Little Miracles

I am currently in the Naval Undersea Medical Institute and training to become a Submarine Independent Duty Corpsman. I'll be in the state of Connecticut for another 11 months. I have written my thanksgiving before the time I left till now.

Firstly, I want to thank God for all the people He has placed in my life.
Even before I left, many friends were there to encourage me, gave me all kinds of advice, met me and had a meal with me, prayed for me, made/gave a card to me, gave me chocolates, pass his safety shoes (last minute), gave gifts to me (ie: an aussie shirt that says "to be old and wise You must first be young and stupid", a mighty mouse) and some came to send me off. However, I told some of my friends (ie: Charles) that it’s not that "one farewell session" which is the most important to me but the quality time we have spent together that matters. And just because it was difficult for some of them to be there before I leave, it doesn't affect the depth of our relationship that have already been built. I do really thank God for the friends there for me at the airport before I left. It made a difference! ... [+]

Thank God for my Mac book, Skype and Face book – it is because of great technology and advancement of the IT world has it been possible to keep in touch with my family and friends. This has definitely made my transition even better even though at times I do still feel a bit home sick. Who wouldn't be right!

But even that God has taken care of that. He has placed in my life an officer named Brandon. He is married and with 3 kids (and the 4th one on the way). I have been to their house for thanksgiving and after church meetings. They have been very accommodative and a great host. He is a very caring, matured and good-natured man (some people call him 'the preacher'). And he has been taking good care of me. At times, I feel so ‘paiseh’ meaning embarrassed (Asian traditional man). Recently, Brandon told me that at first he was trying to be a good host but slowly he feels I have become a family friend. I also rejoice in the fact that I do feel at home with them. Recently, I did the Christmas tree decoration with them which they do it yearly as a family. I do believe this is totally God's plan and His blessings!


Secondly, one event to highlight God is in control.
When i arrived at the Providence airport, one of my luggages went missing. Going to the Airlines Customer Service, I found out that they sent it to wrong airport. Somehow, I still had peace in my heart, as I knew God is control. I knew then something GOOD was to come out of it. Interestingly, the luggage that I was holding on to had all the essentials I needed change and all. The missing luggage contained all of my uniform and other stuff. I thank God that the missing luggage was the one that went missing.

To add to all of that, the people that were suppose to pick me up to the base were not there. And the customer service guy needed to make arrangement to bring the luggage to me the following morning and therefore he called up the school. Guess what the school was close by that time. The customer service guy (named John) knew one of the officer's hand phone number. Coincidentally? NO, I won't accept that. Then I realized that the school didn't know that I was coming. Ironic but true. But if that's the case, and I have had all of my luggages, then I may have been able to contact the school, as it was thanksgiving holiday the next day. Not exaggerating! But I have to call back Singapore (note there's 12 hour difference) to ask for assistance in connecting me with the school.

Yes, I choose to believe that all of these were divinely planned by God. Why? It is because; I would not have gone that customer service guy (John) if my luggage has not gone missing. It was because of him that the Officer from the school found out that I was at the airport and had Brandon to come and fetch me to base. The customer service guy is from the United Airlines and not from the Airport Customer Service. Just for the info: If your luggage went missing, you need to go the Airlines Customer Service. And that's the amazing part. You see God's hand was upon me all the time. And I had the assurance all that time because Daniel lee prayed for me and said "things may not go they way I expect it but God is in control".

Lastly, I want to thank God for the church He led me to.
I have not really started my classes yet. It will begin a week later (next Monday). But during these few days, I have been studying the Old Testament online course, reading books and doing some self-study. It has been a powerful journey of knowing the Lord. I have been blessed by it.

The first Sunday in Connecticut, I went to a church nearby (not the one planned) because of it rained, I got lost caused by some miscommunication between Brandon and I. It was a nice traditional church, but I felt there was something more that God wanted me to do or somewhere else he wanted me to be.

So last Sunday, I went to another church called Seaport Community Church. I like the service, pretty much like TC (my previous church building but it has one level). The people there made me feel so welcomed. One cell group bought me a breakfast meal (even though they had a meeting going on) as I was sitting alone in the cafe. The person who brought me to church was rehearsing for the session later. Many people came to say Hi to me and talk to me. Even the little ones said hi to me as they passed me (some were not with their parents). During the service, I felt in line with what the pastor was saying. Then I was reading their bulletin and saw the words like: Win, Connect, Disciple, Send. Then I went like, Well this is interesting! Ha ha it sounds like my church stuff. Then I saw a big poster of a lion and the word 'encounter'. Ha ha ha, hmmm another familiar word. I felt this was the church for me also because I felt at home and peaceful about the church. They had newcomer welcome gift for me. When I came back, I opened it and saw that they had a website on it. Interested to find out more, I went into the website before I make a decision. Guess what?! They had the similar vision (like G12? to be confirmed) as my church back home. How often do get that. ha ha..


By the way, the guy (Steve) who brought me to the Seaport Community Church is Brandon's neighbour and it was Brandon who connected me with him (because I said I was from a Baptist church). If not for the rain and miscommunication, I would have been to Seaport Community Church on the first week I was in Connecticut. But I think searching for a church and later finding the one for me is a much sweeter experience. Perhaps that’s because we value things more when we have to search, wait for them and find them. How not to believe this is the work of God?

Don’t you agree? Merry Christmas...

Narash
Reporting live from Connecticut