A miracle indeed=)
4th of October 2007
My flight was at 6.55pm. “Hmm it’s quite late, I have lots of time,” I thought to myself.
On the day before, I had already planned everything nicely. With my landlady, Tante Susy, chauffeuring, I was supposed to go pick up my friend, Nurhaslinda, at around 3.30pm, and then set off for d airport. “More than 2 hours to go to the airport? Surely it’s too much time,” or so I thought. “Better to be safe than sorry,” was my line of thought, as previous experiences had showed me that unexpected traffic jams can occur anywhere in Jakarta.
I was supposed to set out from my house at 3.15pm. However due to some unforeseen circumstances (I was playing Transformers the game till I forgot the time), at 3.15pm I had not finished packing and bathed yet. Getting myself ready at top speed, I set out at 3.30 pm for Linda in Tante Susy’s car. We reached Linda’s house at 3.45pm, because traffic was heavy (Her house is actually very near). After picking her up, I asked Tante Susy whether we will get to the airport in time. Her reply was reassuring: “Of course. We have more than 2 hours to go to the airport. Usually the trip takes only about 45 minutes.” With that, we set out for the airport.
Tante Susy decided against taking the road that she usually takes, Jalan Pramukah. She told me that because this is the fasting month, and everybody wants to rush home early to open their fasting with their family, the road will be very congested. Thus she decided to use Jalan Percetakan Negara, a small road that will lead us right to the highway.
The first few kilometers were fine, and traffic was smooth. However, we began to notice that traffic was slowing down, and our car had to slow to a crawl. As the traffic jam got worse, there were times when we were not moving at all for long periods of time. It was around 4.30 pm at that time. Needing reassurances, I again asked Tante Susy whether we’ll reach the airport in time. Again her reply was, “Don’t worry, we will reach there in time.” With that, I told everybody that I was going to take a shut-eye for a while.
I woke up with a start when I heard Tante Susy asking directions from some guys beside the road. Noticing that something was amiss, as there were no cars around us, I asked her what the problem was. She said that the traffic congestion was so bad, the road had to be closed down. As a consequence of that, all the cars were rerouted to another road. She said that that road will not lead us to the highway. Thus she had to turn into one of the many small “kampong” roads that will lead us back to Jalan Percetakan Negara, but ahead of the road block. By continually asking for directions, we were able to reach Jl Per Negara. However, the traffic here was worse than before. It was so bad that a normal 2 lane road became a 4 lane road. All the cars were squeezing into any space that they can find. The cars were very only a hand-breadth away from each other. At around that time, I messaged my friend, Geeta, who was also on the way to the airport, but ahead of us, asking her how the condition of the traffic on the highway was. Her reply was worrying, “There’s a massive jam leading to the airport, and cars are crawling”. All this on a highway!!
We slowly crawled bit by bit, sometimes remaining motionless for more than 10 minutes. It was around 5 pm at that time. Tante Susy began to worry. She said that she feels like crying, because she was so powerless to get out of this traffic jam and get us to the airport in time. One interesting thing to note was that in spite of the traffic jam, some drivers made U-turns amidst all the many cars. They will turn slowly, bit by bit, and force their car into the other lane. Of course when they were maneuvering their cars, all the other cars cannot move. Tante Susy said that these drivers were very stupid, and that they have no brains to think.
Anyway, I could not help but worry about reaching the airport in time. My flight was not cheap, because I had booked it really late. Besides that, I had a connecting flight in JB. If I missed this flight, I will not be able to take the connecting flight to Kuching. That will be RM650 wasted. So I began to pray hard. I told God, “O Lord, I don’t want to worry. I know it’s Your will for me to go back to Kuching this time, and so I will trust in You with all my heart, without a single doubt. Lord, by faith I declare that I will reach the airport in time, and I have already received it Lord. I will be as a child before You, trusting You as my Father. I thank You O Lord! Hallelujah!”. With this prayer I began to rest in God, even when all around me seemed hopeless.
Thank God we finally got out of the traffic jam, at around 5.15 pm. We went up the highway, and traffic was smooth. Tante Susy sped her car up to 120 km/h at times, and weaved her car in and out of the traffic, trying to get us to the airport in time. I had to hold my breath at times, because our car was dangerously close to colliding with other cars.
After about 10 minutes of smooth driving, we had to slow down to what seems like a traffic jam. Somehow I knew it was the traffic jam that Geeta had complained about just now. It was 5.25 pm now, and we had to reach the airport latest by 6.10 pm. The airport was still very far, and all we could see of the highway in front was just cars upon rows of cars. It did not bode well, and we were all worried. I was perplexed. “Didn’t I just pray to God? Then why am I now stuck in a second traffic jam?” I knew that I did not have enough faith in myself to trust in the big God that I believe in. Thus I continually spoke in tongue throughout the journey to the airport. All glory be to God for the circumstances He put me in.
We were all silent in the car. I was busy praying, while Tante Susy and Linda were (I think) busy worrying. Tante Susy said that she wanted to “lau sai” (do huge business) because she was so nervous. Praise God I had the faith to say this to her, “Don’t worry. We’ll surely reach in time for our flight.”
At 6.10 pm, we were still in the traffic jam. It seemed that it was never going to end. The time of departure of our flight drew on nearer and nearer, but the traffic continued to crawl like a tortoise. At 6.30 pm (more or less), we discovered the cause of the traffic jam. The highway was actually a 3-lane road. But unfortunately at this particular time, the Government was constructing something, so they had to close off 2 lanes. This of course caused a bottle-neck effect. Cars had to queue up to go to the only lane that was still open. It was indeed late at this time. By all men’s logic, the Johor Bahru counter had already closed. All seemed lost.
We reached the airport at 6.40 pm thanks to Tante Susy’s brave (bur reckless) driving. Immediately after we reached the airport, Linda and I took our bags (I carried hers, cause it was heavier), and we ran and ran and ran. Thinking back, people must have been amused at our desperation. But we were desperate. We scanned our bags at top speed, and then we ran to the AirAsia counter.
By this time, it was less than 15 minutes before our flight was supposed to take off. With a sinking feeling I glanced at the cards that were placed on the check-in counters. All showed “Kuala Lumpur”. Of course our counter was closed. Muttering a quick prayer, I went up to a man. He looked like an officer. I had no idea why I went to him, out of all the AirAsia employees there. But today I thank God I went to Him. I believe it was divine intervention.
I told him that I was supposed to be on the JB flight, and that I was very sorry for being so late. Then, miraculously, without asking me for further explanation, he took out his handphone and called his friends. He asked them about the status of the plane. After ending his call, he asked us for our passports. I was stunned. I did not expect something like this to happen. It was downright impossible, by ALL men’s logic. But I knew that God was at work. Praise God. He processed our ticket, and gave us the boarding tickets.
Everytime when I go back to Malaysia I have to apply for tax exemption. This is because of the immigration laws in Indonesia, which states that all citizens and residents in Indonesia, when traveling to another country, must pay tax money amounting to Rp 1,000,000 (RM400). As I am a student staying in Indonesia, I must apply for tax exemption to avoid paying that huge amount of money. This was usually done at a special counter in the airport. The officer that checked us in thought that we were tourists, and did not need to apply for tax exemption. So when we told him we had to do it, he was shocked and he muttered, “Astaga” (similar to Oh My God) instinctively. By this time it was about 10 minutes before our plane was supposed to take off. He then told us, “Hurry as fast as possible. If by the time you reach the terminal and the captain does not allow you to go inside the plane, come back to me.” Our seat on the plane was not assured yet.
Carrying Linda’s bag, I quickly ran to the tax counter. Linda could not run as fast as I can, so I was very far in front of her. At the counter, there was a very long queue. I went to everybody in the queue, and begged them to let me go first, telling them that my plane was going to take off in 10 minutes. Thank God they let me go first. Filling our forms at top speed, we then proceed to get our tax exemption done by pestering the officers to do it as fast as possible. =)
At this point in time, we were all very breathless and sweating profusely. Our hearts were beating fast, and the adrenaline rush that we experienced was exciting, if not scary. However, our “journey” to board the plane did not end there. We still had to run as fast as possible to the immigration counter, fill our forms as fast as our hands can scribble, and then hurry the officer to process our papers. After that, we then ran again to our terminal. It was, by this time, past our time of departure. When we reached the terminal, we didn’t have to explain much to the employees there. Do remember, that at this time we still had our baggage with us. Usually, for an international flight, no liquid exceeding 150 ml is allowed on the plane. However, we had to carry our baggage, containing perfumes, bottles and the likes, all with liquid exceeding 150 ml, into the plane. This is because the baggages of the other passengers had already been loaded into the plane. The officers at the terminal did not ask much, but they amicably allowed our bags into the plane. This is nothing short of another miracle. Praise God.
Our plane finally took off at 7.15 pm. In the plane, after I sat down, I felt so overwhelmed. I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I knew that what had happened to me was so impossible and so supernatural; reaching the airport 15 minutes before my flight, and still managing to get into the plane. God is so miraculous, so powerful, and so great. We are so tiny in his eyes. Our circumstances that look like giants to us are but little bacteria in His eyes. Hallelujah. Praise You my Lord. You alone are worthy of my praise and adoration. All glory be to God. Thank You Lord.
Letter to a friend 2
hi ********,
i jus finished my last exam today.. so glad now. haha=) i have hols for abt 5days, till next monday. then the whole routine starts again. exams week in and week out, lab sessions, assignments, discussions, etc. pray for me yah=)
so how are u doing? how's studies? do tell.. haha how's God in your life? forgive me for asking that uestion k. but it's really important. we need to encourage each other..
hm regarding what you said, that you feel bad for always asking me for help.. my response:
*slap* *kick* *punch* *scold*
haha jk but im serious here. when you start feeling bad, that shows that pride is in you. when we need help, we have to humble down ourselves and seek God's help, and whoever He sends, to be humble and accept their encouragements/rebuke/advices (not referring to me k.. haha). and besides, God is also teaching me as well as you, through your experiences. so we're really blessed.. although this time it may seem that you keep asking for my help, but one day im sure God will use you to help others. He's such a great God, who are we to know His plan?
do you know what God is ALL in ALL means? after this one month? well, to different people God will speak differently. Pray abt it, and let God show you. but for me, it means that my whole life belongs to God. when i wake up, when i sleep, when i eat, when i study, i do it all for God. my actions, my thoughts, my speech. even my very breath i breathe for God. usually ppl's motivation in life is for self-preservation, self-glory, pride. but i want to come to the point where my own life is worthless to myself, and my only motivation is to manifest His life. to the point where if i lose everything i have, my family, my money, my possessions, but yet at the same i have God, then im glad and rich.
God is my only hope, and without Him, there's no life. So God is all in all. in fact, when jesus was on earth, He was like that too. He was a 30 years old man, yet He couldn't do anything by Himself. He couldn't make decisions by Himself. everything that He did, He did it only after God told Him to do it. Even the things that He said, He said them after God told Him to speak. It's a life of total dependence on God. Without God the Father, there just is no life..
it's a daily learning from God, as He leads me to that point. it's a journey. when we accepted Christ, it is the beginning of a journey, towards God, to become like God. we were given the air ticket for free, but we must journey to the airport to catch the aeroplane in time. im far from perfect, and i have sooooooooooo much to learn. and so much to remove from myself (literally, to die to myself: my desires, my ambitions, my will). to live for GOd and God alone. that's my prayer, and will continue to be my prayer.
so.. strive hard for God yeah? it'll surely be worth it. for what's the use if we obtain the world with all its riches and pleasures, but we lose hold of the one who created the heavens and earth, our mighty Father?? but if we have Him, then surely He will fulfill us to the brim. praise His name, Hallelujah. =)
u can ask any uestions you like.. anything you don't agree you can also tell me. lol take care much ******* bro..
love in Christ,
sam
Letter to a friend..
hi *******,
i've searched through life, and found that there's really no way to live this life except with God. God has told me how meaningless anything i achieve in life is..i work so hard to get money, status, recognition, but after i get them, i die. and all is lost.. in the bible King Solomon, the wisest man after Jesus Christ, says, meaningless, meaningless, utterly meaningless, all is meaningless (ecclesiastes). what for i work so hard in life? in the end i lose it all also..
so *******, to answer your question, my answer is there's no way to live life except with God. all my decisions, all the things i work for, all of them i commit to God. i put Him first above all else, and i seek Him and His kingdom first. What i mean is i go after God. much of my time and attention, i give it to God. for example, praying, fasting, going for bible studies, church, sharing, reading the bible, etc.
and God's promises are indeed real. i've found how true the verses are:
seek Him first and all these things will be given unto you (matt 6:33)
all things work together for good for those who love God (Rom 8:28)
everything is going well for me. all the decisions i make work out well. even when im suffering from mental, physical, or spiritual pain, i can have joy and peace, all the time. and this is not because im smarter than anybody else, or more gifted, but this is because the God whom i love is providing for me, every step of my life. i want to love God more and more, I want to be like King David, a man after God's own heart. (read psalms, can see how much King David is a man after God's own heart: what he wants is what God wants him to want).
what is important in this life with God is a hearing and obeying relationship. by this i mean we can hear Him when He speaks, and then we can obey Him. all the decisions we make should come by hearing what God says, and then do it. If He doesn't say anything, then don't do anything, just stay quiet. ( i think what you are doing now is right, jus rest in God and wait for Him to speak to you: if you've no patience, ask God to teach you to wait - Isaiah 40:31) God speaks in a variety of ways, not necessarily through an audible voice. for example, He may speak through the bible, or through someone, or through a song, or through a situation in your life, or through opened doors (He miraculously opens a way for you to do something you're seeking Him about). God may even speak to you through me..
Last but not least, the decisions we make in life more often than not will hurt ourselves, and indirectly the people around us. this is because we're so stupid, and we can't see the future..
however, God says in isaiah 55:7-9
For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
so this verse shows how much we need God to make all our decisions. it also shows how wonderful our God is, and there's no reason not to trust Him when He brings us through fire. For what we perceive to be bad may not be bad in God's eyes. What we perceive to be good may not be good in God's eyes. God and God alone is our hope..and the only way to Him is to be in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah!
well *******, i hope this will help. the Lord may be using me to speak to you.. pray about it, and SEEK Him in your life. rest in Him. Christ is the hope of our glory! God bless you much
sam
Looking for Apartment
-September 7 2006-
dear bros and sis,
here i am again=) hope that a good 2 weeks had passed
for u guys. after i sent out d mail 2 weeks ago, some
of u replied, to my delight. haha but sorry i cant
reply all of u, cause i have no access to internet
connection, except here in my campus. which means that
i cant chat as well, since the com lab here closes at
4 pm.
anyway, i mailed today to update u guys to wat is
happening in my life so far. hmm where should i start?
.. =) if i remembered correctly, in my last email, i
told u guys abt d palace that i was staying in. em, my
sponsor, jpa was paying for d rent, which was abt rm
750. at that time, an officer told us that jpa had
signed a contract with d palace's management for one
year. but one week ago, we received news that jpa is
not paying for our rent...!!! argh well, u can imagine
our response =) there were many calls to jpa, by all
of us scholars. after all, who wouldn't want to stay
in a palace right?
after d immediate uproar had passed, all of us started
to go around looking for alternatives to our present
accomodation. at that time, i was reading a book by
bro sam fife, titled "the law of faith and how to grow
in faith".. i praise God for reading that book. i was
able to apply what i learned in that book throughout
the whole time we were looking for a house, or a room.
=) anyway, d book talked abt having absolute faith in
God, trusting that He can bring us through everything.
that we can move mountains, if we have sufficient
faith.
so, to continue d story, all of us started to really
look for rooms (in Indonesia, it's called kos). uh, it
was really hard to look for a suitable kos.. caused
many ppl sleepless nights, endless discussions and
sometimes even arguments. it was hard because we are
staying in the middle of big city jakarta.. right in
the middle. so naturally, the prices of the kos here
are really high. the good kos are really ex, ranging
from rm 500 to rm 800.. the cheap ones, ranging from
rm 200 to 450, are really terrible. i cannot even
begin to count the number of kos that i had seen.. so
very many.
before i began to look for kos with my friends, i
prayed to God. I told Him that i believe He will
provide the best for me, wherever and however it is.
and then i told God that i believed i had already
received what i asked for. praise and thank God that
throughout the whole time, while i was looking for
kos, i had peace. and while everybody were worrying
abt where to stay, i was able to maintain that joy in
me =) His abounding grace to me. Praise God!!
so one day, i was in school, in the computer lab.
there were a few seniors with me. my friends and i
were planning to go look for kos at that time, but
somehow i jus got d inspiration to ask them abt nearby
kos. they talked rapidly in their indonesian language
(unintelligible, as of now).. and then they say, "come
follow us to our house". surprised, i decided to go.
it belongs to an old catholic oma (grandma) (80 years
old) and her family. one thing led to another, and
everything went so smoothly.. now im confirmed staying
there. what i want to say is that although ppl changed
their minds so many times, for me once i saw that
place, i had peace in my heart that it is the best
place that God had provided for me. Although after
that i continued to look for kos, somehow all the
other rooms i saw did not satisfy my "spirit"... haha
=) i also got many confirmations frm God.. for
example, after my initial roommate, poh wei, decided
to stay in another place, i was in a dilemma whether
to stay there or not. d rent was Rp 1.6 mln (do the
maths urself can? jus times it by 4. abt rm640). so i
decided to go and negotiate with oma to see whether i
can reduce d price to Rp 1 ml, for my own single room.
Oma and her son didnt agree, they wanted Rp 1.2 mln
(other tenants higher rent). but somehow, after some
time, miraculously, she agreed to reduce d price to rp
1 mln. Praise God!! For that price, to get a single
room with all d facilities (aircond, unlimited
laundry,tv, huge king sized bed...) , it was
wonderful!! considered very cheap here. i really thank
God ah!! =) i really feel so blessed at that time.
so.. im staying there now. Romans 8.28 all things work
together for good, for those who love God. Im sharing
a room with poh wei, rp 800k per person. its a
reminder for me that i have to love God even more!! d
family here is so warm.. oma and her family are very
caring. i praise and thank God again, because here in
a new and foreign place i managed to find a family (or
close to one). i feel that even if i pay Rp 2 mln for
d rent, i knot buy d family that i have here. so im
thanking God again!! =)
so dear ppl, d principle and d law of faith never
fails. all it takes is just for us to trust in Him
completely, to trust in Him and believe that whatever
we asked for we have received it already. jus like
when jesus cursed d fig tree, and it died d next day.
He jus said a simple sentence, and that fig tree died.
let's have that faith in Him, a childlike faith!!
again, i praise and thank God!! =)
well, i miss u all very much. take care much bros and
sis!! May we all grow in Him everyday, till we reach
that level that He wants us to be. God loves u all,
and i love u all too!!! GBU!!
First Week in Indonesia
-August 16 2006-
Dear people,
Praise God for His leading and abounding grace. I have been here for 1 week already, and throughout this 1 week i can see that God is indeed taking much care of me. I've settled down well here. My accomodation here is amazing, similar to a hotel. I have my own bedroom, my own toilet, and best of all, it's an air conditioned room. the single bed is huge, d study table is also huge.. and i can only say Thank God!! It's far far off from my expectations. Even when I was in Singapore it wasnt this comfortable. But the rent for this place here is quite high, RM 700++. There is no news yet from JPA abt whether they will continue to pay for our lodgings. so pls do keep this thing in prayers k? i may have to move somewhere else if they do not pay for my accomodation. either way, i'll thank God.
Last sunday i managed to find a church that preaches in english. The way i found out abt d church was so smooth.. it was amazing for me. I talked to a lady in a bookstore, and she introduced me to a church called CWS (Charismatic Worship Service). When i went there, they told me abt their sister church called International CWS, somewhere in the Golden Triangle of Jakarta. So I went there for d service last sunday. I'd only been in Indonesia for 5 days, and i managed to find an english medium church. For me, i could really see that God was indeed leading me, step by step. However, i'm still looking around for a suitable church, so continue to pray for me pls!! =) thanks
other than that, everyday here is a battle. a battle to stay strong and fervent for God. here i do not have brothers and sisters to encourage me, so it is hard to not slip out of Christ and into my own life. Mixing with non-christian friends, doing my own things, talking rubbish, etc etc.. there are days when i can feel that God is just occupying a little corner of my heart. again, i want to request for prayers. =)
My first semester is going to start on September 4th. till then, im free, except for days when the international office over here organizes activities for us. i was delighted to find out 2 days ago, during orientation, that there is a christian fellowship here in my faculty. (by the way, my faculty is situated away from the main campus). although i can barely understand them when they talked in the Indonesian language, but i can still sense the unity, and to a certain extent, the life of Christ flowing out from among them. Praise God for that =)
hmm i guess that's all from me for now. do email me, and share with me what's happening in your lifes as well. God's presence and mighty strength be with you all always! God bless!!
