Faith Hope Love

Its Okay, Not to be Okay.

2019-01-14T06:18:00.001-08:00

許久沒有上來這片寧靜的小地方了，

在過去幾天的GLS中學習了不少，想起這幾年參加的都有所得著。尤其令我印象深刻的第一年在敬拜中的豐盛。

在這次的GLS中學習謙卑、也看見其實領袖不需要是完美的，生活中也有不完美的時候，而這些不完美才正是塑造著現在的自己、挑戰著未來的成長。學習不要求完美的自己，學習活出真實的自己。允許失敗、允許上帝用破碎的器皿盛裝祂的油。

The more you give power away, the more you yield,

humility and give glory to the Lord.

Its Okay, Not to be Okay.

Being Real rather than Right.

其實我們本來就沒有完美，也沒有最好，

在這有限的世界中，

“最好”往往是因無法比較而得到的結果，

只有在無限的慈愛中，

“最好”是因為愛的滿溢而無以倫比的。

憐憫自己、無需成為那最好的，學習用神愛的眼光來看待自己。

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我用了許久思考自己未來的方向，

服事，發現自己對於宣教有負擔，然而卻還沒有找尋確實前路，

在思考自己是否該讀神學，

身邊的朋友告訴自己宣教是應該接受全職裝備、雖然說人人都該讀神學；

這些理論上自己都明白，但是依然裹足不前、

有些猶豫、不明白上帝的時間，也更不明白自己是否是因害怕想要掌控而不決。

星期三我在半夢半醒的狀態中似乎看到自己在不同的教會服事。

一直到星期四參加GLS前一天，心中有個奇怪的想法，我無論有否拿到學校的PgDip我早晚有一天也會需要讀神學。意外在GLS時遇到讀神學也當初極力推薦去讀神學的朋友。

只是現在的問題應該是時間吧。是什麼時候呢？

當我心中依然想著“若上帝親自叫我我才去”，就讀到一篇：

Called Of God

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. ISAIAH 6:8

God did not address the call to Isaiah; Isaiah overheard God saying — “Who will go for us?” The call of God is not for the special few, it is for everyone. Whether or not I hear God’s call depends upon the state of my ears; and what I hear depends upon my disposition. “Many are called but few are chosen” that is, few prove themselves the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ whereby their disposition has been altered and their ears unstopped, and they hear the still small voice questioning all the time — “Who will go for us?” It is not a question of God singling out a man and saying, “Now, you go.” God did not lay a strong compulsion on Isaiah; Isaiah was in the presence of God and he overheard the call, and realized that there was nothing else for him but to say, in conscious freedom — “Here am I, send me.”

Get out of your mind the idea of expecting God to come with compulsions and pleadings. When our Lord called His disciples there was no irresistible compulsion from outside. The quiet passionate insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men with every power wide awake. If we let the Spirit of God bring us face to face with God, we too shall hear something akin to what Isaiah heard, the still small voice of God; and in perfect freedom will say — “Here am I; send me.” From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

無法形容上帝與我的對話。

求神憐憫我的軟弱、我的頑固。

Caring for the chronically and terminally ill: What is the responsibility of the local church?

2018-11-26T06:19:00.000-08:00

Introduction

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14). James pointed out from the notion of the frailty of our lives as well as the obligation as a Christian to live life seeking God’s will and God’s glory. The fragility of our lives are just as a grass, the glory of our own is just like the flowers that withers through time (1 Peter 1:24), our flesh ages through time and from the moment we are born, we are actually moving forward to death for we are but eventually a dust (Psalm 103:14).

“Caring for the sick and dying” is not a foreign phrase to us, especially among Christian community, for healthcare has been closely related to the mission of church since the early centuries. Since the early 2^nd century, churches were opened for the sick, and palliative care existed.[1] During the period of a devastating plaque, the first large scale hospital was found by St. Basil of Caesarea for the seriously ill and disabled. The revival of churches and the development of the medical care emerged side by side as inspired by Christ’s example. [2]

One of the famous examples is the father St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his devotion to the care for leprosy patients. The prayer of St. Francis has also draw guides on encouraging, avoiding temptations as caretakers and puts eternal perspective of life in his writing. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”

Chronic Illness and Terminal Illness

Nobody on earth are immune from illness and death. Life lived before death, are usually not spared from pain and illness. Chronic illnesses as according to World Health Organization are usually of long period of time and generally a progressive illness.[3] As defined by U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, a chronic illness is an illness which has a prolonged period of three months and longer.[4] Most often these chronic illnesses brings upon pain physical, emotional and even spiritual torment. Just as Paul the apostle was not spared from a tormenting thorn which brings upon such chronic affliction.

Generally as according to Hui and others, terminal illness refers to an unfavorable prognosis of an irreversibly lethal illness that limits an individual’s life expectancy. [5] Two major circumstances of terminal illness are that of an old ripe age and of those who are relatively young. Terminal illnesses which occur among the aged are often understood and more acceptable as a natural mature process of life. However, if compared to the terminal illnesses which occur to a younger individual, it is most often unacceptable and is seen to be premature death. [6]

Issues that patients face

Pain

Paul once expressed the distress pain that the thorn had brought to him and the purpose that the thorn was not removed was “To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) C.S. Lewis annotated in his book The Problem of Pain, “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Pain is the common symptoms that a patient encounters. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, it is a distressing experience of senses and emotions related to with actual or potential physical injury.[7] A main contributor of the hospice movement, Dr. Cicely Saunders suggested on a term “total pain”. This total pain experience model includes the facets of social pain, psychological pain, physical pain, spiritual pain which a patient would encounter in the events of care setting. Therefore, in the case of effective pain management, all of these dimensions should be tended to. [8] The pain includes the events of painful experience and also refers to a situation in which a patient is confined, the senses of loss also brings upon distress in a person which would be discussed as below.[9]

Fear and Losses

“My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.” (Psalm 38:10) During physical distress, not only do we experience sensory pain but also sense of loss which would bring fear and anxious to a person. In the course of losing health, a chronically or terminally ill person would sense a loss of control. Loss of control over one’s health and ability, individual may need to be dependent to others. Therefore, the loss of physical ability would lead to fear in the individual of being a burden to others.

The loss of sense of self and isolation and loneliness during physical distress is an excruciating process which may lead to depression and anxiety. Certain stigma may even cause the loss of relationship, or abandonment. In some cases, illness would lead to loss of physical assets and resources.

Suffering and Compassion

From a medical perspective, physical pain could be managed effectively through pain management such as medication. Sufferings are often neglected; there are many attempts to “resolve” sufferings are often done through ways of avoidance. [10] Medicine however is often attempted to resolve suffering but it is not able to solve life in its fundamental purpose.[11]

Suffering could be redefined by reframing of an individual’s perspective. As according to Verhey, “Sometimes the suffering requires the reconstruction of an identity, the reformation of a purpose, the revisioning of the whole of a life, the writing of a new chapter in the story of a life.” [12] But suffering could never be fully comprehensible by other individual; it is an inner process of the individual. However, acknowledgement and presence of another person may be a relief to the suffering, or at least to support the individual. It is the being with and for the person that counts, rather than doing to or for the person matters.

Repentance and Hope

The eschatological dimension of suffering and death although includes but beyond the earthly sin, suffering, death. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). In this fallen world, sin corrupts not only physical health, but often brings upon spiritual condemnation and emotional cost to an individual. The weight of sin weighs down a person in ways of remorse and shame. [13]

Repentance and forgiveness is essential in the process of reconciliation, the salvation and journey towards healing. As according to the theology of salvation, resurrection and eternal life is the source of hope and healing. As hope plays an active role in the process of dying, it is also a process of healing through seeking salvation.[14] Reconciliation with God through the saving grace of Christ Jesus is the only way towards eternal salvation (John 3:16). On the other hand, self-reconciliation and reconciliation with others is also a pathway toward healing process, and more often it supersedes the aspect of physical healing. [15] In the process of repentance and forgiveness, life review plays an essential role in the healing process and is also very important aspect to assist an individual to reflect on the account of their lives. [16]

Responsibility of the Local Church

Terminal illness is diagnosed by medical officers in accordance with the possibilities that the cure for the illness is not yet found. However the absolute happening of death is indefinite.[17] There is an increasing risk for anxiety and depression among people that are chronically ill or terminally ill. [18] Ministering to the patient involves not only the main point of focusing pastoral care to the patient, but also involves the interaction with the hospital environment and the care to the social circles of the patient which includes family and friends. ^{^[19]} Support from the community of faith is essential.

Preaching and Teaching

In the ministry to the sick and dying, most pastors are called to do visitation among church congregation. However, there are some cases when the pastor is also called to minister among others related to the church congregation who do not yet know about the faith. Needs to visit and to shepherd the “flock” might sometimes be overwhelming. Therefore, the importance and the need for pastors to prepare spiritual leaders as well as the congregation arise.

The church has a mandate “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:35-36),” to show charity and love within the body of Christ.[20] In following this mandate, church as a whole community of faith should follow Christ’s example in caring for the sick and dying. “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together”. (1 Corinthians 12: 25-26)

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) Not only did Jesus teach, but He also preaches and heals the people. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Christian education plays a significant role in biblical teachings, theological training as well as practical ministry of the congregation and the lay leaders. Through equipment of knowledge, the congregation will be able to know what they could do when they face crisis in life or crisis happened to others that they love.

Besides teachings in spiritual formations on facing life, death and sufferings, educational and practical teachings such as dealing with financial, writing of wills, Christian ethical issues and etc.[21] is also needed for the congregation to understand the position that is grounded according to the Bible. Often, there is a disconnection between theology and experience, truth and reality. It is through teaching and preaching, that the congregation could carry knowledge from belief, transfer their belief into knowledge of action, tests and experience the faith when facing real situations. Through this knowledge of acquaintance, people would reach to know the mercy and goodness of the Lord.[22]

Church plays a significant role in teaching and discipleship, besides providing spiritual support by teaching, practical life skills, meeting emotional needs is also an immense extent for churches to provide trainings and education. The needs for lay counseling skills are practical skills that the congregation could acquire and could be put to use when the need arises for peer to peer counseling.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

The typical psychological phases of a terminally ill person as described by Kubler-Ross include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, resignation and acceptance. [23] Denial is seen to be the most common stages when an individual realizes that the fact which was told did not seem to be as expected. After the manifestation of denial phase, recognition of the fact usually brings upon anxiety and pain that provokes the stage of anger and this process would often bring up the question of “Why?” The third stage is usually the stage of bargaining which would occur when fact displays itself, the anger could not be resolved and the sense of helplessness led the individual into seeking for help. Individual would seek to bargain with God with hope for recovery. The phase of depression will cripple in when a person is confronted with hopelessness, helplessness and sense of loss and isolation. Usually this phase will remain until a state of resignation of an individual towards the prolonging of life and immortality, and then the individual is able to face death with acceptance.

During the crisis, sharing of feeling and brief on the process of death will reduce fear and help individual to aware of the approaching of physical dying. This is also a way of preparation for patient to experience the fulfillment in life and to live the end of life with dignity.[24] Counseling the terminally ill requires the building of trust in the relationship. Counselors would put more emphasis on the reflection of the departure or the current unfinished task that an individual has.[25]

Caring and serving the patient’s family members is equally important. Family members face fear, uncertainty, and helplessness. As uncertainty brings in fear and anxiety, assistance from minister who are familiar with the hospital will give assurance to the family members. As some will face crisis in faith when facing life crisis, therefore both spiritual guidance, pastoral care and practical help from church is cruicial.

Caring for the Patient

Visitation and Practical Care

“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25: 36) Visitation is a means to find time to be available and be with the sick and the needy. It is a way to sustain meaningful social relationship with the sick and dying.

Pastoral ministry is the “representative ministry” of a church. [26] Pastor’s visits are more often seen as the representative of the congregation. Not only as a representative, but also at times stands for the truth of the Lord and the love of the church. Through visitation, pastors could serve as a bridge between medical professionals and patients or family members. Someone who is both an outsider and an insider to show close concern and care yet able to see things in a different ways and help families to deal with situations and tasks through a spiritual light.

Visitation is a general way that a congregation could participate in caring ministry to show love within the body of Christ. However, overwhelming visitation might interrupt the rest and recuperation that the patient needs. Therefore, as a community in church, a scheduled organized visit and visitation in small groups is encouraged. Practical care such as home cooked food which is suitable for patient or domestic help to get groceries is also a way to show love to both patient and caregiver.

Palliative and Hospice care

According to Robert Twycross, “the purpose of palliative care in hospice is to allow the individual support and freedom to find spiritual healing, even in the face of physical death.” Churches have the privilege of spiritual support and also having combined resources and wide relational networks. One of the ways to care for the sick and the dying in a direct way is to provide them not only physical needs with medical, but also pain management, pastoral care, peace, comfort and dignity that a hospice care can offer. As Martha L. Twaddle mentioned in the book Dignity and Dying: A Christian Appraisal, “the focus of hospice care is not dying, but healing for families, patient, and all involved in the end-of-life journey.”[27]

The structure of a hospice care is interdisciplinary, which comprises not only medical team, but also counselors, social workers, pastors and others. Whereas churches have a power of collective resources and network, therefore it has a resourceful background to mobilize resources and manpower in this hospice care ministry, no matter in an in-house palliative care or in-center care.. Although the development of hospice care among Christian group is still yet to grow[28], there has been an increase awareness and initiative recently among Christian groups of doctors and nurses to offer hospice care. Faith hope love hospice care is one of the hospice care initiative established in recent years to attend to the need of creating awareness among Christian community among Klang Valley, to collaborate resources and to mobilize volunteers.

Caring for the Caregiver and Family members

Respite Care

Churches hold not only a responsibility of pastoral care to the patient, but also take on a privilege in knowing the caregiver and the family members of the patient. Besides caring for the patient, it is also crucial to offer care for the caregiver and family members who are the closest to facing the issues that the patient face. According to the National Institute on Aging, U.S., respite care is a means of offering temporary break and care provided to the main caregiver.[29] Although professional help might be needed in providing respite care for the patient, but with respect to this, the social needs of a patient during respite care could be fulfilled through the bond of trust and closeness between church, and especially to the caregiver and family members.

Furthermore as discussed in the above section, the initiative of hospice care established among Christian churches is also an approach to provide respite care for the primary caregiver and the family members. It is through respite care; a caregiver could be rested and recharged both physically, spiritually, mentally, socially and emotionally.

Bereavement Care

Grief is a strong emotion in face of the departing of a loved one. Sometimes it might not only happened in the account of death, it might happened when loss of function in a loved ones, for example dementia, infertility or in the case of mental illness. There were five stages of grief as described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross which includes stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.[30] However, there are remarks made about describing these as “aspects” of grief, instead of stages to regard these emotions without specifying a timeline unto it. [31] People find themselves in shock and denial when they realized the departure of the loved ones, some might find themselves disorganized to perform tasks. While accompanied with grief, caregivers might find themselves relief however with sense of rational guilt. Sense of sadness in grief could also take along anger in the unpleasant fact that their loved ones were taken away from them. Then, the feelings of emptiness might be accompanied with sense of depression. However, eventually the fact of the departure of the loved ones is embraced with resolution and re-establishment. [32]

Grief happened ultimately and especially in the account of death. As taken record in the Bible, there are strong emotions expressed in face of death when King David heard news of the death of his son. “And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”( 2 Samuel 18:33) In the New Testament, even Jesus Christ wept (John 11:35) when a friend died. [33] However, at the end of the day our assurance is found in the hope of the assurance of salvation and the resurrection of Christ. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Although the resurrection hope is found in Christ, it is important to acknowledge the emotions and grief the bereaved are going through. Funeral rites and memorial services is one of the way churches could help in organizing and participating to comfort the families and friends of the deceased and to remember the departed souls. Through allowing family members to participate in the funeral and services is a way to allow their grief to be heard. From my personal experience of the departure of my dad, I personally think it is also very important to allow not only adult to participate in funeral and services, the participation of children especially closely related to the deceased is also equally important in remembering their loved ones, so that there will not be disenfranchised grief among loved ones.

Grief is a process that takes time to recover. Continuous care and commitment is needed for church to help to the bereaved. Community of church could avail in pastoral counseling, social support in presence, spiritual support through prayer or through practical assistance in daily needs. Especially those who are in need of financial support, the church could offer practical help for orphans and widows.

Conclusion

The needs for the chronically ill and terminally ill is the willingness to acknowledge and the availability to be present. This is significant not only to the patient but also to the support for the family members especially the primary caregiver to the patient. Physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs for both patient, family members and friends are to be recognized and addressed by churches both before and after the event of actual death.

To recapitulate, Churches play a vital role when it comes to the needs of life education, caring of the needy souls and facing the issue to answer difficult questions of life, sufferings, weakness and eventually death. Church plays a role both as insider and outsider to answer the question of life. Death is usually the taboo among cultures, but it is encouraged that this matter of fact could be arisen in a sensible way. Through this, the issue of life could be prepared, evaluated and the fact of death could be prepared well in dignity when there is a possible chance, both for the patient and the family.

So that when the day comes, everyone is prepared in a good hope from the Lord. In sufferings to say: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). In face of death to hold on the hope just as Paul said, “In the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (Philippians 2:16). In the same way, to have good hope from the Lord that the “labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our souls are rest assured in the hands of the Lord.

[1] Jennifer L. Woodruff Tait, “Healthcare and hospitals in the mission of the church,” Christian History, Issue 101. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/issue/healthcare-and-hospitals-in-the-mission-of-the-church.

[2] Rosie Beal-Preston, “The Christian Contribution to Medicine,” Triple Helix, Spring 2000. https://www.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=827.

[3] “Noncommunicable Diseases”, World Health Organization, accessed November 1, 2018, https://afro.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases

[4] “Medical Definition of Chronic disease”, MedicineNet, accessed November 1, 2018, https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33490

[5] David Hui et. al., “Concepts and Definitions for ‘‘Actively Dying,’’ ‘‘End of Life,’’ ‘‘Terminally Ill,’’ ‘‘Terminal Care,’’ and ‘‘Transition of Care’’: A Systematic Review,” Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 47, no. 1 (January 2014): 83, 86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.02.021.

[6] Alan Billings, Dying and Grieving: A Guide to Pastoral Ministry (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002), 99-100.

[7] “IASP Terminology”, International Association for the Study of Pain, accessed November 10, 2018, http://www.iasp-pain.org/Education/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1698

[8] Anita Mehta and Lisa S. Chan, “Understanding of the Concept of ‘‘Total Pain’’: A Prerequisite for Pain Control”, Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 10, no. 1 (January/February 2008): 27, https://nursing.ceconnection.com/ovidfiles/00129191-200801000-00008.pdf.

[9] Anita Mehta and Lisa S. Chan, “Understanding of the Concept of ‘‘Total Pain’’: A Prerequisite for Pain Control”, Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 10, no. 1 (January/February 2008): 28, https://nursing.ceconnection.com/ovidfiles/00129191-200801000-00008.pdf.

[10] Marsha D M Fowler, “Suffering”, in Dignity and Dying: A Christian Appraisal, ed. John F. Kilner, Arlene B. Miller and Edmund D. Pellegrino (Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 1996), 49-50.

[11] Marsha D M Fowler, “Suffering”, in Dignity and Dying: A Christian Appraisal, ed. John F. Kilner, Arlene B. Miller and Edmund D. Pellegrino (Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 1996), 48.

[12] Allen Verhey, Reading the Bible in the Strange World of Medicine (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003), 107.

[13] Vigen Guroian, Life’s Living toward Dying (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 85.

[14] Mark D.Sullivan, “Hope and hopelessness at the end of life.” The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 11, no. 4 (Jul/Aug 2003): 393.

[15] Vigen Guroian, Life’s Living toward Dying (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 87.

[16] Vigen Guroian, Life’s Living toward Dying (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 90.

[17] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 130.

[18] “Serious, Chronic, or Terminal Illnesses”, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, accessed November 1, 2018, https://adaa.org/serious-chronic-or-terminal-illnesses

[19] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 140.

[20] Alex Tang, A Good Day to Die (Singapore: Genesis, 2005), 103.

[21] Alex Tang, A Good Day to Die (Singapore: Genesis, 2005), 104.

[22] Dr. Tony’s class notes.

[23] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 122-127.

[24] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 133.

[25] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 130.

[26] Alan Billings, Dying and Grieving: A Guide to Pastoral Ministry (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002), 95-96.

[27] Martha L. Twaddle, “Hospice Care”, in Dignity and Dying: A Christian Appraisal, ed. John F. Kilner, Arlene B. Miller and Edmund D. Pellegrino (Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 1996), 187.

[28] Alex Tang, A Good Day to Die (Singapore: Genesis, 2005), 107.

[29] “What Is Respite Care?”, National Institute of Aging, accessed November 23, 2018, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-respite-care.

[30] Larry A. Platt and Roger G. Branch, Resources for Ministry in Death and Dying (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1988), 122.

[31] Alan Billings, Dying and Grieving: A Guide to Pastoral Ministry (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002), 133.

[32] Alan Billings, Dying and Grieving: A Guide to Pastoral Ministry (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002), 138-139.

[33] Alan Billings, Dying and Grieving: A Guide to Pastoral Ministry (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002), 77-78.

Ball, Bubble and Blues

2016-09-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I am up here. Deep in me, I would want to write or to keep a writing record the moments that is happening in my life. Write to retain, or it will fade away. Perhaps things are overwhelming.....or it is just my procrastination that lasted for year(s).....opps

Whenever I sink into my bed, though I could sleep soundly throughout the night, and I thank God for this! However a blend of feelings combined with some zest of frustrations that motivates me to review on things and happenings throughout the year. I always wanted a life without regrets, therefore I would always make the most out of my time through the years....however this is quite stressful. Then I decide to rest.....to search the rest in Him. Perhaps the direction or the steps was not on the right path where it lead me towards His heart. A true rest involves surrendering myself into His planning and most importantly to take action and walk on that path. Allowing God's grace and relief wash over me without grasping on my own idea, to trust and to walk upon the waters.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I had gone through this passage not only once, but three times since the past week. Fellowship, devotions and today. The title and the reading for the day had caught my attention in ODB.

I always love bubbles, especially the bubbles illuminating under the sun rays and the reflection of the light could be seen through colours and background of the nature. I remembered the days when I enjoyed blowing bubbles "in" and out of my grandma's kopitiam. I love to observe the colours through the reflections, I would always catch the bubbles only to watch it fade away and pops away from my straw. There were not much toys, but all we could find are handy tools to play with, straws, strings and stones. My prayer as I reminisce over the memories, is not to lose heart and remain a pure heart, the weight is to prepare us toward carrying the cross and toward the glory of the Lord.

Between a ball and a bubble, between what we could see and what we couldn't. There lies eternity.

Wilt Thou Be Made WHOLE?

2015-04-15T08:20:00.002-07:00

It was just an ordinary day.
I broke my cup yesterday.

As I looked to the broken cup, it was almost perfectly broken into half. Except with some bits of tiny broken pieces left on the floor. I picked up the two broken pieces and swept the tiny bits out of my mind.

I think our lives are like these cups. It is fragile, sometimes we felt vulnerable, or it felt like we were torn apart. Or we just got our mind blown out by the happenings in our life. I know sometimes we can't comprehend our feelings with the knowledge we had in mind.

We tend to fix it ourselves, pick up the broken pieces ourselves. We try to mend it, and it seemed to look like a whole piece again. But we forgot about the tiny bits we left out, the tiny bits that we are not patient enough to notice, or we just tend to forget, or we are not able to pick it up, or could it be it is beyond our own ability to pick it up. So, we moved on. With or without the pieces.

Even though the cup is mended, but the lost pieces might be another cause to hurt ourself. It might just appear in forms of memories, form of actions from others, or even it might reflect in ourself without being aware about it. Somewhere, somehow there may be cracks in our lives. It is not about happiness, success, wealth, or satisfaction, but it is wholeness. Happiness, success, wealth, satisfaction etc. could just fill in the cups of our life, but without wholeness, it is nothing but just a broken cup.

Sometimes I do not know or am not aware about my broken pieces, but I believe the one who creates me knows. For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I believe that He is the one who knows the exact materials to heal my broken wounds. He will pick me up, and make me Whole.

"Jesus saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool. Jesus saith unto him, Rise and walk. Immediately the man was made whole, and walked."—John v. 6-9.

"Peter said, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk . . . The faith which is by Him hath given this man this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."—Acts iii. 6, 16.

"Peter said, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise. And he arose immediately."—Acts ix. 34.

The prayer of St. Francis

2015-04-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Thank God

2014-12-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you for being with me. I remembered there was once during my college days, I went to Karaoke for a lunch deal during a few hour gaps between my classes. I and my friend chose some songs, and coincidently, I am not sure who picked the songs, but it was randomly played, and one of the classics we chose was I have a dream, and following it was I never had a dream come true. But talking about dreams, I never thought I had the opportunity to pursue my study out of Malaysia, though I remembered during my high school days, our teacher used to strongly encourage us to go out of the country and explore. I guess the key is to go as far as you can, but remember where your home is.

Talking about dreams, I think I never dreamt about having such a supportive family and also family in Christ. I am really thankful for my family especially my mom, who supported me along the way, till now. No matter what choice I have in my life. Priceless support I can get no matter what I am dreaming of. And I thank my grandmother who supported me and my family too. And also a big thank to friends who also stand with me when I am away from my family and friends who share secrets, laughter and tears together. Last but not least, I also wish to express thanks to the church, which sees me and my family through the hard days and being a supporting pillar to my family. Above all, I thank God for all.

God is my (Everlasting Father). Psalm 68: 5: A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. I lost my father when I was 6, but I somehow remembered my father saying, Go to church no matter your mother goes or not. God is faithful enough to take care of me and my family all these days. He helped me to see through and beyond the disappointments in life, and to have hope in life. I hoped to see my father one day in heaven.

God is all sufficient (Mighty God). One of my favorite verses is in 2 Cor. 12: 9, But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. He provides everything for me, in an intangible ways and tangible ways. In fact, as I think about, I did not pay anything for my tuition fee, 6 years he provided me for financial aid in my Chinese independent high school education. Another 6 years he provided me for my tuition fee, through scholarship and help from people. As I reflected, I can’t believe this grace is too sufficient for me.

God is humorous (Prince of Peace). I can’t believe I actually had a 16 years Chinese Education. At first after the first 6 years during my primary school, I thought I had enough of learning Mandarin, as compared to other subject; I got all A’s except for my 2 subjects in Mandarin. I thought finally I am going to get rid of Mandarin in my life! But somehow, my mom decided to send me for Chinese independent school since I got financial aid from the school. And there goes another 6 years of a complete Chinese Education. But somehow along the way through, I started to appreciate Mandarin when I was in my senior high school, around form 5 and 6, but it was way too late to meet up the lost I had. My mandarin level was not as good as my peers. I gave up on any idea to pursue my higher education in Taiwan or China. But now I am graduated with a Taiwan degree. First two years, after my secondary school, I was offered for an American degree in International business. God must be kidding me, from a science class I had no interest or foundation in any business concept, but since I got the scholarship, I thought of it might be another learning for me. True enough, I learnt to speak up for myself during the two years. This is such an invaluable experience for me. Then circumstances changed, since I got an opportunity and scholarship to pursue my interest in psychology and counseling since I was 14, I pursued and now graduated from Educational psychology and counseling. During the process, I was puzzled, but God seems to but the bits of puzzle together for me to form a big picture for me, and I believe it is still in progress.

God is my (Wonderful Counselor). Since I was studying psychology and counseling, at first I thought counseling must be the best way for people to receive counsel and comfort from. Until one day, I was so confused in my final year and final semester; I doubt that I have the ability to empathy others, and to be in their shoes. Empathy is the basic in counseling, and I was studying all about this since the first semester till the last semester, but I found that I do not have enough of the ability to feel for others. I think it's a total failure for a student who studies for the entire 4 years to have problems like this. I must have some problems, so I decided to go for counseling sessions in my school. One day, I had a bad mood, and I was crossing a road going to make an appointment to see a student counselor. I was so down that I just simply make a prayer saying: “Oh God, please just give me a joke for the day to cheer me up.” The day went on, and I didn’t see anything to cheer me up. The next day, I received a call for an interview to work in research lab, I knew I requested for a few jobs, and that was one of it. The interview went on well, and my job is to read a database of jokes and to categorize it. For your information, it is a research on humorous psychology. God is so amazingly humorous. He gave to a database of jokes instead of one joke. Back to the empathy part, after sessions of counseling, I experienced though counseling is a way to clear things up, but the comfort part is still spiritually part from God.

Isaiah 9: 6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Although I met highs and lows in my life and these are the attributes I experienced along the way; I found God is really faithful, he is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace in my life. I hoped it brings encouragements to you. May all glory be to God. Thank you!

Heart Me

2014-03-03T10:04:00.003-08:00

“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.”-Maya Angelou

A Room Called Remember

2013-06-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

“One way or another, we are always remembering, of course.
There is no escaping it even if we want to, or at least no
escaping it for long, though God knows there are times when
we try to, don’t want to remember. In one sense the past is
dead and gone, never to be repeated, over and done with, but
in another sense, it is of course not done with at all or at least
not done with us. Every person we have ever known, every
place we have ever seen, everything that has ever happened
to us – it all lives and breathes deep in us somewhere whether
we like it or not, and sometime it doesn’t take much to bring
it back to the surface.”
-Frederick Buechner, “A Room Called Remember”

壓力

2013-06-02T10:10:00.001-07:00

Ephesians 5:8,10,15-17, it says, “Walk as children of light… and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (emphasis added).

上帝除了叫我要做金錢的好管家也要做時間的好管家。我需要在我還沒什麼錢可以管理之前，先學習如何管理時間。

感謝袮讓我知道袮賜給我的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，叫我在末後有指望。（耶29：11）

A Season, A Reason

2013-05-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

I words: 『若說燔祭是生命的祭，是將生命的主權歸給主；那麼素祭就是生活的祭，是歸回神聖潔的生命，是以聖潔的生活、見證為祭獻給神。』

我沒什麼比生命的祭更配得獻上給袮，願主帶領、保守、悅納！

A season of Assignment,
A season of Permission,
A reason for Abiding,
A reason for Providence.

即便在壓力中，我仍然有力量往前！感謝神！
上帝，你真的好愛好愛我。

The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to care for us.

You can trust in God’s watchful care.— David H. Roper

Ready or Not!

2013-04-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

Britt Nicole. Her songs are such an inspiring ones.

{Its a source of hope and a reason I stand!
Take it all over the world to the young and the old to the boy and the girl! }

Whose child is this?

2013-04-12T10:12:00.001-07:00

After I was found in Love, by previous msg by Ps. Barry Adams. Today, I was again moved by Ps. Bill Wilson's message on Love again. For the love of Christ constrains us;.....(2 Cor 5:14)... Constrains was defined: Not only does it moves you Towards something, keeps you Away from something, and keeps you In something.

1. It moves you Towards something.
Are we just close? Close is not enough. Are we close but not connected? Illustrated like a plug and a power source. Paul says the love of god enforce forces in us. Is Education overly emphasized? Look deeper into what Education can save you from? Do you understand further from the perspective of knowledge? The love of Christ constrains us, moves us. It Connects, and when it is real.
2. It keeps you Away from something.
Hold on to the truth of the crucification and the resurrection, for it shall keep you away from the devil.
3. It keeps you In something.
In His love, mercy grace etc. For the ministries are not ours but God's!

For Love is not to be kept in, but shared out.
Break our hearts for the things that break Yours.
Dare to Live, dare to Love, Reach to the Lives, Riches will be found in Love.

Signing off....
Reminiscing to the memories in MMK, I wonder if ps. met those kids I taught in the un refugee school! That would be so cool and GOOD! =D

Then you look at me-Celine Dion

2013-04-10T09:50:00.001-07:00

全面升級

2013-04-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

在這次的春假（4/4-6/4），原本沒有計劃打算要參與這次《全面升級》的營會。然而藉由教會，上帝的恩典，我參加了。其實直到報到的那時刻以前，我並不很清楚知道營會的主題將會圍繞在宣教的主題上。其實心中宣教的這個想法已存放在心中已經有8個月之久。時不時上帝似乎都在提醒我不要忘了這個意念。

在營會的開始，瓊慧姐帶我們寫下對於這次營會中的期待。原來只寫了4點的自己，結果不禁越寫越多，寫了8點。而在這次營會中所寫下的這八個期待，天父都滿有慈愛及恩典，八個皆沒有一個落空。讚美神！

上帝讓我經歷了滿滿的愛。在營會中第一晚，治達哥的信息提醒了我更深的進入與父神家族的關係。那一晚，我禱告：上帝怎麼我仍然感受不到你的愛？後來接著一位姐妹為我禱告，我的心感覺敞開了。然而這還不夠，隔天，父神又藉著佳音姐帶我們默想時，對我說：我以永遠的愛、愛你，因此我以慈愛、吸引你。（耶利米 31：3）。當下我的心被天父觸摸了。之後，佳音姐也帶了詩篇23篇更安慰了我，並且讓我知道生命中完全都是天父的恩典。然後，在戶外體驗性的活動中，上帝引導我走到2樓的樓台上，我在那裡看見了樹上的兩種葉子。一種是很普通的小葉子，另一種是一片楓葉。提醒我是時候要長大了，從一片小葉子轉化成更美麗的生命。接下，祂更讓我從哪裡看到遠處的青草地（告訴我，我可以完全的躺臥在祂的愛里），而輕飄的雨更讓我因著祂的愛使我的靈魂甦醒。那個下午，上帝不停的和我對話。走到了洗手間，讓我看到了前所未看到的一段話，提醒我要堅固（Strong) 及有勇氣(courage)——inner courage發自內心的勇氣。當下，我以為上帝要給我的勇氣是傳福音的勇氣。一直到後來我才知道，原來這句話神是要預備我接下來在營會晚會中醫治我的預告。在螢火晚會中，我完全的躺在雨中，父神那時讓我看見了放在自己心中的異象，然而就有聲音讓我知道在成就異象之前，我要醫治你，我想起了自己一直以來無法原諒的一個傷害了自己很深的一個人。然而，祂讓我從一個非常痛的哭泣當中一直安慰我，而那場雨似乎將我的淚、痛與怨恨沖走了。一場讓我非常非常舒服的經歷神的平安及堅固。最後一天的信息，在黃齊蕙老師呼召時，心中不知從哪裡得到的勇氣，居然走出去。感覺上就像是一場婚禮，向父神說，我願意！原來我一直以為，為什麼我有日本人的名字但卻不在日本長大？對日本的文化的一無所知更像一堵牆一樣的攔阻我？然而，一個一直以來所認為的攔阻我這才發現，這並不是一面牆而是一個通往神國度的一個“護照”。

然而，父神對我的工作不停留在營會。在營會結束後，不僅讓我（在Barry Adams牧師特會中）更深的讓我經歷到一直缺乏的父愛，完全被父神的父愛給融化了。祂更應許了我祂是那做孤兒的父（詩篇68：5）。父神真是一位最好的諮商師(Counselor)，從我與祂的關係中帶我恢復我與母親之間的關係。從新調整了我對母親的態度。然而在母親一直心中都處於焦慮的狀態，從來都需要我處理很多很多繁雜的事務，我雖然知道母親的壓力，而自己更是讀心理諮商的，然而仍然無法有一顆完全體恤的心，有時甚至會用就像刀一樣很鋒利的言語來傷害她。在這場特會中我哭慘了。然而，在特會中父神卻讓我看見自己身為女兒應該孝敬父母的誡命。並且愛祂要從做好在地上女兒的職分開始。

愛、勇氣、領受神的命定，經歷神、異象與使命、生命的方向、更被神挑旺、成為神要的樣式、恩賜。這八個是我這次營會並特會中得到最為寶貴的禮物。

天父對我說的實在太多。天父讓我的眼淚從苦澀變為甘甜，我的心從剛硬化為柔軟。

You are my all in all

2013-03-10T08:32:00.001-07:00

O Lord, are omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscience, How awesome You are.. Thank you Lord. (:

Poem by Russell Kelfer

2013-03-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy,
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!

Reading what a great love that God have and his unfailing love and righteousness he had for the people.
Help me to grow as a good leader and a good lover (like moses do for his people and) for You.

Distractions filled with deceptions and ended up with destruction?

2013-01-28T10:25:00.001-08:00

What do we actually harvested from the past? have in mind for the present? or hope towards the future?
What keeps me away? Do we always keep our minds and focus on the past and the failures or how the life has taught us cruelly? How life could come with distractions filled with deceptions and ended up with destruction? How do we forsake forgiveness and fructification?

Today I read a news from cnn. It was a reflection by a Syrian Girl. This was reflected by just the young age of 14: "I discovered how cruel life can be, and how in one second a smile can turn into a tear, peace into war, a friend into an enemy and life into death."

Do we take life for granted?

真實的世界與內心的世界

2012-12-20T08:09:00.005-08:00

「這個世界告訴我們要多做好事，才能夠成為好人。
但是神告訴我們要先成為好人，才能夠做到好事。」
我想也是如此，否則會burnout.
靠著自己成為好人還蠻難的，而且也很累。因為會有burnout的時候。我們雖然不可能是完美的，但是祂對我說：「我的恩典彀你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」，祂也並非不能體恤我們軟弱的，祂也曾凡事受試探，只是祂沒有罪，而且還願意為我們擔當這一切。

Photo Credit

Wonderful Song and Beautiful Lyrics

2012-10-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

Vicky Beeching - Break Our Hearts

It's time for us to live the songs we sing
And turn our good intentions into action
To bring the kind of worship You desire
And move beyond our self-absorbed distractions

*The mountains are shaking
Could this be a great awakening

Break our hearts
With the things that break Yours
Wake us up to see through Your eyes
Break our hearts
With the things that break Yours
And send us out to shine in the darkness*

It's time to move outside our comfort zone
To see beyond our churches and our homes
To change the way we think and how we spend
Until we look like Jesus again
*
Here I am send me To be Your hands and feet
Here I am send me I will go
**

師大

2012-10-10T01:42:00.000-07:00

來台灣已經有一個月之久了，
離開馬來西亞也有一個月之際，
我很喜歡台灣的公園與校園裡的樹木，
總喜歡看著那些巍峨俊美的綠樹。

在這夏末初秋的季節裡，
天氣總是這麼的怡人，
樹木也沒有我想像中的頹喪、消沉，
反而在氣候的襯托下更顯得綠茵向榮。

Father 父の日

2012-06-17T09:42:00.001-07:00

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Luke 11: 2

Wonderful that we call our God, Father! Because we are His child, and each one of us is precious in His eyes!
Dear God, Thank you for being the best Father in my life.
Though my father is not with me, but God have been faithful to me, and He is always so.

***

I remembered when the last major earthquake happened in Japan, my family and I was so worried.
In fact, no one will know what is going to happen the next second.
So we decided to make an urgent call back to Japan.

As the phone was ringing, we were waiting anxiously, then a voice answered, it was my granddad....
I really wished that I could speak the words out from my own voice, yet....
However, there is a mix feeling of warmth comfort and a cold disappointment for myself.
Not knowing how, when I uttered something that I couldn't even promise myself.
I told my grandfather that I will go to Japan before I go for my studies in Taiwan.

***

Until recently June 4th, when I stepped into Japan, a country in my "long lost memory", and when I reflect to what I have said, then only I was once being reminded again, that God have been actually listening all the time, and He knows when is the right time for me. For He alone knows my heart.

Thought it was a short one, but it is indeed a sweet one, and a sweaty one =P
But still, Praise the Lord, for my visit back to Japan!
I couldn't thank God more for my life.

There is so many that I am hoping for.
I pray.

Happy Father's Day!
Once again being reminded of His faithfulness!

久违了

2012-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

久违了。。。
我的部落格。。。
心情
从停滞到澎湃。。。
从挫败到振作。。。
从不安到平安。。。
经历过从未得到过的平安与喜乐。

让我回到初衷。。。
回到从前那份简单而纯纯的信心。。。

感谢神！
纵然我中途错过了很多，跌倒了不少，
但主你仍然带领我回到你身旁，你从不离弃我。
让我想起这首诗歌 What a friend we have in Jesus.

耶稣是我亲爱朋友，背负我罪与忧愁
What a friend we have in Jesus,All our sins and griefs to bear!
何等权利能将万事，带到主恩坐前求
What a privilege to carry,Everything to God in prayer!
多少平安屡屡失去，多少痛苦白白受
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,Oh, what needless pain we bear,
皆因我们未将万事，带到主恩坐前求
All because we do not carry,Everything to God in prayer!
有否烦恼压着心头，有否遇试炼引诱
Have we trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?
我们切莫灰心失望，仍到主恩坐前求
We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
何处得此忠心朋友，分担一切苦与忧
Can we find a friend so faithful,Who will all our sorrows share?
我们弱点主都知透，放心到主坐前求
Jesus knows our every weakness,Take it to the Lord in prayer.
劳苦多愁软弱不堪，挂虑重担压肩头
Are we weak and heavy-laden,Cumbered with a load of care?
主你是我避难处所，快到主恩坐前求
Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
你若遭遇友叛亲离，来到主恩坐前求
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?Take it to the Lord in prayer!
在主怀中必蒙护佑，与主同在永无优
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,Thou wilt find a solace there.

The Serenity Prayer

2011-11-10T22:57:00.001-08:00

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3, 5-6

Reaching out your Hearts! Hands! to provide some Heat!

2011-03-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

JCM Agape Network: Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

Share the Love, Light, together we care for them in this Land.

Spread our Hearts! Hands! together we provide them some Heat.

Japan experienced a horrible tsunami after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred 80 miles off shore - North coast of Japan. This fund will give some support to various organizations providing relief and aid to victims.Current report estimates over 10,000 people have died after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by Tsunami caused disastrous damages in the North coast of Japan. There are still aftershock up to 5 magnitude since then till today that could arise tsunami.

Japanese Christian Missionary (JCM) in Malaysia is raising funds for those organizations on the ground providing support to the victims and survivors.
This extraordinary project shall forward 100% all funds raised to organization providing relief and emergency services to victims and survivors of the earthquake and tsunami.
JCM is doing whatever it's can with the grace of God to help the victims and survivors get necessary services.
If this has touched your generous and kind heart when you want to do some good deeds to relief the survivors and victims sufferings please make your donation.

For further information you can visit http://www.jcmagapenetwork.com/.
Or I could assist you.

Awakening call from Japan

2011-03-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Awakening call.
I have no words but to continue to pray for Japan. Pray.
When the Land is not as solid as what we have thought, our Lord is our Rock. Our Refuge and our Strength.
May the Lord restore them with peace and uphold them.

Isaiah 41
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.