We were all prepared for a delay in the causeway because it was a public holiday. The plan was to cater for a 3 hours journey from Singapore to Johor Bahru which is about 32km away. Another car set off to purchase groceries for Berkat Home. It was during this time that the coach driver from Johor called us and told us that he was stuck in a jam from Johor to Singapore and expect a 1.5hr delay. He arrived at 10.45am and we set off for a 32km journey on a 3hrs plan. Our first 23km was a bliss. We started to face jam shortly. The bus was moving at a pace slower than walking. Most of the time, it was at a standstill. Time was just ticking away and some of us were taking naps while others were talking to one another. Children were playing on the bus like nothing unusual happened - something to learn. Soon it was way past lunchtime and we were hearing phrases like, "so near,  yet so far." Those with food started to distribute them in fear that people would starve. We solved the lunch issue with tidbits and 3 packets of grapes. We have to be amazed by the leftovers, which is more than sufficient for the retreat. By now, we are asking the hotel to pack our lunch knowing that we will arrive later than 3pm which is their ending time for lunch. They graciously obliged. We witness public bus service letting people down to take a walk instead. Walking was the fastest way to get to Johor custom, for once. It seemed like endless wait till we heard our driver telling us to bring our passport for Singapore clearance. The 28 of us went past the custom and took another hour just to get across to Johor. Finally, we were at Johor custom but the scene in front of us stopped our hearts. It was flooded with people. We queued for almost another 2 hours to get pass the Johor custom and finally, we are in Johor. The bus took a while to get out of the parking bay at 7.15pm but the journey to our hotel only took us a few minutes. We made history. Everyone we know who went through this told us this never happened before. It was everyone's first time ever. Almost 9 hours for 32km. In the retreat, we realized that we did not complain as we would usually do. People shared about the jam. Some even suspect that it was an answered prayer as they needed rest for this retreat. Many in their skit mentioned the crazy jam,  but almost everyone ended with thanksgiving. The fact that the advance party was sent became a great blessing for us. They settled the grocery and checked in was done before our arrival (thanks to Elder Wan and Sister Pearl). The short distance for a retreat turned out to be a wise decision too. God was with us all this while. Patience was mentioned again and again in the retreat. It now stands true that patience is not a lesson you can learn without going through "something". And to us, this "something" was the jam. We still praise God after losing a day to a jam. He still was there.

May everyone who went through the jam learn to be patience in all things. We believe we had all been through something together that we can connect everytime we talk about it. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4