July Report

July, 2011

Hi friend,

               Training Nationals for Nationals in integrity and skills (Psalm 78:72)

(Rom 8:18) : “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

(Psalm 31:15) : “My times are in thy hand.”

June was anticipated to be a relaxing month with not too many assignments and a time for resting and refreshing; but it was not to be!   For about two weeks, time stood still.   Three were hospitalized and my wife and I had to be in and out of hospital, visiting sometimes in the wee hours of the morning.  One was a 83 yrs old lady that had cancer of lungs; another, a 43 yrs old man who had brain concussion and the last one, 93 yr old man (my father-in-law) who went through roller coaster emotions of whether he should have his left leg amputated above the knee.

As never before, we entered into some powerful waves of emotions, of pain, anguish,  despair and death.   The good Lord took to Himself two and spared one as witness of His continued grace and love.   There were crisis management, pain management and death management.   We have learnt afresh and knew that in all our afflictions, He is afflicted (Isa. 63:9).   Surely He has borne our griefs and has carried our sorrows (Isa. 53:4).  We also entered into the fellowship of His suffering as we felt the sufferings of others.

Pain, that stabbing, stinging sword!  Silently but surely, it wins battles deep within the lonely soul with the accompanying depths of anguish and despair.  The cries of the 42 years old wife:   Why God?  What bad did I do?  What bad did he do?  What is going to happen to me?  To my three little ones?   The denial, the anger, the tears, the hope denied and the struggle to trust Him no matter what.  Praise the good Lord, He came to save, to comfort and to strengthen.  He stepped in. “It is I, be not afraid!” (John 6:20).  What a transforming moment.  We submit and learn, growing in the Lord, instead of being bitter and despondent. 

Yes, our times are in His Hands.  He chooses where, who, what, when, why and how.   And He is sufficient for our needs and His purpose.   He brings us into, in, with and through every situation of life.  We grow more to be like Him, to know Him, the power of His resurrection and to enter into the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable to His death (Phil. 3:10).   We enter into His love and compassion for every pain, anguish and despair.   God and His Word dwell richly in our hearts in a real and experiential way.  God be praised!

Today, let us seize the moment.  Carpe Diem!

I.             INDONESIA – MEDAN (June 27 - 1 July) – God opened this good door of training in His own timing.  We are in our third year with some 60 wonderful pastors and leaders.   Praise the good door for the good success of the team.  The training was well received and the trainers welcomed back to train more.   The ASM Ebenezer Hall was dedicated.  It will also be used by the Bible Institute.  God is so good in supplying our needs.

                            Another team will be there 5 - 9 September .The last session for the year will be in 21 - 25 November.   An exciting blessing will be the first graduation in Medan.  Please pray for and with us that the good Lord will lead and bless.

II.          MYANMAR - JOURNEY WITH REV. JAMES. We are entering the 25^th year of partnership with Rev. James.   At present, there are a fellowship of 30 churches and a Bible Seminary to up-grade the present leaders and to train new ones.  The latest count in the Seminary is 40 students.  We need prayers and partnership in providing scholarships for these.  For the whole year of study, the need is US$200 (about S$250) per student for a grand total of US$8000 (S$10,000).   God, who has provided year by year, will surely provide.  Jehovah-jireh!   Please let us know if you will be praying and sponsoring some scholarships.  We are training these to reach their own for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and for eternity. 

Two friends and I will be in Yangon, training some 70 pastors and leaders, 25-30 July.   We are also exploring God’s will for the seminary there.  Rev. James will be visiting us in Yangon.  Please do pray for God’s wisdom and strength.  May His will be done!

III.       Nepal
September 18 – 22 :  Kathmandu – Training and 1^st Graduation. Please come and celebrate with us!
September 25 – 29 :  East Nepal
             

Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways.  Please visit FaithatWorks Facebook or our blog at http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com/

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If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours!

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,
Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hp: 65 98207783