The days between Christmas and New Year are often lazy days. Many opt to take leave and go for a holiday. Others go to work without actually being present at work. The anticipation for a new year and the wrapping of the old is an annual affair we encounter yet we always fall into the trap to laze through the week.
Along the lazy days the Lord brought me to reflect upon the year that was and appreciate the many blessings, both seen and unseen. As I pen the final update for the year, allow me to share and thank each one of you for being my friend, my partner, and fellow traveler along this spiritual pilgrimage we share.
It was a year of adaptation for me, leaving an education based institution to begin the new phase of ministry. The Lord gave me a vision and a passion to pursue a ministry of vast potential and I still am overwhelmed by its potentials and prospects. But this only serves to remind me of how inadequate I am apart from God. Entering into the so-called full-time Christian vocation is a complete surrender to the will of God and the anthem is, it’s all about You, Jesus; not about me.
It is a tremendous joy to serve across denominations; meeting and partnering with fellow brothers and sisters from various denominations and church backgrounds. This is the uniqueness of my calling and my pledge of loyalty to the church of Jesus Christ, not to any specific denomination. Denominations, by the way, only serve to divide.
As I reflect upon the past year, I saw the ups and downs, the laughter and the tears, the joy and the sorrow. Yet in all these, I give thanks to a mighty God who works all things for the good of those whom He loves. Allow me to express my gratitude for your partnership and fellowship. Allow me to share with you and return you the blessings you extend to me. Allow me to thank the groups you represent for walking with me through the year, to individuals that have taught me, inspire me, and encourage me.
Living as redeemed sinners we can never achieve perfection at this end of heaven but your partnerships have enriched my spiritual journey in so many ways. To FGA BM, JCMC Youth/Young Adults, FLC that I am regularly in touch and work with – thank you. To individuals that colored my spiritual journey through 2010: from MBTS, PCC, Wesley Methodist Penang, Wesley Methodist Taiping, AOG Ipoh, CGMC, HMB Sabah, HMB Sarawak, FGA Penang, JCMC, FLC, EPCC, GBC, and countless others – thank you.
To my home cell in GBC: you are the only familiar refuge when I needed to return home. I have not been attending GBC Sunday services even at times when my Sunday mornings are available because GBC has grown very distant. Each time I visited, there seemed to be more unfamiliar faces drowning the familiarity I was expecting. It dawned on me that GBC is no longer “home.”
To my partners in the BM ministry, especially the FGA BM pastoral team: you guys are the best. I feel so inadequate each time I stand before you to “teach” knowing that I face an audience who have years of field experience that I ought to learn from. Thank you for accepting me as an “unofficial” team-mate and sharing the retreat, the training, the makan. I greatly appreciate and am honored to learn the ropes of practical ministry together with you guys, something that is not taught in the Seminary. It truly enable me to better formulate a curriculum that is relevant and appropriate for the Bible School ministry I am leading. You are a team that expresses joy in ministry and your partnership birth a deeper love for the BM work in this nation.
To my partners in JCMC: hey, you guys remind me of my previous youth pastorate. The struggle to balance between pleasing the conservative leadership and pursuing a passion for God is nothing new; a little nostalgic to me. Thank you for your friendship and fellowship, not forgetting the fun and makan.
To my almost forgotten family in FLC: though I do not visit often, the times that I do is like returning home to familiar surroundings. The small-knitted-ness among you is so unique and it easily makes one feel at home. Thank you for launching me into active ministry decades ago.
To friends and partners in ministry: in Penang, Taiping, Ipoh, JB, Klang Valley, Sabah, Sarawak, and friends who have migrated to Australia, UK, US; friends I met in Malaysia but from/serving in various countries around the globe – the honor of having known you colored this year brightly and I pray for the coming year that we continue to enrich each other spiritually as we journey together.
As I prepare my first message for 2011, I am reminded of the need to challenge ourselves to expect discipline from God – a discipline that will move us out from our comfort zones, to prevent complacency, and to be always be on our toes. To all my partners in ministry, I thank you and pray that we will continue our partnership into another challenging year tomorrow, anticipating God to work in us and through us to influence a nation that desperately needs to know and experience a loving God.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Ministry Update 2: December 2010
Cameron Highlands: sitting on the border of two states in Peninsular Malaysia, Perak and Pahang; and home to numerous indigenous tribal people. Recently I was asked how many tribes were there among the indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia. It was then that I realized I have “lost touch” with my research project; that I’ve left the initial research to sit in my hard disk and focus on the task at hand – interviewing respondents. So my friend, below is the chart categorizing the indigenous community:
Negrito:Kintaq,Lanok,Kensiu,Jahai,Mendriq,Bateq
Senoi:Temiar,Semai,Mah Meri,Che Wong,Ja Hut,Semoq Beri
Malayu Asli:Orang Selatar,Jakum,Orang Kuala,Orang Kanaq,Temuan,Semelai
Most of these people dwell in the interior; mainly in the central region of the Peninsular. Some of you may notice that this is my second update for this month. The earlier update was not sent to everyone in my usual mailing list. Anyway, it’s already December. We have arrived at the close of the year. I had a great and wonderful trip to Ipoh recently, visiting the OA community at both sides of the Camerons hill. I joined R & R’s church team to a Semai village near Tapah and later visited my Semai colleagues at Gopeng. I also had the opportunity to visit Kampar, the Methodist Senoi Workers’ Training Center and tasted the popular curry chicken bread. It was a fantastic trip and there’s much that I learnt and experienced.
First encounter was the team from an Ipoh church…a Cantonese church. But I discovered soon enough that despite the initial language barrier, hokkien is pretty widely known in Ipoh too. However, I was still pretty lost in a Cantonese worship service. It was a “relief” when I hop to a BM church following that. Is always good to be among something you are familiar with after being “lost in (language) transit.”
On the morning before I returned to Penang, I had breakfast in the hawkers’ center in Gopeng market. Yes, R & R…I just discovered this from the locals. There’s a special noodles stall and another porridge stall which are both very popular. But both were closed that morning. I think your church member was referring to these. Anyway, I sat at the table with a Semai family. The hawker came to serve the food, looked at me, and spoke in Cantonese. I looked at her blankly and asked my Semai friend what she just said (well, my Semai friend understands Cantonese). This hawker asked my Semai friend whether I’m Chinese. So, I replied to her I’m “Cina bukan Cina.”
It’s been a slow year for me, having to adapt to the new system and structure of the Anglican church. I doubt I can fully comprehend the “Anglican sentiments” on certain issues they hold so closely. After all, I pretty much grow up with a universal church mentality, free from the confines of (denomination) traditions.
Ministry wise…well, I have my home (church) CG to thank for helping me break record for 8 consecutive speaking engagements through 7 consecutive weekends, stretching from end of November till mid of January. I’m looking forward to some opportunity where I can break such a record. The BM Bible School had delayed its new curriculum launch. We’ll start in March 2011 instead of the initial January. Kindly join me in prayer for this ministry. We are experiencing some “hiccups” that I’m not comfortable to share in detail yet as it is pending decisions from some board members that can only meet in January. I’m looking forward to the new year with new challenges awaiting. Let’s march on in Jesus’ name to change our nation, our world with the truth of Jesus Christ. A very Merry Christmas to all of you and a very happy New Year too…
Negrito:Kintaq,Lanok,Kensiu,Jahai,Mendriq,Bateq
Senoi:Temiar,Semai,Mah Meri,Che Wong,Ja Hut,Semoq Beri
Malayu Asli:Orang Selatar,Jakum,Orang Kuala,Orang Kanaq,Temuan,Semelai
Most of these people dwell in the interior; mainly in the central region of the Peninsular. Some of you may notice that this is my second update for this month. The earlier update was not sent to everyone in my usual mailing list. Anyway, it’s already December. We have arrived at the close of the year. I had a great and wonderful trip to Ipoh recently, visiting the OA community at both sides of the Camerons hill. I joined R & R’s church team to a Semai village near Tapah and later visited my Semai colleagues at Gopeng. I also had the opportunity to visit Kampar, the Methodist Senoi Workers’ Training Center and tasted the popular curry chicken bread. It was a fantastic trip and there’s much that I learnt and experienced.
First encounter was the team from an Ipoh church…a Cantonese church. But I discovered soon enough that despite the initial language barrier, hokkien is pretty widely known in Ipoh too. However, I was still pretty lost in a Cantonese worship service. It was a “relief” when I hop to a BM church following that. Is always good to be among something you are familiar with after being “lost in (language) transit.”
On the morning before I returned to Penang, I had breakfast in the hawkers’ center in Gopeng market. Yes, R & R…I just discovered this from the locals. There’s a special noodles stall and another porridge stall which are both very popular. But both were closed that morning. I think your church member was referring to these. Anyway, I sat at the table with a Semai family. The hawker came to serve the food, looked at me, and spoke in Cantonese. I looked at her blankly and asked my Semai friend what she just said (well, my Semai friend understands Cantonese). This hawker asked my Semai friend whether I’m Chinese. So, I replied to her I’m “Cina bukan Cina.”
It’s been a slow year for me, having to adapt to the new system and structure of the Anglican church. I doubt I can fully comprehend the “Anglican sentiments” on certain issues they hold so closely. After all, I pretty much grow up with a universal church mentality, free from the confines of (denomination) traditions.
Ministry wise…well, I have my home (church) CG to thank for helping me break record for 8 consecutive speaking engagements through 7 consecutive weekends, stretching from end of November till mid of January. I’m looking forward to some opportunity where I can break such a record. The BM Bible School had delayed its new curriculum launch. We’ll start in March 2011 instead of the initial January. Kindly join me in prayer for this ministry. We are experiencing some “hiccups” that I’m not comfortable to share in detail yet as it is pending decisions from some board members that can only meet in January. I’m looking forward to the new year with new challenges awaiting. Let’s march on in Jesus’ name to change our nation, our world with the truth of Jesus Christ. A very Merry Christmas to all of you and a very happy New Year too…
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Ministry Update December 2010
It seems like yesterday when we welcome 2010. We have arrived at the last month of the year and busy preparing to greet another new year. I suppose this is another season for new year resolutions that we never bother to keep. Christmas is just around the corner and the festivities are already in the air in shopping malls.
As I take a glance back at the year it was, I realized that it was a slow year for me. Transition times are slow I suppose, something a work-oriented person like me will regard as redundant times. But I am grateful to the Lord that those times enabled me to think, to plan, to organize. I am still amazed and overwhelmed by the vast potentials of the BM ministry in this country. I am grateful to the Lord for the networks and opportunities prevailing to explore and develop the work. It feels like staring at a 2000 jigsaw puzzle pieces in front of me without knowing how and where each piece belongs and how they can come together. But I am trusting the Lord and His perfect timing for the big picture to come into place.
The BM School ministry hit a “crisis” and we are at a pause right now. There are 2 possible outcomes. First, we break away from SAM network and it will mean no foreign funding and more work for me in raising funds. But this is something I am prepared for. Second option is a more popular possibility, which is to go independent and work in partnership with various seminaries and Bible Schools. I am not familiar with the history and background of this School but discovered that it was originally planned to be the Peninsular Malaysia arm for CTC, a foreign training ministry which has a base in Kuching. Apparently, CTC has affiliate itself with an American university. If SAM re-connect to its roots and original purpose, I suppose the (Peninsular Malaysia) School will also be endorsed by the university. The second option will be a better option for the growth of the School. However, it sort of contradicts my “contract” with the Anglican diocese. I’m not worried; only anxious at how God will direct this ministry. And I’m trusting Him to lead us to the best option where He will best effectively affect the potentials of this work.
I am in the field research part of my graduate studies. I’m having a lot of fun meeting and interviewing my respondents. But I’m about to conclude meeting the Christian population. Next, I’ll need to meet non-Christian respondents and I’m not sure how it will go. I’m trusting it to be just as interesting.
As expected, December is a busy month. The last weekend of November marked the first of my 7 consecutive weeks of preaching engagements at different locations…all the way till the second week in January. Christmas dinners and events are coming one after another. And just let me greet all of you a very merry and blessed Christmas, a happy and prosperous New Year. Once again,
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you
As I take a glance back at the year it was, I realized that it was a slow year for me. Transition times are slow I suppose, something a work-oriented person like me will regard as redundant times. But I am grateful to the Lord that those times enabled me to think, to plan, to organize. I am still amazed and overwhelmed by the vast potentials of the BM ministry in this country. I am grateful to the Lord for the networks and opportunities prevailing to explore and develop the work. It feels like staring at a 2000 jigsaw puzzle pieces in front of me without knowing how and where each piece belongs and how they can come together. But I am trusting the Lord and His perfect timing for the big picture to come into place.
The BM School ministry hit a “crisis” and we are at a pause right now. There are 2 possible outcomes. First, we break away from SAM network and it will mean no foreign funding and more work for me in raising funds. But this is something I am prepared for. Second option is a more popular possibility, which is to go independent and work in partnership with various seminaries and Bible Schools. I am not familiar with the history and background of this School but discovered that it was originally planned to be the Peninsular Malaysia arm for CTC, a foreign training ministry which has a base in Kuching. Apparently, CTC has affiliate itself with an American university. If SAM re-connect to its roots and original purpose, I suppose the (Peninsular Malaysia) School will also be endorsed by the university. The second option will be a better option for the growth of the School. However, it sort of contradicts my “contract” with the Anglican diocese. I’m not worried; only anxious at how God will direct this ministry. And I’m trusting Him to lead us to the best option where He will best effectively affect the potentials of this work.
I am in the field research part of my graduate studies. I’m having a lot of fun meeting and interviewing my respondents. But I’m about to conclude meeting the Christian population. Next, I’ll need to meet non-Christian respondents and I’m not sure how it will go. I’m trusting it to be just as interesting.
As expected, December is a busy month. The last weekend of November marked the first of my 7 consecutive weeks of preaching engagements at different locations…all the way till the second week in January. Christmas dinners and events are coming one after another. And just let me greet all of you a very merry and blessed Christmas, a happy and prosperous New Year. Once again,
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you
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