arvestation

Once again, another Ambassador successfully reached out for the Lord! Bernard Cheah shared Christ with his geography teacher in school and changed her life. Initially, he did not see any urgency of sharing with this teacher. He remained in his comfort zone and did not take the risk to tell her about Jesus. However, one Sunday afternoon, a phone call changed everything. Bernard shares, “She called me and told me she was diagnosed with cancer. She had to undergo numerous chemotherapy treatments and take many types of pills. She also had to watch her diet and become a vegetarian. She would miss her old lifestyle. That's when she started to lose the faith to keep living.” To make matters worst for Bernard, she was not able to prepare him for his PMR that year. He could not believe it and questioned God; but he also prayed even more for her. Then one day, he decided to tell her about Christ. He told her that the Lord God is and always will be with her. To his immeasurable joy, she accepted Christ!

Eventually, she got better and became strong enough to start teaching again. When she was back, Bernard was told by another Christian teacher that she had actually already accepted Christ before she had cancer. She just was not firm in her faith yet. Bernard was happy that he could encourage her in God. It is not easy but challenging to share with a teacher; nevertheless, with God, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

Jeremy Loh

Nothing is Impossible

Three words say it all...

It's Christmas time. What’s that about anyway? God, in His love, gave His son, Jesus Christ, in the form of a human infant as a gift to mankind for its redemption. In view of that, what should be our response to such a generous act from our divine Creator? How should we return such kindness? Well...we can't. Consequently, all that we can do is to pass such kindness on. We give other people what we have been given by God—salvation through Jesus! May we take this timely Christmas season to sow the seeds of the Gospel. Let the testimonies in this newsletter inspire you to be a light unto mankind! The Editorial Board ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 2011

If you could do or give something

special to her this Christmas, what would that be?

IF I COULD, I would give her the faith to believe in him, and the eyes to see how special she

is to God. Then she would know that she isn't left out and that there is always someone by her side.

What do you think will finally make her say yes to Jesus? When she realizes that God has a heart like no one else and that he'll love

her no matter what happens. When she is aware God is someone who she can always lean on.

How do

you feel about her progress?

Frustrated? Excited?

Definitely excited! But at certain stages it was very challenging. Her parents

always restricted her from joining church activities. Once, she also said she believes in Jesus because

Justin Bieber does.

How did she respond? She kept asking me to tell her more stories in the Bible. Then I ended up being speechless! I realize I need more knowledge of the Bible.

Besides talking

about Christian stuff, what else did you do

with her to reach out?

Listened to her when she needed someone to talk to. Was there for her. Spent my recess time talking

to her. Made her bookmarks. Offered help in her studies. Most importantly, cared for her.

How did you start talking to your friend about Jesus? First, I prayed that God would help me speak

to her. Then I asked her about her life, family and purpose of living. After listening, I started to share with her messages from the Bible and my experiences with Christ.

An Interview with

Sherlyn Ng Sherlyn Ng has been working very hard in

school after her end-of-year exams! Before

you say "What a nerd!”, let us clarify—she has

been trying hard to reach out to her classmate

during this season of Christmas, care events,

and camps. We asked her a few questions

about her efforts.

I have this friend whom I have been trying to reach out to. He sits beside me in class. I knew him since I was in Form Two. One Monday, he told me he was very excited as he would be going for a holiday during the weekend. However, on Thursday, he looked really moody. After recess, we sat down and he explained his situation to me. Apparently, his parents were fighting and they were not talking to each other. They had not packed their luggage for the planned holiday. We continued talking and finally, I mustered all my courage and asked him if I could pray for him. I knew all along that he would allow me to pray for him, but it still took a lot of effort to ask him. After I prayed for him, we talked some more and then went home. Later that evening, I received a Facebook message from him telling me that his parents were on good terms again. They were going for the holiday that Saturday after all. He thanked me and I thanked God for this opportunity to pray for my friend and reach out.

Courageous

An Answered Prayer

“I mustered all my courage and asked him if I could pray for him”

I was disgruntled. After all the prayer and preparation, we were all set to hike to Pantai Kerachut for our cell harvest with food, games, and perfect weather, but no newcomers. I had tried my best to invite friends, and so did my members, but we all got turned down.

After mumbling something about no invitation being useless, I started us on the hiking trail. There was the usual laughter along the way, but inside, I was terribly disappointed. Everything we had prepared was geared to share the meaning of Christmas with those who did not know it, but it now seemed useless.

We arrived at the beach and there was finally something I could be excited about: bihun and sausages! We sat on deliciously cool sand under a shady tree. There were other youth around who were enjoying the spectacular surroundings of Pantai Kerachut. As we started playing games among ourselves, suddenly someone suggested, “Let’s play with them!”

Why not? So we went to a group of college students from Seberang Perai and started playing the game of all games—captainball! After running, or rather sinking, in sand for a while, we sat down together tired out. That game got us connected. Soon they were guessing our ages and laughing about how mature Bernard looked.

Then I picked up my Bible, introduced ourselves and shared exactly what I had prepared: the true meaning of Christmas for those who did not know it. Esther and Bernard shared testimonies about the difference Jesus had made in their lives. As we shared from our hearts, they listened from their hearts too and were, I believe, impacted by the real, sincere, powerful stories. In the end, we even took the boat back together and thus paid less! I arrived there dismayed at what I perceived as a failed cell harvest, but came back awed at God’s hand that works in ways so much higher than what I could see. Above: Our newfound friends! Marcus Pan

In conjunction with

Christmas, we asked the Ambassadors two questions: 1. How would you start a conversation with your

friend about the true meaning of Christmas? 2. What has ISCA done for you this year? Listen in to their original responses!

Daniel Lee Davin: 1. Bro, I hate to break this to you but I think you’re old enough...Santa Claus is not real....we have Christmas ‘cause....... 2. ISCA makes me hungry for God’s word.

Vanessa Choo: 1. Are you bored? Would you like me to tell you a story about Christmas?

2. ISCA’s sermons have helped me know more about God and how to overcome my problems.

Sherlyn Ng: 1. I would tell my friend why people actually celebrate Christmas. It isn’t about gifts or toys. What Christmas means to me—a savior was born to save us sinners. I’d sing her the song

“We are the Reason”. 2. ISCA is a place where I can get away from the outside world so that I can spend time worshipping the Lord. I can place my burdens down, feel the presence of God, and be moved by the touch of God. It is where I can surrender everything I have to him, and find the strength to overcome any obstacle in life. ISCA has impacted my life.

Michael Boon: 1. What do you think is the meaning of Christmas? “Lol.” 2. I have felt loved.

From Dismay to Delight

Darren Tjung: 1. How do you spend your Christmas? Would you like to know the true meaning of Christmas?

2. I made a few new friends. I mean one new friend.