The
Holy Week r the days leading to a holy weekend which traditional churches
observe by holding commemorative services like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday,
Holy Saturday, n finally, the very core of the Christian observance, Easter
Sunday. For me, it began with a fully traditional service in a high (in
tradition) church where the clergymen/deaconesses renewed their ordination n
commission vows. I sat n observed every bit of every procedure. It was
interesting but I’m not sure what most of it meant – did it hv biblical
implications or was it merely a tradition? Half the hymns belonged to the
previous, previous century. A few churches proceeded to observe the traditional
Maundy Thursday Service at night but minus the significant washing of feet
ritual. Then came the Good Friday mid-day devotional service. Bcoz I was asked
to share on one of the seven last words on the cross, I attended yet another
(super) high (in tradition) service. Starting from 12 noon till 3pm, to
commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross till He breathed His last, seven
speakers shared a short devotion from each “seven last words.” Again, the hymns
were from the previous, previous century. It was a bit “eerie” with the organ
(maybe it was a piped organ) playing those ancient hymns in a church with super
high ceiling. It felt like as if the saints of old were watching us from “up
there.”
I
had a “break” from the traditional setting when I delivered an Easter day
message at the Sahabat Orang Sakit (SOS) service on Saturday. On Easter Sunday
I was in a Methodist church n faced the challenging task to interpret “live”
for a funny Japanese-American speaker. I was in the annex building with a group
of Indonesians. I think there were about 70-80 of them. It was a challenge bcoz
at the main sanctuary, the speaker spoke in English n there was an interpreter
to interpret into hokkien while I interpreted into Bahasa Malaysia (not
Indonesia) in a different location. Yet the most challenging part was during
the altar call. About 80-90% of the Indonesians responded n they proceeded to
the main sanctuary. That was when I was called in. In a moment, I “panicked”
for awhile bcoz coming from a “traditional” setting, I’m not used to this,
what’s more, the call came from this anointed speaker n I’ve always tried to
avoid “praying in BM” bcoz my BM prayer language has extremely limited
vocabulary! But the moment I stepped on the “stage” I felt a strong anointing n
I felt extremely calmed. Surprisingly, I prayed n did the altar call (almost)
flawlessly! After the service, several church members came up to me to express
how impressed they were with the interpreted “altar call.” I can only respond,
“praise the Lord!” but one day the opportunity will come when I can tell them
the truth – it was not I but the Lord who enabled.
April
is just the “next page.” There’s a Regional Women’s Conference I’m obligated to
attend in Sungai Petani. It is a dread for me bcoz most participants r “from
the previous generation” n the program does not look interesting at all with
reports after reports. There’s a tentative trip to the OA village the following
weekend. Then I’ll be accompanying the OA pastors to Seremban to attend a
week-long class in Spiritual Retreat. No rest for me here as I’ll be interpreting
for the facilitator throughout the retreat. I hope there is some time I can
meet up with an old friend who is in Seremban. He needs help as he’s in n out
of depression n is on heavy medication – my course-mate in varsity. When we
first “met up” thru facebook, he sounded extremely frustrated with life n
quickly shared with me that he’s gay n expecting me to stop “friending” him.
Right now, he sounds pretty in control n on the road to recovery. From Seremban
after the retreat, part of the class intends to stop by KL to visit our pastor
friend who has been transferred to Subang Jaya. I’m joining this visit n later
drop by my sister’s place to see my nephews who wanted me to “see what they’ve
got from HK Disneyland.” GE13 better not suddenly be on last Sat of April so we
can proceed with our plans. The uncertainty of when GE13 will be is really
driving me crazy especially when it comes to planning my travels. I know I’m
not alone in this. Most of us r as frustrated.
So
the next few days I will need to translate student notes into BM for the
retreat n to edit/read thru chps 3 n 4 of my proof-read (2nd time)
dissertation. It’ a bit behind schedule here bcoz my proof-reader in Singapore
was overwhelmed by his teaching commitments n the demise of his mother. The
final chapter should come in soon. Plz pray for me. I know I’ve never been a
good student in school n I hv my report book to prove it. And I know that on my
own I can never ever come close to even half of what I hv reached academically.
I’m anxious, excited, overwhelmed by God’s goodness. This is truly my testimony
of God’s faithfulness n goodness in my life. Therefore I so look forward to
completing this (academic) program n anxiously waiting for new challenges
ahead.
Once
again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.
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