Since when did “farmasi” become “apotik” in Penang? I was in Medan recently and saw a lot of “apotik” shops and I did not know what “apotik” was. My local hosts explained to me that it is pharmacy. I took my mom for a check-up in LWE. There were 2 pharmacies nearby. What do you know? Below the word pharmacy or the malay version “farmasi” was huge letters A-P-O-T-I-K. Goodness…I thought. Invasion of Indonesia into Malaysian vocabularies. We may be similar but still different. Although I have been to North Sumatra (Medan & Banda Aceh) several times, each visit taught me many new things. This trip, I learnt to sleep with lights on and I don’t mean the regular dim sleeping lights. It’s bright fluorescent lamp! I also learnt to eat rice with instant noodles as its dish together with fried bee-hoon! Goodness me, as I discovered that the local Indonesians must have rice for every meal, regardless of whether it was a super early breakfast or a super late supper. Somehow the rice just appear!
Last month was also the SAM Penang’s first graduation service. It went well despite the small turn-up. True to its principle to be near the students, SAM will set up 2 new centers in Gua Musang, Kelantan to service the east coast and Ulu Tiram/Sri Alam in Johore to service the southern region. Ipoh will remain the strongest center, enjoying a ready supply of prospective students from the OA communities nearby. Penang, on the other hand, will remain the most unstable. The population of BM churches here consists of either East Malaysian students or Indonesian contract workers with a maximum stay of 5 years in Penang. Thus, it is crucial to network with other Bible Schools in East Malaysia/Medan for continuity for the students. This is in progress. Please join me to pray for a strong network.
I was in STM recently for a meeting regarding the partnership of SAM-STM. It went well. It was a culture shock of sorts for me actually, having been accustomed to MBTS’ way that provides a lot flexibility. Suddenly, I discovered I need to spell out everything as detail as possible. Well, a lot of work for me as we embark on this partnership, but I am very looking forward to the challenges ahead. It’s going to be a learning process and the resubmission of the new SAM-ITC BM prospectus will be like another round of me submitting my research proposal…hahaha.
Middle of the month is a trip to the OA village as I join a few BM pastors to a conference for women and family. Following that, at the end of the month is a BM Bible translation workshop in Klang Valley stretching till early Dec. There are exciting times ahead. In ministry and for our nation. Do join me in prayer as we press on to see God exalted here in Malaysia.
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