April was
a month of learning n discovery. Some of you may think I missed out last month’s
entry but the truth is, after I posted it on my blog, I did not send to various
individuals. I thought I wrote something that was only a personal assumption
but I later discovered it was not – in fact, it has become a fact. I m
disappointed, that a long-time friend could hv conducted so badly in class that
several of my OA friends in Ipoh asked me to never, ever invite her back to
teach.
On a
brighter note, a new milestone was achieved for SAM when we officially signed
the MoU to provide an opportunity for peninsular-based BM pastors to pursue a
master degree. It was sometime mid of Apr n our team, 3 from Ipoh joined me in
Penang n we travel Penang-Miri-Penang while another traveled from KL n met us
in Miri. Representing us was our diocesan bishop who, despite his busy
schedule, went to Miri. Well, it was a wonderful time – honestly, we were
careful to carry ourselves when our bishop was around – but “let down our hair”
when he left our team to attend to another official function. Fellowship was
good with friends n partnership was strengthened with BEM Sarawak. I feel so at
home in the indigenous community.
Immediately
upon our return was the Eastern/UpperNorth leaders retreat in BJAC. I did not
hv much time to mingle with the other pastors/leaders from the east coast. So
happens, I hv to attend to ensuring things r in order. It was an event that
passed by very quickly n I was preparing for the next engagement in Ipoh.
My car
battery was a bit weak but I kept delaying replacing it. After all, it was
still use-able n as long as I m in Penang, if the battery goes flat, the
mechanic is just a phone call away. But then I hv an engagement in Ipoh for a
weekend. I was planning to travel to Ipoh on Fri afternoon to accompany an Ipoh
team to the OA village on Sat, then travel back on Sun. So, it was risky that
if my car battery goes flat on Sun, I will be stranded in Ipoh till the next
working day. I decided to go to the workshop to get a new battery. Arriving on
Thurs afternoon, I asked the mechanic to also check everything to ensure it is
in good shape for long distance drive. It was then that he discovered one of
the back absorbers was leaking; n absorbers need to be changed in pair. Then
the front absorbers were examined – they were not in good shape either. So, in
order to hv a proper balance, the back pair of absorbers n the front pair of
absorbers need to be replaced. But that was not all. While examining the back
absorbers, the exhaust pipe was seen to be in an extremely bad shape – like a
bad tooth half eaten by cavity. So, the back pair of absorbers, the front pair
of absorbers, n the exhaust besides the battery needed replacement. It was abt
4pm n the mechanic assured me – in 3 hours, he can replaced all that n I can
safely n comfortably drive to Ipoh the next day. The bill? RM1,113.10 (plus
labor n GST) but I asked for a discount of 10sen la! Huge sum to pay
unexpectedly for car maintenance.
The next
morning I was in my office, still reeling from the shocking, sudden departure
of hard-earned cash that I posted on my FB wall on this matter. I began my
drive to Ipoh at abt 2pm n as usual driving alone I prayed n sang praises to
God, not bothered that I sang off-key n wrong lyrics. I began by praying to God
asking to send my “claim” to heaven for His consideration. And I told God that
He may answer me quickly, slowly, or not answer me at all – yet I will still
send my “claim” to heaven. Even if He does not entertain this “claim” I know I
hv done the right thing as a good steward in spending such a huge sum to care
for a car that rightfully belongs to Him. I reached Ipoh n checked in at YMCA,
unpacked a bit, logged in to the internet awhile n dropped on the bed to rest
awhile before my dinner appointment. It was then, slightly after 5pm that a
Whatsapp message came n the sender asked me how much exactly was the car repair
cost n wanted to pay the complete bill! Several minutes later, he sent a
picture thru whatsapp the fund transfer slip. 3 hours – the mechanic needed to
replace new parts for my car; 3 hours for heaven to “process my claim.” God is
good – all the time; all the time – God is good!
May has no
out-station travels but I needed time to seriously work on preparing lesson
plans for SAM Penang class in June/July n SAM Ipoh class in July/Aug besides
starting to chart course materials for SAM Ipoh class in October. June will
start busy with the YWAM GoFest Missions Conference. There is already a planned
weekend trip for a team to visit OA village in Gopeng; some OA participants may
be staying in SNH hostel n some in my vicarage; n WEC Partners (Malaysia) reps
will be in town – we hope to meet some pastors/mission leaders in some local
church; then my guest lecturer n his wife (from MEC Miri) will be arriving
towards the end of the conference n we will travel to Ipoh/Gopeng for a
week-long class.
An update
regarding my studies? I really don’t know how is my progress. It’s like
wondering endlessly in an endless circle in the wilderness. As I complained n
complained ceaselessly, the Lord rebuked me. Then I realized that I hv no right
to judge nor compare my present thesis supervisor with the previous ones. God
made her the way she is just as God made me the way I m. The reason God put us
together to work in this season is so that I may learn what I need to. So, I
don’t know if I can graduate this year but I hv surrendered to God who
determines the times n the seasons.
Once
again, thank you for your partnership in ministry
SB
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