Jason sings in Chapel!

To see a video recording of Jason singing in chapel, go to http://www.swbts.edu/events/chapel_archive.cfm, select the date and click "WATCH NOW".

Date: 03.20.07 (scroll to 01:50) " I will dedicate my all"

Date: 11.29.06 (scroll to 14:40) "Go tell it on the mountain"

Spring Evangelism Practicum 07

We thank God for the opportunity for Jason to participate in the Spring Revival Evangelism again this year. It was again another meaningful spring break for both of us. Many precious friendships were built with the people in Forsyth Baptist Church. We crossed the cultural differences because Christ’s love has brought us together. We appreciate those who have been praying for us.

The average attendance in each meeting was about 60 people. There were a few non-believers in the meetings, and Jason led one youth to Christ through personal evangelism. There were also a few rededications among the Christians and they were revived to share the Gospel to their community. Praise the Lord that Jason was able to preach boldly for the 5 meetings. Jason felt the presence of the Lord with him and was able to minister through God’s word, his own testimony and music. Being a Chinese Singaporean, Jason felt honored for the opportunity to share God’s word to the Americans. This experience has become another unforgettable memory for our journey in America.

Mission Trip Dec 2006

Last December, we had the opportunity to go for a short term mission trip to China over the Christmas period. This mission trip was organized by Bridges International under the umbrella of Campus Crusade for Christ. It was our first mission experience in China and we were very grateful that God had opened this opportunity for us. We see His providence in so many ways through this trip, and the first thing we experienced was for us being able to raise sufficient funds in a short period of time. After much prayer during the end of November last year, we decided to first use our school fees for this semester and our savings to purchase the air tickets. God proved Himself to be so good and faithful! Within 3 weeks, we were able to raise sufficient funds for both of us. We also praise God that many of our sponsors and prayer supporters are from ACC.

Many Christian books and articles recount how the Gospel is brought to a broad spectrum of people in modern China. We felt honored and privileged for the opportunity to witness God’s miraculous work in China. Not only did we learn a lot, we truly experienced what the Bible says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few….” (Matt 9: 37). We pray for another short-term mission opportunity to China and perhaps the opportunity to do biblical training to the local Christians in the near future.

To see a photo report of our trip, please click: http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=70311170274832846/l=241416246/g=23362778/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Winter in Texas

It snowed beautifully today! We have never seen the school and the student village covered in so much snow in our 2.5 years here. What a great parting gift for us as we enjoy the last winter here in Fort Worth.

Mar06-Spring Revival Update

Jason's participation for the Spring Revival was really a very meaningful time for both of us. Walnut Heights Baptist received us very warmly and precious friendships were built with many.We had the most wonderful time with Pastor Jason's family. His six kids were adorable and exemplary. Thanks for praying with us.

The average attendance in each meeting was about 35 people. Although there weren’t many non-believers in the meetings, one lady publicly confessed her belief on the last day of the meetings. There were also a few rededications among the Christians. Praise the Lord that Jason was able to preach boldly for the 5 meetings, for he wanted simply to be God's delivery boy. Jason felt the presence of the Lord with him and was able to minister through music by ending his sermons with songs.

The church update for the event can be viewed at:
http://www.walnutheightsbaptist.com/templates/gen13tn/details.asp?id=33448&PID=320038

We have also put up some pictures at:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=j9qo9xq.2kuhz836&x=0&y=ct1bys

Mar06-Spring Revival Practicum

This semester, Jason signed up for a class called “Spring Revival Evangelism Practicum.” This class is a study of American church evangelistic outreach methods with special attention to the preparation for local church revival. Each participating student (approximately 112 students this semester) will be sent by the seminary to spend 1 week in different local churches to participate in an evangelistic outreach emphasis. Below are the details of Jason’s assignment:




Date: 11-16 March, 2006
Name of Church:
Walnut Height Baptist Church (www.walnutheightsbaptist.com)
Church size: 30-40 members
Location: Columbus, Ohio

*This is the flyer that the church did!

Prayer items:
The Church
· Pray that the church members will bring friends and families who are non-believers to these meetings.
· Pray that the promotional flyers that will be distributed around the area are able to reach the lost to come for the meetings.
· Pray for our working relationship with the church and the Pastor.

The 5 revival meetings
· Pray for Jason’s boldness to preach the 5 revival sermons: Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Mon, Tues and Weds evening.
· Pray for Jason’s preparation for these 5 sermons. Pray that God will show Jason to choose the right sermon to reach the people in the 5 meetings.
· Pray for salvation among the non-believers during the event. The church is praying for a list of people.

Others
· Pray for safe traveling. Shelen will be accompanying Jason on this trip.
· Pray for personal witness opportunities during the day time.
· Pray for our health and spiritual condition. We have begun to fast and pray daily for these revival meetings.
· Pray for energy & wisdom to complete our school work before we leave for Ohio. Assignments and papers are piling up.

Photo-New York Times Square

At New York City Times Square.

Photo-New York Chinatown

Singaporean Cafe at New York Chinatown.
We ate Cha Kway Teow & Hor Fun!

Photo-Washington D.C

Outside the Whitehouse at Washington D.C

Dec 05 - 我们搬家了！(Moving)

大家好！我们搬家了！这是因为我们实在无法再住在那原来的房子。打从去年刚到美国的时候，我们就一直遇到房子里有害虫的问题。起初我们都以为是跳蚤之类的害虫，好多关心我们的朋友们都给我们许多方法解决跳蚤的问题。其实问题并没那么简单。

一开始我们便向学院的宿舍管理部门投诉房子有害虫的问题，学院虽然安排了害虫捕捉专家到我们的房子做了一些调查，也喷了杀虫药，但始终没有办法帮我们彻底解决问题。那“奇异的害虫”每隔两到三个月就来咬我们，邻居也和我们遭受同样的问题。过去的一年里，我们的房子来来去去被喷了五六回不同的杀虫药。整个房子一直充满一股异味，地上也常可以找到死了的蟑螂和一些家里常有的爬虫。我们就好象住在一间充满毒素的房子里。

在虫咬事件困扰的同时。我们也发现屋顶与墙壁之间有老鼠走动的声音。宿舍管理部门调查之后，发现整个房子的结构都被封得很紧，老鼠很难跑进屋子里来。然而，这却让我们联想到一直在咬我们的害虫很可能和这些老鼠有关系。

我们成为害虫的猎物！

今年七月间，我们又再次被咬，而且被咬得比以往还严重。不过感谢主，这一回上帝开了我们的眼睛，让我们看得见咬我们的害虫。这些害虫的体形非常细小，如果不仔细看是看不到的。我们用透明的胶纸把它们抓起来，作为证据交给学院有关部门。我们俩就好象猴子般，互相在彼此的身上找害虫。当我们根据害虫的体形上网查寻，才发现这些害虫原来就是老鼠身上的寄身虫(Rat mites)。据网上的资料，这些寄身虫专在老鼠的身上吸血。它们一旦找不到老鼠，便会找上人类，而我们便成为了它们的猎物。它们通常喜欢在温热的地方出没。难怪我们都是在在厨房炉子的周围和浴室的热水器附近发现这些害虫。雪伦就常在做饭的时候被咬得利害。

三只老鼠，三只老鼠，跑得快，跑得快…
虽然终于知道一直在咬我们的是什么，另一个相关的问题却在这时候发生了。由于我们就住在火车道旁边，老鼠的问题一直都无法解决。那些猖狂的老鼠终于冲破重重的拦阻，竟然跑到了厨房炉子上面的通风机！学院的管理部只给了我们一些抓老鼠的陷阱，可惜都没有什么作用。我们在新加坡从来没有遇过房子有老鼠的问题，如今搞得我们俩措手不及。更严重的是，我们竟然在炉子上找到老鼠身上的毛发与粪便！整个厨房也充满一股难闻的臭味。这一切弄到我们好几天都无法做饭，因为那实在太恶心了！

在没有办法的情况下，我们不得不告上学院的最高管理层。这时，学院终于作出比较积极的行动，派了一堆人马，拆掉炉子上面的通风机，并用特强的吸尘机抽出了三只死老鼠！

主有更好的安排。
害虫与老鼠的问题整整困扰了我们一年。整个过程，我们学习了忍耐与坚持的功课。我们知道一切的主权都在上帝的手里。回想过去几个月，如果没有主的保守，我们很可能感染老鼠或寄身虫所带有的细菌。万事都在主的手中，我们都相信主必有他最好的安排。

我们也非常感恩学院安排了另一间新房子给我们。这间房子的外头不但有更美的景色，也比旧房子距离火车道远，这也就减少了火车的吵闹声。最感恩的是，我们终于摆脱了寄身虫与老鼠的纠缠！

Jun 05-回家的感觉真好！(Going Home)

5月2日清晨5点钟，我们带了几个空行李，怀着感恩与兴奋的心情，踏上了回新加坡的“度假”旅程。虽然旅程中需要屈身于那又窄又不舒服的机舱长达24小时，但是那份回家的快感早已胜过心中一切的不适！

当机长报告飞机即将抵达樟宜国际机场，并欢迎所有回国的乘客时，我们俩都不住地往窗外那熟悉的夜景直看。心中的那份喜悦更不在话下！没想到回家的感觉可以是这么棒！

为家人祷告
感谢主这次有家人资助我们回家的旅费。在回家的一个月之前，上帝也感动我们俩人要为我们的家人禁食祷告。特别是为文庆还未信主的双亲，还有为雪伦不常到教会的父母亲祷告。

虽然我们信主多年，但在禁食祷告这方面却没有太多的操练。再加上文庆常有胃病，我们就不太敢于尝试。然而，在好几次上帝的催促下，我们不得不顺从祂的旨意。在那一个月里，我们每天禁食一餐，利用午餐的时间与主亲近，为我们所爱的家人祷告。

禁食祷告中有美食的试探、也有想放弃的时候，但回想起来身体与心灵方面都得着了许多。在那一个月里，上帝教导我们不可轻视圣灵的感动，乃要敏锐于圣灵的带领。父母亲的救恩都在上帝的旨意之下，因为祂比我们还要爱我们的父母亲。上帝也再一次用使徒行传16:31鼓励我们：

“当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。”

与家人的相聚
由于这次在新加坡的时间很短，我们决定这一趟回家，会是以和家人相聚为主。上帝听了我们的祷告，我们不但有机会与雪伦的家人一起到邻国短游，享受这举家同游的难得时光，我们还有机会参加了雪伦弟弟的21岁庆生会。


我们也非常感恩文庆这次有机会向他的侄儿和外甥传福音，并带领了他们做抉志的祷告。文庆的父母亲也很奇妙地愿意在我们的陪同下到教会参加聚会，也刚好有机会参于了教会所举办的恳亲布道会。

回美国前的一天晚上，圣灵不断催逼文庆的心灵，要他向父母亲表白心中对他们最大的意愿－接受耶稣的救恩。文庆鼓起了勇气，再次向年迈的父母亲表白。虽然他们在当时并没有接受，但从他们感动的眼神中，我们知道他们都明白。求上帝继续在他们俩的心里做感动的工作。

回家的小插曲
文庆在这次回新的期间，进了医院动了个小手术。因为他终于勇敢地把那困扰他多年的痣疮问题给解决掉。虽然这不是我们回家的计划之一，但整个手术却都在上帝的安排与计划下。手术后的一个星期里，文庆虽然得忍受那无法形容的疼痛，不过还好有贤惠的妻子在旁细心地照顾，还有父母亲的关怀与帮忙照料。

因为我们报读暑假的课，所以我们只能在新加坡逗留短短的四个星期。文庆动了手术后需要在家好好休息，造成我们与其他朋友们相聚的时间更加有限。对于这次无法和一些朋友们见面或联络上，我们都深感抱歉。

不同的感觉
拖着装满新加坡食品的行李箱，我们再次踏上离家的旅程。这次的离开少了上次的不舍，也少了上次的那种“不知”与“彷徨”的感觉，因为我们已经熟悉美国读书的生活，而且我们还有一间小小的窝在美国等着我们回去。

Dec 04- A Different Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Jason and I saw the first falling snow in our life this morning. For “Sua Gu” Singaporeans like us, we just stood at the window for a long time. We have always been dreaming of a white Christmas. However, it may not be white enough this Christmas as snow is not that thick yet. Nonetheless, we are still thankful for a sight we have never seen before.

Indeed, Jason and I have much to be thankful for.

We are thankful that we have found a church home here in Arlington Chinese Church. There are a few Singaporeans here and the new English Pastor is also from Singapore. The people here are really warm and friendly and made us feel very welcomed. We are glad for the Couples’ Cell group that we are attending on Friday nights. There are many Godly couples in this group and we have made good friends with many of them.

Jason and I are not used to be just church attendees without serving in any ministries. We are thankful that God has open doors for Jason to begin serving in the music ministry. We would also have the opportunity too to teach Youth Sunday School from January.

Despite the tough stuff we went through the last months, we still learned to be thankful. We are thankful that we learn dependence on God through our sickness. We are thankful that Jason and I learn to love each other more as we take care of each other. We are thankful for experiencing suffering because we can better comfort others in future. We are thankful that despite my rash, I was still able to breathe and move around. We are thankful for learning humility through working as custodians in school. We are thankful that God loves us.

Christmas here is not as eventful and exciting as Singapore. The Christmas Light-up in Downtown Fort Worth is nothing compared to Orchard Road! Churches here also do not have as many activities.

However, we are thankful for a different Christmas this year as we’ll be joining a short mission trip to Austin & San Antonio. We are glad to be given the opportunity to spend Christmas in a meaningful way. We are also thankful for an all-paid trip to San Diego. Jason is invited to help in a recording of a Mandarin Praise & Worship album. We appreciate your prayers for these two trips.

We pray and hope that you will have a different Christmas this year too. A Christmas that will help you understand deeper the meaning of Christ’s birth. Have a Blessed Christmas!!

We appreciate your prayers for:

• The provision of our tuition fees for the next semester.
• Jason to find a suitable part-time job on campus.
• Good health, as we are not really used to the cold weather.
• Our mission trip to Austin from 23-27 Dec. We will be visiting 4 Chinese churches, helping them in the evangelistic Christmas musical and doing personal evangelism.
• Thank God for an invitation by Lamb Music to join them for the recording of their next Mandarin Praise & Worship album. We’ll be in San Diego from 29 Dec -10 Jan and Jason will be involved in the recording. Please pray that the project will be smooth and God-honoring.

Dec 04-真的经历了祂！(Experiencing God)

不知不觉第一个学期就这么过去了。回想祂几个月来的带领，除了感恩还是感恩。还记得在上一封季讯中曾提过要更经历祂吗？上帝果然让我们“如愿以偿”，更深的经历了祂。先是文庆连续几天发高烧，体温还曾一度高达40度，差一点就要送往医院。然后是雪伦严重咳嗽，再来是药物敏感导致她全身红肿。另外还有房子里有害虫的问题等等…… 问题就像浪涛一样接种而来。诊所也先后去了好几回，连医生都熟悉我们了。生病了还要应付排山倒海的作业与测验，真的很不简单。心里不禁就会问很多次的“为什么？”。上帝祂到底听见我们的呼求吗？我们不是已经听从了祂的旨意来读神学了吗？我们实在没足够的体力与时间去面对这些问题。

面对这样的情况，我们对约伯的经历就更加感同深受了。我们不知道上帝到底要教导我们什么功课。在上帝的旨意中是否还会受苦？伯2：10讲到：“难道我们从上帝手中得福，不也受祸吗？”这段经文提醒了我们，到底我们信靠祂是因为祂赐的福分，还是因为祂在十字架上所做的牺牲？

回想起来，上帝其实一直都在我们的身边，只是我们没有察觉到。祂的恩典确实够我们用的。至少我们的病情没有严重到需要进医院，学院的教授也都相当仁慈，让我们迟交作业。对我们这对刚结婚不久的夫妻来说，我们学习到如何在艰难的时候彼此照顾, 更加体会什么是“爱的真谛”。我们也学习了更深的去依靠祂。虽然目前我们仍没有能力支付下一个学期的学费，我们仍相信祂是全然的供应者。祂正在磨炼我们，为要装备我们面对将来的事奉道路。

不一样的圣诞
原本非常期待今年的圣诞，到了这儿才知道这里的圣诞气氛没有新加坡来得热闹。当初也以为有机会过一个白色圣诞，后来才了解德洲属于美国中部沙漠地带，不常下雪。每逢圣诞期间，这里家家户户都会“张灯结彩”，几乎每个房子的里里外外都会好好的布置一番，感染圣诞的气氛。有些房子的确装饰得非常漂亮，有些却不怎么样。感觉上有一点儿像新加坡马来人过Hari Raya时候的样子。市区的圣诞装饰也远远比不上咱们著名的乌节路圣诞装饰（仿佛为自己是新加坡人而感到自豪！）。好想念新加坡圣诞期间的热闹气氛！
在这来临的圣诞期间，我们将会参加一组短宣队。地点是美国德洲的另一个城市，距离神学院需要大约四个小时的车程。我们将有机会在那里协助当地的华人教会举办圣诞布道会，做个人布道与探访等工作。但愿能把圣诞的意义传达给当地还未信主的华人。我们俩都满怀感恩的心，期待这不一样的圣诞！

但愿你今年的圣诞也会不一样。能与你心爱的人过一个充满感恩、平安与喜乐的圣诞节。祝大家：圣诞蒙恩！

帖前5:18：“凡是感恩，因为这是上帝在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。”

特别感谢那些在我们生病的时候为我们祷告的弟兄姐妹们， 请大家继续在祷告中支持我们。
1. 请大家为我们下个学期的学费不足祷告，求上帝供应。
2．愿上帝为文庆安排下个学期能找到合适的校园兼职工作。
3．这是我们第一次在美国过冬天，我们都不太习惯寒冷的气候。有时温度会降到摄氏零度。愿上帝继续赐健康的体魄。
4．感谢上帝，我们有机会从12月23至27日参加一组短宣队。愿上帝赐平安的旅程，队员们都有活泼的灵命与健康的体魄，把圣诞的福音传给当地的华人。
5．12月29至1月10日，文庆将会参与“小羊音乐事工”新专辑的录音事工。感谢上帝赐这难得的机会。请大家记念每位服事人员身体和心灵的健康。愿整个录音的过程都顺利。

-文庆-

Oct 04-Suffering

October has been a tough month for Jason and me.

Both of us have been to the doctors four times just this month. He went twice for he had a high fever that did not subside after three days. We almost had to send him into emergency. Thank God his fever finally gone down after a shot from the doctor. (We were praying that we don’t have to step into a hospital for medical fees can go sky-high here!)

After he recovered, I started coughing badly and it turned out to be acute bronchitis. Yesterday, I had to go back to the doctor for I had developed red spots all over my body; face, palms and everywhere. The doctor said it was an allergic reaction to the medication she had given me the last time! Sigh.

Before all these, we were already having a bug/flea problem. We were bitten all over by a mysterious bug and itching everywhere. The pest control from school housing is still trying to help us solve the problem. For this, we are reminded of Mark’s account of the man with leprosy. Our prayer to the Lord has been, “If you are willing, you can make me (or the house) clean.”

In such situations, Job becomes more real. We have been asking God what He’s trying to teach us out of all these. Can we be in God’s will and still suffer? However, Job 2:10 says it best: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” This really makes us ponder if we are following Christ for the blessings He has promised, or simply because of what He has done on the cross for us. Will we still follow if prosperity and blessing are not in sight?

Will you still follow?

Please pray for:

1. Good health. We have been missing classes and it’s tough trying to cope with readings, papers and tests while sick.

2. Bug problem will be solved soon.

Nonetheless,

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Sept 2004-经历祂！

记得还没到美国之前，朋友曾问我最希望在美国学习到什么。当时，我非常肯定的回答我这位朋友：“我想要更经历祂！”

回想起来，自从我和雪伦第一天到达美国，我们每一天都在经历祂的恩典。其实，上帝真的非常恩待我们。一抵达美国，就有同学(也是新加坡人）帮我们安顿好一切，所以我们俩很快就适应了这里的环境。这里的生活节奏没有想象中的美国城市那么快，所处之地是美国西南部的浸信会地区，教会随处可见。

再次步入学校生涯，对我这个已经离开校园七年的学生来说，是一个极大的挑战。为要应付排山倒海而来的作业、读书报告、测验等，我曾一度对自己的能力感到失望。可能是因为离开学习的环境太久了，再加上自己的记忆力本来就不是很强，因此学习的过程中难免遇到好些问题。还好上帝的话语不断的鼓励我，在好几次的灵修和信息当中，上帝一直提醒我要仰赖祂。我尽我的本分，其他的只要交托。

神学院的每一堂课是如此的精彩。教授们的爱心教学，都是一篇篇精彩难忘的信息。来到这里才发现，我对神的话语认识实在太少了！

跟从耶稣的代价 (路9：57－62)
记得当初要离开去念神学，最舍不得与放不下的，就是家人和教会的那班青年。这段经文提醒了我，要跟从耶稣，就必须放下舒适的生活，撇下一切所有的，忠心完成耶稣所托付的任务。要做到耶稣所说的这几点，真的很不简单，我们都还在学习当中。

我们知道要完成耶稣所托付的任务，必定会遇到困难与挫折，但这一切都是成长与学习的必经之路。只要我们愿意去经历神，神就必定与我们同行。

相信还有更多经历祂的机会在等待着我们！

-文庆-

Aug 2004-Our First Arrival

I am now writing from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. To some of you, this may be a surprise. I’m sorry I was not able to say goodbye to all of you. Well, when Jesus called his disciples, Peter and Andrew left their nets at once, James and John left their father without delay. There is no time to say goodbye.

But of course, I have not answered to God’s call at once. I have never really pictured what it meant to walk up front during a Missions conference when I was 17. I only knew that I wanted to let God use my life in whatever way He wanted. This simple decision has led to events in my life I’ve never imagined.

I’ve always imagined serving God full-time after I’ve worked a couple of years and become more mature and advanced in years. However, God “pulled” me right into working for Him in youth ministry in Grace Baptist Church after my graduation from NUS. Then, He led me to work 4 years in ORTV reaching the Chinese speaking folks through media. I finally understood that God wanted to use my life NOW, not when I’ve retired. So, I figured if I’m going to work for Him for life, I’ve better get myself equipped. That’s where I am now.

I’ll be pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Education, with an emphasis in student ministries and media. My husband, Jason, will be doing his Master of Divinity here in SWBTS as well. We hope to partner each other in serving the Lord. Our immediate prayer request is that we’ll find a good tenant for our S’pore flat and be good stewards of money over here.

“For it is God who works in you (and me) to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13. The bewildering call of God can never be understood absolutely nor explained definitely. Yet, to answer it is simply to trust Him and allow Him to accomplish His own purposes in each of our lives.

We thank God for:
*Going through US customs smoothly and easily with all our barang-barangs.
*Joseph and Amelia, a Singaporean couple studying here too who helped us tremendously before our coming and in our 1st week of arrival.
*Providing us with furniture for our apartment as we learn to be karang-gunis.

Will write more after term starts on August 19th.

-shelen-