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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

Lost and Found Again

March 12, 2014 by Admin Leave a Comment

A hard fight in health has occurred in November 2013. Tonsillitis came to the attack again after 10 years time. Raymond was caught unprepared. 10 years ago, the Tonsillitis had caused Raymond being hospitalized on the second day of Chinese New Year. Indeed, it really would demoralize us. The extreme coldness and fever will come once every 3-5 hours, draining the body’s energy.

Throat inflammation is a common thing for Raymond, this perhaps has to do with the bad body constitution and immune system. Therefore, antibiotic is always in the pocket. The signal of Tonsillitis attack is similar to throat inflammation. Raymond took the antibiotic as usual but it was not getting better but worse. High fever started – 39 degrees celsius. Younger sister using phone LED light to check on my throat and found the left side was whitened, spreading around other area. My wife found that this is unusual and sent me to the nearby hospital for checkup.

The doctor checked carefully and suspecting it might be the sign of dengue, suggested to have a blood test. Meanwhile, injected medicine for fever to control the body temperature. After 20 minutes, the body temperature back to normal level and the blood test report showing negative in dengue. Hence, 100% diagnosed as Tonsillitis. After resting at home for 8 hours, it came to an attack again, repeated fever and coldness every 2 hours, extremely suffering. The whiten area continued spreading to the right side of throat.

Taking food is a must prior to medicine. The food as if stirring up the anger of viruses and back to fighting mode. The throat was so painful even swallowing saliva, awful pain! It took around 10 days for the fight. Thank God that the co-worker who is in charge of tour arrangement had good teamwork with me, as if she knew that this sickness would come, hahaha! Therefore, there were no tours when I sick, that I may rest. Even though the arranged plan was postponed, it was a good time to think through for 2014 planning.

The 10 days sickness fighting has come and gone, finally back to daily schedule as normal. At that moment, I deeply understood what it means by lost and found again. Do not take for granted of what you have, human is just too small and weak. Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. How valuable it is for what is lost and found again! The strongest medicine is not giving much effects in the most painful state. Besides praying, there is nothing much we can do to help ourselves because people around cannot feel what you are suffering.

Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Our life is in God. Having the peace of the Lord, our faith, hope and life are in God despite the surrounding wherever we are. Whether to live or to die, it is all good. But as of now, when we are still breathing, we should live life to the fullest, spreading the aroma of Christ, glorifying God and benefits mankind!

It is that simple in the journey of the Lord, following and doing what the scripture is telling us! Let us be able to give good account to our Lord on the day we meet him… Grateful for the Lord’s grace and mercy! Now, Raymond’s body is back to normal, it is time to work harder for the Lord when the body is healthy! For we know that all the plans and dreams we have are not able to be accomplished when our body is weak.

Appreciate the present, giving the best ~ Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

2013 Fulfilling and Abundant

March 4, 2014 by Admin Leave a Comment

2013 was an enriching, busy, abundant and fulfilling year for Singpetra Mission. Thanksgiving to God who chose us to be a localized Chinese ministry in Malaysia and Singapore, leading our team to tour around cities and bringing souls to Him throughout the Chinese festivals via singing and sharing the Gospel. Pictures depicted our goal is not limited to churches’ structure, quantity or capability but valued on the heart of loving God and men. The coherent ambition and determination helped us to experience His wondrous works. We learned two lessons. First, do not overestimate big churches, product sales might not be in line with the church attendance while the offering might not the best they can give. Secondly, do not underestimate small churches, the purchasing power might be limited but their offerings mostly are giving the best and dedicate the best! Hence, the offering we received was not as a reward but as a practical motivation to bless the Gospel’s works, this keeps us doing wider and detailed works. At the same time, the less affordable churches are blessed! Raymond give thanks always for there are people or churches who give generously, the simple and pure attitude from the team as these things keep the localized Chinese ministry of Singpetra Mission sustain until today. All Glory to the Lord!

God will not make things difficult for His creation but parents will always want their children to experience for this is the path of growing. As we always heard, “No Pain, No Gain!”, instead of a painful experience, it will be better to call it a graceful journey. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. This verse is particularly valuable in 2013. In April 2013, we had a tremendous attack in finance, our income was half of the expenses. The month before and after also facing the expenditure was higher than income. We have to confess that we are really weak! However, the scripture has become our strength and faith, persist in the belief and never lose track. We moved on and hold on with patience until June, we had received the faithful supply from the Lord and survived on, never regret and continue to singing of the love of Jehovah’s love until forever!

God has trained us in a very special way. Not only did He help us to learn how to look up on Him alone, trust in Him, yield to Him in an insufficient income environment, but also made us responded to the following scripture: Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”. In a situation which is “lacking”, our normal response will be turning away and look for money, yet God wanted us to experience the never before teaching ~ not only to have faith, but to fulfill it in action. 1 Corinthians 8:1 … But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. God wants us to learn about love. How can you give when you are close to nothing? By the grace of God, you can! At that time, God put two targets before us who are in need of financial help, a pastor, and an organization. At that moment, we divided what we had into 3 portions, 2 portions for the pastor and organization and 1 portion for our own.

In month of June, we went to Sabah for evangelistic tour and most of the expenses were paid by credit card. The faithful God is indeed faithful. In this tour, God used the blessed hands of brothers and sisters to give us a carefree remaining half year, edifying big and small works of the Gospel. Besides, we continuously received the loving support from the humble yet generous brothers and sisters. Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. It is so blessed to be a part of the Lord’s body. When we think that we are sacrificing for others, God is using others’ dedication to fulfill our lives! Brothers and sisters, Raymond and the team did not take this for granted and we really appreciate all. Thank you for your love, thank you!

One of the breakthroughs in 2013 was that we went to many smaller churches to provide Sing & Share Gospel Concert. Through the responses from pastors and co-workers, many big team or Gospel ministry would not go to smaller churches for many reasons. There are 2 main reasons. First, the smaller churches are unable to fulfill the requested offering. Second, the overall ostentation is not as good. In the past, the smaller churches were admiring those big churches who are capable of inviting big teams. The first impression for them could be that Raymond and the team is one of the beyond reach teams. At first, they were shy to receive us and slowly reject the offer. At last the church received us with faith and give their best to organize the Gospel concert after we gave the offer again and again. We knew each other more in the process and differentiated the truth from rumours around. We came to a conclusion that both Singpetra Mission and the churches are having the same heartbeat, calling, and mission – To spread the Gospel and leading people to the Lord! We will carry on this beautiful deeds in 2014, hoping that many small churches will be blessed!

Brothers and sisters, bless us through this channel! Help us to give the best in the Gospel works. Thank you very much!

2014 Co-worker’s Thoughts – Joyce Kok

January 21, 2014 by Admin Leave a Comment

1st March 2012 I joined Singpetra Mission’s team. I thank God that I may go through all these days with His abundant grace. 20 years living in a casual and unorganized way making me harder to serve in the initial stage. “Boss” – brother Raymond can be categorized as a perfectionist, never careless in everything, wanting the best. This gave much pressure on me and even had thoughts of giving up. Somehow, I am thankful for insisted in this uneasy path. Now that I had overcome, even though there are goals yet to achieve but I had seen my own growth and gradually grow in maturity.

I am very grateful that brother Raymond never gave up on me but always teaching me, lifted me up, leading me and edify me. He even help me to achieve things I had never imagine possible. Thank you sister Joyce Lim! Only observing her will I learn many things from her. In treading people, she is the best model for me. Mrs. Looi’s (bro Raymond’s wife – sister Joyce Lim) persistence in the serving journey is a very good example for my life.

Thank you co-worker – sister Michelle for bearing with me! She keeps on remind and supervise me in something that can be improved. She always telling the truth with love (not as good feeling as you would think :p), teaching me many things and the right attitude of dealing with problems. Although there were some conflicts at the first place but as days passing by, she would chat with me from time to time and asked me for dinner (always treating me until I feel embarrassed :-!). Her care and her sympathy makes me feel warmed in this foreign land.

Eric is a nice guy, introvert. Not having much time with him and the impression I have for him is – quiet. Even though I do not know much of her character, but I know that he is doing thing methodically, many things to learn from him. Thank you for always bearing with me.

Pei Ling – my senior (HANXING COLLEGE – Diploma in Broadcasting). She is a PS (Photoshop) expert who live up the its name. 😀 We have the most partnership in work. Very thankful for her help all this while and teaching me many stuff. Whenever I doubted my own decision or blank in my head, she would make a suggestion and giving some lessons and assurance in skills and creation at the same time. She has something which I cannot find in myself – effective, serious and positive. The only thing agreed by all of us is her little carelessness (don’t be angry ok, senior? :p).

I think only sister Joyce Lim has the best temper of all. Perhaps it is the willingness of giving the best and having the high demand while not so choleric or having weird temper. Grateful that we do not have any disputes, I believe it is because of our same believe and the love for one another that causes this tacit co-operation. We are bearing one another’s weaknesses, intercede for one another, not caring our own things alone, seeing others stronger than ourselves, never jealous and never be inferior. For we know that all are working their own part, never glorify ourselves but to glorify the Lord’s name.

Time is flashing by and in this new year, I hope that there are more good things happen in the Lord. May all of us be more harmonious, more positive and growing even more, and “Happy Working Together”!

2014 Co-worker’s Thoughts – Pei Ling

January 20, 2014 by Admin 1 Comment

2013 has passed and 2014 has come. Have been serving in Singpetra Mission for 3 years now. It feels like time is flying, thankful for God’s leading. The previous job’s schedule was unstable and there were time that I need to go for work on Sunday and neglected my church. I was planning to look for another job. My job did not give me much of time to go back to church. However, it was then I was blessed be able to back to my church and brother Raymond was invited to my church for evangelistic concert that day. Back then, Singpetra’s production department – Manger Production was looking a co-worker for video editing. I met brother Raymond then and was able to be in a blessed position now with my fellow co-workers. Thank God for His leading that I could encounter another job, job that works for Him. Haha! Unbelievable and miraculous isn’t it? 😀

Entering another new year, I do not have any special strong feeling as day and time still passing away and I am “one year older”! But I thank God that I had learned a lot in these few years time, from skills and knowledge to understanding of how to be a people of God, learning how to treat people and humble myself. I had been changed from a person who would avoid weaknesses to a person who dare to face problems now! Thanks everybody for bearing with me – my carelessness and forgetfulness. 😀 Haha!

I had experienced something different in 2013 as my respected pastor went back to God’s embrace. I had learned from him how to love both God and man with love and faith even though the body is weak. I recalled what Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I believe that my pastor’s life is just like Paul’s life, he taught me to finish things with great ending! Although sometimes there are complains but as long as you do it from heart, holding your faith, God is watching and He will grant us the giftings.

The praises and criticism from co-workers are all in my heart as my reminder and encouragement. Thank you all – brother Raymond, sister Joyce Lim, sister Michelle, brother Eric, sister Joyce Kok for taking care this “little old child” (bought many things for me), adding more colors to this year.

I will give my best in 2014, do the things I ought to do, improvement must come in even it is only a little. I hope that we will know each other more and appreciate one another, do the work for God with the best! Let us keep moving on and Happy new year!!! 🙂

2014 Co-worker’s Thoughts – Eric Looi

January 16, 2014 by Admin 1 Comment

This is the third year of serving in Singpetra Mission, I had never thought of serving God with my siblings together. In addition, having two full time co-workers giving support in our base (co-workers working hard for production and giving support when we are out to serve) is indeed our God’s grace and blessing! This route is never butterly smooth, sometimes dispute do happen. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”. Surely there will be conflicts among people, needless to say about own siblings! Thank God for His protection, He helps us to be more considerate (not calculative), guarding one another (watching over one another) and clap eyes on (look upon Jesus, Christ-centered) that we might be a strong and powerful team.

From siblings to working as co-workers is not a simple thing. After so many years living together as siblings, it is quite hard to let go of your perspective to your own brother and sister, sometimes you would want to just give up. Above me is my elder brother as the ministry’s head, below me is my sister as co-worker. Facing with a perfectionist leader (Brother Raymond), you cannot avoid pressure sometimes. There are times a bad thought will come across my mind, “You say it great, why not come and do it on your own!?”. He will always push your limit to the top for what God has given you in order to help you to achieve the best. Nevertheless, not everybody can take this “push”, haha! What I admire about him are his professionalism and determination. Professionalism in terms of giving the best no matter what circumstances he is in, even there were some arguments or something not matching his demands prior sharing on stage, he would let go all the bad emotions and array himself a new mode to testify the Lord’s goodness. Determination in terms of serving full-time for more than 10 years. Having a cleft baby a year ago did not stop him from serving or made him fall; instead he is running towards the goals before him. Many times was deeply affected by what he testified on stage and admired his courage.

Michelle, young sister that like to communicate with others, very detailed in explanation (sometimes will feel that she is long-winded! :p). Undoubtedly, pastors and co-workers are giving her thumbs up in communication and explanation! Sometimes as if back to the childhood-like argument when emotion is not under control. I wish that I could put off the fire on her head like a fireman! 😀 Somehow, I have learned from her how to love the family members and friends as well as a simple living.

Co-worker – sister Pei Ling. A small-sized being that can produced great works. From graphic design to video editing, she had been doing fantastic works, adding more colors to Singpetra’s products and live multimedia presentation! In general, we had not much in communication and now is the time to change. There will be much of misunderstanding when there is a lack of communication. So do the chances of making mistakes will be higher. All of us agreed in one voice that her major weakness would be her carelessness. 😀 If she can overcome this, it would save much of the time and more productive. Keep it up!

Co-worker – sister Joyce Kok. Happy-go-lucky, detailed, strong learning ability. The youngest co-worker and having the greatest potential of all. Sometimes will come out with unpredictable ideas, giving us new ideas from time to time! Writing, music and video editing are her strongholds. Besides, we can be without worry for things assigned to her. Of course, to err is human. For her, she will think too much sometimes and undecided. If she can be more decisive, it will help to quicken the production process achieving more things!

Last but not the least is my sister in law, Raymond’s wife cum consultant of Manger Production – Joyce Lim. She taught me to give, be generous and do not take everything into heart. It is really not easy to be a full-time mommy of two children, sometime her blood pressure will go high because of the two. haha! She gave us many practical opinion and suggestions so that we who are insiders may solve problems of the outside with ease. Personally, I think her description, expression and response are sometimes too “over”, and I have to discount her praises of me. In real fact, I’m not as good. Lol!

Thank God that we can move forward as a team and move towards the goal ahead of us! May the Lord protect our hearts, so that we may hold on to our position and fight for the Lord! Whatever it is in front of us, let us keep the fire for the Lord!