Updates of me

I know, 4 months absence from my blog :P I could only blame it on lazy n busy! There were time when I was so busy that I just don't have time for blog - there were time when I was so lazy that I just don't want to blog.

What prompt me to blog now? Well - just wanna to let you all know what have been happening to me recently.

• I receive 'pay-rise' in my scholarship. It is a generous rise, that now I can live comfortably in London. I have been 'suffering' from low pay for such a prolong period - now with such increase, I still live as if I only receive £500 per month. Good - i can save quite huge share of scholarship money.
• Hope Church Hatfield starts our first Sunday service on 18 May 2008!! We had 28 people attended the service. I preached, and will be preaching almost every Sunday! What an exciting time. We also started planning for the new academic year (2008/2009) which start in September! We want to get a early head-start! 'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail'
• I submit an paper to UK:MEC08 (Malaysian engineering Conference) and got accepted. This is quite an encouragement although is more of a general interest conference - but the experience is definitely valuable! It will be held in UCL in July 08!
• I'm going travelling in August - Gold Coast, Bangkok, KL, JB, Singapore, HK! Best thing is, when I am in JB end of Aug, I will be attending the Bible Conference - this is not planned but God timing is perfect! I'll be refreshed by the WoG as well as the sharing of Ps. Kwong Lie!

Blogger.com stopped me from uploading photo - say i overquota? Weird... well, maybe need to swicth blog to other place oledi.

Okie okie - all the above sound borings :P I'll start to blog more often.

First 2 Weeks of Jan 2008

I have already attended 2 live Arsenal matches at Emirates Stadium - and i'm going to probably another 2 matches in February: Arsenal vs Blackburn (11 Feb) and hopefully Arsenal vs AC Milan (24 Feb). The Arsenal vs AC Milan one is a CL match, so prayerfully I can get a ticket! Oh yea, the Blackburn's match, i'll be seating at the 2nd row behind the goal! Hopefully able to take some good photos of the players as wel as catch some balls! :D

I've already blogged about the West Ham match - so i won't bored you all with that! I went to a even better match on 12 Jan - Arsenal vs Birmingham. The result was 1-1 :P I totally enjoyed the experience this time - even though we drew with a weak team - but the atmosphere in the stadium was really 'great', especially in the 2nd half after Birmingham scored the equaliser. As the gunners were pushing for a winner, the Blues defense hold on. The fans were getting so nervous and frustrated that every actions that Blue players and the referee that caused the game to stop - they jeered at them. It was done in 'unison'! I couldn't help but getting nervous as well, particularly during the last 10 minutes! It was sooo exciting! In the end, although the result was disappointing with a draw, i truly enjoyed the experience!

Emirates Stadium

A sell-out match at Emirates Stadium Players shaking hands before the official kick-off

I was so busy yesterday (16 Jan), sorting out the new church van (2nd hand)! A bigger van - with altogether 6 seats! Finally, after few months of lobbying and requesting - Pom, Herman, Kar Mun, Jessie and Esther do not need to sit behind the small church van as we come back to London from Hatfield. We normally put cushion and up to 5 people will squeeze behind for the 1 hour journey every Friday. Those days are finally over! :D

My journey started at 8.30am. I went to sort out parking permit at Finsbury Park - rush to IC to meet Prof. Duncan - went to Neasden to collect the van, which had to be delayed for few hours because the paint on the body has not dried - went back to Caledonian to cancel the old church van parking permit and renew its road tax - parked the old church van to the sister's ministry house - rushed back to Neasden again to collect the van - fetched Pom and Esther to Hatfield - met Chen Xuan and gang for steamboat dinner - had Hatfield core team meeting - sent Esther and Amanda home ..... reached home around 1am! Very tiring but very fruitful day. At least i do not need another 1/2 day gone jst to sort out these things!

And now, i present to you the new church van - Ford Transit crewvan! It's very very high and huge, compare to the tiny Citroen Berlingo that I've been driving for 3 years! I'm really really glad! :D Let's really pray that God will protect this van - as it was parked along the road. Also pray that this van will be a huge blessing to the church, to Hope IF Hatfield - bringing people to Christ! I am thinking, we should promote our church by putting some designs on the body. At least the church website and contact details, since i'll be travelling quite a fair bit! :D

A Treat from me

For those who read my blog and you are in UK ..... I've found McD and BK's voucher from http://www.hotukdeals.com/. This site is introduced to me by KP- my PhD colleagues.

Go to these sites to print the vouchers!

http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/offers/ (valid till 5 Feb 08)
http://www.garyrip.com/HUKD/bk/evoucher.pdf (valid till 10 Feb 08)

I guess my life will be revolved around BK n McD until 10 Feb! :D

Arsenal vs West Ham

I went to watch my first ever Arsenal's Premier league game, LIVE, yesterday! I paid £60+ for the tickets. It was good! Because I am an Arsenal's red member, I can almost get ticket to every home match now - the con is I have to attend alone! Nevertheless, it was good! Haha ....

Eduardo volleyed home at 72 seconds - thank God I was not late into Emirates! Then Adebayor scored the next one at 18 minutes!

"Clichy’s long pass picked out the scampering Adebayor. He nodded the bouncing ball past the onrushing Robert Green and, from the acutest of angles, sidefooted a delicate shot across the goalline, off the far post and into the net. A wonderful finish. "

I thank God that I stay so near to Emirates - just need to walk there 20 minutes before the match! My next Premiership match will be next Saturday - Arsenal vs Birmingham! Pray that is will be a goal fest - for Arsenal! :p

Another year has passed .....

Time flies ... one year has passed.

Last year this time, I was bracing myself in the cold at Embankment for New Year countdown (firework at London Eye). This year, I am smarter: stay at home and rest! :D I have been sick throughout the festive period - cold and cough - causing myself to be quite moody as well. Come to think of it, I always sick at this time of the year - when I have nothing to do for church. I rarely sick when I'm busy. Nevertheless, now I am taking times to rest, to reflect, listening to worship songs, enjoying the presence of God - while welcoming 2008!

I have been in UK for 5 years, 3 months. I have been away from home (Kuching) for 9 years 7 months - that time I was still 18 years old bloke. Now I'm almost 30 years old (2 more years). Time flies. These 9 years has been really my 'life defining' period of time. Joined Hope of God movement, received the vision - and now dedicating my life in fulfilling it! I have seen many life transformations; I have also seen lifes been wasted away. I have brought many to cross the line of faith; I have also disappointed many throughout due to my immaturity and pride. I have gained many new skills, talents and giftings - simply being humble and willing. I would never thought of myself doing what I'm doing now when I first joined Hope. Time flies.

My family has grown as well - parents serving God in Hope Kch, Fabian pioneering Hope Gold Coast and getting married next Aug, Nicholas almost finishing his medic course, Oliver jst wrote an amazing email about his life in Cairnes as trainee as well as a person, Daphne jst got her PMR results - straight As - first in the family and Stefanie, going to Lodge school for her secondanry education. My prayer for my family would be God's protection as well as my two sisters attending church and care group.

I mentioned before I love to do new year resolution - this year is no exception. I have done one! The thing about new year resolution is: it is getting easier to do every year. You just need to update your old one with better strategized plans or set bigger goals (if you achive those goals). You can refer to my 2007's resolution here. Things that I have achived -

Here's my 2008 New Year Resolution:

I will have enough sleep and exercise at the same time! :D Well, not forgetting healthy diet - yes, lots of water and fruits.

2008 ... WELCOME! Looking forward to a greater year - to glorify God in a greater way!!

Hope IF Hatfield and Hope IF IC

It has been 3 months now since the new term start in University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield and Imperial College (2 weeks later) - also the period of time we have our Hope IF.

Hope IF Hatfield

In Hatfield, with a humble team of 4 people (Eldos, Esther, Jessie and Tom) in the beginning, today we have grown into a centre status of 11 core team members and 35 average attendance every Friday. Everyone was amazed of how God actually grow this group. Since 15 Sept, every week, I need to restrategize the CG plans: from establishing the core team, running the Friday IF (dinner, sound n multimedia setup, visitors, programs, teaching etc.), arranging ppl into newly form CGs .... I am so excited! Even now, even though the uni is officially off for term holiday, but we are still planning follow-up activities and Christmas breakaway trip to Epping Forest (with the objective to build relationship)

For 2008, until the end of term in June, we will try to stabilize the CG (to about 40 average attendance) and bring as many people as possible to cross the line of faith. Our bigger goal will be by end of Dec 2008, we will upgrade our status to a church, where we will be looking to run regular Sunday service - maybe in bilingual!

Hope IF Imperial College

This is my 3rd year in Imperial College - and only now I manage to pioneer a care group! :P

Nevertheless, with the help of Anita and Jacey, we had our very first Hope IF IC care group in the chaplaincy on the 2nd Oct with 12 people attending! Throughout the months, all 3 of us were extremely busy with various responsibilities - we even admit we have not done alot of follow-up and evangelism - but God is faithful. Below is the photo taken at our last care group (11 Dec) and these are the regulars in our Hope IF IC! We so enjoy the company of each other - even though most of them are not Christians yet!

I really hope this Hope IF will continue to grow - more people attending, more salvations! Our goal for the end of the term (June 08) is to grow and contain 15 people! And of course, by the end of Dec 2008, we pray for a strong 5 people core team with 25 attendees! :D

Hope IF UK: London, Bristol, Birmingham

Beside the above 2 Hope IF, I am entrusted to oversee the other Hope IF: London, Bristol and Birmingham! We have Michelle and Sohan from Bristol; Nong, Kyu and Michel from Birmingham; Kenny and Yanti from London (UoL)

Because of time constraint, I am not able to visit every Hope IFs, therefore I organize a monthly Hope IF UK meeting. It is really good, because these brothers and sisters will be able to fellowship and learn from one another.

Big plan for Hope IF. If we work hard and God is with us, by the end of Dec 2008, we will see a total of about 110 people for combine total of Hope IF UK! It can be done and it will be done - with all these mighty men and women of God! :D

All glory to God! :D

December Updates

Hi again .. after almost a month missing from blogging! :D

Tickets at Arsenal Matches!

Last night (12 Dec), I went to watch a Champion League match!!! Arsenal vs Steaua Bucharest LIVE at Emirates stadium! Yes, a CL game LIVE! It was another good (not great) experience! The 1st half was very exciting because Arsenal kept on attacking the opposition team; 2nd half was even more 'exciting' because somehow, Arsenal's attacking standard dropped so much that Steaua Bucharest kept on fighting back! In the end, we won: 2-1, scored by Diaby and Bentdner. Btw, it was freezing cold last nite.

Since becoming a red member at Arsenal, I managed to get a lot of match tickets. To date, i've FA Cup, CL's and I also got 2 Premier League ticket - 1st Jan against West Ham and 12th Jan against Birmingham City! Well, it does cost A LOT for the tickets, about £50 each! So, i'm not going to go to all matches ... cause there are my friends who wanna go watch! :D

Nicholas's testimony

Received an email from my brother, Nicholas, who's now in his 4th year medic in Adelaide, Australia! (Click on the following images to enlarge so that you can read the contents)


Congratulation! A year closer to become a doctor! Hopefully I can finish in 2 years as well for my PhD! :D

Freezing Cold weather

Always heard about the term 'freezing cold' weather - well it was really freezing cold last night! Instead of snow, there was ice every where! :D

Nevertheless, just wanna showed some photos of Hyde Park, especially when the ground was covered with icy leaves. This is my cycling route! So whenever I cycle to college, these are the scenary I see! :D

Beowulf in 3-D

Last night, despite heavy rain, after college, i cycled to Leicester Square's VUE to watch Beowulf in 3-D. I bought the ticket from http://www.lastminute.com/ which cost only £4.75 (normally is £12), a massive saving to watch movie in West End.

This is my first experience of 3-D long feature movie. I always go to those 3-D or 4-D movies (in Warner Bros village n Sea World in Gold Coast, in Thorpe Park) which lasted only 10 minutes. I sincerely enjoy the experience so much! The movie was really cool as well, staring Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie ... all the big casts!

I particularly like one of the movie line: 'Pride is the curse!'. Always in the Bible, the downfall of men and angel (Lucifer) is caused by P-R-I-D-E! I have this weakness as well ... I really pray and try my best to be humble!

"God, please help me! Amen!"

Family - Korea + China Trip

Nope, i did not go to Korea and China trip with them .. wish i had. They had so much fun and nice scenary! :D So just wanna post up some photos!

Happy Birthday to ME! :D

I'm 28 years old ... older but not necessary more mature or wiser :D (for you to tell me whether i've changed)

I had the most unusual birthday countdown this year - in hospital A&E department! After church meeting, we drove to Homerton Hospital to accompany Twin, who was taken to hospital because she almost fainted on the street. Aaron and I stayed with Twin to wait for her to be examined by the duty doctoc, which too ages! As the clock struct at 12am, we started singing birthday song in Cubicle #2! Some how, I was quite glad a bit ... able to escape the 'sabo' from various 'enemies' i have made through out the years (because I sabo them). Haha ... in the end i got home around 1.30am n slept at 4am to prepare Sunday worship!

Because of facebook has this birthday reminders, i was flooded with wall messages; as well as msn n skype! Thank you very much to all of you :D

So far, i've cut 3 cakes! Ps. PK n Kim had treated me to Vietnamese food on Sunday. Anita will treat me to Nando's later for lunch ... while the 'G-hood family' will treat me Crepe for dinner! Woo-hoo ... time to feast!

Serious stuff now: 28 years old! Reflecting back ... I really thank God that He protects me, blesses me, guides me, teachs me n disicplines me! I've learnt that my ultimate goal in life is to adore God, to love Him with all my heart, strength, mind and soul! Really not so much of the achievements in studies n career ... but my whole life spending with God. Therefore, for my birthday wish, is simply to ask God, to never let go of me!

You Never Let Go (Even Though I Walk)
By: Matt Redman, Beth Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won’t turn back I know You are near

And I will fear no evil

For my God is with me

And if my God is with me

Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:

Oh no, You never let go Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

A glorious light beyond all compare

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Bridge:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Various :D

Time to update myself a bit! :D

1. PhD - after discussion with Prof. Duncan, realistically, i have another 2 years or less to go (Sep 2009, instead of 2008). If everything goes well, my graduation will be in May 2010. Right now, I need to get my upper human airway model done by end of the year. Then continue with various experimentation for about 9 months to 12 months, follow by 6 months of writing up. Then all sort of corrections on the thesis. Finally a viva! Although 2 years seems still quite a long way to go, but time flies! Pray for me! I want to finish quickly!
   
   
2. Hope IF Imperial College - Jacey, Anita and I started the CG in our college. Last Thursday (18 Oct), I was a bit discourage with the confirmation of people attending the care group, until a point, i told Jacey, "Today might not have alot of people, maybe 8. It's like every week reduce 2 person". Yes, very discouraging! A contact rang, said he's waiting outside, so i went out, and totaly surprise, he brought another 3 friends! In the end, we had 11 people joining the care group. I repented for not trusting in God. Nevertheless, students in IC are intelligent. The discussion has to be really a 'mind-blowing' type! I learnt a lot though.
   
   
3. Hope IF Hatfield - it has been just a month we did our outreach, and now we organize ourselves in 3 care groups! Amazing! Last friday, 37 attended with many visitors bringing new friends. All of them are excited for this Friday because we are organizing cooking competition between the CGs. Pray for us to have wisdom to bring Jesus into their life!
   
   
4. Mission Trip to Bristol - One sister from Hope PJ is now studying in University West England (UWE) for her final year. So i brought Herman and Jessie along for this mission trip, to understand the situation and challenge the people there to start a group. We woke up at 5.30am to catch a early bus .... once on the bus, we totally knocked off, cause we were exhausted from CG the previous night! It was good to be there, challenging people to serve God! Eventually, Michelle and Sohan take a bold step, make a courageous decision to start a CG! :D Pray for them as well, to perserve and grow!
   
   
5. Myself
   I've been cycling to college whenever possible, except Thursday when we have care group in IC, cause i need to carry the guitar. Since i'm more familiar to the route, i've cut short the journey time to 40 minutes (time start when i leave the house and end when i sit down in office). I've cycled in the rain twice as well! Body are getting fitter and healthier ... whether i've slimmed down or not, i'm not so sure :D
   
   Finance, since i've started cycling and all the 'lobang' that i've got ... i hope to save more money, so that I can embark on a backpacking Europe trip after my PhD. Still praying for Yayasan S'wak to increase my living allowance, like all other JPA scholars .... very jealous!
   
   As for girlfriend, currently no time, no money to have one! See how it goes lar! God will provide!

I realise i did not call home for more than a week .... will try tomorrow night! Tonight (Tues)doubt i can cause i'm going to watch Stardust ... a break from my hectic schedule!

Oh Jesus!

This is very cool (and funny too)! This tune is my era one! :D

Very fun and 'spiritual' week :D

It has been a very 'spiritual' week for me. I've been so busy for the past week! Attended 3 meetings, 2 CGs, 1 church anniversary, 1 band practice and 3 Sunday services! :D Oh yea... and also spent 1 Friday afternoon shopping for new pairs of jeans and tracksuits.

First, Hope Church London 9th anniversary on Saturday. It's a fancy dress theme, so in order to save cost, we came out with the idea of pirate! And that evening, we won't the best coordinate group in the fancy dress theme! And my make-up as pirate might be a bit too much, but it did cause a lot of attaction when i came in! It was a fun night. Also very glad for Hope IF Hatfield, for the effort in inviting so many visitors to come, as well as getting them dressed up in unison! :D


The next day, although only slept for 4 hous (came home around 2.30am ... coz sent the Hatfield group back to Hatfield n went bck hotel again to pick up the equipment), the Hatfield core team went up to Hatfield again to attend a church service, run by our friend, Keith Mason. It was not bad, lots of singing and a message. Got to know some friends. Later, we went bck to London, to join the 2.30pm service at Hillsong.

Surprise! When the service started, Darlene was on stage worship leading! Then it was Ps. Joseph Prince (from New Creation church, S'pore) who preached. At the end of service, Ps. Gary (senior pastor of Hillsong London) announced that the Houston family (Ps. Brian Houston, senior pastor and founder of Hillsong, and Joel Houston, worship leader of Hillsong United) will be ministering at the 3rd service! Although physically tired, Esther, Herman, Pom, Jessie and I agreed that we'll join the 3rd service as well (since very rarely we were off on Sunday). I was blessed with their messages. For quite a while, I have not listened to some really inspiring preachings, and i've got 2 on Sunday! Thank God! :D

Well .. this week, really need to work hard! 3 more months to complete my simulation model! Am going okie .. but can be better! PRAY FOR ME PLEASE! :D

'Lobang' King of London

'eldos.com' best in Kuching and JB, now also in London!

Over the years, i've known for knowing all sorts of 'lobang' (holes) in getting good and cheap deals/food/places! Deals range from mobile contract (12 months free line rental on 12 months contract: yes, 100% free with free phone), transport options (i.e. £2.50 return ticket to Scotland) .... some people even just call me to ask for route direction (living A-Z map or tube/bus map). I also engage in 'mystery shopping' assignment, where I get to eat free meal (cheap subway, average pub food to expansive Slug and Lettuce) as well as watch free movie: all I require to do is to observe their service and complete an online report.

I'm so 'passionate' about finding these deals because it's so expansive living in UK! In order to save money and live comfortably. I enjoy myself more in UK actually ... with all these 'lobangs'. I'll continue to search whenever i can .... next 'project' is to find cheap alternative for a week long Christmas break for the student groups (about 15-20 ppl i reckon).

So anything u wanna know ....... email/msn/text/call me! :D

Oh yea, last but not least! International call!! Recently, i've been introduced to his http://www.noodle.co.uk/ ... you get paid to call international call (by using the free minute you have in your mobile contract)! Amazing offer! Just need to register with them thru text, and every minute u call, you'll be paid 2p. Although the money can only be claimed 2 months after you register, it's worth it. Best thing is, there is this referral system, if you register under one person, the person will also get 1p every minute you call! :D

• Text 'noodle eldos' to 81025 (this text might cost a bit, but with the money you earn, it's worth it)
• You'll then receive 2 texts back. One of them contain the number you'll need to dial to call the free international call. Save that number in your address book.
• To check your balance, log on to http://www.noodle.co.uk/ with that number, as well as the pin (which can be found on the same text).
• You can also start referring this service to other, by setting up a referral keyword!

Simple as that! Please .. register!! Text 'noodle eldos' to 81025!!! (only valid for Orange UK for now i think, cause O2, T-Mobile and 3 don't provide this number for free).

Cycle in the rain ...

Today I made a 'bold' decision! Since i've got my bicycle, as well as the rain coat, i have not cycled in the rain before! I finally did it today :D It was really okie to cycle in the rain, if it's not too heavy! I wrapped myself up to be so 'water-proof' that I got wet because i sweat!

Yes, i sweat alot. But how come i dun seem to lose too much weight? Maybe eat too much Haribo and chocolate still :D

Nevertheless, my bicycle is given a complimentary check-up within 3 months of purchase. I'm going to get it done next week. At the same time, get myself some more accessories, i.e: led lights (since now it get dark early) as well as a helmet (think it's safer to wear one).

if I continue to cycle to college (average of 45 mins journey) 3-4 days a week ... i think i can save a lot of money ... which I can use the money i save to eat! Opppsss ....

The Bridge

I've used "the bridge" illustration before, to communicate how God's sacrifice His Son to die for us. I am so touched and cried after watching this short clips.

For those who are Christian, continue to share His love to people!
For those who are far away or running away from God, please come back!
For those who have not yet known Jesus, come and talk to us!

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