My London's Christmas

Christmas this year, I would like to quote what Nat says, "I feel like a pig ah!" It has been a 'terrible' period of time when everyone sure to put on some pounds after Christmas. I do enjoy alot the time spent with all my brothers n sisters at the ministry house during these few days. A house of 4 rooms, able to cram in 17 people in one night! I'm amazed :D Even more amazing, the toilet did not 'explode' because of the heavy usage!

It started with Hot Pot service at YMCA on Christmas eve. All of us are caught by surprise with the high attendance, 71 people! We only expect 30++ people ... but thank God the food is enough for all. The power of the F-O-O-D and as well G-O-D! We were also surprise to see Alvin turned up in the service. Yanjie, the only Singaporean in the church was so happy to see him and what coincidence, both of them wear RED! S'pore colour?

The idea of dinner/luncheon service prove to be a hit! I'm foreseeing this will happen more frequent next year! Blessed is our stomach. But it was really weird though, when Aaron was preaching, all of us were busy with our food!

After the service, we moved the people to the ministry house. It was games, movies, cooking, eating, sleeping, chatting all day round! Oh yea n Karaoke! Some people just enjoy singing and some people enjoy cooking, some people enjoy BBQing and some people enjoy doing nothing :P Talking about Karaoke, our dear brother Hiro, his average mark is about 95 points! it's no wonder Japanese invented the device.

Christmas dinner was another feast. I could barely eat anything! I have been eating the BBQ chicken wings, sausages and bacon while i was BBQing :P After dinner, we had firework! I was a bit disappointed of the firework in UK, not much sound, not much flavour! Very boring ... until the £25 firework (Picture of Yanjie with it). Although it finished in less than 1 minutes, but the sound and the display was truly awesome!

Present exchange is something we were all looking forward to! Cannot deny, all the presents this year were higher quality n value than previous years :P I got 4 bars of 'Hotel Chocolate' .... heard that is the rival of Thorntons! Don't really like the taste though! Still like my Cadbury :D

All in all, it was a great Christmas staying in London!

Christmas Reflection

It was a 'silent night, holy night' Christmas for me this year, which i really appreciate alot after a whole year of hustle and bustle. This year has been really a year of unrest, not only in the world, but in my life as well. All in all, what i've learnt the most is to realise that God is in control of everything, just do your best, let God do the rest!

I've realised alot of my weaknesses long long time ago and have been in my new year resolution for years as well. Sometime just feel disappointed that these weakness will still be on my new -new-year resolution .. nevertheless, in God, i'm a new creation! 2 Cor 5:17 Old has gone, new has come! Take heart!

Some of my weaknesses, ego, pride, authoritarian (controlling) and lust. Among all these, i think my pride has indeed 'harmed' me the most. I have become ignorant at times and inconsiderable. Just thinking of how to make myself look better, sometime at the expanse of others calibre. I feel i've become more controlling n 'kepo' (busybody) when my pride is not subdued. Always think that my ideas/beliefs/methods is the best n must follow mine, overshadowing those brilliant, experience options. My oh my ... the bottom line is ... i must change and be willing to be changed!

It just amazed me how God has been so patient with me through out the years. I've been rebellious and disobedient to Him, yet His unfalling love still overwhelmed me. I.e. today, i was quite disappointed, but God just sent some light snow as i walked to college ... i was delighted n i thank God for He cares for me. In happen all years round, when i feel sad or disappointed, there's always someone or something to cheer me up. God never gives up on me, why I have to give up on God! 2 Tim 4:7 finish the race, keep my faith!

I wanna give thanks to God for He provides all my needs! I prayed for my parents to serve God, now my dad is an ACGL in family group n mum actively supporting dad n church activities. I prayed for full scholarship in King's College, God gives me better one, full scholarship in Imperial College with really wonderful supervisor. I prayed for fruitful ministries, God answered by giving me lots of God-loving people. Many many many thanks to my God, who never fail me when i ask! :D

In the coming new years, i foresee a more hectic life, with more people to take care of and more demands in my PhD study. But it's gonna be an exciting years, i can 'feel it' :D

If you are reading my blog, do remember me in your prayer!

SEASON GREETING

To all my family and friends

MERRY CHRISTMAS
and
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wish you all have a blessed year ahead

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Hatfield Care Group

One of the highlights or events i'm looking forward every week is Hatfield CG, a CG not even within the boundary of Greater London! All started 2 years ago by Ai Ai, who wanted to have a CG in Hertfordshire University in order to reach out to the students there! Even though Ai Ai had graduated and left for S'pore, the CG is still up and running!

I remember clearly when I talked to Jessie and Gao Min regarding the future of the CG when Ai Ai left, they said:"Eldos, as long as you are willing to come and shepherd us, we will definately join CG!" Since then, CG grows ... Scott, Rose, Tom, Bill, Chen Chen, Rainbow come in.

I'm really thankful for Esther (aka Kit Yeng) for willingly taking up the challenge to lead this CG. Last month, Tom accepted Christ! This month, Scott takes the step to acknowledge Christ is his Lord! Scott, joins us for 1++ years, previously known as a devoted buddhist, unceasing join CG every week. He loves the fellowship, especially love to sing! Anyway, we need to build this people to be strong and biblical church planter :D

Another reason i look forward for this CG is FOOD! Since the winter term started, in 3 months time, we had already had 2 wonderful steamboat dinner n 2 days ago, in accordance to 'Tong Zhi" (Winter Solstice), we had dumpling dinner (north China province food. Happen to know south china province prefer tong yuan). We had such marvelous time making the dumpling. We had so much laugh over the dinner table! This is my first time eating so many dumplings, abt 40 i think (mind you, it's not small wanton, but big dumpling)

From left to right

Esther, Bill, Eldos, Scott, Jessie, Rose, Tom and Chen Chen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PA n MA

A special post dedicated to my beloved parent, who almost share the same birthday :D
(Dad 21 Dec and Mum 22 Dec)

Thank you for loving us,

Having us in.

All you have given

Now we hold within.

Kids in a vacuum

You made your own,

Or else we had been

Unloved and alone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

With lots of loves and hugs
From sons and daughter

Eldos Then Sze Kai

Fabian Then Sze Siang

Nicholas Then Sze Phin

Oliver Then Sze Ching

Daphne Then Yin Jin

Stefanie Then Wan Jin

In Memory Lane: Glasgow Christmas Trip 2004

I really miss the time that we spent last year in Glasgow! All my Glasgow gals feel like that. From the email or msn chat, we always treasure what we've been through! :D

here's some of their email extract:

"i do miss last year christmas too...if only i were in glasgow again...miss all the laughters, noises, christmas cards and gifts..and not forgetting our christmas dinner...didnt expect lots from christmas this year...just hope to see more lives to be saved..no carolling in sibu this year but we do have christmas dinner on 21st dec....take care everyone...miss our hope glasgow..and hope london..God bless!" -SiewTing aka Shereen-

"No words can describe how much i miss u all.. and howmuch i miss last christmas... This year i have decided to spend my christmas inkuantan...although initially i thought of going to klor spore..with hope that i will be able to find backmy last christmas.. but i guess no where is betterthan to be in the hse of the Lord... AMEN .... blessings be upon u all always..pray that all of uswill have our christmas in a very special way...myheart goes out to all of u...missing u ......lots..." -ChingYe aka Michelle-

"I'm listening to the song 'Silver bells' now and it sure does bring back memories of our Christmas last year ! :) One year went by SO QUICKLY ! and its time to celebrate the birth of our Lord again ! It'll also time of turkeys, christmas pudding, gifts ... just that we don't have snow here in Msia. *sob sob* I hope that everyone is doing fine. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy new year !" -ChiaWen-

I've uploaded some of the photos in my photo album. Do go visit!
http://public.fotki.com/Babyeldos

Old Christmas Group Photo 2003

This is taken 2 years ago!

Spot any difference?

Those who still in Hope London - Kenny, Gao Min, Jessie, Yoppy, Yanti, Yanjie, Alicia and Ah Sun.

Hmmp, how come i'm not in the picture?? Oh yea, i was back in Malaysia then :P

Christmas Service

Just had Hope London Christmas Service yesterday. Had record-breaking attendance of 116 :) The hall was beautifully decorated. The program started with carol singing, followed by praise and worship ... communion and offering!

The hype came when the professional group performed their drama of 'Hope in the City' .. showing different facet of the coldness n the despair people face in the city. The entry of double-J angels (Joanne n Jeffray) created such a 'noise' (as usual), inviting the people to Jesus's birthday party. Of coz, people get saved and start partying.

One 'remarkable' incident happend near the end of preaching. The lights n sounds just went off. Culprit: coiled extention wire for the powerful spotlights. Pastor still continue to preach and pray without microphone and I franticly solve the blackout. I managed to connect back the sound just before the drama continue, which relied heavily for the background music. *phew*

The refreshment was nice .. i din eat much, mainly talking and taking photographs :P Dinner was even better .. at Chop Chop ... 26 of us altogether :D Always bring good business to food industry wherever we go :P

Student Group Photo - C2, N2, Hatfield, IC and also Hope members from outstation

Hope Malaysia members - studying in Europe

From left: Kwang Chear (Hope Serdang, Glasgow), May Kiang (friend of KC), Chiuan Chorng (Hope Batu Pahat, France), KC (Hope Serdang, Glasgow), Say Leng (Hope Labuan, London), Lamia (Hope Labuan, Nottingham), Eldos, Sin Li (Hope Batu Pahat, Nottingham) and Tony (friend of Say Leng)

More photos are uploaded at my photo album. Click on the link to view them :)

Now my 2nd blog in a day :D

Just want to upload some pictures.

This is me and the student worship team. Just happen that week i'm leading and want everyone to look bright, so come out the colour scheme!

This is the one of the Care Group i'm overseeing, Hatfield CG. All the members are from China, except me and my CGL, Esther (from Hope JB, not in the photo). About 9 of us in the care group now, 4 not in the picture.

This is the North London student care group, called N2 Care Group. CG people comes from Vietname, Malaysia, China .... well, all Asian :p About 10 people in the CG now.

Okie! Seems like blogging is not that difficult. Gonna wrap up for the day ... and prepare for the research group dinner :D

Start blogging ... how interesting :)

Well, finally 'bow' to the pressure, starting my blog. In a way, i think it's a good way for me to communicate with my friends and family!

11 weeks ago, i've started my PhD in Imperial College, in Department of Computing, under the research group of Visualization Image Processing (VIP). Also, with the ministry i have in hand, overseeing the student group, coordinating the worship team take considerable amount of my time (mainly in the evening).

God is good. Making some progress in my research, consider i'm doing a totally different field of study from mechanical engineering.

This is my first post, just to make it short and simple :D