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
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