NS

Wow, NS have been great! mentally and physically challenging. Initially I thought it would be a breeze but it turn out to be really grueling with all the physical punishments and tekaning from the sergeants. Now I finally understand what Yeows was saying about being stressed out over the sergeants rather then the training. All the vulgarities and all really gets you uncomfortable even for the frequent users. 

The 1st day was extremely memorable, concerning how I came to know my buddy. We were clustered in a group while our sergeant was reading out names and separating us into sections and beds but we got to keep track of the bed number ourselves. Then there was this guy that was called and the sergeant asked him what was his bed number. He didn't keep track and as I did, I whispered to him and got caught doing so. The sergeant asked for my name and checked through the list and guess what, I was next in line! He was bed 6 and I'm bed 7! Such was the arrangements of God! He turned out to be a Korean, Christian and was from CJC. A really nice guy. We were supposed to be buddies cause bed 5 was not around, but in the end bed 5 came but both of us still remain close, doing lots of things together throughout our confinement. 

There are lots of other people in our platoon that's great! Had lots of fun being punished and playing together! it was indeed a memorable and meaningful 2 weeks in there. Just continue to pray that it would remain so for the rest of the BMT and be able to pass out in Glory! 

There was this particular night that I had quite a fright and adventure. It was in the middle of the night when I suddenly woke up for no apparent reason. when I opened my eyes wanting to check the time, I saw what I had not expected to see. Somebody or rather something was wearing a set of uniform holding a rifle standing over one of my section mate. You can be sure that I was scared stiff. I quickly closed my eyes and started praying, cleansing our room again, asking that angels to stand guard over each of us and that any spirits be driven out in the name of Jesus! I prayed for quite a while in the darkness not daring to make the slightest movement. I opened my eyes expecting not to see it after praying but unfortunately it was still there. Thank God that He gave me not the spirit of fear but the Spirit of authority, love and sound mind. Because after thinking through, knowing of God's love, I know I was in safe hands and that no Spirit could touch me other then the Holy Spirit. And I was prompted that its not what i think i saw. i took up boldness and started to slide out of bed to change my angle of sight. It turned out to be my section's mate's uniform hanging there with the bed frame as the rifle. What a scare eh? After hearing from many about haunted stories especially that of rocky hill camp. After knowing its not real anymore, I went back to bed looking at it examining how alike it looked compared to a soldier from my bed. Then I smiled my way to sleep knowing The Lord that never sleeps or slumber is watching over me! That night I woke up a 2nd time and went to the toilet with no one else but the Lord. It was a really good chance for me to turn to God and seek him knowing I'm powerless over all the spirits but He being all powerful! 

We got punished quite often for a lack of discipline. Most memorable for me would be to be commanded to do push ups while shouting "I will not talk in a file again" over and over again and writing of lines "I will not bring banana from the cookhouse to my bunk". Seems like I've got more to learn and train to become a real man! 

For Singapore, for my People and definitely For God!