Date: February 27th 2010

Genesis Chronicles 27/02/2010/76 2053 hrs
[PDF version with pictures in the file attached]

To our Friends and Family,

A Happy Chinese New Year to all.

Thank God for a restful Saturday alone with the family. With all guests and visitors gone for the time being, we were able to take the kids to buy some new fish for our fish tank and purchasing doors for the new church. After almost 2 weeks of painting, it was good to take a break.

We had been hosting P’Gade and P’Nat along with baby Matthew for the last month. Thank God for reconciliation with P’Nat’s mother since their relationship soured 1 November 2008 during their wedding. They spent this past week at P’Nat mother’s home.

A week ago Saturday, we took the kids to help paint the new church. Here are Geoff and Christy working on priming the storeroom wall.

We had our 1st prayer meeting in the new church last night. We had a local dinner of sticky rice, chicken and pork. The electricians were finishing the installation of lights and fans so we were actually able to meet that Friday evening. Thank God for providing more than 7/8ths of the total project so far. Nathaniel took the opportunity to remind the young people who came God honoured faith even as our faith honoured God. Sharing from Exodus 35 & 36 about how the children of Israel came with willing hearts to build the tabernacle in the wilderness. They gave willingly and abundantly. Even though we are a small congregation, the challenge from God’s Word is to do what they can, give what they can and trust God to provide. What we hoped would not happen would be the locals just waiting for a “handout” but on the other we cannot expect them to come up with the remaining 500,000 bt because they don’t have it. By God’s Grace, we pray that they’ll do what they can. The b
uilding is to be handed over 11 March and we have promised to pay our contractor what we owe him by that date. This being God’s Work, we know He will provide.

A week ago on Thursday evening, before Nathaniel’s parents returned to Singapore, Nathaniel told the children that we needed to buy toilet bowls and sinks for the church. Holding up 8 fingers to signify $80 from their “ang pows” or red packets, he asked John how much he would like to contribute to the church. John immediately said “all!” Geoffrey also replied “all!” When in came to Christy, she held up 5 fingers. Pat then said that the figure was closer to $200. So we asked again. John and Geoffrey said “all.” Then John asked Christy, “we give all, okay?” Christy said “all!” It was a joy for Pat and myself as we realized our children were also generous.

Mom called up earlier this week to share that they’d shared this incident with a relative and she too committed her “ang pows” to the church building. Praise the Lord!

Lord Willing, our first English camp for children will be held 17-19 March at the new church. If there are any who would like to come help, please let us know. Until the next time…

God’s Richest Blessings,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Church Building Progress and updates: www.lighthousebpchurch.com
Lighthouse Building Project Pictures: http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191
Lighthouse and ERC events: www.erc.gen12.com
Helping Today’s Tentmaker: www.gen12.com
Evangelism Resources: www.greatcontentment.com