Sharing from Sep '13 Kg Kerling Orang Asli Mission Trip

A few of our people went on a Kg Kerling Mission Trip on 8th & 22nd September, touching the lives of the Orang Asli. Here's a video shared by them:

Sharing from Jun'13 Sandakan Gems Trip

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??

Testimony on First Time Serving in LBA from Isaac Ling

Being part of any worship team is amazing and SIBKL is of no exception. In my experience, the best part of “worship duty” (if it can even be called a duty – more like an honour!) is the preparation for it. Preparing your heart admist a very troubled week, admist a good week, admist an average week will all amount to one conclusion – God is such a gracious, loving God to a people undeserving!

Last week, I was scheduled to serve in the LBA ministry. In my years of serving in worship for cell, a small assembly, big church, small church, on stage, off stage or concert – this experience will prove to be my most challenging. Why? Allow me to rewind the years to 1997.

-1997-

I was brought up: in a “city” called Miri, Sarawak; a second generation Christian and predominantly English speaking with English influences. Because English is the only language I know, I was tossed into the deep end and I ended up in SMB Chung Hua, a Chinese high school. Teens being teens, I was mocked for being a ‘’banana’’ (which to this day I insist that it is a derogatory term) and excluded in conversations because well, I don’t understand anything anyways. There were of course kind schoolmates who wouldn’t participate in all of that but whether it’s a kind a schoolmate or relatives, I will always get a pitiful look. Well, I’m sure everybody goes through that in one form or the other but ...

In my case, at that time, devoid of any personal conviction of God, coupled with my background, these incidences only drove my identity crisis, my need of acceptance, my shame and my confusion of my race, even deeper. Consequently, I fuelled my anger and rage towards the Chinese race as a whole. I built walls in me that can rival the Great Wall of China and vowed to never be hurt or ridiculed by any man. I allocated all efforts into perfecting the spoken English language. In my immaturity and pride, I decided to defend myself by either putting down anyone and everyone who weren’t able to speak English or by being by myself.

Thus, at the age of 19, began my beautiful journey of healing with God. I found His still small voice in university that flipped my life forevermore – a life of meaning.

-2009-

As I grew closer to God, moved back to Malaysia and joined SIBKL, the first ministry I looked for was the worship ministry.  As I missed the auditions for the worship team 2 years ago, I was searching for a ministry to serve in. I found BLESS and someone led me to a cell group that visits the Kenosis home once in three months. I went and found out that everybody there has a big heart and loves God – Awesome! However, it was all in Mandarin or Cantonese. So, I left it at that and waited for the next audition! I bumped fist with God and said, “I’d really love to serve you through worship and will give it my best. If at any time, I fail to do so, I know you’ll be right there nudging me along. If I ever get a big head, I know you’ll be right there nudging me down!”

-2013-

Serving in worship team has been absolutely incredible till 3 weeks ago when Elssy sent out songs for my first LBA assignment. Everything is great till I realized that the songs were in mandarin! I found myself back in the ministry I left. Yes, my life flashed before my eyes, my fears and insecurities took over, I immediately wrote an email of re-consideration (Ah, the Jonah in us) but with much kicking and screaming, I exhaled and said ‘challenge accepted!’ The Lord is a gracious God and that particular LBA was cancelled. J

But of course, I was scheduled for another (9^th March). :P This time, I had time to absorb the reality of the situation. I shamefully admit that my flesh kicked in and I thought of giving a lame excuse, or tried to schedule work or whatever silly thoughts I can come up with. (I know you all can resonate with me. :P) However, in the midst of the week, the Lord reminded me of my commitment – Give my best!

God: “Isaac, is this the right way to think? Is this any sort of example you should be setting? Is this giving me your best? Is this being a living sacrifice?”

Isaac: “But, people will laugh at me. Why choose me? I am not even close to being the right person for this job? (Ah, the Moses in us)”

God: “You can do all things through me who gives you strength!”

Amen!

I decided that worshipping God in Mandarin would be part and parcel of my healing process. May the world look at a pure English speaker like me, worshipping in Mandarin and they will have no other choice but to say, ‘’It is only through God, Praise be to His holy name.” I decided that I am going to let God be my guide and not tell God what I want to do. I decided that my God is bigger than the lies I have been living with.

As I watched the people singing with their hearts in Mandarin, as I see what God has done in their lives, as I sat there hearing the pastor preach in Cantonese, I had only one thought, ‘’Oh how I wish I am multi lingual. Oh how great it is if I can pray with them, strike a conversation with them, ask to hear their testimonies, tell them about my testimony or just bless them.’’ I have wasted years dwelling in my bitterness and anger but with God, it is never too late – With God, I can do anything!

What is the one thing I’ve learnt from all this?

If there’s someone to change, it is always me.

If there’s someone who can change me, it is always and only – God.

Psalms 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

By Isaac Ling

Testimony on First Time Serving in LBA from Elizabeth Lim

It was my first time scheduled to serve at LBA. Didn't know what was LBA, so I asked Wan Yen. She briefed me a little bit about LBA and the background of the people and who they were. I've paid a few visits to the Taman Megah Disabled and Orphan Home, so I thought it shouldn't be much different. 

Amazing things happened a few days before I went to LBA. I was visiting a friend in SS24 and I had the privilege to have a nice casual chat with his dad, who is the pastor of KL Baptist Church. Later during the chat, we found out that we were going to meet each other again at LBA, and he was the guest speaker for that weekend. I just had this amazing feeling, "Wow!". Since that day, I started to ask God, what was the purpose of letting me having this privilege to meet this pastor first before serving at LBA. Even till now, I have no idea why.

Even more amazing things happened on that day. Before we headed to LBA, we were having a practice at Aunty Jin Iy's place. I was assigned to play the piano, Christina Cheah on guitar, Julia on violin. Acoustic night, and the rest of them sing. I was in awe at how incredible our God was. Things didn't go as planned. Mei Wei and I were the only ones who know Mandarin, and LBA is mostly Mandarin oriented, so I had to sing as well. Just when we thought we wouldn’t have anybody to play the piano, Christine Chin was just tagging along (with Justin who was schedule) but she volunteered! Then I thought, no matter how the person in charge had schedule this, eventually it was be God who had decided what was best for the worship session that night.

My first time at LBA, getting to encounter God in another place and different environment with different people, it was wonderful. Looking at the people there, knowing where they come from, and seeing how God has changed them, it made me think about people getting discriminated because of how they look and what they are, but God sees each and everyone of us as equals, loving each and everyone of us as His precious, priceless and unique. How can we not love them like He does?

It was also my first time not playing the piano or keyboard, but singing! Not a second I felt awkward or had the thought of "hey I should be playing not singing", because I'm always reminded that, I'm first a worshipper, then a musician. 

What makes me happy was seeing the smile on their faces. I'm really glad to have served at LBA =)

By Elizabeth Lim

Testimonies on Serving in LBA from Jin Iy

Truly is amazing how God works together for good to those who love Him. We shall make this awesome as we all seek The Lord.

In Isaiah 1:18-20:
 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

And Easter is approaching, let’s all take time to remember and ponder, though our sins are like scarlet, but they will be as white as snow! 

Some of you may not have served at LBA before, let me tell you that these boys and girls are already been rehabilitated. To me, it's humbling. These boys are brave and have gone through so much in life. Some of their circumstances may not have been their fault and it is out of negligence and through influence, absent parents, the world and its ways, they were suck in to this kind of society. Let’s look at this with an open mind. There is no fear because perfect love casts it out. Who has that perfect love? It's God Himself, not us. We can’t do it. I would probably be the first to run away, but He helps us to love the unlovely, the rejected, the poor, and the marginalized. 

Sometimes we are thinking that we are doing God a favor by serving these friends. But God has reminded me many times as I serve them at Kenosis, Igloo, Rainbow Girls and LBA. I learn from them and they serve me by teaching me what life is. Nothing is impossible with God. 

By Jin Iy

Sharing from Nov '12 Sabah Mission Trip

Hai Yen and Cheryl Mow from Worship team just got back from the Nov Sabah Mission Trip. Do read and be blessed by their sharing. 

*Click on the images to enlarge

Testimony on the Power of the Holy Spirit from Elssy

After sharing the testimony on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit upon me with a few singers recently, I was encouraged by Jin Iy to share this good news to encourage the rest of you as well. This is the complete version of my story experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit.

I rededicated my life to God in 2005. Initially, I still thought I wasn’t worthy to sing praises to Him because I’d been actively singing pop music (in public and studio recording) since 1999. Frankly speaking, I didn’t have that kind of spirit to sing gospel songs. I tried to but I couldn’t fix the spirit within me. It wasn’t something I could create unless it came from Him.

God wanted to give me something new but He had to destroy the old one in the first place. In 2008, tragedy happened - my vocal cord was broken. I heard a “pop” sound from the larynx when I was actually just talking gently. My heart sank because the awful pain made me worried. At first, I felt that it was only one wound, after that, it became two. Without hesitation, I consulted ENT specialist immediately. After all the checking, the doctor told me that it could only be healed naturally. I asked him what he meant. He explained that only if I could rest my voice (for a very long time), then it would heal itself. That was totally impossible for me to do so. He added that there was no way to cure it. “That means it will never be healed right?” I looked at the doctor with tears in my eyes. “Don’t be sad, don't give up, sometimes miracle happens,” he comforted me but I was still very down and felt handicapped – I couldn’t sing anymore.

It wasn’t easy for me to accept the truth. I stood among the congregation on Sunday service, bursting into tears like being at the end of the world. But when I recalled His love and faithfulness for me, how could I not surrender everything unto Him? If God was still not what I desired most, I asked God to forgive me. He gave me the gift and He had the authority to take it back. If being vulnerable was the only way to allow my heart to feel the true pleasure of worshipping Him, so I should let Him break me, which He already did.

The thing I lost was incomparable to the surpassing greatness of knowing Him. He stayed with me even He knew that I didn’t love Him enough. He taught me the right posture to stand in awe of Him, continue to worship Him and give thanks to Him, even I’d lost my precious singing voice, but I still had the eyes, the ears, the nose, the hands, the legs and the beating heart. Somehow, my love still grew for Him, He comforted me with His powerful Words; it’d been lurking in the deepest crevices of my heart. Then I worshipped Him by doing lip sync for the rest of my days and the melody from my heart.

Two years later (Jan 2010) which was after I'd decided to attend SIBKL regularly. I asked God on a Sunday if I could only hit one note, just one note. I tried and I did! The feeling was incredibly awesome! Then on every Sunday later, I asked little by little, from hitting more notes to sustaining the notes, from narrow range to wider range, from singing softly to singing loudly. After six months of self-therapy, I could sing again! Though the pain was still there. Same year in September, my cell group core members suddenly asked if they could slot me in the duty roster for P&W. During my quiet time, I asked God if He wanted to use my voice to serve Him, not only in the Cell but also in the Church. I asked Him to heal my pain completely. Then I slept. The pain of the deepest part of my larynx just disappeared the next day. It was unbelievable! And then the other one He also healed me for answering another prayer. He sealed it within a second and I felt it. So I joined the worship team. Slowly I realized that it was not enough for me to sing without the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I was baptized last August. The last session of the baptism class was about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God could give this freely, I wanted it and I tried but I always gave up. After I joined worship team, during a session on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit conducted by Michael Toh for new singers, Sara encouraged me not to give up after she prayed for me. Guess what, I still gave up! During the same period of time, I dedicated my time and effort for the Christmas skit practices. And I felt a need of breakthrough in my cell group. And I knew that I should be the one who had breakthrough first. Therefore, I started to attend Tuesday night prayer meeting.

On YA vision night (11 Jan 2012), Pastor Daniel asked us to ask ourselves about the one thing that we should have stopped doing, even we might not understand but we would just trust Him and let go, so that God would continue to do miracle things in our lives. These words appeared to me: stop singing pop songs and demos. Yes, I still helped my friends sing their demos. And I felt so hard to say ‘no’ to them, but I felt that God wanted me to completely let that go. But I wasn’t firm enough to Amen to it until pastor prayed for me, “You’re no longer timid, no heart of fear, rise up, step up with faith…”. I sensed that the Lord was just right in front of me, face to face. He was so close and I was stunned. God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. I pondered for a while and quickly responded to Him, “Yes, I’m all Yours.”

Ridiculous thing happened. After a few days, my friends texted me and rang me, describing that a few demos that I sang sold like being swept up by the tornado which had never happened before, not even needed to be on hold. They gave all the credits to me instead of giving back to themselves (the songwriters). They even told me that one of the songs would be chosen for TV commercial in Taiwan and in China, just because of my vocal beat the other one. Fish Leong, who would be singing that song, asked my friend to pass a personal message to me and gave me a complement that I really had a beautiful voice. Then my friends asked me to sing demos again. They were very excited and I didn’t know how to break their hearts. Of course, I didn’t want to break God’s neither. But those were friends who were very sincere to me. I really needed help from God because I gave them an available date, I didn’t manage to reject them. When the day was around the corner, I fell sick severely. Sore throat, fever, flu, one package! That’s how I pushed the appointment away. I think I’ll know what to say if they ask me again next time.

In April this year, I told God I wanted a birthday gift from Him (on June) – the spiritual gift of speaking in tongue. So I planned to have a 40-day fast and prayer from May. However, it didn’t work! Too many celebrations were going on. I only managed to fast for a few days, so I had to change the strategy. I decided to go for Saturday morning prayer meeting besides the one on Tuesday night. The second time I went, Sara was standing right besides me. We prayed together. When everyone was speaking in tongue, I kept saying “Hallelujah” as Jin Iy always encouraged us to do that. Sara prayed for the baptism of the Holy Spirit over me again and she asked me to press on. We’re like running on a marathon, quite tired. After a while, she suddenly said, “Yes, you’re speaking in tongue already!” Yes, I did feel that my “Hallelujah” was a little bit different because of the loosen tongue.

The following Saturday morning, I started to be able to speak baby tongues, some strength came out from my belly. The spirit inside me controlled all the phonetics or words, more and more vocabularies coming out; it was indeed a total new language to me. I praised Him joyfully with this new language. I could sense Him deeply within me. The next day was GDOP (Global Day of Prayer), I was brought by the usher to sit at the front row, and she said it would be nearer to the fire. When I started singing praises to Him, a powerful strength broken out from my belly, I heard my voice was doubled up and the spirit did the entire vibrato for me from the diaphragm. I used to sing with diaphragm but not with this kind of power. God was so amazing! He had truly granted me with a new singing spirit!

After home, He gave me Isaiah 59, especially the last verse was a promise from Him, “…My spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in Your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever…”.

I had been given the brushes and colours, but painted at the wrong canvas. Now He has given me the new mediums and I’ve heard Him say, “You can paint the sky now.” Isn’t our God awesome? Maybe it’s because of the prayer meetings, maybe it’s because of stop singing demos, and maybe it’s just because of everything works together, making sure that I’ll end up exactly where and how I’m supposed to be. I believe that it is God’s desire for every one of us to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. So, I just want to encourage those who haven’t been baptized by the Holy Spirit, don’t give up asking Him. Desire for it and pursue it because that will totally change our spiritual life, entering a deeper personal relationship with God.

This is my story - the Blessed Assurance. I hope this Great Author inspires you to be the worshippers that He desires. He’ll always be our muse; and we shall always worship Him in spirit and in truth. May God bless you!

By Elssy

Sharing from Worship & Media Sabah Mission Trip Team

Wan Yen, Jasmine Ching, Julia, Jon, Cheok Gheen and Meng from Worship Team & Media Team were part of the team that joined the Sabah Mission Trip to Kampung Gana in North Sabah on the 25th-27th May.

Sharing from Jon:

Sharing from Wan Yen:
*Click on the images to enlarge

Exist 2011 Conference Testimony from Rachel Thong

I’m sure we all know how talented our SIBBM brothers & sisters are. Having heard the worship team singers sing accapella before I have always awed at their vocal abilities. And this year, I’ve actually been given the opportunity to serve alongside them at the Exist 2011 conference. Of course I was excited, but at the same time scared, of not being able to “live up to their standards”.

Upon meeting the SIBBM team I realised exactly how talented they were, but they were very down to earth and humble about it. Many of them are self-taught musicians capable of playing at least two instruments. Even the singers, who are not vocally trained might I add, can play at least one instrument. I’m so encouraged by their commitment and devotion in serving the Lord, and by their willingness to continually increase and sharpen their skills to strive for excellence in serving. Their excellent stewardship over their giftings reminded me of the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30).

Also, they’re such a warm and friendly people that my worries of not being able to communicate properly or ‘gel’ with them were completely unfounded. (Probably also because they speak English better than I speak Malay =p) But I definitely think I need to learn from them the art of accepting people and making people feel welcome. Too often in our society we size people up before really getting to know them, but I completely didn’t feel that from them.

Serving alongside them was such a great experience for me and what impacted me the most was the heart of worship that they possessed, displayed in their hunger to meet with God, and desire to serve and give to the Lord. I remember sitting through one of their practices, right before the commencement of the conference, and they quickly ran through only one song due to the lack of time. But even that short time of practice, they were already immersed in deep worship and I felt such a stirring within my spirit that moved me to tears. I could sense God’s presence.

After the whole experience I was thinking, how awesome it would be if we could all catch their spirit of devotion, love and commitment even as we continue serving in the worship ministry. And together, strive for excellence as we journey on to becoming the True Worshippers that God seeks (John 4:23-24).

By Rachel