Why am I leaving for Melbourne?

My son is attending Hwa Chong’s gifted program, which many admire. My daughters are doing reasonably well in school too (without tuition, so their results are acceptable, dare not complain…). Though at times all are feeling the stress but it is manageable. As for me, work used to be stressful but I was still coping. Now it is a bit boring but I can live with that. If not leaving, I would have asked for more work. Then why leave?

It all started in Feb 07 when a head-hunter called. Although it did not work out but I have begun to ask God if it was time to move on. Two months later, Andrew (church-mate) prophesized saying I must not leave my current job, that God will move me in His time. Andrew did not know that I was praying about job change. At that point, I knew God was involved.

In Jul 07, during our company’s distributor meeting, I met Raymond, GM of CAPS Australia (our distributor) then. He said CAPS could offer me a job should I ever consider migrating. Raymond also proposed that I go CAPS take a look if I was serious to discuss further. I started asking God if migration was His idea and was this offer initiated by God.

In Oct 07, Jeremy (my GM then) suggested that my colleague and I go learn more about the blower business from our Australia office and CAPS. I asked myself was that a sign cum gift from God. I went in Nov 07, all fully paid by company.

After the trip, I asked for confirmation one Sunday morning. Shortly after that, I went to Geylang library. One table caught my attention and on it were 7 books stacked up, all about Australia. I sat down at another table and picked up a small poem book. I sensed God saying (in my heart), ‘You will find Australia in it’. I started flipping through, wondering how could it possibly be since the writer was British. Finally I found it on the 2nd or 3rd page. The book was printed in Australia.

One night, while I was spending time with my kids reading a bible story concerning pearl, I felt God saying Australia has something to do with pearls. I googled and found out that Australia is the second largest pearl producer.

On another occasion, while I was on my way to bible study, I asked God for more confirmations. I met Joy (church-mate) and the first thing that she said to me was, ‘I am going Sydney next Friday to visit my sister’.

Since this was a big decision, I wanted more solid kind of confirmation so I asked Him again. Then during my time alone with God, I was drawn to the issue with regards to counting the cost of being His disciple since I was faced with a major decision about migration. I asked God where is that bible passage and I heard (in my heart) Luke 14. True enough, it was there. Previously I always understood it as if one is not ready, he should not commit to it. I suddenly realized if that was the case, few would become His disciples, while He actually commanded us to go and make disciples! It did not make sense. Rather, Istarted seeing what Jesus meant was we must know the cost involved, know what we are getting into, prepare for the difficulties ahead and stay committed.

Couple of days later, I read a short email bible teaching. Guess what? It touched on the same subject and confirmed my latest understanding of that bible passage!

With all these signs, I was getting fearful; fearful that I may have heard God wrongly or it was only my own imagination, anxious about leaving my comfort zone, Singapore, cum drawing a lower salary. But then how could it be wrong with so many signs? Would God allow his children to be misled when we seek Him earnestly? Questions like these flooded my mind. Then I remembered some bible verses that said God is our Father who gives good gifts to His children. I asked Him where is that and I heard (in my heart) Matthew 7. True enough, it was there. He asked me not to doubt and assured me that He would not allow the devil or my own imagination to lead me astray so there was no need to fear. I decided it was time to discuss with my family concerning this matter. All these took place in mid Dec 07.

One month later, fear again troubled me. My family wondered if we would be able to survive with the lower salary. However, I reminded myself that God who has told me to do this would take care of my family needs. To counter the fear, I went ahead to engage a migration agent to begin the permanent resident visa application process.

In Mar 08, I received a promotion and that helped to offset the agent fee with some leftovers for expenses during our Melbourne’s schools and housing exploration trip in Jun 08.

In Apr 08, when the financial concern became more severe, I had my first dream from God, after being a believer for over a quarter century. All I saw was a black background with ‘Mark 8:4′ moved across it. The next morning, I flipped my bible to check what it was about. Lo and behold, it was the disciples asking Jesus how could they feed 4,000 men with so little food. The verses after that spoke on how Jesus proceeded to feed the 4,000 with 7 loaves of bread plus a few small fish. At the end, there were 7 baskets of leftover. He also recounted the miracle of feeding the 5,000 men not long ago, asking why the disciples still do not understand.

The next 14 months was filling forms, preparing documents, obtaining lost documents and waiting. God was quiet; the excitement was gone as nothing was heard from Him on this subject. I have to constantly remind myself of all that He has already revealed and stay focus.

In Jan 09, some friends were concerned if the job offer was still there since the financial crisis was bad. My reply was if it is God’s will for our family to be in Melbourne, we will be there no matter what.

Three months later, in Apr, Raymond (CAPS Australia’s MD) was planning to come to Singapore to meet Michael, my GM. He requested that I share with Michael my intention to migrate soon. He did not want Michael to mistaken that he was poaching IR staff. Some of my church-mates were concerned as this may affect my future in the company if migration plan did not work out. I struggled for 2 weeks. As Raymond’s trip was drawing near, I knew it could not be delayed further. However I just needed assurance that it was the right thing and time to break the news, so I asked for some confirmation from

God one morning. That morning, I needed a recycled envelope from my home so I pulled out one from my bookshelf before leaving for work. When I reached office, the address on the envelope ‘stared’ at me; it was ‘CAPS Australia’. It happened to be the one they used to send their calendar to us a few months ago, and it was the only CAPS envelope I have. With this assurance, I went to break news with Michael that same day. The meeting with Michael went well and he also suggested that I should consider approaching CAPS for work.

The visa approval finally came in early Jun 09. Instead of being excited, I had mixed feelings. Happy it was finally approved but sad as I have to leave behind family, relatives, friends, job, etc. While I was in that mode, Joy (church-mate) felt inspired to read out loud Isaiah 43 from the bible during one church service but it did not catch my attention. A few days later, Rinda (church-mate) sms me, saying she felt Isaiah 43:1-7 was meant for me while she was praying. I wanted to read it and see exactly what it says. I flipped open my bible and guess what? It opened at Isaiah 43! All these happened just before and after my 43rd birthday.

The passage basically says how God will protect, care, honour and treasure me.

Isaiah Chapter 43 – (1) But now this is what the Lord says – He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. (2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze. (3) For I am Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your stead. (4) Since you are precious and honoured in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. (5) Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west. (6) I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from far and My daughters from the ends of the earth – (7) everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made”.

Are all these events over the last 2.5 years simply ‘coincidences’? With so many of them, do we still term them as ‘coincidences’? I prefer to call them ‘God-incidences’, for God is still very much involved with humanity and He will go all the way out to lead those who truly want to follow Him. You should have noticed by now that I did waver and had my moments of weakness because I am just an ordinary guy, like many of you I suppose. What is happening for me now can happen for you too.

So what is next in Melbourne? Am I going to work for CAPS till I retire? I do not know yet but it will be something great for my family… because I serve a great God. I hope I do not sound like bragging; that is not my purpose. I just hope you would see that it is possible to have a very personal relationship with the God who created the heavens and the earth and us. I urge you to get to know this God better if you are not a believer yet. One of His well-known names is ‘Jesus’ (Yeshua in Hebrew). May all who read this be inspired to get close to Him.

Shalom,

Eliam (Eric Low)

Eliam Low has been a faithful and active servant of  the church for decades and has served in varying capacities in the home church and in our church plant. He is best known and anointed by God in his role as worship leader and singer and reliable supporter of his cell group. Joanne has been a great mum and stalwart in the  growing up years of three young kids now more grown up. We will miss them deeply. Eliam leaves soon to prepare the way for the rest of the family to settle in at the end of the year. Pray for them (children in photo- Hazel, Darren and Amanda). -Pastor Kenny