September opened with a week- long class in Ipoh. I was in YMCA the entire week with little entertainment at night after class. Being unfamiliar with Ipoh town, I stayed in my room and spent most of the time browsing the net. That’s when I picked up another addictive game in FB. The class in Penang center was put on hold for the week while I was in Ipoh and it will come to a close early October.
I was in Kinta Valley area 3x in September and will be repeating that frequency this month. I remember bringing the LOGOS Hope team of three into the OA villages middle of September. It was tiring having to interpret for 3 members and running here and there in between so they were able to converse with the locals. But I remembered how they were sharing about how God had financially provided for the Ship. If I remembered it right, it was previously a ship transporting cars and needed euro 500 million to refurbish in 5 years but God’s intervention changed that into USD 28 million in 2 years. I remembered that while I was interpreting that, at the back of my mind I was struggling, questioning God about His providence. I have experienced His providence in small measures here and there in my life but I’m now in the midst of asking for sponsorship for my OA friends. I have great plans for them, I share it with them, and they are just as excited as I am. Still, we hope together for the day when we can carry out these plans which obviously need financing. That day, I was grumbling in my mind before the Lord. Intellectually, I know God provides, but I have not experience it in any significant manner. The next day when I arrived at my office, there was a letter for the church addressed to me. When I opened it, a cheque fell out. When I saw the amount, I was numbed for awhile. After I pulled myself together, I can only cry. And I cried, and I cried…the letter came from someone I heard about in a church in Penang but I’ve never met this person. The letter stated that the Lord had blessed his family and they would like to share the blessing by sponsoring the OA students. Out of curiosity, how much do you think a stranger can give to a ministry they only know from a brochure; to a person they may have heard of but never met? I leave you to ponder the amount. But it was substantial…it made me cry! My OA students are so blessed and I’m so happy.
The last Sunday of September was another “historic” moment. There was a crowd of about 700 gathered in Gopeng Square where the OA church celebrated their 15th Anniversary. Rain poured and guests came from various places. The church leaders were dressed so smartly while the clergy had their official attire on. It was humid, it was pretty uncomfortable as the formalities of the service stretched longer than anticipated. Hunger caused discomfort, especially when some food was already on the table. But it was a memorable evening. Tiring for me, traveling to Gopeng from Penang and returning to Penang after the service and forced to wake up the next morning to a cool, sleepy day to attend the Upper North Clergy meeting. But it was worth it, it really was.
October has several trips to the OA villages: one with a Methodist group and another with an Anglican group. End of October is another class with the Ipoh students who had it planned as a retreat and we will be meeting in Ringlet. Please pray for us; for a time of mutual learning, fellowship, and outreach.
Most importantly, I request prayer for my studies. My thesis supervisor withdrew as he is undergoing some medical treatment. I know God has appointed a candidate to replace him. Please pray that we find this person soon. I hope to complete my studies by next year in line with my plans to start offering advance degree programs for the BM school. Papers make a difference, what to do? That’s how things work…
Again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.
PS: Praise the Lord, I have a new toy…Asus Eee Pad Transformer, a 10.1’ android pad and I no longer need to print sermon note – save the trees! Got a good deal for it, though I was waiting for someone to bless me with one…
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