Issue 31 – Kallos

Dig Deeper: How Do I Talk To My Friends About Jesus In Today’s World?

Benita Lim — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

“Why do Christians hate gays?” “Why do I need Jesus when I’m a good enough person on my own?” Have you ever encountered tough questions like these from your friends and couldn’t find an answer? I used to marvel at Paul’s eloquence whenever I read his sermon at Mars Hill (Acts 17:22–31). It seemed so easy for him to respond to those who disagreed with him. All he did was to go to the courts where religious matters were addressed, stand up and speak about God — and people listened.

Many controversial topics have arisen around us lately, such as economic equality, social justice, religious and LGBTQ issues. Wouldn’t it take someone with brilliance, guts and a gift of the gab like Paul to convince and convict people? What if we aren’t like him? Remaining silent doesn’t seem to be the right way forward as we called to be salt and light for Christ (Matt 5:13–16). This is where we can learn from Paul.

Paul didn’t remain silent, but he wasn’t reckless either. Here are three thoughts to consider when speaking to your friends about Jesus:

Listen and understand first

When difficult issues come up, don’t be afraid to ask questions (gently!) to clarify what your friends are saying; listen first to what they have to say and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what’s really on their minds. Paul didn’t simply barge into the Areopagus and spill facts for no reason. He was actually invited to do so (Acts 17:19–21)! Before this, Paul had gone down to engage Jews and Gentiles every day. He was observing, listening, and understanding — he was present. This surely helped him to address the people of Athens meaningfully (vv. 23–31). If you find yourself in the middle of a heated debate, helpful questions could include, “What makes you feel this way?” and “What was your experience with [the topic] before? Tell me more.” Remember: what we may know as the “right answer” may not always be the best answer for that moment.

Love them

Continue to love your friends as people — don’t just focus on the issue! Those whom Paul spoke to rejected his content, not his person nor the time he spent with them. You may disagree with your friends on certain issues of faith, but you are still in the best position to love them the way Christ would. This is where we practise the Great Commandment of loving our neighbours! Loving our neighbours doesn’t start with making them follow our law — that is precisely what the Pharisees were condemned for (Matt 23:4). Loving our neighbours is being with them in their brokenness and caring for them as a fellow sinful human being (Luke 10:25–37). Do your friends know you as someone who cares for them, or someone who is only concerned about “looking right”? When they know you care, they’re more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Let the Holy Spirit speak

Perhaps we have an uphill task today because Christians are better known for what we are against, rather than what we are for. When someone shares their sexual struggles with a Christian, they’re probably expecting them to start judging what they’re doing right or wrong. We don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) do that. In fact, it’s a great privilege that someone would share their deep struggles with you. Just as Christ meets us in our sins and failures, we should do likewise with our friends, while praying that they may experience His love for them through us and that we may be given the opportunity to have important conversations with them. Finally, remember: After all that, it’s not our responsibility to win the argument and make them change their minds. It is their responsibility to respond, and it is the Holy Spirit who will do His transforming work!

True Treasures

Jiamin Choo — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

It was my first day moving back onboard the missions ship Doulos after she had undergone the annual drydock (maintenance work in the shipyard). Nearing my cabin, I was surprised to see the carpet all wet, and a big floor fan was noisily blowing towards my cabin door which was wide open. A crew member broke the news, “Five days ago, one of the seawater pipes had burst, and your cabin was flooded.”

I went towards the cardboard boxes tucked neatly underneath my bed. They contained some of my precious things which I had stored away carefully before vacating my cabin for drydock preparations, but now they were soaked. I opened the soggy boxes, picking out the items one after another, trying to save as many as I could. But my “earthly treasures” were disintegrating and they stank badly.

I lost half my belongings to the flood, including the Swiss army knife given to me by a friend as it corroded. I also lost some new books; they were “fattened” up with seawater and the pages stuck to each other. The mobile phone was a goner. My favourite white dress was now yellow, and my pants had turned mouldy. So off they went into the rubbish pile.

As I dragged the black trash bag filled with “earthly treasures” out of my cabin and into the bin, even though I was still in shock, I didn’t feel angry nor terribly upset. Peace filled my heart as Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19–21 came to mind: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

As 2019 begins, this may be a time when some of us are making new year resolutions or looking forward to a fresh start. But before we rush into the new year, why not consider taking a step back and reflecting on our plans and dreams for 2019: What kind of treasures are we storing? What’s motivating us to pursue certain “earthly treasures” and what is the purpose? Are our goals and plans driven by immediate wants, FOMO or YOLO mindsets which tend to revolve around ourselves? Or are we storing “heavenly treasures”, motivated by a desire to honour God and live well in His eyes?

Even though it’s not easy, may we cling to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19–21, which sheds wisdom on how to live well, to view things beyond the “here and now” and the “earthly treasures” that sparkle, so that we can pursue God’s ways and store treasures in heaven. From an eternal perspective, we can choose to act accordingly: not to focus on accumulating temporal things or achieving self-made goals, but to remember the big picture, which is to live a life that pleases our Heavenly Father. That is true wisdom and living wisely.

PRAYER
Dear God, guard my heart from chasing after earthly things and open my eyes to Your heavenly perspective to pursue what really matters. I surrender all that I have to You. Lead me in this new year. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME
1. What are some of your most precious things? How do you think you’ll respond if they were lost or taken from you one day?
2. What is one goal you’ve set for this new year, and in what way can you honour God with it?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “Wisdom & Living Wisely”:
o Matthew 7:24-29
o Luke 12:13-21
o James 3:13-17

HANDLES
God’s Word isn’t an outdated text, but it’s alive! Before reading the Bible, pray and ask God to open your mind and heart so that His Word can speak to you and transform you through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have You Been Living Wisely?

Isabel Phua — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

New year or not, our lives are riddled with decision-making. From big decisions like deciding which school to attend, to small ones like deciding whether to spend on that tempting cup of bubble tea or to save that $3, all these choices are made by ourselves. For me (Hannah), I’ll be graduating from university and entering the working world in about six months’ time. That alone comes with so many changes and decisions that, at this point, I don’t feel prepared to face. I am spending my free time looking through career options and man, it is stressful! On days when thoughts about the future are overwhelming, I grip my hands together and whisper a silent prayer: Dear God, give me wisdom that comes from you!

WHY DO I NEED WISDOM?

When we think of a “wise man”, we might conjure up an image of an old man with a long white beard, stroking it thoughtfully as he thinks his wise thoughts. It can sometimes feel like wisdom is something only older people can possess through years of hard-earned experience, but the good news is that godly wisdom something all of us can have, if only we ask God for it (Jas 1:5)! In fact, we are told that wisdom is something we should all desire. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” So why does the Bible make such a big deal of wisdom?

In a nutshell, gaining wisdom is all for the purpose of living the life that God wants us to live. This also means becoming more like Jesus, and isn’t that our ultimate goal as Christians? There was a popular phrase in the 90s that is now out of style — What Would Jesus Do? “WWJD” seems clichéd now, but it actually still makes a lot of sense. In essence, asking that question when we make certain decisions is saying that we want to be like Jesus and live like He did.

HOW DO I GET WISDOM?

Sometimes though, just saying that we want to be wise and live like Christ isn’t helpful enough! When I (Isabel) got together with my current boyfriend, I wanted to make sure I made a wise and godly choice, but making that decision wasn’t as simple as following my feelings or thinking about what was logical. Personally, what always brings me clarity are the 5 Cs on living wisely shared by Nicky Gumbel in his book How Does God Guide Us?. They’ve been my go-to for a long time, and if you are also asking the question, “How do I make a wise decision?”, these 5 Cs are definitely for you!

GAINING WISDOM IS ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS.

1. Commanding Scripture (Read)

Does your decision contradict what is in Scripture? If yes, then it’s probably not where God wants you to be. For example, if you are applying for a part-time job that will require you to bare more skin than you usually do or act seductively, it contradicts how the Bible exhorts a woman to behave (1 Tim 2:9). Sometimes, this could mean sacrificing something that means a lot to you. Pray and ask God for His grace and provision even as you choose to obey Him.

2. Counsel of the Saints (Talk)

Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” I (Hannah) have found that seeking the perspectives of Christians who are older, wiser, or more experienced than me on various matters have added to growing my understanding of how I can navigate tricky waters. As I assess their words with what I believe from the Word of God, I hold on to what I believe is wise and let it guide my steps. Who are your wise counsellors and what do they think about your options? More importantly, will you be humble in accepting their advice?

3. Common Sense (Think)

Does the decision you are making make sense? Perhaps you are thinking of taking up a new CCA in addition to all your other commitments, such as school, tuition, spending time with your family and friends, and having time with God. You are already struggling to cope but you are really interested in this new CCA! Think: Does it make sense to take it up?

4. Compelling Spirit (Listen)

The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways and one primary way is when we spend time with Him in prayer and worship (Acts 13:2). Take time to pray about your decision. Speak to God and wait upon Him. You’ll never know how God may speak to you. However, even if God doesn’t speak in a way that you hoped or wanted, it does not mean that God is not there. Go back to reading the Word of God faithfully, listening to wise counsel and watching how God speaks through His Word or through the people around you. Our loving God knows how to lead us.

5. Circumstantial Signs (Watch)

Doors open; doors close. God is sovereign and all-powerful, and if He wants you to be in a certain place, He will certainly provide the way. Consider Paul in Acts 16:6-10. Paul intended to preach the gospel in Bithynia, but “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to”. Immediately after that, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him to come to Macedonia to preach the gospel there.

Sometimes, God’s plans are different from ours, and we need to watch for circumstantial signs that may show us His plans. That said, never place too much emphasis on signs alone — make use of the other 4 Cs to ascertain God’s will for you in that season. Remain prayerful as you continue to seek God in making your choices!

WHO ARE YOUR WISE COUNSELLORS, AND WHAT DO THEY THINK ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS?

WISDOM FOR LIFE

We take heart that God is all-knowing, and no decision we make takes Him by surprise. As you consider these tips and seek to honour God, trust that God will grant you godly wisdom as you navigate through the various decisions that you will make in this lifetime.

Who Did It Better?

Hannah Leung — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

No sibling relationship is perfect — they all come with their fair share of conflict. When I was young, I remember being so upset with my sister that I bit her arm — hard! While we have grown past our childish fights, there are definitely days when things aren’t so rosy.

There are many reasons why enmity breeds so easily in our sibling relationships. For some, it might be bitterness. For others, it might be a lack of communication. Upon reflecting on my life with my sister, I’ve realised that one of the insidious reasons for my occasional disgruntled thoughts towards her is jealousy.

THE COMPARISON GAME

Who can say that they have never been compared with their sibling? Sometimes, it can feel as though our siblings are there just to show us that we are flawed in a certain way. I’m a twin, so the experience can be even more intense! Every difference between Tammy and I was amplified because everyone expects us to be so alike.

Growing up, our intellect, our weight, our height, and even our complexion were common points of comparison, and soon, it became clear to me that I had begun to compare myself against my sister, even when no one pointed anything out. Because of this, as much as I love my sister, having a twin was tiring at times as I grew to measure myself against her in almost every aspect of life.

As that sinister sense of jealousy stirred in my heart, it was more and more difficult to love my sister for who she was. If Tammy seemed better than me in any area, I could not celebrate her fully because whatever she had, I wanted.

With the endless availability of things about our siblings that we can compare ourselves with, the potential for envy and jealousy to rear its ugly head is always there. How then can we overcome this feeling that seems to come so naturally in our relationship with our siblings?

1. Think rightly

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves … (Phil 2:3, NASB)

Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi changed the way I saw and handled my relationships, including the relationship I shared with my sister. It is interesting that while he was addressing their conduct, he found the solution in their thought life. Whenever you recognise that your train of thought might be heading towards contempt or envy, snap out of it! Stop and ask God to change the way that you see your siblings and yourself.

For myself, I found that my heart gradually became slow to compare contemptuously and quick to celebrate the wonderful things I saw in others. Eventually, this effected a change in my conduct, speech and especially in my motivations, where I did and said things out of a genuine respect and honour for my sister. Upon learning to value her above myself, I found that thanksgiving came instinctively, instead of jealous thoughts.

IT IS FAR BETTER TO PRESERVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP THAN TO PRESERVE YOUR PRIDE.

2. Forgive quickly

Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Graham’s wife, once said this about marriage: “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.”

This simple piece of wisdom is not just applicable in the context of marriage, but to every relationship we have with other people. Living in the same house as our siblings means that we are very often witnesses to each other’s bad days and tired nights when we are more easily agitated and more prone to lash out with biting words. Sometimes, we hold these things against our siblings in order to feel better about ourselves. However, be quick to forgive. Learn to hold your tongue in moments of anger or irritation. It is far better to preserve a good relationship with them than to preserve your pride.

3. Act lovingly

I once heard a pastor remark in his sermon that we should “practise acts of love” in our families. Truly, it is not in our nature to love beyond ourselves. We must make a conscious effort to love where we can. How different would your relationships look like if you woke up every day determined to practise loving your family members and friends?

Admittedly, family is where we face some of our greatest hurdles. It may feel so diffiult to act lovingly when we are being compared or treated poorly in our view, but instead of letting our feelings control our actions, let us discipline ourselves and choose to act in a godly and loving manner. It’s not always easy to act against our feelings and emotions, but it is always worth the effort.

ADMITTEDLY, FAMILY IS WHERE WE FACE SOME OF OUR GREATEST HURDLES.

4. Always be thankful

There is one habit that you can practice every day that will definitely impact the way you view your siblings and even yourself. That is the habit of thanksgiving. For those of you who feel particularly susceptible towards comparison, practise thanksgiving! If you struggle with thanking God for your siblings, take time to make a list of their positive traits and then thank God that He created them in that way.

I am always thankful that I have a sister that asks me the difficult questions — questions that challenge me to live a devoted life unto Christ. And once in a while, she reminds me never to forget the gospel! For that and more, I deeply value the relationship we share.

No matter how fun or how difficult the relationship is, pray that God will show you the value of your brother or your sister, and that He will give you the love and wisdom you need to continue growing in your relationship with them. Ask that God will give you a humility of mind, which will enable you to be quick to forgive and quick to act in love. All in all, let love be a matter of first priority in your relationship with your siblings.

Spotlight: Victoria, Friend Of The Deaf

Quek Shiwei — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

How did you find out about the needs of the hearing-impaired?

I was first intrigued by this ministry during a church service when the interpreter for the deaf caught my eye. I initially thought the language was really cool, which might seem like a very superficial reason, but that was one of the motivating factors which made me want to join the ministry. I started out just for fun but I soon realised that interpreters are in need in Singapore. There are about 500,000 who are hearing impaired in the whole of Singapore, and if I’m not wrong, there are only four interpreters for churches in Singapore. I wanted to start interpreting in church as I didn’t want to learn a skill and put it to waste. I was 17 years old when I joined the ministry for the hearing impaired in my church.

As I got to know more people in the ministry, I was increasingly motivated to learn how to communicate effectively. Sometimes I think I know all of the vocabulary but when it comes to actually having a conversation, I really struggle. It is actually very difficult to form sentences! After awhile, I started making friends with the deaf and that was when they started opening up and sharing their struggles with me. I felt like I was stepping into a whole new culture!

Was it intimidating to get involved since you didn’t have prior experience?

Yes, I was very intimidated initially! There are around 40-50 deaf people in my church. We have a dinner on Saturday in church for the hearing-impaired to gather and interact together, and for the first few meals, I remember sitting at my seat feeling so lost amidst all the conversations that were happening all around me. Even though I passed all the stages of sign language classes, I was struggling to catch on to everything. But that was when I realised that that’s how the deaf might feel every day in their interactions with us! For example, some of them have jobs and they have to rely on reading lips (which is very difficult!) for understanding.

What struggles do you face in this ministry?

One struggle I face is interpreting for preachers who speak too quickly! There was once during service when this happened and I actually didn’t really understand what he was saying at all, but I still had to try to sign the gist of what he was saying. After the sermon, I went up to a guy from the deaf ministry and asked if he understood what I was signing, as I only understood first of the two points the preacher had made! Strangely enough, he said that he didn’t understand the first point. But, for the second point which I didn’t understand, he did! It was so funny because he ended up explaining the second point to me — when I was actually the interpreter! That day, I learnt a humbling lesson that God is truly the one who gives understanding to His people, not my skills in sign language. I cannot interpret and sign for others without God’s empowerment too.

Another challenge is the interesting fact that deaf people all sign differently! For example, some of them sign with a lot of gestures, whilst others sign word for word. As sign language encompasses facial expressions, their body movements, and non-signing cues, I’ve slowly learnt to observe their facial expressions and non-verbal cues to aid me better in conversations too.

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USING MY SKILLS TO MAKE THE WORD OF GOD ACCESSIBLE TO MORE DEAF PEOPLE.

What is a highlight of serving in the ministry for the hearing-impaired?

An interesting encounter I experienced was a one-off field trip to a church I attended last year. I was very blown away when I realised that the entire service was conducted by deaf people — even the pastor was deaf! For worship, there was only one man on drums, coupled with karaoke-like lyrics on the screen. The drummer counted “1,2,3” and everyone signed together to the lyrics! As I sat in for the sermon that day, I thought to myself that it was very interesting to have a deaf pastor as he can identify with the needs of the audience and better connect with them on a more personal level. That is something that not many churches have!

What has this experience taught you about how the church should love all its members?

One verse that really motivates what I do is Romans 10:17 — “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ” (ESV). If people are not even given the opportunity to hear the Word of God, how will they be able to have faith? In the third world countries, the Bible is written in the spoken language but not in sign language. Furthermore, a lot of deaf people in those countries are illiterate, which makes it an even greater struggle for them to understand the Word for themselves. That breaks my heart and hence I am passionate about using my skills to make the Word of God accessible to more deaf people.

What other ways do you think God is calling you to serve this group?

Currently, I serve once a month in church as a translator during sermons. However, another avenue that I am compelled to serve more is my workplace. As a preschool educator, I have opportunities to work with deaf children and children of deaf adults (CODA). Once, there was this girl that had a lot of behavioural issues and I realised that she was a child of a pair of deaf parents. My skills and background in sign language really helped because I was able to step in and communicate with her parents effectively and partner together with them for their daughter. I felt like God was showing me how my ministries can come together, and that they are not just limited to the church but for the community at large.

Any encouragement for girls who want to join a new ministry but are afraid to?

Just do it. Doing something completely new can seem very intimidating but it might not be so when you just step out and do it. Most of the time, my thoughts were what scared me the most, not the actual doing itself. Also, get a friend to join you — that really motivated me in the process of learning sign language too!

Love & Sexuality: Doesn’t Sexual Intimacy Bring Us Even Closer To Being Ready For Marriage?

Marianne Wong — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

“Is it wrong to have sexual intimacy if I’m in a committed relationship and we are both serious to marry?”

Thank you for your question! It is a very common question. Many people in relationships think that since both parties sincerely intend to get married, surely there must be nothing wrong with sexual intimacy as part of their commitment to one another. After all, in the end, it’s the same, isn’t it?

However, it’s not quite so simple. Even if both parties seriously want to marry each other, until they walk down the aisle and say “I do”, there is no guarantee that they will definitely be married. Life brings surprises. Sadly, I have known engaged couples whose relationships did not end in marriages, despite their best intentions.

The Bible is also clear that the “one flesh” union of sexual intimacy is designed to be experienced and enjoyed exclusively within the covenant of marriage. Since the marriage covenant is permanent, it provides security and safety so that the couple can be “naked and unashamed” (Gen 2:25), and drawn closer together in intimacy as God had intended.

After sex, the brain release a hormone called oxytocin, it’s a chemical that induces the warm “fuzzies”, making the partners feel closer or more bonded to one another. Within a marriage, this is very useful in cementing emotional bonds and bringing potential parents closer together in preparing them to welcome a child. However, without the safety and security of marriage, this may actually be deceptive. It may cause couples to feel more “in love” than they actually are or they may ignore red-flags in the relationship as a result of feeling physically bonded.

NO AMOUNT OF PREMARITAL INTIMACY COMPLETELY PREPARES YOU FOR MARRIAGE!

Despite the thrill of casual sex that pop culture might portray, overwhelmingly the research has shown that couples who experience the highest levels of sexual satisfaction are those who are in committed, long-term partnerships. Without the safety net of marriage, sexual intimacy exposes one to unnecessary emotional and physical risks that are outside of God’s intention for us!

“Doesn’t sexual intimacy bring us even closer to being ready for marriage?”

Premarital sex is often seen as a tool for discovering sexual compatibility, in the same way cohabitation is seen to allow couple to test out marriage. Unfortunately, this is very much driven by a consumer culture where we want to test-drive products before making a commitment to purchase. However, a man isn’t a product and your relationship is not a transaction. Marriage doesn’t come with a 30-day money back guarantee and I think that’s by design! Having been married for just over four years now, I can safely say that there are many things about my husband that I didn’t know before we got married. No amount of premarital intimacy (sexual or otherwise) completely prepares you for marriage!

For many Christians, sexual intimacy before marriage brings with it the consequences of sin — guilt and shame. More than other kinds of sin, sexual sin seems to bring with it intensified guilt and shame. I’ve known couples who were sexually intimate before marriage who eventually married. However, even after marriage, some of them experienced the guilt and shame of their premarital sexual intimacy for a long time after, resulting in a less happy marriage. So, it can be said that the reverse is true, that sexual intimacy can cause couples to be less ready for marriage.

Dear Kallos: How Do I Overcome My Struggle With Social Anxiety?

Kallos Team — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

“I just became a Christian and started going to church this year. It’s been a few months, but because of my social anxiety I am unable to connect with new people easily. I really want to connect with God’s people, but I often feel anxious and start to doubt my self-worth. How do I overcome these anxieties?” — Anxious

dear Anxious,

Congratulations on becoming part of the family of God!

It is great that you want to connect with God’s people. Indeed, it is a torn feeling to have social anxiety that stops you from building a fuller connection with God’s people. You are not alone as there are many who face this challenge as well!

Recognising the presence of anxiety and its accompanying sources are first steps in living a fuller life. Deep breathing can be carried out with our mind focused on verses from Scripture that we find encouraging. An example is 1 Peter 5:7, which tells us that we can give all our worries to God, because He cares for us. Other relaxation techniques that can help reduce anxiety include listening to soothing music, rhythmic movement, progressive muscle relaxation, and using essential oils (like lavender).

Tackling the anxiety as a whole may feel daunting. Take small steps by starting with interacting with your close friends and increasing the amount of time you spend with them. When these situations do not invoke as much anxiety in you, set small goals of saying “hi” to one to two people in church whom you are less familiar with and gradually increase the number of people you interact with. It is all right if you are not able to initially. Don’t give up, and try again! The attempt in itself is worth a celebration.

“My friend has been really really stressed out. After nearly every test, she says she’s worried that she might not pass. She says she’s a failure and I don’t know what to do! She’s not a Christian but she’s asked me to pray for her, which I have been doing. How else can I help her?” — Stuck

dear Stuck,

You are a very good friend and one who truly loves practically! It sounds like your friend is going through a lot, but it also sounds like she has placed quite a bit of expectation on herself to perform.

There are times when what we can do is limited, but our presence alone can make a difference. Simply being around and checking in to see how your friend is doing can be a great comfort. Praying consistently for her and letting her know that reflects your faith in God for her.

You can also share words of encouragement from the Bible by writing her a note every week that includes a Bible verse or a reflection from reading the Bible. Also, sharing about who God is to you and how you know you can trust Him might also be a good starting place for her to experience His peace.

I hope these suggestions help! Remember that God places us in communities and brings us into relationships to be a blessing to others. You can be a blessing to your friend, so don’t underestimate your role; we trust that God will use you mightily!

Take The Migrant X Me Challenge

Quek Shiwei — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Challenger: ANNE ZENN TAN, 18

3 Fun Facts about me:
1. Most days, I’m pescatarian
2. Olaf is my favorite Disney character
3. As a kid, I was allergic to Oreos

INITIAL THOUGHTS

When I first received the challenge, I was really excited to finally be able to attend a Migrant x Me session. I first found out about the programme through Instagram but never really got the chance to sign up for it.

To be honest, whenever I see migrant workers in public spaces, I usually ignore them and try my best not to get in their way. However, an encounter with them made me want to connect with them better. I was on one of my solo photography adventures when I bumped into a huge group of migrant workers by the beach. I helped them to take some photos together, talked to them and observed how they interacted with fellow workers. I always had the assumption that the workers would only hang out with people of their own nationality. Hence, I was quite amused when I saw the Chinese, Indians and Bangladeshis hanging out together! It led me to think that if they can hang out like this, surely, I can hang out with them too!

CHALLENGE: PART 1 (The Migrant x Me Session)

On the day of the session, I had mixed feelings. I have always wanted to visit the migrant quarters in Singapore and get to know them better. The opportunity to be able to do so made me very excited! However, my excitement soon became fear. Being the youngest in the group of participants was slightly daunting for me. Nonetheless, I told myself to just go with an open heart and mind. True enough, I had such an eye-opening experience!

Entering the dormitory made me feel like I was entering a brand-new town! In that compound alone, the migrant workers had access to everything we also have in our neighbourhoods — supermarkets, ATMs, salons, coffee shops, laundry services, phone shops, recreational spaces etc. At this sight, I thought to myself: “How bad can it be to live here?”

However, in my conversations with Rahman (a Bangladeshi migrant worker I befriended during the session), I realised how wrong my assumptions were. Rahman shared with me that in his dorm of 12 workers, only him and another guy are from Bangladesh and the rest are from China. Due to the language barrier, Rahman occasionally feels left out. Out of curiosity, I asked if the workers are allowed to hang out in their friends’ room. Sadly, he replied that that is not allowed and they are only allowed to stay in their own dorms. Due to certain restrictions like this and more, Rahman barely has any friends.

He also shared with me that the dormitory caters food on a daily basis for the workers, but the food gets delivered at 5pm daily. By the time they return after a long day of work, the food is cold, bland, and has sometimes already gone bad! There was also a period of time when Rahman was told to stop working after he was injured. Because he had no money due to his temporary absence from work and no friends to share the costs of cooking with, Rahman could only continue eating the catered food daily without complaints.

Despite all the risks that may potentially threaten his life, Rahman continues working because he hopes that whatever amount of wages he gets will be able to provide his family a better life back home. He shared too that his father, whom he affectionately calls “Baba”, will call him every day without fail to chat with him and check on his safety.

CHALLENGE: PART 2

After the session, the second part of my challenge was to find a migrant worker, give him a ‘Thank You’ card that I wrote, and bless him with some food and drinks. I noticed that there was a lot of construction going on in different parts of my school and I managed to spot a few migrant workers sitting on the grass patch outside my school.

I approached one of them and asked about his work, how long he’s been in Singapore and got to know him a little more. He seemed confused and fazed that a student like me would approach him to have a simple conversation. I proceeded to explain that I wanted to thank him and his friends for working in my school. I showed him the card I had written and he rejected my card thinking that I had a hidden motive. I hurriedly explained that my friends and I had put together some cards to thank people like him who work at our school. After my explanation, he smiled and accepted my card and the snacks and drink I bought. We then had a little laugh over how bad my drawing on the card was (I really tried)!

When we said our goodbyes after the short conversation, I felt a little sad that he and his friend felt so intimidated by my simple intention to bless them. Perhaps it was because it isn’t common for young people to walk up to a migrant worker and have a simple conversation like we do with others.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Getting to know the struggles that the migrant workers face on a daily basis — from not being able to contact their family, having to miss big events (weddings, funerals etc.) back home and struggling financially — made me respect them more than I ever have. Putting myself in their shoes really did humble me! The ages of the migrant workers are not too far from mine but the privileges that I get to enjoy are worlds apart from them. It broke my heart when I realised that the migrant workers who build our homes don’t get treated as fairly as they should be.

If not for this challenge, I would not have understood a small glimpse of what it is like to be a migrant worker in Singapore. Through this experience, I have been educated on a deeper level and also challenged to be more intentional in my interactions with migrant workers the next time I encounter them. Remember, a kind act from us makes a world of difference to them!

INTERESTED IN MEETING MIGRANT WORKERS IN SINGAPORE?

Or have you always wanted to understand the challenges that they go through?

Join Migrant x Me, an educational and experiential learning journey, as we explore the experiences of these workers, and discover their resilience through their personal stories! The journey includes:

o A guided walk around our partner dormitory
o Break out sessions with the workers o an exclusively designed starter pack o dormitory food tasting

For more information or to sign up, go to: tinyurl.com/migrantxme.

Follow FB / Instagram: @migrantxme

Esther Anh Kim

Quek Shi Yun — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

LIVED DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF KOREA

IMPRISONED FOR SIX YEARS
PERSECUTED FROM 1939-1945 FOR REFUSING TO DENY HER FAITH

Imagine living in constant fear that you might be arrested for being a Christian, and at the same time, being forced to worship another god. Would you be able to not only keep your faith, but also pray for your oppressors? Esther Anh Kim (also known as Anh Ei-Sook) lived in that exact scenario during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and under severe threat of arrest and even death, resolved never to renounce her faith in Jesus.

During the Japanese occupation, all Korean citizens were required to participate in state Shinto worship, bowing to the shrine of Japan’s sun goddess on the first of every month. In a scene reminiscent of Daniel during King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Anh refused to bow down to the shrine of Japan’s sun goddess, the only person standing upright while all else bowed down.

In doing so, she knew that she was to meet a near certain death, and Anh’s life from this point is truly an inspiration and challenge to my own faith. While on the run from the police, Anh’s prepared herself for prison by fasting for days at a time, and eating only rotten food. When God called her to go to Japan to warn the Japanese government of God’s judgment should they continue the persecution of Christians, she went despite her trepidation. She was eventually arrested and imprisoned, yet Anh never stopped trusting God and having compassion for her captors — and God never forsook her either!

It was evident that God was always with her through her six years of prison. When she was ill-treated by bad jailers, miraculously, many of them would fall sick or be transferred elsewhere where they could not torment her. When she was discouraged or downcast, God often encouraged her with Scripture and personal revelations of His love.

That said, life in prison was no walk in the park. Meals were intentionally mixed with sand to make it more unpleasant, and sickness was rife. She was also frequently starved and tortured along with common criminals, just because she was a Christian. All the same, Anh knew that her time in prison could be used to share the gospel, and while she was there, prisoners and jailers alike turned to Jesus. One prisoner in particular, a geisha named Sun Wha, was so moved by Anh’s sacrificial love that she put her faith in Christ. When Anh was finally released from prison, she was amazed to find out that Sun Wha had become an evangelist herself, making it her life’s mission to share the good news of Jesus!

"I HAD RESOLVED TO DIE A MARTYR, BUT I HAD FAILED." - ESTHER AHN KIM

The most encouraging thing to me is that Anh did not go through persecution alone. Many Christians prayed alongside her, were persecuted as well even though they were not in prison, and kept their faith strong throughout. At one point, Anh was so sickly that she started to go blind, and because of that, was allowed to leave the prison to seek treatment. Upon seeing her, her mother reprimanded her. “Many Christians are dying, but you can come home. Why do you worry about your eyes? Didn’t you give everything to the Lord, including your eyes?” Upon hearing that, Anh returned to prison without treatment, praising God for her mother’s wisdom and the reminder that her life is in God’s hands.

At the end of the war and upon her release, Anh reflected on her life in prison and said, “I had resolved to die a martyr, but I had failed.” While Anh to me is a shining example of faith and courage, she repeatedly states that her faith is even smaller than a mustard seed and more like “a butterfly in a storm,” easily shaken. It makes me think about the small faith I have, and whether it will be enough when serious persecution comes. Like Anh, perhaps all is needed is a small amount of unwavering faith, a steady trust in God’s goodness, and certainty that Jesus loves all, even those who stand against Him.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1. Are you afraid of persecution and rejection from your friends? How was Anh’s story encouraged you to be courageous for Christ?

2. Do you have enemies who persecute you? Like Anh, pray for them continually and ask God to change their hearts to receive Him.

3. For Esther Anh Kim’s full story, read her book, If I Perish. We are certain that you will be inspired.

The Yemen War

Isabel Phua — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

AS OF NOV 2018: 6,800 CIVILIANS KILLED AND AT LEAST 10,700 INJURED (UNITED NATIONS)

22 MILLION IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN AID

85,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 DIED FROM MALNUTRITION (SAVE THE CHILDREN)

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

The Yemen War has its beginnings in the Arab Spring, a movement driven by pro-democratic protesters across the Arab world in 2011, resulting in the current President of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, coming to power. President Hadi was struggling to deal with many problems in the country, and the rebels in the North (the Houthis) took advantage of this situation and took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in early 2015 and started to work towards taking over Yemen’s second biggest city in the South – Aden.

The conflict has only gotten more complicated since, and the three-year war has taken its toll on the country.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

In April 2018, the UN General-Secretary declared the Yemen civil war as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As the war enters its fourth year, more than three quarters of Yemen’s population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, and half of the population is on the brink of famine. Because of more deadly air strikes, especially at the Red Sea port of Hudaydah, an essential supply route for food and medicine imports, Yemen is facing increased food insecurity and a failing healthcare system.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Women and children are facing the brunt of this war. UN Women reports that of the millions of civilians displaced in 2018, almost 76% of them are women and children. Maternal and infant mortality rates are rising due to the lack of medical support and supplies in the hospitals. In addition, for every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death, with an estimated 150,000 children’s lives at risk of death by malnutrition.

WHAT NOW:
– Pray:
1. that all imports of food and medical supplies will be granted permission to enter the country and sent to those who need it desperately.
2. for the bombings and fighting to cease and for parties involved to be at peace with one another.

– Read: Psalm 9:9. Pray that God will be a refuge and stronghold for those who are affected.

– Reflect: In light of these sufferings in this world, what hope do we have in Jesus Christ?