It’s been about a month since I last blogged—life certainly kept me busy. I’ve spent the past few weeks reflecting on the church camp, which left me feeling deeply grateful and joyful in the Lord. It was a fruitful, blessed time, though I hadn’t realised how much it drained me until I found myself resting for a week or two afterwards.
Soon, my attention turned to helping with our Board of Elders Orientation alongside Sarah, a bi-vocational ministry staff member from my home church. The session was contemplative, theological, informative, and highly interactive. I’m confident the experience was beneficial for both newly elected and seasoned elders. We reviewed bible teaching on eldership and how it applied in our context, and essential frameworks under the Charities Act—a good exercise in staying informed and accountable. Being part of the orientation stirred memories of my own years serving on the board. This time, I watched from the sidelines—a grateful observer, released from those responsibilities upon my retirement in 2020. I saw a beautiful camaraderie among the elders, and while I felt a bit like an outsider, I was thankful to witness their bond.
A few days later, I co-led a camino practice walk around MacRitchie. For several years, I’ve helped prepare pilgrims for their journey along the Camino Ignaciano in Spain. Hiking has long been a personal joy, and sharing it with others—while fostering spiritual sensitivity, physical readiness, and communal spirit—makes it even richer. Vincent Lim, the bearded one, led this walk and surprised us with a detour to Bukit Brown cemetery. I had cycled past it with pastor friends before, but this was a true trail walk, mud paths and all. The experience was fun and fascinating, and it provided much material for reflection, evident in the sharing session that followed. What a blessed time.
On a more unexpected note, I ventured into online selling for the first time. I’d previously browsed and purchased stuff from Carousell but never listed items. After some hesitation, I finally decided to sell a few lesser-used camera lenses. To my surprise, there was strong interest in the Fujinon and Viltrox lenses as well as Godox flash units, from both young and older buyers. I stuck to fixed pricing and convenient meet-ups near home. Everything sold within the month! With those funds, I indulged in a new lens (oh, the irony) and enrolled in a photography course.
Funny enough, photography wasn’t my original plan. When my adult children (bless their hearts) asked what I wanted as a retirement gift back in November 2020, I said, “A camera to make YouTube videos.” To this day, I haven’t filmed a single video. However, I’ve taken hundreds of photos during walks in parks and forests, during retreats, and around my neighbourhood. Photography has taught me to slow down, observe, and savour the moment. It’s a mix of challenge and joy, frustration and fulfilment—a gift that truly keeps on giving.
This past weekend, I had the privilege of guest preaching at Pentecostal Community Church, tucked inside the Village Hotel Bugis. I’ve taught there regularly and always enjoy my visits. Their community is warm, responsive, and close-knit. This time felt extra special: four Kenyan tourists dropped in unexpectedly for the Sunday service, boosting the numbers and bringing fresh energy. Pastor Douglas shared that such visits happen occasionally and the church embraces them as part of their ministry—welcoming international guests with open arms. Only God knows what encouragement they received.