The value of a smile

Hello, let me give you this piece which I wrote after a little research.

If you recall, we were told (in a sermon last Sunday) there's much in the power of a smile. What a wonderful world it would be if people could just smile at each other everyday no matter under what circumstances.

There is not only a power but a beauty behind every smile. Remember the MONA LISA, how captivating her smile is and there was that beauty with a 'certain smile' that launched a thousand ships, do you remember who she was?

Let me ask; is it very hard to smile? To be honest, sometimes it can be. But then again isn't it true, no smile is as beautiful as the one that struggles through the tears? I am sure many of us have gone through that experience and recovered victoriously. Hallelujah!

Brighten the world with your smile. Never mind if it cannot launch a thousand ships or captivate your audience like the Mona Lisa does (still do). But put it this way, have you ever seen a smiling face that was not beautiful? I haven't.

It has been said; a smile costs nothing, but gives much. I have also heard people say that a smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door! The world always looks brighter from behind a smile, true or not?

So what's holding back your smile? Is it because if you smile, it makes people wonder what you’ve been up to? Or are you afraid that if you smile at someone, they might well smile back at you? Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Whichever way you look, a smile is a little curve that can set a lot of things straight and wherever you are; everyone smiles in the same language, don't they?

Effort-wise, you probably already know that it takes two-thirds less muscles to smile than to frown. But truly, no one can measure the warmth of a smile.

A smile is indeed a powerful weapon; you can even 'break ice' with it. Mother Teresa had said, "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." So beautiful and so much about smiles that I never knew!

Now if you don't have a smile, is it alright if I give you one of mine? Say "cheese," keep smiling and spread the "magic," won't you? Tomorrow is another day.

Cheers!

English Antiques

Folks,

English is cute, I mean the language. Take for instance this article which appeared in the Star newspaper today. It's a good read, a piece that's written by SH Loke and entitled "Can you stomach this?". In case you missed it, the link is given below.

http://thestar.com.my/english/story.asp?file=/2012/2/22/lifefocus/10771048&sec=lifefocus

More about the English thru' some of the crankiest quotes that you can find. These could make you laugh but did you know that.....?

The English are not happy unless they are miserable, the Irish are not at peace unless they are at war, and the Scots are not at home unless they are abroad.
~George Orwell

England is a paradise for women and hell for horses; Italy is a paradise for horses, hell for women, as the proverb goes.
~Robert Burton

The reason why Englishmen are the best husbands in the world is because they want to be faithful. A Frenchman or an Italian will wake up in the morning and wonder what girl he will meet. An Englishman wakes up and wonders what the cricket score is. ~Barbara Cartland

"Many continentals think life is a game; the English think cricket is a game"~George Mikes (1912-1987) - Hungarian Writer

"Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen".~Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902)

"The (English) people are bold, courageous, ardent and cruel in war. But very inconstant, rash, vainglorious, light and deceiving. And very suspicious, especially of foreigners, whom they despise".~Emmanuel van Meteren - Dutch merchant

"In the eyes of the Englishman, the Frenchman is a dog, the Spaniard a fool, the German a drunkard, the Italian a bandit. Only the Englishman is the pinnacle of perfection and nature's masterpiece."~Riem (1762-1828)

"England: a good land and a bad people."~Traditional French saying

"When people say England, they sometimes mean Great Britain, sometimes the United Kingdom, sometimes the British Isles - but never England".~George Mikes - author (from his book "How To Be An Alien")

"There is nothing so bad or so good that you will not find Englishmen doing it; but you will never find an Englishman in the wrong. He does everything on principle. He fights you on patriotic principles; he robs you on business principles; he enslaves you on imperial principles; he bullies you on manly principles; he supports his King on loyal principles and cuts off his King's head on republican principles".~George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) - Irish playwright

"It is not that the Englishman can't feel.it is that he is afraid to feel. He has been taught at his public school that feeling is bad form. He must not express great joy or sorrow, or even open his mouth too wide when he talks. his pipe might fall out if he did".~E. M. Forster (1879-1976) -English novelist

The English contribution to world cuisine - the chip.~John Cleese

An Englishman is a person who does things because they have been done before. An American is a person who does things because they haven't been done before.~Mark Twain

"I don't like England very much, but the English do seem a rather lovable people. They have such a great gentleness".~D. H. Lawrence

"The gentleness of the English civilisation is perhaps its most marked characteristic. You notice it the moment you set foot on English soil. It is a land where conductors are good tempered and policemen carry no revolvers. In no country inhabited by white men is it easier to shove people off the pavement".~George Orwell (1903-1950) - English author

"England is a nation of shopkeepers!".~Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 -1821)

"English Catholics are just Protestants, protesting against Protestantism".~D. H. Lawrence (1865-1930)

"American politicians do anything for money... English politicians take the money and won't do anything ".~Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) - Canadian Humourist

"In England there are sixty different religions, and only one sauce"~Domenico Caracciola (1752-1799) - Neopolitan Diplomat

"The English winter - ending in July, to recommence in August"~Lord Byron (1788-1824) - English poet

English proverbs just 2, enough food for thought:
"Children are a poor man's riches."
"What good is running if one is on the wrong road."

"I know why the sun never sets on the British Empire: God would never trust an Englishman in the dark."~Duncan Spaeth (1868-1954)

Well I've never been to England
But I kind of like the Beatles.
~Hoyt Axton

Last but not least, pardon my saying but to quote Joseph Conrad, “Writing in English is like throwing mud at a wall.” I hope you get it (the meaning of it I mean)!

Cheers!

The passing of a singing sensation

It was reported that Whitney Houston, one of the most celebrated of female singers of all time was found dead (we were told due to drug abuse) in a hotel room in Los Angeles last Saturday. She was just 48.

What a waste. Another star just faded away! Question I want to ask is could it have been avoided?

So I guess, that's where most of the "coke" went. It's hard to believe, but seems to me the demand of it perpetuates its supply (?)

It has been said, most if not all ‘celebs’ can't handle fame and the trappings which come with it. To name a few, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and now Whitney Houston; they all shared the same fate!

Fame is a curse. The famous and the successful, most of them, they all wear a mask. All of their self-esteem is actually phony. They may have it all but they just didn't know how to live happy and to grow old gracefully.

Reminds me of this infamous quote which I think is apt: Winston Churchill once said, quoting Napoleon: "I cannot live without champagne. In victory, I deserve it, in defeat, I need it." So were those "stars.” But blessed are the exceptions.

Isn’t it true, drugs do not solve problems, they only aggravate them? Indeed, abstinence is a discipline we must learn if we are to stay healthy and alive.

A stark reminder: Say NO to drugs, it ain’t worth it!

Life is not easy but aren't we glad that though we don't have it all, every morning we have is a new beginning, a new chance for us to rewrite the story of our life! The advice is: Write it well, folks.

CNY and a Do-overs Story

Hello,

One last story for your reading pleasure before I hit the road.
I shall be celebrating CNY in Singapore and will be away for one week from 21st Jan 2012.

The story written by Steve Goodier and entitled "Do-Overs" is a good one and I don't want you to miss it. I hope Steve doesn’t mind I share it here. To me blessed are those who, when given their second chances in life didn't blow them. They truly went on to make this world a better place.

Cheerio and Happy Chinese New Year, folks!

dc

Do-Overs
(Written by Steve Goodier)

Even if you’re not from Washington D.C. you may have heard of former Mayor Anthony Williams. He has a remarkable story. Williams was born to an unwed teen who gave him up. He was known as a "problem child" in foster care. By age three, little Anthony had still never spoken a word. It seemed that a pattern for his life was set, that is, until two warm and caring people took a chance on him.

Anthony was taken in by an opera-singing postal clerk and her equally generous-hearted husband. He soon began to speak and eventually thrived in their home. He excelled academically and later attended both Harvard and Yale Universities.

In 1998, he came from obscurity to win 66% of the vote to become mayor in one of the world’s major cities. In his inaugural address, Williams said: "Forty-four years ago, my parents adopted me and gave me a second chance. I feel this city has now adopted me and I will give to it everything my parents taught me about love, service, commitment."

It’s no doubt that, had he never been adopted into his particular family, his life would have been wholly different. He was saved by a second chance. And haven’t each of us been given second chances? He got a do-over on his birth family. Haven’t we been given do-overs on relationships, jobs, blown opportunities and the like? Quite often second chances are the result of the generosity of someone who cares a great deal. And sometimes we are saved by those second chances.

Author Dr. Seuss says in his book The Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

I recently came across a story of a young American woman who was saved by a do-over. During the second World War, she lost her husband. He died in India of a tropical disease and she became despondent. In time, despair turned into depression and she lost all interest in living. She just didn’t care anymore.

She booked passage on a ship back to America. On the voyage, she became acquainted with a seven-year-old boy who, like her, was all alone. His parents had died in the fighting in Burma. He seemed to want to be with the young woman, but her pain would not allow it. She wanted nothing to do with him and avoided him whenever possible. She felt so ravaged by loss, that she was unable to get outside of herself and care about anyone else. And she certainly did not have the energy to take on someone else’s problems.

Then one night the ship was torpedoed. The young woman made her way to the deck and prepared herself to go down with the doomed vessel. Some part of her actually welcomed it as an escape from her pain. The child, too, came on deck. He shivered with cold and fright. When he spotted the woman, he came over and clung to her.

That was when a lump of ice melted somewhere deep inside her. She put her arms around the child and led him to one of the lifeboats. For several days, as they waited to be rescued, she held him and he held her. Years later her friends would say that they didn’t know whether the woman saved the boy, or the boy saved the woman. They each gave the other a second chance at life and a do-over on love.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

But it’s the people who give do-overs who truly change the world.

Posted by Steve Goodier in his blog dated Jan 17, 2012

-------

P/S: Thanks Steve for that wonderful and life-encouraging story. I am so glad that God gave us you!

A father's birthday wish

A letter from my heart, to share. Happy reading.

The other day my adult and only daughter phoned and asked, "Pa your birthday is coming soon, what can I get you?" I was caught quite unprepared, so I said half-jokingly, "Oh well, my computer which is more than 5 years old crashed the other day. Although I got it restarted by reformatting it myself (I lost all unsaved datas unfortunately as I was a novice) it is still working on old hardware and outdated software. I would love to have it replaced with a new table-top PC with a larger screen (monitor)."

She replied almost instantaneously in the affirmative, "consider it done Pa when I see you next"! I gulped because that's going to be quite expensive and I had no intention whatsoever to burden her. On second thoughts, perhaps a new Swatch (wrist-watch), one of those less expensive ones would have been more appropriate to ask.

To think about it again, there is nothing money will not buy out of fatherly or daughterly love but as a father I shouldn't be seen (or heard rather) abusing that privilege or should I? You tell me.

There is some truth in the saying, "Anyone who says money can't buy happiness......does not know where to shop!" Really?

On the other hand, you know sometimes it's better not to have the things you crave for. As Bertrand Russell had put it a long time ago, "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Isn't that still true nowadays, but I wonder?

There are of course things in this life that truly matter which money cannot buy. Some are quite obvious (like friendship)and some not so.

I was just thinking what are some of those things that I want which cannot be bought or gift wrapped. I can name three which I think are most important.

They are 'faith', 'hope' and 'love'. In the end, my computer and my wrist watch will surely go foul but I believe faith, hope and love are the things that will prevail and will outlast this lifetime, wouldn't you think so too?

Why faith?
For myself, I want faith. Faith enough to see light in even the bleakest of situations. Faith enough to believe that goodness and godliness will prevail in the end.

Why hope?
For my loved ones I want hope. Abundant hope. Hope in tomorrow. A hope that helps them believe that there will be a future of better times ahead so they can take that next step with courage.

Why love?
For my world and in particular my family and community, I want love. For I believe that the solutions to most of our biggest problems will only be found when we learn to love each other as well as to love our neighbours as ourselves, much like one big family under God's rule on earth. And when we do get there the world will become a better place, no more wars, no more crime in the streets, no famine nor turmoil, only justice and helping-hands everywhere, a world that's at last at peace with itself, a world in which we can come to love and be loved. How sweet!

Now can you see and do you also want some of those things that money can't buy? Indeed, those could be the greatest gifts of all that any man could wish for on his birthday. But alas, I think only God can give them and in his time! I just hope it isn't too much to ask.

Meantime, like any human father I look forward to my daughter's gift for my birthday (whatever it might be) with great anticipation!

Cheers!
dc

The world is pretty

Pic: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria

The world is pretty and I would say in no uncertain terms that life is certainly worth living. There's so much to do, so much to see and so little time left to indulge.

We enjoy all that exterior which Mother Nature has given but we often forget that there is an inner beauty (in all of us) more precious than eyes can see, a beauty which displays who we actually are, a man of God or a man of the world.

A man of God bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is
love,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control,

These are virtues that only God can give. But non of these virtues were spoken for the man of the world.

A man without God is (more often than not) consumed by self-righteousness, pride, envy, power, greed, and all things ungodly that only this world will give.

God abhors sin yet God will forgive sinners who come to him.

Truly, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Cor 2:9)

The beauty of Mother Nature, indeed many of its wonders are still a mystery to Man. When Creation calls and if you can see what is your response? As for me, I believe. Wouldn't it be nice if we share in this belief?

Lessons from John Chapter 9

Folks,

I was reading John 9 (Jesus heals a man born blind) and as I meditate on it, I couldn't help thinking of these issues which if you don't mind, allow me to share.

The whole chapter (41 verses) is devoted to that incredible story, a familiar story that's worth reading again. In the earlier chapters we were told Jesus was teaching his disciples but was slowly revealing more and more of himself, his power and his mission. What is God telling us in this particular story in Chapter 9 of the Gospel of John?

As I see it, there were 5 principal parties involved namely (1) Jesus himself as the Son of Man (2) the man born blind (3) his parents (4) the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (5) The witnesses: the disciples who were with Jesus at the time, the blind man's neighbours and all those who knew him.

This is not a parable but an actual historic event to demonstrate among others, the power and discretion of God. A miracle performed that day on a man born blind who was destined to see. Why God chose this particular man is anybody's guess. No name was recorded. We were not told how he felt when he was blind, whether secretly he had ever begged God to intervene but when he could see, he believed and worshiped Jesus who had healed him.

The impact of that transformation must have far reaching consequences for Jesus disciples (like strengthening their faith for instance) and other lay-witnesses all of which should have contributed to increased numbers of Jesus followers. I am sure it did.

But not so with the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (although it was reported some were divided in their assessment of the case). What about his parents? It was said the parents were afraid to be "put out of the synagogue" and therefore did not confess God when they had their chance. How sad but even so that can happen to some of us even today.

How did Jesus feel about all this? Jesus' saving grace and compassion on one ordinary man simply irked the authorities. Man's pride throughout the ages hasn't changed much, has it? He took the opportunity to rebuke the authorities of his day because they had become spiritually blind and any good thing not sanctioned by them was seen as a threat to their power or greed which they continually used to suppress those they rule.

The story is long, has many twists but sweet. Suffice for me to testify that God is patient and compassionate. He wants us to know that with Him miracles do happen (even today) and blessed are those who believe in Him and acknowledge that with Him all things are possible. But God's judgment will await all those who can physically see but remain spiritually blind due to pride and wrong decisions. Restoring the eyes of blind men is a miracle to Man but I think to God it's all in a day's work!

Let's give Jesus his due. I had my sight (physically) restored recently. So I can echo those same words. One thing I do know. I was (literally) blind once but now I see.

Go, read and enjoy John Chapter 9 your goodselves! See especially the blind man's courageous stand that's recorded in verses 30-33. Indeed, if this Son of Man is not from God how could he open the eyes of a man born blind?

Let's listen to this beautiful piece of music entitled "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen, view below or use this link to take you there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0

Like you, I came, I saw and I believe. Praise the Lord.

dc

A book called "The Legacy Effect"

Photo courtesy Amazon.com












A friend gave me a book to read recently and after reading it I wrote this piece which I shall now share with you as follows.

A synopsis of “The Legacy Effect,” a book written by Adam Ginsberg, just a brief from me.

To start with let’s understand this first.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines “legacy” as “money or property that is given to you by somebody when they die.”

Somewhere else it is defined as a gift of personal property by will, or something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. A good synonym would be inheritance or endowment.

There are of course many novels written about “legacy” but this one by Adam Ginsberg is somewhat different. It looks at one particular kind of legacy that in the author’s mind has undoubtedly the greatest effect or impact on its inheritor’s (or beneficiary’s) life.

He is not talking about an inheritance of any monetary kind which as we all know will diminish or dissipate one way or another with time but believe it or not, an inheritance of a kind that even time will not destroy nor devalue. It has the effect to continually transform lives. You might ask what it is (?)

It is the ageless “wisdom or lessons” gleaned from a life well-lived that are left behind for another to emulate. Yes, that’s the kind of legacy which will have the greatest effect /impact on lives, right? No doubt it will be a challenge to many of us, if we want to follow it.

The challenge is of course don’t just leave a legacy of money or property, but leave behind something that outlasts time, something that can become your beneficiary’s companion for a whole lifetime and even beyond without ever losing its lustre.

To be able to leave such a legacy, a legacy that’s truly an inspiration or a constant life-encourager for those who come after us, firstly I think we have to be successful with our very own lives, and perhaps not only that but we need to finish well too. How else can we mentor, teach or become a good role model if we can’t achieve that, or at least for that matter, come close to it? For if you're not a good or worthy example, who will buy?

Further, memoirs and/or wisdom obtained from life lessons have to be written down (documented) if they are to be tapped or be of any use to anybody. So my advice is that if you have lessons or wisdom learnt from life experiences (thru’ successes or failures), don’t neglect to pen them down on paper and leave it as a legacy for who knows someday, someone such as your great-grandson or another might stumble over it and benefit from it.

You know, I think it’s not wrong to say generally that as parents we find it hard to reach out to our children (our next generation, the Gen Y, for they think they know all, right?). We have all the good advice gained from a lifetime of careful living to pass on but I don’t know why there appears to be no willing takers from that generation, very few anyway. I don't know about you but that's my experience.

It has been said and I quote, “Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.” I find that very true even today.

Somehow, I think we can communicate better with our grand-children than it is with our own children. They (our grandchildren) will listen more to us. And if you can live long enough to see great-grandchildren around you, the respect and interaction you’ll get I think is even better.

The story related in Adam Ginsberg’s book is exactly about a legacy of wisdom left behind by a highly successful self-made man for his unintended but beloved great-grandson. In the story, there seems to be a fated and an unbroken bond between them that’s not quite comprehensible.

That wisdom was written down in the form of letters packed inside a time capsule and stuffed in some old chest together with a heap of gold coins, jewels and other memorabilia. The benefactor willed that the box was to be opened on his 100th anniversary in front of all his beneficiaries and each was entitled to take an object which was right and had held the most meaning for their lives.

The time capsule containing the dead man’s letters, which no other beneficiary paid much attention to, fell by fate into the hands of his only beloved great-grandson.

And you know what, the old man’s letters effectively transformed the life of this young man. He arose almost suddenly in his lack-lustre career from being a nobody to a somebody in the market place.

We are told for quite a while he was down in the doldrums and like many in that time of their career caught up in the rat-race, didn’t quite know what to do with the rest of his life until the wisdom from his great-grandfather literally spoke to him.

The legacy-effect was phenomenal. Inspired by the old man’s wisdom, he didn’t take “no” for an answer anymore and followed up with a confidence and a zest, a Spirit-filled attitude that wasn’t there in the first place and this changed the whole course of his life. He went “up the organization” literally overnight! That’s how powerful the old man’s legacy was.

In conclusion, it would be my folly if I fail to share the gems of that wisdom gleaned from the legacy of this great-grandfather. There are altogether 9 of them. For keepsake, let me lay them out to you as follows. The truth as you can see in every one of them is timeless.

1. Do not believe in misconceptions.
2. If something is important to you, never quit.
3. Be the trendsetter.
4. Do not be hasty in saying no.
5. Have the fortitude to stay true to your beliefs.
6. Nurture your community.
7. Be specific in what you ask for.
8. Embrace all opportunities.
9. And above all, share the wealth.

Bravo! That's pretty good advice, don't you think?

It took me all-in just about 3 hours to read this book by Adam Ginsberg, although the duration was not in direct succession but more correct to say I did it in 3 breaks of roughly one-hour each. Thanks to Chris for sharing this book with me.

It of course took me about another 2-hours to pen this review (synopsis), with my thoughts added to it as a first draft and another hour or so more to refine it.

Someone did said, “Easy reading is damn hard writing.” Indeed, I would agree with that. But if nobody writes or speaks, how can we be enriched, intellectually speaking?

Adam Ginsberg’s book is a easily readable book with only 11 short chapters (134 pages), a fiction nonetheless, although I wish the story was true. It contains marvellous wisdom condensed in a story format but that's realistic enough even for real life. Go get one and read it yourself and be blessed.

I shall leave you with this song. Click here to hear Alan Jackson sing the beautiful hymn "What a friend we have in Jesus". It's an oldie but still a goodie and I hope you'll like it.

Cheers!

A Senior Camper’s Story

I recently attended a senior’s camp organized by a local church. It was a first for PJEFC and was held at Harvest Haven, Gopeng from 4-6 July 2011. Gathered together were about 40 of us.

A shorter version of this story with pictures from the camp can be viewed by going here.

My Memoirs:
3 wonderful days of exhilarating fun and friendship, of teaching by and learning from our very own peers, and of experiencing God in a way like no other! That’s how I would describe the recently concluded PJEFC Seniors Camp 2011.

Harvest Haven which is in Gopeng is a quiet and insignificant place, hidden from the public view, a purposefully-built “hideout” on a piece of land which was a part of what is left of an old oil-palm estate. This was the venue where all that took place, far from the maddening crowds among whom we live.

It was a near perfect setting. What a better place than this: to gather the seniors of PJEFC into the tranquility of the country if not for anything, to see the flowers, birds and the trees!

We could even see a couple of domesticated dogs playfully teasing each other and while we were not watching, did you know what they did? Yes, they would disappear with a random piece of somebody’s shoes, a slipper or one half of a pair of socks and their ‘naughtiness’ (the dogs) would unknowingly to them, hold their ‘victims’ in ‘quiet despair’. But I think that didn’t trouble us much and we were able to enjoy our stay to the fullest.

God had blessed us with good weather all the 3 days without end. The sun arose every morning and there was no rain. So we could carry out the outdoor bonding activities in high spirits as well as in a distinctive style and comradeship.

Outdoors, the gathering was held in a quick makeshift grass-patch; imagine we played 3 team-games (much like tele-matches but on a scaled down format for seniors). One of our younger sisters in-attendance Christine even took us all thru’ what was truly a creative and enjoyable exercise session known as “praise-dancing” (certainly to us seniors that was something new and something different in Line-dancing!) It was fun, to say the least.

Indoors, from Day-1 after a fantastic opening thru’ a rather lively session in the form of a introduction game known simply as “breaking-the-ice,” and the “karaoke” session fitted in on the first night was unforgettable.

We had no less than 5 speaking presentations (Talks that were centered on very-focused subjects) with something like 12 speakers taking over the rostrum. There was variety and quality in both the talks and the speakers. I say, there was no dull moment! I hope that God was glorified in whatever we did.

Food wasn’t that great at this place but we didn’t mind it at all as we had other ideas to complement what the hosts couldn’t dish out at the kind of prices they were charging.

You wouldn’t believe it, but we had “roast duck” on our welcome night! Not only that, on the next day it must have been a big SURPRISE to many. We brought in a car-load of delicious durians and the 40 or so of us senior campers had a great mid-day feast. I think each of the men (including the pastors and leaders) had their share of at least 1 kg-full of God-sent durians in their tummies. The women folks too were not spared. It was “finger-licking” good!

My views and Post-mortem:
You know what made this camp successful? I think it was. My assessment is this.
It had:
1. Variety & Quality
2. Openness and Integrity, Transparency
3. Unity
4. Decisive yet Accommodative Management
5. Teamwork
6. Active participation /interaction from all (in both work and play)
7. God’s presence thru’ fervent prayers and exemplary worship
8. Laughter and many unforgettable light moments.

Of course, I couldn’t say that the Camp was totally devoid of any hip-cups, both in its preparation and in its eventual execution. There were some problems but these were minor; for instance there were last minute joiners and some withdrawals too; on-site, the bulb in our projector burnt out on Day-3, and there wasn’t enough time on Q&A as was desired. I believe God saw us thru’ all these and we came out of them as ‘victors’. Hallelujah!

Now that the camp is over, I can echo the words of Julius Caesar, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). But what exactly did we conquer as you and I came out of the Camp?

Speaking for myself, I think I have conquered chiefly “fear”. You know, the fear of participation, the fear of knowing each other better, of knowing even my own-self or of knowing God better; and last but not least perhaps also the fear of not knowing what to do with the second half (or balance) of our lives? The Camp did something I think to change all that.

But I feel the best parts were: God’s love actually conquered all of us, and the blessings (joy, peace, the tenderness of love and care, kindness & understanding, etc) that came with genuine friendship from the men and women who had gathered together there were beautiful and beyond description. Let this cup of goodness in each of us (which the Lord has given) continue to overflow.

Let’s not forget this too: “From those to whom much has been given, much is expected.”

We came to the Seniors Camp for authentic fellowship. Not only did we get it, I think for many of us we also found our very own true selves and in so doing encountered God in a very personal way. Certainly, I hope it does not have to end there.

The question is: Where do we go from here? You know the thing that’s revealed thru’ this camp is quite plain to see: PJEFC seniors indeed have lots of talent, talents that have predominantly gone untapped. The questions left are how to tap these and to use them to glorify God and/or for Kingdom work. This is of course easier said than done and I don’t have all the answers.

Life goes on as they say but in conclusion, I just want us to remember these wise words from Stephen Grellet (a French nobleman turned missionary of the 19th century) which go like this,

“I expect to pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, let me not deter or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Yours truly,
DC
(A fellow traveler/camper)

P/S: I would of course love to hear the views from another fellow-camper.

Take a break, go to Bandung

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)
Take a break every once in a while and go to a different place. See the mountains, catch the wholesome, cool fresh air; taste some great pastries, try the local foods and shop until you drop! That’s what a Bandung holiday is generally made of.

Yes, I was in Bandung for a 4-day break recently and had a wonderful time with 3 other friends.

Bandung which has a population of about 7 million is the 3rd largest city in Indonesia. It’s an old but busy city located in the highlands of West Java, some 2,500 ft above sea-level. So it’s really quite cool.

The city was built by the Dutch during the colonial days in the late 18th century and a large stock of Dutch colonial architecture is still dominant in the city landscape, many of these buildings are now used by the local government for administration (e.g. Gedung Sate) whilst some are converted to hotels and others as factory outlets (for branded goods).

I saw a couple of these beautiful old-styled buildings being used as bakery-shops by a famous brand known simply as Holland Bakery (the pastries they make I think are out of this world)! If you’re ever there, don’t miss these. I am told the bakery is still owned and run by a Dutchman.

Bandung is famous for many things. For sight-seekers, there’s Mount Tangkuban Perahu which is a must see. Tangkuban Perahu literally means “up-turned boat”(a distinguished truncated flat-peak, table-top mountain). It has 3 large volcanic craters, two of which are still seismically active but when they will next explode, nobody knows.

Then there is the Geological Museum which houses 250,000 rocks and mineral collection, and some 60,000 fossils discovered from within the Indonesian archipelago of some 17,508 islands. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Food-wise, there’s the famous Sundanese food or you can have the regular Nasi Padang. For brunch, a must try is the "Bakso Tahu" or "Siomay" which is a steamed beef meat balls with/without tofu. It is served with peanut paste, sweet soy sauce and a lime, quite a tasty mouthful and which should go well with a fruity Avocado Juice served with added brown sugar or honey and best taken cold, I mean the juice.

Tofu (a soybean product) is widely consumed as a snack, and there’s a factory outlet which served this specialty in the form of deep-fried tofu cubes (they are actually quite adorable) and go down well with a spicy dark-brown light sauce. Also, don’t forget to try the crispy “soybean-crackers,” a type of munchies which are delightfully delicious!

For sweets, there’s a whole range of different types of “dodol” (made in different shapes too), a coconut-based candy to sink our teeth in. They are mouth-watering good and make great treats!

Bandung has been nicknamed the Paris van Java (Paris of Java). The city is not only well known for gastronomic adventure and volcanic craters but is also famous as a shopping haven for its “branded apparel” products.

Come weekends travelers from Jakarta and many from elsewhere flock to Bandung by the thousands to buy as much as they can carry “branded goods” (world-class labels) at a fraction of its original retail-price yet without compromising on quality! Every known world-famous brand (from shoes to shirts and bags to jeans) is available and obtainable at bargain prices which you cannot find anywhere else.

If you’re a nerd and follow “haute couture” this is indeed the place to be in. There are enough shopping malls, factory and distribution outlets to make your legs ache and your eyes see stars!

Levi Strauss, Burberry, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Adidas, Diesel, Prada, Topman, Billabong, Braun Buffel, Versace, Guess, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Polo, etc. You name it and they are all there, a shoppers’ haven indeed!

And on your way back, don’t forget to take home some Indonesian mangoes, the famed “Harom Manis.” You’ll love them and wish you had bought more!

I love Bandung and I am sure you will.


Bandung Skyline, Pasupati Bridge
(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Cheers!