YWAM Singapore Tel. (65) 6745 9700 Fax. (65) 6747 7533 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.ywam.org.sg Mailing Address: Youth With A Mission Geylang P.O.Box 25 Singapore 913801 Republic of Singapore

Editor’s Note

Home. Family. Community. Such words cannot be said and heard without evoking a strong emotional response. Whether your own experience of these things has been positive or negative, we all have an inbuilt desire to belong. In this issue of FACES, we would like to invite you into our home. To pull up a chair. Get a cup of tea, perhaps. But instead of us telling you stories about ourselves, we would like you to take a look into our community through the eyes of non-YWAMers. We asked them to share with us, and with you, their own personal experience of YWAM Singapore and the YWAMers who make up this particular part of the body of Christ.

FACES is a publication of YWAM Singapore Project Director: Joseph Chean Editor: Jasmin Ivins Designer: Kelvin Marc Tan Writers: Lian Quek Jasmin Ivins Photographers: Andrew Chew Wayne Sim Jasmin Ivins Proof Readers: Adeline Chiang Helen Brownell MCI (P) 096/11/2013

We hope that, through the stories of our friends and “extended family members”, you will get, as we did, a fresh insight into YWAM Singapore and His plans and purposes for us.

Jasmin Ivins Editor

Dear Family, Associates and Friends of YWAM Singapore, Greetings. Four times a year, the Leadership of YWAM Singapore meets for 3 to 4 days of Prayer and Worship. The main purpose is to bring pleasure to God and to spend time in His presence, fellowship with Him and each other and to listen to what the Lord has to say about YWAM Singapore. The days are filled with singing, listening, responding and evaluating.   On 16 October 2013, we had our first day of one such Prayer Retreat. At the end of the day, I received a letter from our Landlord saying that due to their projection of growth in 2014, they are unable to renew our lease to stay at Lorong 23 and that YWAM Singapore has to move out of the premise by 28th February 2014 - 4 months of notice. I was stunned and speechless. God had spoken to us that He is repositioning YWAM to grow and thus we had a need for a bigger premise, as we are already fully packed. I didn’t expect the move to be so soon and unexpected. I was shaken and I retreated to my inner sanctuary. I found peace that the ‘fire and cloud have lifted - it’s time for YWAM Singapore to move’. If God is moving us, we had better follow.

The next day, I shared the news with the Leadership and we sought the face of God. On the final day of the prayer retreat, we gathered the YWAM Singapore family and their response was very encouraging. Our staff stood up and spoke words of support and faith in our Leadership because they trust in God. Singaporean staff offered their extra rooms and beds to foreign YWAMers who may need housing. Different YWAMers expressed their willingness to make huge adjustments and make room for others to come. Listening to their feedback, the YWAM Leadership felt that together, we could do this and God would honour our response. YWAM’s last “exodus” was in 1995 when we were asked to move out of Balestier Plaza to make way for the development of Shaw Plaza. YWAM purchased property in Geylang at Lorong 9 in 1997. That same year, I joined YWAM and since then, none of us, with the exception of three currently active staff from our Balestier Plaza days, have experienced a major move. In that time, YWAM Singapore has grown four-fold, both in the number of full-time staff and in the ministries we have started.   As it was then, the coming move is not for ourselves. It’s for our children and future generations of YWAMers and we are to position ourselves for their growth.

In the midst of these challenges, we saw homeless people coming to Christ. They had visitations from God in their dreams and in PERSON!  Our Medical Boat sailed and we set up medical services in 4 villages serving hundreds of people with medical care, children’s ministry and taught in schools. Suddenly, what seemed like a crisis is now an opportunity to see God at work. God has led us to a place where our dependence is fully on Him. We will not make it unless God shows up. This issue of Faces 2014 features YWAM community through the eyes of our friends and associates. We hope you will be encouraged as you read their stories about their encounters with YWAM Singapore. Once again, thank you for coming alongside us in so many different ways. Your friendship, financial support, prayers and encouragement have carried us in this adventure and journey of missions in the nations. You are an integral part of all that God has done through us. Thank you! To God be the Glory.

Till Asia is filled with God’s glory, Joseph Chean National Director

FRONTIER MISSIONS

Frontier Missions – words that can conjure up images of adventure, thrill and of lone “spiritual warriors” shining light in the dark places of exotic nations. While this may be true in some cases, there are also seasons of learning to faithfully put one foot in front of the other, following the Lord’s leading in the day-to-day challenges of life in the field. But wherever God leads, that is the best place to be. YWAM Singapore now has 22 full-time missionaries in the field. They can be found in some of Asia’s biggest and busiest cities, as well as in some of the most remote and dangerous corners of the continent. We equip them with training, counselling and debriefing, and we also provide them with support and member care. Our desire is to see them thrive, grow and bear fruit in the frontiers that God has called them to.

A YWAM ADVENTURE

A Singaporean Pastor, Reverend Lai Kai Ming, from Pentecost Methodist Church, joins YWAM on a trip to the field. On 11th August 2013, Pastor Lai Kai Ming embarked on an adventure to East Asia that lasted 5 days and brought him through a gamut of emotions. He found himself sometimes fearful, at other times moved to tears. During the trip, often he found himself in uncertain circumstances: moving through a dark alleyway at midnight, praying hard as his plane circled, unable to land due to a typhoon, walking around like a tourist taking pictures of raindrops and flowers by a lake so as to allay suspicions of possible observers. All the time, he was constantly aware that he was in a place where political unrest lay just beneath the uneasy calm as security cameras peppered the landscape. Then for the finale: chasing a plane, carrying 10kg of fresh fruits in his hands, from one terminal to the next just to catch a flight to Singapore. His ‘tour guide’ was Joseph Chean (YWAM Singapore’s National Director) whom he had met as a result of collaborating with Judy Foo (Director of YWAM Singapore’s GO Centre) in starting the first Trackers Discipleship Program in the Methodist Church. While at a conference in Hong Kong the previous year, Joseph invited him on this journey. Through this, Ps. Kai Ming found YWAMers were not just ‘Holy Joes’, but they were ‘normal’ and his faith in God was renewed. The possibly dangerous nature of this trip was evidenced by the 15 months it took to prepare. During that time, Ps. Kai Ming often questioned his motives and decided that it was not going to be merely personally enriching, but it was time to step out of the familiar and to see more of God.

The purpose of the trip was to train pastors and though he was unsure of how he could contribute, he was willing to observe, learn and help wherever he was able. On arrival, he felt a sense of elation at the fresh air and scenery. The elation was replaced by a slight apprehension when he discovered that for security reasons, the YWAM missionary they were to meet could not greet them at the airport. The spirit of hostility was very real and he was told that people were sometimes stabbed for no reason. Ps. Kai Ming needed to have complete trust in God. They had to travel for an hour to get to the meeting place at the foot of the mountains and were closeted there for 2 days of intensive training. It was not pastors, as they had expected, but youth leaders who were there for the training. Then, Ps. Kai Ming understood God’s decision to bring him there, as he was a perfect fit in that situation, being the Youth Director of a group of churches in Singapore. Here were young people stepping out of personal hardship and pain to trust God and lead in His Kingdom work on hard ground. The young leaders were doing life together and there were no pew warmers. These were Christians with deep faith, strong Bible knowledge and vibrant prayer lives. The paradox hit home for him when he contrasted it to the small groups in developed and peaceful Singapore, where ample resources are available. Both Joseph and Ps. Kai Ming saw hope for the local church in the young leaders.

When Joseph taught on the Father Heart of God, it was not just the youth leaders who were moved but also Ps. Kai Ming himself, who began to think of his relationship with his earthly father. It was a time of sharing hurts and crying out as stories of marital woes and dysfunctional families were recounted. Ps. Kai Ming saw that God is a God who wastes no pain from past wounds, He is able to redeem situations and forge strong leaders in His Kingdom. Though not living in a YWAM community, Ps. Kai Ming saw YWAMers at work. The lone courageous lady missionary faithfully sowing and watering spiritual seeds in that hostile environment. Joseph, who was tired yet able to exude energy when he needed to adapt as he taught. He was constantly praying to hear God as he ministered and to be intentional in all that he did, posing difficult questions, explaining and persuading when required.

It was time to step out of the familiar and to see more of God.

Ps. Kai Ming has some lasting takeaways from this YWAM adventure. “Joe made me think about how I lead my team. I am by nature very task oriented and while I love to meet people one on one, I do not often have that luxury. Now I am trying to find a balance. Joe challenged me and said that at the end of the day, ministry is about people.”

MERCY CENTRE

The Mercy Centre exists to rightly represent the heart of the Father towards the poor and needy, the oppressed and the marginalised in Singapore and the nations of Asia. We desire to speak the gospel in tangible ways without words and to earn the right to share the good news through relationships. We desire to be like Jesus; to embody His presence to broken communities. The Mercy Centre was officially registered in December 2012 as a separate body from YWAM Singapore, serving communities in Singapore and Asian nations. One year on, God has led us into deeper faith as we have taken a leap into unknown territories and dared to dream with Him. We are still young, but the fruit is already starting to show and lives are being impacted for the Kingdom. Our vision is to remain true to Isaiah 61; ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.’

THE CALL TO A MEDICAL MISSION

Dr. Luke* was born into a Buddhist family. At the age of 16 he accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour while in Senior High School. He was baptized in 2008. Since then, more of his family members have come to know Jesus Christ for themselves. My favourite verse, Matthew 6:33, has guided me through my years as a medical student and a qualified doctor. The verse encourages, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” I believe that God’s children were created to accomplish deeds foreordained by God. After I completed medical school in 2011, I was placed at a hospital for my final year’s internship. After finishing my internship in January 2012, I returned to my home town. I heard briefly about a Medical Boat in the area, but did not pay that much attention, as I really had no intention of staying on in the area for my work. Instead, I sought God for my next appointment. A series of events led me to another area of my nation for a 3-6 month period. Before I left, my pastor blessed and unknowingly challenged me, saying, “I saw that you’ll be away for 3-6 months and afterwards, you will serve back at home.” After 6 months away, I again heard about the Medical Boat, a ministry of YWAM Singapore. Unknown to me then, God had spoken to the Medical Boat team that the doctor they needed for the boat, who was yet to be identified, was like Gideon – hiding from his call. They gathered in prayer and asked “Gideon” to be brought forth.

* not his real name

On 29th July 2013, at 2.50am, I was woken up by a voice calling, “Gideon, Gideon!” This was the first time something like this had happened to me. Trembling, but yet certain it was the Lord’s voice I had heard, I prayed to find out the meaning of His word for me. It was only a few weeks later that the call became clear. The speaker at a meeting I was attending spoke about the need for a doctor for the boat, the Gideon story and how God gave Gideon strategies. I then realized what I was called to do. I prayed for further confirmation and God lovingly assured me about the path I would take.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalm 24:1-2

Aside from the logistics of this pioneering work, I was also concerned about how this medical boat ministry would be received by the 6 unreached people groups who made their home along the banks of the river that this boat was intended to service. With all this in my mind and heart, as well as a clear call from the Lord for this ministry, I set off on the Medical Boat’s maiden voyage together with a visiting YWAM DTS team from Singapore. The purpose was to lay spiritual foundations for the ministry. The YWAMers were led to stand on Psalm 24 and proclaim it on that first 6-hour voyage along the river. On this voyage, we could not operate the clinic on board the boat as we were still waiting for the boat’s health license to be issued. But that did not stop us from setting up clinics right in the heart of four of the villages we visited. As the villagers waited to see me, the DTS team helped with the registration, took notes of patients’ ailments for their medical records and played with the children. They taught them to sing Christian choruses and spent time relating to the children who were eager to show them the villages.

The villagers were initially wary, but after watching the team’s interaction with their children, they were reassured and kept asking, “When is the boat coming back? How often will you be coming?” The villagers were obviously delighted to have this health service. God is creative and not limited by how He can call anyone to His plans and purposes. We wait with eager anticipation to receive more stories about the God-led adventures of this Medical Boat.

GRACE AND FORGIVENESS

How can living the gospel impact real people’s lives?

The smart phone, a Samsung Note II, was a gift from a YWAM associate. Its monthly subscription was paid for so that Shu Hui, Head of the Tamar Village, could use it for her ministry at Mercy Centre. This ministry, which helps to take sex workers off the streets of Geylang, was birthed through a year of prayer by Shu Hui and Lois (a volunteer). The ministry started on 1 January 2011. They support the girls they find by teaching them to make jewelry, sew and bake cookies for sale. The women of Tamar come three times a week to the Mercy Centre and are paid so that they have an alternate source of income. One Tuesday afternoon, Shu Hui received a call from one of the homeless girls, Audrey*, requesting permission to come to the Mercy Centre for a shower. Shu Hui welcomed her and began to prepare some food for her. In the midst of her preparations, Shu Hui was called away to attend to some guests, leaving her phone on the kitchen table. She was surprised when Audrey came to bid her farewell, saying that she was done and would not stay to eat as she had to rush off somewhere else. It was only later that afternoon that Shu Hui discovered that her phone was missing. She immediately recalled the sudden exit of Audrey. She called Audrey, who was with her boyfriend, and they both denied taking the phone. In desperation, Shu Hui asked Lois, who had counseled Audrey before, to persuade her to reveal the whereabouts of the item, but with no success. There was nothing else Shu Hui could do but to pray.

* not her real name

Later that evening, Shu Hui chanced upon Audrey and her boyfriend eating at a coffee shop. As she walked towards them, she felt God tell her, “Forgive”. She approached them and said, “Please tell me which shop you sold my phone to and I will buy it back. I can do two things; I can charge you at the police station and as this is your fourth offense, it will mean that you could be jailed for 7 years. But I will not do that. I forgive you because Jesus asked me to forgive you. I will buy it back; just tell me where the shop is.” She then hugged Audrey to show that she bore no ill feelings. Audrey then confessed to taking the phone and told Shu Hui where she had sold it. Shu Hui made her way to the shop and, upon entering, she saw her phone displayed in a cabinet. She asked how much it would cost to buy it back. She was told it would cost her $700. Horrified at the sum, she explained her situation to the salesman and after talking to the manager, they decided she could have it back for $450, the price they had bought it for. Shu Hui had placed $150 in the pocket of the phone cover, a love gift from a friend to buy milk powder for Tamar clients who have babies. Of course, that was gone. She returned to the culprits and requested the return of the money but Audrey’s boyfriend said it was all gone. God took that situation and brought good from it. When Shu Hui was speaking to Audrey, four other clients of Tamar Village were sitting at a table next to them and heard the whole conversation. They were so touched by what they saw of the grace of God being extended through Shu Hui that word of what happened began getting around the streets of Geylang. More women are now frequently coming to the Mercy Centre. They have started coming to eat lunch on Wednesdays with the rest of the Tamar clients and staff and interact more with each other and the volunteers who help in Tamar Village.

Some of the other clients of Tamar shared their reaction to Shu Hui’s gracious act and the impact of the Tamar ministry on them. Erica who has been coming for about a month to work in Tamar Village: “Shu Hui’s heart is good and she gives second chances. I find coming here is good for me, It teaches me things. I am so happy when I come. I have friends macam keluarga (like family); here, all my stress is gone.” Siti a 19-year-old single unwed mother, brought by Lois to Mercy Centre had this to say:

“I get angry with people who steal. When people make mistakes, Shu Hui says never mind, so Shu Hui will get back more blessings. I am shocked she can forgive people just like that. I enjoy coming to bake and making necklaces. We learn something here. We are like a family, we share together; if there is a misunderstanding, we talk and make things clear.” Ida has 4 children and her husband is currently in prison. She was introduced to Lois by another streetwalker. She said:

“Shu Hui is like an angel. This is like an angel place. I want to follow her way, just forgive and don’t bear grudges. For now, I am going straight, in the past I worked in the streets.” The loss of Shu Hui’s phone was an opportunity used by God to craft a breakthrough for the ministry in Geylang. From this incident, it is evident that God‘s ways are certainly higher than our ways.

TRAINING CENTRE

The Training Centre is the doorway into the YWAM community. Currently, YWAM Singapore runs four schools: Discipleship Training School (DTS), School of Biblical Studies (SBS), School of Biblical Studies Night School (SBSNS) and School of Frontier Missions (SoFM). Each of these schools focus on different aspects of training and discipling believers into the mission field, wherever God may be calling them. YWAM Singapore endeavors to equip students with the tools and skills required to reach out to the lost around them. Often, the training process can lead to personal healing along the way, as the Lord gently draws His children closer and closer to Himself.

DTS ROCKS

Toh Jia Han’s story of life transformation through the Discipleship Training School.

When I was in Secondary Three, my sister brought home a Chinese brochure about YWAM. At the time, I was not a believer. Later, when I became a Christian, I began to have brief encounters with YWAMers. My circle of YWAM acquaintances grew, but I did not know them very intimately. In 2005, my wife, Maggie, felt led to work in YWAM but first, she needed to complete a DTS (Discipleship Training School). I was unhappy with her decision as we were having some financial issues and this meant that our household income would be significantly reduced. I asked myself, “What kind of weird organization is this? The workers have no salary, regardless of what position they hold. And in addition, they have to pay a staff fee and raise their own financial support!” I owned a construction company and in 2008, I offered my services to renovate a section of the YWAM Base in Geylang. While working there, I really got to know YWAM as an organization and also as a family. Being connected with YWAM has taught me about faith. In the contracting business, no contractor in his right mind starts a job without an initial deposit.

I began to understand many incidents in my past and could begin to forgive.

The YWAM leaders told me that they had no money for a deposit. The total renovation cost was quite substantial. They engaged my company by faith and after seeing the faith of this crazy “family”, I agreed to work by faith too. What my workers and I noticed when working on this site was that people here were friendly, always smiling and courteous. They opened doors for my Bangladeshi workers and always thanked them. When the work started, it was the time of the ‘Hungry Ghost’ Month and some of my workers wanted to pray and offer food to idols before starting the work so that there would be no accidents or injuries. I firmly forbade this. I told them we were working with Christians and that their God protects. The work went smoothly and my workers said that this was the happiest site they had ever worked on. The faith of the YWAM community was not in vain because when money was due to be paid, the finances came as if I was working on any commercial project. When the work was completed, we were so touched that the YWAM family held a love feast for all the workers. I had seen DTS being conducted on the base. I felt safe from the possibility of ever having to attend one because I thought the DTS only accepted young people and not ‘oldies’ like me. Besides, attending a DTS would mean stopping my business. One day, Maggie and I met a YWAM colleague. She works with youth-at-risk in the Mercy Centre. She told me about her ministry and invited me to volunteer. Though unsure about what to do, I volunteered with the ministry. I followed up with some of the boys who had been recently released from prison. Never before had YWAM Singapore held a DTS for older people. One day, I was told that James and Sarah Chan were starting a Caleb

DTS for those aged 45 years and above. It was now or never for me, and I decided to take it on. The cost of doing DTS meant closing down my business and transferring one of my most loyal workers to another company. I also had to split with my business partner. The most memorable incident thus far was when we learnt about the Father Heart of God. My paternal grandparents were very traditional and unhappy with the fact that my mother had only given them granddaughters. They ill-treated her in some ways. She had given birth to my older sisters who were then one- and two-years-old. When my mother was pregnant again, she carried the anxiety of the possibility of having another girl and having to do all the housework for exacting in-laws. I felt the grief of my mother as she carried me in her womb. I began to understand many incidents in my past and could begin to forgive. I feel that everyone should do a DTS. I have attended church for more than 20 years. But it’s here in YWAM that I have had such a close spiritual encounter. It is life-changing.

EXTREME MAKEOVER

Margaret Soh experienced her own ‘extreme makeover’ as the Lord healed and restored her through the Discipleship Training School.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ Matthew 25 : 34 - 35

I heard about God in secondary school but it was only when I was 18 years old that I met a wonderful Christian lady who brought me to church and did a Bible study with me. Since then, my walk with God has been up and down. There were years of backsliding. One year, I decided to take night classes at the Singapore Bible College. This began my process of coming home to God.

God I had caused me to rebel against Him and I wrested control of my life away from His hands. I would have complete control of my life; I did not need Him if all the crises he permitted in my life were just for the sake of punishing me for what He considered was evil in me. There had been moments in the past when I had been so disappointed and angry with God that I had even torn up my Bible.

At the course, I met a YWAM staff member. She introduced me to YWAM and gave me the link to the YWAM website.

I had never enjoyed a relationship with my earthly father as he had died when I was young. Now, God, my Father, was showing me He wanted a relationship with me. I began to comprehend the existence of a Triune God; Father, Son and now the person of the Holy Spirit, whom I had never taken the time to know. He would empower me to live the way He wanted me to.

The three objectives of YWAM resonated with me: intimacy with God, character development and evangelism. I contacted YWAM and was encouraged to apply for the coming Mercy DTS. When the Mercy DTS started, I was helped spiritually by the modules taught. Each progressively built on the next, every week’s lecture focusing on a different topic. After 12 weeks, I can truly say I have been born again. In the Father Heart of God week, I began to apprehend God’s love for me. He looked at every tiny detail in my life and I discovered that He was not a punitive God who looked to punish my wrongs, but a forgiving Heavenly Father. Before this, my life experiences had been stormy ones that had engendered much anger against this seemingly absent God. The perception of

I have come to understand the root causes for my thoughts and perceptions that made me feel my existence was a mistake. When growing up, I was frequently chided and criticized for not doing things properly. The continuous criticisms leveled at me caused me to feel rejection and I did not feel accepted for who I was. I was constantly labeled in a negative light and suffered from low self-esteem. People around me had such lofty expectations of me that I simply could not live up to them, no matter how hard I tried. I also hated myself for making others view me in this light. I believed that my life was fated to be a bad one. Good things seemed beyond my reach. I became a firm

believer in fate. As a result, I became suicidal. I felt that there was nothing I could do to change my destiny.

to me and I did not have the energy or motivation to care for my home at all.

One day, I had a close brush with death. I was crossing the road and a car drove past, brushing my body. It was then that I realized an accident could have happened and God had preserved my life. It was not my time to die yet.

The love of the community in YWAM enabled me to permit them to come to my home and clean it up for me. Staff and students showed me how the two-handed gospel was lived: where the spiritual as well as the physical was ministered to.

I read somewhere that our external environment is a reflection of our inner environment. The physical condition of my home rightly reflected my inner emotional state. The notion that my existence was a ghastly mistake affected the way I lived. Though I had a home, I did not exercise stewardship over it. My home could be likened to ones you see on reality TV programs of the ‘before’ examples for an extreme makeover. My flat was cluttered with things accumulated over three decades. I had not tended to it at all. Housekeeping was a painful chore

I came to YWAM with a hunger and I am left hungering for even more of God. I wrote a note at the back of my Bible. It is based on Matthew 25:34-35. I wrote: This is what Jesus says: For I was living in filth, dirt and scum and you came and cleaned my temple. You restored my royalty and allowed me to live in dignity. You lifted me up and enthroned me as King.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Our community is where we ‘do life’ together. It is here that we learn how to love beyond our differences, to practice living as Jesus’ followers and from here, we reach out to those around us. For many of us, it is in this community that we find healing from our own broken families or relationships. And for our international staff, it is our home away from home, the family on whom we rely when we go through difficult seasons and together, celebrate our joys. Our strength comes from inclusion. We are called to stretch out our arms in welcome to any who come within our grasp, pulling them lovingly into our home, inviting them to our tables and sofas. When deep conversation is valued, the pace is slower. We seek to put relationship before task. But as friendships are forged, it is a joy to labour together to see God’s Kingdom established in our midst. In our community. In Geylang. In Singapore.

TRACKING WITH YWAM by Amos Chong

willing to do whatever I could before the exams, but that He would have to help me. I did not expect to pass with flying colors, but at least to get into a polytechnic and pursue a course that I liked. That was the time when I really burnt the candle at both ends. I stopped visiting the LAN shop and attended night classes to prepare myself for the ‘O’ levels. Revising 4 years of curriculum in a month was no joke. I really couldn’t have done it without God. I scored 26 points, which was the bare minimum to enter a polytechnic, and got into a course that I enjoyed. After ‘O’ levels, I attended SERVE, a discipleship course conducted by my church. There, I truly felt God just wanted all of me. I stopped being addicted to gaming and surrendered my days to God until I started my polytechnic course. The fire for gaming died but afterwards, my addiction came back to haunt me again. Once I had my own laptop, I gamed all I wanted.

God just wanted all of me. I wasn’t behaving like a Christian should. My secondary school years were spent playing computer games. I would copy my homework from friends at school and doze off in class. After school, I would visit the LAN shop to satisfy my gaming addiction and then, when I returned home, I would lie to my parents that I had studies to do and then I would continue playing games until bedtime. My wakeup call was a month before the ‘O’ levels exams. I realized that if I did not do well, I would end up in the ITE (Institute of Technical Education). So I told God that I was

Last December, I attended a youth camp organized by my church cell group. There, again, I heard God calling me back to Him. I told myself that after I completed my polytechnic, I would go back to church and serve before I enlisted for NS. My youth pastor suggested that I intern at YWAM. That was the first time I had heard of them. I had no idea about who or what they were. Through the weeks, somehow, God told me that this was the place He wanted me to go. So I obeyed and went. At first, I was uncomfortable being there all alone without anyone else I knew and amongst so many strangers from so many nations with all their different skin and hair colours. After the first day, I got to know other interns and felt more at ease. Slowly, I opened up and got acquainted with the staff there. At sharing sessions, we shared parts of our life stories and I started wanting to find out more about other people’s stories.

None of the YWAM staff receive a salary; they live by faith, trusting God. I really had no idea why people would want to work without a salary until I got to know them. Every story I heard had a common theme: God loves all of us, whether we are rich, short, tall, big or small. God loves us all the same. That meant God loves me also; whatever mistakes I have made, no matter how much I had disappointed Him, He still loves me and forgives me. He loves me so much that I have to share His love with everyone. During my time at YWAM, I attended classes on different worldviews, studied the Book of John and went out to evangelize. All of these activities helped me experience His presence. I participated in the Trolley ministry that goes out to feed and encourage the homeless. What surprised me was that many of them belonged to other faiths and they were willing to speak to the staff that conducted this ministry, and learn more about Christ. It encouraged me to see fruit being borne.

From YWAM I have learnt that evangelism comes in many forms. It is living out what it means to ‘love one another’. I spent one month at YWAM and the time flew by so fast. It was the best time of my life as I learnt so much that I could not have learnt elsewhere. I got to know many people who were willing to lay down their lives for God. They were people of different ethnicities and nationalities, coming together to serve the same God. And we did everything as a community, from cleaning the toilets, to sharing simple meals, to serving the poor. I decided to surrender my life to Him, even to the extent of giving up my gaming totally. It was painful to delete all my gaming programs, which I had built up over 7 years. I would love to attend a Discipleship Training School one day. My time at YWAM has changed me a lot.

AFTER WORDS

Amos’ grandparents, Fred and Shirley Chong, came to the Lord 3 years ago and they worship at Bedok Methodist Church. They have been witnesses to the changes in Amos’ life through the years. How did you hear about YWAM? I heard about YWAM through Judy Foo (Director of YWAM Singapore’s GO Centre) who attends my church. She is active in the Chinese ministry that I go to. Shu Hui (from Tamar Ministry) has also come to speak at our services.

How close are you to Amos? He lived with us before he started kindergarten. He was always considerate of us. When my wife could not go to send him off for National Service (NS), he took the trouble to call and speak to her on the phone before he left for his Basic Military Training at Pulau Tekong.

Was there a time when you were concerned about the direction his life was taking? Yes. When he was in secondary school, I saw that he was very addicted to computer games. But I was not so worried because I believed God would take care of it as Amos comes from a Christian home. His father was the first one to become a Christian in our family.

How has his life changed after his internship at YWAM? The big difference is that he has thrown away all his games. Only God can do that. I follow his Facebook page and what he writes. I see that he now has a heart to serve the Lord. That is a big change. Now he is able to tell me what he wants in life. Before NS, I was quite worried that he didn’t know what his direction in life was; now he knows. I asked Amos if he wants to become an officer in the army. Amos told me that he was not interested in rank; he wanted to be with his men, even as a sergeant. My wife and I both observe that Amos has a pastoral heart. I read a post in Facebook about how tired he was on a route march and yet he said, “I am tired, but with God’s help I am able to help my other friends.” To me, that is fantastic. I am very proud of him.

I see that he now has a heart to serve the Lord.

LETTING GO

What made Christian parents, Jerry and Carol Choo, release their only daughter into God’s work? Desiree serves as a full-time YWAM Staff, moving from a wellsalaried job as an auditor to becoming a volunteer. They were initially concerned as she had only recently been promoted and had been given the privilege of pursuing two degrees, one of which was a Masters in Accountancy, and was earning a substantial income. When did you first hear about YWAM? Carol: It was when Desiree felt she had the Lord’s calling to do something more with her life. Initially, she was unsure what that would mean but it became clearer to her that she was to attend DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM and possibly go on to the mission field. I didn’t know what DTS was about and wondered if this YWAM would take my daughter away from me and change her? We were assured about YWAM when I was talking about it with a good friend. He surprised me when he told me that his brother and sister-in-law were working in YWAM Myanmar. The conversation took my doubts away. Also, I had spoken to my niece who had worked with YWAMers and she told me that YWAM helped strengthen a Christian’s walk. Then we went to see the Mercy Centre in Geylang for myself.

What was your initial reaction to visiting YWAM Mercy Centre? Carol: Desiree has been sheltered at home. She has a comfortable life with us and her own air-conditioned bedroom. Now she was going to have to share a room and there would be no maid to tidy up after her. Could she take to living like that?

What concerns did you have about her going to the mission field? Carol: The information we initially received came in slowly. When we asked for more information she would say, “Let’s see where God will lead me.” Every DTS group prayerfully seeks God about the mission field they should go to.

Jerry: I was more relaxed but it was her mother who was worried about the physical conditions on the mission field. When Desiree told you of her decision to leave her secular job and serve in YWAM, what concerns did you have? Carol: Our concerns were about how she would live. She would be moving from earning over $4000 a month to zero income. She was going to get married soon and get a house, how would she live?

What changed your minds about blessing her decision then? Jerry: We had many Christian friends and we heard their testimonies and saw their changed lives. I thought, how can God always be giving? Someone in our family must give back to Him. So you could say that Desiree was our gift back to God. We believed that what she was doing was for a good cause. Desiree seemed to have made up her mind and we want her to be happy as we love her very much.

Carol: We could see that Desiree had a compassionate heart and she had been teaching in the Sunday school at church and helping in the hearing-impaired ministry of her church also. But for anyone to commit their finances and daily living to the Lord like that - it is a difficult thing to do. It was hard for us to watch her do this. But our Christian friends told us that if it’s the Lord calling her, then everything will fall into place. If the Lord has chosen you, all your doubts will be answered. Jerry: My other two sons, Benjamin and Alex, also supported Desiree’s decision. Benjamin told me that she would not lack anything. She would be fine. He cited examples of full-time workers for the Lord who were doing well and not in lack.

What have you seen in Desiree since she has joined YWAM? Carol: She trusts the Lord more, with all her heart. She used to be a fearful, timid child but now she is overflowing with confidence. We’ve also been taught a lesson about finances by her; she has less money but she is happier.

What would you tell other Christian parents who may face the same dilemma as you? Carol: God will need to answer their questions His way. He deals differently with different individuals. I would encourage them to seek the Lord first for their answers. Humanly speaking, we are concerned about material things for life. We would have said that you must be financially grounded and have more life experiences before you go full time into missions, but now I see that if God calls you, all this doesn’t matter. All you need to do is to trust Him. Know that if you give your child for His kingdom, all of these other things will just take care of themselves.

Has your view of God been enhanced as a result of all this? Carol: Tremendously. We think less about financial issues, and we tend to seek Him more about our dos and don’ts. We always know He loves us.

Jerry: Ever since Desiree has served full time at YWAM, we find more happiness in our family, more unity and bonding. We hear more about things that glorify Him and our family talks more about things relating to God. We no longer talk about material issues. I guess you can say that God is a family member now. Even our eldest son, Benjamin who has four sons and is a lawyer, now seeks God first. His work comes second.

A YWAMER AS MY WIFE

The husband of a full-time YWAM volunteer encounters the community more intimately.

Chong Wei Nurn and Desiree Choo had known each other for at least ten years. They met whilst being involved in the ministry for the hearing-impaired in their church. But it was not until they went on holiday with friends together to Redang, Malaysia that Wei Nurn discovered he had been bitten by the love bug; he had special feelings for this lovely, soft-spoken girl. Before Desiree attended DTS (Discipleship Training School) at YWAM, Wei Nurn’s encounters with YWAM were few and far between. He had been exposed to YWAM training materials for missions training, and had heard Joseph Chean (YWAM Singapore’s National Director) speak at his church youth camp. His acquaintance with YWAM grew when Desiree, while dating Wei Nurn, felt called to attend a DTS. He supported her in this decision. While doing DTS, Desiree felt God calling her to go full time as staff in YWAM. This meant there would be one income less for a couple on the verge of getting married. Wei Nurn’s response was: “I have learnt faith for finances.” If Desiree was going into full time missions, and the two would become one after marriage, it would feel as if a part of him would be in the mission field too. During an open week at DTS, Wei Nurn attended the classes and met Desiree’s course mates who became his friends too. He also shared meals with the DTS. He was beginning to become part of the YWAM family, especially when her YWAM friends helped at their wedding. Interacting closely with YWAMers through his wife, Wei Nurn discovered much about YWAM that endeared the community to him. It is a unique community that lives the Bible, loves people and has a heart of service for the community. YWAMers give without calculating the cost. YWAMers focus on hearing God. And so often, YWAMers, themselves living by faith, share generously with people in need with whatever they have despite not having a regular income. Wei Nurn now sees Desiree living life with a purpose and a sense of destiny. This is so different from the time when she worked as a tax accountant. “She seems to have acquired much wisdom and sensitivity to God, and is able to speak more deeply into my life. Her spiritual gifts have grown tremendously.”

He was beginning to become part of the YWAM family

COME AND WORSHIP HIM

YWAM Singapore comes together every week to worship, adore and seek the Father’s heart. They greet him as they see him walk into worship on Mondays. They hug him, exchange jokes with him, and ensure that he feels welcome at the base breakfast. He even joins in washing the dishes and wiping the tables. It’s as if he is in his own home. He is Uncle Adam*, who comes in on Mondays to ‘enjoy the music’ at the weekly Base Worship and to shower in the facilities. “I have been homeless for two years, then this group of people came to the place where we sleep and I heard they help people like me. I discovered these people are from YWAM. They distribute food on certain days. I talked to a wonderful lady, Regina. After a while, I found out they were holding a Neighbourhood Party for other people like me. I wanted to contribute and I performed at their party with this hell of a guy named Lona. I belong by birth to another religion. My religion did not help me, even after I served my time in jail. I was disillusioned with them. But when I met people from YWAM, they took me in. It has opened a new world to me. The people I mix with at YWAM; it’s a new life for me. I am homeless, but I come every Monday and Wednesday. When I need to shower, I ask for permission and shower here. These people are just wonderful. I’m thankful that I am accepted here. There is something beyond the horizon and these people will help me to find it.” A few years ago, YWAM leadership felt that it would delight the Father’s heart to have a time of worship, just pure worship for

* Not his real name

an hour on Monday mornings before the business of the day began for the Base. The Worship, Intercession and Evangelism Team (WIE Team) come together to wait upon the Lord and see what direction He wants to give them for these times. The numbers attending Monday Base Worship are steadily growing. Many of those attending are not YWAMers. Some are like Uncle Adam, some are visitors who have come into Singapore short term for business or vacations; some are regular attendees who enjoy starting the week with worship at the Base. Grace Chew visited Base Worship after years of being out of touch with YWAM; she also brought along a friend from Malaysia. “I remember how powerful worship was in the past in YWAM and I wanted to experience it again.” Vic Khoo came back to Singapore after almost 40 years away from the country. He is an ex-YWAMer. This was a trip back in time for Vic. The current location of the Mercy Centre previously housed Geylang Primary School and Vic had attended school there. He pointed to the part of the area that was his football pitch and his former school canteen. He told me “Attending Base Worship was ten out of ten; just what I needed. I said, thank You, Father, for bringing me back to my primary school, now the YWAM Base.” When he heard the worship songs that morning he had to keep saying “Amen, amen and amen” again and again to all that was sung and declared. Adeline Lim is a volunteer with the Tamar Village Ministry. “Here we are led by the Spirit, going with the flow; this is what I enjoy. I feel closer to the Lord. There is a different atmosphere here.” Maureen Chow is a friend of one of the DTS (Discipleship Training School) students in YWAM Singapore. She was invited to

come and experience Base Worship. “The minute I come here, it’s so warm. It’s a comfortable feeling. There are people I do not know, people from different countries who come to worship. It feels like a family, even though I don’t know anybody. The minute I step in and hear the music, it’s like WOW; I feel kan cheong (excited) I want to get in and be a part of it. I catch the Spirit and I just want to worship.” Alois comes from Paya Lebar Methodist Church. “I feel at home and comfortable here.” Henry and Agnes Lee visited Base Worship for the first time. Their daughter and her family, Gina and Nelson Lee, are serving in the YWAM Base in Mata Mata, New Zealand. “It’s wonderful here, we feel at home. We touch base with the Lord here.” Many people from all walks of life attend this Monday worship session that starts at 8:30am in the Worship Hall at Lorong 23. It’s a time for recharging before they start the week. It’s so refreshing, enjoying the fellowship that follows at breakfast. It certainly feels like home and the community is family indeed.

DRAWN TO YWAM

Faces Magazine is made possible by a team, each contributing to the final product in different ways. The contributors, who are not full-time YWAM staff, share their own experience of working with YWAM and of being involved in the community.

From the outside, when I spoke to YWAMers, they would passionately talk about what God was doing in their various ministries and my husband and I would feel led to contribute in cash or kind towards different ministries. But now, my eyes are opened. I see how hard each YWAMer works and they do it cheerfully and in faith. It hit me that they would, if led by God, ask for help for their ministries but never for themselves. I wondered: who pays for the water and electricity in this place? How do the YWAMers pay for their living expenses? I was especially touched when I joined the young interns for lunch and a YWAM couple paid for everyone. Later I discovered that this couple had financial issues and were trusting God to supply their needs. I was humbled and I realized that on Mondays when they worshipped, sometimes their hands are heavy, too heavy to lift up in worship but they still raise them in faith, trusting God for finances and answers. What impressed me is that each has a special skill or has talents that the marketplace would employ. Each has a work ethic that would delight any marketplace employer and yet they have chosen to serve the Lord where He has placed them. They have made a deliberate choice to believe, trust and obey. And that has impacted me more than words could ever say. Joy Quek - writer

In early 2007, Joe Chean, then a new-ish friend of just a few months acquaintance, asked if I would like to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS) at YWAM Singapore. I said yes and during the months of my DTS, a friendship grew between my school leader and I, one that I continue to treasure and cherish deeply. That pattern, of one friendship leading to others, established early on in my encounters with YWAM, has continued ever since. Today, I have the privilege and immense blessing of having many friends at YWAM, even though I am not one of the staff and am only an occasional visitor to the base. Jesus told his disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Through their praises, worship, shouts of victory and testimonies of God’s faithfulness, as well as their tears, cries of lament, bitter disappointments and struggles, my friends at YWAM have shown me that friendship with our Lord is not only possible but is as real as - and sometimes even more real - than the ones we have here on earth. They have shown me that Jesus’ extraordinary statement to his disciples was not just meant for them in their age; it is also meant for us in ours. Over the last six years, my friends’ lives and their stories have been lamps for my feet and lights on my own path to our Father. Andrew Chew - photographer and editor

It all started on my Lordship Day in June 2008. Not only was I to lay down my idols on the cross, I was prompted by God to present my “talent” to my DTS Leader, Roy, in the symbolic form of a paintbrush, and the rest as they say is history. Serving YWAM has been a prviledge. To be recognised as part of their community is an honour. Whenever I go for base worship, I’ll be recharged and refilled with the Holy Spirit. And every conversation with my brothers and sisters at YWAM reminds me of how great, good and faithful our God is. Their effusiveness in sharing whatever little or more they have is like a breath of fresh air to my sometimes weary soul. Through their unconditional acceptance of me, I have a glimpse of what it must feel like for Christians during the early Church and their outpouring of love teaches me what it means when Jesus says “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 Kelvin Marc Tan - designer

UPCOMING SCHOOLS

Young People Discipleship Training School

9 January - 19 June 2014

Designed for those having a full-time commitment in their work, studies or in the home but desiring a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God’s Word, the SBS Night School studies one book of the Bible per month (or over two months for larger books).

School of Biblical Studies Night School

17 - 21 February 2014: Intensive training for NEW STUDENTS in the Inductive Bible Study Method 24 February - 24 November 2014

The monthly teaching will provide a broad overview of each book, including its historical background and main themes. Monthly assignments are given to help facilitate learning the study method. Homework or non-homework options are available.

School of Biblical Studies

1 March - 1 December 2014

The School of Biblical Studies is an intense, rigorous and fun way for students to grow in their relationship with God and to further discover their role in His kingdom. It’s an opportunity to dive deep into the Word of God and there, listen to His heartbeat and see His design for humanity from the start of history. This full-time school teaches students how to study all 66 books of the Bible in depth, including their historical backgrounds and main themes. The goal is that graduates would personally experience God’s love and that they would grow in knowledge and wisdom as they learn how to apply the Word in their daily lives.

All Nations, All Generations Discipleship Training School

10 April - 5 September 2014

The All Nations, All Generations DTS is a school where the world comes together in Singapore. With staff and students from all over the world, from all walks of life, and from all generations, this six-month school is a great starting point to train and equip you into missions. The international lecturers will teach on a range of topics including: The Father Heart of God, Hearing God’s Voice, The Nature and Character of God, and many more.

School of Frontier Missions

4 April - 27 June 2014: Lecture Phase Followed by nine-month Field Internship

SoFM is about discovering God’s heartbeat for nations and people groups. All our lecturers are missionaries and experts in their area of teaching. The Field Internship enables you to experientially acquire skills necessary for medium to long-term ministry in frontier missions.

Caleb Discipleship Training School

September

You have worked hard for the first half of your life to build up your family and your career. If you are now in your ‘golden years’ and you are hungering for more of God, the Caleb Generation Discipleship Training School may be what God is calling you to. This school, specially tailored for students aged 45 and above, to designed to give this generation a taste of what it means to go on an adventure with God. It is a journey to grow in greater intimacy with God, to feel His heart for you and the world around you. This five-month school is an invitation from God to partner with Him to fulfill His dreams for you.

Mercy Discipleship Training School

14 September 2014 - 20 February 2015

Mercy DTS trains, disciples and mobilises people into missions, with a focus on mercy ministry. We seek to facilitate a safe place for you to fulfill your vision, dreams and ambitions in the Lord. It has a core component which is evangelism through mercy ministries. The topics include The Nature and Character of God, Identity and Destiny, Community Transformation, Missions and The Father Heart of God. The outreach may include: medical boat trips, ministry to prostitutes, prisons, the poor & homeless and disaster relief.