It
was just another status update in the FB but I don’t know why it caused a stir
in my heart. A friend serving with a missions organization wrote abt his
re-location from his base in HK to Uganda (I think – or some African nation). I
paused awhile trying to understand this stirring n suddenly realized it was
envy. Why? I wonder. Could it be that I m now ready to move beyond Malaysia to
serve God in a larger context? I remember my previous “attempts” to serve in
foreign soil. I was still in MBTS n explored 2 options: one was Manado in
Northern Sulawesi n the other in Argentina (I think) in South America. Both did
not work out. Perhaps, the timing was not right. After the “heart-stirring incident”
I began praying to seek God for the right timing n to the right location –
beyond Penang, beyond Malaysia – as the Lord so ordains, I m ready.
I’m
still in the final touches to complete my dissertation. Hopefully I can
re-submit the revised version before deadline – 1st week Sept., then
my next ministry update will include inviting all of u to my graduation. I m
also seeking the Lord to lead me to the next phase of my studies. It will be to
seek the right seminary to pursue an academic doctorate. Plz pray together with
me. The person I was raised made me independent n it took me a long time to “transfer”
trust in myself to trusting in the Lord. However, events occurring in ministry hv
taught me to trust God more n more. Therefore, I m trusting God to provide all
the necessary, even as I dream big – for the ministry I m entrusted n for
myself as a vessel in that.
I
m in Ipoh now. Attended a diocesan retreat earlier in the week n stayed on to
another diocesan function tmr (30Aug) before returning Penang. Tmr is the
Clinical Pastoral Education graduation service n I m obligated to attend as I
am one of the “graduates.” But I look forward to “celebrating” merdeka service
in Penang on Sunday in church.
September
has no busy schedule but I hope to complete all requirements for my studies. The
Penang SAM class is supposed to commence in late Aug/early Sept but I’m too
tight up to offer this class. Looks like I’ll need to cancel it n wait for the
next scheduled class in mid-Oct. The OA church anniversary is on the last Sun.
of Sept. n I m planning to attend. Staying too long in Penang is pretty boring –
so, I’m making this trip, though it’s just an “over a short weekend” thingy.
Oct: besides coordinating the class scheduled for SAM Penang in the study of
the book of Genesis by a Korean couple, I m teaching Animism to the SAM Ipoh
class. Following the class is a trip to Seremban as we hv as many as 8
graduates, ready to graduate in STM (4 certificate n 4 diploma in Christian
Ministry). Beyond Oct., everything is slowing down leading towards Christmas
preparations.
Once
again I thank you for ur partnership in ministry
SB
(29082014)
