BROUGHT TOGETHER BY GOD
Ivan and Chin Ai will be married on 10 March 01 in the Church of the Ascension. Read on to find out more about this remarkable couple and how God brought them together as life partners in His service. Their testimony of a relationship built on the strong foundation of God’s love will surely bless those seeking a life-partner as well as those married for many years!
Ivan
I grew up in a non-Christian family of 13 and
came to know God through one of the student activities conducted in my primary
school. I invited Jesus Christ into my life through the religious emphasis week
in St Andrew’s Secondary School (SASS) and my love for my Master grew as I
continued to be involved in Christian activities in SASS and SAJC.
I grew cold in my love for God during my army
days and in the first year of University. However, I started attending a Bible
Study Group with Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) in my second year. That year, I
attended a CCC camp that was the turning point of my life. My love for God
increased and I learned how to live victoriously as a Christian. I am thankful
that God will never leave me or forsake me. He had answered my prayer for a
change in life during the varsity days!
Chin Ai
I grew up in a Christian environment with lots of
love and care from my family. I thought I was considered a Christian just
because Jesus was the God of my parents and siblings. When I was eleven, I
finally learnt of the need to establish my own relationship with God – and I
did just that.
When God became the master of my life,
transformation began to take place. He took away my shy self-centred nature and
helped me focus on the needs of others. He gave me a new desire and passion to
live my life to the fullest for Him.
CALLED BY GOD...
Ivan
In an overseas trip during my second year in the
University, I saw the lost ness of men and women without God. I also read about
the needs of the people in the 10/40 Window and felt a call to serve and
minister to them. I felt that my training as an engineer would be put to good
use.
However, while praying for China one night, I
heard a soft still voice saying, “Full-time”. While I knew it was God’s
calling for me, I nonetheless struggled for two weeks before making my decision.
In 1997, I went through a full-time preparation course and am now serving in the
High School ministry.
Chin Ai
I used to be too timid to share my faith but in
1992, I experienced a wonderful breakthrough in my life during CCC training in
my polytechnic. I learned to share Christ with others! I discovered the amazing
power of God in using a timid person like me to bring His message to the lost.
He also equipped and used me to build up the
lives of new believers and disciple Christians who used to struggle as I did. I
learned the importance of helping other honour God in their lives.
Upon graduation, I answered the call of my Master
to serve in His harvest field. In 1996, I saw the urgency and potential in
developing the lives of young people. I also learned to surrender my personal
concerns of finance, direction and marriage to God’s care and to trust Him for
His provision of all my needs.
BROUGHT TOGETHER BY GOD...
Chin Ai:
My ministry in Student Venture went through a tough time in 1998 and I fasted
and prayed for God’s direction. I was surprised when God sent Ivan to join us.
Ivan knew the difficulties and was still willing to respond. I was touched by
his commitment to the Lord and his love for young people. He was a great
encouragement to our team.
Ivan:
When I first met Chin Ai during my full-time training days, I was struck by her
cheerfulness. I had more contact with her after graduation when I was posted to
Student Venture where she worked and I grew to like her more and more.
Gathering my courage, I expressed my liking for
her in writing. The silence that followed seemed like eternity.
Chin Ai:
When Ivan expressed his liking for me, I was worried that our ministry would be
distracted by our relationship and so I told him that we should wait for the
Lord’s timing. We waited for four months, but God led me to know that this was
the mate whom He has prepared for me.
Because of my pride and expectations, I struggled
to accept Ivan. But God reminded me in 1 Cor 1:26-31 that He sees the heart
attitude of men. I recalled how I was first attracted to Ivan’s humility, his
commitment to God and his love for people – the very qualities God desires in
a man. I learned not to expect him to meet the less important requirements of
mine and so submitted to God’s choice of a life partner for me.
When we first started our relationship, we had
many conflicts due to the differences in our personality and working style.
Nevertheless, we trusted the Lord for His choice in putting us together and
depended on Him to accept each other’s “ugliness” and allowed Him to
change us.
We grew a lot in Christ after we came together, and learned how to compliment each other. Being in a challenging ministry, I am glad to have Ivan who shares the same mission as I do, to serve the Lord, and to go through difficult and disheartening moments together with me.