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YA Visit to Gracehaven

On the 19th of September, the Young Adults (YAs) ministry spent a morning with the children in the Gracehaven home. The YAs got to know the children through some introductory games, before playing some intense team games. Nathanael Raj, one of the YAs, took the opportunity to share a lesson with them on loving our enemies from Matthew 5:43-48. The session ended with sharing snacks that various YAs specially prepared for them. Some chatted and got to know each other better over the snacks. Others took the opportunity to play table tennis or soccer. 

We asked some of the YAs -- Juslyn and Toby -- who were there to share with us their experience. Juslyn is in her final year in the polytechnic, while Toby is doing his National Service. 

1. What's a memorable experience that you took away from this event? 

Juslyn: The most memorable experience that I took away from this event was how we made all the kids happy just by being there. It really made their day and helped lightened up their lives. You could see from the look on their faces that they truly treasured and enjoyed our company. Even though they were quiet at first, it did not take long before they opened up and began talking to us. It was really heart-warming to see the children giving their all while playing games and having so much fun together. I guessed they needed the time and space to get rid of all their troubles and be with people who truly cared. On the other hand, it made me feel very guilty and sad to see how these kids remained cheerful despite facing so many hardships in life. They were truly strong emotionally to have put up a brave front but deep inside, one could sense the emptiness and that cry for love. This was also a truly humbling experience for me.

Toby: The very fact that the location of our event was changed from Bishan Park to the actual Gracehaven Home was a huge blessing in disguise (thank you haze!!!). Having been involved in the planning of games, i was worried that this sudden constraint of space would inhibit the level of interaction we would have with the kids, but to my surprise this intimate setting of being welcome in their home conversely opened many doors in our understanding of their lives.

2. What are some things that you learnt personally from this experience? 

Juslyn: I realised that we tend to take things for granted. No matter how blessed we already are, we never seem to be contented or satisfied. Learning from this experience, I am reminded that I should count my blessings (1 Thess 5:18) and be contented with the smallest things in life. God has already blessed me with so many things and I should be thankful with each and every single one of them and continue to give praise to Him who provides and who has made all things possible. (Ps 105:1-5). 

Before going too, many of us were apprehensive as we did not know what to expect. We wondered if we we would be well-received, and there were fears that some of the kids would be difficult to handle and would not be opened or receptive to our kindness and friendship. I was really surprised with the eventual outcome. Their openness and spontaneous ways helped calm our initial fears. You could sense their warmth and willingness to share. Indeed, God is in the midst of it all. I am reminded of Isa 41:10 that I should not fear. Putting our trust in Him is what we should pray and do (Ps 56:3). If we truly love the kids, we should not fear. (1 John 4:18). God’s promises took away my fears and anxiety and instead gave me joy in what I did (Ps 94:19).

Toby: Having helped out with the Gracehaven outing hosted by my parent's caregroup two months prior, I was very wary of coming to this event with a similar level of curiosity and walking away with just somewhat tourist-like fond memories and conversations. While I understand that building relationships with the kids can start with these events, I think what really prepared us to approach with sincerity was simply praying for the kids, praying that our love would abound for those foreign and inaccessible to us. One of the boys shared that he too is actively involved in another church and is leading devotionals within the home, which taught me that our presence in their lives is not to simply hijack or save but o encourage them as older brothers and sisters in Christ through suffering and dissent. I saw how we could live out 1 Thessalonians 3:9-12, our study for September, there and then! I have been tremendously encouraged by the work of God in his life, especially in his lack of bashfulness in sharing with us his setbacks in serving others.

3. How do you think the rest of the church community can be praying or helping with this ministry?

Juslyn: I think that these are the things that we can be praying for

  • Pray that God will bless and open their hearts to receive Him.
  • Pray that God will heal them both physically and emotionally.
  • Pray for good health especially in these bad hazy days.
  • Pray for more helping hands and kind souls to reach out to these kids.

Toby: We should definitely thank God for the faithful dedication that Aunty Sandy and her team has shown for this ministry. We can continue to pray that GBC will be able to share our lives with them and build up this wonderful relationship with the members of the Gracehaven Home. We can also pray for the supervisors and volunteers from the home itself, as it is evident that their work has little fame and glory with many sacrifices, praying that their needs too are supported by others. Lastly, we could also pray for those (including ourselves) who are hesitant of committing to such a ministry for fear of being unable to supply unconditional and unwavering love. May we recognise the simple and understated importance of meeting 'face to face' to 'supply what is lacking in [each other's] faith'.