Till we meet again, Faith-Goma

Today, our dear FOC member, Faith-Goma boarded a flight back home to Medan, Indonesia. Due to our classes and work, most of us couldn't send her off at the airport; making yesterday's dinner together the last meeting. Yes, we wonder and ponder when will she return for a visit or perhaps a long stay. We don't know. But we do know that as she goes back to her homeland, God's presence goes before her, comfort and sustain her. The outings and dinners lining up before today were necessary and we were glad everyone other than FOC members got the chance to say goodbye. She joined Youth Aflame 2 years ago and FOC this year. It's been 2 eventful years. From being the back-up singer on stage, leading worship during FOC meetings, helping in cleaning the church, baby-sitting the babies for Ms. Chao, and sharing the word to us, Faith-Goma has done so much, and we hope that she will continue to serve the house of God back in Indonesia. Whatever it is that she is looking for, praying for, Lord we ask that You not only hear her prayers but answer them. Guide her in this next phase in life, O Lord.

CG Outing!

It's the time to come together and have fun again. This time we will be gathering together for a little farewell outing with Faith-Goma whom will be leaving Malaysia coming 29th October. And we wonder when will she ever come back although Indonesia is not too far away. It's happening tomorrow in Sunway Pyramid. Bowling, archery, ice skating, karaoke and FOOD! The best Yong Tau Foo in town - no, it's not in Ampang. It's Restoran Leong Ya in Balakong. We'll let you know how our dinner go tomorrow!

National Day Prayer & Worship Celebration

This year, our tanah air will be celebrating its 51st independence day and what a long way it has come since the days of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T. Sambathan. We used to learn Sejarah in school and part of the reason it was injected into our curriculum is to remind the younger ones of the pain and strife our leaders and founders of the first political parties battled through for the independence of all citizens of Malaya.

However, we witnessed how it has gone from the heightening peak during their reigning days to our current political situation. Truly, it is a dog eat dog world. With the current political turmoil, especially the repeating 10 year old accusation, some of us Malaysians have turned out backs on our country; feeling disappointed and hopeless. We can't help but shake our heads and sigh when more political tactics are thrown from the government to the opposition. Next, we think about migration.

The following video shows how our representatives communicate in parliament and that is a norm. So is this what we call harmony amongst all races in the country?



Does this mean that there is nothing else we can do but sit and wait for another interesting round of fight between our supposed role models for the country? No, you are wrong. Very wrong indeed. There is a reason why all these are happening and it is God's hand upon our nation. The mammoth win during the March election was not coincidental, it is God stirring the hearts of many wanting a change, because He wants to bring change to our nation. Change is a big word, and with it comes things to get done.

We may not be in the parliament making a stand, but with prayer, we move the hands of God.

Join everyone else this 31st August and come with a burdened heart; a burden for our country, Malaysia. Let us move in the spiritual realms together with sister Hoon and hear from our Lord His promises for our tanah air.

Cheras Evangelical Free Church Camp 2008

Hi all, the CEFC 2008 camp is just around the corner; 5-7 September to be exact and we are excited for it! I can't wait for the day to pack out bags, get on our rides and head for Port Dickson Golf and Country Club. This year's camp will see the dynamic duo, the Victory Keepers, (also husband and wife) Pastor Victor and Kelly giving their best preaching the word of God to our fellow brothers and sisters.

This year's theme is Growing from the Inside Out and as the theme suggests, growing towards our Lord is not from what we do for the church but rather our personal walk with Him. That serving more in church is not a sign of growth in our Christian walk but rather growing from deep within and bringing out our best. First comes the private victory within us, then comes the public victory. Not much were disclosed on the content but we sure know that something will be learned throughout the 3 days.

Keep Pastor Victor and Kelly in prayers as they go through their busy schedules in preparation for so many things and also our camp will surely drain much of their physical energy.

So start packing (remember your bible!) and get your hearts ready for this. Rev. Edmund Chan's words are still ringing in my ears: Truth applied is what changes us and the church".

Gear up my friends, the wind of change is blowing our way.

The FOC debut t-shirt design

We started off with this design for the front of the t-shirt. For the back, it was cartoon looking characters of our members but due to a certain restriction in the design we decided to change the total outlook. Which gave us design No.2:

FRONT

BACK

IN COLOR

Tada!

There you go, a sneak peek at how the history-making, first t-shirt for the FOC-ians. It is still under process due to a delay from the t-shirt printers. However, the t-shirts should be meeting their owners very soon (fingers crossed).

Any feedbacks on the outlook? Like it? Don't like it? Our ears are open...

Happy Birthday Albert Lim!

Happy happy birthday Albert!
psst, you're getting old!

That supposedly surprise birthday party although turned out to be not very successful due to our cell leader Rachel's careless mistake of sending a sms to him saying:

"Hi ppl, tonight we plan to celebrate Albert's b'day and sabo him.
Pls confirm ur attendance asap..."

LOL!

Oh well, things happen but we were glad that Rachel was quick witted enough to turn the story around and blame it as Tai Wern's birthday.

Moving on, we gathered at Rachel's place at precisely 8.15pm and started brainstorming the 'techniques' to execute a perfect surprise for him. So we agreed that the other 2 cars will park somewhere hidden and Rachel's car in front of Albert's house. Then as Albert opens his gate, Rachel suggested that she would ask if she could use the toilet and then we would jump out from our hiding place and sing a birthday song with the cake. Sounds like a masterplan? Maybe, although it makes no sense that Rachel would want to use his toilet since her house is 2 minutes away.

Anyways, we got on with the plan; as the others complained of my excited and loud voice over the quiet and tranquil street. I drove excitedly to Albert's house, smirking and thinking about the last minute master plan as Goma opens the packet of flour I brought along as an extra twist to the surprise. I just love surprises!

We reached and got down from our cars. Quickly, we ran towards a bush as refuge and squatted there like a bunch of illegal immigrants. As I caught sight of Albert walking out, I pulled Daniel by the shirt to a nearer hiding place - behind a car, and when Rachel gave us the signal we jumped up and started singing...."Happy birthday to you......"

And as planned, right after Albert made a sweet wish and blew the candle of his 23rd cake, Goma and Lai Tee stepped in with flour! (glutinous rice flour, lol).

Thus the snowman look. Weeee!

No.1 flour throwing villain caught in action

The major culprit - Goma

We barged into the Lim residence later on for the cake cutting ceremony using a (you would never have guessed this).......

Tada! A meat cleaver!

While Leanord and Rachel enjoyed a tv show

Then the boys got vain and complained about Daniel's big tummy

"O Lord, I thank you for the 'white annointing' from heaven"

Don't be deceived by her innocent looks. This is flour throwing villain No.2, Lai Tee!

Then we went for supper in BRJ. Yes, the mamak was dark, as always.

We departed after refilling our stomachs with cold drinks and hot roti canais. It was truly great being able to just spend time together. We had a couple of big laughs as we shared stories and jokes.

Now, who's birthday's next?! (I'll bring more flour next time k?)

College Group Bible Quiz

The Bible Quiz last Friday was great. Once again the FOCians bagged the cash prize; winning the competition against 1Up and BOP3 the third consecutive time. Isn't it just pure pleasure being winners?

Memorizing scriptures wasn't just about the competition. It was about discovering the life in God's word.

Yay! We have some cash at hand for our FOC t-shirts. And for a makan session of course.