Weekly Newsletter of MARANATHA MESSENGER Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 24 September 2017 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28) Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore 509851 E-mail: maranatha.bpc@pacific.net.sg Sunday School: 9.45 am Sunday English / Chinese Worship Service: 10.45 am Sunday Chinese Worship Service: 7 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm The Fifth Missions Team from Maranatha BP Church On behalf of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Biblical Reformed Seminary, I, Rev Salai Tha Luai, would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Maranatha Mission team, who visited us in 5-11 September 2017, for the fifth year. The seminar, which was conducted in BRS Chapel hall in remembrance of the 500 th year of the Reformation, was a fruitful moment for many pastors, elders and students, as well as many ladies. About 120 attended the seminar from EPC 38, Yangon BPC 32, BRC and BRS 41, Hlegu 12 and 5 from the mission team. The lectures were translated into two languages Chin and Burmese and all the attendees thoroughly enjoyed learning such important reformed doctrines. Some of the attendees never heard about the reformation history as well as the doctrines, especially those who came from non-reformed background. It was such wonderful lecture for one and half days. Three Karen people also joined this seminar, new members of BRC (former Baptist) and they were so privileged to know this important history and doctrine. The BRS students took this subject for 1 credit. In fact, all participants realize the vital need of books on reformation and its doctrines in our own languages. The IEPC children were privileged and happy to spend one day with the team. We do pray and hope that the Bible lessons, the games, and the songs help them grow in their faith. Every year after the team goes back, our children have renew spirit which keeps them more active. We thank the Lord for the team for their skillful teaching and their love gifts. It was also great blessings to bring all the children of Immanuel Child Development Centre to Hlawga Garden in the morning of 9 September 2017 as they have never been to such places except to Yangon Zoo last year with the Maranatha team. We thank the Lord for supporting all the transport. It must be an unforgettable event for the children. The teaching of Bible, ukulele and games of the whole afternoon was wonderful, though it was so humid and hot. Indeed, all the activities were a milestone for the spiritual and mental growth for the children. We are again very thankful for the donation for the gate of the Immanuel Child Development Centre from the team, and personally sister Han Kin Kheng, it will be made with metal. We are 1
also praying for the fence, especial one side of the building that is behind the toilet 45 feet long, because the smell comes out sometimes from the septic tank, and the neighbouring family cannot stay at their home. But if we could build the wall in the between, this problem will be solved. The preaching of Dr Jack Sin and shared testimony of brothers Kelvin Chin and Victor Lee were so touching. Being translator of Dr Jack Sin's preaching at IEPC on Sunday (Isaiah 6:1-9) "The life changing encounter with Jehovah" I was almost in tears as it pierced my inside, and many of my coworkers felt same blessings as I did. We were revived so much through the teaching, preaching and all the fellowship and activities from the team. Needless to say, we felt so sorry for the problems in Rakhine State that prevented our 7 missionaries from joining the team this year. They would have been deeply encouraged if they could have participated in this special occasion as they have been sometimes under heavy pressure and threat from Muslims as well as from Rakhine Buddhists. The situation in Rakhine state this year is more difficult. Recently all our missionaries had to flee from their villages altogether with the villagers and hide themselves in forest, and all men are to secure their villages in the night. But now we thank the Lord that they all could came back. The EPCM is doing mission work in 5 villages and in Buthitaung town and two Muslim villages are newly opened toward our missions. As several families are facing shortage of food, Immanuel EPC and Bethesda EPC collect donation from members and that Lord provided us 1,481,600 kyats. Rev David is involved in this, and sister Han Kin Kheng's love gift to the IEPC is included. Let us pray for Rakhine State, so that the Lord may touch their hearts through this sufferings to open their hearts to the gospel, mainly the people in Rakhine State are Muslims, Buddhists and Animists. We are sadden for what has happened to the Rohingya people. 20 pastors and elders' transportation was supported by Maranatha team of EPCM and BRCM, and we are so grateful for this, not only this, several love gifts were received as well. We pray for the Lord's reward to all the team. Finally, one of our senior pastor Rev Bual Hlei Thang of Varpi village pastor expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr Jack Sin and the team saying, "the EPCM would have been ceased to exist if the Maranatha BPC have not been visiting us for these 5 years. You made us alive to stand firm in the ministry...and now even we can enlarge the mission work..." The gospel tract that was supported by the Maranatha BP Church have been distributed especially in Yangon and only few copies are left, and as a result four ladies come to know the Lord, they are from rural areas who came to Yangon to apply for job in Singapore. I myself did follow up with two of them for two weeks. MECA also distributed 10000 copies of the same tract, we have not receive the feedback yet. Now we thank the Lord that Dr Jack Sin allow us to translate his gospel tract "The Greatest Rescue of All Times" and "The Voyage of Life" into Burmese, they are more easier to understand for the Buddhists than the former one. And let us pray together that we may work 2
much more to save lost souls. Indeed, we want to see more brothers and sisters from Singapore BP Church in coming years until the Lord comes! Please continue to work with us in Myanmar as we have seen the Lord's hands in many ways to save souls and to strengthen the saints through you. "...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15b) May the Lord's name be glorified! Rev Salai Tha Luai Pastor Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church Yangon, Myanmar +++++++++ Thanksgiving I thank God that He has given us the opportunity to work together in God s vineyard for His glory. I, on behalf of Biblical Reformed Seminary (BRS), am so thankful to you and your group who came to teach and encourage us with your love. We are very much encouraged by your teaching and encouraging with the Word. Ministers and students learned reformed history, theology and reformed evangelism. For them it was a great blessing. Thank you very much for helping to develop our library every year. The books that you have donated to our library are very useful for students and faculty as well. We are so thankful to sister Han Kin Kheng and brother Francis Leong for their donation for the school. We put their donations to the funds to purchase air-conditioning for chapel hall. We pray that God will use them greatly for His ministry. 3
Presenting the biblical teaching of the Word of God is needed at every corner in our country. Many Christians are drifting away from the truth, mixing their theological thinking with unsound teaching. Therefore what you have taught us is very good for our denominations. It is encouraging and at the same time preventing us from falling into unsound doctrines. Again we are so thankful to your mission group for praying, encouraging, helping us for the kingdom of God. We pray that the Lord will give us time to encourage one another in the future. May the good God bless on your work! Rev David Khobal, Principal Biblical Reformed Seminary Yangon, Myanmar +++++++++ Thanksgiving Report for 2017 Myanmar Mission Trip Greetings to readers of this report. I am Kelvin Chin from Evangel BP Church (Singapore). Thanks to Rev Jack for his invitation to join him and his team on this mission trip to Myanmar. By the providential hand of God, I was also able to make it financially and had a supportive Christian superior who understands the need to take leave from work to go on missions. From the time we arrived on Tuesday to the time we departed on Monday, we thank God who saw us through the 137 hours spent in Myanmar. Upon arrival via SilkAir, we were greeted by Rev Salai and his team of elders and pastors. Amanda also came along to greet us with a flower for each of us. They had kindly arranged a van and pickup truck to ferry us straight to the Holly Hotel for dinner and an early night rest. In the first 24 hours, Rev Jack led a full-day lecture on The History and Doctrinal Implications of the Protestant Reformation. More than a hundred filled the chapel hall at the Bible Reformed 4
Seminary (BRS). Besides the local students, many came from different parts of Myanmar including persecuted missionaries for the lectures. Rev David Khobal was gracious to allow us to use this premise for the gathering of the saints including members of the Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church (IEPC). Besides covering the spirit of the Reformers, Rev Jack also covered a summary of Calvin s Institutes. At the end of the day, students working for one credit hour were given a quiz of three questions; namely on the five solas, TULIP, and three points made by Luther. On the next day, Dn Peter Ong led a half-day workshop on Evangelism. Despite difficulties getting the Visa approved promptly and having to fly back and forth between Singapore-Yangon more than once, thank God that Dn Peter made it. A few of us had flu but that did not hinder us in doing the work of God. After elaborating on the five points he planned to teach, a short exercise was carried out for all to practice. The rest of the day was spent nearby and at Junction City, southern Yangon. We shopped for local produce and mainly snacks for the goodie bags, excursion and refreshment breaks. On the third day, our team worked together to put up a full-day children s programme at BRS. I led and taught the children spiritual songs. Rev Jack participated actively in the singing with his guitar playing skills. We also watched a video clip that explained green pastures before we sang the song related to Psalm 23. Brother Victor Lee taught two lessons on Heros of Faith; from Abraham to Sarah to Isaac, from Moses to Joshua to Rahab. Dn Ng Thiam Koon and sister Han Kin Kheng led in craft (bookmark making) and some relay games. We also taught the kids to sing I'm Singing For My Lord. Some were chosen to learn and play the ukulele. The kids managed to put up a music item after forty five minutes! On the second last day, our team occupied almost sixty children from the Immanuel Orphanage for a full day. In the morning, we met them for an excursion to a local park which is almost like a zoo. I had a conversation with one then - her name is Esther, 13; she said her ambition is to be a doctor and her favourite colour is blue - their orphanage tee shirt color. We saw kittens, deer, monkeys, bears, crocodiles and birds. Some of us had fun trying to feed the hungry creatures. After lunch, we headed to their Orphanage for music lesson. We taught them to sing and play the ukulele for more than an hour. At last, we found seven out of twenty one who can play the entire song on ukulele. For rest of the day, brother Victor Lee taught and Dn Ng Thiam Koon and sister Han Kin Kheng led the craft and games. On hindsight, thank God that I could learn ukulele. I spent the month of August learning from two sisters and practiced everyday for 25 days until the day of flight. In the last 24 hours, we enjoyed two worship services to praise God on the Sabbath day. Rev Jack preached on Daniel 1 at Yangon BP Church and Isaiah 6 at IEPC. The team also presented a song item, O Zion, Haste. Brother Victor Lee and myself also gave our testimonies 5
in each of the services. We also had lunch fellowship and a thanksgiving dinner with the local co-workers. On the day of our flight, Rev Salai brought us to the airport for departure. A team of pastors and elders came to send us off as we travelled via Singapore Airlines. We were also given some mangoes to share with our families and churches back in Singapore! Time flies but we did capture some moments of this mission trip in videos and photos for all to remember fondly upon. God has greatly endowed us to go to the ends of the world. Back home, I felt more appreciative and grateful to God of the fine weather and living conditions in Singapore. Our ministry and work is very limited by time, location and other resources. But we look upon our Lord to continue the work when we have to rest and leave. We pray and greatly depend on our Lord for all things to come to pass. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalms 127:1-2. This psalm calls for a balance between hard work and trusting God. Both are essential. Work without trust is self-sufficiency; trust without work is presumption. As Christians, we must recognize that nothing in life can succeed, whether missions or business or family, without the Lord. Trusting God does not make the believer passive or inactive. On the contrary it should make him faithful, diligent, and hopeful in his calling, believing that the will to work, as well as our abilities, opportunities, and successes are gifts of God. Until next time SDG! Kelvin Chin Evangel BP Church Singapore ++++++++ To MBPC Missions, I Will Go! Just a few days before the 7-member Mission Team depart for Myanmar (5-11 September 2017), I informed Deacon Ng Thiam Koon (Team Leader) the likelihood of my withdrawal, again. I wanted to stay back to keep Kin Hoong company in view of her recent bereavement. It also brought back memories of Kin Zee s death last October whereby I missed witnessing the dedication of the Immanuel Children Development Centre for the 50-plus orphans. Somehow, I sensed the spiritual struggle in decision making to go forth to Yangon to do God s work. By God s sovereign grace, I learnt from Kirk that he had applied for leave to be with his widowed mother, Kin Hoong. 6
Although I was the only female member, I was well taken care of by my team mates, especially when I had gastric pains towards the end of the trip and for the first time ever, I forgot to pack along my travel medication. But, God is our great physician. The Team committed me in prayer and I returned safely to Singapore on Tuesday, 11/9 in the afternoon. Over time and experiences encountered in my daily walk with God, I am still the sinful creature who is solely dependent upon God Almighty to provide, protect and prepare me to humbly serve Him with my time, talent and treasure. I have learnt to commit every obstacle in prayer, trusting and believing that our God knows and answers prayers in the fullness of His perfect timing. It has always been my privilege and honour to serve God in all the mission trips that I was a team member of since 2014. Besides, I am always reminded of my promise to God I retire to re-fire my life for God. I was very encouraged to see the wonderful joy on the faces of the Myanmese brethren and the orphans, especially. They were so eager to learn whatever was being taught from the preaching of the gospel of salvation to the ukulele crash course lesson to the singspiration session For relaxation, they were enthusiastically and actively engaged in the games planned for them. Everyone was treated to the lovely Finale at the orphanage and IEPC whereby the children displayed their talents strumming on the ukuleles and rendering simple hymns with their sweet, melodious and beautiful voices to the praise and glory of God. Therefore, I acknowledge that I am very richly blessed to be a part of the Mission Team to wherever God has so ordained MBPC to lead. Dear siblings-in-christ, I pray that you would not deny yourself the golden opportunity to experience God s bountiful blessings awaiting for you to receive. Yes, I am aware that there will/may be challenges and even fear to overcome. But, we do have God s promises to see us through if only we seek Him fervently and obediently. Matthew 6:33 (But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.) Psalm 112:1 (Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.) Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.) Romans 12:11 (Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;) 7
Colossians 3:23 (And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.) Consider Apostle Paul s admirable spirit to testify the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20:24 (But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.) Han Kin Kheng +++++++++ How do I know that I am saved? Acknowledge that I am a depraved fallen sinner and cannot save myself (Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-12, Genesis 6:5) Believe that Jesus is God and that He died on the cross and rose again on the third day for my sins (Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5) Confess and repent of my sins sincerely before God and seek His forgiveness (1 John 1:9, Matthew 3:8, Acts 20:21) Devote my heart fully to know and trust Christ as Saviour and Lord and read His Word daily (Luke 9:23; 2 Timothy 2:15) Endeavour to pray to Christ and to come to church to worship God every Sunday to grow in my faith (Hebrews10:24, 25, 2 Peter 3:18) Faithful to God to the end as His disciple and steward (1 Corinthians 4:2, Hebrews 12:1-2) Godliness and growth in the knowledge and the fear of God as my goal till He comes again (Proverbs 9:10, 1 Timothy 4:7, 8) Jack Sin ++++++++ 8
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Theme for the Quarter : Developing A Biblical World View English Worship Service Rev Dr Jack Sin speaks on A Life Changing Encounter With God Scripture Text : John 3:1-16; Responsive Reading : Romans 10: 1-17 Gospel Sunday [End of MM] 10