Hello From Guangzhou

大家你好，我是陈建成，终于update我自己的blog

I guess I haven't even learnt Internet slangs here, lol

So what's up everyone!

It feels like ages since I wrote my last post, due to a not-so-smooth-internet-connection-here-in-china reason I was unable (more likely lazy) to write a new post.

BUT since it's almost end of 2015, I tried to write some updates about my current life in Guangzhou, China. My exam is coming near (next week, peeps), and that's exactly when the most random ideas of my life usually come to me.

Coming 2-3 weeks late to GZ due to some personal issues, my mom and I arrived safe and sound on 10th of September 2015. While I once strongly believed that I would not have any problem about Chinese foods, they proved me wrong right on the first 3 days here.

Well, on the fourth day, we finally found out the way how to survive here :')

The next weeks, my dad took turn to visit me and brought me to visit our family at 陆丰 (LuFeng), where his parents originally came from and also to visit some family from my mom's side here at Guangzhou.

My 舅公s, from my dad's mom's side

My 舅舅's family, from mom's mom's side

Happy kid is happy to find good meal in China

Short update concerning my learning process here (as many of you doubt it), I was chosen as a 班长 (class rep) in my class and so far I think I managed quite okay for now. Do you know the feeling like you are finally one of the students who can catch up with the lessons after being so left out during your university life? It's okay, I'm talking to myself.

I did well for my class tests and received a second place in 汉字 writing competition even after all those grammatical errors, I believe it's called God's mercy hahahaha.

So for those who've asked about my development in Chinese language proficiency, I can assure you that I manage to speak considerably wonderful with Chinese children (or better, toddlers) without any problem #terussombong.

Our homeroom teacher loves to give presents if you do well in class tests

K上-1班

Pizza Party, y'all

I know some of y'all have been wondering about the church I attend to in China and how on earth did I manage to join them, doing this and doing that in such a short time.

So, before I actually came to China, I did this little research of "what church I should attend to in China", first of all by asking my seniors, which all of them refer to IFGF Guangzhou. I even asked Ko Eddy about IFGF beforehand and last semester I had a chance to talk with Vania Cristine, a youth leader from IFGF Karawaci.

I believe it's the same as how I build my relationship (be it about my future spouse or particularly my inner-circle friends), I met with the senior pastor of IFGF Guangzhou, Pastor Halim and his wife, ci Mimi to have some conversations and tried to understand what the vision and mission of IFGF GZ itself. Short story, through my long prayer since I was in Malaysia, I believed that God had called me to serve and be planted here.

Pastor Halim's Family

The time was really short until I had my first job to coordinate praise and worship for our retreat with Pastor Daniel Alexander, his wife, Tante Louise Alexander and Pastor Rudy. 

With the guest speakers, pardon my tired face

Pastor Halim and Ci Mimi (+ Ko Feiman) joined us

I love letters

The next week, Susuk Hokky and Ie2 Becca paid me a visit all the way from Batam. They went through such a long journey only to see my condition here (just kidding, they had their own business actually). Thank you for coming :)

Ditraktir makan enak, muahaha

According to my photos' date, two weeks later I met my former Monash engineering friend, Leo Sa (and his girlfriend + their friend) from Beijing.

and also my FIRST MENTEE EVER, Ricky Hadap, also from Beijing, who is now preparing himself to fully assist his dad's company. He came to visit the famous Canton Fair, if any of you is thinking about checking the chances and things like that circling around Chinese industrial world, just register yourself to this event.

Ricky si calon Bos Besar Surabaya, amin!

Leo Sa, calon Bos Underground Besar

The next thing I know, my dad and mom came again to GZ and thus we had some family quality time together to Shenzhen. "Splendid China" in Shenzhen is truly splendid, I'mma bring my future spouse here #justsaying. 

I'm too lazy to post all these many pictures, 算了吧。

Akhirnya bokap gua senyum di foto

Dancersnya cantik2, saudara2...

Speaking of which, my passion for futsal is somewhat there and not there, ha! Through some coincidental matches, our Indonesian friends from Jinan Benbu (Main Campus) gave me a chance to play for them in Jinan Uni's mini soccer tournament. 

Come on, the only time I played soccer after I graduated from senior high school was with ISCF, Nabil's team and Diego Michiels last semester. I don't have any preparation other than that, so this was truly reckless, I thought.

Well, turned out that my friends were so good that we ended up winning the tournament

I then came back to Malaysia for my convocation, meeting my old friends and close friends over there. Even received so many thoughtful gifts and words to accompany my journey in China, I feel so loved. 

Anyone close to me can confirm that I really love sincere and meaningful words, that's why I always keep letters/words sent to me. 

Thank you guys for coming to which they say as "one of one's biggest days" of mine.

#akhirnyalulusjuga

Happy Three Friends

Team Air Jordan, featuring Ko Crist

Ko Eddy Chang is preaching at Fresh Youth

非常感谢你们

Pipinya Charis jadi alasan utama mau diculik ke GZ sama Uncle Indra

I was also privileged to endorse Ozz Vampo's new customized jersey (Black and Green Camo Jersey) here in China, check out my aunt's shots, LOL! #terimakasihieie

Taken at 宝墨园, 广州

My first attempt to be a koko galak yang difoto model

Oh yeah, anyway, IFGF Guangzhou has just celebrated Christmas through a celebration called The Manger. Again, I was privileged to lead the team as the project manager and worship leader (whereas people mistook me for the preacher several times).

I love the team, I love their creativities, I'm inspired by how they give their all, in spite of the lack of sleeps that we had, but more importantly how we cover for each others.

Even Pastor Raymond confirmed our spirit of unity, which I always thank God for.

Kevin Stefano is the man behind this good-looking poster

Our DIY Christmas Tree that fascinated Pastor Raymond

Pastor Raymond from IFGF Surabaya

The Team

IFGF Guangzhou's Christmas Celebration: The Manger

My life here is so exciting, even though it does feel lonely without my close friends, while I believe that there is no better chance to build and enjoy my personal fellowship with Jesus even more, I remembered the past more than I usually did in Malaysia. All of those joyful, sour, bitter, happy, fun, exciting and even heartbreaking experiences.

Sometimes I still wonder why God led me to do some things that I hadn't even found a good reason behind them until now.

I wonder what if that time I made up my mind to believe the facts more than what God had convinced to me, I know it is not something I would be proud of myself doing, but I still think it would've spared me from heartaches and the drama. I would prefer to skip all those mundane and pointless waiting seasons.

And the moment I was about to publish this writing was when Pastor Steven posted something on his Facebook. God really uses this Moncks Corner preacher to bless my life tremendously.

I thought, I wondered, I struggled and many time I'm lost into my deep thoughts, yet thank to God, I don't live my life based on my wondering process, I live based on God's Word. So rest assured, I do not change even with so many question marks I carry until this day. 

Basically, I'm still doing what I have been doing since a long time ago, holding onto the truth, principles and values I've showed to some of you in many different occasions. I keep on keeping on even more devotedly.

Even if I'm going to be hated even more

Even if I'm accused for sharing corrupted values

Even if I'm standing alone

Greatness is always preceded by separation - Steven Furtick

Certainly, I will keep improving, stay humble to admit my mistakes and let people rebuke me, but I'm more determined than ever to finish whatever God has called me to do.

Thanks for staying updated with my news through my IG, Path, Facebook or messaging apps. Appreciate all your care and love.

Until then, guys :)

Thus Far the Lord Has Brought Me

Look How He Lifted Me

2015 and I finally accomplished my study in Malaysia

Why is this such a big deal for me?

Well, because every single year is always a fighting for me and my family in many aspects.

I won't be exaggerating if I say it takes faith to go through these 6 years.

Academically, I failed some subjects, underloaded to 3 subjects per semester in order to 'survive', and still struggled each semester. 

Especially the last semester, I really don't get why, but my sensor got burnt accidentally in week 11 which might cause my final year project to fail, 1 quiz + 2 last assignments in week 12, FYP presentation in week 13, and the finisher was done by final exams for two days straight in the first two days of week 14.

I wouldn't say that God was the One who did my last-and-the-hardest-paper on Tuesday, because if it was so, my paper would lead my examiner to repentance when he read it. But I truly believe, when I fell sick just the day before the first paper, it was God who strengthened me physically and morally to keep on studying and then finally finish em all.

It's funny though, how doubt came knocking on my door like a regular customer when I was waiting for my results to be released. There were many confirmations I received from my devotional time and even on the day of the result announcement, Elevation Worship posted something like this:
"God has already worked out what you're worried about." - Pastor Steven Furtick"

Yes, I felt nervous thinking of my results, but I believed when I've given my best, the next thing I ought to do is let God do the rest. So, I made my waiting time into working time.
I met with many people, served God by doing what I can do: Being the hospitality team for our church's guest speakers, helping my friends who moved out to another place, etc. Truly, I'm still grateful that I did so, I did not waste my time worrying what God has worked out.

"I don't worry, I worship" - Steven Furtick

Glad that I did the latter.

I Went After It

1 Sam 17:34-35 (ESV)

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,
I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

Pastor Steven said: "That's what I hope people will say about me as a preacher, "that boy went after it, that boy preached till he couldn't preach anymore, that boy left it all out there in the pulpit, he went after it""

So here's my version:
I might get too hyped when worshipping God on-stage that I was off pitch many times, but I went after it.
I'm not the best singer people would've met in church, but, I still went after it. I keep on worshipping God no matter where I am.
I often thought too much until my goalkeeping was pretty clumsy sometimes, but I went after it.
I got too emotional when leading prayers that I have these slips of tongue every once in a while, but I went after it.

I want people not to see as a perfectly fine person because I'm not, but I really want that they see me as someone who "goes after it".
I'mma give my best shots each time my friends and I spend time together.
I'mma give my best to bring out the best in people around me.

What I do is not perfect, but I go after it.

I Have Nothing to Prove, Only One to Please

People asked me whether or not I'd finished my work in Malaysia.

I said "yes, absolutely"

Not only I finished my part, I'd prepared my friends to continue our works in FGCC Malaysia and even how to prepare their successors.

Back then, people often said my style of leading people is too harsh, some questioned my values, while some doubted my methods and the other assumed things- without really knowing what really happened between me and my friends or mentees.

I'm not saying that we don't have to improve and evaluate ourselves, it's mere arrogance, but beside having the right response in this kind of season, I also believe we ought to stay true to what God has called us to do, and I know that I have this holy discontent about young leaders.

I believe everyone is a leader in their own respective area. So that is why I devote myself into mentorship, learning more about it and being hated because of it.

While I had indeed made some wrong decisions previously, I'm also getting better at making right decisions. That is called growing and maturing, I believe.

Although some things I do will cause oppositions, I will not change my stand.

Even if I was given a chance to go back to the past, I would still choose and do the same things over and over again. 

Even if it means to be jeered at for doing it, I still will do the same thing.

Why?

Maybe because I know that my audience is not you, but God.

Through all these experiences, I learnt what they mean by giving up your right to be justified.

Real life situations, my friends heard things from other people about certain issues. I don't know which translation version they used, but I strongly believe if I was invited to their discussion, their stories would be a little bit different even if I did not speak any words. 

I hope you get what I mean.

Too often we try and even put our lives into justifying ourselves, to the extent that we don't have the chance to experience how God justifies us.

And too often we play the victim, and y'know, everybody can play the victim, it's easy.
I refused to have the victim mentality by explaining the real situations to just everybody.
Some people might not even be interested in the facts anyway.
It is less likely that people will clear up the misunderstandings they have caused and rarely people talk about others' strengths instead of weaknesses.

Let me put this in another way, if your gossipers won't bother clean up their mess, why should you, clean up their mess by trying to explain and prove everything you have done every single time? 

Ain't it tiring, peeps?

Romans 8:37 (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

How can we become 'more than conquerors' if we let other people's voice define our reality?
Shouldn't we let God's Word define our reality?
Do not be a slave of people's opinions.
You have one true Master, it is God, not you yourself and certainly not the gossip.
Whether or not you read your Bible will determine your life.

This is necessary, however, to surround yourself with people who will get you closer to God, even if it means sometimes they need to support your decisions and the other time they rebuke you for your (pre or post) bad decisions, yet they still accept you just as you are.
Be transparent with them.

You can only grow in community, make sure your community is healthy not only for your happiness, but your inner man.

"You cannot grow in isolation. You can only grow in community." - A. R. Bernard

If something you have done is right, I believe God will make it right and clear the misunderstanding in front of people.
Otherwise, He won't (and then sends people to remind or rebuke you).
He might justify it later in this world or maybe in the later world, because everyone would be responsible for everything they have done and said.
However, even if He doesn't, it means the misunderstanding itself is not a big deal.
Simple!

Phil 3:15 (ESV)
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

I believe what Phil 3:15 says and you know what? 

Your actions reflect your beliefs.
That's why I act this way, because it reflects what I believe or especially Whom I have believed.

I have nothing to prove and only One to please

So Long, Malaysia

I thank God for my community, FGCC Malaysia.

I am a product of community, it doesn't take miraculous event to help me be an Indra Tan, it doesn't take a wonderful activity, or complicated strategy. 

God works on me tremendously through my community.

and especially my mentors: Ko Eddy Chang, Kak Tama Pakpahan and Kak Dicky for your impacts in my life, your relentless supports, prayers, and constructive rebukes. 

Your lives influence me to be the person I am right now.

  

  

Thank you Malaysia for this 6-year experience.
It has been a great journey.

I am moving on to the next stage.

Soredewa mata!