Confessions of Faith, Baptisms, and Time with Friends

A few weeks ago we were privileged to witness eight confessions of faith and two adult baptisms.

Those making confession of faith (five in front, three behind)

The two who were baptized

Victor's baptism

After the service, confession of faith and baptism certificates were handed out.

This is Andrew, one of the men who made confession of faith.

I have one somewhat random photo that I would like to include, as I don't think it will fit in any future blog posts.  These are the editors and proofreaders of CERC's Christian Literature Ministry, which prints pamphlets, devotionals, etc.

Leh Wah, Melina, me, Christine

This is our last week in Singapore.  Our children are spending as much time as possible with their friends before we leave!  The three oldest kids are at youth camp for most of the week, and the two youngest are spending time with their very close friends Elijah and Jael.  Jessica and Eric also spent a day with some of their friends last week.

Eric, Johann T., Given, Nathaniel, Jessica, Zi Hui

(I figure our kids have the best of both worlds--a waterpark last week and snow next week!)

Noah, Elijah, Jason, Megan, and Jael at the bird park

The Lee family with our kids

Megan volunteered in a show, and a bird took some money out of her hand.

Elijah and Megan

Elijah and Jason

Jael and Jason

Jael and Megan

I will have a couple more blog posts, Lord willing, but I don't know when I will be able to get to them.  We are moving back to the U.S. on Monday.  Please keep our family and CERC in your prayers in the coming weekend.  As you can see from the above pictures, the farewells will not be easy on either side.  But we are confident the Lord will continue to provide for all of us while we are apart.

Vacation Bible School

The annual Vacation Bible School was held last week, from December 4-7.  Children from ages 5-12 can attend, and several of the older youth help out with the classes and activities.

Each day began with devotions and singing.

Preparing to lead devotions

The theme of VBS this year was the parable of the sower, and lessons and crafts were planned around this theme.

The youngest class having their lesson

Time for a game

Older class's lesson

Craft to go with the lesson

 A craft for the younger class

Different foods represented different types of soil.

Jason and Jael leaving class, excited for the next event

There were other activities and games as well.

Baking cookies

The tail-catching game

See if you can flip the plates over to your team's color.

Shoe bowling

Some of the ladies from church took turns serving lunch to the children and helpers each day.

On the last day of VBS there was an outing to Pocket Greens, an urban farm.

Beginning the tour

People in the neighboring housing estates can plant gardens here.

Bananas are wrapped up to prevent monkeys from getting them.

After the tour, each child was allowed to pot their own plant.

Klaire, Eliana, and Emily

Zi Hui, Nichelle, and Jessica

Photo of all who attended the outing

Finally, a few more group photos:

Youngest class with teacher Tze Yan 

(minus Megan, who was sick for most of the week)

Oldest class, with teacher Elisa and assistant Jessica

VBS helpers and teachers

Miscellaneous

Here are a few family and church activities lately...

Our family had a picnic at the beach on Sentosa one evening.

Big storm coming in!  We left the beach right after this picture was taken...

...and this is what it looked like just down the road ten minutes later.

My husband gave three speeches for a Reformation Day Conference in Brisbane, Australia, in early November, and spent the weekend with Rev. David & Ruth Torlach.

Seeing Brisbane with the Torlachs

Some of the ladies from church got together for lunch to celebrate a birthday.

Our kids have finished their piano lessons in Singapore.

Megan with her teacher, Joanna, on her last day

The kids enjoy time with their friends on Sundays.  My husband also loves to be with the little ones!

With Isaiah

Charis, Emily, and Eliana playing a game between services

Emily and Isaiah 

Sunday School starts young in CERC.  Well before they are a year old, babies are brought to class for singing.  They learn very quickly how to point to the songs they want in a big book, and as soon as they can talk they learn how to say "1, 2, 3" for the class to start singing!  By the time they are 2-3 years old they stay for the lesson and craft as well.  They are part of this class until they are ready to start catechism.

The youngest Sunday School class

And the newest baby of CERC was just born yesterday!  Paul & Anthea Liu welcomed little Micah a couple of weeks early.

Visiting the family with Michael & June and their daughter Hannah

We pray for God's richest blessing on the little lambs of CERC, as well as their parents and Sunday School teachers and all who help to train up these children in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6)!