The Cambodia Experience

Welcome to my pennings of Cambodia which will be written over several entries. This is the team of teachers I went with - a wacky bunch. Some are President Award Teachers 2005, Outstanding Youth in Education Award Teachers 2005, Senior Teachers, a Master Teacher (the wackiest ever) and staff from Teachers Network.

The Cambodian Temple Experience

Temples, temples and more temples. Angkor Wat, one of the 7 man-made wonders of the world is truly an awesome sight, and even more awesome if you think of the splendor it used to enjoy before age, time and destruction took over. Cambodia is a country steep in Buddhism and Hinduism. Very often, both religions are merged and manifested in their folklore and architecture. There is great tolerance and emphasis given to them. I have seen how monks would travel from shop to shop and people would give them alms and bow before them. The monks would reciprocate with chants and they move on. Cambodians are very religious people and that seems to be true for most South East Asian Countries. They willing embrace any form of religion that first came to their land.

Ok, some 'cheeky' shots

Be Sober and Vigilant dear Christians!

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5:8

The Lord is indeed merciful in bestowing His church with gifts and talents to serve Him. My heart is blessed each time I serve Him. With 3 hectic weeks of active service, it seems like a good time to let loose and relax. Looking at all the happiness and merry making going on after these events, it is indeed a joy. However, my heart is burdened amidst the merry making.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, take great caution even in the name of 'rejoicing' and 'thanksgiving'. Be sober in all speech, in all manner, in all conduct, in all our thoughts - for our adversary is preying at large for any glorification of self, talents and gifts. Take caution in even settling our confidence in a church united for service. Let our fellowship, our rejoicing be in and of our Lord, alone.

How tempted we are to explore greater dreams, bigger venue and larger crowd. Let's walk by faith and not by sight. Let's not get too carried away with what we intend to do for the Lord next year after apparent 'successes'. Plans made for the kingdom of God needs much prayer, reading of His word, silence and solitude and worship. This calls for a time of practical application of what I believe was taught in youth camp - Discipline our hearts to rest, to be still, to wait. When we have what it (talent, gifts etc) takes to make things work, all the more, let's take a step back and take greater pains to remove self from it and consecrate our plans entirely to the Lord.

Let's us worry and fight to see if we have enough time to take the rest of the year (not much days left) to wait and rest on Him through His Word, through prayer in solitude with Him - especially if you have wonderful plans for the Lord next year.

"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5

It's never about us or Baptist Fellowship Church...but our Beautiful and Faithful Creator [BFC]

4E3 and Naz (Class of 2004)

Thanks for coming guys. Besides this being a nice, touching play, the emotions portrayed are very real particularly when we take life and God for granted. I pray that you will know the real meaning in life - A Life in our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Life is all about my Savior

Jesus Christ who died for me

Now I feel the peace within me

His love has set me free

This is life that He gives so freely,

I will embrace it for the truth has set me free

See what Christ as done for me, on that day on Calvary

Over death he had the victory!

Tis His blood, that He shed so freely

I will embrace it, from my sin He set me free!

Oh, what love He gave to me on that cross at Calvary

Over sin I have the victory!

THE VICTORY!

'What Is Life About' Snapshots

The Chin (or rather the 'Mole') Family in all our garb

The Chin Family 'unplugged'

'Abel' and irritating 'Max'

The rest of the cast

BFC Christmas Musical - 16 & 17 Dec

Dear readers, make a date to come down on either of these dates. It would be a wonderful surprise to see you there. Complimentary tickets can be obtained.

Click on this url to explore the flash. Click on the different images to find out more about the details of the play. http://cantata.bfcministries.com/And yes, I will be acting and singing a little, la.

Preparation for the Cantata

Preparation for the musical is slowly shaping up. Rehearsals have been intensive and so has the recording. The experience has been truly an educational one. But, it has indeed taken a toil on my normal schedule. My prayer is that we would know what we are doing all this for. It is fun to see everyone working together, it is encouraging to see the whole church pitch in. But comradeship, no matter how noble the reason, should not be the motivation for this play. God centered-ness is what will make this play a powerful one. It is the obedience to serve God with what He has given us and mostly importantly, that through this play, the wonderful message of God's love and sacrifice be shared to our loved ones this Christmas.

Some pictures from the many hours spent at the recording studio...



Say Hi to the Chin Family!From left, me (mom), Terence (dad), Tzegang (Abel), Irwin (Matthew) and Sandra (Martha) Chin

Meet part of my church choir!

Peter Pan:The Musical

Fresh from graduation night, I took my Literature class to the Esplanade to watch Peter Pan. Looking around the crowd, I can say that the 18 of them were the rare few teenagers present that day. Most were tiny children and their parents. But I think it was as trancing for them as it was for the children. The snapping of fingers, the strange bohemian sounding music and the talented Peter Pan surely enthralled my 15 year old students.

Graduation Night 2005

14th Oct - This marks the day of the first graduation night held in First Toa Payoh. I am glad and I thank God that it all worked out well. It was one of the most stressful periods in my teaching career - more stressful that Opening Ceremony. It wasn't the event alone, there was marking for examinations, traumatic incidents, form teacher duties, prizes, program, youth camp planning meetings....for the very first time, I felt overwhelmed, swamped and struggling to breath (literally). Some verses came to mind, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want' Psalm23:1 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" Phil 4:6. The prayer and pleading comes easily, almost naturally. But the thanksgiving in these times are the most difficult, but perhaps the clearest way out of these situations. To be grateful and thankful to God for supplying all our needs - for giving us His word during these times, for the Holy Spirit to interceed on our behalf, for our family to support us and the family of God to cover us in prayers. How anxiety blinds our very light out of this darkness. I thank God for His sustaining hand and Daniel's understanding and patience.

These pictures now serve as precious memories for reasons I cannot make explicit:

This is the class com who rose to the occasion on the 'actual day'. A special mention to Carmen and other 2 girls she was with on Thursday. They were extremely good help.

Faithful Shah - who came back several days to help Mrs Tan with cutting of tickets, program booklets, emcee and all.

The Black and White theme turned out great with the matching balloons. As for the reserved sign, I am still figuring whether it is borned out of desperation or creativity. You tell me...

A picture with the final batch of USSS students from 5N1. Wonderful memories! See if you can spot, Sharon and Karen.

The boys from 5N1 and my teaching pals.

more pictures...

The 2 faithful girls in charge of prizes...unassuming, sweet and quiet.

Death: What is Life about?

That storming Wednesday was traumatic in many ways. We attempted to head to the jetty hoping to catch our squids for supper. Along the way to the jetty, I was chasing by a tiger, ermm...I mean cat...actually it was a kitten. Wrapped tightly in a towel to shelter me from the cold night, armed with a tiny laser light, the same one I shone in the faces of the Sec 3s, I ran to the jetty and later, back to the room like a lunatic. It was totally embarrassing, but I did not care. So there. Our night at the jetty was prematuredly shorten...due to the kitten who terrorized me as well as the bobbing sea. Thus, we spent our time, resting at the resort.

Looking back, perhaps, the Lord knew we needed the rest, as the days to follow where hectic and demanding. Late that night, we received a call, an unexpected one. Daniel's uncle, Andrew, just passed away due to a heart attack. That news really took us by surprise. We had just met him recently over a meal and he seemed fine. Daniel remained pensive that night and I started packing. I felt sad thinking about my father-in-law. Uncle Andrew was the brother who took care of his siblings. We had to go back to Singapore. There was much to be done and much people to comfort.

I never liked funerals. But Christian ones are beautiful. Sad but peaceful because we know that once we leave this life on earth, we enter into God's presence. What comfort that thought is to the loved ones who remain on this earth.

Some parting shots.

Grand Uncle cuts a solitary figure. The grieving family.

Dear readers, where does your hope lie? What are you striving for in life? It was poignant to know that even though Uncle Andrew was a good man who could weather the storms in life, he died just like any other person. The Lord gives and takes away life. Whatever you work for, cannot be brought with you after death. The only assurance we can have is through Jesus Christ, His son. That once we believe in Him, we are assured that whatever comes our way, we will meet Him in heaven when our time on earth is done. Teenagers, your life is unexpected. Some of you might live to ripe old ages but some of you might leave unexpectedly. Are you ready to meet your creator? Would it be a reunion or a rejection?

Vacation

25th Sept 2005 - Well, finally, I have time to update. Just right after our trip...it was non-stop action. Really non-stop. So hang in there as I update all of you about my life.

Welcome to DJ island! Ermm...well, it was so unpopulated. There were only 11 of us at the resort. 2 families of 8 from Singapore, me and hubby and a European lady. The kids from Singapore were having a whale of a time playing at the beach, eating, running along the coast and swimming in the pool. Daniel spent his time catching up on the fishes that he 'thought' he would have caught in Singapore but had no time to. I rested with reading and setting of Final year exam papers. It was a truly good and restful time. Welcome to our island! Sorry, CLZ. I would have definitely recommended this island to you. But with a young little one, it would be dangerous for you. On the first day, we arrived at Mersing half an hour late, just to realized that the boat has left without us. We had 2 options, pay for another speed boat or stay at some dingy hotel for a night till tomorrow. Wondering and wandering, we decided to go to our island. I am glad we decided on that. The island was truly therapeutic.

This is where we stayed. Lovely place. The beach volleyball court beacons.

More of our resort. Spend my mornings at the beach. Where is Daniel?

This is Daniel's fave place - the jetty and the blue sea. He is fishing with a vengeance. Oops, think I interrupted his concentration. This didn't stop. We did fishing at night and caight a squid. That captivated Daniel for a long time to come. He still hasnt stop talking about it. Sigh...

Now you see the squids....

Now you don't. Burp!

On the 3rd day, I decided to ban Daniel from fishing. It became a little obsessive. We decided to explore the island. There were many treasures on the island. It is no wonder. The Lord provides in abundance in His creation and landscape.

Daniel the explorer and me the photographer.

Daniel and the huge rocks.

Daniel and the process of discovery.

Haha! Eureka. Oysters on the rock. And they taste like the real thing! Yummy!

Found yet another delicacy. Sea Cucumbers! It was truly a wonderful day of discovery. These villagers really have nothing lacking. They can eat all the oysters and sea cucumber they want, live by the beach, away from the stresses of life. What a privilege! That night ended with a storm and there was really a storm brewing back home.

Saviour lead us, through the darkness of this world's delusive way

Unknown battles rage around us, be our light from day to day

Keep our eyes fix on Thee, so the shadows will flee

In our weakness, in our bleakness, lead us home.

Storm clouds are gathering, in the western sky

We're pilgrims on a journey, assigned from on high

There's a task here we see, so we'll keep trusting thee

Saviour lead us, Saviour lead us, lead us home.

Evening at the Istana

My first trip to the Istana. An eye-opening, congested experience. Glad to meet up with some new friends I made from OYEA.

Teacher's Day Celebrations 2005

The day that seemingly makes all the pain, heartaches and mental stress worth it - Teacher's Day. 'Politically correctly' speaking - it really doesn't matter if students don't give you anything, as long as they have learnt and moved on in life. Unpolitically speaking, the little presents, thoughts and gestures really make your day. Some snapshots for the day.

Shuhui, Yaling, Swee Keng, me and Karen.

My USSS students. Omar [left] is the one who owes me milo dinosaur. Haha, now with your face on my blog, there is no escaping.

My kiddos from USSS 4E3 [class of 2004]. I am really glad to see that so many have moved on well in their lives.

I can never imagine myself saying this but '3E4 rocks!'

I think 3E4 outdid themselves this year. I happen to be the teacher who is blessed to be on the receiving end of their outpouring love.

The Story of the Surprise

[After the concert, hanging around, chatting and taking pictures with ex-students]

Zhixuan: [trying to look frantic] Mrs Tan, Mrs Tan, people are fighting in the class!

Mrs Tan: [being her perceptive self, she rolls her eyes and immediately smells a rat] So do I have to break out into a run?

Ana: *laughs* really, really

Mrs Tan: ok, I will pretend to run to class.

Ana and Zhixuan grabs Mrs Tan's things and they tried to run to class.

As Mrs Tan walks in, students started to sing a song.

So, Mrs Tan sits on a chair to appreciate.

She is then presented with stuffed toys from Winnie the Pooh - Piglet [Mrs Tan] and Eeyore [Mr Tan] and a little handcarry bag. Even Mr Tan received a present. The students insisted that eeyore represented Mr Tan. I think it is my cheeks and Dan's hair.

That's not all, there is also a beautifully drawn shirt. I like that a lot. Very meaningful [internal sobbing]

This was followed by a wonderful slide presentation of the class. Hilarious and surely a lot of man hours was invested into that effort. Thanks to whoever worked through the night for that. It will leave wonderful memories for me. The slide presentation ended with the song which they sang. During the reprise [kids, please use Webster if you need to clarify meaning], they brought out a chocolate cake.

*Applause* Thanks*Candle Blowing*Wish Making* - 3e4 started to realize that Mrs Tan is having too good a time after all the torturing she has done to them. That is when the battle ensued.

Well, all I can say is that 3E4, you have impressed me with your spontaniety. I am sure there were a clear few masterminds - thank you girls.

Happy teacher's day to all of you out there, especially my Christian teacher compatriots! It is a calling, a passion, a vocation. Let us walk worthy of the calling, and continue on, knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Lunch at food court with ex-students

Our Teacher's Day dinner at Park Royal Plaza (tropica theme)