“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17, KJV).
THANK GOD for seeing us through successfully yet another month in His service. It had been another busy month for us, with many eventful memories of God’s wondrous work in our midst.
The weather was very hot at the beginning of April. Our submersible pump for the 150 meters bore-well broke down. Once again, we experienced shortage of water for the Home during the hottest season of the year. Had to use the old 12 meters well again but somehow, the water pump had also decided to stop working. Had less than a thousand liters of water to use for the Home and the animals everyday. Our 10 over years old Reverse Osmosis water filter had also broken down. Many things seemed to have gone haywire, but our God is still in complete control. PRAISE GOD that in such a time like that, He sent the early rain to tide us over the driest period of the year. This reminds us of what Joel 2:23 says, “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” Yes, we too are glad and rejoice in the LORD our God for giving us the former rain even though it is not the rainy season yet. We could always trust Him not only in good time but also in trying time. The God who provided manna and quails for the children of Israel in the wilderness is the same living and true God Whom we serve and He never fails.
Thank God also for blessing our recent Church Camp (21-25 April). This year, our camp was held at Chiang Mai. It was our third church camp. Thank God for making it possible for us all to attend the camp and for providing all the needs of the camp. Thank God also for the many brethren from Singapore who came and joined us. This year, Robert preached on the camp theme “Living for Jesus”, based on the lives of Joseph, Moses and Daniel, challenging all the campers to offer their lives daily to live for their Lord Jesus Christ as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. Thus, we have chosen our theme verse from Romans 12:1, which the apostle Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (KJV). We are reminded once more that when we have decided to live for our Lord Jesus Christ, things do not always turn out the ways we want them to be but remember that we still have the choice concerning our actions. Every Christian has to decide how he would live his life (cf. Daniel 1:8; Hebrews 11:25-26), for we are all accountable to God for what we do (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Please continue to pray for Dara in writing her thesis and meeting her advisors. Do also remember Evangel & Evangeline as they resume their studies tomorrow (1 May) after a long month break.
As for Michael, thank God for his improvement. He could now recall his past and could also go every where by himself. However, he is also getting naughtier since he is no longer staying with us. His parents (Cah Tee and Nah Yeh) took him with them when they left the Home. Amos (Michael’s younger brother) is still staying with us but it is also not easy for him. His father would come after him when he is drunk and when we are away in Chiang Mai. Do commit them in prayer.
Thank God once again for a good rice harvest last November. As the price of rice has gone up to almost double, thank God for having our own rice and for sparing us from having to buy rice. Since it has already started to rain, we will also start ploughing the land tomorrow. God willing, we will be planting corns and growing rice for the next few months from now onwards. We are told in Proverbs 10:4-5, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame” (KJV). Do pray for us, for strength and safety in all our farm works.
Thanks again for your prayer support.
Click here to see pictures of Church Camp 2008 (album 1): http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/robertdara/TBPCCamp2008Album1
Click here to see pictures of getting the lorry ready for church camp: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/robertdara/GettingTheLorryReadyForCamp2008