October
had been pretty eventful. The highlight of it was the graduation of eight SAM
students in STM campus in Seremban – 6 OA, 1 Indonesian PR, 1 local Chinese –
all in the BM/OA ministry. The excitement of the weekend trip to Seremban for
me was meeting a collegian from UM – after 23 years! 4 certificate graduates
will continue to pursue their diploma while 2 diploma graduates will continue
with their undergraduate studies in STM. With this, I renew my fund-raising
effort for the 4 new diploma students. In the meantime, I thank God for 2
angels whom God impressed to partner us through their willingness to sponsor
our 2 OA friends through their BTh program.
The
author of Ecclesiastes was right to conclude that God makes all things
beautiful in its own time. All events in life will unfold to fulfill His
purpose within its ordained season. I recalled myself as task/action oriented n
this is a “habit” difficult to overcome. I still find myself unable n to a
certain extent, unwilling “to let go n let God” take charge of all things. I
landed in the land of hornbills with one sole mission – to finalize the SAM-MEC
partnership. I tried very hard to keep calm n comply to the “local culture” of
“sealing the deal over teh tarik” approach. I only know I’m meeting the Vice
President of SIB Sarawak on Tues to discuss abt the partnership but I do not
know what time I shld meet him. Bcoz Airasia only fly once a day on odd days
direct to Miri, I travelled on Mon n returned on Wed. As I reached MEC campus,
my first reaction was to see the Principal n politely but eager asked, …so when
m I meeting the VP? The same answer…the next day, maybe morning after
breakfast. “But let’s hv dinner tonight…” After dinner, “let’s meet for
breakfast the next morning, then I’ll send u to the Pusat.” The next morning I
had breakfast with the Principal n we returned to campus and he showed me to
the Pusat. Everyone (in the SIB HQ) was having their daily devotion then, so I
waited in the lobby n browse through some magazines. It was abt 20mins later a
team emerged n the VP invited me to breakfast. “But I’ve had breakfast.” The
answer was, “But I hv not…come let’s go breakfast.” So, breakfast round two. We
reached a nearby coffee shop at abt 9am n shortly later a lay leader came to
join us n talked endlessly till abt 11.30am. My heart was pounding as I kept
looking at the wall clock. It’s almost noon n I’ve not gotten “down to
business” – the very purpose of my trip! It was noon when we returned to
campus. Then, finally we “got down to serious business.” The VP looked through
the draft MoU, asked one question n said, “ok, let’s go ahead with this
partnership.” “Ah…would u like to know anything further?” “No need la…we know u
well enough.” So, I spent almost RM300 for my flight tickets n abt 3 days to
attend a meeting that lasted approx 15mins! What did I learn? It was an
expensive lesson no doubt but it drilled into me the importance of
relationship. So, it’s now on…the SAM-MEC partnership to offer Master in
Ministry program to interested students in the Peninsular in BM medium.
Though
it was a brief trip to Miri, it was a very fruitful trip in terms of “work” n
fellowship. I realized one drastic difference between the Semai n the Orang
Ulu. I visit Semai villages so often but can never recall a single incident
where a Semai pastor specifically brings his wife to meet me. Somehow, they
just “assumed” I know who their wife is. Tuesday night was the SIB (Miri)
district pre-Christmas dinner for all pastors. (Somehow I seemed to come to
Miri at all the “right” time – the last time was the welcoming dinner for the
new principal) So, there was big makan n I met two pastor friends I met once
upon a time. Both immediately bring their wives to meet me!
The
rest of November will be pretty mundane. One trip to Ipoh towards the end of
the month for SAM Day to promote its ministry; n for me to meet with “key”
players to formalize n finalize next year’s schedule. Plz join me to pray for
this ministry. Oh yes, another additional task for me as I take a new step in a
missions organization – WEC, the Worldwide Evangelization for Christ, founded
by the famous CT Studd. I wonder if I can soon be a WECer (whacker)!?!
4Nov2014
