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Why I Reach Out To Prostitutes and the Marginalized
I was trained as a social worker and worked for seven years in a government agency. I loved that my job entailed advocating for change at a systemic level and thrived at work. It also enabled me to live out my faith intentionally, which shaped the ways I interacted and worked with those around me.
Many Beautiful Things
Just before her death, artist and missionary Lilias Trotter looked out of the window and saw a vision of a heavenly chariot. According to her biographer, a friend asked, “Are you seeing many beautiful things?” She answered, “Yes, many, many beautiful things.”
Trotter’s final words reflect God’s work in her life. Not only in death, but throughout her life, God revealed much beauty to her and through her. Although she was a talented artist, she chose to serve Jesus as a missionary in Algeria. Ruskin, a famous painter who tutored her, is said to have commented, “What a waste,” when she…
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Hurricane Prayers
As powerful Hurricane Irma approached the state of Florida in the US in 2017, nearly seventy-five children gathered in Munyonyo, Uganda, to pray for those in the storm’s projected path. Many of those trapped in Florida were greatly encouraged to see by video the boys and girls praying and asking God to calm the storm.
3 Things I Learned From the Homeless
“Keep an eye out for watermelon boxes. They’re the thickest ones out there,” Fridge instructed as we headed for that night’s cardboard run.
It was only my second night sleeping on the streets, but I already knew exactly what Fridge—one of our guides for the weekend who has spent many years homeless—was talking about.
3 Ways Missions Changed The Way I Relate To Others
It was the summer after 9/11. Looking back, I can’t quite believe that we went. Everything and anything to do with airports and security was tense, and everyone was on high alert. So much was going on in the world, and yet our church still commissioned and sent out five different groups of teenagers to five different countries.
When Family Conflicts Turned Us Into Enemies
Four years ago, I was staying with my husband’s family. I was a new mom to a baby boy, and there were many things I had to learn.
My in-laws, naturally, kept a close watch on their grandson. They would often correct me on how to carry the baby or hold his milk bottle. As a perfectionist, I hated being corrected. But at the same time, I felt pressured to perform well, even when I was tired.
Searching: How Far Will You Go For Your Loved Ones?
Searching, the first film from 27-year-old director Aneesh Chaganty, is a crime thriller starring John Cho who plays David, a father in a desperate search for his missing daughter.
When I Befriended the Friendless
I met John when I was working at a library in Singapore. He had a routine he performed every morning when the library opened. First, he would greet everyone loudly and shake hands with the library staff present. Next, he would head to the counter to scan his expired identity card as he half-mumbled and half-declared to everyone that he has paid his bills to the government. Then, he would show the library staff his documents and again declare that he has paid his bills, before finally heading to the multimedia station.
#firstworldproblems: Legit or Trivial?
As a Singaporean, I’m well-acquainted with the fact that I live in a “first-world country.” This in turn means that I’ve had my share of “first-world problems.” For example, taking the subway during peak hour.
When Suicide Strikes
Every 30 seconds, the worst kind of death is leaving brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends asking “why?” Every 30 seconds, somewhere on the globe someone’s life ends by their own hands. Al Hsu lost his father to suicide. He’s tasted the pain of distorted grief. In this booklet, Al chronicles …
What Happened When I Quit Social Media
“Am saying bye bye to Facebook! It’s taking too much of my time. I’m on Insta (which I check sporadically) or Messenger, text or WhatsApp! Adios!” That was my last Facebook post, written two months ago.
As soon as the post went live, I deleted my Facebook app and shuffled my Instagram app to sit on the lowest row of my phone.
Why I Gravitated Towards BTS’s Music
My favorite K-pop boyband BTS has just released a new album. I was really excited to hear that they’ve set another record with the music video of their latest single, “Idol”. The video racked up over 50 million views within a day of its release—the highest hits for any YouTube video over a 24-hour period!
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka: When Our Heroes Fail Us
It was meant to be a historic match, but ended up being remembered for all the wrong reasons.
20-year-old Naomi Osaka was looking forward to a “tough, competitive match” when she walked into the women’s final of the US Open Tennis Championship on September 8.
4 Tips For Reaching Out To The Homeless
“Excuse me, miss, do you have any spare change?”
The other day, I was asked for some money by a man sitting outside the local supermarket. He was wrapped up in a blanket, with his hoodie over his head and a torn paper cup in his hand.
Missionary Weapons (1)
Worshiping in Everyday Occasions. We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but it is not the crisis that builds something within us— it simply reveals what we are made of already. Do you find yourself saying, “If God calls me to battle, of course I will rise to the occasion”? Yet you won’t rise to the occasion unless you have done so on God’s training ground.
