I was baptized together with Debra (my dearest wife) and Amanda (our precious daughter) in March 2012 in Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. Sadly for me, going to church and the occasional fellowships in the past 20 odd years were not much more than a Sunday (or any other day) routine and my spiritual relationship with our Almighty God was superficial at best. I couldn't claim to know much of the Bible nor was I prepared to meet Jesus.
I knew something had to be done and the Church Membership Manual and our preparation for baptism classes had already reminded me of the gap in my knowledge and understanding of the Holy Bible.
A number of inexplicable events began to happen from that day onwards.
1.
Almost within days, a dear old friend (TH) who heard about my baptism suggested and signed me up for the Introduction to the Alpha Course. He had already taken the Alpha Course and would go all over again for me. He also presented me a leather-bound Bible when we turned up at the Introduction evening. We were set to go to the Small Group in the YWCA on Wednesday evenings. That didn't happen.
2.
Su Li who was at the Introduction Evening intruded. She introduced herself and invited me to join her small group in Dempsey on Friday evenings. Going to Dempsey on Friday evening for the Alpha Course was so much more pleasant and cheaper than going to YWCA on Wednesday night, so I agreed but my friend couldn't join me.
3.
I had told my wife earlier that the Alpha Course was a guy thing. But now i had to ask Debra if she would like to join me in Dempsey on Friday evenings. She graciously agreed and we both have been enjoying the Alpha course together since.
4.
Apart from appreciating the Gospels and the living word of the Bible, I have also come to realize that the Small Group structure has encouraged greater participation, discussion and understanding of the context in which the scriptures were written. I think this process of reading, discussing and understanding not only draws me closer to Gods's instruction and plan, it also also reveals our individual character and believes. In other words, within the small group, a multi-faceted reaction is taking place simultaneously and is drawing everyone closer to God and each other and we are unconsciously embracing it.
5.
I believe that I have grown closer to God in the past 2 years under the BOL small group helmed by the abled leadership of Su Li and Andrew but also with the warm and open friendship of the other members. Of course, partaking in the food and our communal worship deepen the bond that invariably builds as we walk in this spiritual journey together. I believe the BOL small group has the necessary ingredient to grow the fellowship which is consistent with God's plan.
6.
In my quest to build a closer relationship with God, I have experienced a number of interesting events. The most obvious was my wish to "speak in tongue". Yes I have prayed for this gift and arrangement was made to "teach" me. As it turned out, it was Debra who showed everyone how it should be "spoken" but not me. Also, I seldom prayed to God to ask for his gifts, mercies or help in the earthly and mundane matters. Yet when Debra was in pain following a fall, she prayed for God's healing power and she recovered. Is God teasing me or reminding me that he is all powerful and I should communicate more directly with him more often. If so, He is communicating to me very effectively but I have yet to communicate with Him more often and more effectively
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