How Great is Thy Love!

I was in the midst of my 18-days Youth Expedition Project in a hill-tribe village known as San Jaroen village in Northern Thailand. It was free time as I wandered along the edges of the village alone.

Guilt-ridden, I desperately needed to spend time with Daddy. Though I was miles away from my spiritual family at that point in time, I was reminded of what Meijin once brought up - nature would help us get closer to Him. Should I try?

I trudged to the peak of the hill, the highest point in the vicinity. Maybe, just maybe, I will be closer to the Heavens and Daddy will be able to hear me better. Karen urged me to pray for the Lord to open my eyes during the trip. What was my purpose? Why was I led here? Lord, please open my eyes. Please! And I prayed.


Has an hour or two passed by while I was basking in the sweet presence of the Lord? With the breeze gently stroking my cheeks and the ravishing view laid out right before my eyes, I was reluctant to return. The foot-long grass danced and swayed to the rhythm of the wind. Balls of fluffy clouds were strewn artistically across the bright blue sky. Beams of sunrays streamed down across the Earth to gently kiss the flowers. The Lord is indeed a great architect and I was mesmerized endlessly by His works. But I had to leave.

I got up, dusted my pants and ambled back to the village. I udutamade-ed to an elderly grandmother I met near the entrance. She returned the wai and rattled off in ‘Akha’, but I did not understand. From the earnest expression painted across her face, she was desperate to convey her message. She held my hand and led me to her house. That was when I met her.

Pontip. Her name is Pontip. Pontip laid sprawled on the dusty, cracked soil outside her dilapidated bamboo house. She could not neither walk, nor talk. Does she feel disadvantaged because of her cerebral palsy?

For the past 10 years, she has been spending all her days in the village, in her house. Deprived of a chance to attend school and without Thai citizenship (which is a MAJOR problem in most hill-tribe villages), school fees and healthcare are much more expensive for her. She has no money, no rights and no transport. There was no way Pontip could ever attend school or even basic intervention programs.

I had to do something. I ran hard and I ran fast. I ran till my slippers nearly broke and I almost fell because the mud was so sticky. I narrated my story to my teammates in the church and pleaded them to spare me a toy for Pontip. Sadly, my teammates displayed reluctance to follow me.

It was a challenge to communicate with Pontip. I could speak neither ‘Akha’ nor Thai, yet I yearned to enter her world. Was she feeling like she was at the top of the world? Was she in pain? (Oscar said that people with cerebral palsy are in constant spasms. Boo.) Day after day, I continued to visit and play with her. I even managed to get some of my teammates over. Pontip was always laughing and smiling, though she never did respond to me. Were you happy to see me, Pontip? I knew I was. She delighted me with her presence and the carefree smiles she generously gave away.

I bought milk tablets with the hope of strengthening her bones and decaying teeth. One day, she just might be able to stand. It was a futile attempt thought as she drooled out ¾ of the tablet.

A few days before my departure, she finally wai-ed to me. I was jubilant! She finally acknowledged my presence! It was a wai seemingly crooked yet sincere and perfect in my eyes. It was a wai that inspired me to chase my dreams and ignited my flame of passion to serve people with special needs. Though I never heard Pontip utter a word, through the wai, she communicated her feelings and thoughts with me.

As she peeked at me shyly from her doorway on the day we left the village, her twinkling eyes met mine. I wept silently. I wept because life was so unfair. God has been so good to me! I am so blessed not to be disadvantaged physically or mentally; so blessed that my life is so sheltered; so blessed to be a Singaporean. I wept because there are so many people who are suffering yet there was so little I can do. I wept because I could no longer play and talk to her, nor hold her on my lap and sing into her ears.

Pontip, wait for me. One day, I will be back!

Ten months later, after praying and praying, the Lord revealed to me why He led me to that expedition. Pontip had such a great impact on me because Daddy chose her to be an important motivating factor (of course, Daddy is the most important!) behind my burning desire to take up Speech Pathology.

The Lord reassured me that this is His chosen path for me and He was keen that I embark on this journey. I realized that when I asked Daddy to open my eyes during the trip, there was a reason why I met Pontip the moment I returned to the village. It was not a case of pure coincidence. Thank you, Father. How amazing are your works!

I never dared to ask Daddy for the many things I secretly desired. I felt that the selfish desires of Man should not be showcased and brought to the foot of the cross. I felt that Daddy had millions of people to listen to and He had issues more important to deal with.

My life was smooth-sailing and I was not bereft of my basic necessities. Outside my sheltered homeland, there are so many people who are deprived of food, clothes and shelter, which is immensely urgent compared to my heart’s desires. Why should I ask for more?

However, the Lord wanted me to ask Him. The Lord is omnipotent and omnipresent! I do not have to book an appointment to seek Daddy or be placed on a waiting list just because my wants are deemed less important. He can see to the needs and wants of each and every one of His children! He told me He will give me whatever I sought. "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds." (Matthew 7:8) And so, I began to ask.

Shortly after encounter weekend, the Lord entered my dreams. The Lord saturated me with questions on whether I wanted blessings. The Lord asked and asked and asked and asked until I finally said yes, I want. Yes, I want! To further assure me of His presence and His blessings, He woke me up to do something for Him. The very next day, I was accepted into University College London (University of London) which only accepts up to five foreign students for that particular course per year. Praise the Lord! He has blessed me!

Due to financial limitations, I would be unable to pursue this course unless I get a scholarship. I wondered how I was to execute the plans Daddy entrusted me with. I committed everything into the Lord’s hands and believed that the Lord will provide. He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider! Subsequently, Daddy promised me the scholarship. He assured me that He will give it to me but I have to work hard for it.

The night before the interview, I went to sleep filled with uncertainty and worries. Daddy, are you sure this is the path you want me to take? Daddy, what if I fail to impress? Daddy, what if I can’t answer their questions? The Lord entered my dreams that night again. He gave me a prelude to the future and He said that He will bless me. With a fresh streak of confidence, I strode into the interview room.

I was subsequently awarded the Ministry of Health - Health Science Scholarship! Praise the Lord!

As I reflect and look back, I realized that every single detail has been intricately planned for by our Daddy. "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

It has been a tough fight chasing my dreams and the Lord helped me through it all. I missed the UK university applications but God was gracious enough to miraculously extend the deadline for me. My entire university education will be provided for without me having to fork out a single cent. The objections I faced from my parents previously have been lifted.

Each step was filled with a message that Daddy wanted me to receive and learn. Each step was filled with God’s overwhelming glory and sovereignty! Daddy taught me to rely and depend on Him. Daddy wanted me to trust Him totally and to be patient. He did not want me to worry and He wanted me to pray fervently for anything and everything. The steadfast love of our Lord never ceases! God fulfills His promises and He never forgets! The Lord has given me the best of everything and I will do my very best for Him! He loves me so dearly!

That was the end of my expedition but the beginning of my mission for God. Amen!

Written by:
Teo Yafen
Meijin's 12