I remember reading somewhere where an author attempted to
explain why time seems to pass by faster these days. The rationale was because
there are more things to attend to, therefore time appears to be “too little”
and insufficient for all the many things that need our attention. Well, that
could be one reason why we find ourselves already in the first week of the last
month of the year.
I’ve been wondering these last few days over several things
that are happening of late. It has been 4 times in 3 weeks that I dreamt of
going back to college, seeing myself unpacking in a residential hostel on
campus and comparing the room to mine in 2nd RC in UM. Ahhh, those
college days…those carefree days where the only concern was to pass exams n
graduate. Still remember how I’d attempt just about anything to avoid being in
the teaching profession n was an urban freak who kept my distance from anything
“rural.” My most “rural” encounter then was weekend visits to Klang – re-visited
that town last month n discovered it is even more urban than Ipoh today!
I was asked if I’d like to apply to be a deaconess. What is
that? My first reaction was almost that – what for? A good friend commented
that my DNA is Baptist, so all these “fanciful titles” do not attract me a
single bit. But I’ve learnt to seek advice from seniors in the field n not rely
solely on my own perceptions. Both persons I consulted advised me to proceed.
Apparently, it can help me develop the OA training ministry further. Exactly how,
I don’t know but let’s see how the Lord leads.
My dissertation is undergoing some re-construction. The
focus of research is the same but the title is now changed to “Raising Semai
Leaders through Holistic Christian Training.” While the re-construction is
expected to complete in a few short months, graduation is just once a year,
thus, I hv to wait a whole year for graduation in Nov next year. This will lead
to the professional n some additional research is required before I proceed
further to the academic degree. Sounds so complicated! But what I m looking
forward to is the opportunity to dedicate the highest academic award to a
people group who is among the “original peoples” of this land and the “key” to
the spiritual awakening the church in Malaysia is so anticipating.
Next academic year, I’ve challenged myself to implement
orality approaches into the teaching/learning experience in SAM Ipoh diploma
class. I’ve been meditating on how I can approach this. How m I to teach
theology – doctrines of Christology n eschatology – thru story telling? Then
the Lord impressed on me that someone has done that before – CS Lewis. So, I m
re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia – The Last Battle – to tell the story of
the end times n maybe also the doctrine of the church. The Lion, the Witch, n
the Wardrobe – to tell the story of Christology n maybe also salvation. My next
move will be to contextualize n translate those stories, then draw out the
principles n doctrinal truths for discussion. It sounds both complicated n radical,
huh? Well, I’m just trying to impress u bcoz, I really don’t know how I’m going
to do that!
A very Merry Christmas n Happy New Year to all of you…
