From the hearts of the Aceh Team

Sharing by Janice...

This june, the six of us had the priviledge to be part of the june mission team to Banda Aceh. The main aim of the mission was to conduct english lessons for children in different tuition centres. With the main theme as 'Our Body Parts and Senses', we played games with them, had art & craft and puppet show to facilitate our teaching.

For me, the thought of conducting a class of 60 plus children was a challenge to me. I did not feel confident about 'doing it right' and I lifted my worries to the Lord. However, in Aceh, God showed me that He can use the little bit that I can offer. And it was a tremendous experience as we see the children laughing and enjoying themselves.

Each day as the car drives pass the many homes, I see the lives of the Aceh people coming back to what it used to be and there is this fear that one day, the door might close again. And I prayed that even as restoration carries on, God wouldnt close this door, that the hearts of the people would not harden. On the ferry back,as the land of Indonesia slowly disappear behind the horizon, the lyrics of the song:' Let Your Glory Fall' came so strongly into my mind and I must really agree that God is trying to tell me that Aceh is His creation. And I seriously desire to see God unveil His plans for Aceh as well as pour out His promise on the people and the land.

Father of all creation
Unfold your sovereign plan
Raise up a chosen generation
That will march through the land

All of creation is longing
For your unveiling of power
Would you release your anointing
Oh God let this be the hour

Let Your glory fall in this room
Let it go forth from here to the nations
Let Your fragrance rest in this place
As we gather to seek your face

Ruler of the nations
The world has yet to see
The full release of your promise
The church in victory

Turn to us Lord and touch us
Make us strong in Your might
Overcome our weakness
That we could stand up and fight

Let Your kingdom come

Let Your will be done
Let us see on earth
The glory of Your Son

I thank God for protecting us during the trip, especially in terms of health and safety. He brought people into our lives to guide us during our trip there. It was amazing witnessing God's hand moving! And our team is amazing! Thank God for the talents that He has blessed us with!! We see each of us fitting in nicely with what we can contribute as we continue to encourage and support one another during the trip. And for me, I thank God for opening my eyes to see beyond my comfort zone, to witness for myself the people and land that needed our prayers. They DESERVE to recognise their Maker and Saviour as well! Let us all continue to keep Aceh and the people in our prayers.

Sharing by Junhoong....

One thing that I've learnt from this short term mission is that there is so little that we can do for the locals. And the window of opportunity for us to go into any country to bless them will not always be open. It is therefore of utmost importance that we must not miss out any opportunity that God gives us to share the gospel anywhere, anytime, all the more so as the Day draws near.

Sharing by Marie...

The most amazing thing that I have learnt from the trip was when God spoke to me when we were driving pass the tsunami sites. I was praying for the land when God put these words into my head: 'The Greatest Sacrifice' and 'The Greatest Love'. I didn't know what it really meant but when I prayed about it, I realised that God was telling me that He loves the people of Aceh so much. And it was because of the tsunami that Christians like us can enter Aceh. I really thank God for opening this window of opportunity for us to go into Aceh and spread His love. PRAISE OUR AMAZING GOD!

Sharing by Candice...

Sat (24Jun), just the day before we set off to Aceh, I visited my grandma who was very sick, that she could not speak. My dad said she might not last long, and better hope that she lives till our return from Aceh. I was really frightened and wasn't prepared for it. Her temperature was rising, so we gave her panadol and her favourite sweet potato soup. After some time, I believed she got better because she could grab my hands and feel it and could speak. I knew the Lord was there; He was the Peace, making it possible so that we could go Aceh. The next day she passed away, but we didn't know till we came back. There was not a single thought of asking about my sick grandma when we were in Aceh.

God revealed so much more to me ever since I signed up for Aceh. We encountered problems as a team, we all had individual ideas and thoughts, it was hard to just meet up, everyone was busy, there were distractions and our main focus wasn't fully on God etc.
I struggled in my walk with God, but it has brought me even closer to Him after each trial faced. He brought me back to the word of God, for we should have a firm foundation. It felt really great when God spoke to me through a bible passage and when my Q.T. tally with what that person's sharing on that very same day.

I see how as a team we work together, encourage and help one another. By just teaching the kids simple English, it might not have been something major that we are doing in Aceh, but you'll never know how much it means to the kids and their family. You see the smiles and hear the laughter, it is just how it would be like if they knew Jesus!!

God spoke to me at the Tsunami site. He said,"Let Me say to you these…let your voice be heard" The next 3 words was "Save this land". Then the next day’s devotion passage continues, "Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear".

Thank God for His wisdom, guidance, love, peace, comfort and blood of protection.
So continue to keep Aceh in prayer.

Sharing by Rebecca...

God made this trip possible by making those days available for me, out of my busy school and work schedule. Those days happened to be my holidays.

The trip to Aceh also made me realize how contented we ought to be with the living standards and lifestyles we have in Singapore. We met many wonderful God's people like Pastor Togi, Josepha and Daniel. They revealed the passion and fire that is burning deep within their hearts for God and the people in Aceh. They love worshipping God in songs, with just a simple guitar and their beautiful voices.

God is really amazing! How he used Tsunami to bring his people into the land of Aceh. What I experienced in Aceh was really incredible. Looking forward to more mission trips!