Donkey for Jesus

Thank LORD for Your faithfulness

November 25

Scripture:

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thess. 3:3, Holman CSB)

Thought:

God wants you to come to a greater knowledge of Him by experience. He faithfully works in your life, pursuing a love relationship with you. Part of His work is protecting you from Satan so you can do His work. Can you relate an experience where you knew God was protecting you from the evil one?

Prayer:

Faithful Protector, thank You. Daily I feel Your presence guiding my life in Your paths and setting up barriers against the attacks of Satan. Whatever I do is possible only because You are faithful and allow me to join in Your work. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Donkey for Jesus

I believe this should only be shared with some of us as it's content is best kept to ourselves. For we could be prompted to be donkeys for Jesus again. Yes, the church is still being prosecuted in creative access nations (CANs) for no good reason other than misunderstanding and perhaps misrepresentation by those who claimed to be with Christ in past era.

Well, before I forget, let me recount the event or more like non-event now on reflection. The donkey trip had been covered by a lot of prayers from you, our friends & church. It was a bit more "exciting" after a friend, an experienced donkey, shared with the group on what might happened if we were held up. Some may have felt uncomfortable, after all this may be the 1^st time in life venture with the Lord. By the way, the trip was just after the end of high profile regional governments meeting, and the country seems to be opening up rapidly with lots of emphasis on development. Pray that it will open up for God as well and may the Singapore church be a witness to the love we can share in CANs.

By faith, we had decided that we should all go in as a group and not as individual family as suggested by the organiser. So we would go thru' the airport routine as a group. Most involved were hand carrying some of the books (256 nos or about 85 kg with group luggage entitlement @ 242 kg). Without Joel's & Ing Lim's families & Frankie, my family alone will be unable to deliver the whole lot in one go but in three trips. We were in kingdom partnership with the Lord, and He will always amaze us with His power and grace. Of interest, was that Carrie & Ing Lim's mothers also joined us for the trip not knowing we were carrying out courier service. This was also for the CG to get to know the mothers better.

There were no issue with check-in @ Changi or the immigration in the CAN's airport, and I got thru' immigration 1^st with the rest followed. To our surprise, the hand luggage had to go thru' compulsory X-ray scan! Newly installed for regional summit? I tried to avoid having my hand luggage scanned but the custom official insisted. But some how the officer was disinterested with our hand luggage as there were loads of tourists - Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Singaporean, etc. Most of the books were in hand luggage to reduce check-in weight. Some of the luggage was to be given away with the books in them. To protect the brand new books, I had suggested that we put still wearable clothing around the books. This would ensure that they reach our brethren in good order and the clothing also will be put into good use.

After collecting our other luggage from the conveying belt, we lined up to go thru' the custom at the green lane. Many before us were being questioned and some perhaps checked. We were the last few as one of my luggage came out last, we were among the 1^st to checked in though, don't know why. By then the custom officers had worked enough, I guess. He took one look at me and just waved us by as a group. We had asked for the blinding of the officers in our prayer support. So even with X-ray scanning, there was nothing to be concerned of by the officers. The Lord just made it so smooth for us, unbelievable. (May be I look like a tour guide or reporter with my camera vest on ha²!)

Now, the human part of ferrying us to the hotel. As we had a lot of luggage, we ended up taking two vans and I in another taxi on my own. Transportation came up to US$50+30(tips)/=. In the confusion, we all still ended up at the right hotel. I had some anxious moment that some of us may be "lost". Thank God I had prepared the hotel address for the group to give to the drivers. My Taxi driver was really lost with my "English/Local language" and he did not quite know the street, of course neither do I. Anyway, we reached the hotel all at about the same time, PTL! The luggage and books were unloaded and the vans plus taxi were paid and sent off. Another van, "a friendly one", came by after 10 minutes to drop off a group of American "tourist" from Bangkok and we loaded up the books into this van. There were other books already in the van by this group of AngMos. So it was a good delivery exercise by whoever was arranging the two separate trips. The AngMos later join us for the tour. We had good fellowship together as a group of 11+7 = 18 the Genting of CAN except much colder at this time of the year. The group photos taken would be kept amongst ourselves.

There was an issue that disturbed me a lot: three old men came to me to beg for money on different days and I did not give in. Fearing that we will be overwhelmed by beggars. There was no kid begging along the street. Perhaps the Lord is saying to me that the old people there are not well taken care off unlike the kids. A new ministry for the aged may be more appropriate. Some Christian NGOs are already working with the CAN to help in many ways.

Yes, God was and is with us. When we walked in His will, it will certainly come to past. PTL!

If questioned by officer

Just say politely that they are books. If ask to elaborate, just tell these books are Christmas gifts given to us by a friend in Singapore to be given away.

If further questioned say they are for the Christian there if we get to meet some during our trip. Just politely ask what the matter is or what is wrong about these type books which are freely available in Singapore. Always smiling and be polite.

Just in case they want to retain the books, we will politely ask for a receipt so that we can pick them up on the way back to Singapore.

Simplified to: These books are Christmas gifts given to us by a friend in Singapore to be given away on the trip. If they want to retain the books, ask for a receipt so that we can pick them up on the way back to Singapore.

I will stay behind to wait if anyone should be stopped for checking by the custom officer. It is important that the luggage with the books should be arranged to be placed below the rest on the trolley. Everyone else should proceed to go for the pick up van and leave for the Café / hotel as arranged.