The Offer.The Decision.The Announcement

"Dreams do come true in Jesus Name..."

Ever since I joined P&G 3yrs ago, my dream was always to work in marketing at a brand & strategy level. So every year without fail, I would put this down in my Work & Development Plan (W&DP) and made sure that every stepping stone role that I take would lead me to my ultimate role...

Now that I am a bit more 'experienced' in the company, I knew this would be the year that I had to really decide what I want in my career path because whatever I put down in my W&D, I had a strong feeling that it'll come true come June next year. So remember back in August when I had to decide where I had wanted to go? I was absolutely lost! Was it Sydney? or was it Singapore? Finally, 2 days before my W&DP was due, I made the decision to continue to put down Singapore as my first choice, while Sydney became the second preference.

After I had signed off on it, I asked God to roll the dice for me. After all, He is the master of all my life plans. I knew that it would be absolutely impossible to get to Singapore because 1) I don't have any experience in trade marketing in Australia (so how was I to be able to work in trade marketing based on a global level?) and 2) because you usually need 5yrs experience within the company to justify them sending you to Singapore on assignment. So I had said to God that if He wants me to go to Singapore, He must make the impossibility happen so that I will have absolutely no doubt that it is His will for me to be there. However, having said that, I had mentally prepared myself for Sydney because that was more closer to reality.

Until....

Alastair (my boss's manager) came into my office last week. Because he had shut my office door, I knew he had something important to tell me. I was dumbfounded when he said

'Vicky, there's a position that's just opened up in Singapore that fits exactly what you have asked for in your W&DP & I want you to apply for it'

The more he talked, the more my heart sunk. I really didn't prepare myself for this piece of news this early! The more he talked, the more saddened I became by the thought of leaving all of my dear friends and family. After all, I was all prepared to start my new church with ECC & join their worship team next year. Then Alastair finally asked me the question
'So where are you at with Singapore? Do you still want to go?'. I told him the truth "um.. I'm not sure. It's about a 60 (I want to go) : 40 (I dont' want to go)". He was shocked to hear my response as he thought I would be 100% convinced on going. Finally I told him I would think about it over the weekend when I have some time sitting on the plane.

When I was in Sydney, my darling uncle was the one who absolutely insisted on me going to Singapore. Despite the fact that he would love the prospect of me staying with him in Sydney next year, he opted for the best outcome for my career and told me he would visit me in Singapore if I was to get it. I was so touched by his selflessness & sweet gesture.

So on Tuesday after coming back from Sydney, I proceeded with my application. I knew I would have a high chance of getting it as my managers & the sales director had strongly recommended me as the candidate for the position.

Finally, today at 5pm, I received a call from my future boss in Singapore to say he would like to offer me the role. I gasped for air. Even though I had prepared myself mentally to receive the news, nevetheless I struggled to digest the fact that my dream was actually coming into play.......

So....

In February 2007, I will be officially moving to Singapore as an expat for...indefinitely.

I will become the Market Strategy & Planner (trade marketing) for Asia Pacific managing the Clairol brands (Nice N' Easy & Herbal Essence) as well as for the Wella brands. Not only will I be managing the Australian & New Zealand market, I will also be formulising launch plans for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia & the emerging markets of Philippines & India.

I have no doubt that God has something great in store for me & of purpose in Singapore after all He has literally moved mountains for me to go (eg. P&G have also placed me on an ‘accelerated career pathing program’ which only less than 10% of the organisation will ever get offered that opportunity). What that is, I am yet to find out (although my heart tells me it’ll be missions related), but I know God is faithful & all I can do is entrust my every step & every breath unto His hand.

It's going to be so hard to tell my friends this piece of news. Gosh, I'm already missing them...

But, I am absolutely in awe of God's faithfulness in my life, time and time again.