Donna Chiu Evangelistic Service at FBC

On Sunday 17th Aug 2014 the Taiwanese Gospel singer Donna Chiu Hai Zheng was at FBC in Kuching sharing her testimony and Gospel to our church including our guests. 

She was a former popular singer in Taiwan in the 80's.  Another famous Taiwanese singer Liu Wen Zheng discovered her.  Donna was a keen sport woman and her dream was to participate in the Olympic.  However, she also love singing and a sport journalist introduced her to Liu Wen Zheng who signed her up as his company very first recoding artist. She was sent to a modeling school for training but on the first day, the trainer though she was a delivery woman because of her dark skin and athlete look.

Her father objected to her singing career.  One day, he got lung cancer and Donna had to drive him for radio therapy.  She asked him why he did not like to watch her in concert or her TV shows.  Her father said he did not want to see her make any mistake.  Her dad wanted her to be married as all her siblings had already married.  She proposed to her long time boy friend which just took  just 30 seconds to complete!  While walking Donna at the wedding hall, Donna realized each step he took with her into her marriage, she was losing her father because he had only 3 to 6 months to live due to the cancer.  Her heart was very painful and she regretted that she did not spend time with her father. 

One night she was attending an award function, and her father died without seeing her for the last time. After knowing this news she cried non stop at the award venue as well as in the street.  She later decided to leave the entertainment world to raise a family.  She gave birth to a boy, his name is Philip.  After his birth Donna put on weight and people criticized her for being fat.  She was furious.

Around 2009 she and her son was holidaying in America, and Father's Day was around the corner.  Donna called her husband who told him he had gone to the church.  Donna almost failed from her chair because his father was the Managing Director of a temple!  How can he attend a church service?  Her husband explained he was touched by a young man of about 22 years old hugging his father of 70s and they told each other "I love you".  It was not the Chinese culture to be so open about love.  But her husband wanted this kind of relation with their son.  he promised to bring Donna to the church.

Two days after their return to Taiwan they attended the church service.  Donna criticized in her heart of the non professional singing and music playing.  She decided to seat by the side of the church although she was given the front seat.  She did not want people to recognize her as a former famous singer. When the hymn was sang, she began to weep and felt a big load taken slowly from her shoulders, and she felt lighter each moment passed.  The pastor saw her weeping and asked her whether she was ready to accept Jesus as her Savior.  She looked at her husband who nodded in agreement.  All three of them were led through the sinner's prayer.  One month later they were baptised.  That was in 2010.

Donna and her family serve in the worship ministry.  The pastor suggested she cut a Gospel album and perform Gospel songs to evangelize.  She hesitated because of bad experiences.  She prayed and bargained with God that if she could reduce 20 KG of weight she will cut an album and perform, but there was no answer from God.  She reasoned with God, how about 10 KGs? Still no answer.  How about 5 KGs? Still no answer.  In her prayers Gd told her no matter how she look like God loves her.  She committed herself to recording a Gospel album, and sharing the Gospel all over the places.  She has shared the Gospel in Italy, USA, Singapore, Malaysia and of course Taiwan.

In FBC she sang a few Mandarin Gospel songs.  Her son performed a song too.

At the end of her sharing she made an altar call and 6 people came to the Lord.  Hallelujah!  Praise and thank God!

Watch a video of her pop song and also her testimony on GOOD TV below:



Testimony

Israel Palestinian Conflict

There is a ceasefire in the Israel Palestinian conflict after about a month of fighting.  Even today many people do not know the details of this conflict, while many are blinded by their religion to look from one particular side.  Here is a short video which explain the actual situation in this conflict.

Watch this interesting video:

FBC Church Camp 2014

We had our Church camp from 26th July to 28th July 2014 at One Hotel, Santubong.

Our speaker is Pastor Liaw Yong Lam, his wife Mrs. Liaw and their daughter Grace.  Pastor Liaw had been a missionary to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for 14 years, his job was the translation of the Bible to the local language.  His story of how his family is blessed by God because they were obedient was inspiring.  Before they went to PNG Mrs. Liaw was already suffering from kidney disease so much so that doctor said she needed a dialysis machine.  However, by grace of God she could cope with the usual medical care.  They were obedient to God and trust God in their stay in PNG.  Their two daughters were also blessed with scholarships to study in USA.  Grace has graduated and she has been a missionary to China for more than two years now.

During our camp Pastor Liaw spoke on the subject of "Mission" and he is most qualified to speak on this subject as he has practical experiences in PNG.  His teachings had been inspiring and also helped us to understand the real meaning of mission.  He said in mission, it is not necessary one needed to share the Gospel to the people we are helping.  There are missionaries who are purely teachers in the mission fields and they not necessary share the Gospel with their students.  It would be good if they can do so.

Another good point about serving is that we must be intentional in serving.  We can not be a "convenient" Christian.  He shared a story of "convenient" Christian, he said most time we will give lifts from church to our church friends if it is convenient for us, meaning if we are going the same way as our friends, otherwise we will not help.  He joked that most time, the pastor is the one who will give lifts to church members because he is located at the church, and their is no specific direction for him.

Overall, we had a good camp and our speaker has imparted valuable messages to us.  We pray that most of us can be involved in mission.  It is not necessary to be away from our country, the mission fields are also numerous in our own country.

You can red an article about some of their work in PNG here : http://www.sil.org/story/its-time-school

To see pictures in PNG go to this link :  http://s529.photobucket.com/user/Liaw/library/?sort=3&page=1

Note : Top picture is Pastor Liaw, bottom picture Mrs. Liaw

Nursing Home

It is inevitable that we face old age.  When we are old there are limitations to what we can do physically as well as mentally.  It will come a time when we need others to care for us.  This is what my mother is facing.  In her case, her mind is deteriorating because she has dementia.  Over the years it seems her mind has lose many abilities including recognising people.  Sad to say, now she cannot remember all her children.  Because she could not take care of herself any more and because of our family circumstance, we have decided to admit her to a local nursing home, Lions Nursing Home, Kuching which is a non profit ran by Lions Club of Kuching.  As much as we do not want to send our mother there, the circumstances left us with little choice.  She has been admiited there since 9th July 2014.

Thank and Praise God that these few days my family members have been visiting her there and observed that she has been well taken care by the care givers there.  We had heard of unpleasant stories at nursing homes, and thank God this one is alright.  At least we know that our mother is well taken care off there.  We need not worry unnecasserily.  While there I have spoken to a number of residents and most of them are happy living there.  There are a few who yearned to go home.  Who wouldn't ?

Dementia is a serious dieases which caused the patient to "lose his/her mind" over time.  They can be totally dependant on others at the late stage.  Over here in Malaysia facilities for such patients are limited.  There is no specialised nursing home for such patients.  However, it is different in Holland.  There is a dedicated village meant for patients with this diease.  Watch it below:

Allah case in Malaysia

Recently, the Malaysian Federal Courts ruled that the Catholic Church's magazine, "The Herald" cannot use the word "Allah" to refer to God.  This controvesy has been dragging on since 2007 when the courts ruled in favour of the Catholic Church allowing the word "Allah" to be used in their magazine to cather to the Malay speaking believers mainly in East Malaysia.  The recent federal courts decision is most unsettleing to the Christan community in Malaysia, because the decision has wide implications to all Chrustians in the country and not only the Catholic church.  Nevertheless, Chrustians especially in East Malaysia say they will continue to worship as usually using the word "Allah" to refer to the Christian God.

Many see that this controvesy is a result of the ruling coalition's indecision or a lack of political will to put this controvesy at rest.  This has created very much uneasiness in this country, and unless the politicians are sincerely in resolving this issue, things could get worst.

Peter Truong Healing Services

Pastor Peter Truong and his wife Ruth had been ministering to our church since middle of this week.  Pastor Peter is from Brisbane, Australia.  He is Vietnaness Chinese.  His wife is from Vietnam.  They are married for one year.

Pastor Peter had visited our church two years ago.  During that visit he also ministered to Calvary Family Church (CFC) and a paralysed sister was prayed by him.  Over these two years, this sister is recoverying by God's grace.  She used to lay flat on bed, now she is able to sit on the wheelchair.  Amazingly during her paralysis she gave birth to a healthy baby girl !  Doctor advised her to abort, she had none of that and praise God she has a beautiful child.  Both her legs used to be paralysed, but now one of them is moving!  Hallelujah!  Praise God!  While praying for her at church this morning, Pastor Peter get the congregation to stretch our hands toward her while he prayed, he prayed and said he expect her complete healing soon.

Pastor Peter encouraged our congreagtion to pray for those who are infirmed.  Those needed healings are prayed over by our members, as he also prayed for everyone who needed healing.  The ordinary way that he conducted the healing service is amazing.  We realized that we as part of the body of Christ are empowered to heal in the name of Jesus.

Another sister of our church has been healed of deafness on her right ear.  Sometime ago she went for a brain surgery and that had destroyed her hearing, but Pastor Peter prayed for her on Thursday night and she is healed!  Hallelujah!  Praise God!

A grandfather testified that his grandson has also been healed of stomach problem.  His grandson had been to hospital three times, yet his condition persisted, he could not drink and eat and was weak.  On Wednesday, the Holy Spirit prompted his grandfather to attend Pastor Peter's healing service and when Pastor Peter sensed that he needed to pray for someone with stomach ailment, this grandfather brought his grandson to be prayed by Pastor Peter.  This morning, the grandfather testified that after the prayer that evening, the grandson took a banana where previously he refused to eat because of the pain.  The following day he had chicken rice and pizza!  He is completely healed!  Praise God for His mercy and healing!

There were many more healings and the congregation could feel the presence of God in our church this morning.   Thank God for bringing Pastor Peter and his wife Ruth to minister to us.

Peter Truong Healing Service at FBC - Video Maker

America's No. 1 Confidence Coach

Last week our local FUll Gospel Businessmen (FGB) fellowship brought in America's No. 1 Confidence coach for a two-sessions workshop.  It was indeed a blessing for Kuching's folks because Keith Johnson came all the way from America and the entrance fee to attend was just RM10 each!

The seminar was a success, the room was packed with at about 200 people of Thursday evening.  Friday morning;s session was also well attended.

Keith Johnson was a funny speaker and he kept everyone on his toes with his many jokes.  Jokes aside, we learn many valuable tips about building confidence and how to have confidence in our lives.  Confident seems to be everything in a successful person's live.  Lack of confidence is usually a person's reason for failure.  Success is not necessary measures by monetary returns, but a productive live in areas of your passions.  Like a Pastor can be successful but not necessary rich in a worldly manner.

One great point about this seminar was that it was based on Christian principles and Dr. Keith Johnson has a graduate degree in Theology.  He sharing was backed by Biblical principles.  Unless we have God, we cannot be successful.  In one of his "triangle of confidence", it contains God as one factor.

All in a useful and beneficial seminar on confidence building.