Circumnavigation 2: A Second Chance

In my previous post, I wrote about how God led me back to my home city. But slowly God revealed to me that I would be going back to the very place where things seemingly did not work out.

May 7, 2009. My second trip to Singapore.

Let me just say that I believe God still leads us through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17) as well as open doors (Revelation 3:8). To accept one and reject the other may cause us to miss out on things.

God did open the door back to Singapore. And He gave me a job so I'm able to stay here a long time. God is truly the God of second chances.


Singapore is a wonderful place. I came back to the church of Calvary Chapel Singapore and rejoined the fellowship. There was an opportunity to serve on Saturday night Bible studies so I took on a new ministry.


Later on a new door opened to serve in youth ministry, so I joined in as well. I feel humbled and privileged to be able to minister to a group of Christian youth of a different culture and nationality.


In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, Filipino or Singaporean, but all are one family.


My thanks to Pastor John and his wife Evelyn, Ron and Jenny, and Chris and Swee San. You guys know how much you've been a blessing to me already.

I've made a few friends at work as well. They've shown me around Singapore and I have learned a lot from them.


I've met old friends from high school who also visited Singapore. They are an encouragement to me. Thanks, Roman and Jei.


My cousin came over to visit me, and I was so happy to see her.


I enjoyed touring Singapore with her in places I myself have never been before.


My girlfriend came over to visit me here last month, and we celebrated our first year anniversary as a couple.

It was a refreshing time for me, and Twinx really made the effort to come. That was truly the Lord's working.


As I'm in my fifth month here, I've learned more about the culture, the places, and the differences we have as different nations.

I think God has truly blessed in Singapore in allowing it to become what it is now.


I've had the privilege of meeting believers from other places.


And it seems that every nationality has a representation in this country.

Another privilege I've had was to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.


It was an awesome experience to see the ancient texts of the Bible throughout the centuries.


Although I have read about them, it's a totally different encounter when I saw them. The Dead Sea Scrolls is proof that the Bible has been faithfully copied over the centuries without tampering.

I posted a photo album on Facebook about that. Click here to view it.

And if you're wondering if there are mountains in Singapore, there's not much elevation. But I went to a place that's high enough for a good hike - Bukit Timah.


I posted a photo album on Facebook about that as well. Click here to view it.

To all Jesus radicals, KEEP PRESSING ON!

The Venture 10-29-08

September 21, 2008. I landed on Changi Airport and finally reached foreign soil. Singapore, so-called "The Little Red Dot" was finally in view.

One of the first things I did was look for the hostel where I was booked to stay. The first night I stayed in a hostel, and my brother-in-law accompanied me.


That same day we went to Lucky Plaza and I needed to get some supplies: a SingTel SIM card and a travel adaptor for electrical outlets. Buying a SingTel SIM, they had a promo where you get to spin the wheel for a chance to win free tickets to the F1 Race, worth 900 SGDs. I won.


The next day I moved to another house. Kuya Manny and Ate Arlene were kind enough to accommodate me. I was a stranger, and they took me in. The house was in Bukit Panjang where I stayed longer than I expected -- more than a month. I settled well with the 4 dudes, their sons, and they were a wonderful Christian family.


The first week I had a job interview with a representative of Xpand SG, my first. I found out that IT hiring was not that much during this season due to the economic crisis in Singapore.

I spent the weekend watching the F1 Race, the first night race ever in world history. It was something I didn't want to miss and besides, the tickets were free.


Looking for work and going to two more interviews, I got a job offer. But the company that gave the offer later changed their mind about hiring me.

Adjusting to the life in Singapore is not that hard. The transportation is very efficient, there is low crime, and everything is so systematic and organized. I had to get used to the "Land of the Left" where everyone drives on the left-side of the road.


I attended Calvary Chapel of Singapore and Pastor John Tan was kind enough to make me feel welcome. I was able to connect to the young people especially, and it was a good experience to be exposed to Christians in another culture. Only this time I was the foreigner.


The food is also great, and they have all sorts of Western as well as Asian food. I especially like the chicken rice and crispy chicken noodles. I wasn't able to try their mutton, the bulalo that's made from sheep. They also call their carinderias "Hawker's Centers".



October 24, 2008. I flew back to Manila. As I'm writing this, I'm already back in the Philippines. I'm staying in our nation's capital for a few weeks before I go back to Iloilo City. At the moment I'm setting aside Singapore. It has been a journey and a learning experience. And as the Calvary Chapel distinctive goes, a venture in faith can also mean a step back when things don't work out.


To all I left behind in Iloilo, see you soon. =)

P.S. I didn't take too many pictures since my camera broke the night before my flight to Singapore.

The Journey 09-19-08

It has been in my heart for a long time to move out of my home city, at least for a while. Last year God gave me a strong impression in my spirit to really move out. One confirmation came during last year's pastors and workers conference in Cebu. Since then the impression never left me but remained strong.


Sometime in February this year I started to think that perhaps the right time would not be too soon. I continued life as it was, working in information technology, serving the church of Calvary, and moving forward with my social life. I even became an elder in the church during that month.


As time went on the impression got stronger as I spent time in the Word of God. Finally in May I approached my pastor after our midweek Bible study and told him that I believed God was calling me out (of Iloilo City).


We prepared the church and the ministry for four months. This was the start of the ministry called Tim Time where I taught through the whole books of 1 and 2 Timothy on Friday nights. It was a discipleship class with the intent to lay a solid foundation for those who had a desire to serve in the ministry of Calvary Chapel of Iloilo.



I also prepared my work place in that I gave them enough time to look for a replacement since my position as Training and Development Officer for Eversun Software was not to be taken lightly.


A resignation would place the company in a transition. So two months before I quit I informed them of my plans, finally submitting my resignation on July 31 which was effective on September 1.


Come September I was no longer employed.

I had no visible confirmation of what God wanted me to move forward with until the first week of September. A contact from the U.S.A. wanted to start a new business and he considered me the co-founder since it was during one of our chats that the idea came to him and he was able to draft a business plan. The business is online so I can take my work anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. This is enough to sustain me as I travel. Thank God for Xoom.com.

August 29, 2008. I announced to my discipleship group during Tim Time that I was leaving and that the reason for the discipleship group was because I was leaving. I wanted them to be fully equipped to serve the Lord in my absence.

September 7, 2008. I announced to the church congregation that I was leaving for Singapore.

That Sunday morning I was also privileged to give the message while my pastor took a break from teaching.

After the message, communion, and worship I made the announcement.

The last eight days from September 7 to September 14 was my final preparation in Iloilo. I spent time with my girlfriend, church, and family as I was preparing to go.




September 13, 2008 we celebrated my dad's birthday. I wanted my trip to come after the birthday and not before.


September 14, 2008 was my last Sunday service in Iloilo. The church prepared a lunch fellowship in order to bid me farewell as I step out in faith. Pastor Mark released me to go and the church commended me to God's grace.


I'm glad my family was in front praying with me.


Before I left the church compound, I played my last song (for now) -- "This Man" by Jeremy Camp.

To all I leave behind, may God's grace sustain you. I will land on Singapore on September 21.


"And see, now I go bound in the spirit...so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:22,24