August
closed interestingly with a significant, activity-filled day. So it was the
Merdeka holiday, but it was a day I gladly woke up early to join the rest of my
friends for a relaxing time at Monkey
Beach. I don’t know how
in the world it was called that; I saw no monkeys around n perhaps the
Sarawakians came earlier to hunt down the last of the monkeys available n
bbq-ed them! Ahhh…I missed bbq monkey meat!!!
I was
glad that there is a “spiritual home” I can return to each time I need to be in
a company of people who know me just as I am; with people who share the same
passion to grow spiritually; people who share the same desire to progress in
kingdom matters. It is especially significant for me who is in a ministry that
is pretty much in its pioneering stage. And as with any other pioneering work,
it can be pretty “lonely” physically n spiritually. I can appreciate the
jungle; but I’m not sure if the jungle can appreciate me. I can hug a tree; but
it definitely can’t hug me back. Thus, I am glad n truly glad of the church
family that the Lord blessed me with. I think my “membership” is still in FLC n
GBC; though technically the “active” one should be in the Anglican DWM.
However, what is most important is to know I m a part of the Christian faith
community – in both the universal n local church.
August
was a full month of activities: SAM classes in both Penang n Ipoh, followed by
the annual Anglican Synod which led me to nod, nod, nod n z z z……..But I had a
few days break to spend with my sister n her family. The highlight was our trip
to Wet World in Shah Alam. I also had a wonderful time of fellowship with old
friends; varsity course-mates who are now new believers. One of whom encouraged
me so much with her fierce passion for the Lord n the other searching
curiously. I also discovered we had a course-mate who is now tent-making in China with her
family. And I’m so looking forward to meeting her next year!
I
turned in the complete second drafts of my dissertation n hv received a chapter
back. There’s some formatting error n apart from that it was satisfactorily
viewed by my supervisor. Two more super long chapters for him to read n
comment. Plz join me to pray for him; it’s not easy having to read “an
assignment of almost 100 pages.” And it’s not him who approved the initial
proposal; he just “inherited” the task. I’m hoping that the rest of the process
will complete by middle of next year. (Church “work” somehow picks up at the
second half of the year) There’s still two readers to comment on the write-up
before the oral defense n the final approved draft. My supervisor reminded me
that the dissertation will be filed in seminary libraries n will be public
domain, thus I need to be careful to write in a manner that is “suitable for
public consumption.” The title is “Raising Indigenous Leaders through Christian
Education: A Semai Model.” A completely academic writing; all 310 pages of it n
that means it will come in handy for those finding it difficult to sleep at
night. Academic writings are almost a guarantee to lullaby u to a deep sleep…
The
SAM-STM formal partnership has been finally approved. While waiting for
official letters of formality, I will hv to start planning to launch an active
promotion of the School for the next academic year in 2013. In the meantime,
SAM Penang n Ipoh
are progressing well with our certificate n diploma tracks; both the intensive
modules n night classes. SAM Gua Musang, however, is experiencing some hiccups
n we hv not found a workable solution yet. Plz pray for us.
September
has many meetings besides a night class module at FGA BP; but I’ll be in Penang
till month end before traveling to Ipoh
for the last course of the academic year for SAM Ipoh diploma track in early
October. I’m already drafting next year’s schedule, gearing up to heavily
promote the school next year. Though I look forward to a planned visit to Sabah in November – both official n social; it looks like
I may delay the trip if GE is scheduled in November. It’s a more urgent matter
to pray n watch the development of our beloved nation. End of October is a trip
to the interior with AIMC; end of Nov with CCP; start of Dec with GBC CG; but I
hope to plan more trips into the interior as we gear up towards Christmas 2012.
And wow…it’s so fast that we r reaching end of 2012 already!
Thank
you for your partnership in ministry.
SB
3Sept2012
