My Baptism

Haha, can't believe that my 50th post in my blog is about something so meaningful. Indeed, today is the day that I am baptized. I accepted Christ in 28th Jan 2007, it took me almost half a year to make that decision, and another 2 years (785 days) until I take this step to be baptized.

We rent a bus from Nilai UC to First Baptist Church (FBC) in PJ. It kinda reminds me 2 years ago when I just arrived Nilai UC, I wasn't a christian yet, and the first time I came to FBC is to witness Hinn's baptism. Now, it's my turn, too bad he wasn't there today.

There are 14 people being baptised today including 4 people from Nilai Sunday Service, Amen! After the worship service, all of us are called to the backstage to change and wear the white robe. 1 by 1 we walked into the "pool", where Pastor Tan asked 2 questions:

Have you recieved Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Yes!
Are you willing to follow the Lord faithfully throughout your life? Yes!

Then, he immersed me into the water, and take me up again, as writen in John 3:5 "No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit." Those congrats sms(s) started to flood my inbox, thanks to everyone from everywhere.

OK, let me tell you what is the significance of baptism (洗礼):

• Baptism has no power to save, one is saved only by God's grace through faith.
• Baptism potrays the believer's death, burial and ressurection with Christ.
• Baptism depicts the believer's commitment to leave the old life of sin and live a new life with Christ.
• Baptism is a public testimony of one's repentence and faith in Christ.

Picture taken with Uncle Chan, Aunty Elizabeth and another baptism candidate, Curtis:


Group picture after the service, try to spot me if you can :P

I looked up to the dark sky as I was walking to uni for dinner just now, there're so many stars, so many and so bright until they filled the whole universe. This reminds me about Shaun's sms, he said "I rejoice, many other christians n all angels also rejoice in ur baptism ceremony." I was told something similiar when I accepted Christ, but now I understand and I felt it, the whole heaven is glad when a new soul join them. Thank you LORD for all that you've done for me.

Jeremiah 40:4 "Now I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If you want to come with me, you are welcome." Although this is not directly spoken by the LORD, but I felt the message. He washed away our sins, and by giving us free will we can choose to obey or turn away. LORD, I pray that you will continue to guide me walk closer with You and also able to share Your words to more people. Also pray for the International Student Conference that will be held at FBC in April, let it be a success. In Jesus most precious name I pray, Amen!

[Credits for picture taking are all given to brother Robert Yee]

Cameron Retreat (Day 3)

Once again, we wake up early in the morning for quiet time. At 8.30a.m, we had our US style breakfast again. That morning is really cold, haiz... human are always like that, too hot complain, too cold also complain.

After breakfast, we gather again for our last discussion about our bible study group of this retreat camp. First, we passed the time to the remaining 3 people that haven't shar their testimony, which is Alex, Mark and me.

I noticed, all 9 of us students there accepted Christ around early youth (below or around 15 years old) except me, which happened 2 years ago. Well, I just shared roughly what I think about people around me before I accepted Christ, and how God has drawn me near to Him. Looking back to those tracks, I'm quite amazed how far I'd walk and how much I had change. Praise The LORD.

Uncle Rodney said I have a perfect testimony to tell others how different people can also recieve God's love. Well, I am never impressed by my own story, there are more people who accepted Christ and had a dramatic change. Anyway, I'll just do my best to bring Him glory and also help out any other ministries with righteous heart.

That morning, we discussed mainly about what we can do reach out. We are reminded that God's love can reach anyone, so don't limit our evangelism targets. Also, we have to take care of the new comers who are either non-believers or long lost christians. Besides that, we tried to figure out the best strategy to run our bible study so that non-believers won't felt left behind. Our bible study group is for everyone, not only for us believers.

Everyone is quite active in that discussion suggesting ideas and also problems that we observed so far. I'm quite happy about as I felt we are really working as a team, a united heart to serve God.

After that discussion, we packed our luggages and say goodbye to our lovely vacation house. It's time to return to reality. Phew... thanks God for blessing all of us with a wonderful weekend, that we could retreat from all the problems (mainly about study) that are torturing us.

While on the way down hill, we rest a while at a waterfall park. It's such a nice place, it would be better if it's not raining. I need to thanks Alex for all his hard work enduring the sleepiness to drive us back to Semenyih. I arrived home around 5p.m, and I slept almost the whole journey *I think I'm really exhausted*!

In Jeremiah chapter 36, Jeremiah and Baruch wrote down all the LORD's word on a scroll and to warn King Jehoiakim of his evil deeds as told by the LORD. King Jehoiakim was furious, he burnt the scroll and commanded his officials to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch, but with God's protection, they were not found by them. Whenever we're doing the will of God, no evil can harm us. We must have strong faith in Him, that we believe He will be the only solution for all troubles. I pray for Cleo Nicole that is studying in Penang, hope that she would be able to overcome her hard time in life and seek true way in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Cameron Retreat (Day 2)

I woke up early around 7.45 a.m for my quiet time. Hinn and Audri were already downstairs doing their own quiet time while Uncle Rodney working in the kitchen preparing breakfast. There's still some time before breakfast after I finish my quiet time, so I took some early cold breeze and sunshine outside the house. Haha, I found a dog, it was so obedient, I like it. Before we're getting fat again, 3 of us went to have a slow jog around the area.

Breakfast was served on time, it's in US style. We had toast, with jam and also strawberries as the fillings, Cornflakes with Dutch Lady low fat milk, grit with steam egg and drinks were raspberry and rose. Somehow, it reminds me about those rich and big family eating together that I watched in TV, haha.

We had a sharing session after breakfast. Audri, Kai Seng and Sarah shared their testimony, followed by Uncle Rodney doing a little bible study. After that, we're free until lunch time. The plan was to walk to a watch tower nearby, it is said that the scenery there is great. So we walked around, although no one really knew the way. We end uo going to a wrong direction and just have a little jungle tracking. It's fun though.

Came back in time for lunch again. Now it's mexican food, it's sort of like cheese pie with chicken or beef inside, come together with green bean. Next, we visited BOH tea plantation. The scenery is amazing, the tea plantation just looks like green nuggets *my desicription*. We had our tea time there after a tour on how tea leaf is proccessed.

The next thing is exciting! We visited butterfly farm, if you think what's so excited about butterflies, that's not all about it. I can't say much, just look at the pictures yourselves.

Leaf worm and green snake:


lizard and scorpion:

We made it until dinner. This is costly, we took our dinner at a Germany Restaurant. The menu is kinda like those we see on the western restaurants, but this is so much bigger and it taste so nice. Excluding our table, it's all white people in the restaurant, so it feels like we're the tourists instead of them.

It's another sharing session again after we reached home. We gather around the fireplace again, Nelson, Clarence and Hannah shared their testimony. We also planned some coming activities for our bible study group. These are the new things that we learnt that night, the things that we need to remind ourselves when we look at our W.A.T.C.H:

• Word - It's important to watch our langguages; once spoken, can't take it back.
• Action - As Christians, we must watch our actions, that's what build our impression towards public about us.
• Thoughts - Watch what we think, temptation is all around the world, but how strong are we against it?
• Companion - Don't just mix around with fellow believers only, reach out and give the world an impact!
• Habbits - It took a person 3 weeks doing something in a routine in order to make it a habbit. Never give up although we fell down sometimes.

This is the last night, so played some games til quite late. Anyway, it's a good time of fellowship. At the same night, I discussed with Kai Seng personally about some problems we're facing and future plans about working together with our uni's CF, but it seems that things are not gonna be easy.

Jeremiah warned Judah through the words of God to release their slaves, so that they will be save from the attack of Babylon. However, they refuses and was slaughtered by the Babylonians. In Jeremiah chapter 34, it tells us to obey what is told by the wise, and bless others as we are blessed. Their ancestors are freed by God from Egypt and Hebrew slaves are told to only serve for 6 years, but they refuses to let them go. Pray that LORD be with us for this coming bible study, bless Audri to lead the ice-breaking session, Sen Loong to worship lead, Sarah and Hinn to lead us in sharing session. May your will be done, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Cameron Retreat (Day 1)

HThis is about the Retreat Camp for our bible study leaders at Cameron Highland last weekend. It was a 3 days 2 nights trip from Saturday (7th Mac) morning til Monday (9th Mac) afternoon, just nice Monday was a public holiday.

The participants are me, Audri, Hinn, Alex, Kai Seng, Sarah, Hannah, Clarence, Mark and Uncle Rodney, there're 10 of us! I remembered we departed from Sunway around 10am, with 2 cars: Uncel Rodney's Naza taking Hinn, Kai Seng, Hannah, Mark and Audri while Alex rent another Kelisa taking me, Sarah and Clarence.

Me, Sarah, Clarence and Alex the driver in Kelisa:

Trust me, the long highway to Perak and the windy mountain road to Cameron is NOT FUN AT ALL! Never knew that Alex can drive like a bus driver in mountain road. Clarence couldn't take it, and we stopped by half way to take a break. We reached Cameron area at 2pm.

Have a break, have a snap shot:

So the first thing was, we stopped by a Mamak Shop to take our lunch. They have quite special dishes, especially those served on the banana leaves. I ordered Honey Banana Naan (can you imagine?) and Clarence even had Strawberry Naan (this world has so many wierd things!).

Finally, we reached the place we're gonna stay for 3 days. This place is huge and nice, it really gave me the feeling of having a retreat from all the earthly problems and just be with nature.

After checking in our rooms, we gathered at the kitchen to start our first project - Oreo Pie making session! There's so much fun playing around with foods, I mean... working on the pie. Everyone was complaining so much because most of the ingredients are cream, chocs, oreos... all the fats! We finished making one normal pie and another one with added banana *Mua ha ha*.

Fat ah! Banana ah!

Then, we headed out to a nearby UK home-style teahouse to have our afternoon tea. The interior design is splendid, sitting inside enjoying tea like a prince is just so good! Please be reminded that tea for each person is about RM20 *killing spree*.

After that, we can't miss the chance to visit Cameron Highland's night market (although the sky is still bright). There's so many stuffs, mainly strawbarries' items.

At night, we had a rest while Uncle Rodney prepare us dinner - Spaghetti. By the way, I prepared the dining table while others working in the kitchen (kitchen is not my territory). Thanks Uncle Rodney, the dinner was very nice!

Here comes, after cleaning the table, we gathered around the fire place (we set up the fire) coz it's so cold at night, really feels like living in US during winter. This night, the topic is about how should we improve in organizing our bible study flow.

• We should have a good balance of Hymn and Contemporary worship songs.
• 3 songs are not enough, we should try to make it 4.
• Always be prepared and practice (ice-breaker and worship team).
• Keep everything in time, don't drag it too long, we need to precious others time.
• Make sure the songs chosen in a night has a common theme.
• Start ON TIME!
• Intead of starting with worship, we should start with ice-breaking.

Those listed above are the crucial points I remembered. Uncle Rodney even demo how to worship lead with his chosen list of songs. Oh ya, I haven't mention about it right? We have an upright piano in our vacation house! So, the meeting ends by asking everyone to prepare our own testimony and we need to wake up early the next day for quiet time and be prepared for breakfast at 8.30a.m.

Phew... after a tiring but enjoying day, I bathed with hot shower and went to bed. I'm in the same room with Kai Seng and Alex, our room have 1 double-decker bed (I slept at the bottom one), one single bed (for Kai Seng) and another Queen size bed (Alex took it). Yupz, the room is really big, and the rooms downstairs for the girls and the others are also about the same size! Wow!

In Jeremiah 33:22, the LORD says "I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws of night and day, of earth and sky." Our LORD in heaven is so merciful, he sees through our hardships and send the best solution for us. He will never deny our rightful prayers and all of them shall be realize in the perfect situation. Pray that our bible study group would grow stronger and involve more of the new comers, it's a place for everyone. Also pray for people in Nilai Sunday Service and Cheras Baptist Church to be able to reach out to more people. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Lab Report Submitted

These 2 weeks are really taking my breathe away from me. There're so many courseworks and also things to do for other purposes. I thought I'm gonna miss some sleep for sure but who knows I did sleep every night... just 2 hours later than average sleeping time.

Last week, I completed the dreadful C Programming assignment and Solid 3 lab report. It's enough to take 1/3 of my life away. Knowing that there's still Fluid 2 lab report and can opener project ahead, this week won't be any better.

Buckling apparatus used in Solid 3 lab:

Besides, there's a retreat camp for our bible study group to Cameron Highland that weekend. At first, I was quite reluctant to join as there're so many works to do. However, never regret being there, just to be away from all the Earthly problems and spend time with God. It helps, and I learn some new things too.

So, both my lab report and project should be submitted on Friday (today)! Wasted too many time on the can opener project. Anyway, I'd done my part, now it's all on my groupmates. I rushed my lab report until 3a.m (this morning) and managed to complete the 30+ pages of report. God bless! Oh ya, met Shaun online last night (this morning) at msn and have a little chat with him, really long time didn't catch up with him. Well, he's doing good in his life, I guess I'm the one that need more prayers.

Hydraulic bench used it Fluid 2 lab:

Yin brought my camera to be repaired at his hometown, and the technician said that the LCD screen has problem. The repairing will cost RM140. It's an old camera that I bought in 2003, quality quite good, can see it from my blog pictures. Anyway, I'm still in a dilemma whether to fix it or not. The only problem is either I don't blog or I blog wihtout pictures for this time being until I get a camera >_<.

Jeremiah 31:10 "Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands: The LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them together and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock." Pray that God will unite us in one heart to worship You, we are going to step into the stage where we try to work with other organization such as CF (Christian Fellowship) and CBC (Cheras Baptist Church). It will be my first time playing in the worship team for CBC this Sunday, pray that God be with me! Also pray for Shaun, may everything he did glorify Your name and also let him be the light of his ministry. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

A Very Different Week

Tuesday (Solid 3 Lab Report & Badminton)
Like I said in my previous post, I started having sore throat. Wednesday was the due date for my Solid 3 Lab Report, so whatever happened I must finished it by Tuesday. Although there're still some doubts, I can't hesitate anymore because there're still a lot of work ahead. However, I still made it on Wednesday (spending almost the whole Tuesday afternoon/evening doing lab report). But I still spend my night playing badminton with my coursemates. There're a few nice matches too, enjoyed it somehow.

Wednesday (Group Meeting & Bible Study)
Next, after Wednesday class, I had a group meeting about our can opener. Sadly, out of 8 members, only 3 turned up. At first it was me and Jun Wong only, the calculation team which basically had done our work. Then, the group leader arrived 15 minutes later (can't remember his name). He said he discussed something with the other member but the material was with that guy, we waited for more than 45 minutes, then we just call it off without achieving any conclusion. Haiz...

Then, I started my C Programming assignment, which is writing a program that calculate the Pressure Drag Coefficient of fluid passing through a round object from varies pressure changes with respect to degree from the centre of the object using different free stream velocity *nevermind if you don't understand this*. I wrote something using C Program, but the errors kept me from running the program. For 2 hours looking at the errors, I gave up and went back home to prepare for Bible Study later at night.

Actually, I was suppose to song lead that night, but I had sore throat! My decision was to bring my keyboard along so that I could cover my voice. Somehow, we braak the record for the first time in our bible study, 21 people attended (we were really working hard to invite people lately). However, a very big dissapointment for me is I didn't lead the worship well, I can't sing it out, no response from them.... they just stare at the slide... still felt bad about it now.

Another issue is about our discussion, Uncle Rodney was not around, so we used a video from Passion conference about "How Great Is Our God" and had a small sharing after that. It was nice, but the problem is there are some non-believers among the new comers, so I'm afraid they don't feel comfortable about what we did.Really need to pray for guidance so that we can run it more for non-believers to understand Christianity more, instead of delivering teachings that only targets Christians. That's what I felt when I'm a non-believers, I had so many doubts and if they kept on concentrating on things that I don't understand, I just don't feel like staying, but I'm just so lucky to have the Chan's family along my spiritual growth. Praise the LORD!

The worst case is, my camera broke down! When I turn it on, the screen is just blank white, that's why I can't take pictures recently, Argh... how to blog like this?

Thursday (C Programming & Worship Awakening)
I had a lab session that afternoon (means that I have another report to submit next week). After that, I have to continue dealing with C Programming. Luckily, I managed to get a complete sample to refer. I studied that sample for 30 minutes understanding how he avoid possible codes that brings error. Then I spend 2 hours elaborating my program in my way but using his techniques (this is not copying!). Thanks God! I finished my C Programming assignment at late evening *it was so overwhelming*.

Actually, I noticed a poster around the campus that said something about "Worship Awakening" on that night, but I was too busy with assignments before that and just ignored it. Since I finished my assignments much more earlier than I expected, I'll just try to have a look.

I knew that God is working again. Me and Yin had our dinner and went back home to refresh ourselves before going for "Worship Awakening", Hinn just came back from frisbee and we decided to go together (as he needs our help for C Programming later :P). On the way to uni, we met Chris at the bridge going back home after watching basketball competition at uni. So, we dragged him along to "Worship Awakening" with the condition that we will teach him C Programming after the event ^_^.

Basically it's a worship "concert" by the Christian Fellowship and African Fellowship in Nottingham University. Not bad, but musicians need to improve a bit :P The sad thing is again I'm having sore throat, I couldn't sing properly T_T. It really amazed me somehow, being in a hall worshiping the LORD together with Yin (a non-believer but joined us in bible study), Chris (a somehow "strayed" believer that we just invited to bible study 2 weeks ago) and Hinn (the one who brought me to Christ). The timing and people is marvelous, Jesus' plan is so good. As promised, we helped Hinn and Chris to complete their assignment before midnight.

I met the CF's president, Sammuel Lee and amazingly he's my classmate *wow*. We chat about our own ministry (CF and Bible Study) and if situation allows we would like to visit and help out each other in near future. May the will of God be done.

Friday (Sports Carnival: Badminton Competition)
I promised Willie last week to help him in the Sports Week (Sprots Carnival) Badminton Competition as umpire (the person who shouted the score in the game, or simple "referee"). My aim is not to get the free T-shirt or for the cert (I'm so immuned to these kinda things since in Nilai UC), as long as I can help out in the event and also Sports Complex's activity, I don't mind.

Here it comes again, my sore throat is still affecting me, and it's getting worse after song leading and the attending the concert for last 2 days. I shouted with all of my might, but it seems like my sound wave amplitude is limited. I hoped the participants could hear (nevermind whether is it clear coz I know it's not). The audience definitely can't her what I shouted...

After that, I followed Willie back to his home as he had some doubt on C Programming. Willie is kinda smart, just a little guide and he figure it out himself, makes my whole world turns easier. He also gave me some medicine for my sore throat. Thanks for the dinner and medicines, Willie!

In Jeremiah 25: 5 "Turn from evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing." Everytime when we're tempted by sins to disobey the LORD's word, I'm glad that the holy spirit will send angels to guide us back to the truth. It's up to us whether to follow or not, but the LORD had shown mercy on us. I pray that LORD, You give us journey for our trip to Cameron Highland this weekend, to learn how to reach out and expand Your kingdom. There'll be a wedding ceremony at Cheras Baptist Chruch, the couple attended Sunday Service there. Pray for their future and also may God help them in starting a new family. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

1 Month after 2nd Semester Started

It was exactly one month since this semester started at 2nd Feb. So far... my life in Nottingham as a degree student is really torturing me. I have a lab report that I need to submit by this Wednesday, and I just knew that I mistaken a concept and almost redoing the report today. Still busy with can opener calculation, luckily I have Jun Wong in my team. Next, I have another lab session on Thursday, this will keep me busy for the coming week. The most headache part will be the C programming assignment that due this Friday, and I haven't even lay my eye on the question yet!

This is the notes we get for this 1 month, it'll kill be soon or later:

Today is a bit unpleasant. I set my alarm to wake me up at 8.00a.m as I have class at 9.00a.m, the alarm did rang and I did wake up, but I slept again. When I regain concious, it's already 8.38a.m. Luckily I still made it to class on time(and still being one of the earliest to arrive). The sad thing is, it's my first time not doing my bed after waking up because I thought I'm late (not in my whole life la, I tried this 2 times in Nilai and this is the first time in Semenyih).

But I still clean up after coming back from Uni...

Unfortunately, result for last semester's final was out last Thursday. We met our tutor for our result slip but because we are Year 2 direct entry student, our results are still "on the way". It's sooooo torturing to listen to our classmates discussing about their results but we don't know ours... yet. For 6 times me and Yin went to our tutor and came back empty handed (because he is so busy), we finally got our result today.

Well, what can I say... When I prayed really really hard for my results, means that I knew I didn't do well. Overall, the scores are quite... so so... at least it's not the level that will make me feel sad (regret also no use right?). But I don't think I should be happy with it too (when will human be satisfied...?). Anyway, thanks God for what is given to me, I appreciate it. *I'm not gonna tell my result here :P*

So... today after class at 4.00p.m, me and Yin continued working on the lab report in the computer lab. In the evening, it rained heavily and we're trapped in Uni (can't walk back) until the rain get softer around 8p.m (and we're starving like what!). I was caught in the rain almost everyday for last week, and my throat started to feel itchy. I made myself honey water, and I just realized ants are swimming inside when I wanna drink... haiz... what a day.

Click to enlarge, you'll see them inside:

Jeremiah 20:13 "Now I will sing out my thanks to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For though I was poor and needy, he delivered me from my oppressors." LORD, I really appreciate Your marvelous blessings for my result, I can just lay all the rest to You when I done what I can, but Your everlasting love never fail me. Thanks for all of you that prayed for my result, thanks a lot. Although there are walls and challenges ahead of me, but I know it's all the best that You planned to guide us. I pray to The LORD to grand us wisdom and strength to overcome all of the hardships. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.