Go and tell the world

"It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.."
(Acts 4:20)

Now Peter and John couldn’t even contain themselves. They just had to speak, as if they would burst if they didn’t. They had to share the message that had so transformed their lives. Not only had they walked with Jesus, the Holy Spirit had come to live in their hearts. And not only that, they knew this gift was meant not just for them but for everyone.

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”
(Mark 16:15)

God is ready to fill us with his Spirit and give us the zeal to share his life with others. He wants to give us the boldness to tell people about our hope in Jesus. He wants to help us share the gift of his salvation with our families, co-workers, neighbors, and even complete strangers. Let’s remember that Jesus, alive in our hearts, is overflowing with love for each person we meet..

Source: www.wau.org

Romans 10:14

"...And how could they know if they have not heard.
And how could they hear unless someone told them."
(Romans 10:14)

Easter Celebration

Overall, the event went well.
Though it was light raining and thus, we all - the forty of us - had to stay in the room (which made it quite crowded), everything was going alright. Praise God! Although some came without registration before, which at first made us quite surprised, because we didn't prepare so much. But in the end, still, everything was enough! PTL!

Started with singing songs and followed by a short talk by Fr. Luigi [from Italy]. Thanks to Huang Lao shi too for translating it into Chinese, for the Chinese speaking students.
Also, to Fr. Pras who led us in prayer before the lunch.

The lunch box that we ordered was just enough. Exactly enough! Praise God! We ordered 42 lunch boxes by the way. hehe.
Thanks also goes to Fr. Paskal and Damas(c)us. Fr. Paskal for coming and bringing the tart cake made by Damas(c)us. We saved money, yeay!

Next was the game session. It didn't turn up as how it was expected to be (one is because of the rain) but it still was going well. Thanks to Alix and BK for the ideas and leading the session. =) [I am really happy to see them excited when preparing the game:P]

After the game, it was singing songs again. This time we sang "With Christ in the Vessel". It was so enjoyable and funny! One was because there was action for the song and another was because there were parts of the song that were not to be sung, but the guys and the girls had to replace it with another words, like.. Guys: "huu.." ; Girls: "hey.." It was really funny! Thanks to Adalene for leading the song. =) The people were also supportive ^^,. They weren't so shy as how Asian usually are =P

The money collected today is not bad, too. By God's grace, although we still need to cover some costs, but it is not as much as what we may have imagined before. [He will make away, when there seems to be no way..].

Besides, we were also 'celebrating' those whose birthdays are in March and April. There is quite a number of them. =)

Not to forget, a BIG thank goes to Sr. Valentine for willingly lent us the Sister's place and helping us from planning, preparing til the event itself.

I hope the message of this Easter could reach everyone of them and they will open their hearts to Christ.

God bless,

A video taken during the game session.. [BK got the Prize! xoxo]

The call to evangelization

Waw! Today's readings meditation just so exactly strikes me.
It talks about the three characters in the readings, that are Hot [Jesus' disciples,, trying to convince everyone, esp. the Israelites that Jesus had risen!], Cold [the Chief Priests who were 'working hard' to wipe out any hint that Jesus may have risen], and the Lukewarm [the guards at the tomb-everyday men with families who were just trying to survive and who didn’t seem to care one way or the other what happened to Jesus].

And it says that these days many tend to have the Lukewarm character, who may think highly of Jesus, but whose convictions about him are not strong enough to make them want to dedicate their lives to serving him and his church. Besides, it also talks about the healings, the miracles, and the conversions that would happen if everyone were to answer the call to evangelization. And not to forget that so many people are trying hard but just haven’t come to know Jesus for who he truly is. So many are waiting to hear the good news.

It really strikes me. Especially now, when few of us are trying to spread the Good news to our friends here..

This coming Thursday we're gonna have an Easter celebration, so-called, in order to get together with them and to share this moment of Joy to one another. I could say that this event is the Biggest we've ever planned so far. Invitation was sent out through email yesterday and today. And tomorrow we're gonna give out the invitation by hand, meaning paper invitation. Til now, we're expecting about 20 people. More would be great.
There are a few concerns about this event though, like about the cost (cos we're gonna provide the Lunchboxes), the programmes-how we're gonna do this, who's gonna do this and that. But Praise God, everything is going well til now. We're blessed with the people around us who are willingly offering themselves to help us [You know who you are ^^,]. Thank you!

Yesterday, I spent almost the whole day at Nia's place. Both of us were putting words for the email, choosing songs as well as practising them. Thanks Nia for playing da keyboard! =P Tomorrow we're gonna have another last practise with Brother John (Indonesian brother who's gonna do the guitar part. =P).

Ok, that's about this Thursday. I am afraid if I continue typing, one night wouldn't be enough! lol.=p

Another thing is that we're having another 'Project' that is a Drama/Skit. (fyi, the idea is taken from My Everything skit. Song by Lifehouse). Today we had another practise. A problem did rise up, but again, Praise Praise God, for He made everything alright. We found the solution and the practise went well. Oh Okay, it went very well. =) I am excited for this, too!
This is to be performed on this 28th. And the prize [money] that we'll get (loose/win still gets a prize) is going for Charity. ^^,

On another note, I am also joining the Choir with my "Tong xue men" and this is also a form of evangelization [as said by the Father (Dean Officer) himself =).

And so, I am requesting a prayer request from you all.
I hope what we're all doing here is according to what He wants us to do. For it is Your will be done, not us(ours).

Thank you. God bless!

Blessed Easter

Nia, Ester, Me, and Tika. The Batik girls of the night ^^,

I am blessed.
Had Indonesian mass today, for Easter Vigil. I am glad that I could at least attend an Indonesian mass. [Thanks also to Brother John for giving us a lift ^^,]. Father Prasetyo led today's mass.
Yesterday, imagining how I was in the Chinese mass .. Even during the way of the Cross.. It was pretty hard..

But tomorrow I am still going for the Chinese mass, because it's a combined mass for the Chinese, English, and Philippines community. There's gonna be a huge Easter celebration tomorrow, I suppose. =)

Besides, today I finally went for Sacrament of Reconciliation.
I am blessed.
Thank You Lord.
Thank You for the cross.
I am cleansed by Your mercy and love.
Let my hearts rejoice, today and forevermore.
Amen.

Everything happens for a purpose

Today as I said earlier, I went to pay a visit to my relative's house in.. somewhere in Zhong He area. At first I was so lazy to go, especially the weather was cold with a little rain..
Anyways, I still made it. I took the bus from my place to Taipei Main Station, to change the bus since there's [so far I know] no direct bus to go there. At Taipei Main Station, I was confused by the so-many-bus lines and I didn't bother to ask someone since I can't even spell the words correctly and I forgot how the name is written in Chinese. [something to learn-]. Well, I did actually ask a girl and she also didn't know. But that I guess, because of she's not familiar with Taipei area. So then I decided to take MRT to the place where I got down from the bus, last time when I went there. That's at Gongguan station.
Fast forwarded, I managed to take the bus [254] and felt good about it. Finally!

Nevertheless, it didn't end there, I missed the station which I was supposed to get down at. Arghh, I didn't know that the station has 2 names (I guess). So there I was, had to walk from the 2 stations ahead. Well, new experience for me.

No matter what, I did have a good time there. Having family here is somehow a blessing for me.

Anyways, on the way home. aha!
I took the bus [262] which goes directly to Taipei Main Station. Was just told about it. I knew it reached Taipei MS, but I didn't know where it'd stop exactly. Actually I could just get down at the Post Office station and walk about 5 mins to reach the bus station where I can take the bus to go home [513]. However, I chose not to stop, instead, to continue being in the bus and see where is the next stop. But it stopped even further, about 10 mins away from the 513 bus station. -_-" Another exercise.

Reaching the 513 bus station, I (with confidence) simply took the 835 bus since it's also going to Xinzhuang [place where I live] and I just asked the driver if he was going to Xinzhuang [without any details where about at Xinzhuang] and he said YES. Driving until DaZhong temple [just ONE station before my place!] it turned right! Oh, I started to feel not good about it, but I still hoped that it somehow would turn to/near to my place. Was waiting and waiting, til it really far away from Xinzhuang [well, about 15 driving]. So then only I decided to ask the driver. And ta da, I really took the wrong bus, it didn't go to my place, only passing the road behind. So I got down in an area where there's only a few shops and opposite the road is just field, a huge field, and there where I was waiting for the bus to take me home ;(. It was raining + cold + a bit scary with a lil bit dark, plus the empty field behind. What a complete setting.. haha.

Anyways, waited for around 20 mins til I finally got the bus which at least going to the road nearby my place. So I took it and got down at the nearest station to my house. I was walking for about 15 mins til I saw a Sport shop. And you know what? I got myself a brand new running shoes! with price comparately cheaper than my initial budget and plan to get such kinda shoes at the shop nearby my house. And the good thing also, I like this model way more than the one that I first planned to buy. Haha.. I am h.a.p.p.y. Especially after spending more $$ on the bus.. ;(

There's always something good behind everything happens.. ^^,

The extended holidays, they call it.

This week I am having 3 days school off - Wed, Thurs, and Friday. However, since my other course and teaching are not off, I can't go anywhere far from Taipei. -_-".

Wednesday, just felt to spend the day at home. So I didn't join my friends to go out. At night still had to go for French class.

Thursday, I decided to go to the Park behind my house to exercise (a need to burn some calories..). Spent about 2 hours there [running and walking]. The weather was very cold yesterday and days before though. In the afternoon, I went to work, till night. I haven't gotten my salary yet though. Was expecting it last night, but my boss didn't say anything even til I left the place. -_-". Oh well..

Friday [today], at first I thought of taking a friend of mine to Danshui since she hasn't been there before. But this morning she said that she's going to her friend's house. So then, I randomly thought of going to Fulong beach (heard it's a nice beach) and with the sun up there, how beautiful that would be. =) But it didn't happen. Oh well, will ask more people to go with next time, with a proper planning bien sur.
In the end, me, Nia and Rm. Pras decided to go to the Miniature Museum of Taiwan. It was nice. The museum is not big but it took us -+ one and a half hours to finish it.
From there, I straight away went for class.

Tomorrow some of us are going to have lunch with Sr. Valentine [Indonesian]. I told her that we're gonna cook for her (yea, right.. haha). But now I am still thinking about what to cook tomorrow, and HOW we're gonna cook the dishes, and esp. HOW to bring it to the University, since we have no containers at home! ah, God will make a way.. We'll find it out somehow tomorrow ^^, I hope I am not gonna screw it up. :|

This sunday, I am planning to visit my family in Taipei. It's been more than a month since I last visited them. Upps... hehehe...

Retreat [Lent]

Last weekend, Saturday til Sunday (28-29 March) I went for a Retreat [Indonesian]. I could say that it was a last minute decision, cos at first I didn't plan to go for it. But God somehow invited me to go, so I took this opportunity to get closer to him as I spent more time with Him there and with someone guiding me (us).
The retreat was held in Taishan - nearby my university and Fr. Wawan was the one guiding us.
They were [I think] 27 of us in total, 2 Priests, 1 Sister, 1 Brother, and the rest is us, the students and working ones.



The retreat was about our call to follow Jesus. [c.f. Luke 5:1-11].
Here's one of my point: "For Peter who was always not ready to be Jesus' disciple, who even neglected to admit that Jesus is a Messiah; God still chose Him. Why? It is because of his weaknesses..(which he later realized about) God loved him no matter what.

In 1 Corinthians 1:27, it is mentioned: "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong" 29:"so that no one might boast in the presence of God". So that those who are 'more' will not be overwhelmed by what he has, cos everything in him/her, is all given by God, all is coming back to Him..

Therefore, do not be discouraged to come to Him. Now is the best time to do so, during this Lenten season. God is there waiting for you and me, to come back to Him. and here, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the answer.. It's -+ 2weeks before Easter. Let's be like Peter who turned back to Jesus because of His love and merciful grace, Amen.
Have a blessed Lenten season.

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My room, the bed is so comfortable, way much more comfortable than my bed in my own room [in Taiwan].

My roomie [Dessy] during the retreat ^^,
..