds it hard to let go, and yet each time she walks past the custom immigration at the airport, she increases her pace and dashes in, just to fight those tears. Good bye is so hard to express. We experienced it together when she sent me off at Melbourne airport. It was a difficult check-in.

Hay, stand firm and you know, my prayer for you is one day you can let go of the burden because you know Jesus will carry for you. I really don’t know how or when you can see and know that deep in your heart. I pray it’ll be soon.

MICHELE

A love-hate relationship is what I would use to describe. I first got to know Michele at a church service in 1992 at Westin Ballroom. FCBC then had a special combined service there and Angie introduced me to this “Ah Lian” who always wore black with dark colored lipstick. We started off as superficial friends, then got into the same cell, she disappeared, then came back and joined me in Simon Poh’s cell. We quarreled and had difficulties working together because we both had this nature called “Headstrong”. We would be very close, and then we would clash, close, and then clash again. Perhaps it was normal for teenagers or early adults to discover one another this way. In 1996, we went to South Africa for a mission trip together and shared the same room. I think I freaked her out since then because till today, I hear her occasional complain about me keeping the hotel room very messy.

We talked about many things, including boys. We walked with each other, shared deeply, prayed together and saw each other through life transitions. We went to Batam for a retreat once and I was very blessed when Michele joined my family on a trip to Korea to attend my sister’s wedding. She wasn’t just any company. She was a Godsend.

Michele, I still keep those letters and cards you have written to me all these years. Letters in which you shared about your A level results, your day at work, your crushes, your fears…and most of all, letters and cards you wrote to encourage me. I thank God for you and I love you.

MICH CHOY

This is my kick-ass girlfriend. I know she will like to be called this way. Mich Choy, as she is known in my hp address book, used to have long straight frizzy hair that she had to straighten and then half tie it every morning. I met her in 2000 when I joined the vocalist. She was the best singer and I always wondered why her hairstyle looked so boring. This girl and I also went through and grew together when we decided that sometimes its better to kick ass than be hurt yourself. God used her to speak to me when she said.….”Forget about those who treat you like trash. Find the one who appreciates the gem in you!” However, most of the time, her lines are more nonsensical like “Play it cool, heartbreaker!”

We had this huge plan of visiting NZ together but finally we settled for Sydney. I would say we make a very compatible traveling pair because she hates to keep track of money but I like to hold the purse. I have zero road sense and little map reading skills while she can cut through the streets easily without much effort. Don’t think she is very English. Deep down, we both have our Chinese roots which were displayed when we went for dim sum the moment we landed in Sydney, dreamt about stir fried kai lan (she said we sound very PRC), and cooked fried vegetables at our lovely cottage.

Where church is involved, there may be certain beliefs or styles that we cannot agree. But there is an unspoken understanding that there is no need to reconcile the differences. I am sure she enjoys my wicked humour and doesn’t condemn me for it.

Mich, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. God is bringing us through this lesson and it is tough to not know what the next step is. One thing we must believe is that the Master’s overall plan for our lives is GOOD.

Check out my Slide Show!

Started this year with some travelling for work.

Started with Hong Kong where I managed to meet up with dear XX, to Philippines where I caught up with Ronald over dinner, and then to Korea, where I extended to stay with my sister at her place and spend some time together with them and my 10 month old niece, Jaimie. I thank God for the chance to be there.

Here are pictures from the Korea trip!

Barcelona 2006

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

American Idol - Season Three

This particular season where we saw Latoya London, Fantasia, Jasmine Trias and that Diana girl sing their hearts out was most memorable for I remember catching every show each week. But what most of you viewers fail to realise is that there was actually another contestant. And this blogpost is dedicated specially to him!

Shanghai Summer Camp 2006

Two weeks ago I was in Shanghai with hundred over others to be part of this summer camp where we introduced Service Learning to the local youths. The journey has made me realise that we Singaporeans are very blessed indeed. Not particularly in any areas such as our infrastructure, living or educational standards, but the awareness level of community work in our society. To a great extent in this nation, it is our willingness to give, for the bible says in Acts that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Interestingly when we were conducting a survey along the streets, trying to find out community needs, one of my Shanghainese counterpart kept insisting that we shouldn't be approaching people young, trendy or well dressed. He said we should be targeting the elderly, the poor and the needy instead.

When I had the chance, I explained that community service is not limited to just the poor, old and needy. Rich people have needs too. A rich family may have problems discipling their rebellious son or daughter and need social workers to mediate and help. In the same light, when I told people I would be going to Shanghai for community work and raised funds for it, some people wondered aloud, why Shanghai? Why the most developed city in China? Why not the small and poor province, just like the Lijiang and Mingying trip I did 2 years ago? Why not go feed the poor or reconstruct houses? All these are equally important but often deemed to be more noble and self sacrificial compared to city trips.

This Shanghai trip is a 3 year plan that aims to introduce Shanghainese youth to Service Learning (You serve the community, and you take home a learning that you can apply in your own life....knowledge, values that bring about a positive life long change).
This year, we introduced the whole concept to them, brought the awareness and equipped them with the skills. Next year, we train them to be leaders. Year 2008, each one of them will lead a group to go into the various parts of China to do all the "noble" stuff of building houses, teaching etc.

This concept is very powerful because it is, in Eric's words, a Strategic Empowerment. It is one thing for us Singaporeans to serve China. Yet it is another to see Chinese rising up to serve their own people! Due to the one child policy, most youths in Shanghai especially are self centered and do not "pour back" to their community but I believe this will change.

Personally I do not have a great passion or love for China or its people. But as we avail ourselves to be used by the Holy Spirit, He will equip us. Not just the skills, but also the heart of compassion. I won't say it was a fun or a nice trip but I have been blessed through this journey as I see the hands of God move in the difficulties I encountered.

I want to say "Thank you" to those who gave to make this trip possible in one way or another. My colleagues from Reader's Digest and my friends. Thank you!

Here are some pictures and the commentary begins.....

I was part of an advance party who left 2-3 days before the main group so that we could recce the place. This is the China Eastern flight that I took. Must admit that I got into a bit of a culture shock here.






Eric was conducting a structured experience to bring across the importance of reflection.




A typical group discussion. I learnt the importance of being intentional even in setting what questions to ask during facilitation.



A shot of the main auditorium at the Activity Centre where we gathered for most of our group activities.




My team of SG members and another shot of us having a local hotpot/steamboat. rather interesting style.







In Shanghai, you can get small watermelons similar to the size of a bowling ball. We bought like 5 of them for 10 yuan (equivalent to S$2). Chopped them up with a swiss army knife and had this watermelon party in my room...bathroom.














It's hard to run away from Singapore's favourite NTUC. Someone (Eric or Eugene???) pointed out to me that even at the hotel lift lobby, you see NTUC. I couldn't resist but to snap this picture.



City Lights - Ten times more impressive than Orchard Road! That was about half an hour cab ride away from where we stayed in the suburbs.




Finally during the last few days of the camp, we left the hotel to stay at a huge local school. My meal.



Pictures of our dorm plus the super cool bathrooms!!!

The Three Musketeers

Well, this title is copied from Teck's blog...but here are the recent pics taken.






To read more about his touching tribute for us, click here.

Mount Kinabalu 101

Dear everyone,

I finally found the time to go through tons of photographs, pick out the best and resize them so that I can document a Mt K 101 specially for those keen to try it. I know 10 people will tell you 10 different things, what to prepare, what to bring etc......While I choose to leave all these instructions out in my 101 class, I will share with you my own experience and the photos will sort of paint you the idea.

Day 1 - Mon June 5, 2006

We met at TCT, having packed and left our bags there the night before. Most of us were filled with anticipation and seriously, for the first-timers, we didn't really know what to expect. The bus ride across the checkpoint into Senai airport was a little long and draggy; queues were moving slowly, nevertheless, we got pass that and soon boarded a KK bound MAS flight. It was there that I realised we didn't need a passport to check in as it was a domestic flight! Typical Singaporeans who like to flash the red booklet at every customs queue!

I had borrowed extra memory stick and battery for my Sony Digicam hoping to snap many pictures. But after day 1, I sort of kept my camera and I figured out that there were many more photobugs amongst us and I rather be included and look pretty in their pictures since they seemed better equipped.

See below: Mine versus Joshua's camera which was already considered mediocre when put next to Jeffrey's.





The flight was ok and when it was touching down, I asked Kenneth a silly question, "Can we see Mt K from the plane?" He just shook his head, I think. Anyway, Joshua snapped this picture which I kind of like.



This is the picture which most people say "Wah..so big group ah.." to......


A bus came to pick up our luggage and brought us up to some cooling but freezing at night place, closer to the mountains. We stayed over at Rose Cabin which had no heating facilities but the view of the Mt. Kinabalu was awesome.


Check out the rainbow we saw when we first arrived.
It was like God was telling us He has already gone before us!




Day 2 - Tue 6 June 2006

I didn't really sleep the first night mainly due to the cold. I had to wake up many times in the night to add on more layers, and finally wearing extra socks and putting on the trekking jacket with the hood. Did a bit of packing, filled my water bag, sorted all the stuff and confirmed getting a porter so as to increase my success rate. I was quite affirmed when Kenneth, Ps SL and a few others didn't "laugh" at my insistence to getting a porter. To me, it's no sign of weakness....it's just being smart! Anyway, when I started the trek, my own small haversack that I carried was rather heavy with water, food and things like handphone etc.

We started the day with breakfast at Rose Cabin. I think Rose Cabin is already like 1,800m above sea level. That explains the cool climate.

We were ready to set off and boarded a bus to bring us up to some halfway point when in the past, climbers would have to trek all the way up. But first, a group picture of the 24!

We joked that 10 years from now, cable cars would be bringing people up to at least Laban Rata, the 3/4 point rest house. Just before we stepped right through the Timpohon Gate, we did our very serious warm up, said a prayer and entered the gate. To me, it was like a ritual, entering that gate which somehow would bring me to a different world of adventure, uncertainty.

Here's an overview of where we would be trekking.

Start Point (and also end point) - Timpohon Gate

Lunch - Layang Layang (after passing through a few rest huts)

Laban Rata/Gunting lagadan - Dinner and our rest house for the night

Low's Peak - Our summit destination (which would start at 2.30am the very next morning)

One point worth noting is Sayat Sayat checkpoint which would be the very last checkpoint before we hit the summit. It was compulsory to reach that checkpoint before 4.45am during the summit push attempt. Anything later, we would have to greet the guard there and turn back for it would be too dangerous to later try to descend when the clouds move in shortly after sunrise.

Enough of the orientation.....the actual trek began.....It was like a straight 6-hour trekking up slopes, rocks, steep stairs. We had a few rest and toilet points in between but really, the idea was to stop not more than 5 minutes or else it would be more difficult to catch up on your momentum.

The consolation was the beautiful scenery and admiring God's awesome creation really gave us more strength to move on. Beautiful trees, flowers, pitcher plants and clouds in your face...... Oh yes, I started popping panadol when I first started, so that really helped prevent the dreadful running headache caused by altitude sickness.

When it started getting colder, we started to wear our jackets just to prevent heat loss. Note that slope behind me...........

Porters carrying things up and down the mountain was a common sight. No wonder we had to pay a premium for cup noodles, bottled water and all other snacks up at Laban Rata, our dinner and rest point (6km up).

At this point, I want to mention that the waterbag is one very important and useful thing to have for such a trek. The suction tube from the bag attached to our mouth sort of became a permanent fixture for most of us. Trust me....When you are too tired, you won't even want to bring your arms out of your heavy bag, open the zipper or buckle remove the water bottle, unscrew the cap and hydrate. Get a good waterbag. This picture tells it all. And Naresh my favorite buddy was obviously out of place!

Finally finally at the fifth restpoint called Layang Layang, we were all very happy. It was like the Friday of the week for us and it finally arrived. Here we had lunch..all sorts of trail mix from raisins, to nuts, to Nutella, biscuits, canned tuna, corned beef and so on.......What I had:

-2 Slices of Gardenia California raisin bread

-Hello Panda biscuits

-Raisins

-Pear

-and BAH KWA (with compliments from Peiyi) - this is the killer dish..most desired, most sort after. It was really precious and gave me strength like never before!

My BAH KWA!!!


After lunch we carried on for a while, more slopes, more slopes and more slopes and it was getting colder. We took many pictures along the way, one of which featured me and Batman who was looking quite smug. It's probably the army jacket...

Finally we got to Laban Rata, at 6.5km. This is the place where we would have dinner and those not well would sleep there as it had heated dorms. It was 10.8 degress celsius at about 5pm.

The rest of us had to stay at Gunting Lagadan and had to walk a bit more, we thought. In the end, we had to like trek for another 15-20 minutes UP and finally going on all fours up to this small cabin place perched on a hill! That was killing. But that place reminded me of the typical ski cabins and it was deja vu for me. After putting down our bags, we had to go back down to Laban Rata for dinner, then back up in the dark and in the rain to rest early.

Tried to rest as we had to wake up at about 1.30am the next morning to prepare for summit push. Actually I couldn't sleep again....it was too cold and damp.... (But I still washed my hair anyway and some brave ones showered...with hot water but still..super cold). In bed, I was wearing 2 Tshirts under a 100% lamb wool sweater, and the trekking jacket/windbreaker and hood on, 2 pairs of socks with a heat pack in between each foot, and my ski gloves. And yet, I was shivering all night plus the unfamiliarity of a new place, I just stayed awake and waited for 1.30am.

Day 3 - Wed Jun 7, 2006

1.30am - After a quick breakfast and warm up exercise across the narrow corridor of our dorm, we put on our headlamps and started the trek.

We didn't take many pictures here as it was really dark and we were all very focused on one thing...to head for the summit. So it was a serious climb..no more jokes. There was a part where we had to follow a white rope, and lean our body towards the left side of the rocks and climb. Once in a while, the guide would come especially when I couldn't get my footing. Their hands really represented the hands of God and there was really increased confidence when they came along to help me. And you will end up being ahead of the rest. The guides are all trained. They know when to help you and when to push you to go along.

After I passed Sayat Sayat, I was really struggling. It was the most difficult part as uncertainty set in. It was dark, steep, air was thin, fatigue set in. Thank God for Naresh who held my hands and dragged me for most part after Sayat Sayat and before I met up with the rest. At one point, I was literally stopping to rest and breathe very loudly after every 4-8 steps. He was very patient and willing to even forgo his chance to reach the summit. Really my true brother! When I saw the guide, I asked him if he could carry me. He said NO.

At last, I caught up with the rest and the peak was within sight but trust me, it was really still very far away. Anyhow, here's a good shot of our target, Low's Peak at 4095.2m above sea level (the name is quite an irony isn't it?):

This is a shot of another nearby peak at sunrise.

When attempting to climb up to Low's Peak, the sun was already rising behind me.

When our group finally arrived at the summit, we took a few videos a.k.a travel channel kind and also snapped many pictures which I avoid posting here as I think I look really tired and "worn out".

Soon, we made our way down....terrorist style, some with balaclava covering their faces and abseiling down ropes. Here's a classic not-so-convincing shot of me being kidnapped.

The way down was worse than the way up. We were more mentally prepared for the ascend and had made that summit our target and let down our guard a little. It was a guelling 4 hours descend from Low's Peak to Laban Rata, our halfway point only!!! Pictures to look at.....

This is the part where we had to lean our body to the left as we climbed.....It was the most scary part for me. Here, God taught me what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. Walking by faith really means to walk in the dark and not be hindered by the mountains (literally). I told the rest that if we had ascended in the day, I would have backed out after seeing the steep slope up.

After lunch at Laban Rata, we trekked all the way down down down down down down to Timpohon Gate. It was the longest downslope ever. I wondered aloud if all the rocks and stones in the world decided to gather there. We walked like 5 hours downslope and it was just so tiring.

Finally, this is the picture of victory! Not quite the typical kind..I had arrived and exited the Timpohon Gate!

Dinner back at Rose Cabin, then took a long ride where I slept through all the way in wet socks and stinking shoes till we reached KK city and checked into this local hotel called Shangrila (not the usual one we know of, but it was quite nice still).

Day 4 - Thur June 8, 2006

Yeah.....no more mountains, back to civilisation but with aching limbs, backs and all.....I felt like a paralytic getting out of bed, dragging myself into the shower. For those few days, I was more afraid of going downstairs then meeting cats!

Anyhow, we went water rafting which was fun.

We tried body rafting where we were supposed to swim out to the river, lie there face up, and the rapids would come and wash you.

It was a funny sight to see so many "bodies" washing down that fierce river. Some of us hit rocks and got souvenirs and this is mine....

I know I look very happy here, flanked by 2 tired bodyguards. I wasn't that happy. I wished I could stay longer in Sabah just enjoying the family. But well, I conquered Mt K...the real mountains will come soon!

In all, this collage really sums up my Mt K experience. It's awesome, it's majestic, it's tiring but definitely worth it.