Copywriter meets web 2.0

Watching Band of Brothers on DVD is a real treat. The wonderful script carries the viewer through the brutality of WW2 episode by episode. I realised, watching it, what went wrong with me and VC. Something I accepted in the back of my mind but never acknowledged openly.

I was fighting alone for too long. No real support coming from anywhere. Vineyard proving to be not a little lost, in my opinion, about the work in Asia. Also when Vi left, I trudged on. Kept giving. Kept believing that help would arrive. But I knew I was getting near the end of the rope. I hung on as long as I could. Finally, all my strength was sapped. And now, the thought of the two years trying to establish something in Cyberjaya makes me nauseous. Even church, at times. ‘Oh well, there goes another shot-up believer. Don’t worry, he’ll manage.’

I still see the faces of the people I’ve come to know as friends in Cyberjaya. Often, I have flashbacks, and I wish things turned out differently.

Selamat Pagi!

In every journey it is important that we look back and see how far we have traveled and how much further we have to go. My journey with the Vineyard movement has seen me grow in many ways: I have learnt many things about the Lord, His kingdom and ministry; my friends in the Vineyard have helped me through periods of searching and struggle.I feel, however, that the time has come for me to take a different path. I can’t continue this “long-distance relationship” with the movement. I can and want to be a friend, though, and I wish to keep in touch with all of you - you have a special place in my heart.

The group I’ve planted in Cyberjaya will journey on as long as He wants us to. I know His heart for the people in Cyberjaya, and there are many He wants to reach with His love. With His grace and strength, I will keep doing His will for me in that place.

Let’s continue walking with the Father. May He guide us to the places He wants us to go and reveal His heart to us. And may we follow Him with a passion.
Yours,
joellim

(A friend of the Vineyard)

P.S. I withdraw my request to intern at Houston also. Thanks, Stuart and Irvin, for helping me get connected.

My good friend Andrew Ong in lion island come together with some gifted musicians and worship people about twice every year. They come together to jam and let the Spirit lead their worship time. They recently did a gathering and even tried out some of my songs: allaroundyourthrone, rain down (mercy is falling), come sing, and kingandfather. I like their rendition of the Souls Survivor hereiamtoworship.

Drew’s idea for these worship times is to allow worship ministers express themselves in a spontaneous way; with minimal or no arrangement; they’ve a practice session to learn new songs and then they just go for it. The recordings were made with an iPod. You will hear Drew on lead vocals, backing vocals, a cool keyboardist, bassist, passionate lead, hot drumming, and simple sax.
Jer Min’s Mongolian Whistling is an amazing thing to hear!!! Simon and I were absolutely BLOWN AWAY when he demonstrated it to us a year ago in S’pore. When you hear it live, you won’t be faulted to believe it’s some pennywhistle or flute. You can hear him in ‘All Around Your Throne’. Jer Min is this super talented wind instrument player (he’s got like a big bag of flutes, pipes, etc) studying these instruments in Aus.

Listen to it or download the sessions here: http://olichew.multiply.com/music

Last night, pr Nick introduced me to his friend of 30 years - Irvin Rutherford. Irvin is related to Bert Waggoner - the leader of association of vineyard churches, USA. Bert’s son, Reagan Waggoner, (Irvin’s son-in-law) heads up Vineyard Music. After sharing with Irvin about my journey with the Vineyard, he suggested a time of equipping and building relationships in Bert’s church in Sugarland, Texas. IF I do go, it’ll probably be 2008. It’s a wonderful opportunity to go deeper into the things of God, planting, worship, and to be sent out by a Vineyard to KL. It is cool how God orchestrates stuff behind our backs. 

Suan Bua Resort.

More of Suan Bua.

Phil and Pook Hansen.

Tina and Stefan Mickel (and son). 

 From right: Tad Blackburn, Don Sciortino, et al.

 Last, but not least, Andrew and myself.