"Jehovah-jireh" which can be translated 'The Lord will see to it'
Dear All, (attached for color version. PDF)
For the past couple months, we have been overwhelmed with the news of "World financial crisis, retrenchment, cut in bonuses or no bonuses, recession, etc,..." We might be affected directly or indirectly as we know of friends who are suffering. For us as we make adjustments to our living, we are constantly reminded that our God is Our Jehovah Jireh. He will provide, but, there will be testings, too, as we trust Him. (Gen22:1-19)
With the Yen rising crazily, we are definitely affected. Since Oct, we have been receiving much lesser yen equivalent to about S$690 less per month. As a result, we need to find ways to cut down on our daily expenses. Being the one who budget for the family, Jaine worries over how we can pay for the girls' tuition fees, no savings and to has be extra careful in what we spend on. In the midst of all these worries & concerns, God reminded us to be thankful and content with what we presently have. Hey, we still could afford to buy rice (why rice? maybe because rice is an expensive commodity) and daily food necessities.
God not only provided us what we needed, He provided us in abundance.
The Abundance Story
One day, Weng Kong met a man ("angel from the Lord") & shared with him about his prayer & burden to provide food as an encouragement to our staff, and he said, 'OK.'The man has connections with a large chain wholesale Center and could provide us with food with expired shelf life but still fine for a week or more.In the 2nd week of November, he provided our ministry with more than 65 boxes of croissants (20 croissants per box), 10 bags of bread rolls (30 rolls per bag) & lots of bagels. With all these we were able to distribute them to our staff family. PROVISION OVERFLOWING IN ABUNDANCE!!!
These provision has definitely helped us cut costs.Through this same "angel", more bread, bagels, Christmas cake loaves were provided for the campus ministry Thanksgiving outreach party at the end of Nov and there were plenty left over. PROVISION OVERFLOWING IN ABUNDANCE!!!
Recently, Weng Kong was at the Wholesale Center (another branch) and met a former JCCC office staff. After taking with her about the food donations that we got, the staff suggested him to try to sign up for regular donations... Well, he did and he was put on roster to collect food donations every 1st and 3rd Sunday. He get to go to the store and load up whatever that is available! On the 1st Sunday of Dec, another staff joined him and they loaded the van with food for distribution to a widow with kids, our staff and also for the campus ministry Christmas home parties. And, we still have much for our family, too! PROVISION OVERFLOWING IN ABUNDANCE!!!
While sharing this with another friend, he commented that this was similar to the Book of Acts! ... God provided and everyone had enough.We are hoping and planning to get the food, too, for missionaries and International students in Japan. Our hearts are truly flowing with thanksgiving to our God who watches over us and provides for our needs IN ABUNDANCE!!!
We pray that you will experience God's special way of provision to your special needs.Please pray with us:
1. Christmas CD Project outreaches on many campuses in whole of Japan. Many of the Christmas CDs are out and, through our website, we received more than 50 indicating that they invited Christ into their lives!
2. From 13th - 20th Dec, a mission team is partnering with our church to reach the community. We will give out the CDs to the neighbourhood and conduct an evangelistic meeting on the 19th Dec. Pray that many will come for the meeting.
3. Next year, 6th June to 24th August 2009, we are planning to go on our home assignment (furlough). Pray with us that we can 'find' enough mileages to purchase the tickets.
4. Jaine, for strength to handle the financial work in JCCC and things at home.
Thank you for praying with us.
Weng Kong, Jaine, Josephine and Angela.
