National Day Hike

August 9 is Singapore's National Day.  Because of the public holiday, this year we had a church outing, a hike at Macritchie Reservoir.

We opened with an exhortation and singing, led by Cornelius Boon.

During the first part of our hike we all stayed together and went to the tomb of Lim Bo Seng, a World War II hero in the fight against the Japanese.

Jonah giving us the history of Lim Bo Seng

From there we split into two groups based on how far we wanted to hike.

The group leaders, Yoon Chuan and Jonah

Elijah and Jason

Jessica and Nichelle 

Beautiful plants along the path

We ended with lunch together.

Gathering for prayer before the meal

Jason and Elias eating lunch together

For those in the U.S. who told me you like pictures of the food!

This is nasi lemak.  This picture includes a fried chicken wing; white rice

cooked in coconut milk and water; otah (fish mixed with chilli paste)

served on a banana leaf; a cucumber slice; a fish cake; a packet

of peanuts and anchovies; and a packet of chilli sauce.

(Thanks to Yoon Chuan for the description!)

Adorable Naomi Liu

BRF Conference (2)

The BRF Conference included two planned day trips and a lot of free time.  The first day trip was to Hillsborough Castle and the surrounding town.  Hillsborough Castle is where the British royalty stays when they visit Northern Ireland.

In the formal dining room, where Eleanor Roosevelt was hosted during World War II

(We were encouraged to sit down at the table.  It was amazing to me how 

open everything was to the public both inside the castle and around the grounds.)

The throne room

The grounds

We also spent some time in the town of Hillsborough.

 

This cemetery had gravestones from at least the 1800s 

(we think one said 1700-something) all the way until today.

Another day we went to the site of the Battle of the Boyne and also to Trim Castle and the town of Trim.

This house was built on the site of the battle and has

a cannonball from the battle right above the doorway. 

Where Prince William of Orange met King James II in battle in 1690

The town of Trim

Trim Castle (built in the 1100s)

Some of the group having fun on the castle steps

Guided tour of the castle

At the top of the castle

In the town

Walking around Trim, with the castle in the distance

During several of the days we had free time, and people all went different directions to do activities around the area.  Our family went one afternoon to Dundrum Castle, which was built in 1180.

The keep

Inside the keep

My mother-in-law and Beth Buchanan at the top of the keep

Eric with two of the Buchanan boys

We also spent a bit of time in the nearby town of Newcastle.

Enjoying ice cream and the beautiful view!

(The Irish Sea was right beyond that hill.)

There were also things to do right on or near the castle grounds.  These included an arboretum and one of the largest hedge mazes in the world.

My parents-in-law in the arboretum

Sequoia trees

At the hedge maze--This is probably less than a

quarter of the whole thing.  There were 3.5 km of trails.

View from a bridge in the maze

Look at the scenery beyond the maze!

We encourage anyone who is able to, to go to the next BRF Conference!  Plans are for it to be held in South Wales from July 21-28, 2018.  Keep your eyes out for more details coming over the next year!

BRF Conference (1)

The 2016 British Reformed Fellowship Conference was held in Castlewellan, Northern Ireland, from July 16-23.  The conference location was absolutely beautiful.

Castlewellan Castle

The view from our room

When this conference was last held here, in 1998, it rained so much 

that some of the attendees didn't even realize there were mountains 

there!  This year we had great weather and beautiful scenery!

Since moving to Singapore we have had the opportunity to meet many of God's people from all over the world, as they have visited our church.  Here at the BRF Conference, we had a gathering of people from all over the world who were able to spend a whole week together!  There were people from Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, the U.S., Canada, Wales, Northern Ireland, England, Ireland, and even Hungary!

Group photo

(Thanks to Ed Bos for this photo and others!)

Those who attended from Singapore

Jessica and a new friend, Lydia, from Northern Ireland

Katie and Amy Dunlop with Lydia and Jessica (also from Northern Ireland)

Eric with some new friends from Northern Ireland, the Buchanan boys

Emily with Cheryl, a friend from Singapore

Megan with Katie Higgs from Australia

Jason with some new friends from Spokane, the Duerrs

Two kids who live in Singapore with one from the U.S., 

one from Canada, and one from Northern Ireland

Fellowship at mealtimes

Australia, the U.S., Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, 

and Canada are represented at this table.

Americans, a Singaporean, and two Hungarians praising God together

The theme of the conference was "'Behold, I Come Quickly':  The Reformed, Biblical Truth of the End."  Professor Engelsma and my husband each gave three speeches on that topic. Rev. Stewart, Rev. McGeown, and Pete Adams each gave one special speech as well.

After the conference ended, many of us went to Ballymena for worship on Sunday.  After church in the evening there was a tea and time for more fellowship.

The Engelsmas and us with John McAuley, a longtime member 

of the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland

Our family with Michael & Shelley Foster's family

(Shelley is a sister of Rev. McGeown.)

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:  for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9).