wow what a week it has been!

the first week of TURT 2006 is ending. Heh. it's been one loooonnnggg week man... but it's been good interacting with the students and getting to know them more. =) i felt a bit of frustration over various things over alpha, but it's all resolved internally now, and i thank God for the opportunities for me to grow, and to see others grow too.


here's my brief intro to the team of 8 students:

hAnSeL - lead vocal

super optimistic cheerful fellow, with a tendency to crack his own brand of erm... interesting jokes. heh heh... he's very sweet, good-natured... pray for him as he has to learn harmony for quite a few songs, and it's something new/difficult for him.

jAe - lead vocal

a pretty babe that hails from the philippines! i love her accent, and her very pop-art earrings - like the other day, she wore a pair of dangling plastic cherries - i kid you not! life size ones! anyway she's also got some hard songs to catch, cos they're not her usual style... but pray that she will press on and not give up!

nOeL - lead vocal and e-guit

he looked like a quiet chap when i first met him, but over the alpha camp and these past few days, i've begun to see his not-so-quiet-and-more-naughty side. tsk tsk... anyway he's very gentlemanly - what impressed me was him mopping the floor after our bbq at the chalet! i mean, i (purposely more loudly that usual) was commenting on how dirty the floor was and how it would be nice if someone would clean it, and he just took the initiative to do that! i was pretty touched by that gesture. heh

pray for him, as he has to both sing AND play, as well as give the message and share his testimony during the concert.

cHarLeNe - 1st keys

she's my 'trackee' - the one that i'm personally coaching. she's gone through a LOT to come on this project - had a whole lot of hard difficult decisions to make. and God came through in a very real way for her, when he postponed one of her papers to July! i thank God that she's here, and i pray that she would grow in her love for Him and in awareness of her own strengths and weaknesses during this project.

nEttE - 2nd keys

really easy-going is how i'd describe lynnette. she generally goes with the flow, is very good natured about it, and is very friendly to people. really appreciate all time she spent looking for the 'perfect' pair of shoes to fit my expectations (for wardrobe), and how she has taken so much leave from her current job in order to join this project! do pray for her, that her job would be waiting for her when this project ends, and that she would bring so much more to the table with what she has learnt about herself through this time. =)

jOeL - eguit/a-guit

the only high 'D' of the band, he hasn't shown that streak yet. =) i'm very thankful for how graciously he has submitted to my leading in band rehearsals, and how he continues to just encourage me by his patience and positive outlook on life. he also tried really hard to get the guitar parts i want, and that really shows me his heart to give his best to God. pray for him, that as he struggles with difficult parts and solos, that he would find strength and joy in the Lord!

JuLieNNe - bass

yeah!!! a GRRLLL bassist! she rocks man. i mean, in the first place, she always looks cool. i love her fashion sense and her funky earrings, and her many funky bags... but more than that, i'm glad to have gotten to know her a bit better over the week. she's actually from my church, and i've kind of known her for quite a while, but then never really talked to her. so... still in the process of getting to know her, but what humbles me is the gentle spirit in which she prays. it's something that somehow really spoke to me, and reminded me again of how we need to come to God at ALL times, with a meek and humble spirit - not just with a grocery list and a time limit.

pray that she would find joy in every aspect of the prep, and that God would also use this time to grow her heart for missions.

mArViN - drums

i think his floppy hair suits him, but i'm gonna cut it off! =b muahaha... well, he's a really tall guy. very unassuming and humble, and quite gung ho in a way (at least that's the impression i get). i'm proud of him for all that he has learnt through the last rehearsal, as he had to struggle with the weird timings of a song. pray that God would encourage his heart and use him mightily in this band, to hold us all together rhythmically!

yup - that's my list for now. PLEASE PRAY... it's exciting! =)