Real Life Miracles, Vol. 3

Page 1

SPECIAL EDITION

REAL LIFE MIRACLES Vol. 3


Miracles stilL


happen today...


Real Life Miracles, Vol. 3 Copyright © 2022 Trinity Christian Centre Limited Published by Trinity Christian Centre Limited All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Trinity Christian Centre Limited. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trade marks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trade mark requires the written permission of International Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Co Reg No.: 197802911H


Stories Mending Our Shattered Marriage

06

I’m Not Okay. God, Have You Left Me?

12

From 4,000 Painkillers to Complete Back Restoration

18

5-day-old Caleb Escapes Death

24

God Cleared My S$100,000 Debt

30

Double Blessings After 11-Year Wait

40

Once Suicidal, Now Living to Save Youths

50

Painful Job Loss During Pandemic Turns into Amazing Gain 58


e ch oth “My comma nd is this: Love ea 2 John 15:1

ra

u.” d yo e v ve lo s I ha


Mending our shattered marriage Can a dead marriage be resurrected? Do people really change? Kevin Foo and Lynn Ong were about to find out. 7


Kevin: Drinking, smoking, clubbing. This is how I had lived since I was a teenager. Even after I married Lynn in 2011, my destructive lifestyle continued. I mixed with the wrong crowd. I would be in clubs until 5am and return home drunk almost every night. Lynn: I was very unhappy with Kevin. He promised to change when I got pregnant but never did. We quarreled daily and would even get into violent fights. Kevin: The constant quarreling only made me drink more. I even turned to other women. Gambling became another addiction. I soon incurred a huge pile of debts.

A Marriage on the rocks Lynn: Besides taking care of our then three-year-old son Lucas on my own, I also had to help pay off Kevin’s debts. At one point, seven banks were coming after me for repayment. Feeling suffocated and hopeless, I asked Kevin to leave and filed for separation. But I felt more unhappy and broken. I felt sad that we had failed to provide Lucas with a complete and happy family. Kevin soon came back begging for my forgiveness. For Lucas’ sake, I gave Kevin another chance.


Breaking point

Lynn: But Kevin soon slid back into his old habits. When I discovered that I was pregnant with our second child, I found out that his extra-marital affairs had not stopped. I wanted an abortion. How could I have another child with such a husband? During this dark time, God shone rays of hope into my life. Besides sending a close childhood friend, Jaslyn, to talk me out of abortion, a customer of mine noticed my unhappiness and brought me to her church.

“God prompted me to change my prayers – I asked God to change me instead.”

Though I had accepted Jesus into my heart as a teenager, I had not been to church for a while. In the service, the pastor shared that God knew us personally and saw our hurts and all the tears that we had shed. Once again, I heard good news of a God who could save me as I fixed my eyes on Him rather than my circumstances. I realized I wanted to come back to God. Upon Jaslyn’s invitation, I started to attend Trinity’s services and joined a Connect Group. Instead of feeling hopeless in my marriage, I started praying for God to change Kevin. In time, God prompted me to change my prayers - I asked God to change me instead. I saturated myself with the Word of God and attended Trinity Academy classes. My Connect Group encouraged me to trust God instead of focusing on my problems. Peace and comfort began to fill my heart. Real Life Miracles

9


Changes noticed, changes made Kevin: When Lynn and I quarreled, our son Lucas would often tearfully plead for us to stop. I felt useless as a husband and father. Unable to help myself out of my addictions and debts, I fell into depression. In my darkest moments, I began to observe Lynn’s changing behavior. In the past, she would flare up the minute I came home late. Now, instead of arguing or being aggressive, she would go into the room to pray. She had this look of peace and even joy. I thought: “What’s happening to my wife?”

To my surprise, a new spirit rose within me. I wanted to please God instead of living selfishly. I prayed to Jesus to free me from all urges to drink, smoke, and gamble. By God’s grace, I didn’t suffer withdrawal symptoms. I am now addiction-free! But I was not convinced about joining a Connect Group with Lynn yet. Why should I force myself to meet people of different personalities and backgrounds, even if they were Christians? Thankfully, Jaslyn and her husband Ben never stopped inviting me. They showed me that Connect Groups would greatly support my new walk with Jesus. A year after stepping foot into Trinity, I was baptized!

One Sunday morning in December 2016, I felt the urge to visit Lynn’s church. I wanted the peace that she had. I asked her to bring me to Trinity Christian Centre. Lynn: I was shocked by Kevin’s request. For years, Kevin had rejected invitations to go to church. Kevin: At church that day, I felt a peace that I had never felt before – I felt God’s love embrace me. Despite my failures and addictions, God still loved me. He knew me in a way that I did not even know myself. And He was calling me to trust Him. The following week, I came back to church and gave my life to Jesus. Lynn was overjoyed with me.

“By God’s grace, I didn’t suffer withdrawal symptoms. I am now addiction-free! ”


“God has really changed both Kevin and me from the inside-out.”

Prayers answered Lynn: Kevin found a new desire to start inviting friends to church. We also attended Trinity’s Spiritual Parenting class to learn how to better connect with our loved ones. Through marriage counseling in Trinity, we resolved a lot of misunderstandings. Jesus was now at the center of our relationship. We learned to forgive and forbear because Christ first loved and forgave us. God has really changed both Kevin and me from the inside-out. Our boys Lucas and Asher are now in DiscoveryLand (Trinity’s Children’s Ministry) where they also see God answering their prayers. Both are so much happier as their dad now spends quality time with them. Even Lucas’ teacher noticed his joy and change in disposition. Lucas proudly told her it was because he was praying for his family!

A new man Kevin: God has totally restored our marriage and family. He uses our story to touch friends in similar situations. Together with our Connect Group, we have seen seven friends receive the same hope in Jesus. Praise God! In the past, I had no direction or purpose. I felt depressed and lonely even when I was surrounded by people. Now I know that God is with me. I can talk to Him every day. I am thriving, knowing the destiny that God has for me. I hope to see more of our friends and family experience the transformation of life with Jesus!

Real Life Miracles

11


I’m Not Okay. God, Have You Left Me? Severe depression caused Amy Goh* to fall to the lowest of lows. Handcuffed, she was taken to Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health (IMH) where God met her and renewed her mind. *Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.


“Yo

lr

es

il uw

13

to r

em y li

fe a gain ; fro m th

e de p t hs of t

he e ar

th Y ou

wil l ag

ain b rin

gm eu p.” Ps

alm 71:20


Kevin: Drinking, smoking, clubbing. This is how I had lived since I was a teenager. Even after I married Lynn in 2011, “Despite being a Christian forI mixed my destructive lifestyle continued. with the wrong crowd and would be in clubs nearly three decades, I couldn’t until 5am and return home drunk almost see in my situation.” everyGod night. Lynn: I was very unhappy withcompany. Kevin. He Amy: :In 2018, I joined a new promised to change when I got pregnant but But after a few months, I could not cope with never did. We quarreled over this daily and the demands of the workload. I also did not would get intoculture. violent Ifights. like theeven company’s wanted to resign but was fearful that my spouse could not Kevin: The only made me manage ourconstant family’squarreling financial commitments drink more. I even to other women. alone. We had just turned purchased a bigger home Gambling another addiction. I soon in 2017 forbecame our growing children and had incurred a huge of debts. outstanding bankpile loans to pay off. I was working very long hours, staying back in the office frequently until late at night. When I was home, I was constantly in tears and hid in my bedroom as my financial worries weighed down on me. The atmosphere in our house was heavy. At the time, I had been attending Trinity with my husband for about three years. We were involved in a Connect Group (CG) and our three children attended church with us. Despite being a Christian for nearly three decades, I couldn’t see God in my situation. Physically and emotionally drained, I chose to stay home even when my husband and CG members encouraged me to attend Trinity’s weekend services.

Drifting Even though I did not know it, I was sinking into deep depression. I felt lethargic and lost interest in taking care of my children. My oldest daughter sensed something was wrong and would find me lying in bed most of the time. My two younger children hid in their rooms and kept to themselves, not wishing to burden me further. Eventually, I resigned from the company after much persuasion from my friends. However, my depression only grew worse as I was left without a job and my financial woes remained. My head hurt terribly whenever I thought about complex matters. I was no longer able to help my children in their studies. I found myself stammering when I spoke. I could not even cook as my hands would tremble. I felt terribly useless. At my friend’s recommendation, I went to see a doctor. The doctor prescribed medication to help me sleep at night and feel less anxious. During this period, friends, church leaders, and pastors also visited me to pray for me. I was too overwhelmed to pray or read the Bible on my own.

hit rock bottom In my heart, I felt that I had drifted so far away from God because I could not hear His voice and had stopped attending church and CG meetings. I was convinced that God did not want to help me out of this situation. One fateful day, I did the unthinkable. I attempted suicide in the wee hours of the morning.


Thankfully, a neighbor spotted me standing dangerously on the parapet along the corridor of my flat. She stopped me in time and calmed me down. The police came and for the first time, I was handcuffed and taken to a hospital. I was in shock and protested against the policemen, doctors, and nurses trying to help me. I felt my world crashing down.

“For the first time, I was handcuffed and taken to a hospital... I felt my world crashing down.”

Warded at imh Eventually, I was taken to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). There, I was given strong doses of medication to treat my panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. Although my mood improved, I began to experience the medication’s side effects. My stomach was bloated and I gained weight, which only made me feel worse. I hoped to recover quickly and take less medication over time, but the journey ahead seemed long. My family, close friends, and church leaders were allowed to visit me while I stayed at IMH.

I was also given the liberty to take walks outside my ward whenever family members visited me. Looking back, God was faithful: I was the most blessed patient in the ward as I always had the most visitors. Still, I felt far away from Him. Fear, anxiety, and worry continued to weigh me down daily, especially at night. After the effects of the sleeping pills would wear off, I would wake up in a cold sweat at 5am on most days, unable to sleep further.

“Still, i felt far away from him. ”

Real Life Miracles

15


A touch from heaven One afternoon in my fourth week at IMH, I decided to pick up my Bible, which had been sitting by my bedside unopened for many months now. I recalled all the words of advice from my church friends: “Look into the Word of God when you can.” I had heard about the power of God’s Word in church many times, but this time, I decided to take it seriously. After all, nothing else was helping me. Usually in the afternoon, we would be directed to our beds to take an afternoon nap. But I hated the afternoon naps as the atmosphere in the ward was terribly heavy and oppressive. This time, instead of taking a nap, I brought my Bible to the dining area and started to read. I opened to the book of Lamentations. I had never read this passage in the Bible before, but the words spoke directly to my heart: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22)

“I felt hope flooding back into my heart once again.”

God’s Word was so healing. It made me feel better, even faster than the medication I was on! I felt the heaviness that loomed over my head and heart lifted. I suddenly remembered who I really am, a precious daughter of the King, redeemed at a costly price. By meditating on God’s promises, wrong thoughts were replaced by the truth. I felt hope flooding back into my heart once again. I decided there and then to put my trust in Him and asked Him to save me from my depression and financial setbacks. God’s light was shining brightly in the dining hall that day.


Freed After my encounter with God that afternoon, the doctors and nurses noticed a visible difference in my countenance and behavior. I was calmer and had clarity of mind. In addition, I was reaching out to newly warded patients who looked fearful and depressed and even prayed for them. I had never done that in the past. I also started to make colorful cards for my doctors, fellow patients, and my children to thank and appreciate them. A miracle happened the very next day. I was called in for a routine consultation with a panel of doctors. They listened to me in awe as I shared my testimony of how God had comforted me with His Word just the day before. They were also pleasantly surprised by the beautiful cards I made for them. The doctors immediately gave me a clean bill of mental health and discharged me from IMH that day.

Journey of healing My life took a 180-degree turn after I returned home. Somehow, the fears, worries, and anxiety that once plagued me were no longer there. That afternoon following my encounter with God at IMH, I was completely set free from depression.

and baking, something I could not do before, and became very proficient in these skills. What was amazing was that God turned around our family’s financial situation. We sold our flat at a great price, and that helped us to cover a substantial portion of our housing loan for our new home. God also provided me with a new job and I settled down very well in my role at my new company. My parents saw the wonderful things that God had done in my life, and they gave their hearts to Jesus. I’m grateful for God’s love and deliverance in my life. I can now “raise a Hallelujah” knowing that the enemy’s lies no longer have a hold on me because the truth has set me free! Even though I hit rock bottom while being warded at IMH, God turned the situation around and gave me a personal revelation of His enduring love. No matter what troubles we face, we do not have to take matters into our own hands. Instead, we can come before our loving Father and entrust them into His hands. We will be pleasantly surprised by what God will do because He cares for us. With Him by our side, there is always hope.

Over the following year, I rested and spent more time with my children. I also came back to church where I could enjoy precious moments with other believers and being in God’s presence. I even picked up cooking Real Life Miracles

17


ill ew “H

ll ca

on M

e, and

...” im r h 15 e : 1 sw an m 9 ill Psal w I


From 4,000 Painkillers to Complete Back Restoration Eugene Phua did not believe God could heal him after 20 years of extreme back pain. Today, he has a brand-new back and heart.

19


Eugene: I suffered from a degenerative back for more than 20 years.

I wasn’t even able to carry my young daughter.

The only way out was surgery, but I wanted to avoid that as far as possible. I wished and hoped I would magically recover. The pain never went away. To dull the pain, I have taken more than 4,000 tablets of painkillers over the last two decades. The pain in the initial years was unbearable.

I spent considerable time and money looking for alternative treatments, but nothing helped. Throughout this period, however, my wife and sistersin-law prayed for God’s healing upon me.

no choice but to live with it

I knew who Jesus was and attended church with my wife occasionally at Trinity Christian Centre, but I found it very difficult to have faith, especially when prayers for healing were not answered immediately.

In April 2020, the pain returned with a vengeance. Due to long hours of sitting and working from home, I found myself back in a state of unimaginable discomfort. Shooting aches ran up and down my right leg with frequent episodes of numbness. My spine was visibly skewed to the right.

Though I found it hard for me to believe that God would heal me, my wife and our Connect Group (CG) leader, Kok Wai, continued to intercede for me, and even called our CG members to pray for my restoration.

What would be a relaxing journey for a normal person to the supermarket was a torment for me. I couldn’t walk for long and had to sit after walking no farther than 100 meters.

As they prayed, God worked in my heart. Beyond my physical pain, I struggled with many other condemning thoughts. For example, I believed that healing was transactional and in order to receive it, I needed to earn favor with God first. God opened the door for me to begin attending DEW (Divine Exchange and Wholeness) Ministry counseling sessions at Trinity, which demolished wrong belief systems holding me back from a personal relationship with God.


Something shifted within me I began to see that God loved me and had a purpose for my life. When on-site services resumed, I decided to attend church every Sunday with my wife, and not just attend absent-mindedly like I did in the past. I listened attentively and intentionally prepared my heart to meet God every week. I truly experienced a breakthrough in my heart – I could finally believe. Physically, I was still struggling with my back pain and finally decided to opt for surgery. At the same time, I prayed: “God, if there is a better plan for me than surgery, please give me the clearest sign.” A week before my scheduled surgery, the Tan Tock Seng Hospital COVID-19 cluster took place and all elective and non-urgent procedures were deferred indefinitely. I wondered to myself if this was the sign that I asked for.

“God, if there is a better plan for me than surgery, please give me the clearest sign.”

Real Life Miracles

21


In August 2021, the surgery was rescheduled a second time. I had begun to see signs of improvement without any treatment. It was then my wife asked me this million-dollar question: “Do you believe God has healed you?” I was afraid to answer because I was not sure if the back pain would return later. Suddenly, fresh faith welled up inside of me.

Surgery canceled I picked up the phone, called my doctor, and canceled the surgery. Canceling the surgery meant a complete nullification of almost four months’ worth of polyclinic visits, specialist referrals, MRI tests, X-rays, blood tests, and other pre-admission assessments. But it was worth it. Ever since I took that leap of faith, it has been breakthrough after breakthrough. My scoliosis is gone. My back is now as straight as any normal adult’s. Even though I still work from home with prolonged hours sitting at my desk, I experience zero pain without painkillers. I can even contort my back in every way imaginable and not feel an ounce of the pain that used to be triggered in the past.

“I picked up the phone, called my doctor, and canceled the surgery.”

The best part is that I get to carry my daughter in my arms again.


“The best part is THAT I get to carry my daughter in my arms again.” My colleagues who see me now say that they can tell something is visibly different about me. I’m standing taller, straighter, and taking longer walks without needing to stop for breaks. They’ve asked me, “Which TCM do you go to? Who’s your chiropractor?” For the first time, I am courageous enough to tell them, “None of that worked for me. It was God who healed me.” Today, I can no longer deny that God is real. After twenty years of back pain, I am completely healed by God’s grace. Beyond a brand-new back, the bigger miracle is that He has also given a brandnew heart. He has changed my heart of stone – cold and skeptical – to a heart of flesh that is receptive to Him. I believe Jesus can heal all who call upon Him and is our prayer answering God!

Scan to watch Eugene’s real-life miracle!

Real Life Miracles

23


0:1 0 n1

Joh l.” fu l

“I h ave c om

an ife, e that they may have l

d

t to ei hav

th

e


5-day-old Caleb Escapes Death The joy of having a baby come into their lives was short-lived when Jeremy and Sunshine Ang’s newborn son had to fight for his life in an emergency surgery. Will they witness a miracle?

25


Jeremy: Our first child, Calyn, was born healthy. This was not the case with our second child, Caleb. He was born in 2015 with severe complications. He frequently threw up milk when fed. At first, blood tests showed nothing. But when Caleb started vomiting streaks of blood, he was immediately rushed for X-rays and a battery of tests to find out what was going on. Sunshine: Everything was a blur. We felt helpless as we prayed and waited outside the A&E department for the news. The diagnosis was not good. Caleb’s small intestine was badly twisted and deprived of blood. He would require emergency surgery immediately. We were crushed. Why was this happening? Our hearts broke at the thought of our baby boy going through a highly invasive surgery at only five-days-old. Immediately, we got our family, Connect Group, and pastors to pray for Caleb as we waited anxiously for the surgery to be completed.

Jeremy: The post-operation news was gloomy. While the doctor managed to untangle Caleb’s small intestine, 80 per cent of it had been deprived of blood flow for too long. Showing us a picture of Caleb’s dark red intestine, the doctor shared that this was one of the most severe cases of intestinal rotation she had seen. It was twisted four times at two crucial spots. Untwisting them would place Caleb at a high risk of infection and systemic shock, which could lead to death.


“Untreated, our son would pass on in the next two to three days.”

THREE choices Sunshine: If 60 per cent or more of Caleb’s intestine was good, the doctors could simply remove the unhealthy portions and stitch up the rest. But even this surgery had many complications. As Caleb’s intestines grow, scarring might cause constriction. If less than 60 per cent of Caleb’s intestine was good, however, Caleb would have to be tube-fed with liquid nutrients for the rest of his life to supplement what his extremely shortened small intestine could not absorb. Apart from the constant risk of infection, Caleb would have to live in a hospital until his teenage years, or longer. If Caleb’s intestine was completely unsalvageable, the final option was to let Caleb go. Untreated, our son would pass on in the next two to three days.

Jeremy: We were in shock. A million thoughts ran through our heads. None of the three options were good. How could we choose? One night while I was praying at home, God gave me a revelation – He reminded me that He is for life and not for death. No one, not even us parents, have the right to take away Caleb’s life. No matter what lies ahead, we must choose life. Where there is life, there is hope. With that, everything became clear. Sunshine and I told Caleb’s doctor that she must do her best to keep Caleb alive. Sunshine: We also chose to apply for Caleb’s birth certificate, which was a tremendous declaration of faith for us. We chose to keep our eyes fixed on God and believe that He would sustain our child.

Real Life Miracles

27


THE MOMENT OF TRUTH Jeremy: Less than a week after he was born, Caleb was wheeled into the operating theater for a second time. Family members, pastors, and Connect Group members gathered in the waiting room to support us and pray. Half an hour later, the surgeon walked out of the operating theater, red-eyed. To this day, we remember exactly what the doctor told us: “Congratulations! The miracle you prayed for has come true. I have never seen such a case in my years of practice.” Sunshine: The doctor showed us pictures of Caleb’s small intestine. It was bright red. God did what no doctor could do; He gave Caleb a clean bill of health without a single cut of the scalpel. How we rejoiced that day! Caleb’s intestine was miraculously 100 per cent healthy. But it was soon revealed that our son was not in-the-clear just yet.

Not over yet

Jeremy: One day, while recovering in the high dependency ward, Caleb’s heart rate monitor went off without explanation. Caleb was later diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) supraventricular tachycardia syndrome. He had an extra nerve in his heart that could “short-circuit,” causing the heart to pump at a dangerously high rate. Had this been left undetected, Caleb would have passed away quietly.

“the defect in his heart could have gone undetected for years.” God revealed to us that He allowed Caleb to be warded in the hospital for his intestine issue so that this would be discovered. Had he not, the defect in his heart could have gone undetected for years.


Sunshine: Doctors assured us that Caleb could still lead a normal life with WPW. But he would require daily medication and thrice yearly medical check-ups. That would be sufficient to carry Caleb through adulthood until he could undergo surgery to fix the condition.

“Whenever Caleb asks about the scar on his stomach, we tell him the story of how Jesus is His incredible Healer.”

Sunshine: Today, Caleb is an incredibly happy and active child. He’s a foodie who loves Legos, cycling, swimming, and running. He has beaten all the odds! Caleb and his elder sister, Calyn, attend DiscoveryLand (Trinity’s Children’s Ministry) on Saturdays where they learn about Jesus’ great love for them. They are also learning to declare God’s Word into their lives.

Faith moves mountains Jeremy: We tuck Caleb in bed every night and trust God to watch over him. Instead of entertaining fears of Caleb passing away at any moment, we believe God loves Caleb more than we ever could and will send His angels to protect him.

Whenever we go with Caleb for his yearly check-ups, the doctors always exclaim, “Wow!” His intestines are healthy, and his doctors weaned him off all heart medication by the time he was in kindergarten. Whenever Caleb asks about the scar on his stomach, we tell him the story of how Jesus is His incredible Healer. He alone will continue to carry Caleb throughout all the days of his life.

Real Life Miracles

29


God cleared my s$100,000 debt

“S u re and ly You rg Iw ill d oodn es w el l in s and lo the hou ve wil l se o f th follow e LO m RD e all the fore fe ver.” days of my li Psalm 23:6


God spoke to Bernard Kee and led him from being a S$100,000 debtor to being a private dining chef of KeeHive, where he feeds people both physically and spiritually.

31


Bernard: I was a divorcee happily indulging in a bachelor’s lifestyle and paid no attention to God. Yet on the inside, I was very “hungry” and searched for meaning. I began to consult other forms of spirituality for answers. On February 23, 2013, I heard God’s voice for the first time. I had just awoken from a nap when I heard an audible voice saying to me, “Go to church.”

Startled, I looked at the clock. It was 4pm on a Saturday. “Is church open right now? The movies do show people walking into church anytime to confess their sins...” I thought. Finally, I made up my mind to go despite the pouring rain. Grabbing my sling bag, I took an umbrella and two packs of tissue paper on my way out.


Meeting God for the first time I traveled southbound on the Circle Line MRT without knowing where I was going. I suddenly recalled a friend who said, “If you ever feel like going to church, go to Adam Road – there’s a whole row of churches there. It must be the holiest place in Singapore.” Instantly, I headed to Adam Road and found myself standing in front of a church building with red bricks and stained-glass panels. I had never seen this church before. Defiantly, I refused to enter and continued walking down the road. However, God’s voice kept saying, “Go to church.” Finally, I stepped into a nearby church, right before the 5pm service was about to begin. I teared up throughout the sermon and used up both packets of tissue paper. I knew God was welcoming me home to His House.

“I knew god was welcoming me home to his house.”

Finally home Three weeks after hearing God’s voice, I came to Trinity@Paya Lebar on my own. While sitting at the mezzanine floor during service, I saw my colleague’s name flash on the church’s LED screen after she had requested prayer. Surprised, I sent her an SMS and told her I was visiting her church. She was just as surprised as I was. When we met up afterwards, she shared that during the service, she had just prayed for me to come to church.

Real Life Miracles

33


I accepted Christ that day. This same colleague was instrumental in welcoming me to Trinity. She began introducing me to other Trinitarians who were also very warm. A fire was ignited in my heart to draw near to God personally. I got a Bible and started reading from Genesis to Revelation. When I found some chapters hard to understand, Pastor Dominic brought the Bible to life for me through his illustrative sermons. I was being fed spiritually at Trinity and had peace to call this my home church. Little did I know that the first church I had seen at Adam Road that fateful day in February was also part of Trinity Christian Centre! Even though I missed my opportunity then, God still found a way to bring me back home.

New beginnings Starting my life anew, I married a wonderful woman of God, Kathleen. We rejoiced when our first baby, Benyamin, was born.

If I wasn’t a believer, I may have asked for an abortion. Now that I knew Christ, I believed God would heal him.

Even though I unexpectedly lost my job in 2015, God provided a full year’s salary compensation which tided my family through. Life couldn’t get any worse, right?

Pastor Alana Mah, along with our friends in Trinity, prayed with us. They heard God tell us: “You will see the living God in your son.”

But when Kathleen was 20 weeks pregnant with our second child, ultrasounds revealed something was wrong. Our son would be born with bilateral lips and a cleft palate.

“life couldn’t get any worse, right ?”


A beautiful smile When Keon was born in June 2016, we felt discouraged at the severity of his condition. We stopped attending church to care for him. Throughout this time, the church continued to uplift us. Pastor Beatrice Kang was one of the many leaders who came to pray with us when we were down. They were instrumental in speaking God’s encouraging Word over our lives.

“A top cleft and craniofacial surgeon in Singapore was assigned to oversee all the necessary surgeries for our son.”

An amazing thing happened while we were praying for intervention. A top cleft and craniofacial surgeon in Singapore was assigned to oversee all the necessary surgeries for our son. God used him to completely restore Keon, and all expenses were covered by government subsidies as well as my MediSave. After Keon fully recovered (he’s all smiles now), my wife and I returned to attending church and rejoined our Connect Group (CG). We knew that no matter how difficult life was, it’s so important to continue to put God first. He was faithful to provide for us, even allowing my CPF (Central Provident Fund) to cover all our mortgage payments until God provided me with a new corporate job that I enjoyed.

Real Life Miracles

35


More hurdles Our family grew once more at the birth of Keziah, our third child in 2018. While I was delighted, I could not help but worry. I was the sole breadwinner of my family, which includes my mother. I wasn’t the best at budgeting, and with constant overspending, I was in the red and debts accumulated. Remembering the kindness God had shown me before, I knelt and prayed for a way out. That’s when I heard His voice again: “Rent.” Puzzled, I prayed again, and the second word from the Lord was: “Lease.” During this time, our CG members prayed actively for us. There was a rental property we liked very much but it was out of our budget. In faith, we negotiated and in an amazing act of God’s favor, the landlord agreed – and even lowered our lease by $500 a month! Our original home was also rented out $500 above our asking price. We were astounded.

The income coming in from our rental reduced our expenditures, but unknown to my wife, I was still heavily in debt. Every day, I was fearful that creditors would come knocking on my door. One day, a creditor with a lawyer’s letter really came knocking at my door. My wife found out, but it was God’s way of relieving me from carrying my burdens alone. Together, we knelt in our room and started praying fervently for God’s provision. God did the unthinkable: Three months later, a new company bought over my employer’s company, and I received two bonuses which completely freed me from S$100,000 worth of debt. In an instant, I became 100% debt-free!


BrAND NEW CAREER A few months later, “There’s no good way to tell you this, Bernard, but today is your last day,” my boss told me in March 2021. I was in a daze. Why was this happening to me? Before heading home, I went to the cobbler to collect my wife’s shoes. Standing there in line, a wooden plaque sitting on the counter immediately caught my eye: “God will provide.” In my darkest hour, the Lord assured me again that He would take care of my family. Two weeks later, Kathleen was offered a good job that would allow her to work from home to be with our children. As I sought the Lord for direction, God told me, “Use your skills and talents.” I have always loved to cook and enjoy sharing my culinary creations with loved ones. Suddenly, I had a revelation that God wanted me to use this gift He had given me to start my own F&B business. Our rental property was perfect for accommodating private diners, and Kathleen could help me as well.

Real Life Miracles

37


In July 2021, we launched KeeHive, our very own omakase-styled restaurant at home. I would be the chef de cuisine. Launching an F&B business amid the pandemic with all the fluctuating safety measures was crazy. At the height of the pandemic, I could only accommodate two guests at a time. I cried out to God: “Lord, there’s no business!” That’s when He showed me: “Go online. Redo your menu and start providing food deliveries.” At the same time, God sent me His “angels.” Herchelle and Felix, fellow CG members, offered to create a website for my business at no cost. Another Trinitarian friend, Hikaru, also helped me design a brand logo for free. Radio stations and DJs called to interview me. Word spread and orders came pouring in!

Complete restoration I thank God that we have been able to open to diners again. Looking back, when God asked us to move, He was paving the way for a new season of my life where my work could be channeled for greater good. Just recently, one of our customers shared that she had just lost her husband and son to COVID-19. We were able to minister to her and help her experience God’s peace. Another customer brought his brother who was deaf in one ear, and we took the opportunity to bless him with prayer. Perhaps the most special thing for me has been to see all my children come to know of God’s goodness.


When I shared my story with my son from my first marriage, I saw the Lord begin a new work in his life. While I am not a perfect father, I have been able to point him to a perfect Heavenly Father who loves him unconditionally.

He is the greatest chef of all – the only One who feeds us with Living Water and the Bread of Life. His love alone truly satisfies my soul, and that’s what I endeavor to share with every diner at KeeHive!

Kathleen and I, together with my mother and our three children, believe we will continue to experience God’s restoration. God has been so real and personal toward us and provided us brothers and sisters in Christ to walk with us in our journey of faith.

“Jesus’ relentless love pursues us without end, even when i thought i was too far gone.”

Since coming to know God in 2013, I know this for certain: Jesus’ relentless love pursues us without end, even when I thought I was too far gone.

Real Life Miracles

39


may stay for the n “Weeping

ht ig

,b

ic ejo ut r

es com ing

i in the morn

lm Psa ng.”

30:5


Double Blessings After 11-Year Wait John and Vera Tan were childless for 11 years. Little did they know that God had not one, but two surprises waiting.

41


John: I came to Trinity in 2000 and met Vera shortly after. We became good friends while serving in the church band together. Through our music jamming sessions, we fell in love. I knew Vera was God’s gift to me. Our lives together officially began when Pastor Beatrice Kang married us in December 2006. Vera: John and I love kids, and I always dreamed of being a mother. However, we also wanted to have some time and space together before parenting, so in the first three to four years of marriage, we were not deliberate in having children. Little did we expect that when we tried to conceive, it would be so difficult. John: In 2009, Vera and I began trying for our first child. We thought Vera would conceive the next month! Never did we imagine that Vera’s pregnancy tests would consistently show up negative. It didn’t make sense to us, since fertility check-ups showed that our reproductive systems were both healthy. We prayed, “God, You love us and we believe You can give us the desire of our hearts. But why haven’t You given us children?“ Months of waiting soon became years.

“Months of waiting soon became years.”


GOD, is it so difficult for you ? Vera: We had very kind friends who tried to help. They recommended everything from traditional Chinese medicine to overseas specialists that could increase our chances of conception. Some people even suggested adoption. We considered these options, but finally, we chose to forego them all. We felt that if God gave us our own biological children, it should be a living testimony that He performed a miracle – not because of our own efforts. With no one else to lean on, John and I kept queuing up at church for prophetic prayer. We went so often that our pastors already knew what we would ask for! They diligently prayed with us and assured us not to give up.

John: One night, I became very angry at God. Being human, I compared myself to others and could not understand why my friends could have children so easily. One friend even had five children! Social media was also up-and-coming at the time, and it seemed like every photo posted was a celebration of a newborn that Vera and I were deprived of. I cried out to God in resentment, “We are serving in church faithfully week-in and week-out. Others who aren’t even going to church can have multiple children. We haven’t asked for anything else except to conceive. Is it so difficult for You to give us just one child?” Suddenly, God spoke to me: “John, if there are no children given to you, will you still love Me?” I broke down. I told God, “Yes, I will still love You even if children are not in the plan.” When I told Vera what God had spoken, both of us cried together, repented, and prayed. We told God that we believed His plans were better than ours. His will would be the best for us.

Real Life Miracles

43


TWO CANDLES IN OUR HOUSE Vera: Like my husband, I had many moments of feeling down and disappointed. Since young, motherhood was my greatest dream; yet, I felt like God was withholding it from me. We were tempted to stop serving at church altogether. But God’s presence never left me. When I was feeling overwhelmed, I would start listening to worship songs. I cried so many tears as I poured out my heartache to God. The Holy Spirit would comfort me by reminding me of God’s faithfulness to me over the years. Our Trinitarian friends were also very supportive in prayer. Some of them were vulnerable about their difficulties too. One shared she conceived after trying for about 10 years. Another shared with us that she could only ovulate a few times a year. Yet God promised her three children, and she ended up having four, in the exact order that God had shown her! We wanted to believe God could do the same for us, but doubts still arose: “Others have seen their breakthroughs, but we may never see ours.”

“Others have seen their breakthroughs, but we may never see ours.”


John: Though it was a struggle every month whenever Vera did not conceive, the Lord continued to assure us. In 2012, a Taiwanese pastor came to speak at Trinity. After the service, he prayed for Vera and me. He told us that God showed him two candles in our house, and the candles represented two children! Vera and I were very surprised. We had only prayed for one child. At my age, could God really bring us two?

Vera: One day, I looked out our window, and to my great astonishment, I could see many stars – a rarity in Singapore’s skies! God immediately spoke to me, “Just as I promised Abraham a son and many generations to come, I promise the same to you.” Very moved, I responded, “God, I believe even though it looks impossible. At the right time when we are ready for children, You will provide.” Hope arose as I held onto this vision in my heart. In 2015, we moved into our new home. Upon meeting us for the first time, our new neighbor asked John and me if we had kids. When we told her we had none, she said something that I’ll never forget: “You both will surely have kids! Everyone on this floor has children.” We thanked her for her unexpected blessing and wondered if God was hinting to us that His promises were about to be fulfilled!

Real Life Miracles

45


A NEW SEASON John: In January 2016, God told me to ask Vera to stop working in June that year. At the time, she was doing well teaching Early Childhood enrichment programs. There was no reason for her to stop, but God’s voice was clear. Vera was also shocked: “If I stop working, then what will I do?” she asked me. I did not have an answer, but God gave Vera the peace to hand over her classes in six months.

Vera: Several months later, the month of May came around. May is a month I typically dread because of Mother’s Day. Every Mother’s Day, I usually served in church on stage, playing the keyboard and congratulating all mothers in the audience while inwardly, I intensely longed to be in their shoes. But that year, May felt different. A few days before Mother’s Day presentations, we met with our Connect Group. During prayer, a new member who didn’t know my story prayed for me. Afterwards, she said, “God wants you to know that He hears you and He will answer you.” That weekend, I served with joy for the first time in many years.

A few weeks later, I celebrated my 32nd birthday, and to my surprise, my period was late. I was also experiencing nausea and strange cravings, but three pregnancy tests in a row came back negative. We attended Trinity’s Life Conference in June shortly after. During Life Conference, God spoke to me, “Are you ready, Vera? It’s coming.” Since I had just stopped working, I thought God was referring to new business opportunities that were on the way. No thoughts of pregnancy came to mind.

“Are you ready, vera? It’s coming.”


John: After Life Conference, Vera was still ill, so I brought her to our gynecologist just to make sure she was alright. Our gynecologist came back with news that we had waited years for. The ultrasound revealed Vera had conceived in May. She was pregnant!

Vera: I cried uncontrollably when we received the news. Unlike the years before, these were not tears of bitter disappointment. These were tears of gratitude and joy. It was surreal. God reminded me of Trinity’s Christmas presentation in 2013, about how God brought to pass all the promises that Mary treasured in her heart (Luke 2:19). At my gynecologist’s clinic that day, God showed me that He knows what we have been cherishing in our hearts. In our darkest hour, He will answer.

Real Life Miracles

47


A baby girl and second surprise John: We were both so joyful throughout the pregnancy, especially when we found out Vera was pregnant with twins! However, we later received one piece of bad news: one baby had a strong heartbeat, but the other did not survive. We continued to hold onto the gratitude we had for one healthy child whose heartbeat we had just heard for the first time. Five months later, we would find out the gender of our child. The night before the gender-reveal, I stayed up late and prayed: “God, what should we name our first child? Can you tell us directly?” The next morning, Vera woke up and told me she had a dream of holding a baby boy while a little girl was running around at church with a nametag that said “Miesha.” We had never heard this name before. We looked it up and found out that Miesha means “gift of God” in Russian. Later that day, we found out our first child was indeed a girl! We were amazed at God’s confirmation. Miesha Anne Tan was born three months later on January 23, 2017!

Vera: We were elated to be parents of Miesha. As she grew, we brought her to church and she began to sing songs about Jesus on her own. God has used her to speak to us many times, and she even leads our family in prayer! In 2019, I was in awe to find out that I conceived again. It was a fulfillment of my dream in 2017 of holding a baby boy. It was also the fulfillment of a promise that God had given to John in 2018. God had told him that he would have a son who would be “a mountain of joy.” When John checked the Scriptures, he found out that the “mountain of joy” is Mount Zion, God’s dwelling place! John: Our son Zion Seth Tan was born on October 10, 2019. God specifically told us to give him the middle-name Seth. I later found out Seth means “replacement for what you have lost.” It dawned on me: God remembered the baby we had lost during Vera’s first pregnancy with twins. God’s love is amazing, and He blessed us with Zion to remind us of His restorative grace. True to his name, our son is a mountain of joy in our lives.


God’s perfect timing Vera: God showed John and I that we needed to wait for our children because God wanted them to impact this generation. Miesha and Zion were born for such a time as this. To God be the glory! My encouragement to anyone reading our testimony is that when God gives you a promise, hold onto it dearly with all your heart. Even if it seems impossible, trust that God will unfold it in His perfect timing. He loves you and will keep all His promises.

John: By God’s grace alone, Vera and I have beautiful, healthy children without any fertility medication or treatment. It is truly a miracle. While we initially faced all sorts of doubts like, “Is God angry with us? Did we do something wrong? Why are other couples so blessed?” the Holy Spirit freed us from all condemning thoughts by constantly reminding us of His love. Through reading the Bible, our times alone with God, and encouragement from sermons and our faith community, we overcame every lie of the enemy and could even be joyful during our trials. Our loving God is faithful to everyone, and if there’s something you’ve been praying for, trust God. Don’t go by your feelings; instead, draw close to God, and He will show you how much He loves you. He’s not early; He’s never late; He always delivers on time!

Real Life Miracles

49


,” declares the LORD, ve for you ns I ha a l p harm you, plans o e t t no w th ou and I kno sper y a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 o r “For p d ns to pe an “pla e you ho v i g to


once suicidal, now living to save youths Smoking. Substance abuse. Self-harm. A criminal record by the age of 12. Bryant Toh was dead on the inside until his world turned right-side up.

51


A Tragic Childhood A lie began to form in my young mind: I was to blame for my parents’ divorce. Harboring this pain on the inside, I started to believe I was worthless and alone.

Bryant: One of my earliest memories was seeing my father come home drunk and abusing my family members. I was only five. When I turned six, he started abusing me as well. I was caned and beaten until I bled. Bruises marked my entire body. But the emotional scars went far deeper than that. In time, I found out that he was cheating on my mom with another woman. I wondered why other children could have a complete family with a father to run to, hug, have fun with, or share problems with. My family was broken and instead of being a source of comfort and strength, my father represented someone who could not be trusted – someone cold, distant, and heartless. When I was eight, my parents finally divorced. Its impact on me was devastating. With no security or father-figure, it felt that the little hope I had was ripped away from me. The worst part was that I had no one to share this with, not even my mom. Her hands were already full adjusting to life as a single mom to me and my two younger siblings.

As a child, I had seen my dad cut himself, so I followed suit – a desperate attempt to find release. I cut myself again and again, and even grabbed a pair of scissors in class and cut myself in front of all my classmates. My relief teacher was so traumatized that she never came back to my class again. I was left feeling emptier than ever. When I was nine, I decided to withdraw and close my heart to everyone. I figured that if I did not allow anyone in, there would be no chance for them to hurt me. I had no friends. My school sent me for counseling, but nothing seemed to help. I suffered from depression and was plagued with dark thoughts every single day. The pain in my heart intensified, and I even entertained thoughts of suicide. This cast a dark shadow on the days to come.

“I cut myself again and again, and even grabbed a pair of scissors in class and cut myself in front of all my classmates.”


Hating god One day, my mom’s friend brought me to my first church service at Trinity Christian Centre (Trinity@Adam). I went thinking that it would be just a one-time visit. Instead, I returned week after week. I was trying to find people that would accept me.

Every single day was a living hell. I sobbed alone in secret. I was ostracized by my classmates and teachers. My grades were terrible, and I had given up on my studies. My juvenile criminal record grew. I hated life. I hated people. I even hated God.

My mom also started attending Trinity, but I had no intention to know this God that everyone talked about. I was in church on Sundays and prayed the “sinner’s prayer,” but was a Christian by name only. My life was still the same. I still felt hopeless. Over time, self-harm evolved from an occasional activity to an addiction. I even attempted suicide by slitting my wrists. When all these things failed to bring relief, I resorted to smoking, substance abuse, and compulsive gaming. To feed these destructive habits, I stole from my mom and grandmother. Desperate, my mom called the police. They came to our home and took mug shots of me.

When I looked up to the skies, it was not to pray but to curse Him. “God, if You’re good, why am I suffering? If You are real, just strike me down and end my life right now,” I would shout. God didn’t strike me down. Instead, life took a different turn – this time for the better.

“I hated life. i hated people. i even hated god.”

I was just 12 and already declared a juvenile criminal. It was humiliating.

Real Life Miracles

53


The night that changed everything When I was 13, my mom signed me up for an IGNYTE (Trinity’s Youth Ministry) Camp without my consent. She thought it would do me some good. I was furious with her but went only because she insisted on it. What she didn’t know was that I planned to commit suicide right after the camp was over. During the first two days of camp, I went through the workshops and services like a zombie. I completely shut down and allowed nothing to get through to me. I was so adamant to hate the camp. On the third night, however, I finally said to God in my heart, “God, You know that I hate You and still have no idea if You even exist. But right now, I am asking You this: if You are real, show Yourself to me. If You don’t respond, this is it. There’s nothing worth living for.”

“If you are real, show yourself to me.” I went up for the altar call, and the guest speaker, Pastor Ong Sek Leang, came and laid hands on me in prayer. The Holy Spirit instantly touched me, and I fell over. When I awoke, my perspective had changed. God was real, and I knew that I just had a personal encounter with Him. Suddenly, I could hear God’s voice speak clearly to my heart, “Bryant, stop doubting and start believing.”

When God said those words, I felt a supernatural peace I never experienced before. Years of anger, bitterness, and confusion rolled away. For the first time, I could see that God loved me unconditionally. He was close to me. He heard my heart’s cry and wanted me to be His child. Instead of committing suicide after camp, I decided to accept God’s gift of new life through Christ who had died for my sins. I went home with so much joy and wanted to commit the rest of my life to knowing Him more. Truly, the Heavenly Father’s love was setting me free.


A completely new bryant Over the next few years, the pastors and leaders of IGNYTE poured God’s love into my life. They were there for me, encouraging me, and praying for me. When they saw my imperfections, they guided me and gently corrected me in love.

“because of what Jesus did on the cross, I am always accepted, never rejected.”

Through their kindness and patience, I grew to trust my Heavenly Father. I believed He could love me despite my ugly past. His grace is greater than all my failures, and because of what Jesus did on the cross, I am always accepted, never rejected. God has even given me His Spirit to change me from the inside-out. Today, I stand free and loved. I no longer struggle with suicidal thoughts, depression, inadequacy, and self-harm. My past no longer defines me. My identity is found in who God says I am. In Christ, I am righteous, accepted, and loved.

Real Life Miracles

55



Knowing that Christ forgives me has given me the courage to forgive my father. Papa, if you are reading this, know that I forgive and love you. God didn’t make a mistake when He chose you as my father. I pray that you will find God and experience His goodness too. Thank you for being my Papa. I am now a full-time staff at a Christian social service center where I serve youths who are hurting and broken just like I once was. Just as God used my church leaders to show relentless belief in me, I can now show relentless belief in them. As I mentor these youths, I get to share my true story of overcoming every trauma, fear, and addiction through the love of Jesus, our eternal hope. I desire to see their lives transformed, because if God could do it for me, He can do it for them too. God planned my future long before I knew Him. He is always by my side and will continue to walk me through every season of life because He has a destiny for me.

Real Life Miracles

57


Painful Job Loss During Pandemic Turns into Amazing Gain When Prem Felix lost his job of 15 years, he thought his family would have no choice but to pack up and leave Singapore. But God intervened in the most unusual way.


59

“An d rich my G o es o f Hi d will m s gl ory eet al l in C hris your n e t Jes us.” eds ac Phil cord in ippi ans g to th e 4:19


Felix: When COVID-19 hit, many companies underwent restructuring, including mine. In October 2020, my company told me I had two options: return to India for a new posting or quit. My wife and I loved the church community here in Trinity Christian Centre where I was serving on the worship team. As we prayed about my decision, God confirmed to us that He wanted us to stay in Singapore. But for this to happen, I would need to quit and find another job here.

During a church service, there was an announcement about Trinity’s Jobs Connection resource. Through attending the workshop, I learned how to improve my resume for future applications. It was there that I also met Lead Pastor Dominic. He prayed for me and said, “God’s not done with you here in Singapore; victory is near!”

I had many doubts about quitting: Could I secure another job as an Indian expat in Singapore, especially when many companies were experiencing a hiring freeze? Would my resume even be noticed by recruiters since I had only been with the same company for 15 years? With little confidence, would I be able to secure any interviews?

God was reminding me that He would help me. With no open door in sight, I took a leap of faith and resigned.

“I had only six weeks to secure a new job and employment pass.”


A dead end To my surprise, the company allowed me to fulfill my notice period in Singapore. Then the bad news came: I would need to pay a five-figure penalty for serving my notice period here instead of India. Adding to the stress, my Employment Pass was downgraded to a Short-Term Visit Pass. I would have to leave Singapore by January 30, 2021. I had only six weeks to secure a new job and employment pass. With several interviews but no job offers yet, I was very discouraged. The next day, I was met with another unexpected setback: My landlord wanted us to vacate our apartment by the end of December – which was just in a matter of days. I was already without a job with a debt to pay back. Now, my wife, myself, and one-year-old son were about to lose the roof over our heads. “God, if You are going to do a miracle, NOW would be a really good time!” I prayed frantically.

Multiple surprises Four days later, a mentor of mine who is a Christian contacted me unexpectedly and asked to meet me. Without knowing my exact situation, he and his wife blessed me with a sum of money with no strings attached. When I saw the sum, I realized it was the exact amount that I owed to my company, down to the very cent! I couldn’t believe it. Then, the day before we were scheduled to move, a relative passed me keys to a temporary home. The homeowner was out of town and was allowing us to stay for the time being, free of charge! My wife, Herchelle, and I were astounded. At Trinity’s Watchnight Service on December 31, God gave us a word through Pastor Dominic’s message. God said He would not allow us to be put to shame. He would provide and restore what we had lost. We were already seeing Him fulfill those promises to us.

“God said He would not allow us to be put to shame.”

Real Life Miracles

61


However, I still had not received any written job offers and only had four weeks left before we needed to leave Singapore. Any option I had seemed to be closing. Two weeks later, my son, Jeshurun, mysteriously fell ill for the first time. Since his birth, he had never fallen sick. Without a job, my family did not have health insurance coverage at the time. Herchelle and I exclaimed, “What’s happening, God?” Another week passed; Jeshurun still had not recovered.

The last five days in Singapore It was January 25, 2021. With five days left before my Visit Pass would expire, I sought my ex-company for an extension to stay, but they refused. During this time, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had limited approving entry permits for expats from India, so we knew that if we left Singapore now, it would limit our opportunity of coming back to Singapore in the near future. But we didn’t know what else we could do. Herchelle and I decided to go to MOM to appeal our case. While waiting in the queue, a senior official mysteriously walked up to us. He noticed that our son, who came with us, was coughing and recommended we visit a pediatrician right away. He then provided us with a notice to send to my ex-employer, asking them to renew our pass for the sake of Jeshurun’s health.

We took his advice and went to see Jeshurun’s pediatrician that day. When he learned that we were due to travel that week, he immediately told us, “Jeshurun is unfit to travel at this time. I will need him to visit me again in the following weeks for another health check.” We were given an official letter from the doctor, and upon receiving that, my ex-company immediately made the request to MOM for an extension.

One breakthrough after another That same day, I received a call from a company that offered me a full-time position! However, they could only process my Employment Pass in a week’s time. Right after that call, I got a second offer from another company! This time, it was a written offer, which meant that they were ready for me to accept it. Astonishingly, that job came with a 54 per cent pay hike and they were able to process my Employment Pass the very next day. I knew this came from God and immediately accepted the offer. In short: On January 26, my application for an Employment Pass was submitted. On January 27, our Short-Term Visit Passes were extended for another month. On January 28, my Employment Pass was approved – in less than two days.


Never have I heard of an Employment Pass being approved so quickly. That same day, Jeshurun’s fever, flu, and cough all disappeared as well! In the most amazing turn of events, we celebrated being able to stay in Singapore as a family. By God’s grace, we also never experienced any lack. In fact, my ex-company even came back to me with a new settlement figure that restored what had been formerly lost. I started at my new job in February, just a week before the Short-Term Visit Pass expired! Truly, God’s timing is impeccable. But there was still one promise yet to be fulfilled. Herchelle was still without a job. She had stopped working when our son was born. Now was the time for her to restart her career. Unfortunately, MOM had just changed employment laws for Dependent Pass holders.

Could another miracle happen? Herchelle: I was so dejected when this new law was passed in May 2021. Each time I was “promised” a job offer, companies would later come back to say they were unable to provide me with an Employment Pass. It was honestly very depressing. But Felix reminded me about how far God had brought us, and we just needed to keep pressing on for a final miracle. I decided to trust God. Doors finally opened for another interview. Though I wasn’t hopeful, I was miraculously shortlisted on the very same day! The best part? They managed to get me an Employment Pass! When I received the offer, I was surprised to see that there was a pay increment of almost 100 per cent from my previous job. The law may have made it harder for me to get a job, but God used it to help me secure a job with a better salary. Whatever the enemy meant for evil, God will use it for His good (Genesis 50:20). There is no challenge that we cannot overcome with Him.

Real Life Miracles

63


DON’T LIMIT GOD “God also provided us with a new home close to Trinity and our relatives.”

Felix: Today, our whole family still resides in Singapore where both Herchelle and I are working and play an active part of Trinity. Our son, Jeshurun, is healthy and received a place in Raffles House Preschool in Trinity@Paya Lebar. We are so blessed to watch him grow up in God’s house. God also provided us with a new home close to Trinity and our relatives. All of these serve as a reminder of His amazing grace upon our lives here. God is not affected by the pandemic, nor is He affected by any kind of limitation. He is always at work in our daily lives, and He wants to be your amazing provider!

Scan to watch Felix & Herchelle’s real-life miracle!


SALVATION PRAYER We pray that you have been greatly encouraged by what God has done in the lives of these Trinitarians. The same God who performed these miracles for them is ready to do the same for you. He loves you and wants to forgive your sins and give you a new life in Christ. In Revelation 3:20 (NLT), Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Friends, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Would you let Him in, and allow Him to lead you on this journey of miracles? If that is your desire, the first step is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. You can do this by sincerely praying the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I am sorry that I have sinned against You. I now turn away from my sins. Please forgive me of all my sins and be the God and Leader of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you have said this prayer, you are now a child of God! John 1:12 (NLT) says, “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” This is just the beginning. To help you grow in your walk with God, we would love to connect with you and help you experience this new life in Christ. Please contact us at 6468 4444 or email us at connect@trinity.sg. Real Life Miracles

65


I am believing God for… 1.

2.

3.

May we stand in faith with you? Share your prayer requests with us on the Trinity App (Connect > Prayer Request) or visit: www.trinity.sg/prayer.

I am thanking God for… My miracle happened on: Month

Day

Year

My miracle happened on: Month

Day

Year

My miracle happened on: Month

Day

Year

We are always delighted to receive testimonies. Give God the glory and write to testimonies@trinity.sg to celebrate what God has done in your life!


Service timings Trinity@Paya lebar

Trinity@Bukit batok

247 Paya Lebar road

WEST Mall, level 5, cathay cinema

English Services*

English Services

Chinese Services* 华语聚会

Chinese Services 华语聚会

IGNYTE Services

DiscoveryLand

DiscoveryLand

Trinity@Bangkok

Sat 5pm | Sun 8.30 & 11am

Sat 5pm | Sun 8.30 & 11am (Ages 13-20) Sat 5pm | Sun 11am

(Ages 4-12) Sat 5pm | Sun 8.30 & 11am

Sun 9 & 11am

Sun 9 & 11am (Ages 4-12) Sun 9 & 11am

Chamchuri Square, Level 2, unit 207

Nursery

English Service

Indonesian Service

Trinity@Jakarta

(Birth-4yrs) Sat 5pm | Sun 8.30 & 11am

Sun 10am (BKK)

Sun 11am

lippo kuningan, 28th floor, jakarta 12920

Filipino Service

English Service

Sun 11am

Japanese Service

2nd & 3rd Sun of the month, 11am

Thai Service Sun 11am

Sun 10am (WIB)

Trinity@melbourne the waverly international hotel glen waverly, victoria 3150 English Service

Sun 10am (AEST/AEDT) *Livestream available on Youtube Information is correct at time of printing and is subject to change.


“with god all things are possible” Matthew 19:26

www.trinity.sg | 6468 4444 | connect@trinity.sg

Trinity Christian Centre

trinity.sg

Trinitarian.Online


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.