Choice 101 service team formation + testimonies
As we prepare ourselves to reach out to Gambang, Pahang on the 13th-15th April, Father Gregory held a mini formation retreat for us.
We started off with praise and worship followed by a prayer for C101. Big Ray introduced to us what choice is all about and how large we actually are as a community. Choice is not an isolated KL group but actually involves many states and languages and even countries like Choice Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and recently formed Choice groups of Korea and Sri Lanka. We also have Choice National and Choice Asia meet every few years to discuss the direction and challenges faces in CHOICE.
Next was Father Gregory Chan’s formation. He started off with Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man was only thinking of himself until death and failed to reach out to others. Only in hell was he thinking of his brothers and he wanted to warn them to change their attitude lest they fall into the same trap. However, it was already too late. Therefore, Father Gregory implored us to reach out and to build bridges with others, especially the 4'L's: the least, lost, lame and lonely and to bring Christ's love to them. Failure to build bridges would lead to an "inseparable gulf" like the rich and poor man.
Sharing my personal experience, I noticed, after C100, my journey with Christ was never alone. I thank the Choice team for reaching out to me.
Later, he also spoke about the Samaritan woman at the well who actually thought of Jesus as a prospect, a love interest. Jesus was actually revealing himself as 'Lord' and not 'husband', in hebrew, Ba'al and not ba'al. The subtle change in capital and small 'b' made all the difference. She only realized, it was Him, her Lord and Master when he said the words 'I am' just like the story of Moses and the burning bush. Then she put her water jar down which represents her past baggage and went around the whole village spreading the good news. She was thirsty for God in her life and yearned for the living water and when she received it, she became Christ's missionary bringing others to Jesus and just like Choice, she wanted to share the joy she had received.
These were some of the testimonies from our formation attendees. What touched them the most?
We started off with praise and worship followed by a prayer for C101. Big Ray introduced to us what choice is all about and how large we actually are as a community. Choice is not an isolated KL group but actually involves many states and languages and even countries like Choice Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and recently formed Choice groups of Korea and Sri Lanka. We also have Choice National and Choice Asia meet every few years to discuss the direction and challenges faces in CHOICE.
Next was Father Gregory Chan’s formation. He started off with Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man was only thinking of himself until death and failed to reach out to others. Only in hell was he thinking of his brothers and he wanted to warn them to change their attitude lest they fall into the same trap. However, it was already too late. Therefore, Father Gregory implored us to reach out and to build bridges with others, especially the 4'L's: the least, lost, lame and lonely and to bring Christ's love to them. Failure to build bridges would lead to an "inseparable gulf" like the rich and poor man.
Sharing my personal experience, I noticed, after C100, my journey with Christ was never alone. I thank the Choice team for reaching out to me.
Later, he also spoke about the Samaritan woman at the well who actually thought of Jesus as a prospect, a love interest. Jesus was actually revealing himself as 'Lord' and not 'husband', in hebrew, Ba'al and not ba'al. The subtle change in capital and small 'b' made all the difference. She only realized, it was Him, her Lord and Master when he said the words 'I am' just like the story of Moses and the burning bush. Then she put her water jar down which represents her past baggage and went around the whole village spreading the good news. She was thirsty for God in her life and yearned for the living water and when she received it, she became Christ's missionary bringing others to Jesus and just like Choice, she wanted to share the joy she had received.
These were some of the testimonies from our formation attendees. What touched them the most?
"What touched me
was the Samaritan woman... God used her desires to make Himself known to her as
the I Am. When she knew who He was, she put down her baggage’s and went to bring
others to get to know Jesus. It was apt
for me as the search to fulfill the desires of my heart is etched in knowing
Christ more and inturn knowing myself more. Ultimately to pass it onto
others"
Ivy Pat
Father Greg asked
'what is the magic that happens at the choice weekend?'. I've been struck every
weekend by the 'miracles' that happen every time. I know it's the Holy Spirit
that takes over and to be 'used' by him in any small way is a privilege. To be
a bridge
Petrina
A Lifeline to a Life Bridge:
I learnt that the Secret ingredient to reaching out to someone is to be a bridge, not a wall.
I learnt that the Secret ingredient to reaching out to someone is to be a bridge, not a wall.
And in order to extend a bridge, the secret
recipe is not cement, Jesus, It’s because of the brokenness & Rejection in
life, all can find comfort and solace in God.
Damian Khaw
- I’m part of a CHOICE family that has an international appeal which has and continues to impact so many lives * gasp Clarity of role structures to ensure all runs smoothly was insightful as I never knew so much Governance was involved (not your typical tidak apa NGO organisational structure) - we’re accountable. Lady by the well misunderstood Jesus’ intention as her own intentions were impure and manipulative. May my words and actions not be masked for the sake of having things my way ; even when my way was not impure. Move away from that thinking, “Why cannot do that (impure act)?”
Rachel
Formation snapshots
Formation notes by Ivy Pat
Blogged by : Daisy
Short testimonies contribution by:
Daisy, Ivy Pat, Petrina, Damian Khaw & Rachel
Images by Choicies members.
Thank you choice for giving me the opportunity to blog. Its my first time blogging.
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