Came back from Oceania Convention 2004 last night. As usual, it was an experience of a life time. And I don't just mean sleeping in tents on beds that sink in the middle, even though that WAS part of the experience.

I think saying convention is a life changing experience is not an understatement...it's a fact..truly....cos I think even though I would say this convention didn't have as much of an impact as it did on me last year..it still did have quite a large impact.

So now I'm back in Melbourne in one piece with quite a lot of mozzie bites..grrr....the people on the bus are still on the bus....thank u mummy and daddy once again for paying for my flight..I really really appreciate it!! The flight there and back was pretty much ok cos I mean..all I do it sleep.... but I did something really really silly on the way there...

Ida Ong..u wanna hear about it??

Well..I came out of the plane at the Brisbane airport.....Yvonne was still packing her stuff in the plane..and right at the end of the aerobridge there was this super long queue....didn't know what it was for...so I joined it....then when Yvonne came out she was like why are u in the queue..and I said..I don't know! Turns out the queue was for some flight the Sydney that got cancelled..whoops.... Phil & Ruth picked us up from the airport then we were off the the convention site..reached there at the same time as the last coach from Melbourne.

1st nite..Hmm...so many many many people...the opening ceremony was great....Shekinah is so so so so good.....many people were very very tired though....I mean..24 hours in the coach is no joke..but the excitement in the air was contagious...

2nd day....was just as fun..I think the highlight was our session of praise and worship that night...wow..the spiritual atmosphere was sooo good....Wes is a really good worship leader...he really can flow with the spirit...the kind of feeling u get standing up there singing is not like anything u get back in church....

3rd day..hmm...was getting sleepier already.....more sessions.....trying so so hard to stay awake during the teachings....had 2 sharing sessions..1 with my sheep and 1 with the care group... then it was World Passion...I REALLY want to be a church planter... cos I don't see how anyone out there can do without Jesus....at the same time...I want to serve Him more currently...rise up for Him...yeah..I may whine a lot sometimes about not having enough time and all...but seriously..I don't think I do enough...the nite ended with us sitting in the main hall having cup noodles...oh yeah..I think I failed "Making instant noodles-1011"...

Last day...so sad! the 4 days went so fast...Ps Simon finished up the last bit of his story....he is such an annoited speaker...the best of the lot....the morning P&W session drained me of all my energy..never jumped so much in my life....closing ceremony was fab..Hope Brisbane certainly gives us a lot to live up to when convention comes back to Melbourne again next year..(yay...no need to fly anywhere anymore!)

So my thoughts on convention...

I certainly enjoyed myself more this year..cos at least I wasn't wandering around aimlessly like I was last year...plus I had people to look out for....and there was worship team and all as well..and I guess this year I've already caught the vision of the Hope Movement and I already understand it's basic Christian doctrines and the Vision and Philosophy...hahaha V&P...and I've already personalized it to some extent... If last year was good...this year was definitely better..cos I guess I've also learnt a lot more about God and drawn closer to Him in the past year....

So hmmm....what did I learn and all...

As I said..I want to be a church planter for God...where's my heart...for an African nation with a great medical need for the children....I want to go to Uganda...and that was what I saw that night..and what's been impressed on my heart for a long time already, but if God means to send me elsewhere, I will go...cos people need the Lord....they need Him so so so so much....

And I certainly want to rise up to greater levels for God....what does that mean? Well...hmmm...too personal to write here....but yeah....as the passion has been re-ignited..I think I should take the opportunity to push myself a little harder..yes but still must study....oh yeah..must must my sheep harder too.....but God..u know the desire of my heart....I pray you grant it to me soon...but Lord, may it be Your timing, not my own. And Lord, grant me patience to wait, but at the same time challenge me all the time to grow more and more each day, for the glory of Your kingdom. Cos I want the whole world to see that glory.

Make My Life A Sacrifice
;5:00 PM

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