2012 is here! I couldn't believe how time flies. It feels like it wasn't long ago I was standing at the shore of the beach in Bali where I received the first big surprise of the year... Unfortunately, 2011 didn't start as well as I had expected. The school year dragged on with a lot of drama involving the authorities and the church. I didn't really know what to expect. In my blackberry status, I simply wrote that I was barely escaping with a scorching fire behind me. The school was restless throughout the semester, my church underwent a change of structure, and things were not the same anymore. It was through this that I learned to hold on to the Lord. We can't expect to understand everything that's happening right then, but all we know is that God is in control. Trust me, it's hard to go through a major change like that after holding on to it for eight or more years. On the bright side, it brought my family closer, to each other and to other people as well. It was then that I knew I had to have someone to whom I can talk to and share. Sure enough, my friends are always there to cheer me up.
The school semester ended and we graduated. Everything went quite smoothly (thank God...). I had the most wonderful vacation with my fellow friends from the graduating class and our form teacher Ms. Fina. We went to the Komodo Islands in Flores and had an amazing time together. We played games till late at night in my room, joked around with each other, swam together, played water polo, took pictures of Komodo, and probably the most memorable: the boat ride together where we shared stories and slept under the stars together on the deck. It was just so amazing.
After our trip, I actually spent more time with my friends than I did in the school year. It was probably because of the realization that I might not be able to meet them for a long time anymore. I immediately arranged for another gathering at Waterbom. As always, we had fun together.
More good news to come: I was accepted in York University for all the three studies I applied to. I moved to Canada on late August and started September. I met great people and have been involved in numerous amazing ministries. My academic studies also were going well.
Unfortunately, 2011 was also the year when I received a lot of distressing news of people passing... I was especially disheartened by the passing of a friend that was quite dear to us. Abraham Singarimbun, who was my age, went through tumor a few years ago. He was cured eventually, but the treatment led a side effect that caused leukemia. The last time I visited him in August (before I left for Canada), he appeared to be healthy and strong. Reading his tweets, he was even able to go back home to Jakarta for a few days. We all thought he was already passed all the sickness and disease. On a Friday afternoon of November 18 while I was waiting for my next class, the news reached me that Abraham had passed. My heart went faint with shock and grief. Amazingly, I was able to pull myself together and finish class for that day. I found peace. Now that I look back on it, I couldn't have done so if I had not learned how to trust the Lord in these times. All things work together for good for those who love the Lord. (Romans 8:28)
On a Saturday midnight (1 A.M), I experienced a car crash on the way back home. Thank God we didn't suffer any serious injuries. Seriously, 2011 was a year full of surprises, but I just know that God's hand is with me everywhere I go.
2012 is a new beginning. A friend of mine says that 2012 is a "time for change". Another friend of mine says it's a time for the world to end, but that's not really important now. This is a year where we all should make the best of our lives. The incidents that happened in 2011 makes me realize how short life really is. Life is a gift from God. He give it and call us back anytime. Are we ready to be called back now? What changes have we made to impact the world? We do not have a lot of time. So let's not squander and waste it. 2012 is a year for change. We can't merely survive, we have to succeed. I believe great things will happen this year... for you and for me. Make the best of it =)
My prayers be with all of you,
Justin
