2Aug10
I came back yesterday from a shot trip to the OA villages. It was amazing. The last time I visited this village was three years ago and they had just one out-of-tune guitar. Today they have a full band – an electric keyboard, three electric guitars/bass guitar, a drum set, complete with a simple PA system! And the flush system in the toilet works! At least in one of the two toilets in the church…It has never failed to amaze me how God works among the simple folks. As usual worship was spectacular and I was once again reminded by God that He prepares the best for me. That is why He wants me to serve in this capacity.
There were 2 groups of approximately ten of us. One team went to the OA villages in Simpang Pulai while the other went to Gopeng region. I was with the team to Ulu Groh in Gopeng. We wanted to see the famous Rajah Brooke butterflies sanctuary. It was either the timing was bad or we were pretty much cheated because we went to the sanctuary and saw just about ten butterflies! And we paid RM15 each for that! I thought I saw bigger ones in Ulu Kampar last year…for free.
The rest of August is pretty relaxing. My former students are here in Penang attending a month long classes n MBTS. I am very looking forward to meeting with them again. And of course, looking forward also to our tradition of barbeque monkey towards the end of their stay here.
I’ve submitted the fourth revision to my research proposal. Still no news from my supervisor. It’s almost a week now and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. This chap is very meticulous, unlike my supervisor for my ThM program where my proposal was approved after just one revision. But I suppose this will ensure higher standard and after all, it is a PhD we are talking about. Until now, I’m still amazed at how the Lord took me thus far academically. From one who often failed or near failing grades in my primary school, then someone who never thought she could pass her SPM, but was eventually sent to UM; who thought a basic bachelor degree is more than enough as long as studies are concerned. My gosh…I’ve gone to earn three masters and the good Lord has given me far more than I dare to dream of the wildest dream. These truly remind me of how undeserving I am of God’s unending goodness and blessings.
Please join me to continue praying for the Bahasa Bible School. At a PADERI conference recently, I had the opportunity to meet and network with various church leaders of various denominations. Prospects are encouraging for this effort. But my partner in the Ipoh center is encountering some hiccups with hierarchy matters that is slowing him. In a way I think the hierarchical structure is pretty much not ready to move as fast as I anticipated. Even with some leaders who are eager to move forward. If only the “old school” is willing to learn/accept new approaches. But this is not an issue with just us, it is found practically everywhere else. Let me end this time with 2 “old favorites” in the Bahasa churches:
ADA SATU SOBATKU
Ada satu sobatku yang setia
Tak pernah Dia tinggalkan diriku
Diwaktu aku susah, waktuku sendirian
Dia selalu menemani diriku
Nama-Nya Yesus, nama-Nya Yesus
Nama Yesus yang menghibur hatiku (2x)
BETAPA HATIKU
Betapa hatiku Tuhan, berterima kasih Yesus
Kau mengasihi ku, Tuhan. Kau memiliki ku.
Hanya ini Tuhan, persembahan ku
Segenap hidupku, jiwa dan raga ku
S’bab tak ku miliki, harta kekayaan
Yang cukup bererti ‘tuk ku persembahkan
Hanya ini Tuhan, permohonan ku
Terimalah Tuhan persembahan ku
Pakailah hidupku, sebagai alatmu
Seumur hidupku.
