Not just a student...

The preparation and carrying out of this trip has been the most thrilling journey I have been on.

There were points which I was brought lower than I have ever been, and made to carry a burden heavier than I have ever carried. It was in these times when God strengthened my heart, and told me to lift up my eyes and see His great providence.

The beginnings of this trip happened over a casual game of poker back in summer, when ideas were simply exchanged as the cards were dealt. From an idea, came a contact – in the form of Pastor Patrick, and from that came a project. It was off to a typically good start. The team was formed and the goals were set and everything was going according to plan. However suddenly, a time of political instability struck which rocked the country and the project. At that point, I was faced with a hell of a decision. In deciding, I was led to reflect upon my intentions of taking up this project and going to Myanmar in the first place. Was I doing this for the sake of CIP? Was I doing this for a leadership role I could put on my CV? It was then that God revealed that this project lacked soul, and a real purpose was needed. Leading a team into a foreign land, especially in a time of danger was a project extremely luring for me to do. But how selfish could I be? To risk the lives of 14 simply so I could do my thing? The burden of this decision weighed heavily on me and I finally conceded to go with a contingency plan to Philippines, as I could not go forward with Myanmar having the knowledge that I was putting my ambition ahead of the lives of my team.

However, just as I made up my mind to kill the project to Myanmar, Pastor Patrick called and told me that we had clearance by the embassy to go and it will be safe. My spirit was uplifted and it was then a pure desire to assist the good work of New Hope Community Services was placed within me and it burned deep into my heart. My attitude towards the project was completely changed. It was now not just another project, but a mission to do something to benefit the lives of more than a hundred orphans.

Even with renewed vision, the political instability still existed and as a result, funding and parental consent for the team members was still a major headache. Even convincing SMU to let us continue was not a simple problem. I prayed for God to put the right words in Pastor Patrick to convince the necessary parties of the missions’ safety and purpose. God did just that, and not only were the parties convinced, they wanted to assist us and go if possible.

By the time everything was approved and the green light was given, it was deep into the closing weeks of school and seven thousand dollars of funds was still lacking. My dad told me that after I have laid my plea before the Lord, I can cease to worry because Jehovah Jira will provide. And He did just that. On the last day before my exams started, every cent we needed was provided for and generously donated. The cost of the trip for each team member remained exactly as I promised at the beginning and even this amount we found out was in excess of what was needed.

During the trip, we consistently under spent and over ate. We were truly living in plenty. The imagery of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes came to mind as at the end of the trip, we ate and were all filled, and 1,100,000 Kyat was left over, which we donated to New Hope to spread amongst the other orphanages we could not visit.

By seeing the orphans, I don’t know how I can ever look at what I have and complain about wanting more again. There they are, with nothing but the clothes on their back, and rice and vegetable soup for meals. But yet they were happy, happy to exist and have the love of each other. Seeing the children made my heart for these people grow within me and the desire to do whatever I can with my life to help them burned even deeper.

“You remind me still, of a hope and promise, daring my heart to be brave and all the while you strengthen me, so deep in my heart. Open your eyes and see... Lift up your head believe, there is more, so much more to see.”
- More to see (Hillsongs)