A Testimony of God's Paradox Ways

Hello!

It’s hard to believe that the trip is over so soon! In the past month God has stretched me, blessed me, and taught me so much! I had the expectation to be renewed by God and to be drawn closer to Him on this trip and He has done that but in a way I never expected!

When we started doing CI’s in Malaysia, I felt tired and really empty spiritually, but I thought that it would go away as I spent more time in God’s Word. Not so. In fact the emptiness lasted for two weeks and I wondered what was going on. I had never experienced this before and the strange thing was that nothing I tried seemed help. I would spend extra time in my devotions and prayer but it didn’t make a difference. I was giving out to the children each evening but felt so empty inside and I wondered how I could go on. Then one day as I was pouring out my heart to God, He made me realize that I was fighting Him. He wanted to draw me closer to Him THROUGH my emptiness and He had no intention of removing it right away. This was NOT what I was expecting to hear and at first I didn’t enjoy the thought but God showed me that the way He wants to draw me to Himself is not my way.

When I gave up and accepted the emptiness as a trial and that God would draw me to Himself through the it, He gave me a peace and a freedom that comes from resting in Him.

Doing CI’s with the team and being able to interact with the children has been such a blessing and it was so awesome to see how God met each one of our needs exactly on time and the way that He would get the most praise and glory! I thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him in this way and for those who have made CI possible this year! Thank you all for your prayers and support for the team. God bless you all!!

In Christ,
~Julia Beachy

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

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It's a Wrap!

Dear everyone!

Our sincere apologies for not updating the blog regularly over the last 4 weeks. The trip is now over, but it has left a big impact on each of us. It was a trip like none of other, with God proving to be the ultimate hero at the end of it!

We will be updating the blog with posts on CI Journal of what happened over the last 4 weeks with pictures to look back on. (We'll update the links to this post)

We also hope to include testimonies of God's goodness, and how He proved Himself FAITHFUL, GOOD & TRUE. May GOD be GLORIFIED!

Thank you to all our prayer partners around the world ~ parents of the team, team members, Leslie Quijano our trip co-ordinator, Bri Northern our T-shirt designer, Andrew Jorgensen, Laura McCloy, Kevin Teh, Mr & Mrs Teh, the Hartonos in Indonesia, and the many more who have made an impact on this trip! Without you, our team would be nothing! =) Thank you for ALL your sacrifices!

Love in Christ,

Eunice for our Team & staff (Konner, Rosalee, Andrew & myself)

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CI 2011 Journal

CI 2011 Journal:

KUALA LUMPUR WEEK

Summary of the Week - Week One: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sunday, 29 May 2011 - Travelling & first dinner with the team from Singapore, US & Canada

Monday, 30 May 2011 - Official Team Together (Malaysians arrive). Devo's, Introduction, Teacher Training, Simulation, Planning & Dinner

Tuesday, 31 May 2011 - Devo's Teacher Training, Planning & Dinner

Wednesday, 1 June 2011 - FIRST DAY OF CI!

Thursday, 2 June 2011 - SECOND DAY OF CI!

Friday, 3 June 2011 - LAST DAY OF CI IN KL!

Saturday, 4 June 2011 - Elephant Sanctuary, Central Market, Chinatown

SINGAPORE WEEK

Sunday, 5 June 2011 - Travelling to Singapore, Lunch at Plaza Singapura, Rest, Devo's (40 mins alone) & Sharing

Monday, 6 June 2011 - Rest, Set-Up, Orientation & Prayer for Singapore, Teacher Training, Day 1 of CI!

Tuesday, 7 June 2011 - Devo's, Teacher Training, Day 2 of CI

Wednesday, 8 June 2011 - Devo's, Teacher Training, Day 3 of CI

Thursday, 9 June 2011 - Beach / Park, Devo's, Teacher Training, Day 4 of CI

Friday, 10 June 2011 - Sports, Scavenger Hunt, Shopping at Chinatown, dinner at Sheraton Hotel with Rachel's Team

Saturday, 11 June 2011 - Whole Day of CI, dinner

JAKARTA WEEK

Sunday, 12 June 2011 - Travelling to Jakarta, lunch, rest, dinner, devo's

Monday, 13 June 2011 - Rest day, Set-up, Orientation & prayer for Jakarta, Day 1 of CI

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - Sports Club, Day 2 of CI

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 - Orphanage Visit, Day 3 of CI

Thursday, 16 June 2011 - Day 4 of CI

Friday, 17 June 2011 - Whole Day CI, BBQ Dinner

BANDUNG WEEK

Saturday, 18 June 2011 - Travelling to Bandung

Sunday, 19 June 2011 - Church, Shopping, Rest, Dinner

Monday, 20 June 2011 - Set-up, rest, prayer, Day 1 of CI

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 - Orphanage Visit, Day 2 of CI

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Museum & Angklung VisitDay 3 of CI

Thursday, 23 June 2011 - Part 1 of Marie's Devo's, Waterleaf outing, Day 4 of CI

Friday, 24 June 2011 - Last day of CI! Appreciation Dinner

Saturday, 25 June 2011 - Part 2 of Marie's Devo's, Shopping in Bandung, Dinner, Appreciation for Translators, Girl's Night/Morning

Sunday, 26 June 2011 - 5.15am Travelling back to Singapore, Sharing, Final Goodbyes

Monday, 27 June 2011 - 3.15am The Team leaves for home

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A Hi from Jakarta!

Joshua, the Israelites and Jericho :)

We are here in Jakarta, and our team would like to say a big HI and THANK you for keeping us in prayer. We really need it! :) We are at the last day of CI in Jakarta. The children have so much passion and energy (we've had a great time channelling that energy!) and it's been a privilege to serve them! Over this week, we've gone to an orphanage, played sports, went shopping, eaten snake fruit and have gone to seminar everyday in an authentic Indonesian public bus (imagine a little mini bus, 29 people inside with a driver and an assistant who runs out of the bus to clear traffic and make way for us!)

Say hi to Team 2!

Today we're learning Ownership, Freedom & True Success. Please pray that we stay in God's strength and His JOY is our strength!

We have more pictures, so look out for more. Continue to keep us in prayer!

Signing off,

Eunice Peh

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13 June 2011: Monday, Day 1 in Jakarta, Indonesia

Hi CI Readers!!

We have arrived safely in this beautiful country of Indonesia. The culture and the people here are so different. They live such a simple life & they have such a big smile on their faces. Their simplicity taught me to be grateful and satisfied with the things I have. I have everything I need, and yet I complain & compare with others, never thanking God for it. So, from today onwards, I would like to be grateful and thank the Lord for everything He has provided and given to me. (:

The view of the city from our hotel

A glimpse of Large Group, Jakarta CI 2011:

The Children of the Jakarta CI 2011! :)

Mr Konner telling a story in a "Space Ship" designed building in Jakarta

Today we had our first Children Institute in a big space ship. It was fun and cozy! Anyway, I'm supposed to share on design, so here it goes. I taught the kids about design and how we're all so different. God made each and everyone of us unique and special in our own way. I gave an example on how each of our thumb prints are not the same. Then I made each of them stamp their thumb prints on a piece of paper to make them realize how creative our God is and much detail He puts even in the little things.

I shared my personal story with the kids of how God taught me about design. When I was twelve years old, I got eczema, a skin allergy. As I grew up, I started to question God, of all people, why me? There were times when I didn't want to see anyone because of what they said. It was very hurtful. Because of that, one day, I decided to pray for people to get eczema, hoping that they will be more understanding. But obviously, God didn't answer my prayer. Praise God for that, because I had the wrong

mindset.

(Pic Right) Author Debbie & little Kaela in Jakarta

Until today, I still have eczema and I have been learning so much about design and other character qualities through this experience. The Lord has humbled me and taught me to love others for who they are, and this experience taught me to be more understanding..

It taught me to rely on God at the same time because there were no medication or cure for it. It also drew me closer to God. When I was 14, I felt the Lord calling me to do missions and guess what! My skin allergies has opened so many doors for me to share my life and Christ with others.

God can use us, if we are willing to be used by Him. Accepting who I was in Christ was never easy. It's a daily decision. The little steps we take can make a whole lot of difference in the future! We don't always see the big picture in the beginning. But the beautiful part is, it teaches us to rely and draw closer to God in prayer, knowing that He is in control at the end of the day.

Taddaaa. That's what I shared with the kids. And oh, do keep us in prayer! Pray that God will use us to share what He want us to share with the kids and that it may it be about Him and not us. Please keep us in prayer. Thank youuu!

God bless,
Debs.

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12 June 2011: Travelling Day

Today we travelled from Singapore to Jakarta in an early morning flight. We gained an hour heading into Jakarta, had a great lunch and went to rest for the whole afternoon in our hotel rooms.

After dinner, we had devotions led by Konner.

We are all very excited for what this week holds!

Blessings to all,

The Team.

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Thursday: Day Four in Singapore

This week in Singapore seems to pass so quickly! I am still all new to this CI and teaching stuff, and I believe most of us on the team are. I thank God for my team in Singapore, as well as my assistant Emily! She has such a sweet spirit with a heart that truly wants to serve the kids! Honestly, I was a little taken aback when I was told that I was going to be the leader for the Singapore week. I am so grateful that the kids are so responsive, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in what we are teaching them.

Today we taught on Patience and Suffering. I shared the story of how the butterfly had to be patient while it emerges from the cocoon and this boy on my team named Reuben corrected me by saying that cocoons are for moths while the pupa was for the butterfly. I was like, ok, good to know! :D Emily did a great job on the suffering lesson by sharing her personal testimony of how she broke her ankle while jumping on the trampoline and all the kids were like "oooh.." and getting all into the story. I believe we got the point across, by the grace of God. Both Emily and I make it a point to pray before each CI session (we forgot about it on tuesday though!) that the kids will have a spirit of understanding and be able to apply it to their own lives. After all, truth does not change lives. Only truth applied changes lives. I am very much teaching and preaching to myself whenever I lead a class. God is working in my life as much as He is in every other team member. We are not a perfect team and I do not intend to portray it that way, albeit it is tempting to do so. We sincerely covet your prayers for a spirit of one accord and for strength for the two weeks ahead in Indonesia! We are unworthy but willing vessels for the Lord...

" But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple."
Psalm 5:7

Bernita

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Wednesday: Day Three in Singapore

It's been awesome serving the Lord here in Singapore!

Starting the day out worshiping the Lord as a team, making Him our focus is crucial for serving Him whole heartily!

For lunch the team enjoyed the experience of cooking, eating, enjoying, and savoring pepper lunches. Pepper lunches usually consist of rice and a raw meet that cooks on your hot skillet. After lunch the team enjoyed the leisure of browsing the mall for souvenirs and keepsakes to bring home.

Wednesday night is always a big night for CI. We taught on Responsibility, Truthfulness, and the importance of having a clear conscience. The teams did an fun object lesson demonstrating how lies don't just effect one person but actually entangle the ones the lie is shared with. By the end of the object lesson, my team was entangled and trapped in a yarn web of untruth. I was able to share with the team how I had entangled others in lies I had told and how the Lord gave me the courage to go back to the people I had wronged to ask for their forgiveness. I was able to share with my team the joy and freedom there is in having a clear conscience. I was encouraged when I saw the kids grasping the importance of a clear conscience and going home with a person in mind with whom they needed to make things right with.

Large Group was a highlight of the night for me. For the story, I narrated the Miss Hockenstock skit and taught my four special students (Margret, Joey, Bucky, and Susie) about the four different ways of telling a lie: Telling a lie to hurt someone else, taking the blame for something you didn't do, making up a story that's not the truth, or just not saying anything when we do know the truth. These may seem harmless, but in reality, all of them are lies and sin that separates us from God.

I thank the Lord for bringing each one of us on this trip to serve the Lord and grow in our walks with Him. I can't wait to see how the Lord will use us during the rest of the trip! Thank you all for your prayers. They are needed and appreciated!

- Elizabeth Shoemaker

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Tuesday: Day Two in Singapore

So, this is the first CI I have attended (as a teacher or student) and the first blog post I have written, so hang with me. The first week is over, and now we are in Singapore with a much larger group. My very capable assistant is Julie Shoemaker. I don't know what I would do without her, probably play duck duck goose the whole time or something to that effect. The day (Tuesday the 7th) started out well, with being able to sleep till 9:00, which ultimately ended up with me missing breakfast....oh well. :) Then we had team devos and teachers prep, and then we went to this huge mall on Orchard street and had some super good food for lunch. After that we did a little bit of shopping and went to the church for CI.

After some frantic preparation, the kids started arriving. We greeted them, and got them prepared as best we could for another awesome day at CI. After some playing around to get rid of some energy, I taught the lesson on authority. The kids were fairly receptive, and understood most of what I was trying to get across.

Then we had a large group, and I participated in the skit. Put me in front of a bunch of kids, and I say pretty much whatever comes to my mind (and sometimes it bypasses my mind). At least the kids think it's funny. :) Then we had another small group, where Julie taught on obedience. Again the kids listened (I love my team), and we did some crafts. Then it was time for another large group. This was a very special large group for me. So far on the trip I have had the opportunity of getting a hair treatment by Konner twice--as in he tells a story about the Ten Commandments using ten eggs, and then proceeds to smash them on my person.The kids loved it, and this week the kids began a chant about smashing one on my face. Thankfully Konner didn't do that. :) He just dripped it in my face instead. At least this week there was a shower I could use, and I didn't have to lean over a squat toilet to use a faucet....not the most pleasant thing I've ever done....:)

This trip has been awesome so far. The opportunities and friends God has given me is amazing. I look forward to the rest of the trip, and the things God has planned for all of us. Thank you all for the prayers.:)

For the team, Josiah Povich

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Monday: Day One in Singapore

Ruthann here, writing from Singapore! I think I'm still a bit in shock when I think about the fact that my home is on the other side of the planet and I'm HERE in SOUTHEAST ASIA!! God is just kind of amazing like that. I wouldn't have imagined myself coming on this trip but following God takes you on the biggest adventures of life, right? I'm loving Asia and the people here. And the food too, lah!

Today, after getting to sleep wayyy in (thank you Konner and Eunice!), we started the first night of CI in Singapore. Have to confess I was rather intimidated by the stories of past seminars in Singapore! I think we were all a little nervous! But the first night went really well overall. It was so much different than last week's full-day seminars in Malaysia. The three hours went by so fast and the energy and excitement of the kids was contagious! It's been 10 years since I've done a CI and I forgot how much fun it is. :-D Please be praying for all of the kids attending the Singapore CI. Our goal is to communicate the love of God to them and our prayer is that God would change their perspective on life from self-focused, achievement and status-driven perfection to truly desiring to know and love God for the rest of their lives.

This morning God blew me away with a glimpse of my underlying mission and passion for this trip, and not only for this trip but I think also for my whole life and that is THAT IN ALL THINGS CHRIST MIGHT BE PREEMINENT. Underneath the principles and character, the stories and crafts and [very] funny skits, I want Jesus Christ to be glorified, lifted high, given His rightful place of first.

That keeps me on my knees.

"And he [CHRIST] is before all things, and in him all things hold together...he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1:17-20

Signing off in Singapore...

Ruthann

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Week One: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

You might be wondering why this is week two and you still
haven't seen anything on the blog. Well, firstly we had three
full days of CI and two full days of preparation, secondly we highly
valued our sleep, and thirdly we simply ran out of time. So here is a
quick summary of the week in Malaysia.

Week one: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Monday and Tuesday were spent getting to know each person on the
team through devotions, games, and teacher training lead by Eunice and
Rosalee. One point that Eunice made during the teacher training really
struck me. She said, "There are three different outcomes of a seminar.
The first one is survival, where you are struggling to get everything
done; the second is success, where you get all of the lessons taught, crafts
done, and had fun; and the third is significant, where you do more than just
teach kids and get crafts done, it is a life-changing CI, one where
they will never be the same again." Our aim for this trip is to lead
significant CIs that honor God above all.

Wednesday, we headed out early to the church. Though the seminar
didn't start till 9:00AM most of the teams had children arriving at
8:30. The whole day was filled with great teaching, hilarious skits,
and sweet singing still most of the teams fought survival. Even though the day seemed pretty successful, we felt that something was missing. Yes, we
could use the excuse of, "It is the first day of the first seminar,"
but we all realized there was something else that was missing: the
Spirit of the Lord. At the end of "cool down" Konner encouraged each of us
to go spend some time with the Lord and examine our hearts to see if
there is anything that might need to be taken care of. After that
time with the Lord we had a changed team. Wow!

Thursday went so much better and we all felt that the kids
grasped what we were trying to teach them. Friday was the last day of
CI. When I thought of about it being the last day I thought, "Wow,
this will probably be the last time I see these kids during my time on
earth. What do I want them to remember when they leave?" That thought
really motivated me throughout the day to keep my focus right. After a
wonderful dinner of McDonald's we played some games, had our last
"cool down" for Malaysia, and went to bed exhausted.

Bright and early on Saturday morning we headed out to the
elephant sanctuary where we fed and rode the elephants. We also were
able to walk through part of the jungle where tigers and black
panthers live. After spending all of the morning and some of the
afternoon there, we went to Central Market and did some shopping before then moving on to "China Town". Many of us bargained for the first time
and bought, as Konner says, "Real genuine imitations".

Having a good testimony is something that the team is striving
for; since there are seventeen Americans, seven Malaysians, and three
Singaporeans it really makes quite a big group going down the street
or coming into the hotel. The hotel in Malaysia wanted to get a
picture of the team so they could say that we had been there. It was
really good to know that we had been a team that was showing the love
of God and a good testimony.

Sunday we rode the bus the thirty minutes to the airport and
flew back to Singapore. The flight was just a little longer than the
bus ride. :D After arriving back in Singapore we had a wonderful
"pepper lunch." It was so good! For church we had thirty minutes alone
with the Lord and reading Psalms. Then everyone shared what the Lord
had showed them. It really was an AMAZING time.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Please continue for
the health of the team, we have several team members who are loosing
their voices and others who are not feeling the best. Goodnight!!!

Julie S.

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Ready...Set...GO!

After numerous weather-related flight changes, delays, and cancellations, all of our American teammates arrived safely in Singapore by Friday evening. There they have been spending the past few days resting and recovering from jet lag.

The staff team (Eunice, Konner, Andrew, and Rosalee) have already been in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the past week planning and preparing. The teammates from America and Singapore will be flying into Kuala Lumpur today, and our Malaysian teammates will join us tomorrow morning to complete our team.

Tomorrow our South East Asia Children's Institute Trip of 2011 will begin!

This 1st week will be 3 full days of CI here in KL. We will spend Monday and Tuesday doing teacher training and preparing for CI. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be FULL days of CI from 9am-5pm.

Please join us in prayer:

PRAY for the team-

-to be united to serve God together in one accord

-as they experience the unfamiliar aspects of culture here

-to fill up on God's Word and love so that it would naturally overflow out to others

-as they teach the children and show God's love through example

-to know and experience God more

PRAY for the leaders-

-for wisdom and discernment as we lead the team

-for strength and protection against the attacks of the enemy

-that ultimately, God would be the leader of our team, not us

PRAY for the children-

-to come to CI with a willing and listening heart

-to know and experience God more through CI and the teachers

-to put their faith in Jesus Christ and become His followers

As we are serving God here, we know that we are fighting in a spiritual battleground. We NEED your prayers, because most of the battle is won while we are on our knees in prayer. As we pray and serve in Asia, please join us in the fight by praying with us! Thank you for your prayers!

OUR SEA CI 2011 TEAM:

1. Konner Felber
2. Andrew Fredrickson
3. Eunice Peh
4. Rosalee Chan
5. Elizabeth Joy Shoemaker
6. Julia Elizabeth Beachy
7. RP
8. Timothy Christian Allison
9. Bryce Landon Felber
10. Marie Peh Eu May
11. Tracey Peh Eu Quin
12. Jaedon Sia
13. Debbie Lim
14. Elizabeth Lim
15. Ling Qiu Lin
16. Julie Grace Shoemaker
17. Faith Ho
18. Grace Ho
19. Nancy Rhondell Kinsel
20. Charissa Koh
21. Rebekah Mae Miles
22. Emily Kathryn Tuuk
23. Angelyn Peh
24. Nathan Burkhalter
25. Bernita Yeo
26. Josiah Donald Povich
27. Alicia Gomes

OUR MEMORY VERSES:

"²Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

~Phil 2:2-11

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Something is brewing in 2011...

And guess what that is? If you said "my daily hot coffee", I am afraid you are off the mark for what is brewing is

SOUTHEAST ASIA CI 2011!!!!

So much prayer and effort has been going on for the team and we want to open it up to all of you, our dear prayer partners around the world so you can share in our joy and excitement as we prepare ourselves spiritually and mentally for this missions trip!

God has been providing the people to come and we're very nearly settled! It will be announced in the next few updates. But for now, we'll get the ball rolling for 2011!

We will be going to 4 cities this year namely:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Singapore
• Jakarta
• Bandung

Returning to the team this year are Konner Felber & Eunice Peh as leader and co-leader respectively! (totally humbled by these positions!!) And we sincerely ask for your co-partnering in prayer as it is not us who do the work, but the LORD and we are merely HIS willing vessels! Being made willing every day ;-)

With that, I'll be signing off to take care of some other CI things. This year is going to be different, and I can't WAIT to see it unravel!

In Christ our Lord!

Eunice Peh

2011

(love getting started for this trip! Only 25 more days!!!!)

Do pray for our land here in Southeast Asia!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

~ Ephesians 3:20-21

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