Saturday, July 30, 2011

Ministry Update July/August 2011

I just emailed my first draft of chapter one to my thesis supervisor yesterday. It is exciting and anxious, to be taking this step towards a long, tedious effort of an 80,000 words journey. And I have to constantly remind myself why I’m doing this – I can only lead people till where I have been and if I have high hopes for them, then I better know how far I myself am capable.

The partnership of SAM-STM is progressing well. Despite its slow momentum but I believe God works matters in a pace He knows best for all involved. The Anglican Training Center is also slowly falling in place. The official opening is scheduled to be on 13August and classes are starting. Actually, just one – and with one student. But, let’s not despise humble beginnings. A 2-day seminar is also planned for September. The Chinese and Tamil modules have yet to start while the BM module is still contemplating when to begin, this month or the next. But then again, the BM module had a head-start because it comes under the “management” of SAM.

Due to a postponement of class in Ipoh, I only have one outstation trip in August – to Kampar for the Synod. I never liked change of schedules, especially last minute changes. Yet, I must “force” myself to accommodate the working style of different people in my team. So, August appears pretty relaxing (enough) for awhile. But things do pop up and sometimes at the last minute. I’m ready for the 3 overlapping/continuous classes of English/BM classes in Penang/Ipoh in these 3 months (July, August, September). With the start of my dissertation write-up, I will need to factor in time for this too. Then, the Bible Society’s translation work. The team just completed the first draft of Luke. Everyone seems every enthusiastic and they work so fast. I have to discipline myself to keep up with their pace. In the process, I’ve been delaying my editing work for ICM’s BM module. Due to all these, I’m too glad to offer LOGOS Hope team to come to preach/share on my speaking date to relieve me in September.

There are enquiries but yet to receive actual contributions to the SAM school’s student adoption project. This is a fund-raising project, aimed to raise funds as scholarships to enable the indigenous student pastors/church leaders acquire quality Christian/theological education. These students are mainly small-scale farmers in the interior earning meager cash income. The BM churches/outreaches are growing so fast, there’s a lack of funds to finance (even) the ministry. And they are very eager to partner with urban churches to develop their community, both church and non-church community.

Please pray with me for the development of the OA/BM work; for the Lord of Harvest to raise good workers to be trained into exceptional workers; for the Lord of Providence to provide every necessary resources – financial and human resources – as we grow the School.

PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

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