Ye Olde Photos.

"Beneath be a gallery of random images,

of which most were taken in times long past,

but time was lacking to post them."

Food.

Mega Food.

Deal Breaker on mah head.

It had a profound psychological effect - nobody dared to form a full set.

Huge Lolli.

Moar Food.

Deal.

Food and Deal.

Glowing heart.

Woot.

Actually, the tiny words "我不是" are inscribed on the shirt.

NDP Clerks of 2011.

The sponsored trip atop the Marina Sands Resort.

Guitar Lesson :)

lol didn't know this pic was taken. Wanyi be the perpetrator.

Ryan's photographic skills displayed.

Trip to Switzerland.

Nah just went to Marche.

Love the photo. Love Ryan's Cam.

Satisfied soul!

A healthy soul life leads to a healthy spiritual life.

Proven in my life.

After certain events in my life, I felt that I can't be successful game designer in the future.
Feeling discouraged and down, my spiritual life couldn't progress much.

But after hearing the word of God from Weiren, things changed for the better.
God came to give life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

God wants me to prosper and pursue my dreams! :)

Weiren also said that all men and women greatly used by God experience immense pain and hurt in various points of their lives.

This set me free, knowing that the pain I experienced is not just a failure, but it's ultimately to change me to a mature person, to increase my capacity, and to sympathize with other experiencing the same things.

After my soul life is satisfied, my spiritual life also improved. When I read God's word, I could understand it more clearly with revelations from God.

Thank God for His word!

3 days at Nee Soon Camp

Day 1.
Had a weird acute back pain that day. Well, it was my butt actually. It'll hurt if I bent forward, even if I leaned over just a bit. Thus, it was really painful to change clothes. Got out bed late again :X Snoozed too many times.

Aloysius called to inform me of the plan to cab down to camp. It's an act of convenience (or sloth perhaps?); it was our first day after all. Seeing that I'll be late, they decided to direct the cab to wait under my house.

About 7.10am, I stepped into the waiting taxi while my lower abdomen screaming in pain. 3 of my fellow NDP Clerks were already inside. They were:
- Bryan, a mad computing genius who was with me from the beginning (like since Poly Year 1).
- Aloysius, a ki- I mean dude who looked and behaved like a 15-year-old teenager.
- Amos, musical guy and fervent brother from another church.

Randy decided to make his way there by himself, only to meet us outside the camp.

And as destiny would have it, the 5 of us entered the not-so-glorious gates of Nee Soon Camp (NSC), marching together towards our calling.

Well, not really. We were kinda lost and directionless, not knowing where HQ SCE (Headquarters Singapore Combat Engineers) is. After much wandering, we asked directions and finally found the place. Not without much sweat though.

HQ SCE INT Branch.
A place of big shots and high ranks. But they were pretty nice people. Our superiors introduced themselves, and got to know us better. More importantly, they revealed the paths that lie before us.

Thus they spoketh:

"3 of the fellowship shall depart to Selarang Camp next week, that they may assist in Multimedia.

2 shall remain here for 2 months, before departing to Seletar Camp, for the purposes of Website Design."

These aren't their exact words, but you get the gist =3

Selarang is way far, near Changi Village. Thank the Lord that I am part of the Website team - Seletar is soooo much nearer.

After that, we got a short tour around camp, visiting the highly important venues: the canteen, the cookhouse, another canteen, etc.

NSC is much more prettier than Sungei Gedong. Instead of dull & old buildings complete with dull & old trees, we have garden-like walkways surrounded with bunks that resemble condominiums. A swimming pool would make the scene complete. The dining tables were brightly colored, and they actually serve soya bean milk for lunch.

There you have it; NSC is nicer, nearer and more privileged.

Having nothing to do, we found ourselves dozing off at about 3-4pm, when our Head superior (a Lieutenant Colonel) spotted us. He said "Why are you all sleeping here? Go home!"

That's the best command I heard in my life. At his word, we left camp at about 4 plus, rejoicing for being posted here. NSC - Best. Camp. Evar.


Day 2.
We were told NOT to bring our uniforms, but to wear civilian clothing instead. Everyone in the office was in shirt and jeans. After half a day of chatting/using internet/slacking, we were off to Marina Sands. Woot.

The whole of HQ SCE organized a "National Education" trip at SkyPark! That's free $20 tickets for each of us :D

The last time I had such an event was in secondary school lol.

We took the elevator up to the 57th floor. When we emerged out into the SkyPark, I was totally mesmerized. The view from up there is simply breathtaking.

You could see the far corners of Singapore from where I stood. People were tiny specks and cars were like Tamiya toys. From the Northern side, you could view the City Hall, Padang, Swissotel, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Padang, The Singapore Flyer, etc. I spotted Singapore Indoor Stadium, Marine Parade, East Coast Park eastward. There was Marina Barrage at the south, and a wide span of water speckled with ships further beyond. Islands outlined the southern horizon. Wish you were there!

Too bad none of us could bring cameras into camp. I would have taken tonnes of photos. But surprise of surprises - I bumped into my previous Usher Team Leader, Juliana, at the premises. And she had a camera. Thus I took a shot together with my buddies :)
Photos are not up yet though :(

After taking a group photo with the whole of HQ SCE, we were dismissed at like around 1.50pm! :D

Day 3.
Its down to Bryan and I. The rest were given off today, and they would be posted out the Selarang Camp next week.

After a rather free morning, we spent the rest of the afternoon photocopying stuff. Arrows from above hit our fellow colleague, and caused collateral damage to us. Being wounded with many arrows, our friend decided to pluck some out of his chest and fire them at us haha.

But we had nothing to do anyway, so we were okay with it. It's better than doing nothing.

We took shifts; one of us would photocopy a set of like 25 while the other spent the time drawing hahas. Then we would swap.

Sometimes I wonder, is this God's will for me to work together with Bryan?

It was by chance that I knew Bryan.

It was by chance that we worked together in our 1st project.

It was by chance that we were posted to the same camp.

It was by chance that we were both selected to do NDP Website.

And here we are both in NSC.

But was it really by chance, or the work of God?

Whatever it is, let God's will be done.

September - New Season

Finally Out Of Sungei Gedong!
Feels like ORD! Actually, being there was pretty slack, and the food is not so bad. People are (generally) friendly. My only issue is the *&%$^ travel distance!

Long travel distance = wake up very early = less sleep = sianz!

Neways, it's Nee Soon Camp for me on the 1st of September, which is TMR! Well I ain't that excited really... today's my last off day (Z.Z)

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Went to Hexing's house yesterday.
Had a great time worshipping + praying + fellowship! Plus lotsa singing after that!

The awkward part was starting praise & worship. Usually there'll be Weiren or someone to kick start it. It was rather spontaneous and informal (I ain't got my chordbook) but we got it started with a "Through you I can do anything..."

We didn't plan the songs or anything beforehand but we just wanted more of God. Thank God for His presence! All glory to Him!

---

Recently, I have been thinking
"Why am I anointed?"
There are times when I hardly feel the presence of God when ministering, or I feel like I didn't play very well. But people would come up to me in say "Israel, when you play the guitar, the presence of God was very strong!" I would answer with a surprised "Really?" (Which also shows that talent does not equal to anointing)

Looking back at all these years, I don't think I had this anointing when I first became a CG guitarist. So how did it come about?

One reason (there are others) I realized is because of the prayers of W406! Every week you would pray for the CG worship in your sync prayers! I sincerely appreciate every single prayer! Thanks guys! Wanna thank Weiren especially for always praying for the anointing upon me all these years!

Most of all, I thank God, for every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. I don't exactly know how it happens and I know I can't do it on my own. It must be God.

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September - New Season
Not sure what's in store, but things are gonna change.
I'm changing camp.
The News will be out.
I'll be exactly 1 year in army (and 1 year from ORD).
And I believe that my spiritual life + maturity will grow.

There might be persecutions, there might be victories.
There might be an exodus, there might be a revival.
There might be tears, there might be laughter.
But no matter what, my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone.

Anecdotes and Musings

Loads has happened since I last posted. I couldn't find time to frequently post cos I'm back in camp, so I'll try to summarize the series of events...

Met another CHC guy in camp again.

Was waiting for the shuttle bus one day again, and this dude, a little plump, wearing specs, and donning no.3 (Clerk uniform, same as mine) walked towards me, STARING intently at me, as though I'm some fascinating specimen of human lifeform. It was really awkward, as he was staring at me with a "hey didn't I see you somewhere before?" look - for like 10 seconds. When he finally reached me he said:

"I've seen you before."

"Do I know you?"

"You're an usher right? In church"

"Where did I meet you?"

"In church la!" (yea, I realized I asked the obvious :X)

So I found out that his name is Joel, also from service 1, and he's in choir. Hmm. I guess people notice you even when you think you're not being noticed. They're everywhere...watching your every step... Okay spooky talk aside... :P

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Shortest. Leader's Meeting. Evar.

We had games, praise, worship, prayer, admin all in 1 hour! Amazing! Must be a work of God! Weiren said something about more time for Monopoly Deal- I mean godly fellowship.

Tan Jin + Chimpy!

Jin shaved to support some cancer movement, but he says that his head will feel cold in school. Thus, he brought Chimpy to warm his head. Chimpy is his pet soft toy, like how Polar is mine hahas :P

Chui has many fans! (no pun intended)

This awesome contraption has 3 fans that can blow at different directions!

Reminds me of airplane engines.

Table of fellowship.

Samuel :O

Sam and Brandon.

People.

Me.

Jin really looks like a chimp here XD

Chimp on a bigger chimp.

Brandon poked Chimpy's nose.

Raymond and Jeremy (Kuang)

Cheesy Fries.

Most awesome Bar Chor Mee!

无与伦比.

Actually I'm not sure if I can use the 词语 that way, but what the heck.

Jay Chou is incomparable nonetheless.

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One word from the Father,

and my life is never the same.

Was going through a season of darkness and discouragement, largely due to self-disappointment and failure. But thank God that He spoke to me, while I was in camp! Was alone at a desk, feeling terrible and thinking about these bad events, when suddenly I felt God say "It's okay, I love you and I want you to try again."

IMMEDIATELY, my bitter feelings of sorrow turned into joy, and all the heaviness was lifted.

I'd like to believe that physical discipline was partly the reason why God spoke to me; I hadn't gone on a run for a week, but firmly decided to run 8km that day. Encouraged myself during the run with the song "Free" by Planetshakers playing in my head.

There's freedom in the name of Jesus,

Freedom from all shame.

There's freedom in the name of Jesus,

Freedom from all pain.

There's freedom in the name of Jesus,

Freedom from all sin.

There's freedom in the name of Jesus,

Freedom in the name of Jesus.

Weiren invited me to play for his Bible Study class - thank God for this privilege. Thank God that I could hear the word about Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for a great DG, and an awesome sermon on the Fatherhood of God by pastor Kong!

Deeply touched by that sermon. In fact, it's my favourite lesson in Christian Lifestyle!

Gotta go now, hope I'll have more time to post in the future!