Prayer Requests & Updates..

Abby
Her company hasn't been able to get much work recently to sustain the monthly expenses and her boss have been quite stressed. He's been thinking through of the next step of his company's advancement but currently is occupied with the preparation of his exhibition next year. He tried targeting the advertising market but it wasn't his target market after all, so he'll be targeting the PR agencies now. Please pray that the work will come in soon. He is non-christian and sometimes can be quite anti-christianity but please pray for God's mercy upon his life too.

On a personal note, she has been going through some changes in her life. It hasn't been easy for her emotionally to handle things but she's trying her best to look to God always. It might take a while to heal but she's taking life one step at a time. Please pray that God who understands her the most and knows her needs too will provide to her what is necessary at every given point of time. That He will show His love explicitly to her and she will learn to trust Him more and more. That she'll believe that she is loved and treasured by Him and others

Andrew
He has been settling well into university life, his studies are quite ok and the results have been rather pleasant. This time round he doesn't really know anyone close who stays within the same hostel as him or joins the same course, he has been studying alone and all. He is thankful to God for the independence that He is teaching him and hopes that he will continue to excel in his studies. Please pray that God will provide good friends during his university days and that he will always be dependent on God for all things.

He has also been helping to tutor a choir junior of his. She is taking her A's but she has set pretty high expectations for herself and tends to get pretty moody quite easily. She has also been quite burned out in her studies, pray that she'll take time to relax too and to let God speak to her.

Chris
Thanksgiving!! She has been confirmed as a permanent staff of HP. She was tasked to oversee a project when
she just joined HP and her performance was commendable. HP has been sourcing for such a person like her to handle these projects and thus they offered her the business operation planning manager post and she took it up right away. BTW, she says that she would like to give SG a treat after the major exams are over.

Her post needs her to be in charge of the Asia Pacific and Japan countries. There will be more projects coming up for her and she most probably will be sent to Melbourne in Nov for some training and to take the opportunity to meet the bosses of her department. She is pretty happy with how things are working out in her life now, however, the stress level that accompanies the responsibility can be quite high and her sleep has been disturbed quite frequently. For instance, she'll wake up in the middle of the night if she remembers that she forgot to do something at work. She'll write it down and go back to sleep. Please pray that she'll get good rest every night as she really needs it.

Denise
- pray for focus and drive to study hard
- pray for strength
- and that she'll be close to God

Gladwin
- pray for his walk with God, to do BS and to finish his assignments on time
- pray that he'll have a more relational ministry instead of an institutional one
- that he'll hear God more about his personal ministry plans and studies

Huineng
- time
- rest
- more solid friendships in school (I have a lot, a lot of 'hi-bye' friends)
- exams (24 Nov - 1 Dec)
- good financial management. A wedding involves the whole family, how true. On my part I've spent about $400 already.

Jason
He found out that his blood pressure is unusually high. 150/90. He's not sure whether it's due to the stress that he has been experiencing in camp. His parents don't think they have high blood pressure but his uncle has though. He'll be going to see a specialist on Mon to try to find out what's the root cause of this problem.

He has finished his posting in his current camp and have been posted to somewhere else, he is suppose to report there about 2 weeks ago. That camp is not a good place to be in as he'll have to stay in and also the work there is very terrible. However, the superiors in his current unit likes him alot and have been trying to blow up his medical condition so as to excuse him from getting posted elsewhere. He feels blessed that his superiors are willing to do this for him but his friend who was in the same camp as him has already been posted over to the tough camp and he has been calling Jason regularly telling him how terrible the situation is over there. He feels for him alot but he knows that he cannot come out of this manpower struggle now after what his superiors have been doing for him.

Joel
- thank God that he was blessed with a new phone
- thank God for better understanding in the tough subject
- Fluid Mechanics. He has been able to do the tutorials
- thank God for providing helpful friends and the study groups have been very beneficial too - pray for continual guidance in his studies. Discipline and also ability to absorb the concepts better
- pray for better understanding in his Physics subject too

Jolyn
She shares that her first 3 papers are her worst subjects and she's getting nervous and scared about it. Thank God that when she wanted to speak to ppl, that the Lord still provided Glad to even called her from Issan. Also, that the worship she led during GAP went well and other ppl were ministered. She was encouraged when they messaged to tell her that.

Please continue to cover her in prayer for her studies and exams, she is quite fearful. But also importantly that she will be assured by the Lord that His plans for her are beautiful.

Kelly
Referring to her personal and email sharing about stepping down from SG leadership next year, please continue to keep her in prayer with regards to what she wants to do for the Lord. There's alot of things which she has listed and she's waiting upon the Lord to work out the priority of everything.

Pray that she'll continue to live by faith, just child-like and loving Him. You can pray the promises in Colossians & Ephesians over her.

Kexin
Her brother has announced that he is gonna get married. 6 Jan 2008. The family was quite taken aback by that news as they have only been dating for 2-3 months even though they've been friends about 3 years now. However, their reason of getting married so fast is because his girlfriend would be furthering her studies and they need to get a HDB soon before the housing prices skyrockets too badly. She is not a local. Please keep them in prayer for their marriage preparation and wisdom.

Kexin herself has been pretty busy at work, hectic schedule and all. Moreover, she has a colleague who will be going to China and she has been arrowed to take over her responsibilities, which spells more work too. Please pray for wisdom and good time management to cope with the work.

She is trying to look for a suitable medical school to apply for and is planning to take her MCAT next year again. Please pray for discipline and for her to sift through her priorities in life now.

Lance
- pray that everything for marriage will go fine
- pray that he can handle work and the marriage prep
- most importantly that he and Elaine can attend church regularly

Lionel
- thank God for his safe return from Australia

Sarah & Keng
- please pray for all her students whether they are christians or not, especially for the more "problem" students. They are usually late for class, not doing their homework and always disturbing the other students.
- please pray for wisdom from God on how to handle the "problem" students
- most importantly she wants to be an adult in their life that they can trust and work with, hoping that someday they too will get to know Jesus
- pray that God will keep the both of them in good health, the weather has been getting cold, average about 6 degree celsius
- pray for their wedding preps too as they have not been able to do a single thing since the start of school. No planning, no budget consideration like how to much to save per month and have not looked at the various aspects of the wedding
- pray for God's guidance and openings (contacts with ppl) and that they will get down to planning what they need to do in Singapore when they get back in Dec. She wishes to open this up to us and ask formally for help because it's just too hard for them to handle from overseas.

Shashi
Married life is good, school life is stressful. He has been doing alot of work for his boss because his boss is like preparing to leave his job (his boss has been saying that he'll leave for 5 years now). He shares that he's currently focusing on having financial freedom when he retires, trying to work out his investment plans and so on.

Also by 2008, he'll have a new posting in school called Sports Sec. By taking this up he'll be forgoing his floorball club, form class & maths classes. It's gonna be boring as he'll have to handle alot of admin and paperwork but he feels that its important for him to learn to do this job too so that he can gain a better perspective of how the system runs. So he'll be giving it a try.

Please pray that his entire form class will be able to graduate out of the school end of this year. He had promised that he'll personally "kick" them out of the school, he has been with them ever since the start when they came in.

Lastly, he has unwittingly mentioned to the leader in YM that he'll be going back to serve in YM after June 2008. They tried to merge his YSG with another YSG because of the numbers issue and he doesn't want them to do so. Thus he has agreed to go back. Pray that he'll be able to work out his new post well and he'll be ready to go back to YM by then.

Viona
- thank God that she found a good devotion for daily QT
- pray that she'll continue to grow in obedience to God

She updates that she has been settling well in her new place after the move but she might still need to let go of her treasured school books and notes. Her parents are bugging her to do that. However, she also shares that her grandpa is getting weaker and weaker by and by, they can see that his muscles have been weakening/losing control of them and that his mind has not been as active as last time. Her sister has a burden to reach out to their grandparents. Please pray that they will know how to talk to them and even continue to shower God's love on them.

Please pray for his medical condition that it would not be too major and for a peacable resolution from this manpower dispute.

Wanlin
- pray that she'll be super motivated, disciplined and focused able to cover more ground than now
- pray for her 2 friends, gloria & huiru, they'll be able to overcome all obstacles to study
- pray that all 3 of them will be reassured by God that everything is in His hands and He loves them

Winnie
- pray for wisdom & creativity as Daniel and her prepare for their wedding program and renovate their room
- pray for God's guidance & empowerment in ministry.
- it's been a very exciting and growing experience to see students being excited about reaching their friends. Pray that they'll all walk closely to God as they serve together.

Yvonne
She has not been performing well in her sales target for the past 2 months and she was feeling lost. She tried applying for positions in the bank but was not accepted. The tough thing about being in her line of work is that it's not a 9-5 job and it's very easy to lose focus and to slack. God helped her realized that regardless of which line she's in, it boils down to her attitude towards her work. She needs to be consistent in her commitment to her work, not to work so hard for a few months and burn herself out, thus causing her to slack for the next one month. She knows that she cannot take up an admin job for it's too mundane to her.

She's thankful to God for showing her the way and she knows that she'll do well under His guidance

Jolyn, Denise & Wanlin's Exam Schedule

Hey Akuouians!!

Jolyn, Denise & Wanlin are in an important phase of their life now.. Its the big Os & As.. Please keep them in prayer, wouldn't you? =)

16 Oct - Jolyn (Bio practical)
22 Oct - Jolyn (Add. Maths Paper 1)
23 Oct - Jolyn (Add. Maths Paper 2)
24 Oct - Jolyn (Chemistry Paper 2)
25 Oct - Jolyn (Geography Elective)
29 Oct - Jolyn (English Paper 1 & 2, Maths Paper 1)
30 Oct - Jolyn (Maths Paper 2)
31 Oct - Jolyn (Higher Chinese Paper 1 & 2)
Denise & Wanlin (GP 1 & GP 2)
2 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Maths Paper 1)
5 Nov - Jolyn (Social Studies & Biology Paper 2)
Denise (Chemistry Paper 3)
6 Nov - Jolyn (Pure Literature Paper 1 & 2)
Denise & Wanlin (Biology Paper 2 & Maths Paper 2)
12 Nov - Jolyn (Chemistry Paper 1)
Wanlin (Literature Paper 1)
13 Nov - Jolyn (Biology Paper 1)
Denise (Chemistry Paper 2)
Wanlin (Econs Paper 2)
14 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Econs Paper 1)
16 Nov - Denise (Chemistry Paper 1)
19 Nov - Denise (Biology Paper 3)
22 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Biology Paper 1)
26 Nov - Wanlin (Literature Paper 2)

What the Modern Woman Wants By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

The author is a 15-yr old RGS girl who won the Commonwealth essay prize
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The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seatbelt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'

Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance' 'Liquidation' 'Assets' 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it. Her BeeChoo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent.

The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Herdaughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.

'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as sheclicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat.The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter.

'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America. There have been a lot of problems.'The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.

Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear viewwindow, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look.

The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence.'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.

'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.'

Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly itwas referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.

'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks! 'The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her handsgripping her plastic bag in defence.The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of theageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.

Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.

'Ma, I'll wait outside. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.

The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.

Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, youhave given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook.

Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now thetop financial firm and even men listen to what she says. She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots whilereaping the harvest of success.

What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.

The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smouldering ashes.

She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter forthirty-two years. When her stomach was round like amelon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son.

Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had kicked and punched her for producing a useless babywho could not work or carry the family name.

Still, the woman returned to the temple with hernew-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted. Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man.

She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated,could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman whocommanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fallout and men would listen.

She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood. She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl, to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu;old-fashioned. She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.

Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood, faceless, with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestorsby only a string of origami banknotes.

Her daughter had forgotten her mother's values. Her wants were so ephemeral; that of a modern woman. Power, Wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques,and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman, but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.

The old woman wished she could go back and erase allher big hopes and prayers for her daughter; now she had only one want: That her daughter be happy. She looked out of the temple gate. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there -down.

The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag andspread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she was enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.

Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty soulless shell at the altar.

The old lady watched her joss tick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing. Modern woman nowadays, the old lady sighed inresignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.

Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face. An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.

They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.

'Ma,' Bee Choo finally said. 'I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer acosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves...

'The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. 'We'd get someone to come into do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you.You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space.We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home.There's one near Hougang - it's a Christian home, a very nice one.

'The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. 'I've been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there.'

'You'd be happier there, really.' Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself. This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag,and her fingers trace the white seat.

'Ma?' her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. 'Is everything okay?' What had to be done, had to be done. 'Yes,' she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.

'It's for you, Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to packyour things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.

'I knew everything would be fine.'

Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance inher pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; Money, Status, Career, Love,Power and now, Freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down...

Yes, she was free. Her phone buzzed urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. 'Stocks 10% increase!'

Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up forher... And while searching for the meaning of life in theluminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible, and she did not see the tears.