1Sept2011
September…it is similar with August where my schedule was full even before entering into the month. But I’m thrilled to see how my days are fully utilized for His glory. I just got back from a youth camp in Tanjong Bungah. When I stepped into the dorm, I suddenly wondered to myself why I turned down a speaking engagement at a family camp in Lake Toba…I mean, I could have been putting up in a fancy hotel, overlooking the volcanic lake in the cool of the day but instead, I was forced to patiently wait for each meal while running under the scorching sun beside dirty Penang beaches and waiting in line to use the shower. Well, it was a youth camp…enough said. But I do realize that I will readily accept ministering in English, rather than in Malay (Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia). Perhaps, it is because I find myself not fluent enough to pray efficiently in Malay. Besides, the nature of what I do really requires me to juggle between the two languages.
The Sekolah Alkitab Malaysia (SAM) Penang center has started a class in Bayan Point, apart from the earlier one in Prai. This class sees more Indonesian students and I am caught between Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia…who says the two languages is similar? It’s big enough the difference that I have to be extra cautious of its terms and vocabulary. Nevertheless, this is indeed a learning experience.
Next week 5-9Sept, I have a class in Ipoh. Here, have to revert back to Bahasa Malaysia. After a week-long of classes, there may be a meeting of SAM council in JB which, I’m still contemplating of whether to participate. This is considering my tight schedule. Apart from classes on Monday and Wednesday nights for the 9 sessions class in Bayan Point, with breaks for the long holiday and my Ipoh class insert, there are trips to the OA villages with one just upon my return from Ipoh with the LOGOS team. No, I’ve not visited the ship, and I doubt if I will ever have time for that, what with class preparations, etc. I do not have any preaching engagements in BJAC but have several in other churches in Penang. Good break for me, really…But I must admit that last Sunday, 28Aug was an interesting Sunday where I preached in SIB Georgetown. Yes, there is a SIB church in town and the members are all from Sarawak…well, the church was started by a former student who has graduated and returned to Sarawak. After the service, I proceeded to preach in Christ Church BM Service, where the members are from Sabah…well, the person in charge is from Sabah.
Please pray with me, especially for my studies. I’ve started chapter one of my 80, 000 words dissertation. In fact, I’ve sent the draft of chapter one to my supervisor and awaiting his comments before proceeding further. However, I just found out that he is now undergoing treatment for a re-lapse in his cancer illness. So, I’m now caught – what should I do? My second supervisor is back in the US and busy playing grandfather to his twins grandchildren. Hope he gets back soon to advice me how to proceed. If my second supervisor decides to “take over” the supervision process, it’s going to be a lot easier because he’s based in MBTS while my main supervisor is based in Singapore.
Please pray with me too, for the OA student pastors/leaders of SAM Gua Musang and Ipoh who need financial aid to pursue their basic Christian/theological education. Responses are coming in but not enough to see all through their programs.
Please pray with me for October. It is still too relax and I need to fill it up with activities. Thus far I only have activities in 4 of its 5 weekends besides a week long class in Ipoh at the last week of October.
Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry…
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.
