Anyway, let's start from the beginning. (Yester)Day starts with me eating Breakfast and all at around 8. The family was discussing as usual on events that we'd be involved in for the day and questions would be raised if the car would be near-by for pick-up. That night was going to be the gathering of a few of Mom and Dad's ex-schoolmates from back in their NUS days, so we needed to be sure the family could arrive at Uncle Jo's house by 7.
I then raised that before I went to Mom's office to meet Dad to collect my new pants, I needed to go to BPP to get a haircut. So they decided to assign me the task of buying doughnuts for the night's deserts along my way, giving me extra change before leaving for work.
At around 10, I packed my slingbag with my Bible, my pencilbox, a notepad, a piece of Chinese fulscap and an unbrella (since by now it was already pouring). I arranged with Auntie Lala to meet her and Morriel at BPP at 11.30 since we'd need to go to Mom's office together. I then left for the bus stop and took a bus to BPP (Bukit Panjang Plaza, for those who still haven't figured out) and went to the '$10 barber'.
On the way there, I passed by the Missy Doughnut shop and checked the variety of doughnuts I could choose from. Dad told me to buy a couple of 11-doughnuts sets, so that gives me a lot of flexibility on what to get. After typing a rough list into my phone, I went on the barber to get a slight trim.
After that, I went to Missy Doughnut to collect the doughnuts and pay for them. I then staggered around the plaza with the big plastic bag of doughnut boxes while calling Auntie Lala and telling her I'd meet her at the Taxi Stand.
We then waited there in the queue for the next few minutes before getting a taxi to Mom's office. Once there at the office, I helped Dad out with some accountings before we went off to HarbourFront to collect the tailor-made pants Dad ordered for me. To our frustrating dissapointment, however, the tailor was a 'good-for-nuthin' cheapskate who didn't even tailor the pants the way we wanted it.
My Dad specifically wanted me to have buttons at the waist so I could easily adjust the rim whenever I go to gala buffets and all. But not only did this guy ignore that instruction, he also made the waistline just right to fit my waist, making it conciderably tight if I even ate a spoonful. (Note to inexperienced tailors: When your customers say that the pants fit just right, you're in BIG trouble. This is code for 'Punk, this thing will burst the momment I breathe!')
My Dad and the tailor quarrelled in Hokkien, and they somehow could still sustain smiles amist the shouting. I praised the Lord for the smiling part, because there were European/American tourists passing by and from their looks I could tell they thought my Dad and the guy were best friends that were having such an exciting conversation. I just gave the poker face back at the tailor, then followed my Dad out of the stall before having a meal with him.
He then dropped me off at Suntec City for D.A.R.E., and as I walked into Tower 3/4 I sighed frightfully. For those who don't know, D.A.R.E. is the Youth Ministry of New Creation Church (the Church that owns the Rock Auditorium, which also owns the latest development at onenorth.). It stands for Dead And Resurrected Eagles, and quoting from the Church website they 'believe that we are called to rise up with wings as eagles, soaring high above the circumstances of life. We are no longer who we used to be because we are dead to our old nature through Christ’s death for us on the cross. Because of Jesus who gives us His resurrection life, our lives are characterised by strength and victory! We are therefore dead to sin and alive to God!'
In the 3 years I spent in New Creation Church, (Oh boy, flashbacks...) I knew that the Youth Ministry exsisted. It was just that, I was too shy to join. Too scared to join an environment I'd have no one there to introduce me to, even if God Himself was the one in charge. And with the fact that I graduated from the Children's Ministry back in City Mission's Fellowship before this, this left me to join the Main Service to see Pastor Prince himself preach the Word of God.
Then around the start of this year, I decided it was about time I spent my walk with Christ with a cell group to, 'cause the Joy of the Lord must be shared with fellow brothers and sisters of Christ. So I prayed for God to lead me somewhere, and soon enough God took me to Ben's Church at Beauty World Plaza and Tim's Church at Prinsep Street. With my shyness, I avoided trying out D.A.R.E., thinking that it was too hard for me to re-addapt on my own.
Through a verse, a few people who never knew my 'quest' and a song, God then prompted me to stay at Prinsep Church and also to join the Believers. I somehow became excited and immediately told Tim I was joining. I then did my best to heal from the culture shock and learn to addapt, later to learn that these things are best left for God to deal with.
Then the musical came, and rehersals at the Believers were taking the whole of my Sundays, so my Mom was telling me to change Church since Dad was already feeling very concerned. And Dad, being a non-believer, wouldn't understand how my relationship with God would help me. So I worked rather hard in the musical to make sure it was something that'll tell them that the time was well-spent.
It was also during this time where I got to know the Believers better (and in the process, learn a few names :P). I must say I've truely made a few friends, although at some points I thought I was being looked down at. Even Auntie Uli was a great comfort to talk to during these times, impressively blending God and reality such that there was no distinction between the two; The correct way we're suppose to live our lives!
On the opening night of the musical, Mom and Dad were there with Morriel to watch, and they were very amazed with what the Believers could do. While we were out for supper after the show was over, they admitted to me that they had always supported my decisions and where I wanted to go, but their only concern was if I could plan my time out wisely to siut my needs along with the needs of my commitments.
I knew very well they were sincere about their point, and was willing to take the chalendge on. Then I realised that the coming Saturday, the D.A.R.E. group was meeting at the Rock Auditorium for another get-together-and-know-the-Lord kinda thing. I somehow had to courage and eagerness to want to go, just this once. My Mom also asked me to go too, so I decided I might as well give it a shot.
And there I was, standing in front of the Rock Auditorium's doors, wondering why they were locked. I went to the Christian bookshop nextdoor and asked the counter if they knew where the service was. They told me to take the lift and go up to the 6th floor, of which with my prior experience I knew was the Overflow Level.
I went as instructed, and in the lift there were a few teenage girls talking about Christ so I knew I was in the right direction. The momment the doors opened at the 6th level, Christian Rock music blasted towards us, making me jump a little. I then saw that there was a crowd around the lobby due to a breakdance competition, so I tried to make my way though it to somewhere less dense.
While walking, I was suddenly tagged on by a stranger who asked if I was new to the place. I said yes, of which he told me his name (which I couldn't hear in the midth of girls cheering for their dancing mentors) and so he led me to the New Comers' Lounge. And lo and behold, I met two people in the lounge who I knew rather well.
David Hu and Zack Tan was (by the grace of God) there, and the momment I saw them I was greatly relieved with the comfort that there were people in D.A.R.E. who I knew. i then sub-registered myself to the club ('sub-' since I was already a member) and then they told me a rough guide to how things work around these parts.
We then went out of the lounge to join in the party, of which was about the same time the doors to the Overflow Room were open for us to enter for the service. I rushed into the room quickly before the crowd trampled over me, and found a spot with David and Zack somewhere near a stagelamp stand.
Once everyone was settled, it was apparently time for us to stand up and do a little dance. Instructors on stage thought us a few moves before letting us try it out, and I have to admit a lot of ice in my heart was broken at this point! We then did worship, where we sang a few songs from Hillsong. Unlike many Churches I've been to, even the middle-aged people would jump during the jumping parts of the songs and scream, "Woot! Woot!" whenever appropriate!
Man, the joy of the Lord was with them all, and with them all in ABUNDANCE!!! It felt so good to worship the Lord with such excitement and love! There was no opportunity for me to feel stiff and quiet, which I felt was a good thing as that's how God wants to celebrate with us!
After that, we had a sermon on Annointings, of which I feel was a long time since I had a sermon so deep and involving! Also unlike many Churches I've been to, the people listening to the sermons will shout out a great, "AMEN!" or "HALLELUJAH!" when they feel the revelation of the preacher's statements! And for one thing, everyone LAUGHS! It's not the stiff kind of setup wherewhen the preacher preaches, the floor must be silent. No, God wants you to shout with joy and raise His name when you see how He works in your life!
Pastor Daniel was very good in the preaching, and was a very funny guy, besides Pastor Prince! I felt ministered after the sermon (which was about how the annointing of the Lord will give you supernatural features), and sang more songs of praise with great joy and excitement! The leaders then gave olive oil annointing to us students for the upcoming exams, of which I felt God touch my heart when they prayed for me so I fell to the floor under His power! (Haha, pity rhe leader who had to catch me from behind... :P) IT WAS SHIOK!!!
When I got back up, along with the rest of the people, we prayed together as a body of Christ for our exams before moving on to the final batch of songs and the Offering. There were then the announcements before we were dismissed. The last announcement was about the Encounter Jesus 3 Camp, which was already fully booked but they still wanted to encourage more people to come.
Zac, David and I decided to sign u for the waiting list and see if God would like us to go as well. Now it's all up to him! We then walked our way down to the first floor to go our seperate ways. On the way, David asked me how long I've been in NCC (3 years!), of which after answering I asked him in return how long he's been in D.A.R.E.. He told me that he also hasn't been with the place for quite some time as well, and that he somehow ended up coming back on this particular day.
In my mind, I could map out a rough image on what God's plan was: The fact that He made David come only from this particular day. Maybe He heard the prayers of the Believers that they needed more cast for the musical, so you can say He answered them partially with me. And now He brings me back here to get closer with Him and learn more about Him!
It was a sweet thought! To think that God actually planned this out for all of us. Then I realised one thing: I've still made many great friends back at Prinsep. Some I'm still trying to remember their names, but nevertheless they were all very friendly. The laughters, the joys, the socialities. They were so kind!
And then I thought to myself again: Would they really miss me if I suddenly left? After all, I only joined Lighthouse and Believers for a couple of months or so. Lighthouse should be easy, since only a small cell group knows me. For Believers, I guess it might be easier since I'm only known as 'a guy who helped out in the musical'. Wouldn't be much change, right? Right?
After splitting up from David and Zack and making my way to the pick-up point to be fetched by Dad, I was 3/4 excited and happy after being touched by the Lord, and I somehow couldn't stop myself from smiling! But there was still this slight thought of confussion to which Church God wants me to join: One had all the relationships, the other had all the knowledge of God. I didn't know which to choose.
Soon enough, Dad's car came with the family inside, and I hopped into the back with my Mom. We then chatted about how the service went, and also about Encounter Jesus Camp 3 (Mom's also in NCC, so she knows what's going on around there a lot better than I do).
Once we arrived at Uncle Jo's house, we brought in the doughnuts and hat some small talk before having a tour around their renovated palace. Their dinning room was the best feature! Located beside the pool, it had a natural setting with a wide window facing the back garden and a landscape painting on one wall of a Mediteranian coast, complete with traditional wooden furnishing and minature African statues: an amazing place to eat your dinner at indeed!
I then went up to join Uncle Jo's children along with Morriel, of which we ended up watching the Asian premier of High School Musical 2. I must admit, the songs were rather catchy at certain points, and if at anytime the lyrics were inappropriate the melody is already good enough to hear! The dance steps this time were also very complicated, so I must say they put in a lot of effort in this one.
Not to reveil much, the plot circles around the wildcats having a part-time job at a hotel during the summer hollidays, of which ladidadidah happens and ladidadidah unfortunately results, but ladidadidah and everything resolves again and we're all happy again! But I thought the part about working part-time with friends during the holidays was a great idea! Spending time working together as friends would be cute!
But then again, barely any of my schoolmates would be interested in something like this: going to the great outdoors as pals and enjoying teamwork together. Sad thing, really. Sad thing.
I then joined the adults (since comparedto the kids, I was a whole lot older) and chatted along with them. I even had the honour from Uncle Jo to get a large glass of wine, even larger than what the others had! Mmm, red wine!
Soon, once the dinner was servered and the supper was delivered, we were contented and drousy. Ending off the conversations, the uncles and aunties bid each other goodbye before going to the road outside to collect their cars and head back home.
And now here I am today, revising Life Science for the upcoming exams between me andmy IB status! Lord be with me as I study (and as I try to find out which Church He wants me to join...)!
Isaiah 43:1-5!!! God bless y'all!!!
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