Change is brewing - Wife of Say Chees -

crossroads

“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut 31:8

Since December last year, you will probably know from our monthly updates that change is brewing. Ever since the ‘Jesus and your boat: The Chee family update’ in Sep 09, Johnson and I have been seeking out for God’s will for our marriage and our lives. After much prayers and counsel from family, friends and mentors in church, Johnson and I have decided that I will leave staff come Jun 2010, and Johnson will continue his ministry in Mass Media, Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ (SCCC). The long term goal for me is to return to the social work sector, to fulfill the passion that God had first given me to reach out to the troubled youths and families in Singapore. The short term goal is for me right now is to rest in Him :). As for Johnson, due to the current responsibilities he has with the ministry and leaders, his next step is in discussion with the leadership. As such, the official update of his next step will only be published in June. If you wish to know his next steps, you can email me for direct updates :)

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:9

(my calling verse from my first newsletter in Jul 2006)

I began my journey with Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ with a step of faith in May 2006. “Wilderness Training” was the phrase that Jesus gave me in Jul 06, and affirmed me that this was a season of training for a greater purpose.

Four years later (present time, quoting one of the many affirmations that God has given me) I was seated in a church sanctuary listening to a sermon on the Book of Numbers. It was on chapter 14, which details the rebellion of the Israelites after the spies were sent out to explore the land of Canaan (the Promised land). The Israelites grumbled against God for bringing them out of the wilderness and refused to enter the Promised land that He prepared for them. Their ungratefulness and disobedience angered God and He forbade the sinful generation from entering the Promised land. But God remained faithful and kept His promise by allowing their children to enter. One of the pastor’s points was that such wilderness training was vital to our spiritual journey with God. God allows us to enter into wilderness training at some point of our lives to refine our skills or bring about a character growth for the next season of our lives; we ought to listen to the voice of God and move into the wilderness, entering obediently into the Promised land when He calls us to.

God revealed to my heart at that juncture, that I was at the end of my wilderness training and it was time that I move into the Promised land.

TRUSTING IN HIM
My understanding of ‘calling’ has deepened over the years. I resonate with what a friend of mine mentioned in her newsletter about the idea of focused ‘calling’. Quoting from her, “I believe that there are some for whom God has a very clearly defined and focused life calling. For example, Mother Theresa, or Hudson Taylor - people who literally do the work that God has called them to their whole life long. I admire them for their tenacity, perseverance and obedience. Then again, I believe that not everyone has that kind of a focused ‘calling’. Instead, God can lead a person from one season of ministry to another at any time - but at just the right time.”

Our ministry is to minister and bring His truth and comfort to anyone that God brings to our paths, and to use our marriage to reflect His holiness and love. Honestly I do not know what has God intended for me in this new season, but I know that He wants me to rest, to realign our marriage to Him and to trust in Him. It is exciting too as I open my heart to explore this new beginning He has for us!

Please pray for me as I venture back into the marketplace to impact the world for Him! :)

Please read on to find out more about updates and news here: Road Less Traveled - By wife of "Say Chees!" Apr-May 2010 update

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A HEART FULL OF THANKSGIVING

I am thankful to God for every friend that I’ve made, every conflict resolved, every obstacle overcame, every opportunity to surrender, every opportunity to witness His miracles and every prayer answered.

I am thankful for every ministry opportunity for me to experience God’s goodness, every growth opportunity to face my weaknesses and to sharpen my character and ministry skills, every failure, success, every gospel seed sown and every soul saved.

I am thankful for You, my faithful and loving supporters, for your partnership in God’s ministry. For every encouragement that you have blessed me with, for every prayer that was offered on my behalf, your sacrifices of love and for believing in the ministry that God has called us this season of our lives. I am thankful that throughout my years on staff, I have received my monthly salary in full, never once did I lack. :)

I am thankful for the ministry of Wide Angle Productions, for my bosses who are always patient with me, who never fail to encourage me and grant me opportunities to learn on the job. Thankful for every person on the team who has spoken into my life in one way or another, shared every success and failure of our projects and laughed at every joke that I’ve made :)

I am thankful for Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ for granting me a platform to serve God wholeheartedly and for equipping me with ministry skills that will last for a lifetime :) Thank you so much for obeying God’s call, for building deeply into the lives of students and encouraging them to be a fruitful disciple of Christ. Thankful for every ministry that is made available to people out there, from campus ministry that reaches out to students, to the marketplace ministry, to the homemakers ministry as well as creative professionals, etc. I know that wherever I go, I will still be able to find support and every opportunity to volunteer in these ministries.

I am thankful for my mentors in Church and in Campus Crusade, for the support that was given, every wise counsel and love that was showered to us. Thank you for being our pillars of hope and encouragement all the time.

Last but not least, I am thankful for Johnson, for taking responsibility as the head of the household, for desiring to grow and lead in our marriage, for encouraging me during emotional times, and for being there for me.

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WIFE OF SAY CHEES' MILESTONES

“...He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” (John 2:11) ...and my faith grew in leaps & bounds!

IN 2005, I graduated from NUS and applied for a job as a Social Worker. I went for my first mission trip to Sri Lanka, where God enlarged my heart for His kingdom purpose. God revealed to me that He wanted me to do a ‘new work’ in me. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)

IN 2006, I went for a mission trip to East Asia and God enlarged my perspective of global missions. In May that year, God challenged me to enter into full time ministry to mould my ministry skills, my spiritual foundation and relationship with Him. It was also a test of faith that God intended me to go through. God’s lesson plan for me was:
- To know and trust Him in every aspect of my life
- Character growth
- Loving others
- Serving others
- To build in me a nurturing heart
- To find acceptance and love from the right places - God
- Physical and Spiritual Maturity - in His word
- Build up my ministry skills - at the front line or behind-the-scenes
- Relationship with my peers and leaders
God affirmed His leading for me in this season and provided for my full salary in 2 weeks!

In 2007, I completed SCCC’s School Of LEADership training programme (ministry equipping skills) after a 9-month-stay at the Great Commission Training Centre (GCTC). I had the opportunity to lead and serve a group of SMU and SIM students in discipleship and evangelism with a senior staff. Our leaders challenged me that year to co-lead a mission trip to Tokyo, Japan with a senior staff. God expanded my heart and faith in Him - He showed me that I only needed to obey and that He’ll provide for me. My faith grew abundantly! Johnson also proposed to me that November!

IN 2008, I hopped on to the media ministry of SCCC - Wide Angle Productions (WAP). WAP’s Parable Project and East Asia media training for a group of East Asia staff became my main projects for the next half of the year. In Nov that year, Johnson and I got married! We witnessed how God provided for every aspect of our wedding. He has also answered our prayers and provided us a temporary home to rent for the next 1 year.

IN 2009, God answered our prayers for Johnson’s application for PR! We also witnessed how God paved our way smoothly and answered our prayers for a place to call home. That year, Johnson and I had the opportunity to plan and conduct several evangelistic trainings for students in Student Venture and members of Calvary Baptist Church. God began to stir in my heart to step out of SCCC, and provided leaders, pastors and friends to talk to. Johnson and I began to pray for God to direct our steps.

IN 2010, in answering to our prayers, God brought along several people to affirm God’s word for me, He'll go ahead of me as I enter into the Promised Land.

PRAYERS
1. Do pray for me as I discuss my exit with my leaders in SCCC and in church, and as I plan for my next steps!
2. Pray for Johnson as he continues his ministry with Mass Media, SCCC
3. Pray for Johnson as he discusses with SCCC’s leadership about his responsibilities in SCCC and his decision for his next steps.
4. Pray that supporters will continue to support Johnson, as he remains and completes our missionary journey in SCCC.

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My last day with SCCC is on 16 Jun ‘10. If you’d like to continue supporting us by supporting Johnson, you do not need to do anything. :) You’ll be informed of his decision and next steps come June 2010. However, if you’d like to discontinue your support at the end of June, please inform me via email :)

For supporters who send in Cheques and desire to continue supporting our missionary journey or New Supporters: Please write all cheques to “Campus Crusade Asia Ltd.” and write “Johnson Chee John Son” on the overleaf of the cheque. Send the Cheque to our office (address below)

It is with mixed feelings of sadness and excitement that I conclude my final newsletter as a staff with Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ. But of course, you’ll still be hearing from me FROM HERE! :D and Johnson’s monthly updates!!
This blog is still existent okay! :) Do let me know if you’ll like to be included in my quarterly personal email updates! :) Thank you so much!


Yvonne Tay
johnsonyvonne.blogspot.com