Belated Blessed Christmas! And blessed 2015!!!
It has been more than 46 million seconds since I returned from the missions field. God, please forgive me that it took me so long to 'publicise' your goodness, faithfulness and love to me upon my return. They have been so real to me, more than at my return, especially so when I was in Cambodia and then, India. Lord, you have been so wonderful.
Knowing very well I won't have the energy, emotional, mental and physical to stay in my own house, You provided my aunt's house for me. Not the best at that time, but at least, a place for me to be safe and rest and recuperate. It was tough, Lord, returning and settling in. I have certainly changed and Sgp has also changed and people around me too. Yet, Lord, You did not change, You have always been faithful, loving and providing. Besides the accommodation at my aunt's place, you provided friends whom I could go Seoul with and family whom I could go Guangzhou and Huizhou with. Finally, premature to my plan, You provided a job for me!
Praise You, too, Lord, at the right time You gave me energy to terminate my tenant and retrofit my house and ready me and my friend helpers to move into my house, a house which I could call my own and be able to do things the way I want it and the way I like it. Simultaneously, not to have to feel obligated to do/ not do things, unlike staying at my aunt's house. I could be free like a bird! Thank You, Abba.
I also want to give praise and thanks to You for providing me very kind, helpful and pleasant colleagues to help me in my transition back to my home country through the vocation You provided me in SIT. Thank You, Jesus, Abba Father and Holy Spirit.
An event which marveled me and brought much joy and confidence to me in human beings once again was the Ensure milk powder delivery man. I ordered a dozen tins of milk and the delivery man delivered the tins of powder to my aunt's house without collecting cash or cheque. I didn't have enough cash to pay up and told him I could transfer the money to him later when I get to a cash withdrawal machine. He believed me and left the carton of milk powder and his bank account number with me. I was pleasantly astonished and felt comforted and assured people who trust others are around in this world after all! I have heard too many swindle stories and encountered a few of them personally while living in Delhi. These events were draining to my emotional strength and made me feel very stupid. As a result, it has grown in me a resistance to trust people. God, You bothered to bring about such an event to my life as You knew it mattered to me and it mattered to You that I have difficulty trusting people. Praise You, Lord, You are a wonderful Restorer and sensitive Father. I know I am safe in Your big sweet hands. Thanks, Abba.
As though these were not enough, You led the dean of ACTI to plan and organize a missionary-returnee retreat to further Your work of renewing and restoring me. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to know I am still in the process of transiting back and settling in to my home country. It is not easy, Lord, but I know You are with me and that alone is enough. More than enough to prepare me to be an even better instrument for Your use and glory at your timing. At the retreat and after, I was really relieved and happy to know some people took 2.5 years to be settled in and some took 3 years and are still not settled in. Am hearteningly relaxed to know I am normal. Fantastic!
On this Christmas Day, I want to thank You once again, Jesus, for coming as a humble man to identify with us and to be one of us to bring us to God!!! Thank You and thank You, Lord, and, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jesus!
