For the third year running, TRAC WSCS organised the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) conference, a conference for women (the men don’t get it!) by women. Each conference has been refreshingly different and uplifting, with various speakers sharing testimonies and experiences from the heart, with courage and honesty.
Overcomers in This VUCA World, held on 4 May 2019, drew 640 women from 54 churches in Singapore, and even Batam.
The Rev Wendy Tay’s opening message gave assurance that each of us is not alone. She quoted what Jesus said in John 14:1 (NLT): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” She drove home the point that whatever our problems are, they can be endured with patience and faith because Jesus promised that in a little while, we will see Him, and our sorrow will turn into joy (Jn 16:16–20).
Brenda Leow’s frank sharing was awe-inspiring. It was hard to believe that the lovely lady before us had gone through such a horrendous past and yet has been able to walk out of her trials confidently and full of hope. Unbowed and standing tall before her listeners, she showed the transformative power of giving her life to Christ.
Heartstrings were tugged by June Chuah, who shared her tumultuous journey of her children who had gone astray. Yet she held fast to her hope in the Lord. Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) is a verse that sustained her: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” [where Jesus] “has entered on our behalf”. To keep her hope alive, she also turned to friends, others’ testimonies and professional help. In time, her prayers were answered—her two children were wonderfully restored, are now happily married and lead lives to be proud of.
Fong Loo Fern spoke of her God-moments. Drawing from her ups and downs of helming CYC, one of Singapore’s most established tailoring companies, Mrs Fong shared how she is constantly reminded to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Prov 3:5–6). Looking to Jesus, we will all be overcomers in Him.
The panel session with speakers from Youth With A Mission (YWAM)—Judy Foo, Eleana Ho and Lin Hui Hui—came across like friendly banter among friends. Their gutsy confessions of personal pasts of brokenness and sinfulness left deep impressions in the participants. It was heart-warming to hear how all three have emerged victorious because they believe in God.
The Rev Jenni Ho Huan wrapped up the conference by reminding all the women present that they are blessed and in all life’s trials, God is the one to turn to, for He has spoken that He will not leave us.
The conference was certainly lively with the bubbly Norma Sit as emcee; Lily Chan and Doris Tan leading a fun action song; and the Eagles CG of Bedok Methodist Church doing a creative upbeat Cup Praise. TRAC WSCS also provided blessing bags which included a 31-day devotional booklet, I Lift My Eyes to You, the fruit of a writing workshop for WSCS ladies.
Our warmest thanks go to the organising TRAC WSCS Witness and Evangelism committee made up of women from 16 TRAC churches, spearheaded by Vida Yap (Bedok Methodist Church) and Lim Bee Hwa (Christalite Methodist Chapel).
Cecilia Ng Lim is the President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) at Living Waters Methodist Church. She is also a member of the education subcommittee and of the Post COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP, where COSI is the Community Outreach Services–Immanuel Children’s Village in Cambodia that provides food, clothing, shelter, education and spiritual guidance for about poor, abandoned or orphaned children) Steering Committee of the Methodist Missions Society.
Participants’ feedback was generally positive and included the following comments and take-aways:
- Sharing was authentic.
- Testimonies were powerful, reinforcing God as real.
- Saw God’s grace in the other participants’ sharing.
- The conference was impactful, edifying and enriching.
- The encouragement they received to hang on “a little while”… no matter what.
- God will help. There is hope.
- God hears our prayers.
- God is the anchor in our storms in life and we need to trust in His timing.
Photos courtesy of TRAC WSCS