Chinese Reunion Dinner

Standing L - R : Sister Bridgett with Daniel then Daddy
Sitting L -R : Little Marco with Daniel-Ma, Ah Too, Me and Mummy

56'25''

This morning I conquered the Double-hill, with much pride.

With Sergeant Zairin pushing from behind, my feet hasten.
Accompanying every ferocious shout of his, at my ears, my pace quicken.

And Corporal Farah pulling in front, my body advanced.
Accompanying every vigorous breath of her, down my neck, my heart pounded.

And so I finished at 56’25’’ for ~10.5km. A record to keep for a very-very long time.

Hooyah!

Thru' stormy night

In the twinkling of an eye, the letter was ready. But my heart for many moons were in raging storm, flooded with many questions and clouded with uncertainties. My boat was rocking hard.

In rising tide, I sought in vain for the sight of shore through the flood.
In total darkness, I searched in vain for the gleam of light through the storm.
The thunderous roars within me were deafening.
It confused me. It scared me. It paralyzed me.

Not until I reached out my hand, and felt His.

Today, my heart is still, though questions remain unanswered and uncertainties remain mysteries. But He, the King over the floods and storm, holds my hand.

I signed the resignation letter, handed over. And as I was headed back to my working desk, I know for sure He will be  with me at the Atlantic Ocean. 

My Provider!

I was disappointed!

But strangely the disappointment vaporized into thin air very soon. For past weeks I prayed for His perfect will to be enthroned as I relinquished my selfish wants, only holding on to the truth that if He had graciously provided the lamb at Mt Moriah to Abraham, will He not be my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider!

If only the seperation scheme was granted, I had an endless list of "I could". I could do this, I could afford that, I could settle this, I could offer that, I could plan this, I could have that, I could give this.... I could... I could... But out of no-where this came to my list , I could strip Him of the glory due to Him in providing for all my needs.

Ew! Pretty awful. How could I! How dare I!

And so, chin up! My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.
 

The Unknown Kingdom, Unsung Warriors

All I know.
For the gruesome civil war had drenched the land, leaving a bloody soaking ground.
The grotesque civil war had traumatized the people, leaving a grief stricken heart.

But this land will be my home soon.
And these people will be my neighbors soon.

For the very little I know of the past overwhelmed me with great fear.
So I seek out

As I learned this West African land, I see beauty. On the west, it’s the glorious Atlantic coastline with pristine colorful beaches, followed by low-lying mangrove swamps. And the refreshing mountainous plateau lined the east, this very scenic undulating nature is the home to the many heritage mountain villages. Then the central is covered with tropical rainforests, grassland savannas and scattered farmlands - imagine such a diverse landscape. I could hardly conceal my excitement to step my feet on this unknown kingdom.

 



Soft sand and clear water of Tokeh Beach, SierreLeone



As I studied these West African people, I find life. In the midst of exacerbating hardship and poverty, yet the people smile with mesmerizing hope and dance with soaring courage. The aftermath of civil strife does not dishearten their spirits instead they become stronger. Even with physical disablements, their heaps put me to shame. I could barely withhold my enthrallment to greet these unsung warriors.

And, now the very presence I discover liberated me with wondrous joy.




The single-legged footballers of the Sierra Leone Amputee Sports Club

Information

During Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, rebels developed the horrific tactic of chopping off the hands or legs of civilians as a way of sowing terror in the population.

My Resolutions

In Jesus' Name!

One. Undoubtfully, He has always been a God, a Saviour, a King and a Master but never, never have I know Him as my a dear Father. One, who loves me for who I am. One, who disciplines me for my rebellion. One, who lifts me up like a child when I am downcast . One, who comforts me when I am broken. One, who dances with me through life. And so, this very year, I want to seek His face and know His heart as my heavenly Father.

Two. Though in Africa Mercy, my running will halt not! How? Running in a ship? I am least sure. But as the old saying goes, "When there's a will, there's a way". 

Three. I will be engaged soon! Against all odds, I still say "Yes, I am!". My El-Perazimites of Crimson are with me on this.

Four. my, Blessed Roads is the very expression of the unspoken thoughts swirling in my mind, the unheard beats pounding in my heart. Thus, I want to continue to unveil my swirling and pounding.

Five. To be very prayerful! For everytime I pray I move the hands of God, the mountains are removed, and my paths are made straight.

Freedom in Your Decrees

My King, You have many decrees. I have not known all, nor have I understood all.  I viewed Your decrees being rules that robbed me from my freedom. Often, I fought relentlessly with You over WHAT I cannot do. Nonetheless, You allowed my choices. But I bore my consequences.

Today, my Father, I hear Your heart’s beats. For the first time, in Your decrees I find Freedom. Instead of What, I inquire You of Why. And  You astonished me with Your answers!         

                                   

Outdoor Rocky Climb

i CRIED “tight, tight”, there i was hanging amid.

i ROARED “wow”, and i was smiling atop.

i YELLED “lower, lower”, i was gliding down. 

Dawn of my New Year!

The breeze smelled of roses. I sat quietly at the balcony waiting for the glimpse of dawn. Perhaps more so I was waiting for daybreak signifying His gracious mercy upon me, as He promised.

Past years zoomed-by so quickly, in fact year after year the accelerator failed me not. Still not! But stepping on the rusty break-pedal this morning, all stood still for a moment, allowing me to reminisce the past year especially.

I took a long deep breath. Then, another. Yet another till all unfolded before me. With tenacious memory, the year indeed accountable for fantabulous journeys, victorious moments, dangerous endeavors, laborious periods, grievous paths, calamitous battles and fatuous acts! Phew... and after all been through, I wondwered, “Why all befell as such? Why? Am I missing something amidst?”

I could not fathom the depth of His love.
I could not grasp the beauty of His will.
I could not taste the sweetness of His word.

Down on my knees, I prayed, “Abba Father, I apprehend not how all happened being part of Your grander plan. But I want to trust You, for Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are Your ways my ways but as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are your thoughts and ways. For all that passed, yet I am grateful for Your mercy new every morning and Your grace always, always go beyond my wanderings. So faithful are You even when I am not.”

With tears rolled down, the first ray from the rising sun turned the sky orange.
And I know He has placed a new song in my heart. 

Lamentations 3:22,23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”

Isaiah 55:8,9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.