We are so blessed by the team that went to the Sandakan Gems Trip on Jun 20-23, sharing their reflection and personal testimonies with us. A video, a visual story of the journey, was presented during the August PRAY time. Truly thanks to those who contributed. There are two testimonies shared by Pei Mun and Mabel below. Do take time to read and be blessed.
A visual story of the journey
Personal Testimony 1 - by Mabel
Mabel, at left.
Islamisation proved to be so real in east Malaysia where more than 60% of the Christian population is.
Today, JAKIM(Malaysia department of Islamic department) is the third most funded department under the prime minister's office, receiving Rm402 million in 2010 alone. It stands among others shariah institutions that were recently erected in rapid succession such as jabatan kehakiman syariah, syariah section of Attorney General office in 2003.
The debacle over Allah is not over yet, the attempted conversion affected all religious minorities in Malaysia, young children are forced to recite "doa" in school, Islamic and Asian Civilisation Studies is recently made compulsory for local students in private universities.
There is a need for us to look to these developments with concern and determination to contend for religious liberty. A fundamental and dangerous lie stands when the state automatically become the highest power.
My hope is the government will not curtail the religious liberties of the minorities nor attempt to impose their ideology on the school children. A healthy society is a society that welcomes all faiths and gives people a chance to express themselves through worship with the Almighty.
My prayer is Christians will stand up for religious liberty and for the rights of rakyat-s to express their deepest convictions and belief in public square. Furthermore, we should insist that the state is not ultimate, and the state's actions and laws are accountable to God.
By strengthening the faith of our east Malaysia brothers sisters through GEMS, we too are upholding the religious conviction we held so close to our heart.
Personal Testimony 2 - by Pei Mun
Pei Mun, at right.
After hearing so much from the pastors about the urgency to reach out to the youth in East Malaysia, I've finally decided to take up this mission, mainly to encounter the spiritual realm in East Malaysia myself and also be part of this huge movement.
I'm so privileged to be part of the GEMS team as it was pretty last minute to include me and Jon from Sound Team. Having to go through the iReligion Training...it builds my courage to even defend my own faith, with the apologetics which are pretty new to me.
Although being equipped with the new found tool...without doubt, somehow first time being a facilitator and to conduct it in Bahasa was quite nerve wrecking. And on top of that when the team shared bout the spirits deliverance about vomitting 7 frogs incidents they experienced, wow...i seriously don't know how ready i was then, spiritually!
Finally after experiencing the entire thing with the 3 girls in the group, truly the GEMS is hitting the bull's eyes...students/ youth there are constantly being hounded to convert and though i find the the iReligion is too heavy for them to capture in such a short time....but all in all the seeds have been sowed in their spirit! And praise God, they're so encouraged by our care and love...Thus, I urge you guys to take one up to be part of this massive God's tsunami movement next year! What are you waiting for??
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