Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Ministry Update August 2009

It was just this morning when I stepped out of the gate that a middle-aged man with graying hair and a huge pot belly called me. No, I could not recognize him. And he had to introduce himself. He was my senior in college back in UM. And gosh, he looked so different with that huge pot belly. We did not chat. It was just an exchange of greetings. I think he was offended because my first reaction was to exclaim that the person I knew was not so fat! And yes, just like my sister sms-ed to me, I knew how to spoil a person’s day…

I have the privilege and opportunity to connect back with old friends. And I am still wondering at the significance of the events that unfold. Suddenly, the Lord is reminding me of my past? Old friends from school and college came back into my life, one after another. There’s something about it that I just can’t put a finger on.

Last weekend I was in the OA villages. One significant evening service I heard the Lord speaking clearly into my heart. He asked me if I am willing to give this up? I was enjoying worship in the midst of our indigenous brothers and sisters. And at the back of my head was still this offer to leave this and take up a position that comes packaged in prestige, honor, respect, not to mention a comfortable pay check. No, I was not willing to give that up. Difficult as it may be, I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back…

The BM Module of STCM has started yesterday. Students from Sabah, Sarawak, and central Peninsular are all here. A few will come a bit later due to clashing demands in ministry. Please pray for us. The weekends will have the students do some gotong royong work in campus. They will climb trees, cut the branches, trim the grass, etc…Some of these stunts can be quite dangerous. Then the third weekend, everyone packs up for a weekend visit to the OA villages. They will be divided into several teams to visit several kampongs. The weekend before Merdeka Day, they will travel back home. A few will stay put a little longer to plan a Merdeka Day service concert with BMBC.

Please pray for me. Besides overseeing all activities, I’ll be teaching a class next week on the prophetic ministry in the modern church. Pray also for our trip to the OA villages. We are not getting any subsidy for this trip. And that truly upset me. Last year we got a subsidy because the BM students were needed to accompany other STCM students. This year we are on our own and my request for a subsidy has not been approved for almost 2 weeks now. I’m forgetting it. The Lord will know how to supply. And yes, I’m able to channel some blessing I received from a church in Ipoh to subsidize our activities.

In September there will be another visit to the OA villages in Simpang Pulai. This is a lay training seminar I am initiating with the local pastors. We are networking with several churches, including Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, FGA (Penang). Also work in progress is our network with the SIB and AG churches in Peninsular Malaysia. Please continue to pray for this next big wave that will hit the Malaysian church…the rise and revival of the BM congregations.

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