Jaemon Looi

Cleft Lip Baby Gets The First Birthday Party

June 5, 2015 by Admin Leave a Comment

Cleft Lip Baby – Jaemon Looi

Three years ago, our son Jaemon Looi was born with cleft lip and palate. Every step and every moment is flooding back. Honestly, Raymond did not know how was I able to overcome all these throughout the years. When we think that something is unbelievable, it is grace at work! Looking back, we could only do our best and even that was limited. Psalms 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, he guards stand watch in vain.” If it is not Jehovah protected Jaemon, what we had done are in vain, my wife and I would be tore apart physically and mentally, let alone the great result we are getting today. What else can we say but “Praise the Lord!”.

Today, Jaemon is 3 year-old! Mother had decided to throw a simple party for him and celebrated in thanksgiving together with co-workers. The mother cooked by her own, thinking that at least to have “a little healthier” luncheon. After busying for whole night and a morning, Raymond asked, “Are you tired?” “Not at all, very happy” Wife answered. While on the way back to home, she was asleep in the car due to tiredness. I have to say that because of this good mother, the children are blessed (in education, parenting, health, and happiness). The father cut Jaemon’s hair to present himself in handsomeness. Aunt Michelle design the backdrop and take photos of Jaemon. Co-workers became the little friends to guide him in posing. Grateful for their love from the bottom of our hearts. Not in any moment that they don’t support us, to love big Jae and small Jae. Today, we are very tired but also full of thanksgiving.

The born of this son helps us to understand that we human are very tiny. His active growth let us know that even human are not perfect yet we can try our best. He walked in each step bravely, telling us that love can overcome everything. His presence makes us much better.

Son, we really love you as we love your brother. As the Lord has uphold you both on our hands, we will give our best to guide you in the way of the Lord’s teaching. There will be reward and punishment, pardon but not indulgence; there is truth and affection, there is love but never hate. There might be one day, someone will walk to you and tell you that you have a tiger parents but a wise goose never lays a tame egg. You do not have to envy at how their parents treat them. Remember this, let the truth guide you no matter where you are, let the love be your source of life, this will be great enough.

Even though you have birth defect (cleft lip), but the love of God for you is never in doubt. Father only realized how many weaknesses I have after being a father. But the love of both you and your brother helps me to improve more and more. So, my son, do not underestimate your good behavior, your love for each other not only bringing joy to both father and mother but also come with strong influence! Give thanks for both of you!

Happy and blessed birthday Jaemon!

P/S: Thank you for every angel who love Jaemon!

Love,

Papa Looi

Live on to Glorify Lord

March 4, 2013 by Admin Leave a Comment

2012 was a year full of thanksgiving for Raymond and the team because we had gone through magnitude of ups and down. However, we had conquered the adversities through God’s faithfulness!

Firstly, we would like to thank all the pastors, elders, brothers and sisters who love us and sustain our localized culture ministry! By loving us, we mean everyone who intercedes for us, taking initiative to understand our needs and giving us the unselfish financial support. Indeed, it is because of your generous love and support that we are able to live on to 2013!

Inflation is inevitable and this is the fact that pressing us so hard. Printing fees, transportation fees, travelling fees are all shot up. The only unchanged is the offering from majority of church offering. In the advanced age, we are still receiving 100 dollar offering to do evangelistic concert and that was an invitation from Singapore. All meals were paid from our own pocket; travelling fees, tolls and so on were also paid by our own. This was just an examples from many cases and we won’t count it one by one as this will only scares us off to move on. LOL! It is because of these reasons, many are giving up the localized culture ministry and heading towards the high converting currency to do evangelistic meeting. Some are giving up the Chinese ministry and give a new start in English ministry.

The biggest challenge in 2012 is nothing more than our second son – Jaemon Looi (You may refer to the related article : https://www.singpetra.com/blog/2012/07/09/fathers-day-with-jaemon/) When my wife conceived Jaemon in the 5th month, doctor tol us that Jaemon is a cleft lip baby and we could only cried and even blamed ourselves! The body and soul were almost collapsed. I repeated ask myself, “should I move on? Can I still testifying God and glorifying Him?”. God used the the scripture of a man born blind to encourage us. Not only I did not give up, the next week after Jaemon was delivered, I move on for evangelistic concert! After sharing our experience of the second son, we discovered many Chinese (non-believers) and even believers are facing the similar challenge with trembling hearts. God is so gracious to Raymond that He would use Raymond to be His vessel to testify God’s faithfulness. Believers were giving help, non-believers turned their faith to God. The prayer and the love offering of brothers and sisters had helped in Jaemon’s cleft lip first operation (https://www.singpetra.com/blog/2012/10/17/jaemons-treatment-progress-at-4th-month/). God will make those who put their trust in God to be victorious in all circumstances. Hallelujah!

Last year we had to tighten our belts to survive, the reason was because we had many evangelistic concerts were done in medium and smaller churches, the objective was to let them felt the love and care, as well as letting them to have the equal opportunities to bring the friends and relatives to church so that they may turn their faith to the Lord. Therefore, we hope that through the blessings of medium to bigger churches, we will be able to turn them into the help for smaller churches. As the matter of fact, we are limited but the strength of “doing good” is never subsided, why would we stop? We really hope that we can shine for the churches of the Lord especially in this indifferent generation.

“Do you plan to promote some youths?” This is a frequent good question from brothers and sisters. 😀 The answer is “Yes! I Do! but… The process of “promote” is taking many sacrifices including money, energy, time and so on. At the end, we responded to this request, doing our best to let those youths who are passionate in singing to use the gift of good voice God has given them to care for this society! The first phase of activities are reported here: https://www.singpetra.com/asv/. We will do our best to help the youths to fulfil the above mission and glorifying God! Please pray for them so that they may have strong determination and not to give up until the last phase.

We are asking the Lord to teach us and give us wisdom in balancing the life in between the fact and mission/calling. The only principle we have is to continue on for the Gospel sake as long as we are able to sustain our families and ministry! Brothers and sisters, we urge you to multiply your cares for us in 2013. Your offering not only can be our food that fill our stomach, it can be used to fulfil the Gospel ministry, encourage medium to small churches, promoting youths and even more than what we can think of. We love to welcome the new year but in the same time we are facing the the cruel fact of having the old equipments and tools for productions. Your generous blessing will enable us to find the new General to replace the old Veteran, so that we may make many more productions for the Lord.

Finally, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayer and offering. You may support us through the following channels:

a) Online Offering (Credit Card)

b) Cheque (Payable to: Singpetra Mission)

c) Bank Transfer: Public Bank – Singpetra Mission – 3147164401

For more information, please click the following link: https://www.singpetra.com/bless-us/

Wish you a Blessed Year and Happy Reunion!

Your co-worker in Christ,

Raymond Looi and team

Singpetra Mission

Raymond Looi’s Second Son (Jaemon Looi) – Palate Surgery on 28th February 2013

February 26, 2013 by Admin 1 Comment

Raymond would like to thank everyone on behalf of my family (especially second son – Jaemon Looi)! We are so grateful for your love, not merely be our angelic intercessor but to be a blessing for us in practical way (love offering). You made us understand, realize, and experience the true meaning of walking in the Gospel journey without worries. Your offering not only cover Jaemon’s surgery but also paid for every stage of the pre-surgery treatment. Every time when I shared about the testimony of Jaemon on stage, the touch is deeper and deeper.

Jaemon Looi’s first surgery was great. He was born without any supports of lateral nasal cartilage, it was totally collapse. Doctor reminded us prior to the surgery that the stage of uplifting the nose was not now. Therefore, do not expect that the nose will be lifted after the surgery. However, God’s grace for us is so shocking! The lip repair surgery was very successful and Jaemon’s nose had be lifted up. Since then, his breath is smoother and at the same time he will receive no more peculiar looks. Even though the lip is not as in the good shape as it suppose to be (normal upper lip shape), the nose is still snubby from some angles; my wife and I are so grateful for the result! The fact is, God used the skillful hands of doctors to restore 80% of the Jaemon’s lip and nose. Comparing to the pre-surgery look, the result is surprisingly well. Glory, thanksgivings, praises unto our victorious Lord!

Thank God that He has chosen us to be Jaemon’s parents and let us experience the supernormal and the presence of God. We had never thought of life is so fragile and yet can be so strong. The most beautiful thing is none other than giving the life testimony, to be the help and blessing to many families (live under the darkness and fears). Many brothers and sisters came to Raymond in tears and said, “Both of you are so brave and great parents!”. Raymond’s response would be “The love of parents, if you were me, you would do the same.” We are not great parents but we decided to let God’s glory be upon this incident. The initial stage was not easy at all, we thank God that we didn’t make the wrong move. As we looked back, there would be no such beauty without God’s intervention. “Thank you for willingly and bravely share this experience, we are so blessed. Many Christians who had such experience would never mention even a word to others..” There was a sister encouraged Raymond. We realized that our life testimony had encouraged those brothers and sisters who are weak. It is so joyful to be used by God! Give all glory to the Lord!

Jaemon Looi has been growing up and now is about 9 months old. We are still concern about what the doctor mentioned before that the “center system development” of the severe cleft lip baby will be affected, it is like a thorn in our heart. So far, the outer response looks normal and the pediatrician think so. However, the development of a child’s heart and brain will take a longer time to tell if it is stable.

Jaemon started to take some soft cereal food. It is a good progress but cleft lip and palate baby is unable to take the food smoothly. Only half of the food are taken while the other half was sneezed out from the nose, it is really breaking our heart! Thank God that on 28th February, it will be the second general anesthesia surgery for Jaemon – Palate Repair surgery. This will solve the above mentioned problem and will be the preparation for his pronunciation too. Even this is a normal surgery but any general anesthesia will carry certain risks. We urge brothers and sisters continue to pray for us and the son. Jaemon will go through surgeries and treatments until he is 17 years-old. This is the second stage of the total six surgery (6 surgeries, 4 orthodontics treatment).

Cleft lip and palate baby’s hearing will be affected as well. The ENT(ear,nose,throat) doctor has verified that our son’s right ear is accumulating liquid. If it is not well managed, the accumulated liquid will be thicker like glue and become hardened. That will greatly affect the hearing. Therefore, half an hour prior to the palate surgery, there will be an ear surgery by clearing up the liquid and inserting a tiny tube (Grommet) to prevent any further liquid accumulations. This will be a long journey and the burden is heavy. We afraid not for God has brought us through the hardest part and we had testified God’s faithfulness. We will continue to live a wonderful life through the strength of our Almighty God!

At last, thank you once again for the intercession, love offering and care from church and brothers and sisters. Raymond will continue to update you Jaemon’s condition. We need your continued prayer for Raymond, Jaemon, Family and Ministry. May God use us to be a vessel to Glory Him and a blessing to others!

Thank you!

The Lord’s servant, Raymond Looi

New Year Thanksgiving 2013

January 30, 2013 by Admin Leave a Comment

The greatest blessing of new year is none other than a prosperous family year after year. 14 years of serving, from a single to a couple with collocation in foreground and behind the scene; from a family of two to modest family of four. We didn’t take granted for all these. We are grateful for this is the faithfulness of God! Although we were facing a great challenge of our Jaemon Looi’s cleft lip and palate but the faith of wife and the unwavering belief kept us from falling and walked in victory. Once again it proves that men are so vulnerable but the grace of God is rock solid!

It is not hard at all to find employees but to find co-workers is just like touching the sky. However, God gives us wonderful co-workers – not only talented but with good attitudes. God has granted Raymond a group of submissive, mission oriented, productive, and talented high quality co-workers to fight for the Gospel! Teamwork is the most important element in a team. It is the spirit to complete the mission in shortest time and getting new goals and having achievements. This is another beautiful thing to give thanks.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This is a dream of many. Certainly, it is a blessing to have brothers and sisters. To serve with same vision for the Lord is even a greater blessing! God graciously granted Raymond his own brother and sister in this Gospel journey. This is a great boost for Raymond! The most grateful part is none other than “maturity”. Down the ages, many brothers and sisters would not come along whether it is in family or business due to immaturity. The end result would be hatred among one another. God has become our most important advocator, He is the focus of our eyes, and for Him we pursue not our own desire but to fulfil the Lord’s calling! We receive the extra blessing, which is to plan and visit our parents together. This is the dream of many parents for their children. Thank God for the lives of brother and sister, Hallelujah!

We have been in and out from Singapore and Malaysia to fulfil the localized ministry. Raymond is satisfied for not giving up the resolution 2 years ago. Even though it is not easy but God’s grace is greater and we still survive. We even have many new products (for Gospel needs). The most encouraging moment besides seeing people turning to God, our service has helped brothers and sister in Christ to combine their living with their faith. At the same time, we are actively promoting green environment through singing as well as our gift – house branded shopping bag. The greatest breakthrough is “to promote Christian singers”. The breakthrough lays in the management of time, production and tour schedule. Thank God that we had come out from the old and narrowed minded styles to fulfil many more needs in the Mission. It is because of this way of blessing others, we received even more!