Date of Project: 14th November, 2009
Project: Day’s Outing to Taiping Zoo, Lake Gardens & Taiping Museum
Seed money: RM 100-00
Multiplied: RM 3,580-00
Amount spent: RM 2803-00
Balance: RM 777-00 (will be utilised for other Kindness Project for the year 2010)

Our Purpose

In wanting to bless the orphans and children in need of care of the Penang St. Joseph’s Home, formerly known as St Joseph’s Orphanage [“SJH”], Genesis Cell Group [“Genesis”] decided to undertake something challenging where every one in Genesis will be able to get involved in one way or another. Taking the children to a place outside Penang was something challenging for Genesis as this would be the first big project we have undertaken outside Penang.

Genesis desired to make the outing for the children more than just entertaining or educational. Through this short time we had with them, we trust and hope our presence will have an impact on their lives and in some ways make the children feel that all of us are just one big family.

The Project - A Day’s Outing outside Penang

Our Project involves Genesis taking 38 children from SJH ranging from ages 5 years to 16 years and two (2) of their staff members to a day’s outing at the Taiping Zoo, Taiping Lake Gardens & Taiping Museum on the 14th November, 2009. Twenty-one (21) of us from Genesis came along with them. But, everyone in Genesis was involved in one way or another from the start including the planning, raising of funds, writing of letters, booking the lunch, purchasing & wrapping of gifts, preparing snacks, preparations of games & prizes, making arrangements with the Zoo authorities for rebated entrance fees, and other related matters. Beng even pre-visited the Taiping Zoo to check out the place and took photographs of the animals for an educational quiz planned for the children.

After much preliminary meetings, discussion and planning amongst Genesis members and the staff of SJH, the day for our trip arrived. Two (2) tour bus coaches were booked for this event. All of us decided to go with the children in the buses. Everyone had to assemble at the SJH and some of us were there as early as 6.45 am. A general briefing was given to the children on the dos and don’ts and safety instructions, we arranged the children into four (4) groups of around 10 children with 4 Genesis members as overseers for each group. We left SJH at around 8.15 am.

We stopped at Bukit Merah rest place for a short break and provided everyone with snacks and drinks. Ps. Kenny and Irene managed to meet us up at this stop. We arrived at the Taiping Zoo at around 10.30am. Each of the group was given a Quiz booklet to identify the animals as they tour the place. We arranged for McDonalds to bring the lunch packs into the Zoo compound. After lunch and a short rest, we proceeded to the Lake Gardens for games and play there. The children enjoyed a competing game which we had planned for them. Prizes were given to the winners. The trip ended with a visit to the Taiping Museum. We returned late in the afternoon at the St Joseph’s Home and presented all the children with some surprise gifts.

Everyone was tired but happy with memories of a great day.

So was that it? ……. Touching lives

For some of these children going to the zoo and museum was a first in their lives so this in itself makes it very special to them. The squeals, laughter, cheering and their happy faces say it all.

For me, I hope our little contribution would have an impact on the children’s lives on what love and care is about. The joy, excitement and the lit up faces of those little children through this project made me feel very special in that I could be a part of their lives, even for a day. They were polite and thanked us for everything we gave … the trip, snacks, drinks and gifts. I knew that they were so grateful and happy with what they had received and that made me feel very grateful too.

How can what we did for, and say to, the children during this outing possibly be touching their lives enough to make an impact? We may not know. But we do know that at such times God reminds us that He is on our side; that we are His fellow workers. He shows us that so long as each and every one of us is willing to serve Him from our hearts, He will and can use us in the lives of these children or any one for that matter, even for a day.

Everyone in Genesis did their part and worked hard to make this project a success. The 4 lessons adapted from the book “Change the World Through Kindness” prepared by our church was pre-spiritual food for us which did help make us further understand the purpose of such projects. Nevertheless, we are being reminded that what we did here was not about us in the Genesis cell group, but it’s all about Jesus. The success didn’t depend on us, but on Him.

For some of us in Genesis, this has also been a life impacting experience – to see how blessed we are, the enormous satisfaction of helping these children knowing that anyone of us can make a difference to them in some ways. The project did add colour and a sense of purpose to our usual Friday home gatherings. It was a wonderful way for us to show Christ’s love and to be His “hands and feet” for a day at least.

Let us share with you how it has impacted some of us.

Testimonies from Genesis members

Freddy, “When we set out to do God's work, it is important to know that every small thing is not being overlooked by God. And that's where God test us in our seriousness to "be about the Father's business.

The kindness community project that was undertaken by the Genesis Cell Group was a first of its kind for most of us. Taking a group of orphans and children in need on a road trip to a zoo sounded like a straightforward 'hop-on-the-bus-and-just-go' kind of activity. But we soon realized that the amount of planning was nothing but meticulous.

In reminiscence, when the cell members first met in Alan's place in August, some of us were caught by surprise by the amount of work that needed to be done. However, all members went to work - helping one another out, and managing the project knowing that when we do it with a labour of love, God will bless it.

And the event has certainly turned out to be a blessing. The challenges faced were rewarded with more than 38 smiling faces on a nice sunny day of 14-November!

A small step for Genesis Cell group but a big leap for every member!”

Paul Wong, "What touched me most was when I saw these children from various background leaning on each other and so close to one other. I could see the Love that's binding them together regardless of age and colour".

Peter Teh, "It is a joy to see these underprivileged children laughing with happiness & it brings back memories when we were of their age - without a care in the world - just being happy & care-free. It brings peace & tears of joy and contentment to this old heart of mine that I was able to make a little contribution to their happiness & joy.

I likened for some of them to "Nobody’s Child" as the old song goes - unwanted, unloved, uncared for before they came to SJH. When they grow-up I believe they will have fond memories of the happy & joyous times at the Taiping Zoo with us. And hopefully, they will see the love of Christ in each & everyone of us - (The theme of this trip "Return To Servanthood" is most appropriate.) that will touch their young hearts. Glory to God that we were able to make a difference”.

Eric, “The Taiping Zoo outing was a meaningful and joyful moment spent with the orphans and children in need of care. I can see children wanting attention especially when they play and in encouraging and supporting them, they tried to do things even better! They learn as they play”.

Chung Ming, “I can still remember the kids’ smiling faces during the trip. It was an unforgettable experience especially we did it with the limited resources that we have. But with the POWER from the Holy Spirit, together we can move mountains for sure”.

Johnny, “Looking at the children playing without a care in the world on the fields, make me realise that some times we are so busy working and have no time even for our own children. This trip reminded me that all of us should spend more time at least with our children while we still can. May the Lord blessings for everyone continue to flow through this trip and those in future.”

Poh Wan, “None of us would have been able to do it alone…….that’s what dawned on me most. Cell group involvement is one good place to ensure accountability is in place so that complacency does not set in. We need to constantly encourage each other to do good”.

Beng, “I thought that we'd be having 38 whining brats tagging along to monkey land, and perhaps a few (1 or 2) might be consumed by the Sun-bears after climbing into their enclosure because they would not heed Aunty Wai Fong's frantic warnings earlier not to do so. I envisaged the skies opening up and soaking every participant of this community project right into their pants. But surprise, surprise. Nothing in reality remotely met my warped imagination.

Instead, God provided the perfect weather. The children were well behaved and responsive to the instructions they were offered. Many were wide-eyed in anticipation of the events that would unfold through the course of the day. For most, I presumed, the visit to the zoo would be one of the highlights of their young lives.

Later, amongst the animals, I felt the eager enthusiasm of these kids as they viewed strange creatures in their enclosures. I was glad that they were enjoying themselves.

Then it dawned on me that these were orphans and children in need of care. I realized that for some they would not have the opportunity of knowing the hug of a father, nor feel the kiss of a mother; who would never have taken for granted that someone would love them enough to take them to the zoo?

I suddenly felt so privileged for the chance to show some kindness to these kids. I felt my heart weep. It was as though I saw God opening wide His arms to embrace them, expressing His great love to them, as the Father to the fatherless. Jesus did say "let the children come."

I wanted to hug them, especially those cute little ones, but didn't. Instead, like Martha, I had chores to do and efficiently went about my duties for the day.

Back at the SJH, we distributed gifts so wonderfully and thoughtfully packed by the ladies of the Genesis group. I'm sure that the children were not expecting these after the trip plus the copious amount of food distributed throughout, not intending, of course, to fatten them. I think they were somewhat overwhelmed.

As we were leaving, a number of the children lined up along the fences to bid us farewell and at the same time thanked us for what we had done. It was a touching scene as they kept following us from the other side of the fence, as though they were unwilling to let us go.

For a brief day, I had a glimpse of our Father's heart; of His great love for "the World". We who love Him are called to be servants, that through us the world may be touched. Today, in attempting to serve, I was truly blessed instead.”

In conclusion, Genesis would like to thank the staff and management of St Joseph Home for allowing us spend time with their children. May our Lord continue to bless each of them as they take care of these children. We also thank the leadership of our church in initiating this project.

It has been a rewarding, memorable, meaningful and challenging experience for all of us, for sure. God Bless.

Peter Huang
Genesis Cell Group

And so it is Christmas again. And this time, Genesis Cell Group will hold its Christmas party this coming Saturday, 19-Dec at 7pm. Unfortunately, not all are invited.... :-(

Anyway, invitations have been sent to friends and family members of Genesis Cell and we hope to have a full house, and to share in the joy of Christmas with our loved ones and their friends. As Elder Heok Hooi puts it in his Christmas greetings, we would like to share with you the meaning of Christmas:

The Joy of Christmas is JESUS

Jesus Christ is....

The message of all that God has to say to us
The fullness of all that God has to give us
The essence of all that God wants us to be.

Jesus, the word of God incarnated

The image of God revealed
The fullness of God imparted
The glory of God reflected
The grace of God extended
The power of God demonstrated
The heart of God expressed
The love of God manifested
The salvation of God provided

Congratulations to Freddy and Shir Li!!

They have a newborn daughter Abigail - born on the 4th of December, 2009 at 11:41am. All of us in the Genesis Cell Group rejoice with them in having received this rich blessing from our Lord.

The birth of a child is an everyday miracle. Each child is so unique, beautifully knitted, fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose. The human body is so complex. Its complexity speaks volumes about the mind of our Creator. Everyone of us is so special to Him and He loves everyone just the same!! How true when the psalmist declared in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

We pray that Abigail will grow up and come to know her Creator our Lord and that she will also understand that she is fearfully and wonderfully made for a special purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.

Freddy and Shir Li, be blessed with this beautiful miracle from our Lord. With our love and blessings from all of us.

-Peter H.

We are thankful to Julie, Poh Wan's friend, who came to our cell meeting on 27-Nov to share with us her recovery from cervical cancer after a successful operation. She believed that our prayers for her gave her strength and saw the intervention of God into her life. In her very own words, "I want to thank God for giving me a 2nd chance at life!"

Praise God!

We also thank Poh Wan for being the "beacon" of light that shined God's Light into the darkness of Julie's life. Poh Wan stood in the gap for her friend, and we believe whole-heartedly that Julie has been touched by this experience.

We ask for members of Genesis Cell as well as FGA members to pray for Julie's salvation.