Life in INTEC

International … Education… Centre… INTEC… Hrm, I had never heard about this place. The only information I had was that it was located in Shah Alam and 3 of the seniors from my school were studying there. Even though I was thankful to be granted this scholarship, skeptically, I knew that INTEC was neither a place of comfort nor glamour.

With only this piece of information, I flew across the South China Sea. For my first lunch, I innocently ate the extremely hot chillipadi, which “camouflaged” in the fried mee hoon I ordered. I blissfully thought it was just a vegetable. >.< Dear junior, watch out for chillipadi ya! As time passed, I gradually met classmates, friends and seniors.

However, a remarkable event that brought intimate friends who were close to my heart was an internal debate tournament- Battle of Minds. Well, to be precise, it was the drenching training schedule led by a senior. Imagine we had 3 rounds of brain-cracking discussions and mock debates everyday. A few of us who joined this training struggled, wobbled and dragged through it for we had to handle our academic workload simultaneously. Though it’s demanding, every single seconds of effort was rewarding. Through it, we attained trust, we gained precious friendship, and more importantly, we were brought closer to our Almighty Heavenly Father.

My life just went on smoothly after this. Until around mid August, while I supposed to be enjoying my life joyously since I had everything that I could ask for- friends, study, family and scholarship- but, for no reason, I felt LOST and EMPTY.

“ Be thankful, dear. Don’t ask for problem.” I always reminded myself.

I could say that I was quite a tough and resilient person. I seldom cried. But at that moment, I shrieked and cried all my heart out in my room when I was alone.

The scene was still vividly carved in my memory. It was in Cemara “Starbuck”, an open place with chairs and tables provided for students to gather around or study. I sat at one corner, together with a senior. I told him that I felt better and I’m fully recovered. No, he said.

“Amanda, let me pray for you.” Ok, I closed my eyes and bowed my head down near to my knees.

“ Dear Father Lord, embrace this sister, you sees her struggle, and you knows her heart’s desire. Fill up her emptiness… Jesus loves you… Jesus loves you… Jesus loves you…” Out of a sudden, I broke into heavy tears again. “ Jesus loves you,” these 3 words echoed in my ears. When I opened my eyes, I saw this senior who was sitting right in front of me, was shining so comfortably like an angel. This might be a confusing illusion caused by my teary eyes. But at that moment, he really looked like an angel that was assigned by God to send peace in my heart. This was a pivotal breakdown that embarked my journey along with God. I used to be like a wild stallion that ran without a goal, without a direction. But finally, I found my one and only rider. I would never regret falling in love with Him.

I was so blessed in this place. In my church (New Life Restoration Centre), we have great and caring pastors. My gang and me were particularly close to Pastor David and his family. Almost every weekend, we went overnight at his house. They were an authentic and wonderful family. I was so privileged to learn the way of Christian’s living directly from them. They just gave benevolently without condition and their love towards Father God were so glazing and consuming. Sometimes, I could just gasp in awe, where and how does this love come from? The answer was just very simple, they loves God.

I was given the chance to serve as a pianist in church. Frankly, I was not proficient in piano. In my first worship practice, one of my feet was pressing the pedal and the other was trembling. And on the Sunday service itself, both of my feet were trembling! So you can envisage how nervous I was. Well, I ever dreamt of one day, my fingers could just dance around the keys gracefully and I could play melodious music in front of people. Though it was still a long way to go, thank God that I was given this chance and a very supportive church.

Another community that impacted vastly in my life at INTEC was Campus Alive! This was a Christian fellowship where Christians could gather every fortnightly at New Life to worship God, learn the word of God and fellowship together. This is an indescribable heaven and sanctuary of mine. I witnessed the implicit and complete love of the people towards Him and how God’s power rained upon them in various areas. In fact, this was a place where I found my brothers and sisters that are knitted closely in the family of Christ. Come and join us and you will understand the peace and joy that you could seek from it.

So dear juniors, it was an exclusive prerogative for you to be placed here. Though the living condition here was unfamiliar and not very comfortable, people here were treasures and God’s power was magnified here. Come and devour every day of yours. Learn to adapt and be independent. Remember, God is strong when we are weak and we seniors are here to help you. Cheers~



Senior,
Amanda