Fasting.....

Yesterday, I had a chat with one of the pastors for the kids ministry, and she told me Encounters (a camp tailored to 'teach' young / new Christians about the Christian walk and faith) for the kids aged 10 - 12 are tailored somewhat differently, and the impact can be felt by the kids themselves. I am rather excited about the prospects, seeing as it is that I think it'll benefit the boys more when they go for the Encounter tailored for a deeper understanding.

I was at service today, and felt a prompting to undertake a fast for the boys under my care, so that each of them will be better able to experience and understand God's love for them, starting with getting them to actually look forward to going for Encounters.

Had a 'vision' of sorts, so I am pondering how best I can go about undertaking this fast. When I prayed over the kind of fast to undertake, I was 'told' that it is to be lunch. Initially rather hesitant as lunch is typically the only meal in the day that I eat a full meal in the course of the day. Most times I skip either breakfast or dinner, so this was a 'huge' sacrifice for me. The only recourse I have is to ensure I get a proper and heavy breakfast, while eating a bit for dinner. The only thing is, whenever I undertake any form of fasting, it's usually for myself and my prayers. This time around, I am doing this for the boys.

Even I cannot quite fathom out the exact reason why I am doing this fast. I just know I have to do it, with the faith that I will get to see some breakthroughs in the lives of my boys. Oh well....for how long, I have no idea.....let's hope this doesn't last too long.

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

* Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

* Chorus

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

* Chorus

God's hands in all circumstances

On Sunday, one of my boys (Lloyd) came up to me and quietly thanked me for praying for him. Initially, I was caught off-guard, as I was not sure which aspect of the prayers he was talking about, until he mentioned that he had managed to get into the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). I was absolutely delighted for him, and was convinced he'll be able to make it into AC (Anglo-Chinese). Then after Sunday classes were over, I remarked to them that I intend to have only boys from the AC schools in my group next year, and he looked a bit bothered after that. So I asked him if anything was wrong, and he was like, "What if I don't get into AC?"

I was stunned cos I had no idea he was mulling over this, so I reassured him that he'll be in my group next year unless he prefers to go to another group. Then on Monday, as I was gearing myself up to get into the swing of another dreary and ho-hum work week, my cell phone rang. Lloyd's mom had called, and I wondered if I had done something wrong or something. I was pleasantly surprised when she thanked me also for keeping Lloyd in prayers. The parents knew I had been praying for Lloyd, and wanted to thank me. Such appreciative parents....and I told them it was the least I could do. She affirmed me and told me I love and care for him the way a spiritual father does for his sons, and that I am different from his previous Sunday school teachers.

That was a mind-blowing affirmation from the parents. It makes everything worth it.....that they trust me enough and know that I care for the boys enough. Now I know why God called me to serve the children. I am learning, slowly but surely to see His hands in every aspect of my life, and especially the young little sheep I am guiding every Sunday. They have changed for the good in so many ways, for which indeed can only be accomplished by Him alone.