To move or not to move...

Since coming back from Melbourne, many people have asked us the inevitable : So are you planning to migrate?

A friend shared this article, written by Bishop Hwa Yung - a man I greatly respect. (We even chose his name to name Joseph and Joseph had the privilege to be baptised by Bishop Hwa Yung).

So should Christians emigrate?

I know for a fact that our senior Pastor at DUMC, Dr Daniel Ho is one who greatly opposes this. God has placed us here and we should not run away.

I have no comments about what others do but here's my personal take.

I do not deny that I loved it in Melbourne. Living there for 8 weeks gave me a taste of what it would be like, although not totally for real because we were in vacation mode. The air was cleaner, fresher and the grass greener (literally!).

My nose was clear and the kids were great.

Back home :

- I have stuffy nose everyday.

- Joseph has allergic rhinitis (or more commonly known as sinusitis). He's only 4 years old!!! It breaks my heart to see him wake up in the middle of the night, gasping for air and trying hard to breathe. His eyes itches and he has had a chronic cough for 6 months (which disappeared while we were in Melbourne).

- Joy-Anne has diaper rash + fungal rash on her bum everyday. Her forehead is covered with red spots (like rashes) and she's scratching all the time. Mozzie bites are everywhere.

Edwin and I have agreed that we will not put in a PR application. If and when we are to move, it will be because he is offered a position there, and the university pays for our PR application and our relocation.

I am actually quite hesitant to move for the time being. Joseph has just settled into Juara Cerdik and loves it there. We are quite happy being in DUMC and are happily serving there. As much as we feel needed here, I believe that no one is indispensable and God can raise up people where there is a need.

In any case, Edwin has put in an application for a Research Fellowship position. It is a very prestigious position and will do his career a lot of good. It is also a much sought-after position hence it is very difficult to get and probably successful only by divine intervention. We will know the results in a couple of months.

IFFFFFFFFFF he is successful, the position commences early 2010 and will be for 4 years. My prayer is that the application will be successful only if it's God's will for us to relocate.

So back to the original question.... no, we are not planning to migrate but if God wills, we will relocate.

In the mean time, Lord, if it is your will for us to stay here, will you please heal my kids completely!