WITH GOD, LOVE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY
By See Toh Hui Ing
Finally, one month into the circuit breaker on 19 April 2020, and certainly by God’s grace, we launched our first IF Zoom on a Sunday at 2.30 p.m. It was down time in households and, guess what, it worked for everyone!
As our church leadership grappled with the implications of circuit breaker last year, we in the International Fellowship ministry found ourselves challenged too. What next? How were we to reach out to care for our members, internationals working in Singapore? A few were frontline medical workers but many were domestic helpers serving in the homes of Frankelites. For most locals, it was Work From Home, but for them, it was Work At Home. How could we best minister to them?
Running weekly Zoom meetings proved daunting initially. To get past the time limit for free usage, one of us subscribed to Zoom. Then, by trial and error, we guided our members - most of whom were using their mobile phones - to get into our Zoom gatherings. We are especially heartened by employers who willingly permitted Wifi access and those who even helped set up IF Zoom on their family computers so their helpers could fellowship and learn with others Sunday after Sunday.
Other questions followed: could we get the tech and equipment set up for everyone to be on Zoom? And if so, when should we schedule our sessions? We used to meet on Sundays at 10.00 a.m. But this had understandably become crunch time in households already coming online for Sunday service or Sunday school. And there was also Sunday brunch or lunch to prepare since everyone was stuck at home.
The best part was seeing everyone who attended the weekly Zoom sessions commit to gathering, caring and growing. We were able to complete our study of John with the rest of the church. During this time, we were also prompted to step up memorizing of Bible verses, which members reviewed conscientiously.
As we also wanted our time together to be a respite, games became a weekly feature. I never thought we could have fun like this on Zoom!
Even before COVID-19, International Fellowship was blessed with the fellowship of brothers in our midst. Two, of different nationalities but united by their love for God, served selflessly and infected many with their enthusiasm for the Lord. With others in the core leadership team, they led small groups for more intentional discipling and care. Interestingly, as they gave to the Lord, the Lord also brought mentors from the BFEC congregation to journey with them.
It was encouraging to see our core team of leaders (chosen from amongst them) taking turns to prepare and lead the sessions, all with the goal to spur and disciple members in their faith amid global and personal uncertainty. One member stood out in my mind as an overcomer. Despite her difficulties with English, she memorised the verses in both her native tongue and English. Her desire to know the one true God really motivated us to seek Him more too.
We are indeed thankful that we can once again meet in BFEC for onsite meetings (10.15 a.m. at the Chapel). There is much to learn and discover, with and from one another, about the amazing God who loves us so much. Were it not for the power and love in God’s barrier-breaking gospel, I believe we could not have penned all this.
Till today, she spends her evenings reading her Bible, reflecting on what she has read and journaling about what God is teaching her. It turns out she has had many questions about God since young but nobody had been able to give her the answers, until she read the Bible for herself. She felt His peace and love - that the God of the Bible indeed hears and answers her prayers. We witnessed her growth blossoming week by week, thanks too to another member who encouraged her to persevere in pursuing the one true God. We were all encouraged by her enthusiasm; she even used her talent to draw or copy beautiful sketches with verses to encourage herself and others. The worldwide pandemic prevented our members from returning home for urgent matters. Tears flowed as some spoke of very difficult family situations back home, situations they felt very helpless about. A few members bid farewell to ailing parents from a distance. One such sister sang and recorded messages to comfort her mum. She shared with us that she found solace in her IF family who stood with her in prayers and tears. Her mourning turned into words of encouragement for others going through similar pain. Only one who walks closely with her Heavenly Father will have such strength.
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