MMS MISSIONARY RETREAT 2022

Grace Chung, Church Engagement Manager. She worships at Grace Assembly of God. She is a foodie and enjoys travelling.

Finally, we can travel! MMS Missionaries and their families from across the MMS mission fields, representatives from the Personnel Committee, MMS Team, and guest speakers gathered at Pattaya Park Beach Resort, Thailand, from 23 to 25 August 2022 for our once-everytwo-years MMS Missionary Retreat.

The MMS Missionary Retreat 2022 Committee organised a three-day event, focusing on the theme of ONE-derful which acronym meant:

The theme verse was from John 17:22b: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one”

This Retreat was a precious gathering for us because it was difficult for anyone to travel during the last couple of years due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. We had the opportunity to connect, learn, and relax. We were moved by the sharing of personal testimonies, ministry successes, and challenges. The group encouraged and upheld one another in prayer.

We had a wonderful time learning from the theme speaker, Rev Dr David Lim, who has been in ministry for 57 years, including 15 years in theological education and 42 years as a pastor. He was also at Grace Assembly of God for 23 years, 20 years of which as Senior Pastor. Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey, District Superintendent of the Chinese Annual Conference and the Pastor-in-Charge of Sengkang Methodist Church, led us through a refreshing 3sessions in Spiritual Formation. Our local Thailand Little Candles School Staff led the children’s programme and availed themselves in the teaching of the children.

Some say time is flies when you’re having fun! Joy and laughter could be heard during meals and over heartfelt conversations. Children’s chuckles were amplified as they went to the play pools. We praise God for the opportunity to refresh our missionaries and their families through this retreat.

What a blessing! We thank God for the faithful service of our Missionaries and their families who took up God’s call to be in the mission fields. I invite you to join MMS in upholding them in your prayers.

Lastly, we sincerely appreciate the efforts of the organising team who has made this retreat possible. Read on to hear from our missionaries on this retreat!

If I could use one word to describe the retreat, it would be the word “encouraging”. The theme talks by Rev Dr David Lim helped reaffirm the value of our often silent and behind-thescenes work for the good of the larger church, and reminded us that the results are really in God’s hands though we may hardly see it now. The Spiritual Formation sessions by Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey helped us be still and surrender our cares oneby-one to God. The stories of other missionaries that we got to hear either as part of the programme or from casual interactions encouraged us that God is still very much at work in and through us despite the obstacles. The meal fellowships were invaluable in helping us get to know one another better, especially those from the Home Team. Personnel Committee members, Jimmy Tay and Deborah Lie, were there in-person to find out how we were doing and how we could be further supported. The MMS Home Team and volunteers were constantly at work to ensure that online participants were as connected to the programme as in-person ones. And last, but not least, we are truly thankful for Katherine and the Children’s Team for making the retreat meaningful for our children as well. The lives of all who put this retreat together are in themselves an inspiring testimony of God’s love. Thank you, MMS, and thank you Lord for loving us while we love others!

“Phra Cao Sandi… Phra Cao Sandi… Phra Cao Sandi.. Song Sandi Tor Chan…” Singing ‘God Is So Good’ in Thai with fellow missionaries in Thailand was a beautiful moment during the Missionary Retreat. The time of worship showed us a glimpse of what it would be like in heaven where we would join with every tribe to worship our Almighty God in every tongue. Maybe we would be fluent in Thai and all languages then! It was wonderful to meet up in person with the missionaries who serve in Thailand, to get to know and catch up on life and ministry. A highlight of the time of bonding was an afternoon where we went to the Water Park with the missionary families, and had a splashing good time with the children! We had a ONE-derful retreat with the larger MMS family!

Art-Jamming uses visual art-making, drama, dance, and movement to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It works with individuals or groups using art processes such as painting to create meaning, rather than focussing on the end product.

The retreat theme was ONE-derful and we hope to be ONE as a family. So, the committee brought our Missionary Kids (MKs) together to go through an Art Experiential Journey. The Art session did not focus on how well one can draw; it was a channel of expressing our emotional and mental well-being. It was designed for our pre-teens and teenagers who are serving alongside with their parents in the various mission fields. As they face different challenges and pressures of growing up, we encouraged them to express their thoughts and feelings.

As a parent myself, I tend to react in heated moments which did not help to solve anything, instead of responding to my children differently. We learnt to express ourselves through Art without hurting our loved ones. We could express and draw our emotions and feelings on a piece of paper. We were able to bring our anger and frustrations to a place of peace and joy. Thank God for technology, as the children could Zoom in from various countries. And we had a good time of getting to know the children and praying for them too.