Batam Church Retreat

Last week, we embarked on a 4 day 3 night retreat at Holiday Inn Batam. All in all, it was a fruitful trip as I, and I believe all who attended, benefited greatly from the sermons, workshops, prayer and heart-to-heart sharing sessions. Looking forward to the next one already!

Our attempts at turning an otherwise boring bus journey into an interesting adventure.

Freaky looking Mickey Mouse. Mr. Walt Disney must be turning about in his grave.

The scenic pool-side view of Holiday Inn Batam.

Check out our crib. Its a rather luxurious suite.

An extremely contented Zhiyun as she explores around and inspects every corner of our room to see if there are goodies hidden around.

Meet Phoebe. She's so adorable I can't begin to describe her. That's her equally adorable brother sleeping in the background.

Catching a boat to see Joe do parasailing.

Secret agent 007.

Phoebe and her many dazzling smiles.

We love Phoebe. Can't quite make out her last expression though. Seems to me like a cross between smiling and cringing, might be because we were squeezing her too hard.

On our way to a small fishing village for mission work. We helped out in the Children ministry and had to learn some origami so we spent the night before learning how to fold paper sampan, cranes and a puppet-like object which is supposed to resemble a wolf's mouth so that the kids can stick their fingers in to open and close the 'mouth'. Anyway, when we reached the classroom at the fishing village we realised that some of the origami on display outside the classroom were even nicer and more elaborate-looking than the ones we had intended to teach them.

We all had to get off the bus when it came to this precariously narrow strip of land just in case the soil decides to crumble beneath our weight.

Upon arrival. Its quite a lovely place actually. Picturesque and serene.

The medical team setting up their stations and arranging their supplies. Li wei playing 'da chang jin' as he takes Tim's pulse.

The children ministry.

Later, we went for a tour around the village which reminded me once again how fortunate we all are to be living in a place like Singapore.

A parting shot. Goodbye Batam!