Phoebe is four-months old and growing fast! She was only 46cm long and weighed 2.82kg when she was born, but now she has grown about 15cm longer and 3kg heavier. Her growth is like a miracle unfolding before our eyes, and each day she brings us new joy as she smiles and responds to us more and more. She has even mastered the art of saying “Air” (well, almost) to tell us about the wind in her stomach that needs to be burped.

Though we are filled with joy, we have a fair share of difficulties too. Changing diapers, feeding, and bathing Phoebe are easy but managing our time, taking care of her, and being wise parents are not. There were times when we felt lost, especially when Phoebe cried non-stop and refused to let us comfort her.

The worst of these came two months ago when she suddenly began to cry and scream at midnight. We tried every possible way to calm her down, rocking her, cuddling her, feeding her, singing to her, even making louder noise than her, but she simply would not calm down. For almost two months she cried until two in the morning, every day, and we were both mentally and physically exhausted when she finally slept. We have read about babies having colic pain, but we never realised that it would be that dramatic. Our hearts cried out to God, “Lord, help!”

God did help us. He did not make things easier for us. Instead, He used those times to help us understand more about His love.

You see, no matter how difficult the situation may be, we could not help but love Phoebe. We may have sleepless nights, aching arms and tired legs, but we love her just the same. In fact we are proud of her whenever we talk to others about her. Our love for her does not depend on her being easy or good, it depends only on one simple fact: she is our daughter!

We realised that our love for Phoebe reflects, to a certain extent, God’s love for us. God must have had countless heartaches and sleepless nights (if we may use the human analogy) over our disobedient and lack of faith. He must have wept over our foolishness and failures, but He loves us just the same. He loves us not because we are good, but because we are His children, whom He has died for and redeemed. God used our parenting experience to help us see the extent of His love.

Our break came when, in the beginning of June, Phoebe stopped her midnight screaming and crying just as suddenly as she started it. We have enjoyed more quietness since then. She now brings us more joy when she responds to us with her smiles and goo’s and infant talks (complete with distinct syllables). Now we fully appreciate how God feels when we respond to Him.

Parenting is a great adventure both of seeing a life changed and of knowing God. Despite the difficulties, we are enjoying every bit of it! Please pray and ask God to give us wisdom to handle every situation that comes our way, and the love and strength to persevere through them.

“Dear, she has just figured out how to row over!...”

Being a fisherman by profession, Peter has seen storms but this one was unlike what he had ever seen. The boat rocked violently with the rain tapping and the wind blowing. Giant waves picked them up and slammed them down again like a rock. In Matthew’s words, they were ‘battered by the waves’ (Matt 14:24)—in a very bad shape. Peter was all drenched, tired, shivering, and wondering if the next wave he rides will be his last. He knew he was in big trouble.

Then came Jesus, walking on the water.

“Hey Jis! Where have you been? We have been tossed about by the waves for the last five hours, and now then you come?”

No, that was not what Peter said. “L...L...Lord, iffff-if-if it is reeealy You, c...com...command me to-to-to come to You on the water,” he pleaded. The boat was sinking, and Jesus was floating. Peter need not be a genius to figure out where he wanted to be.

Jesus did, and off Peter went walking on water. “Way to go!” The others cheered as Peter, riding above the waves like a victor, walked proudly towards Jesus. “Well done,” he could imagine what Jesus would say. Well, only for a moment. Then Peter goofed up. He looked at the waves and started to sink!

Fortunately for Peter, he did not try to swim. “Lord, save me!” He yelled, and Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him. “Why did you doubt?” Jesus said, sadly, “I was here to save you, why didn’t you keep looking at me?”

Have you ever gone through storms? We have, and still are. The past one year has been like a gigantic storm to us. If it was not the same one that Peter looked at, it must be worse. Like Peter, we have the sinking feeling and are struggling to stay afloat.

You see, our financial support has been very bad. The amount of support coming in each month is much less than what we need, and we have been receiving only half of our regular salary (which is already a meagre amount) for the past few months. To complicate the situation, our house came, our daughter arrived, and expenditure multiplied. At the end of each month when we receive our support statement, we look at how much finances came in (actually, didn’t come in) during the month and wondered how long we could go on. Often we felt lost, “Lord, you said you’d provide. Where is it? Hello? Are you still there?”

Well, God is still there. In fact He is walking beside us, giving us encouragement as we go along (Matthew 14 is one encouragement). But the storm is still there! When Jesus and Peter walked back to the boat the waves were still crushing down. While we are staring hard at Jesus, clinging on to Him, we are still getting wet. One thing we know, though, is that one day the storm will calm, and we want to be there when that day arrives. We want to weather the storm and see the sunshine at the end.

Please pray for us that we will cling on to Jesus and not loose heart. Pray for our financial support too, ask God to provide for our needs.

Perhaps some of you are going through storms too. We want to pray for you and encourage you just as God has encouraged us. Do call us, or write to us, to let us know how we can help.

Ric’s Publication Ministry finally gets a staff team after three years of working alone. With the help of Miss Chan May Ling and Miss Betty Teo, they are moving the Publication Ministry into new frontier. In June they started publishing a monthly bulletin, tidBits, to help staff members produce better newsletters. They have also created the Golden Pen Award to encourage staff members who write well.

In May, Ric started another ministry, I.T. for Christ (The Information Technology Department), to help the Singapore ministry use I.T. more effectively. Together with his staff, Mr Quek Ngee Hong, he hopes to use the technology to help fulfil the Great Commission.

Our CyberHome (Internet Homepage) is now a pavilion in the 1996 Internet World Exposition! SCCC’s official homepage is now on-line too. Please tell others, including non-Christians, about our homepages so that more people can hear the gospel and know Jesus Christ.

Perlin is now at home ministering to Phoebe. Do feel free to call or visit her.

Also available: A Blessing Unto Nations (Feb’96)