Giving Thanks Amidst Busyness
     The semester is almost finished here at EAST and it has been very busy for me (Matthew). Between teaching 3 classes, leading my mentoring group and keeping up with my duties as Dean of Students, I have often felt overwhelmed. Amidst the busyness, I feel that my time with the Lord has suffered some and so I have been thinking - how can I really love God and love men even amidst this busy season in my life? In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote,  “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists of shoving it all back, in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.” 
  
 
     I can certainly understand what he is talking about. Recently I have been waking up and the first thing that runs through my mind is all the things that need to be done: I need to prepare for this class, I have to email these people, I have to do this thing for church, my wife needs this, my kids are expecting this… It comes rushing in on me and there is no time to think, no time to reflect.  

     I see this around school as well as I talk to different students especially as exams approach next week. And 
  
 
actually people here in Singapore are generally very busy and hardworking. But in the midst of everything I don’t want to forget about my primary responsibility of loving God, loving those around me. I think that one way I can do that is by reflecting on what God has done and being thankful. In Deuteronomy 10:12-22, God reminds his people that they are to love him with all they are; part of the explanation of this is that God is the one who has done so much for them in the past. Amidst the busyness of life I know that one thing that can help me stay focused on the Lord is to reflect on all that he has done and to be thankful. So as we head back to the US to celebrate Thanksgiving together with my family, I am thankful for many things that the Lord has done and is doing in my life. I pray that you will also be able to take time to reflect and thank God!

  
 

 
 
Vietnam 

  
 
     
     One of the major highlights for me this year was definitely my trip to Vietnam back in September. Together with the seven guys in my mentoring group, we traveled to a rural village and worked with a small house church. It was really eye opening to come from a place like Singapore where everything is high-tech to a place where life is so simple. The house and the community was situated on the side of a mountain amidst farming plantations and the only way to get there was by motor bike up the dirt path or walking about 1 mile through the palm plantations. It was a joy to get to interact with many of the believers from the church and to be able to share the gospel with a group of children as well as various other people during a day we spent in the larger city. I had the privilege of preaching at the church on Sunday and I was greatly encouraged by the faith of the people and the tremendous hospitality that they showed us. I was also reminded of the great needs there are in many parts of Asia. One of the members of our MG is from Vietnam and I am glad that he has a strong desire to plant churches and improve the livelihood of many of the rural communities.

  
 
A Brief Trip Back to the US.
         We are planning to be back in the states for several weeks to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would love to see some of you if you are available. We will be in the Houston/Katy area from Nov 16 - Dec 3 and we will be in the Denver area from Dec 6 - 17. We will then go to Montana to spend Christmas with my family before flying back to Singapore in time for Hudson to start elementary school on January 2nd! 
  
 
Please Pray for Us!

* Pray that we would constantly grow closer to the Lord!

* Pray that we would have a good flight back to Houston and a good time of rest during our time in the US.

* Matthew will be teaching 3 courses again next semester. Pray for him as he prepares. Especially for a new course he is teaching in the area of Spiritual life and transformation.

* Hudson will start elementary school on January 2nd (the beginning of the school year here in Singapore). Pray that he makes friends and does well in school!
  
 

Blessings, Matthew, Sijie, Hudson, Amber and Alethea

  
 

If you would like to support our ministry: 
Please make checks out to: “Cru” and mail to: 1707 1/2 Post Oak Blvd #165, Houston, TX 77056
or go to: https://give.ccci.org/give/2789402 
email us at: matthew@cru.org.sg   or  sijie@cru.org.sg