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Volume. XXXV, No. 2 Batam Missions From Sis A L P I have been serving the Lord ever since I graduated from FEBC in 1997. During my teens, I already had the desire to serve the Lord, so I joined the choir, taught Sunday school, and was involved in various ministries. I thank God for His calling to mold me as His servant. At 26 years of age, I graduated from FEBC (1997), and served with Rev K in GAPPI BATAM (B-P Church) for 7 years (1997-2004) as coordinator of the children’s department. After that, since 2004, we have started Filadelfia church and are serving there till now. Serving the Lord and remaining faithful in the Lord is not easy. When we started the ministry at Filadelfia, we experienced a lot of hardship. There were no facilities, we had to do all in one. We went to evangelize people, followed up those who were backslidden Christians, and visited them one by one. As Psalms 126:6 said “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” God called us to serve Him, not because we are good and capable and faithful to Him, but because He is faithful to us. Looking back on God’s marvellous leading through these fifteen years, it makes me rejoice and move on to serve Him. Thank God for Rev Tan Eng Boo (Grace Bible Presbyterian Church) and Gracians who have walked together with us in the ministry at Filadelfia. And in 2008 we were able to start a shelter/orphanage ministry which is a helping hand to neglected, broken families, needy children and orphans. Twelve years have passed, and we have seen these children grow up. They know the Lord and have accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. They have experienced God’s love in their lives. When we heard them giving their testimony, tears were flowing, and we were touched by their transformed lives. In 2011, with the help of Grace B-P Church, we started the Christian School ministry. The Filadelfia Christian School caters to children from kindergarten to primary six levels. The school currently ministers to 140 students. From the start of this ministry, I could see God’s hand helping us. Some travel agencies introduced our school to a number of schools in Singapore. Schools such as Fairfield Methodist, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and Bedok Green came to know about our school and provided help at the right time and bought chairs, tables, visual aids, etc. for us. They also did mural paintings and gave Christmas gifts. I don’t know them at all, but God sent them to meet the needs of our school though our school does not have any sponsor. We have learned lesson of faith. Jehovah Jireh. I have learnt a lesson of faith and how God works in our time of need. The Lord has provided for the needs of 20 children from the Filadelfia’s Home Shelter. God has helped us to cover the school’s deficit each month. We cry out to God in prayer. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. The Lord is my sufficiency. If the Lord is your sufficiency, you will serve the Lord with joy and gladness. In the midst of trial and difficulties you can move on to serve Him faithfully. God also helped us through Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church (Pastor Okman Ki, then-Deacon David and Elder Michael Lee) to walk along with us. We seek your prayers for the ministries of the church, school, and orphanage. As for me, I have given my life to the Lord; what I can do for Him, I will surrender all to Him. Pray that I can walk in His way and do His will in my life. I like the song “Why have you chosen me?” The chorus says “But Lord, help me be, what you want me to be. Your word I will strive to obey. My life I now give for You I will live, and walk by your side all the way.” Romans 14:7-8: “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Sincerely, Preacher A L, Batam Prayer items: - The growth of our church, committee and fulltime workers - Our 16th Church Anniversary, July 3rd Sunday has to be postponed due to Covid 19 - If God willing, we are going to pave the road to church - Preaching virtually & livestreaming - Struggling to do virtual Sunday School online lessons - School virtual class lessons, starting July 13 for the new semester - Batam has 190 cases of Covid 19, God’s wisdom for us in coping with Covid 19
* * * * * * * * * * From Ev. M Shalom, peace to all of us. I would like to share a testimony of God's providence in my life and of how I started ministering at Filadelfia. It started with my serving at Filadelfia orphanage with the late Grandma S on October 11, 2008. During that time, we faced a lot of challenges, with only bare essentials and we had to get our water from the neighbour's well in order for the children to take a bath for school. We worked together in caring for the children. During that time transportation was also very challenging and limited. Once, I had to walk with and carry one of the orphans, who was one year old, for 7 kms from the orphanage to Rahel School in order to get a Report Book and back. When we got back to the orphanage, my leg was full of bruises from fatigue. But despite all that, I was always rejoicing because rejoicing made everything bearable. Over the years, there have also been a lot of challenges at the orphanage, such as problematic children, disobedient children, and problematic parents. But God has allowed all of that to happen to make us more patient and stronger. I am personally so happy to be able to meet Sis A L and Bro A. They are indeed my brother and sister who always support and pray for me in every situation. While I am writing this, I cannot hold back my tears because I know how much they love me as their sister. When I had my surgery, they were also with me. Bro K and Bro T have also supported me in my ministry at the orphanage. During the 7th year of my ministry at the orphanage, my parents in Kupang actually asked me to go back to minister there. But I refused to do so because I could not leave my orphanage children who had been with me since the beginning of the orphanage. I couldn't leave them because I loved them so much, and I want to be with them until the end. When Grandma S was sick, she asked to never leave the children. And ever since then whatever happens in my ministry, I must be strong because I have to be with the children. I know I am not alone. I have a big Filadelfia B-P Church family who always supports me. And God has put me here so I will give my best. To conclude, please pray for us and our ministry here so that our ministry can be a blessing to others and bring others to the Lord. Thank you and God bless. |
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