Ministry Update July/Aug 2012

I think after we hit the middle span, the journey escalate. Just like we hv gone over middle of the year n July seemed to zoom past pretty fast. I’m working on the second drafts of my dissertation n m taking it slow; after all, it’s no longer possible to meet the deadline for graduation this year. And August is full of activities. The OA pastors/leaders from SAM Ipoh will be in Penang for a course in ATC; followed by another course back in Ipoh the very next week; followed by the Raya break n the annual Anglican Synod in Kajang. I doubt I can get any serious work done in the whole of August n I’m already drafting the 2 sermons I hv to preach in BJAC.

Several events to take note is ATC, the Anglican Training Center, will be closed; just the premise, not the center. We will return the bungalow to St Nic after I pack all the necessary. SAM-STM partnership is still waiting to be officially formalized. Bureaucracy, red tapes, aiyoh…headache with all these…only looking forward to the next jungle visits. Fresh air, lush greenery, endless whisper of the sounds of nature.

I suppose everyone is anticipating the next GE. Like everyone else, I m anxious too. At the same time, I feel guilty that I’ve not been as fervent as I should to pray earnestly for a changed Malaysia. I hope that all of u will partner me to pray for ourselves firstly, to be more pro-active spiritually. Perhaps it is just the circle of Christians I encounter around me here n I sure hope this is not the general state of the Malaysian church. It disappoint me terribly that when I propose going out to the communities, the response was they (my church members) were just only willing to step out of the church building!!! Aise…white hair grow instantly.

The BM Bible School is progressing well. SAM Ipoh, both the certificate n diploma tracks r on schedule with the courses offered. By November, the school term should end, allowing the students to catch up on pending assignments n prepare for Christmas; while it will enable me to compile the necessary data for the annual report. SAM Penang is taking a break pending the students’ delayed submission of assignments. We should resume in September. This is one worry for me, especially after experiencing the same in MBTS. Pending n accumulating assignments n at the end of it was poorly done work. The teachers also already forgot about the course. Worst was the students ended up with no credit n time n effort terribly wasted, not to mention the tuition fees involved. SAM Gua Musang is experiencing some hiccups. I’ll be meeting the coordinator next month to explore how we can iron things out.

As always n again, thank you for ur partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update July 2012

It’s been pretty relaxing entering the second half of the year. Having completed my dissertation draft end of May, I now wait for my supervisor’s comments n feedback for further modification n amendments to the draft. I doubt I can graduate end of this year. It’s been more than a month n my supervisor has not completed going through my dissertation of over 300 pages. Well, I can’t blame him. Over 300 pages…Anyway, it is the Lord who ordains the times n seasons. So, whether I graduate this year or next, it is the Lord who ordains it.

Tomorrow I’m going into the jungle. Just a short trip. Nevertheless, it is a trip I look forward to; I always look forward to visiting the “jungle.” I never know why because I was conceived, born, raised, n living in the city. I’m a pure-bred urban freak yet the Lord knows me better n He knows the jungle has a special place in my heart. I’m considering moving to the jungle upon my “retirement.” One factor that contributes to this is the meager pay as a church worker which surely cannot support an urban lifestyle at retirement. But it is more of the lure of the wild n nature; the closeness to creation; the whisper that speaks of the handiwork of God, untainted by modernity.

Plz join me to pray for the BM Bible School. In theory our partnership with STM is accepted but it is the administrative formality that is dragging it officially. Again, I believe it is the Lord who will ordain the right time n season. June n July are relaxing months. Perhaps, again this is ordained by God. August is pretty packed – one week the SAM Ipoh students will hold their class in Penang; one week in Ipoh for another class with SAM Ipoh; one week in Kajang for the annual Anglican Synod followed by a short break (holiday?) visiting Klang Valley. Anyway, I need to “corner” some people during the Synod to push for SAM-STM partnership progress n to start planning for SAM 2013.

Once again, thank you that I hv this privilege of partnership with all of you to serve God in the capacity of the OA ministry.