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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