Updates

It has been more than a month since i last update (again :P) Anyway .....

I've got myself a bicycle! It's a hybrid bikes, sth combination of a mountain bike and a road bike. It's really good (of course, i paid £169 for it) and comfortable. I paid another £45 for the gigantic lock and cable, £40 for the cycle bad (which normally hook behind the bike). The reason I suddenly had this urge to get on cycling is to save money n to exercise. I realise that in my schedule, I do not have time to exercise. Beside going to Imperial for PhD, at weekday night, i'll be attending meetings and care groups. Some of you might remember me talking about swimming, shy to say that i did not go for quite a while now!

But since my student travelcard is expiring, i might have well use the money i wanna to buy a travelcard to buy a bicycle. Then as i cycle, I'm glad to know that the time i cycle from home to college is very often quicker than I take tube to college! But of course now the con is weather is quite cold! Nevertheless, i will perserve! I wanna be healthy! Good to exercise! Second thing wanna update is: my brother is engaged (to Jocelyn). It at least take the 'get married' pressure from me now! CONGRATULATION to Fabian and Jocelyn (if you both ever read my blog).
3rd interesting thing was, our PhD supervisor, Prof. Duncan's 58th birthday. It was very random that during one lunch time, i asked him when is his birthday. He told me 24 Sep, but unfortunately he will be able in US to attend a conference. After telling Jacey, she proposed to have a surprise for him. We did the surprise a week before he's due to go US. I bought the cake from Chinatown and at noon time, we 'crashed' into his office to sing birthday song n brought the cake to him. He was really happy (obviously) :D We went to Crepe restaurant to had our lunch! Was really good

Student Outreach in Hatfield: earlier of the year, we realise that all the people in Hatfield CG will finish their studies (except 1 or 2). We started to worry abit, whether we will continue on. I encouraged everyone to continue on! We prayed alot about it. After came bck from Euro Convention, Jessie, Esther, Scott and I met twice a week to discuss and prayed even more. We then talked and plan.

God is blessing us so much. We managed to get in touch with the chaplain, Revd. Allan, who really provide so much help and advices, during one divine meeting we purposely requested for. We also met an international student official who was in charge of all the orientation program! She was a Christian, actively working towards bringing students to church. With all the helps, we started our first outreach on 15 Sep, which was a free food night. Then, we went to UH again on 18 Sep (the movie night), 20 Sep (information fair) and 21 Sep (garden party).

And finally on 21 Sep, we had our 'taster' care group. We invited all the contacts to join. With the team that we have (Jessie, Esther, Herman, Pom, Tom and myself), that night, 25 visitors turn up! We had KFC as dinner, then played 3 games (with prizes), sang 3 songs, I shared a short testimony and lastly, splitted into smaller groups to pray! it was really awesome! After the CG, the team sat down and evaluated. We all jst gave thanks to God and really ask God to give us wisdom, patience, perseverance and love towards these people, that they will soon take the step of faith to accept Christ! Pray for us! Our next event is mooncake festival dinner on 25 Sep! Very very excited!

Thorpe Park - Aug 10

Yanti, Alicia, Ivon, Anita and me went to Thorpe Park. 2 months ago, some of us went, but it was raining cats and dogs that day, so we was given complimentary tickets to come back again. Really praise God that the weather was so sunny the whole day when we revisited Thorpe Park.

We had so much fun riding the roller coaster - Tidal Wave, Rumba-rapid, No Way Out, Colosseus, Nemesis, Stealth, Storm in the Cup ... not all of the girls played everything, except Alicia! It was a fun day - before I need to start work the following week.

Yanti, Alicia, Ivon and me
Tidal Wave - 100% guarantee to get wet sitting in the boat! Really big splash!
Stealth (roller coaster that last only 20 seconds but the most exciting ride among all) in water reflection
Anita - with the 3 soft toys we won thru the 'grabbing machine'. Guess we used about £10+ to get these toys

Euro Convention 2007 - Mission Possible

About 250 of us from Hope UK, Hope Germany, Hope Czech, Hope Norway, Hope Italy and Hope Switzerland attended this annual Hope Euro Convention, which was held (for the 6th time) in Prague from 1st Aug till 5 Aug! Ps. Jeff from Hope S'pore and Ps. Prakich, our Hope Europe RMC (regional mission coordinator) were the main speakers.

I was really busy during the convention because i was put in charge of the program. As well as conducting workshops and worship leading. So busy until i lost weight, despite all the meals with lots of meats. To date (as in 14 Aug, 1 week after the convention), i've lost about 5 kgs! Hallelujah!!! Haha ... wish they were more conventions in a year to organize :D

Probably because i'm a 'veteran' in Hope family, all the teachings and biblical principles brought out by the speakers were reminders to me! What deeply struck me is the conversation I had with Ps. Prakich during one of the evening - where he revealed to me how Hope Germany works so hard in growing the church. I was further awe-struck when I chatted with Ps. Prakich over breakfast in Cesky Krumlov. The teams in Germany go all out in street evangelism, proclaiming boldly the gospel and truth to the people. Ps. Marcus for one, goes to university campus 2 to 3 times a week just to share the gospel. I ask myself, how many times have i done street evangelism in Imperial College (beside the fresher's week). Their vision for building strong and biblical churches in Germany truly amazed me as well. I sensed so strongly the Hope spirit in them! If we wanna see it happen in Hope London, we need to make a decision to let go of our pride, rights and preference, and work hard toward what God has called us to do!

The other thing God has challenged me is: 'Spend time with people'. Not just the normal 'yum-cha', 'makan' kind of spending time, but true genuine fellowship, 'eyeballs to eyeballs' conversation. I admit that I have been so task-oriented through out my ministry that I overlook the potential of the people under my care. I often shut myself off from people and focus on the things to be done. I find it really really difficult for me ... but I'll really try this time. For those reading this blog, please pray for me :)

So much about what I've received. I also thoroughly enjoy the food in Prague, as well as the infamous 'Cream & Dream' ice-cream. I also enjoy the company of brothers and sisters through out the whole tour in Prague town centre and Cesky Krumlov.

Sad to say that, we will not have Euro Convention next year ... hopefully it will be back in 2 years time! We will work hard and encourage each other in the Hope family with what we have done for God's kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is advancing!

Glad to be back in Praha!

Do we look alike? Anita, Ps. Jeff and me!
The student group in front of the astronomical clock
Hope London worship team - Mission Night
High Praise!
Slideshows - from various cameras.

If you wanna download some of the photos, or have a better view of them, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/eldosthen

Emirates Cup - 28 July

Sorry for the backlog of entries ..... haha. I guess i'll be very brief for each of the entries.

Emirates Cup!! I've got the tickets 2 months ago and I definitely look forward to see the new-look Arsenal team. By the way, it's called the Emirates Cup because Arsenal's main sponsor and its stadium is Emirates! It's a 2 days tournament where Arsenal, AC Milan, Valencia and Paris St. Germaint will play each other. I went for the 1st day where AC Milan vs Valencia, followed by Arsenal vs. PSG. I went with Ivon, Jennifer and James.

The 1st match between AC and Valencia was quite boring, because people came for Arsenal. It cames to life when the match finished and Arsenal players came out for warm-up! In the end, Arsenal won 2-1, scored by Mathieu Flamini and Nicklas Bendtner.

I'm really looking forward to the Gunners without Thierry Henry. We still have amazing talents such as Robin van Persie, Francesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner ... etc! Give them some times ... GUNNERS!! :D

Enjoy the slideshows

Transformers (the movie)

Autobots, ROLL OUT!!!

My childhood favorite cartoon comes to live on big screen! I watched it at the first opportunity i have. The general release date is coming Thursday (27 July), but Odeon is having advance screening this weekend - so I planned this movie trip 2 weeks ago! The 80's baby should all love this film! This is the cartoon that accompany my growth! :D

It does not disappoint me! Optimus Prime is so cool as usual! Bumblebee is so cute as well!!!!

Autobots, TRANSFORM!!!!!