I realized that the end/beginning of the year are lazy
months. When December comes, preparations began towards Christmas and the New
Year. The festive mood did not quite fade when January arrives, as preparations
are geared up towards Chinese New Year. If it falls on January, February picks
up but when it falls on February, festivity drags on till February ends. So,
it’s only in March that “serious work” picks up. And this February? It was a
lazy month, all blamed at the festivity.
It was not much of a festivity for me. My second sister n
family is in London
and CNY was quiet without the two noisy nephews. My eldest sister n family only
came home on the 3rd day. I had a good time of fellowship, though –
with my nephew who is a 6 months old Christian – in fact, he had so much to
ask, we chatted till morning for two consecutive days!
The CNY break allowed me to work n complete the two project
papers (though the Diocese termed it as “mini thesis”) for the Ordination
Retreat in July. The deadline is end of May but the CNY break is long enough a
break for me to complete those two papers! My final touches to the doctoral
dissertation are on-going. I’m sort of “dependant” on the other end who seems
to be taking it slow.
SAM Penang Prai began its class in early February with a new
intake of 15 (certificate) students. With 2 diploma students and one auditing
student, we have a class of 18. A good start for the year. I’ve yet to hear
from SAM Ipoh (certificate) on their attendance but I’m sure it’s around that
figure or slightly more. There’s a request to launch another SAM Penang class,
to be held on the island – a proposal still under consideration. Then, there’s
another proposal to start SAM SP in Sungai Petani. This will really stretch me
in addition to the diploma classes in Ipoh.
We are combining the diploma class in Ipoh
with MMin (Master in Ministry) class this year n the first class is scheduled
to be held next month, March. Some of our prospective students hv been
requested to delay their participation in the MMin program in order to complete
the 8-month MICPE program (compulsory for Diocesan staff). In the meantime, the
administrative matters are still on-going towards the official signing of MoU
between SAM Northern Centers
(from the platform of Anglican DWM) and BEM Sarawak theological schools. SIB
now prefers to be known as BEM – Borneo Evangelical Missions. Once this
official partnership is sealed, SAM Northern Centers will need to maintain a
standard and quality that comply to the requirements of both accreditation
bodies in Asia (ATESEA – Association of
Theological Education South East Asia and ATA – Asia Theological Association).
Financial-wise, SAM Northern Centers is stable – thanks to
the continuous support from all of you. But do continue to pray for us. Though
we may hv forged formal partnerships with STM (ATESEA accreditation) and MEC
(through BEM Sarawak with ATA accreditation), it is a big challenge to maintain
the standard to consistently offer our training at that level of acceptance. We
are probably the only BM Bible School in Peninsular Malaysia, recognized by
accredited seminaries and it is overwhelming how the Lord is leading us to be
better. After all, with the Lord leading us, we can really expect really big
things to happen!
