Inner Mongolia has been combating desertification over the years due to overgrazing and industrialisation in the region. Grassland has turned to sand dunes and deserts. When the winds blow, the sand particles are being blown and many houses and farmlands are being covered by sand!

Hailstone!

We experienced a hailstone on our way from Beijing to Duolun, Inner Mongolia! The whole land was covered in white within seconds!

Sandstorm!

We also experienced a sandstorm as we were about to go to the plantation area.

Thank God for keeping us safe in both occasions.

In an effort to save the grassland, our goal was to plant 2,500 trees in Duolun, a county in Inner Mongolia which is about 8 hours bus ride from north of Beijng city.

Step 1: Mark and dig holes

We spent several days, from morn to sunset, marking and digging under the burning weather of nearly 39^oC. We had to put on our raincoat and continued digging on a raining day, just to ensure we complete our target for the day. Obviously, at the end of each day, we were exhausted and our bodies ached. However, the satisfaction at the end of the digging process is unimaginable and indescribable!

My reflection: Foundation is critical just like how we should follow our Lord to continue to live our lives in him, “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2: 7)

Step 2: plant fir trees

After digging the holes, it was time to plant fir trees to complete the process. This was an easy yet challenging task because if each tree was not placed properly, the root might be damaged and the tree might die as it could not receive nutrients to grow.

Each time as I gently placed a fir tree into the hole, I said a prayer, “God, enable the tree to grow healthily and not wither”.

We finally finished all the planting by sunset. Seeing the whole field filled with 2,525 trees (to celebrate ITE’s 25years anniversary) planted with hard work, patience and love, all of us were beaming with smiles. All wearies were forgotten.

5 years? 10 years? I can’t wait to be back in Duolun, to see the growth of the trees that was planted by us.

For the remaining days of our trip, we were being “stretched to our limits” while immersing in the Chinese culture by eating Mongolia dishes, staying in Ger, a Mongolia tent, attending a Mongolian cultural night, riding horses hiking along the Guniang lake with a beautiful love story, rolling down the sand hills …

Nothing is complete until we climbed the Great Wall. I vividly remember how I “conquered” this majestic wonder of the world. God gave me unexplainable strength as I climbed and worshiped Him. Eventually, with courage and in faith, I reached the top and captured a memorable photo with my friends.

At other times, God also protected me through friends and teachers who took good care of me by providing me Vitamin C pills in the morning, praying for me when I was sick. God also taught me how to overcome my fear, and to persevere and be patient in everything I do. I have wonderful memories that I treasure because the trip was filled with deep relationships that were built together with God.

All glory to God!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – (Galatians 6:9)

By Rachel Tay

The post He Leadeth Me appeared first on Sengkang Methodist Church.

这几年来内蒙古的草原干枯了许多，从绿色的大草原转变成沙漠。当大风刮起时，细沙随风刮起， 遍布掩盖房子和车子。

雹暴!

是的，没想到我们竟在前往内蒙路途中遇到雹暴！在一瞬间，地上铺满了一尘的白冰。

沙尘暴!

在我们前往种树的地点时， 有一阵沙尘暴往我们的方向逼近！

感谢主保守我们，我们两次都是有惊无险地度过。

挽救这片草原，我们的目标是在内蒙，多伦县 （离北京往北， 约8小时的路程），大宝生态园里种植2,500棵枞树。

第一步 记号与挖洞

从早到晚，我们在量好的记号上一个一个的把小树苗的“家”挖好. 每天在与太阳赛跑，在它下班之前完成当天所下的目标。甚至有一天我们穿着雨衣也继续赶工。在天暗的时候，幸苦栽种了一天，熬过了39度的天气，到了夜晚，我们不但累了， 肌肉也酸痛，但我们都很开心。因为我们亲眼目睹我们努力的成果, 而这满足感是非笔墨所能形容！

我的反思：根基是何等重要！这就像我们跟着主的脚步一样重要。歌罗西书 2:7说 “照著你們所受的教導，在他裡面得以扎根、建造，在信仰上得以確立，在感謝中豐足有餘。“

第二步 栽种树苗

终于到我们把小树苗“ 搬进”家中了。我们后的步奏是把小树苗种进挖好的洞里，再把土盖上，最后浇水才算大功告成！这可是既简单却付挑战性，因为如果不把小树苗放好的话，树根可能会受损而吸收不到营养最终枯死。

每当我小心翼翼的把小树苗一棵一颗的放进洞里时，我都一面放一面为每棵树苗祷告：“主啊，请你赐这棵树苗生命而不枯死。”

我们终于顺利赶上在日落前把2525棵小树苗种好(为了庆祝ITE25年的纪念日)！看着草原上这一片辛苦的成就，我们的辛劳，努力和爱的付出都是值得的。所有的疲惫我们都已忘得一干二净。

五年？十年？我好期待回来看我们所栽种的枞树！

剩下的几天，我们有机会当个道地的蒙古人－享用蒙古美食，在蒙古包过一夜，出席蒙古文化之夜并欣赏歌曲与舞蹈，学蒙古人骑马， 也爬上多伦县姑娘胡旁的沙丘，从沙丘滚下。。。

所谓不登长城非好汉，我们当然也爬长城。我还记得主在我一边登长城一边敬拜他的时候所给我的力量。在我到长城 顶时，我一动也不敢动，因为我怕我会掉下去。但是主提醒我‘不要局限自己’。带着勇气与信心，我站了上去拍了一张照做纪念。

我感谢上帝不间断的保守。在我生病的时候有老师、同学们照顾我，喂我吃维他命C ，为我祷告。这次的旅程不只教导我许多照顾环境的重要性，也增强了我与主的关系。

上帝教导我怎么克服自己的恐惧，也教导我凡事要持之以恒并对所做的一切有耐心。在返回新加坡后，我收到老师与同学们的祝福和感谢卡。这些都是我珍藏的记忆，它们提醒我这次旅程充满了与上帝一起建立的深厚关系。

荣耀归于上帝！

“我們行善，不要覺得厭煩；如果不鬆懈，到了適當的時候，就有收成。”（加拉太書 6:9）

撰稿 郑慧琪

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“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7b ESV)

In this narrative, God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to anoint the next king of Israel.

Standing in front of Jesse’s sons, Samuel looked on Eliab and thought he (Eliab) would be the one. Samuel was impressed with Eliab because he (Eliab) was a tall and handsome young man, just like Saul, the first king. But, the LORD rejected Eliab just like He rejected Saul who had disobeyed God.

Apparently, there is a disparity between God’s and man’s (that is, Samuel) criteria of a king for Israel. Just like a woman loves diamonds and a man loves cars, humans see the outward visible beauty of a person, such as his height and size. We spend so much to look our best in every social function. We style elaborate hairstyles and wear the most exquisite accessories or fine clothes which call attention to us. Yet, we feel uncomfortable sitting with foreign workers.

Does God judge outward appearance in His divine choice of men? Absolutely not.

By choosing Jesse’s family, it shows that God does not look upon social status, family history, or even wealth in His selection.

God values men and women; Man looks at the appearance, God looks at the heart;

Outward appearances are often deceitful – we may miss the hidden potential. For instance, during job interviews, the interviewee who smiles from ear to ear could be the villain who conceals a false and faithless heart. The silent one could be the greatest employee who embraces loyalty and integrity.

Since God looks at the heart, we must therefore spend more time to build our character and nurture our virtues.

Let this be our prayer that God examines our hearts and minds, and through Bible reading, quiet times with God, fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, may we grow in Christ.

by Ong Bee Keow

The post God Looks At The Heart appeared first on Sengkang Methodist Church.

“因为耶和华不像人看人，人是看外貌，耶和华是看内心。”（撒母耳记上 16：7b 和合本）

在这个叙述中，上帝差遣先知撒母耳往伯利恒人耶西家，为要膏立下一位以色列君王。

撒母耳站在耶西的儿子们面前，看着以利押，并认为他（以利押）就是那耶和华的受膏者。撒母耳对以利押这即高大英俊就像第一位国王扫罗一样的年轻人，留下了深刻的印象。但是，耶和华拒绝了以利押， 就像祂拒绝违背上帝的扫罗一样。

显然，上帝与人类（即撒母耳）对以色列君王的标准存有差异。就像女人喜欢钻石，男人喜欢汽车一样，人总只注重一个人的外在美，例如身高和体型。我们竭尽心力修饰仪容，以便在社交场上突出自己。我们疏剪最时髦的发型，穿着最引人注目的服装、甚至配戴最精致的首饰。但是，对着身旁的外籍劳工，我们却感浑身不自在。

外貌是否也是神对人的鉴察的原则? 绝对不是。

神选择了耶西这家，就表示社会地位,家庭背景,甚至财富都不在神的选择范围里。

神重视每一个人, 无论男或女。

人注重外貌，神注重内心。

以貌取人会忽略了有潜质的人材，這些人可能沒有令人羡慕的仪表，却含有实质和内涵。例如，在面试过程中，能畅谈无比的面试者， 心里可能隐藏着虚假和不诚实。相反的，沉默的却可能是最忠诚、最有诚信的员工。

既然神注重内心，我们就必须花更多的时间改進我们內在的性格，培养德行。

求主鉴察我们的心思意念， 让我们通过阅读圣经，灵修，与弟兄姐妹的团契，谦卑地在基督里成长。

撰稿 王美娇

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I was once asked by Rev Khoo at the church car park. He asked me what if Jesus ask that I go with him right now. I had to confess I was taken aback and did not reply him immediately.

I hesitated. Am I ready to die? It’s so sudden! Although we know we will meet Jesus, how many of us are truly ready to prepare or to face death? Are you?

Life on earth could be a short one. We do not know when our time is up even though we know our days are numbered.

Very often we are saddened to see our beloved friends or love ones pass on in life, as if they left so sudden. It is only at the funeral wake service, we learn or are reminded that there is much more in life after death.

We should take comfort that Jesus left us many years ago and prepared a place for all of us – a place to be with him.

“I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3)

Most of us appreciate the wealth of opportunities we get in this process to have so many people crossing path with us, participating in our activities, enjoying the happiness, and sharing the companionship as we walk through life. Yet, these are also the same people who bring us anger, frustration, ill-intended remarks, and sometimes make us sad.

Whatever it is, if we understand that these are all part and parcel of coming into this world, we have no control over, that we have to go through.

Yes, to those with whom we have developed passion, love or a sense of mutual respect, we will be sadden by their passing. And they will feel the same when it is our turn.

There is nothing to be worried or scared about. All we have to do is to get on what we want to do, enjoy every minute and be thankful that we have lived another day and make sure that our being in this world do make a difference in whatever we believe in.

The proportion of Singaporeans aged 65 and above rises to 14.4 per cent, from 13.7 per cent in 2016. (ST Report dated 28 Sep 2017). We must all accept ‘death’ and more importantly be prepared that there is life after. It is sad to learn or hear about the afterlife only at funeral wake service.

Are we doing enough, too little or too late to reach out and give the assurance to this growing ageing population?

I know I sound pessimistic thinking about my death. So, do all the things you wish to do and not regret for not doing; thank the good Lord that each day is a gift from God as if you only have today to live.

More importantly, do not forget your mission on earth.

When you think of this, you have no heart to argue, fight or win over something – does it matter, is it worth it…so, live in peace and especially with the Lord. Let us do our best to live a life with no regrets. Look forward to the next chapter of our life, when we leave this earth and return to our heavenly home.

Take each day as if it is your last.

by Edmund Wan

The post Life After Death appeared first on Sengkang Methodist Church.

有一天，我在教堂的停车场遇见邱牧师， 他问我， 若耶稣现在要我和祂离开， 怎么办？ 我当时不知所措， 也没马上回答他。

我迟疑，我问自己，我预备好离开了吗？即使我们知道我们会去见耶稣，到底我们当中有多少人已真正预备好面对死亡? 你呢？

我们在世的日子有可能是短的，虽知道在世的日子短暂，却不知何时将离去。

我们似乎只在参加追思礼拜时听到死亡的话题。很多时候，我们因朋友或所爱的人的离去而感到悲恸， 在追思礼拜中，我们被教导、提醒死后要发生的事。我们应该受安慰因耶稣‘去’是为我们预备地方。

“我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去我在哪里，叫你们也在哪里。” (约14:3)

有了这样的确据又怎样？ 我们一生， 在追思礼拜， 或每个主日中， 听了那么多道， 意义何在？ 我们行道吗？ 还是这些道只是对我们的另外个提醒？

在人与人的交流中，有欢乐、享受、开心的事，但是，同样的人也会带来不愉快、烦恼、忧愁。对于那些比较亲近的， 我们会对他们的离世感到悲伤， 轮到我们时，他们也会一样。我们应该持感

恩的心度日， 让我们的信仰， 结合我们的生命， 使世界不一样。

据海峡时报( 2 8 / 9 / 1 7 ) 报导，65岁及以上的新加坡人口，从2016的13.7%，上涨到14.4%。

可见，人口老化，我们为他们做得足够吗？谈到我的死似乎很消极，所以该做的就去做， 免得后悔。感谢主，我们的每一天都是神的恩赐。

我们不知明天将如何，重要的是，勿忘我们在世的目的。

这样，我们就不会凡事都想拼、争个输赢。让我们与主同行，预备、展望永生，这样我们就过得没有遗憾。

把每一天，当作我们最后的一天。

撰稿 温福荣

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