THE TREETOP WALK

Testimonies of FEBC Students on Hike to MacRitchie TreeTop Walk, 15 March 2022

Wonderful Fellowship

Thank God for a time of recreation when we could go to the MacRitchie Treetop Walk. At first, hearing that it was a “treetop” walk made me quite scared because I have a fear of heights. The treetop section was quite scary as I could see the heights plunging down and the bridge did sway quite a bit. Thankfully the bridge was not too long, and I had a friend beside me to distract me from the heights. She held my hand and sang hymns about not having to fear but only to trust in the Lord. It was a most blessed walk because not only was I able to exercise my body, I was also able to have a wonderful fellowship with those whom I walked with, having conversations with them that were filled with light-hearted fun and deep thoughtful discussions about spiritual matters, sharpening one another as we hashed out our views on certain topics.

My walking partner and I both realised that the walk was a real-life analogy of our thesis writing. At first, it was exciting to start off, then a little further on, we started struggling and panting only to realise it wasn’t even halfway yet. There were points where we became very tired but to turn back or to give up would just be foolish. There was only one thing to do and that was to keep going. This has encouraged me to press on in my thesis-writing. I should never think of giving up. Thessa Lagapa

Beautiful Views

I thank God for giving me the chance to experience the nature here in Singapore. I enjoyed the hike a lot as I walked and had fellowship with my fellow students. As we followed the trail, many kinds of animals captured our attention. First we saw some monkeys hanging on the tree, then a wild boar breaking the ground to look for something to eat. We enjoyed the scenery, posing for pictures as we saw the beautiful views. We passed by different kinds of trees, plants, birds, and insects until we reached the hilltop. There we needed to cross to the other side of the hill through a bridge. While crossing we could see more widely the view from the top and it was amazing. The rays of the sun gave a glossy surface to the big trees below. I enjoyed it so much it made me forget for a while my assignments. Andrew Adolacion

God’s Handiwork and Sovereignty

This was a good opportunity to get some fresh air and a good exercise for the body. Personally, this was not just a physical exercise, it was more of a spiritual exercise. There was a lot of panting and sweating but we are reminded to run the race of our Christian life with patience (Heb 12:1). We must also praise God for His beautiful handiwork and absolute sovereignty over His creation (Ps 19:1). This came to my mind as I walked on the tree-top bridge and had a beautiful view of the skies. It echoes God’s majesty and glory. Jonathan Hendricks

Physical and Spiritual Experience

Firstly, I praise God for the opportunity to go on a tree-top walk. It was so exciting to go and I saw a lot of interesting animals, insects, and many other trees. This gave me memories of my place in Myanmar where I live because the place where I live is the forest as well. When I saw the wild pig, monkeys and wild cock, I was reminded of my hunting days. I wish I had my gun with me. This was the physical aspect that I experienced today.

Secondly, the spiritual aspect. When I saw the creation and nature all around me, I was reminded of God’s providence over creation. Not only did He create, He also sustains all of the creation in His control. Hebrews 1:3 reminded me of how God upholds the creation by the power of His Word. He not only upholds my salvation, my life, but also, creation and nature. I thank God for this good reminder which encourages me to keep praising God for His glory in His wonderful work of creation. Htin Htut

Enjoying God’s Creation

I would like to share one thing I felt in today’s outing. I always studied indoors, and the only nature around me was the College garden, and the only animals were cats that came in from time to time, chirping birds, and squirrels. When I went hiking today, I saw large lizards, monkeys, birds, big trees, and various plants, and I also saw that God created all of these things and still cares for them with His power and providence. I am not good at caring for a single plant, but when I remember that God cares for all these kinds of plants, animals, and nature, I had no choice but to praise God in my heart. The weather was perfect, so it was a great opportunity to see and enjoy God’s creation. “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches… I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” (Ps 104:24, 33). Park Jong Hwi

Walking with Friends

This morning’s hike was a time to contemplate many things. The first thought that came into my mind was that although Singapore is a small country, it has everything in the country. I was amazed that there was a forest literally surrounded by the buildings. Another thing that came into my mind was the view along the walking route, as it was far better than what I had expected. The view also gave me some nostalgia for it reminded me of my home back in Tanzania. I felt like I was walking around my village, especially when I walked through the narrow bridge, as there was a bridge and many trees and also grass surrounding my home. Another thought was my mom back home; as I used to walk around the village with her. I believe she would have enjoyed the walk more than me. Although I could not walk with my mom, I thank God that He had provided other friends to enjoy the walk with. Hasom Lee

Never Stop Growing

The “TreeTop Walk” saw us seeing the top of the very tall trees under the blue sky and cool breeze. The very tall, great old trees made me think of how they are still green with new leaves which meant that the trees are still growing like before. On the other hand, there were trees that are dead and no longer growing. As Christians we should never stop growing but constantly grow in the light of God and feed ourselves with His words. Hyeonseo Cho

Pressing on the Upward Way

“I’m pressing on the upward way” would be the best phrase to title this morning’s hiking experience. We know that hiking involves ascending and descending just like life on earth. Life is not easy but as we press on with the Lord’s help, there is always victory. It reminds me of how I as a child of God should press on until the end and not give up halfway. By the grace of God, I got to experience how we need support in our lives. This I learned as we were ascending the hill. I got tired and felt like giving up. A lovely friend of mine extended her hand to support by pushing me from behind so that I could walk up and reach the destination. What I learnt is that in life we need God to be the source of our strength, to push us up when we are down and to humble us when we are boastful. Without God’s help and His providence, we will never be what we are today. Therefore, let us press on as Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”Cing Sian Lian

“One-Way, No Turning Back”

There were two things that impressed me most among many things I saw. It is a poster which says, “One-way. No turning back.” It reminded me of two things: (1) that Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), and (2) that there is no turning back for those who are called to serve God in the ministry. There is a song which says; “I have decided to follow Jesus… No turning back, no turning back.” Jesus warned his disciples, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Thang Deih Piang

Like My FEBC Journey

For me, the walk today was like walking through the four-year journey in FEBC. The first part of the walk reminds me of the first year of studies. It is a time of adjustment. The pathway was not yet too difficult, but trying enough to make my thigh muscles feel sore. The second part was not on smooth cemented paths anymore but on rocky ground. Second year in FEBC is usually like that. Now that adjustments were made, more is expected and more responsibilities are given. As such, there are more humbling experiences so as to not make the student proud in their sophomore (“wise fool”) year. I see the Treetop Trail as the third part of the walk. This is the time when the student has learned much more, resulting to the ability to see much more of God’s Word from a higher perspective. However, there is always the danger of pride which will cause one to fall greatly. The fourth part of the walk was an endless set of staircases. It reminded me of the greatest challenge in the graduating year—writing a thesis. It is truly a difficult journey. Nevertheless, there will be an end, the graduation service. The journey was not easy. Yet there were signs telling us, “ONE WAY, please do not turn back.” Truly, “no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62b). Theya Lagapa