Newsletter Sept 04
Hello everyone, friends and family!
It’s been such a long time since either James or myself have written a newsletter. It’s about time to give everyone an update of what’s been happening in our lives and what God’s been doing!
Update on us
We just celebrated our second month together as a married couple on 17th September. We are now staying with James’ family at Lakeside, Jurong, Singapore. I really like staying here. This is the view in the morning when we walk to the MRT. Lots of green and view of the lake. Sometimes we see the sunset on our way home too.
Since we have returned from our honeymoon, it’s like God pushed us to the next gear in ministry. James is now working with Teach His Word and has been given more responsibilities in the area of marketing in addition to his portfolio as a designer. Something that he is not formally trained in but has interest. For me, previously I was on a pastoral staff apprenticeship program but I am now a pastoral staff in St John’s – St Margaret’s with the youth ministry. The responsibilities has not changed much but I can feel that the spiritual warfare has heightened.
We have both grown so much in the past two months. It has not been easy being married. It has been very fun but not easy. There were times when we just kept getting upset with each other because of unmet expectations and trying to get used to each other. It was so tiring adjusting to this new life while trying to meet the needs of others.
In the past week or two, we had a breakthrough when we decided to spend time to pray for others and spend couple devotional time before we sleep. God has spoken each time we come together to read His word and pray. It’s amazing to hear the voice of God so clearly and so deeply in our hearts. You know, we’ve been struggling so hard to keep this commitment since we got attached! This has been such an answered prayer for us!
Last night, God led us to read Philippians 2:11-15. It was so clear that God was saying Jesus is Lord – what does it mean to you?, stand in awe of Him, He will enable you, stop complaining and grumbling and He will shine thru you. I was really strugging with giving more of my time to people. I would do it but I would grumble. After that, we ended with reading Night Light (A devotional for couples by Dr James and Shirley Dobson, given to us by Si gu and family – thank you so much!), the story was about how a pilot sacrificed his life so that others might be saved by a plane crush. His motto was “I’m third” – God first, others second and I’m third. I teared as I read the story. God spoke, loud and clear. I said sorry and asked Him to forgive me and help me to change my heart. I think both James and I had a breakthrough last night.
Would you join us by praying for us as we take this journey to love and obey God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength?
Prayer Requests
1. Against the work of the evil one to kill, steal and destroy our marriage and ministry.
2. Strength for each new day to trust God and obey Him
3. Humility and servanthood in the way we serve
4. Youth Ministry at SJSM to really know God and be filled with the spirit
5. Teach His Word ministry to grow in favour with those they serve
6. Favor with our co-workers and those put above us
Love,
James & AiLing
Sept 2004