Last month’s Project Gift went to the Pastor & people in Cambodia whom we personally visited for the 2nd time. I will write separate post about the amazing things happening in Cambodia and how far a few dollars can stretch in making an impact in the lives of people.

This month having been bombarded with news about Japan since the tsunami hit last week, and just this morning about another earthquake in Myanmar, we have been incredibly moved by the massive death toll and destruction that’s gripping our earth, particularly in Japan at this very moment. Having the opportunity to be in Aceh in 2006, two months after the Tsunami hit we caught a glimpse of how natural disaster can instantaneously turn a calm village into devastating bedrock of calamity. And regardless of how much we read, listen and watch on TV – only those on ground will ever understand what it means to have the world in one day and nothing the following day.

We will continue to pray and believe that God is in the midst of all this because

“God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” Psalm 9:18.

And to put action to prayer is to do something! In John 4, Jesus talked about true worshipers worshiping in spirit and in truth. True worship stems from doing. The Bible also records a scripture from James that true religion comes from doing.

This month’s Project Gift goes to Japan via Do Something Now. Do Something Now is a movement by Passion, a ministry known for their worship and music. Worship is more than just music or good music. Worship is more than just notes and singing in the right tune. Worship is more than just recording labels. Worship is also about doing something unto the Father, our Heavenly Father.

Let’s put action to prayer… do something now!

It’s easy to be swept away by demanding schedules and run on adrenaline before crashing to bed every night – but this is one milestone that deserves a highlight… Sel 7’ 21st anniversary! This year Terence took up the Senior Commander role with much prayer and discussion prior. It was a leap of faith for the both of us, him as the SC and me as his support. On top of that, I took up the challenge to lead the Adventure Girls outpost.

In retrospect, God has been so good. Time and again I see His wisdom & strength steering the RR ship through Terence. There’s been incredible favour and camaraderie amongst the leaders and rangers – surely if you have been in ministry long enough, you would know that the latter cannot be bought instead it’s earned and often unmerited.

The AR girls growth is another milestone to shout about. In the short 10 months, I see timid personalities crawl out of their shells, new friendships made, trust established to be able to talk about  pertinent youth and of course… crazy girly fun. All this would not be possible without the help of my fantastic commanders that care as much for the girls as I do. So I continue to dream big and prayer harder for an even better year in 2010…

Snapshots from the anniversary (courtesy of Josh)

What a humbling experience to be given the stage to speak on leadership to youth from 11 – 18 years. It’s the perfect age to shape character, influence good habits and inspire big dreams.  I remember significant people who have sown into my life whilst growing up – people whom I look up to, people whom I crave spending time and people whom I am proud to be associated with.

Apart from my parents (of course!), there’s one particular person that stood up for me in the pool of masses. His name is Bill Wilson. He’s in his early 50s now, still living in the ghettos of New York since the day he was abandoned by his mother on the sidewalks. He turned his hopeless situation into an enormous dream, lending hope to thousands of young children in the slumps of scary NYC. Children born into broken families, children who have no idea what a daddy figure is, children who stay under the same roof with brothers who are drug dealers and drug addicts and sisters and mothers sell their body to make a living – now have a glimmer of hope and a chance to enjoy a normal childhood. He saw hope and opportunity in the blackhole and pulled through the tunnel into light.

Today he runs the largest sunday school in NYC sharing hope and joy to over 40,000 children in the ‘big apple’. I was privilege and again humbled by the fact that I spend 4 months rubbing shoulders with him and his team of passionate leaders.

Isn’t it true when Jim Clemmer made this statement “Passionate leaders rally people throughout their organizations or teams, and anyone else that can help around a cause. They transform jobs into crusades, exciting adventures, or deeper missions.”

My hope is that all 60 youth we spoke to last Saturday will one day stumble upon great leaders who will bring them closer to their destinies. Note to self: It’s not always that we cross paths with great leaders. When we see one or recognize one, do whatever it takes to glean from them.

Slides from our workshop: