Thanksgiving.  We thank God that our tenant has vacated our future church premises.  Renovation work can now start.  She could have occupied the place till year end.  But she has chosen to help us by moving out early.  We only had to pay her a minimal amount when she could have asked for more.  This tenant has been very kind to us.  Furthermore, after contacting several organizations, Breakthrough Missions was willing to move out the furniture left behind by the previous owner.

Second, God is good to us in enabling us to get good prices for various items including chairs, carpets, etc.  The search had not been easy.  Thank God for a good designer.  Our contractor will be renovating for us at almost cost price.  He is doing it to the Lord.  May the Lord Himself repay his labour of love.

Prayer.  Renovation work has started and we hope to have our first Sunday Worship Service at the new venue in June 2012.  It will probably be after we return from the church camp.  Please pray for the designer, the contractor, the workers and other sub-contractors as they work together, that the relationship will be harmonious.  There are still some details that are not yet finalized.  Please pray also as we plan and pack things into boxes to prepare for moving out.  We will need help to pack and later to unpack things into our new place.

There will be changes in timing.  Presently, Children Sunday School is held before Worship Service.  At the new place, we will probably conduct the Children Sunday School at the same time as the Adult Sunday School.  The advantage is that adults and children need not come so early to church.  Furthermore, the children’s time is better utilized compared to our present arrangement, that when adults have their classes, the children are not beneficially occupied.

The disadvantage is that some adults (3 Children Sunday School teachers) will be unable to attend Adult Sunday School with their present group.  Please pray that the Lord will give us leaders wisdom to make the best arrangement so that these teachers can continue to not only learn God’s Word but also to enjoy the fellowship that comes from small bible study groups.

Financially, this year has been a very trying.  The purchase of the property including legal and maintenance costs amounted to about $700,000.  Our renovation including purchase of furniture and equipment will cost about $85,000.  As a lot of money is involved, the leaders took a lot time to discuss and pray before making the financial commitments.  It has been mentally taxing on the leaders as we had to make decisions that involve so much money.  Also, the church camp is heavily subsidised.  After paying for the church property and church camp, the church bank account is left with about $7000.  It is only enough to sustain us for about a month of church expenses.  Furthermore, we have to repay loans that total $365,000 in the coming years.

Press On.  It is true that a lot of our hard earned money has been used up.  But I believe that every cent used has been God led because we can all testify to the wonderful leading of the Lord from the search and purchase of the property up till today when we can finally start renovation and are looking forward to worshipping in the new premises.  Let’s press on: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58.)