The
days are passing by fast. I managed to submit my dissertation before the
deadline of 1st July n 3 weeks later received comments to do some
more corrections which may take up quite a bit of time. I hv approx. a month to
attempt all those. As the days draw close to wrapping up this program, I m as
tensed as before. Perhaps even more. Intellectually, I hv the confidence that
God is in control n I hv nothing to worry. Yet, sometimes n this is one of
those sometimes…the distance between the head n the heart is so far. But facts
r facts, God is truly in control n that is enough to comfort my worrisome soul.
In fact, I sort-of pretty looking forward to the sleepless/long nights or even
to go without sleep as I did last month, trying to meet the deadline. Reminds
me of college days n the “joy” of writing my first thesis on
socio-criminogenesis. Ahhh…those were the days of Second College.
Nothing much hv changed. I still hv music in the background at all times, only
different songs/singers.
July
was full of holidays for Penang. The SAM Meet
the Sponsor meeting went well. Though not all students came from Gopeng, not
all sponsors from Penang were available too.
Despite that, it was a good meeting as both parties meet each other without
having to go through me.
End
of July was a trip to the OA villages – a visit that took the team through 3
villages before settling down in a village for the night. It was durian harvest
n the team members who enjoyed durians had a feast. No, I’m not crazy over
durians n the look at the amount of available durians was more than enough n
almost made me sick. It’s been a while since I visited the village where we
stayed the night. There were some changes – a new building was erected next to
the church n I was told it was hurriedly built with limited budget to
accommodate (almost 200) participants in a youth camp quite some time ago. With
a bit more budget, it cld be a comfortable hostel for visiting teams to the
village, especially when the village is now planning a re-wiring for electrical
supply. It’ll be a fantastic place for anyone wanting a closer walk with nature
n listening to God speaking in the still soft voice of rushing river n cool
blowing breeze.
August
will hv several travellings. The SAM class in Aug will commence on the second
week, the diocesan evangelists retreat on the fourth week, n the MI-CPE
graduation on the final weekend of the month. Yes, finally, the CPE program is
ending – so looking forward to that. It’s been a distraction since the start
when I discovered it’s not as I hv anticipated – not very indigenous n
definitely not contextualized as claimed. Adding to the hiccups of my
dissertation draft, it’s been a constant distraction of my focus on the
dissertation n course materials for SAM classes. So, there’s gonna be 3 trips
to Ipoh but I’m
planning for it in a way that it’ll only hv to be 2.
Plz
pray for me. I need to complete my studies this year. It’s been pretty long
with one hiccup after another since I started it in 2009. The next phase, I’m
taking it elsewhere n I also pray that you discern together with me on this
matter regarding the next doctoral program. SAM has a lot of potential
especially with its focus on the OA community. However, I seek ur partnership to pray for
this ministry n the focus to raise OA church leaders. I seek ur partnership to join us in prayer for
wisdom to manage this school the best possible. I seek ur partnership to walk with me through this
exciting journey ordained by God to bring glory to His Name in this generation
in this nation.
