Testimony 14/02/07: I Am Adopted!

Will he grow up to be a good man of God? Will he be a blessing the community? Will he live a long life? Work in a high position? Be an inspiration? Or will he be a rebel? A nobody that no one notices? Or will he die young? In short… is it worth sponsoring this child?*

Those are some of the questions I ask when I consider sponsoring a child. And no one has the answer for sure. Even though I see his photos and read his background, nothing could guarantee me that sponsoring this child is worth doing.

When we have our own kids, we would love them no matter what. They are our own flesh and blood. Even if they are disabled, if they rebel, we would love them anyway. But with a sponsor child, we could choose not to love them. And with that choice, it is hard to decide whether to sponsor a child or not, because no one could guarantee me anything. If it is so hard deciding whether to sponsor or not, all the more deciding whether to adopt a child or not!

And I think the same applies to God. He has a choice to love us… or not. God already knows that we are sinners by nature. He knew our sins, even the ones we have not yet committed. He even knows the exact time and places where they will take place! Yet 2000 years ago, while we were still sinners, He died for us. And He didn’t just sponsor us, but he adopts us to become His sons and daughters! We all know full well what God’s choice is… He chooses to love us anyway. What a sacrifice!

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8

***

It was a tough decision. But I’ve made my stand. I have chosen to sponsor a boy. And guess what? Once I decided to take this child in, a rush of love for him overflows my heart. What a joy to give!



* Child sponsoring is one of World Vision program, a Christian humanitarian organisation, to help battle poverty and injustice. If you want to find out more about the program, please visit www.worldvision.com

Testimony 26/03/07: Not With Gold or Silver

One of my turtles went into a fight and came out with a broken jaw. She got a few shots of antibiotics due to the degree of her injuries, yet still infections set in. She is currently unable to eat. So I buy an oral needle. My heart breaks whenever I force feed her… how she struggled… how she vomited what I had put into her tummy…

When I bought my turtle, the price was only IDR 3,000. That was over 10 years ago. She was very cute, barely over two centimeters long. Ten years on, she doesn’t look that cute anymore. But I love her still. I love her so much that I am willing to spend a considerable amount of time and money to get her fixed. But even after a month, she is not getting better. I am desperate. I thought to myself… how much more am I willing to spend for my turtle?

Many people just take it easy: get a new turtle! It’s so cheap! It’s so easy! To date, I’ve spent IDR 200,000 for vet and medications. That is almost 70 times the price when I got her! How much more will I be willing to spend?

It is the same when it comes to Jesus Christ. We are sinners. Unrighteous. Worthless. God could simply get rid of us and created new super humans… the ones that can’t sin. The ones that can’t break his heart. It’s so easy: just a Word away. Yet while we were still sinners, he died for us.

I have to think many times to spend that much money on my so-called “cheap” turtle. But how much is God willing to pay to redeem us? No… not with gold or silver. Not with precious stones or things that will perish. He redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus! That is how much God is willing to spend for you and me! We’ll never truly know how much it cost to see our sins upon that cross. Oh, how precious we are in His sight!

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8

Testimony 23/03/07: He Was Blessed

“It hurts like hell!” my friend SMS me. Murdock just spent an extended amount time in the pool. And now his shoulders hurt. He thought he has caught a bad cold.

When I read his message, somehow it was as if I could feel the pain shot through his shoulders. I knew, then, I should pray. All I asked God was to help him to sleep and to heal him as he rest.

The next morning, I checked up on him. “It’s better,” he said, “ I am lucky I can sleep, the pain was almost unbearable.”

I smiled ear to ear…
I knew my prayers were answered…
I knew that he was not lucky…
I knew he was blessed…
I knew God has healed him…

***

This happened a week ago. Today, I found out that he actually took two medications and a painkiller to sooth the ache. He also regulated his breathing to help ease the pain. But nothing did the job. Yet God healed Him. I am simply amazed on how God works… He works in miraculous ways. Amen!

Testimony 23/03/07: I Have A Brand New Life!

I have a brand new life!

Yes, you heard me right. I do have a brand new life. I go to work five days a week. I have Chinese lessons and Dale Carnegie’s Fundamental Leadership Training after work. I join cell group consistently. I go to church every week. I even exercise at least twice a week!

Well… this may sound ordinary. But looking back, my life was very different then. A year ago, I was trapped with a persistent cough. I had difficulty breathing throughout the day and at night. Sometimes I coughed so hard my spine hurt. Taking a few rounds of antibiotics at one time was not uncommon for me. I spent my days laying down in bed… recovering. I had no energy to do almost anything. I went to different doctors. I also tried Chinese medications. Nothing worked. I was in despair.

It took me almost eight months to discover that I’ve got an allergic reaction. It made me hard to breath. Since then, I try to manage my allergy and things got better! So, doing what I am doing now was simply impossible just a year ago. Now I have lots of friends all around! And after all… life is beautiful! Praise God!