It has been a hot n humid month but I’m glad the rain has
come to cool the weather, even though it was just isolated showers – a little
here n a little there. I’m sure many of you are similarly surprised at how we r
now concluding the first quarter of the year – already.
After a whole month of being “confined” to Penang
in February, I was glad for March n the opportunity to visit the OA villages –
accompanying some YWAMers to explore the villages as mission points for the
practical sessions of the GoFest Missions Conference in early June. The
following week was a week-long class in Ipoh/Gopeng. It was to be our first
class in attempt to offer a 3-credit course n a combined class of diploma n
master students. However, the students participated were all diploma students
due to some administrative hiccup. The class was “moved” to Gopeng – not only
were there more students from Gopeng, it was because there was no one with a
valid driving license to transport the students to Ipoh. So, the following dip/MMin classes will
be held in Gopeng.
An important lesson was learnt by me in a hard way – that
those serving in the pastoral ministry in the BM ministry do not necessarily
can function teaching in the Bible School capacity; that those able to teach do
not necessarily able to function teaching in a BM Bible School context.
I was hoping to “enlarge” the teaching team n I suppose in
that quest, I failed to discern properly. First I had a new teacher who does
not seem to care abt the commitment made to almost 20 students n simply
“disappeared” on one session n didn’t bother to explain the “disappearance” the
next session. Second I had a major disappointment that came from some long-time
friends. In fact, I m beginning to feel foolish that at one time I had actually
“looked up” to this couple as they r more senior in ministry, in age, n as
Christians. So this person moved to Ipoh n kept insisting that I give her a
teaching schedule, readily offered to teach day or night. However, as the day draws
near to the class – a date she herself committed – she began giving “unreasonable”
requests, among others, insisting on holding her class at a time impossible for
the students to attend, thus defeating the very purpose of a night class. There
were also some harsh remarks insulting the intelligence n economic status of my
OA friends. I was so very disappointed – how can someone in ministry behave in
such a way? She seemed to hv lost interest in a commitment she eagerly sought;
probably bcoz after awhile in a new place she had found something that can give
her better n wider recognition? I almost wanted to say that to her bcoz my
patience was wearing thin n I almost wanted to cancel the class.
Looks like I am back to square one – definitely cannot keep
these two new teachers in the teaching team. On the lighter side, we will
finally sign the official MoU with BEM Sarawak next month. Praise the Lord that
we can find a time where both the heads of denomination are available for this
occasion. When I was discussing the terms of our MoU with the person in charge
in Miri late last year, we felt that it’ll be near impossible to find a time
where both our bosses can be free at the same time. Praise the Lord, He made
possible the impossible. A team of us from Penang/Ipoh n KL will travel to Miri
for this formal occasion where our bishop representing us will sign the MoU
where SAM Northern Centers will partner MEC to offer Master in Ministry program
in BM to ministers functioning in the BM language here in Peninsular. Besides
reducing costs n time, this will be an opportunity for our BM/OA pastors to
upgrade to the master level academically. After the Miri trip, is immediately
the Eastern/Upper North Archdeaconry Retreat in SNH/BJAC. In later part of Apr
is a proposed day trip to the OA village in Simpang Pulai with AOG Ipoh.
Regarding my studies, yes, it is moving slow…I m praying
that I will complete the necessary for completion by this year so I can
dedicate a doctoral degree to my OA friends. I m eager to “perform this
prophetic act” n I hope you will join me to anticipate this spiritual act so
our friends can “breakthrough” n rise to their potentials, even academically. I
m also thankful to God for partners in ministry offering assistance of various
kinds to our OA friends. This is indeed an exciting ministry n greater things
God is about to do in our midst through the indigenous church. Will you join me
in my walk with them to experience God in tangible ways?
