Miracles!!

It's been one after another in a few short days

Story #1 - Sunday 13/2

It started with me losing the key to the jeep. Now, I'm quite prone sometimes to losing things but losing a key to jeep was a big thing, it's only one key without anything connected to it, it is thin and could easily be lost, and lost it was. and although we searched everywhere (even the compose and trash). I was down.

We went to church that morning and I couldn't really concentrate, my mind was a zillion places. The speaker spoke about trusting in God, something about trusting Him to provide, lead and some other things which I can't really remember. All I remember was I was challenged to trust in Him for this. I would trust in Him for the key, as I have seen His faithfulness for countless other things that I've lost before, glasses, wallet, laptop you name it I'd probably lost it before :p but He has been faithful. I'll tell some of those stories later.

I decided to let my heart rest and trust although of course my mind races with 'oh man how now' every now and then. Pause. We'll come back to this story in a minute

Story #2 - Valentines 14/2

The DTS school has heaps of financial needs, many students and staff are faced with the enormous challenge of trusting God to provide for them financially to be able to pay for their lecture fees for the school. Some had only been able to afford small amounts, but trusted in God to leave their kampungs to do the dts. Many of them waiting, and trusting and crying out to God. literally. Today was valentines and a graph was put up to show the needs of the school, the various fees that have been yet to be paid, it seemed like a hill to climb. Students began to pray for one another, were challenged to give if the Lord led them to for others, some were close to tears because of the hill to climb. God was providing, amounts are coming from various places for the students, but it still seemed like an impossible hill to achieve, as outreach is coming soon, and large amounts are needed for that too (flights, transport and so forth).

Miracle #1 - Valentine night 14/2

We had our largest valentines gift from God today :)

God had miraculously provided the school with a large amount that was able to cover all the students and staff remaining lecture fees.

Just like that.

In one sms, one reply, one check. from Penang

It was unbelievable, how God provided figures accurate to the need, when students/staff began to release and be transparent before Him in brokenness, and trust God.

Miracle #2 - Morning Worship 15/2

It blew me away, well, it blew all of us away when the news was released the next morning after valentines before worship. Tears of joy. Thanksgiving. Rejoicing. It was unreal

And just when I was thinking during worship, wow God You really provide, and we/I didn't even need to do anything (sorta), it was like it was too easy for God. As we were singing, another miracle happened. My base leader who was about to leave the compound had the urge to look around the compound, and found the jeep key right somewhere behind the jeep on the parking lot! As she past it to me I almost broke down, it was as if God was saying to me, 'hey, you trusted me, here you go :)'. Singing the song, 'You are my Father, Provider, You're my deliverer', was so REAL. He is a God who provides. He is faithful. He knows where your keys are!

Back to story #1

As some of us began to wonder, how on earth did this happen? a couple of us searched the compound thoroughly, on our knees too! It was as if God just decided to place it there conveniently. Just then, I had two misscalls from my base leader, my phone had been on silent so i didn't feel it. Somehow I had an urge to check my phone, and found out the misscalls, called back and found out that they were stuck at home, their car couldn't start, and they needed to come to the base and guess what, God has just provided the key to the jeep and the base leader had the urge that morning to pass me the key right before they left for home! I could pick them! It was as if God was orchestrating ALL this for HIS glory! coincidence? I don't think so!

There were so many miracles that happened these few days but these were the few that really had made an impact on me. God provided me with support from home, I found my broadband and glasses which I thought went missing (Yes after all these experiences I AM GOING TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL!), the key, finances for ALL the students, and the best thing is I know more is to come. He has been faithful to provide and He will continue to be

Praise the Lord!

To God be the glory!

S2S DTS Update Feb 11

It's been a while since a proper update came in!

God's been moving heaps in this school! Before the school started three weeks ago it has been pretty hectic; moving in equipment for the school, making preperations and praying for the school. By 2 weeks before the school started we didn't have a location for the school and only about less than 5 confirmed students. Now we have 12 students, 7 staff and a large building which can house everyone. Praise the Lord. The accomodation, transport that we have, food and so forth are simple but sufficient. Initially it took a while to get used to the simple lifestyle but i'm used to it now :) We're staying about a short drive from Kota Kinabalu city, the weather has been raining frequently (which makes it hard for clothes to dry haha), most of the students are dusun, rungus, tobilong and two chinese from peninsula. The staff are also locals, except the base leaders and me ('my chinese friend' as i am affectionately known, or ah seong :p). I am the only male staff besides the base leader, which is exceptionally challengeing when it comes to ministering to my guy one-on-ones and marking journals because I have to do so in Bahasa, but i've been able to! Praise the Lord! Managed to minister to a student and PRAY in bahasa too recently. yay!

Week 1 was on the "nature and character of God', a topic in which Mary Liew (my DTS leader while in Brisbane) spoke to us about. We learnt that God is absalutely limitless, no one can fathom who He fully is and yet, He is personal, He is love. Many of the students were blessed in knowing for sure who they believed and were serving. Week 2 was on 'Hearing God's voice' and 'The father heart of God'. We learnt the steps of intercession, how to hear God's voice for oneself and for others, many words were released, many got pictures and visions for one another, it was pretty cool. Someone saw a picture of me jumping on stepping stones across a lake, some were far away but at the end I could reach them, and others were following behind. Another felt God was telling me not to worry, but to ask and I shall receive, seek and I shall find. Encouraging :) The Father Heart of God has always been my favourite topic on a DTS and this time it was quite the same experience that I have felt before. Many students received inner healing from past hurts, rejection, abuse and so forth. It was just a beautiful sight to see students opening up, being utterly honest and transparent before God and others, crying and receiving healing and restoration. My favourite part though was the last night of lectures that week, there was such a release of joy, peace, and laughter. We laughed till over 10pm that night, and for the first time I really couldn't tell what was happening to me as I was laughing as well. Praise the Lord for restoration, peace and JOY!

This week was on 'Identity in Christ'. This week we learnt on who we are in Christ, who God has made us to be, about self image, self worth, and finding out identity in Christ. It was cool to be able to be released from expectations, pressures, past hurts, experiences, and lies about who the students identities were. There was much healing as well. We learnt about the 10 unchangeables that God has created us with; e.g parents, siblings, time and history, national identity, race, gender, aging, physical appearance and so forth. We finally learnt that God has a purpose and destiny for each of the students, we were created 'for such a time as this!'

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Things have been hectic and lots have been learnt but God has been faithful. I've been able to take some rest; last weekend was a first free weekend for us, and we visited the Muzium, it was cool to be able to see a life sized kampung of the various tribes (their houses, traditional costumes and lifestyle). I've also been able to learn how to drive around, fetch people here and there, and attend church. Have also been able to catch a stroll at sutera harbour :p and enjoy some lighted musical dancing fountain thingy at a park ;)

We're about to know our outreach locations soon which is something i'm absalutely stoked about! Whether I end up in Brunei, Sarawak or wherever I'm excited to be part of His plan for this nation and the nations around Sabah. Do continue to keep the students and staff in prayer as we continue to wait on God regarding outreach locations and so forth. Besides lectures, students are also being trained for outreach, how to give a testimony, how to preach, how games can be used as a tool for outreach and more is to come. Finances have been coming in for the students in the school as well which is really cool to see how God provides. We've been able to have a CNY special night, and Valentines special event is coming up soon too :D

Once again, thank you for your prayers and support, May God trully bless you abundanly as you sow into His kingdom. Prayer requests:- for continued strength, love, joy in serving; along with continued word of the Lord and guidance in everything i do :) Would be great to also know things are doing back home too, would love to be able to pray for you and things that are happening back home. Internet access for me is limited at the moment and I don't have access to newspapers too, so it would be great to know what is happening back home too :)

Take care and God Bless!
Japheth Chew