off to bario

This weekend i'll be going off to Bario with some of the brothers in church. We're going off to transport some musical instruments to the church there, as well as teach the folks how to use the instruments.... I think i've said this before.

I'm excited, at times like this i wish i had a camera i can call my own and really take as much shorts as possible. I could borrow someone's camera but then would be held liable for any damages so that leaves my camera phone.

I'm looking forward to the famous Bario rice and pineapples, but i have concerns over the kind of weather to expect over there. My body does not handle cold very well so it could be a challenge. There will be tours of the... place. And some workshops in the evening time.

Pray
Please pray for a safe journey to and fro, and a wonderful time. Please pray that we would get to transport all the instruments and that it would bless the people there. Will update when i come back on Monday, remain blessed.

~shalom~

Testimonies for September

No i didn't forget. I've been thinking, what really happened in September that i want to thank God for? What significant thing can i look back on and be really grateful? A lot happened last month. I was reminded and still am being reminded that happiness is a choice we choose everyday as long as we live. And there is no true happiness without God, everything is just temporary and fake. I also reflected on committments and how the committments we make help us make the right decisions or the wrong ones. I once read a book that adviced to support something that you are committed to with your time, money and influence. I think thats solid advice, and its a shame sometimes when people break committments, when we break our committments with God and with other people.

September also saw another birthday being celebrated, sam was +1 last month, that was fun. I'm glad to be part of it. But basically what i want to thank God for last month is really for the small things.

I want to thank God for my family for that way he has kept us and for his faithfulness everyday. For my dad for keeping him safe through all his journeys and travels, for my sisters and my brother, i feel so blessed knowing they're ok.

I want to thank God for providing for me everyday, for his protection, He that watches over me does not sleep or slumber even though i do. Thank God for my church, for putting me in a stategic place where i can hear the truth about the word of God. For opportunities that are opening up in various areas of my life.

I especially want to thank God for these 3months, there have been many changes but i'm still here. And i know even though sometimes your ways i cannot understand. I'll never walk away because my future is in your hands.

Help me Lord to trust you more, to grow deeper in my faith, help my weaknesses that I may not cause pain or bring shame to your name. Keep me Lord in your love, and by your grace help me take the sometimes unreasonable paths to your presence and your purpose. For in my own way i am foolish, but in your ways i appear to be wise. Thank You Lord for this month.

~shalom~

do the dance: evans almighty

Usually when i give my thoughts about movies, its about movies i watch in the cinema but i think i'll make an exception on this one.

Evan Almighty, only now i get to watch it but i'm glad my initial thoughts about it were wrong. Full of humour, sometimes cynical, funny, with good solid morals and values. Honestly i feel movies that makes you feel like you want to be a better person should be made more especially in this our time where there is so much meaninglessness. I'm reminded of what Dr. Ravi Zacharias would say...meaninglessness does not come from weary of pain, meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. In this pleasure filled world, sometimes its hard to find time to just appreciate what we have, fresh air, hot sun, good home, friends who care, always there. Our health, we are the blessed generation someone said.

Again i see hinderances to the call of a man, when you are asked to do something thats out of the ordinary, to stand out, to be different. There are always forces that want to maintain the status quo, want things to be the way they used to be but where's the fun in that? Sure it would be nice to have people around you to support and help you along the way but there are some battles that you must fight alone, you know what you know, and you can't explain it, no one will understand yet you know its the right thing to do. Do you do it anyway and let God take care of the rest, make them realise, show them? Or do you give up and maintain the status quo, for peace sake? Be called names, feel pain and rejection, abandoned. I'm sure we at some point have felt this way but there is hope, if you keep pressing on. Keep pressing on the pressure thats pressing you.

I went to do my laundry the other day and met a friend, so we were just talking and this same thing came up, how do you handle tough times and pressure? Many times for me i'll just back up and throw my hands in the air and give up, but thats not the way its suppose to be. We are suppose to go through it, like those three hebrew boys who went through the fire, think they were not scared? I think they were terrified but they went anyway and in it God shows his glory. In the end its all about him.

Sometimes i can imagine when i'm going through a painful time and i just feel like giving up, and i come to him and say, i can't do this anymore, sometimes i feel like the whole of heaven is there telling me cheer up, its like this: I'm in the middle of the road, with a hard path before me and i've gone half the way and it seems like there's no end in sight, i feel like the cloud open and i see the majestic support of heaven, people i dont know but who seem familiar, cheering me on, you can do it oguchi they yell, come on! it won't be long now they cheer. I can imagine them side by side in the crowds stand clapping with such joy and hope in their eyes. We believe in you. With such encouragement it feels out of place to give up.

Here's one man who went against the odds, made a difference, changed the world, the crazy guy. He represents us. We are the crazy guys who do things because someone called G said so. This song was sang in church today and before they sang it, it was singing in my heart.

Thank You for the cross the mighty cross,

That you would save such as us

And everyday we're changed into your image more and more

Yes by the cross we've truely being transformed
We're so amazed and we give you praise

For you have saved us at such a cost

We're so amazed and we give you praise

For the power of the cross.

I love this song. I love you Lord, thank You for the cross.

And about that dance, I have a funny dance of my own :) God bless you.

~shalom~

I want to be still

I got this from someone i don't even know yet.

Reminder: Be still and know that I am God

Lord, grant me a quiet heart
Before the examinations start;
Teach me to use my leisure hours,
To invigorate my powers.

My mind from daydreams liberate,
Give me the will to concentrate;
From all distractions set me free,
That in my studies I may be.

A student with a sole intent
To make my work a sacrament;
From my faint heart in love expel
All fears of failure that therein dwell.

And from my pillow drive away,
All dark forebodings of the day;
Help me in faith to rest so deep
That I may have untroubled sleep.

While notes and subjects I prepare,
May I not lose my zest for prayers;
And may I not forget to look
For daily guidance in thy Book

In quietness, confidence and peace,
May I have quick and sure release;
From needless fears and apprehension
From outward strain and inward tension.

And may I ever grateful be
To all who offer prayers for me
While for myself I intercede
For others too, I plead.

So my examinations find
Each one alert in heart and mind
Thus inward joy and peace possessing,
May examinations provide a source of blessing!

I believe its from God, because it really describes what i'm going through, its truly the prayer of my heart and my prayer too for everyone having exams or facing the pressures of school. Be still and know that He is God.

~shalom~

another birthday

Yes there was another birthday this time it Candace's birthday. So we celebrated for her too. She was very happy even though we didn't manage to make it a surprise party but she was happy lo.

I find it interesting how human relationships and connections occur. I got to know them {Candace and her gang} through Dominic, we usually take the shuttle bus at the same time on Tuesdays and have breakfast first. Well he has breakfast, i don't usually take my breakfast so i order a drink or something. And almost every Tuesday we'll meet up in the same table with these girls and just eat and chit chat until i have to go for my lab.

A few more pictures of the big day.


Snoopy


I like this shot


All gone


So many gifts

Now I know you must be thinking, how come we have so many parties ah? I also don't know but we do get to study too.


The pencil case is mine


I like this shot too.

Take care everyone.

~shalom~