Pilgrim's Progress Part 4

17th July: Holy Spirit, Soul of the Church
For in one Spirit we were all baptised; and we were all given to drink of one Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)

This morning Martin finds a wooden pole in the Gents. During Sacrament of Reconciliation, Daryl spots an Aussie with cable ties for the flag pole and he asks for some. The Aussie not only gives Daryl the cable-ties but also gives him a wooden pole. So now we have 2 wooden poles. This makes Martin very happy! during the Catechesis, Martin sees that Malawi's flag pole is a tree branch and he gives them one of the wooden poles and the Malawis are also very happy.

Today's Catechesis is straight out of Catechism of the Catholic Church. I've taken notes that fill several pages. What I can remember is that God infuses his breath into our lives. this Holy Spirit is our dynamo. What I see between Martin and the Malawi is the work of the Holy Spirit, soul of the Church, who empowers us Singaporean and Malawi to be sons/daughthers of God and brother/sister to each other.

With our flag pole we're on our way to Barangaroo to welcome the Pope.







My naive friends ask me if the Pope will be coming pass this way (where we were). I laugh and tell them, "No lah. So many people. So many lorongs (lanes). Chances are very slim." The pope finally gets off the boat and into the popemobile. Soon he makes a turn down our lorong. I think my friends wished very hard that day.






We screamed, we cheered. Everyone around us went crazy! It was such a wonderful feeling. I imagine what the crowds felt the day they welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday. I imagine how the crowds felt when Peter and Paul walked past them in the Acts of the Apostles when their shadows fell on the people. The power of the Holy Spirit just filled the whole place. Great Joy filled our hearts! This pilgrim so many years ago disagreed with the Church and her traditions and did not like the Papal figure was now a changed person. I laugh at myself. Years ago I cannot imagine doing something so "idolastic"!, "worshipping this cult figure", "blesphemy". But I know now that Jesus chose Peter to lead his flock and for 2 thousand years this leadership has been passed down from one to the next. I know that the history of the Church is not that clean and perfect. There have been popes who have been less than ideal. But I decided not to judge from the past because I live in the present and I judge in the present. In my life so far I've only known two Popes. Pope John Paul the 2nd won my heart and enriched my faith. It's because of him I signed up for WYD in Cologne only to welcome Pope Benedict the 16th who despite his age has taken on such a heavy responsibility and continues to be an icon of Christian leadership, faithfulness, holiness and humility just as JP2 had been. I cheered heartily for the Vicar of Christ because I cheer for Jesus and the Church he established. Yes the church has not been perfect, but when I see the good the Church has done, I see that has been more positives than negatives.

I am affirmed as the Pope went past me today that the Church is us, we are the Church. We trudge back to the place we now call home, St Ursula's College. We're so tired. We have to wait 15 mins for the train. Sylvester wishes for a train that would not stop at any other station except ours, Kingsgrove. Seems impossible. But the train that comes turns out to be an express train. "No stops. Direct Kingsgrove" Thank you Jesus.

In the college, we find a less-cold place to pray the Evening Vespers. I'm still a cold, hungry and tired pilgrim. But blessed beyond words.

Pilgrim's Progress Part 3

16th July: Called to live in the Spirit.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Catechesis at Our Lady of Fatima was enriching. My body bears the breath of God, the Ruah, the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life. Life always leads us into the light, from darkness to light, from chaos to calm and hope and peace. I like these words spoken by the presenting bishop from the U.S. Because it is truth. This is why we should aim to celebrate life and give life, not celebrate death/abortion/wars or allow these things to happen.

this pilgrim is here to see the Pope, to encounter Christ in others, to have a good time but also to change and grow closer to Christ. We are called to change from wandering people to journeying people. There are aspects in my life where I've been wandering around, where I've not made a stand for. Will this pilgrim make a stand for God's creation, for Mother Earth? will this pilgrim make a stand for peace?

I recall the Village Space by Catholic Mission Australia which we had attended the morning before (15th July). It was such a moving experience. We felt as though we were part of the stories being dramatised. They were real stories, real experiences being re-told to pilgrims. Pilgrims who don't know anything about Ugandan child soldiers, the devastation of coal mines, uranium mines and nuclear power plants and the struggles of the indidgenious people. Yet I felt a sense of helplessness. These things and many more other issues seem beyond me. I don't even think we can change a small place like Payatas. What is this pilgrim to do when we hear about food shortage in the world? crazy weather conditions? nuclear power plant to be set up in the neighbouring country? and so on? Do we continue to shrug our shoulders and we wander around as tourists enjoying what the world has to offer for the moment? or do we set off on a journey for the truth?

to set off on a journey we have to leave behind what's familiar and not know the destination and the power that enables us to do this is the Holy Spirit. I think of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who have gathered into Sydney. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples at Pentecost has brought us here as One Church.

with Patrick Fox after a radio interview with SBS




The Homily during Eucharist:
We are called to be witnesses. But I cannot be a witness unless I have seen or heard Jesus (we have seen the Lord). During this World Youth Day, who have I seen, who have I heard?

Mary hears Angel Gabriel and says "yes" to God. but everything goes wrong for Mary! interesting right? and true too... yet Mary doesn't complain. We must sruggle with the ways of the Lord. When we see the meaning then we are not caught in the misery of the world but we see Jesus. We are called to be contemplatives... seeing and praying... to become more missionary.

Bishop Eugene Hurly's message at Act Today, Change Tomorrow
The call of the beloved need not make sense to us. But it is His call that we can commit ourselves to. How do we judge the reality of life? God calls us to love. Our reality of life is to response to love and Real life is made of experiences we have day by day.

At Asian Youth Gathering
With Fr Thomas and Turkmenistan youths


with Marie Mondu and Domninica, PNG


with Bishop Cornelius, Brunei and Bipul, IMCS


Today Martin makes a wish... He wants 2 flagpoles. actually he only needs one but he decides to try God and just ask for 2! We've been moving about for a week with our flag and we have no flag pole!

Pilgrim's Progress Part 2

14th July 2008 Monday 7am. Place: Bathurst (in a college sports hall)

Head still throbbing. Many pilgrims still all around me but less noisy cos they're all sleepy too. Forget about using the toilets! several hundreds queuing.. not worth it. I decide i'll wait till 5 mins before mass when the toilets are empty.

Commissioning Mass begins (my 2nd one so far). I guess this is for missing the Commissioning in Singapore.

It's a relief to know that Singapore is scheduled as the 1st batch to leave for Sydney. like typical kiasus, we're quick to chope a bus, the seats and dump our luggage into the luggage van. We're on the road to Sydney with Ricardo, Anna, Kelly (from Mayland) and about 40 other Venezuelans. I learn that there is never a dull moment with Venezuelans. We sang, we clapped, we cheered all the way to the train station. (about an hour's ride). After all "Yo Vine Para Amara Dios" (I came to love God)

We got to the train station (can't remember the name) and once more the 6 of us continued on our journey to Sydney. It was exciting and at the same time a little anxious because we did not know what to expect next. We found our way (thanks to Location IC, Martin) to Kingsgrove, St Ursula's College. Btw, i was still hungry though the headache was almost gone. It was almost 5pm and we were starving as our last meal was breakfast.

At this point of the trip, we felt all alone in Sydney but it's also from here that we began to see how Abba Father takes care of us every step of the way. I made a wish the previous night in Bathurst. I shared with Mayb how I wished that in Sydney we would not have to share rooms. It would be quiet just Mayb, Debbie and I. hehe

Now in St Ursula's College, Mayb and I were taken to the classroom we would be staying in. God answered my prayer! It was only Mayb, Debbie, Angela *from california and me! Great! thanks God!

Back in Bathurst Mayb wished for a simple meal, rice and soup. The people in Cowra
were great and we loved their BBQ. It was always hotdogs and we love hotdogs. But I guess we had one too many. When we arrived at St Ursula's College, our hosts were whipping up a great cookout meal... hotdogs and bread... we really like hotdogs.. but this pilgrim needs rice and hot soup. After snacking on a hotdog each we made our way out and found a Malaysian chinese eatery. Mayb had her wish come true. Rice and hot soup!

There were many pilgrims at the College too. The pilgrims from the Singapore Youth Ministry Office were there too. So we were happy to meet them. There were about 60 indonesian students too and ICPE pilgrims from India and other countries. However there were only 3 bathing compartments/wooden cupboards. Each wooden compartment had 3 shower heads. 2 compartments were reserved for the ladies and the guys had to make do with 1 compartment. thankfully we had heaters but the guys didnt on the 1st night. Even then it was cold in Sydney and the warm water wasnt that warm as there were too many people showering so the water couldn't heat up in time for each pilgrim's shower.

Opening Litury
place: our lady of Fatima parish (next to the college)
parish priest: Fr Remy.
Let Your Light Shine

Night time:
The classrooms didnt have heaters. I had on 3 tops, 1 woolly sweater and 1 winter jacket.. and 2 pants for the nights. it was cozy in the sleeping bag but I'd shake from the cold every time i had to come out of the sleeping bag.


15th July Opening Mass at Barangaroo. Singaporeans would say it as "bar-rung-gar-roo"
Lots of walking, many pilgrims. It was crazy. at one point there was such a massive jam on the road to Barangaroo we were stuck for almost 2 hours. the meal packs were bad. We had meat pie which is supposed to be an Australian favourtite. But i highly doubt Australians would agree with the meat pie we got. We missed dinner as it was too much of a hassle to collect it in Barangaroo. This was the start of World Youth Day week. We left when the Mass was about to end to avoid the human crush. In the process, I fell and scraped my knee. Ouch! I hate bleeding.






We rushed because we were trying to get to St Mary's Cathedral.

This was what I recall from Cardinal Pell's sermon at the Eucharist. Jesus is our shepherd who searches for the lost sheep (hmmm i'm reminded of the 1000 sheep and what would Will do if 1 went missing???) Jesus welcomes the the lost sheep. Those suffering and in pain, Jesus offers healing. Jesus the shepherd calls out to all who are suffering especially those without religion (or deny God) to love, healing and community. In Ezkiel, there is the place where the desert is of dry bones. Autralia is a country which has been suffering a severe drought for several years (that explains the high food prices??). But where there is life there is hope. we are always able to act and choose. We believe in the power of the Spirit to connect people's hearts because God's forgives.

You know, the 1st day out in Sydney as a pilgrim wasn't that great! I wanted to bail out of the cold clasroom-cum-bedroom and hop into a nice hotel. I fell and scraped my knee and it hurts and I hate pain. I didnt like the crazy human jam at Barangaroo. I can imagine how the Jews felt as they left Egypt! one big exodus-cum-human-jam. I'm in a cold and dry place. I miss my warm humid Singapore. and did I mention I'm hungry? But something clicked in me during the Eucharist. Maybe it was the sermon. Maybe it was recieving Jesus once more during communion. I felt the desire to continue on the journey to the Cathedral.

St Mary's Cathedral
As we predicted the Cathedral was quiet except for several other like-minded pilgrims (smart-fellows). We had the cathedral to ourselves :)
Met an ultra cool dude. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. http://www.3op.org/frassati.php
His words struck me: "to live without a faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for the truth, that is not living, but just existing."
I think that this is especially true today for young people who live in 1st world countries, who have "everything" and yet their hearts are empty.

But let's not look at others. What about this pilgrim? Am i just existing here in Sydney? What are my struggles so far? What am I here for? Do I want to journey on as a pilgrim or enjoy Sydney as a tourist?


Btw, we (mayb, Debbie and I) have developed C.O.S - crush on Saint! hehe

Pilgrim's Progress Part 1

World Youth Day was a unforgettable experience despite the physical discomforts a encountered along the way.

When we arrived in Sydney on the 9th of July, the weather was 8 deg celsius. It took awhile to clear customs. Every bag was personally checked at the the customs section. Sydney airport did not seem equipped to handle the thousands of pilgrims expected to arrive in the next few days. When we finally got out of the airport, it was already dark and pretty cold. We managed to get on an airport shuttle. We checked in, found a reasonably priced Thai eatery to have dinner. In Australia, each meal is about AUD$10. .Tired from the flight we trudged back to our 6 bed heater-less dorm. By Midnight (singapore time 2am) we were fast asleep.

We had to wake up early on 10th July, 6am (singapore time 4am) to get to central station and board the countrylink train to blayney by 645am. Thankfully were only 6 it was easy to move about even with all the luggage. We each had roles. Martin was the IC for location... "find the place and lead us there". He found the way to Central Station quite easily and sooon we were off for Days in the Diocese. The train ride was fairly pleasant. We were able to buy toast for breakfast and slept alot. We arrived at Balyney at 1130am on schedule and was greeted by Jim who drove us to Cowra where we recieved a warm welcome from the parishioners of Cowra. With us in Cowra were Americans and Zambians (not Zimbabweans, terence! haha)


May and I were soon on our way for homestay with our host Rebecca husband Will and 2 adorable boys, Flyn and Elliot. We will never forget our homestay experience! For starters, we were going to live on a really large farm about 1300acres of land which had 1000 sheep (and 1 black sheep! haha). I'm not kidding... we would have no prpblem sleeping at night! just count 1000 sheep.. hehe

Baa


Baa-baa-baa


Baa-baa-baaa x 1000


The farm has a pretty cool name: RainTree Farm. I enjoyed being away from the city. It was quiet and peaceful on the farm. What amazed me about my hosts was how D-I-Y they were and simple too. Rebecca is a potter so the family doesnt buy plates, cups, dishes etc. It's all homemade. Rebecca works in her pottery studio, a shed on the farm close to the house. Will makes his own jam and bakes his own bread. He also brews his own beer. He feeds the sheep every morning and checks on the barley which he'll harvest this December. He also has his own dark room studio on the farm. The couple are having an exhibition of their pottery and photography this September. I am excited for them.

Me at the wheel!






The days in Cowra flew by. Before we knew it, it was time to head for Bathurst to meet other pilgrims in the diocese before heading off to Sydney. But before we left, there was a commissioning Mass celebrated by Fr Owen. We planted a tree too. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. We felt at home already. We made many friends. It was really cold in Cowra but the people warmed our hearts.

Cowra's parish: St Raphael's


This pilgrim has to get to Sydney.


Terence lost his head


with Fr Owen


Rebecca, Flynn and Elliot



We arrived in Bathurst after a couple of hours on the bus, 13th July. We were ushered into a supersized hall. Pilgrims from the U.S (Maryland and Wisconsin) Sweden, India (200 pilgrims!), Zambia, Mexico (1), Venezuela, Congo, hmmm and about 20 other countries??? We lined up our bags according to country. and this would be the place where we would be sleeping! It was still cold in Bathurst and very crowded. So crowded I was getting a splitting headache. I had to adap to be with all these people in one hall. We only had lunch at 4pm. there was a stall selling sandwiches. by 11pm, I was hungry (the stall had closed), very tired, very cold. It was crowded and noisy. Somehow managed to find a spot and wormed by way into my sleeping bag... Head was throbbing and would throb all the way to Sydney! sigh... this was it... a taste of pilgrimhood.

This is for ALAN...

i know this means nothing to you. But right now there's a very hungry ALAN in Manila.. who heard that we're having lunch/dinner.. hehe..
Alan hope u can work better after seeing the pic !

St Philip Minh and Companions

18th June Wednesday 545pm, our journey in Penang continues.
The day brings us to an interesting place. Thanks to our generous and impromptu guide, Helena, we find ourselves attending Mass at a quaint chapel atop a hill. It is the chapel of the College General (Seminary in Penang).

College General, Penang is one of the few seminaries in the world which possesses relics of martyrs who were once either students or professors who have borne the ultimate witness to Christ, in blood. Its rich tradition of heroic men who have achieved martyrdom is a testimony to all Christians, especially those who have walked along its corridors as well as those who will do so in the future. It is hoped that the faith of these martyrs will inspire and motivate us to emulate their love of Christ.

http://www.rc.net/malaysia/collegegeneral/CGMartyr.htm
http://www.rc.net/malaysia/collegegeneral/History.htm

I've been to College General once many years ago. Knew little about the place. So here we were attending a Eucharistic Celebration.. feast of some martyrs - we did not actually know what the occasion was until the celebration began. By the end of the celebration I was very much inspired Philip Minh and his companions. I had come to Penang not expecting anything in particular but I ended up recieving a kind of retreat!

What I learnt during the celebration...
If you're of this world you end up having to please the world. Are we able to stand out from the crowd and be counted? That means speaking the truth and standing up for what we believe... The Martyrs stood up for what they believed.

If you belong to the world, the world will love you as its own. Are we so in want to be loved by the world that we allow people to trample on us? For the 5 martyrs, popular opinion did not matter. They stuck to their freedom. When we speak the truth we have freedom. When we lie we cannot experience this freedom. When we stick to our belief according to God's way (not just our way) we find freedom. What is our response to this call to live our faith? We may not be privileged to die for our faith... but we are privileged to live our faith...

yes I am privileged to be able to wake up everyday and live and move... the martyrs died for their faith.. Christ invites me to live for my faith. I am affirmed that truly only Christ can give us PEACE. and it is in receiving his peace.. we have freedom. Freedom to stand up and be counted. Freedom to speak the truth. Freedom to live my faith! :)

Chirst be near at either hand
Christ behind, before me stand
Christ with me where e'er I go
Christ around, above, below.

Christ be in my heart and mind
Christ within my soul enshrined
Christ control my wayward heart
Christ abide and ne'er depart

Christ my life and only way
Christ my lantern night and day
Christ be my unchanging friend
Guide and shepherd to the end

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip to Penang.

this mission centre started as a soup kitchen, giving meals to the poor and homeless. At present 60 people file in daily for tea and 100 others dine in regularly (monday to friday) 4-7pm. The organization has been running solely on donations! great work guys!the volunteers cook and serve their clients/guests.

Everyday homeless people can come by to wash their clothes and take a shower. They are each given a bar of soap daily.By 6pm they collect their washed and dried laundry. The lighthouse also organizes street outreach where volunteers befriend the homeless and give those who have not been to the Lighthouse a packet of food. The friends/guests/clients of the lighthouse are known by their addresses and "positions" E.g. manager of 7/11, excecutive at the so-and-so Bank, or CEO of so-and-so company.. sweet.

The clients also come to the Lighthouse early in the day to watch TV in the activities room. Some are elderly, some are middle-aged. The Lighthouse also does job placement for those who can work. Each day, a group of those seeking work, go off to do odd-jobs and also graveyard maintenance. Interesting. The lighthouse does not judge or discriminate or label anyone. All are welcomed! Sometimes we go round the 1-room flats and meet able-bodied middle-aged people who are not working and are asking for help. Sometimes I can't help but ask in my heart "Why don't you work? What's wrong with you? Are you lazy?" The temptation to judge or to compare is not Christ-like. That's something I learnt from the Lighthouse. Sometimes I'm tempted to label the kids of Aunty Rosa but still cannot. After seeing how the Lighthouse has been serving I am inspired to do more for Angel Network.

Penang Here We Come

Last week, Alvin, Daryl and I took a bus to Penang. The bus was good. I recommend fivestar 18seater. Alvin expected a ride in a jalopy but was impressed with the reclining seats, personal entertainment system and massage. For me, the comfort of the bus made no difference. At 2 in the morning, I was desperately wishing the bus could be turned into a large toilet at the press of a button. Do not eat Ramlee chicken burger at Yong Peng!!! the expired charcoal pills I had brought along was of little consolation. I thought that the arduous journey would finally end when the bus entered Penang Bridge. To my utter horror, traffic on the bridge at 7am was another fiasco. How did a leisurely trip (a supposed walk in the park) turn out to be harsher than getting to Payatas???

It's been 5 years since my last Penang trip. There's a new Terminal Bas Express at Sungai Nibong close to the bridge and near the new Queensbay area. Not very good for someone in dying need of a toilet!
http://www.malaysiasite.nl/nibongeng.htm

Penang has changed somewhat. More cars now on the roads. Just like in Singapore and we wonder why fuel prices are skyrocketing!?? there's also a lot more property development. More condos now dot the skyline. Even the public flats have been given a makeover. The once shabby squalid flats at Tanjong Bungah have been given a new lease of life. The lights are much brighter add a fresh coat of paint and the ground floor is now abuzz with shops (open for business kind). No longer a dark and dingy hangout where dubious characters linger in the shadows probably trying to get a quick fix. Also Gurney area has been well-developed. Gurney Plaza looks busy and the G hotel too. However, I can't accept the demise of beloved Komtar. Sad. No more 7am Macs Breakfast when we arrive. But there's Prangin Mall, kinda MBK-ish (Bangkok). We were happy to find Midlands mall, more or less the same as before. And Maranatha still gong strong on the 4th floor.. hahaha. Penang is a small place. Consumerism is just going to be kind of stagnant. Unless there's a sudden inlfux of mirgants and the population is growing fast. Else developers should not open malls as and when they feel like it. When one mall is launched, another mall dies. Poor shopowners who go out of business. Lucky for those who can relocate to the new mall. So techincally, it's not wise to keep opening new malls and abandoning the old ones. Just upgrade, expand, refresh.

We stayed at Batu Ferringhi (Ali's Guesthouse). Cool place according to Alvin and I. Daryl did not quite approve of the shack that greeted us. But the people behind Ali's seemed to be more serious about business than Shalini's (where movement in the typical Chinese living room can be easily observed by Kpos like us). The Ah-Poh and chinese man in singlet seem oblivious that they were running a guesthouse. Though they've got good reviews as a family-run establishment, we still wanted a place that would treat us as guests and not distant relatives or in-laws. The Baba Guesthouse, a simple 1960s Chinese house gave us the impression of Ah Peis hanging around in their cotton-thin blue-striped PJs (like old folks' home set up). Actually we never saw anyone go in or come out from there though the door is always wide open. ET Guesthouse? Saw the sign but have no recollection of having seen the place. Ali's is like a kampong place yet, chalet looking.. and Daryl gave his final stamp of approval when he spied the sign "Cable TV available"... arrrggghhhh!!! I warned Alvin in advance: Cable TV means he's not sleeping.. He'll be up watching whatever sports is available till the wee hours of the morning. Still we decided to check in and settled for a small but comfortable triple sharing room. Daryl was happy with the cable TV, I was happy there was a toilet. Alvin was happy with the large comforter on the bed! after freezing on the bus for 10hours. note: always have a jacket and/or blankie when travelling on planes, trains, buses. This is the 21st century! there is air-con... and it can only get colder!

Once we settled in, lackadaisical mode swung in. Batu Ferringhi is really a slack place where I would like to open a mamashop/makan place and watch the world go by. After a month I'd probably be bored stiff and would expand to a guesthouse. After a couple of months, I'd probably open an internet cafe cum arcade (24hours). The mamashop would by then also be a 24hour convenience store. Probably after that, I would organize night street basking, artists on the sidewalks painting portraits. and the makan place would by then be burger joint by day, side walk alfresco dining by night. Guesthouse would have a jacuzzi installed already, cable, wireless and other upgraded facilties. There'd be foot therapy where fish can bite on your feet. There'll be spa and massage on the beach front. And a large pond for fishing! hehe...
Then there'd be beach parties every weekend! Beach soccer and volleyball competitions. Sandcastle building competitions and so on.

After a year Batu Ferringhi would no longer be a slack place but bustling, busy an crowded.. and I'll wonder "why did i ever come to such a busy place???" hahaha and then retreat to Bhutan.

We lived the next 2 days rather nonchalantly, doing nonchalant stuff. Went to tropical fruit farm. How to go? Board the only bus 101 going round Batu Ferringhi (btw rapid bus is good.. almost SBS standard.. take the Hin bus at your own risk haha) stop at Telok Bahang's depot/interchange. Wait for minibus 501 and it'll go to the base of the fruit farm.. i must warn you 1st about the climb up to the fruit farm... phew... hehe For 25 Ring, we went on a tour with a Jacky Chanish guide and a promised fruit buffet at the end of the tour! Many Arab tourists joine too.. they didn't care what Jacky Chan was saying. They were grabbing every fruit in sight. Poor Jacky Chan had to tell them "No dont eat our fruits! Not now! Not here" a few Arab ladies found great delight posing for photos with every fruit tree they saw! After awhile we were hungry and deserted Jacky Chan. So did some of the Arabs who also headed for the fruit buffet line.

The fruit buffet was my first one ever! Who would have a fruit buffet?? ... I imagined that there would be a START line and someone would blow the whistle which would trigger a mad dash down the path for fruit trees which would be everywhere, waiting for us to ATTACK. ... like Sonic and Hedgehog? there'd be ripe mango trees on the left and the mangoes would be in grabbing distance. There'd be sweet rambutans on the right screaming "eat me! eat me!" Further down there'd be jackfruit (already cut and open) dangling before us. Grapes on the bushes (yes they have grapes) and whooo.. mouthwatering... and the finale.. just before the finishing line there'd be tons giganto fleshy yellow durian already waiting for us to devour. The king of fruits. whooo!

However the reality turned out to be very different from my imagined buffet. The real fruit buffet was disappointing...typical buffet set up. a few miserly catering trays... some regular featured fruits.. mango was not the filipino happening kind. didnt even have BANANA! and at batu ferringhi the Banana house had tons of banana. and the batu ferringhi mango was much juicier! and noooo durian in sight!! sobsob.. refund! refund! refund! If Alan, Iggy, Tim were there.. they would have rioted!

Other nonchalant activities that I don't actually need to mention here.. so this paragraph is pretty nonchalant: meals at nondescript roadside stalls, bus rides on long winding roads, dozing off on the bus while on long winding roads, sauntering here and there (confession: it takes effort to saunter. especially when the other 2 are always lagging behind. They make me look like I'm in a hurry). Sitting on the beach looking at the starless sky. Alvin burying his Tat Seng in the dead of the night. Alvin digging for his Tat Seng under the sweltering midday sun. Alvin walking from Penang Road to Macalister to Nagore in search of a new Tat Seng to replace his buried Tat Seng. Quite nonsensical.. but that's our friend Alvin. We don't try to understand him, we just try to live with him... hehe

Anyway after 2 days of slacking on the Batu (aka stone).. we batu (stoned) on the batu (stone)... Daryl was the 1st to want out! "City! Gimme the city!" he gave a ranting speech, praising us for the simplicity thus far.. and it was about time to reward ourselves with a hotel in the city... (actually he just wanted a fridge to store his chocolates. heehee!) so we packed up. bid the Ali folks farewell, waved to Shalini, ET and Baba and boarded the bus (what else? 101 lah) to Komtar. we "trekked" towards the 1st decent looking hotel (not the Singapore air-conditioned hotel!). With the help of Alvin's fishing rod, which efficiently pointed us in the right direction, we finally came to Cititel. A little boring.. but nvm Daryl got his fridge and stored his chocolates.

We went out to familiarise ourselves with the area.. make friends with the people in the neighbourhood... found a Catholic church just behind the hotel.. and on the church's premises was a mission centre called the Lighthouse where homeless people come in for free meals.. now we're talking.. i don't mean we were planning on posing as homeless and get a free meal.. Helloooo?? ok but the thought did cross my mind lah.. we could check the place out find out more about their mission, learn something from them. There was also a Catholic information centre.. bookstore thing. very cool.

Helena this wonderful Penangite Youth worker picked us up later in the afternoon (from where we were having our lunch just across the hotel) and drove us to the Lighthouse just behind the hotel... hehe and we wonder how come petrol so expensive.. here i want to add. that Helena this cool gal.. drives an environmentally green car.. she uses natural gas.. hehe not that kind of natural gas lah! anyway.. she rockzz.. (be a planeteer.. saving our planet is the thing to do!!! Captain Planet) So there was technically no sin commited driving 25metres up and down :)

I Need You More, More than Yesterday

How to grow in faith?
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

So lean on the Lord. Depend on the Lord. Trust him. Put your plans/hopes/dreams into his hands.

Many times, we have the answers, the solutions and we know how to make things better. We cannot let others see our weaknesses. We have to be strong and show others how indepdendent and capable we are. We hide our fears or loneliness. We cover up our broken lives. We put on a show to conceal our simple-mindedness. We don't let anyone at anytime laugh at us. Why do we try so hard to impress others? when the One we should be pleasing is God Almighty, our El Shaddai.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Acknowledge God Almighty by referring all our ways to His will, trusting in His power, wisdom, providence, goodness, righteousness. Acknowledge that without Him we can do nothing. Most of our failures are due to our pride, for we think that our own wisdom, strength and piety are sufficient, and so we do not acknowledge Him as necessary in all things. We need God’s direction in everything, for this alone is a safe path to tread.

Jeremiah 9:23-34 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”


Lindell Cooley - I Need You More lyrics
I need You more
More than yesterday
I need You Lord
More than words can say
I need You more
Than ever before
I need You Lord
I need You Lord

More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than the next heartbeat
More than anything
And Lord as time goes by
I'll be by Your side
Cause I never want to go back
To my old life

Right here in Your presence
Is where I belong
This old broken heart
Has finally found a home
And I'll never be alone

Marian Evangelization Community

The group of 15 from the Philippines arrived on Saturday 10th May... After 9 days of lots of walking, eating and singing, they've gone home.
The 9 days with this amazing group of singers was really a new experience everyday.
Yes they have a great voice when they sing together. Everyone just stops in their tracks to listen to them. It's not just the voice or the technique but their soul expressed in each song they sing. Truly inspiring.

I miss their sense of humour and their jokes and impersonations. And they laugh at themselves readily too. I learnt that walking is certainly not one of their fortes. I also realise that we walk alot in Singapore... to the bus stop, to the train station. We're always walking. Sorry you had to walk so much!

We had a wonderful time with you. Alan, Cathy, Jay, Mayb, Beng, Vince, Cha, Tin Tin, Marich, Ian, Jorge, JR, Diane, Juslyn and Pam. You have touched our hearts. I know the friendship that started here will continue to grow. God bless...

My Catechism in Payatas

Today I was in Payatas and we met up with the kids who were recently baptised. They eagerly came to the school and we had our 1st Catechsim lesson outdoors, on the school's porch. The large umbrella shelter provided a soothing relief from the scorching sun. Temperatures have soared to 37 deg celsius. I wonder how those atop the dumpsite can take all that heat being absored into their body each day..

The 10 kids are of various ages.. From 4 to 9 years old. It's an odd group and at 1st we felt a little lost. As a teacher, I know that we need to group them. The kinders can have singing, colouring, games and listen to stories of Jesus. The grade 3s and above can have singing, simple Bible study and faith sharing. But due to limited resources, we continue our meeting in the outdoors as one group.

We ask them why they got baptised. 1 kid answers,"For Birth terticate (certificate)". We ask them to describe how Jesus looks like. There is silence before 1 kid blurts out "The one on the cross?" I begin to feel sorry for them and sorry for myself even.. hehe. What am I to do now?

At that moment I thought, "Just share with them the name of Jesus". We share about the power of His Name. They can call upon the name of Jesus anytime, everytime, anywhere, everywhere. When they're happy or sad, lonely or with friends... and Jesus will always be with them. I ask if they knew how much Jesus loves them. They didn't know. Then I remembered something my friend, Iwan, had done recently. So I ask them to stand and stretch out their hands as wide as they could. I ask them to recall a time, they felt lonely or sad, or happy; a time they just wanted Jesus to be with them. And we sing "Jesus Jesus Jesus". The kids are pretty brave.. they are churning out their own tune of our newest song "Jesus" hehe.. Just one word in this song, "Jesus".

Here was a group of little ones gathered outside, hands stretched out, eyes closed just singing "Jesus, Jesus". Even the 2 mothers with us, joined in. I was wrong to feel sorry for them. In their simplicity, they can embrace the love of Jesus so freely, so openly. We asked them if they would like the group to pray for them. One by one, they raised their hands. "Pray for my lola. She's been sick". The little one was invited to stand in the centre of the circle. With hands stretched out, we led in prayer, in Tagalog and English. Each kid would vouluntarily come to the centre and asked us to pray with him/her. One little girl said, "Pray for my kuya (older brother). He's passed away". The kuya had died even before she was born. Yet this was something she wanted Jesus to know.. she wanted her Kuya to be with Jesus.

This was not just their Catechism. This was my Catechism too. The kids taught me something. We often label poor children as helpless, vulnerable and in need of care. It's like the poverty of a child is so complete since s/he is poor and have nothing to contribute. Today I saw 10 children, in the afternoon sun, hands stretched out, leaning into the wind, embracing God with great love and joy. And I realised my own poverty in seeing their wealth.

April 17 2008.
Paaralang Pantao
Pampanga Street, Payatas

HeartSpeaks - MaryJane's Mother

She asked her daughter Mary Jane, to send a letter to Tita Letty explaining why she couldn't make it for our first trip to the government office, (where we will get their National Bureau of Investigation Clearance which would later be needed in getting the birth certification of the children). In the letter, she wrote, "It’s too shameful for me to join the group because I don’t have any money to contribute for this clearance. All I have today is a ten peso coin left to buy food for my 2 kids."

I judged her wrongly. I thought that she was an irresponsible mother who did not care anymore. Or a mother who would just wait for her children to grow up a little and let them be cooked on top of the garbage mountain. Along the way I felt anger thinking of little Mary Jane. She’s one of our outstanding students. I wonder, "Can she ever make it to formal school?"

In the afternoon, we were back in school with the other mothers and I read her letter.

The next day, I met her, Martina, a young mother of 3. She was smiling shyly in front of the school gate. She had just ended her night-shift at the dumpsite and had come to school immediately after work. We told her to have a of clothes after which we went to the government office with her. I realized how dignified she is. She shared how she worked harder now for the 3 children, since her husband left them last December. Her husband was a drug addict and drunkard, whose irresponsibility is well known to her children. The children even persuaded her to leave their father.

With courage she narrated that she needs to earn at least 150 pesos daily to sustain their needs. The dumpsite’s heat at times is really unbearable according to her, "It’s different these days. The sun’s heat penetrates the insides of my body.” She told me how much she earns. (27peos = 1 Singapore dollar)
1 kilo of coke cans (= 40 cans) - 30 pesos.
1 kilo of bottled plastic bottles (= 30 pcs) - 15 pesos.
1 kilo copper wires (which she would still need to burn) - 40 pesos.
1 kilo of plastic wears or old basins cost 15 pesos
1 kilo of plastics costs 50 pesos can cost 20 pesos.

All this depends on her skillful senses on top of the mountain.

Mary Jane once share with me that her dream is to be a teacher. She reads very well and her Math is excellent. Martina told me that Mary Jane once told her that she buy a big house for her and she would not let her father in. Martina brags about Mary Jane’s independent character. At times she sells fish balls and no one can trick her with the payments.

All this time I saw Many Jane as just a 7 year old kid. I often look at her and sense the innocence, the warm smile and light heartedness that I fail to see in the other overly-burdened kids. I realized how a mother’s love fills the empty spaces that probably fills her. Martina revealed to me the wonders of the greatest LOVE.

Braving the heat of the sun, 7am to 5 p.m a day; digging through the garbage piles; going beyond any sickness. Letting go of the pains which her husband caused her. Supporting the needs of her three children. Dreaming for them and helping them achieve the dreams one day at a time, fills my heart with the pride for a mother’s life; a gift from God like Martina.

Let’s take a moment to pray for her and the many other Martinas surviving in Payatas. May her story be a source of light, of God’s providence and care. Let’s pray for the many Mary Janes receiving such unconditional love. May they fill the other empty hearts around and let them realize the greatest value of suffering and love.


P.S.
Tita Letty gave a slot of the birth certificate funds for Mary Jane. Touched by the mother’s honesty and persistence. Truly there is so much more that what meets the eye.

Through My Eyes - Payatas Kid's Photo Team

The photos you see below have been taken by team of 7 budding photographers, all kids, kids who live in the Payatas Dumpsite of Quezon City.
They are Nicasio, Arnil and Cherylin (brother and sister), Joshua, Erwin, Angiecel and Clare Ann.

Through generous benefactors, acts29 has been able to provide cameras and film and development of the films for the children. For the 1st time, the kids are going out to see a world beyond their dumpsite. They've been to the mall, fast food, Quezon city park and in mid April we hope to take them out on a jeepney for another exciting journey beyond the dumpsite.

The Through My Eyes project aims to help these children record what they see around them and tell others about the world as they see it. We want to help the children dream beyond the dumpsite. Some of these children are at-risk of becoming full-time scavengers or taking on other full-time jobs to support their families. We've started work to get the children's birth certificates processed thanks to the efforts of our full-timer, Mayb. With the birth certs, the children can get into mainstream school and pursue formal education. Hopefully the children can also get benefactors to sponsor their education. we want to eradicate poverty and we believe empowering children with an education is the way to go. We also believe in empowering the poor by giving them a platform to voice their stories.

We hope to publish a photo book the kids have done that will speak their lifestory And that the proceeds from photobook will fund their educaiton. Well, it's still a long way to go but nevertheless we're hopeful. At this moment, we praise God that Joshua is back with the team after having gone missing for a while. We've lost touch with Arnil and Cherylin. Mayb's been searching for them since they shifted. Let's pray for these kids and that their parents would let them continue their studies.

CHIJ Youth Mission in the Phils November 2007

Thanks to St Joseph's Convent CHIJ YOuth Mission and to Chloe, Kelly and others who have put this video together!

from believers to workers to leaders

In acts29 we believe in forming leaders/disciples.
Jesus was always in the business of making disciples. He went out of his way to win the lost, build the faith believers and equiped the workers. On top of all this Jesus went one step further in disiple-making. He multipled and sent leaders out. His apprentice leaders were led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They grew from stength to strength, from grace to grace.

Jesus continues to make disciples in our world today. We need our youth believers to develop into workers! Sometimes there are members who are just happy attending sessions and receiving but they have to start working and do their part in building God's kingdom. One does not have to possess any special attribute or talent to be a worker-leader. God can use anyone!

Our youth workers need to be identified, encouraged, equipped and mobilized to become leaders within our community for kingdom-building. But what is needed to help a youth disciple of Jesus to become a leader? the right candidates must be 1st identified.

Who are the emerging leaders?
An emerging leader is one who is available, faithful, teachable and responsive.

Availability is the 1st key to leadership and kingdom-building! One needs to be available for the Lord in order to work for His kingdom. Available youth disciples are those who clear their calendar to make the Great Commission a priority in their lives.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Faithfulness is the next key for leadership. These youths demonstrate endurance over a period of time. We can epxect spiritual consistency and predictability from these youths. Spiritual consistency meaning they maintain a faithful prayer life and participate in the sacraments of the Church. These youths know they can draw strength from the Lord.

Teachable youth disciples posssess humility and accountability. They are humble enough to learn and to be accountable to leadership.

Responsive youth disciples possess team spirit! The are enthusiastic and passionate. They spread this contagious enthusiasm and passion to others in the community.
When a youth leader is passionate about Jesus, other youths catch the bug from them, to be committed to Jesus.

Jesus the Lord is risen! Hallelujah!

Hello World! I am breathing once again!
Since I got back from the Phils... I've had no time to come here! that's how busy it's been..

A Big Thank You to all the guys and gals who came down for the 24hour FAST. 138 of you made it possible... You went without food... You danced you sang and kept everyone's energy up throughout.. by being you - youths! Well Done! I was amazed that there were non-Catholics who came too.. Awesome! Together we raised $2317 (if I remember correctly) for Catholic Charities week... Go on say it "We did it!!!" Now that we're in Eastertide, dun forget the less fortunate around us ok? remember to come out of your comfort zone often and take the time to be a neighbour to others.

For those of you are who are wondering... yup! 24 hour FAST will be back next year.. 3rd week of LENT. But it will be different... we're in the process of revamping and redesigning the program to keep it new and relevant with the times. It may not even be 24hours.. 24hours is a piece of cake rite? shall we try for 30 hours? For those of you who have participated and you'd like to come back as a volunteer.. just tag us or drop us an email, yah??

One thing I realized during the FAST was that a whole new generation of youths have surfaced... and I know they are a new generation cos this group of teens (15-16year olds) do not know who Mother Teresa is. Some teens i know don't recognise her face. Mother Teresa was, for my friends and I, an icon of compassion and love. It was she who said, "We can only do small things with great love"

While she was alive, she was so very real. Her work was real and genuine and had great impact on vast numbers of people. Today her work and mission lives on especially through the Missionaries of Charity, an order she had set up. Mother Teresa has had a great impact on my life. When I think about justice in the world, I think of Mother Teresa's efforts. Even though she died 11 years ago.. it seems to me, like she had only just recently left us.

If it was only 10 years ago that Jesus had walked on this Earth, died and rose from the dead, how much of an impact would it have on my life today? Would it be more real 10 years ago than 2000 years ago? For those who were too young to know Mother Teresa then, is she just a story to them? for all of us who had yet to be born 2000 years ago, is Christ's resurrection just a story to us?

What impact has the resurection of Jesus made on our lives as believers?

As we read of the days after Easter, we see dramatic changes in the lives of the apostles. From a group of hopeless frightened men, they found hope in the Risen Lord. They recieved the power of the Holy Spirit and built a Christian community which we can read about in Acts 2:42. They went out to preach the Good News. Miracles and wonders took place and the community grew daily. These ordinary men and women had their hearts set ablaze for Jesus. In today's world, we would call them crazy radicals or Jesus freaks or "Christians". Wait a minute.. what does that make us? That makes us crazy radicals, Jesus freaks - fools for Christ! Are we?

Are we today as passionate as the early Christian community was? Are we sharing all we have with those in need? Do we serve the Lord? Where are the miracles and wonders? How is it we don't see such things? Today as I am blogging, someone somewhere is giving his life to our Risen Lord. Someone somewhere is being healed, walking for the 1st time. Someone has his sight restored. All this is happening in Jesus' name...

By whose name do we live? by our own name? or by the risen Lord? By whose name is all authority given to? by our name? or by the risen Lord? Jesus came to give us life to the full. Have we opened out hearts to this life? Jesus gives us his resurrection so we can claim his victory for our lives. So we don't have to get by on 2nd best anymore. We don't have to be afraid to live as Christians (to love God as he deserves) aka crazy radicals, Jesus freaks, fools for Christ.

"... we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-38

If you havent' done so.. proclaim to one new person everyday: " Jesus the Lord is risen! Hallelujah!"

Angel Network Update: Relocation in Progess

Dear Friends,
Acts29 is assisting several elderly living in Blk 3 and 4 Hougang to shift house over the next few months. The blocks will be torn down this year.
The elderly we are helping are on govt. financial assistance (no family) or have been abandoned by their children. Most of the old men/women we’ve adopted have pretty sad/heartbreaking stories. They’re between 75 years old – 89 years old.

Being relocated is a difficult experience for them. It’s like having to start all over again - making friends, finding their way around and settling down to the new environment. Yes they have many fears and insecurities.
A few who have been collecting and selling drink cans will no longer be able to continue this as contacts would be lost. They will be relocated all over the island. Some will be moving to AMK, Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, Bedok and so on.

The elderly have shown us perseverance, courage, strength and resilience. They are not a helpless group of old people waiting for daily handouts. Weeks before they begin shifting out, they have found ways to get hold of cardboard boxes in good condish. I admire that.. Note to self: ask them to help us get more boxes for our FAST. They are all packed and ready to go. When we step into any elderly's flat now, we can see the boxes all ready: packed and taped up. Some have even manager to get contacts for lorries. However many need help with changing of letterbox keys, changing home address on the IC. Many don't know how to fix the new lights in their new flat or how to reinstall the water heater. Most have told us they want their new home to look exactly like the one they have now. the furniturs goes into the same corners and places. We took photos so we know where the bed was in the old flat and the sofa and the table, etc... The Catholics are requesting for us to arrange house blessing, holy communion and so on.

Sure they all have a past. Perhaps one left the family, another a compulsive gambler, another an alcoholic and another an ex-con. Perhaps their relatives have given up hope on them and stay away from them. For those who have been abandoned by their children, perhaps they didn't show love to their kids enough when they were young. Whatever wrong they did in the past should not be punishment for them to be isolated in their 1room cell. Angel Network has revealed to us the large numbers of elderly living alone, estranged from families. No one visits them, not even for CNY. Some old ladies are actually are afraid to be alone at night. Some times they can't sleep. They are also wary of being robbed. The old men tell us how nice it would be to have home-cooked meals and to have their meals with friends or family. Every 1 room flat we pass by is a block of many elderly living in loneliness and even despair. They are not the easiest people to get along with. They would have a hard time coping in an elderly day-care or old folks' home. They have a different way of thinking from the elderly in centres and homes. Despite their loneliness, they still want their independence and freedom.

You can be part of Angel Network by helping us in these ways:
1. request to be on angel network email list
2. help in the move by carrying stuff from old place to new place
3. contribute lorry/transport to help the elderly shift
4. painting their new home
5. fixing lights/nails/etc
6. donate a water heater to those who need one
7. help us get hold of fridge, sofa, wardrobe etc
8. help us monthly to pay visits as we expand Angel Network to AMK and Toa Payoh this 2008.

Some elderly do not have fridge, tv, radio, sofa, a table to eat at, a stove, water heater. One elderly man's home is bare except for a bed, a foldable table and 2 chairs. His wall is decorated with photo frame of Jesus, palm leaf and a little picture of our Archbishop pasted up!!! :)

24hour FAST: Call to Conversion

The Season for Lent has arrived.
Some young people may see this season as a time of suffering! to abstain, to fast, to go for more confessions, more penance and so on. Even for adults, Lent may be more of a season of Gloom. to enter 40days in the desert! what??? the desert???

Lent actually means spring and Spring is a beautiful season for new life. Maybe for those of us living in South-East Asia Spring is something we can only imagine as that season does not exist in our climate.

People think that we at acts29 are going crazy. We're gathering youths in Singapore to fast for 24hours. On top of that we're inviting our brothers and sisters from around Asia to fast with us too! Fasting only means more gloom? right? WRONG.

My 1st FAST experience occured in Brunei and the youths there were far from gloomy. They were filled with joy overflowing. Last year's FAST in Singapore saw 50 young people surrender all their comforts and treasures to step into the lives of the poor. Strange as it may sound, those youths had a great time experiencing hunger, building cardboard shelters and visiting the poor. Our joyful FAST experience is easy to explain yet hard to grasp. Those of you who have lived in Payatas dumpsite or in places where the people are poor would probably have recieved great joy from the poor. I've never been without joy in Payatas. At times tired, at times overwhelmed. At times there's sadness and I cry but still the joy cannot be taken away. because Payatas, like so many other places, is where the poor is present and that is where Paraiso (paradise) exists.

I invite you to read Isaiah 58. In Isaiah 58, God says he has chosen fasts that 1) loosen the bonds of wickedness, 2)undo heavy burdens, 3)let the oppressed go free, 4)break every yoke, 5)give bread to the hungry and provide the poor with housing, 6) allow people's light to break forth like the morning, 7)cause their health to spring forth speedily, 8)cause their righteousness to go before them and 9)cause the glory of God to be their reward.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/isaiah/isaiah58.htm

During this 24hour FAST we want to re-look at our relationship with one another: relationship within the family, relationship within the community and relationship with our brothers and sisters from the region. And we do so through the eyes of the poor. The poor never fail to remind us of what joy truly is. The poor point out to us the humanity of Jesus, the Son of God. Just as Christ was blessed, broken and given away, we too ask to be blessed, broken and given away so that we may share and rejoice in the Paraiso of our risen Lord.

24hour FAST 2008 REGISTTER NOW

WHERE IS THIS YEAR'S 24HOUR FAST VENUE: CHIJ TOA PAYOH (LORONG 1)
WHEN DOES IT START: 1ST MARCH SAT, 2PM REGISTRATAION
WHEN DOES IT END: 2ND MARCH SUN 3PM, (SUN MASS AT 2PM)

WHAT DO I BRING:
1 CUP/BOWL OF UNCOOKED RICE (PUT IN PLASTIC BAG/ZIPLOCK)
SLEEPING BAG
PEN/PENCIL


A LOOK AT 2007 24HOUR FAST