Monday, July 30, 2007

Beautiful Singapora ...


Here I am, sitting in front of a spectacular skyline in a hotel on Singapore's Harbour front (see above). Doesn't get much better than this! From our hotel we can see Raffles hotel right in front of us, St Andrews Church just to our right and the busy harbour straight ahead. What a place! We booked the basic room but, wehey, when we arrived at midnight they were all gone. So were the next class .. so here we are in Club Class on the 23rd floor. The unforced rhythms of grace! (I can just here my brother David saying, "Aye, ye always land on yir feet!)

Yesterday was a great day. We only had 4 hours sleep due to our plane leaving late and an eager bunch of Singaporean friends bringing us out for dinner. The favourite phrase in Singapore is "Have you eaten yet?" Now, if you were a born liar you would end up pretty big! Ahem. But we hadn't eaten so they took us to this place called the lagoon, by the beach. It is around 50 eating places in the shape of a square and in the middle there are tables where you can eat. Amazing.

Yesterday we went to Cornerstone Church. We went to the 8:30am service. It was so wonderful for me to see my old friends again. I really love these people ... especially my 'big brother' Pastor Yang and his lovely wife Daphne. There was a visiting pastor called Joel Baker ministering yesterday. He used to be the Director of a Bible School in Singapore but now ministers in Australia. He was superb - "The Love of God". If you can listen to this message from Cornerstone's Website (link on right) you will be blessed.

I was speaking at the Chinese service ... what an experience! Around 250 Chinese folk packed into one of the church's many conference theatres. When they began to worship it was like being in heaven! They sang with such fervour and passion. I did not know a word they were singing ... but I definitely know who they were singing about. I preached about 'Our Meat is on the Street' encouraging them to believe God that they can take His power and presence from the church to the street. So many responded and at the end we prayed for all the sick. They just kept on coming! There was a wonderful sense of God's purpose and presence. The service lasted more the 3 hours ... it felt like a moment.

We rested a bit in the afternoon and then Michael and the gang went out with some Singaporeans for a Hot Pot. I went with Pastor Yang and his family for a Chinese meal ... unbelievable! In the west we judge by quantity but here they judge by quality. Every mouthful was delicious. Anyway, let's move on ....!

Tomorrow I am going for the Cornerstone Pastors Retreat in Singapore. This is a wonderful time of sharing, reporting about what is happening, praying for each other and inspiring each other in our vision. Michael, Alison and Jemma Rose will stay in Singapore until we fly back to Philippines on Friday.

By the way, Jemma Rose gets a special Ritchie prize for 'Church Attender of the Year'. She went to the 1st service form 8:30-10:30, straight to the Chinese service until 1:00 and then from the Youth service from 1-3:30pm. Incredible ... in church for 7 hours straight! Well done Jemma ... I'll be telling Steve Ritchie about your great feat! He He

The people from Cornerstone Singapore are the nicest people I have ever met, bar none. They are so kind and the way they show hospitality is beautiful. They have such servant hearts and we are trying to do things' the Cornerstone way' in Santiago also. Bible calls it 'going the extra mile.' Teach me Lord.

Just found out that Heidi Baker is coming to Cornerstone in January. We heard her speak here last April and that was an amazing experience. She is coming in the second week of January 2008 ... if you fancy a great wee trip just after New Year to somewhere different why don't you plan to come to Singapore for a week. Your soul, body and spirit will be truly uplifted as you see Singapore, experience Cornerstone and hear Heidi. Selah.

Will blog soon. Here are a few wee updates before I go:

Margarita - she is slowly improving. Hope to get out of hospital today.
Mona Lisa - Praise God, she is starting to eat regularly... and he hair IS growing!
Mary & kids - pray for them as when i am away the enemy always tries to do something that will discourage them. Pray for angels to watch over Sefton Village.
Students - we also had 2 students in hospital last weekend. One is discharged now but Gawina is still there. Pray that she will be discharged today.

Be blessed and have a great week ....

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