“Bitter Sweet”

In last October, there was something wrong with my health. I got easily tried. I observe that I had some of red painful spots on my left palm and this had never happened before. I was cut a little piece of palm skin for testing. The result was causing my Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). I didn’t think my own disease will happen again. It is Lupus! I’ve had it for 13 years and it’s been dormant for long time. I was really worried and stressed at that time because I had to take lots of pills like in the first time I got this disease; there were many side effects from steroids and lots of financial expenses.

                But I really thank God for How Sweet he is through the suffering situation and have learned lots from him. This was not by chance and God knew when it will be happen and in his perfect time.

It was during the break time before the 2^nd semester started. I thank God for a great doctor, the way that he prepares money for me and especially for roommates and the body of Christ through prayers and serving at that time. So overwhelmed by love!

                It was seem to be low light but it turned out to be highlight for me! I have learned 2 big things from hard situation.

1.       I am not God! My life is not mine but God’s. I can’t do anything by my own strength. I easily think that I can do or control the plan by myself. God reminds me again to be humble and depend on Him. Let God control everything in my life.

During that time God used his verse from 2 Corinthian 12:9 to work in my life. I am really weak and I can see how to be blessed so much from his power in our weakness.  I want to be boasting my weakness like Paul for God’s glory.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2.       I have learned about my value and contentment is already in God’s sight. I never thought that I would care or be worried about my outward appearance so much and acceptance from others. I found my contentment and confidence was outward appearance but not in Christ! (Because of side effects from pills my outward appearance changed) God opened my eyes and reminded me again. My security is in Christ and I will be satisfied if God satisfied. God really cares about my heart but not my outward appearance. (Isaiah 43:4)

Suffering leads me near to God. I have close relationship and sweet time with Him. And also I can share how awesome and sweet is God to the body of Christ and others.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

              (Dr.Ching Ching & Me)

 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

I thankful for ministry from last semester (June –October). It was amazing! It was fruitful harvest year for me. I, the CCP, and my disciples got to know many freshmen in every faculty. But mostly in Economic major and had many opportunities to share the gospel.

Praise the Lord for 4 new believers. God led them to be his children. I have learned about God who is working, operating and making the seed of truth grow in their hearts. The Gospel is the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8) We are just to be faithful for our part and to spread seed abroad, share the gospel with them, don’t give up, and faithfully pray for them. Ask and pray for God to lead us to meet his people whom he has already chosen.

And I also have learned about God know who is belong to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). For example: I met a freshmen girl named Oum. We spent many time together and she had lot of questions about God so I and CCP had many opportunities to share the gospel with her. But her heart is still like a rock and her eyes are blind about how awful her sin is. She understood just for knowledge but not in her heart. Now I don’t see her come around us anymore. Oum is so different from 4 girls; they are Nong, Gip, Friendly and Joy whom God called them to be His.

Nong (3^rd year): She has heard about God before and was interested to study the Bible together. We had Bible study together 2 -3 times and after that she desired God to come into her life.

                Gip: she spent time with us during the CCP time, went to the Friend Forever retreat and watched the Hope DVD about a summary story of the Bible. She realizes she is a sinner and needs God to change her life.

Friendly: She has heard about God before and used to study about God through the mail. I challenged her to do Bible study together. I really like her. She had lots of good question to ask me. When we finished 5 chapters that we study together, she hadn’t received Christ yet. She said “she was not ready and wanted to wait.” So I let her think about God and life. I and other Christians keep praying for her and ask God to work in her heart. One week later she came back and told me that she was ready to let Jesus in her life.

 Joy: She has heard about God before and she asked me to teach her how to study the Bible. This was amazing that she initiated to me! She prayed received Christ in the first time we had Bible study.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.     1 Peter 5:2

I really thank God and enjoy learning and keep my eyes watching how God uses his ways to lead his Children to come to him. And I am so privileged to be his part and he uses me even I am really weak. It was not about me but all about you, God. I was really excited for them and was really challenging to me to disciple them also.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20