It was a familiar smell as I drove across the Penang Bridge
early in the morning. It must have been more than a decade since I regularly
drive across the Bridge so early in the morning. I remember that working in the
manufacturing capacity meant going to work when the moon was still in the skies
and returning from work when the moon came out to shine at dusk. I seldom had
the opportunity to soak in the scorching sun and seized all the opportunity to
do so when the lorry carrying the parts I bought was “stuck in customs.”
Ahhh…those were the days, the factory days.
I was in the manufacturing concern for about 7 years, then a
year in a private Chinese school, before entering ministry. That was 15 years
ago. Even with 15 years of “full time ministry” I felt there are still much to
learn; simply because God made human beings so complicated. But as I recalled
the person I was, I can honestly confess that I have “managed to leave” quite a
bit of the fallen nature behind. And that was no easy task. Naturally a
task-oriented person, I had to go through the tedious work of unlearn and
re-learn to be a “peoples person.” Yeah, yeah, I know I still have a long way
more to go. But I hope I have made some progress.
June had been a busy month. I’m back in my office in Penang but will soon embark on a series of travels. I
sort of look forward to that as I’ve grown to be someone who cannot “quite stay
put in one place for long.” I m teaching a class on “Religions in Malaysia” in
SAM Penang. It is an overview of the major religions in Malaysia to give an
understanding of what its adherers subscribe to. This will help to formulate
the worldview/thinking pattern to understand people of other faiths. I feel
this is important as Malaysians today often misunderstand each other from
various ethnicity n religious backgrounds. SAM Penang “extension center” or
“branch” in Sungai Petani will start later in July. It will start with the
course in “Intro to NT” by Rev Khor KH and will stretch through 7-8 weeks with
2.5 hours classes once a week.
On the Raya break, I will bring a team from COR, Butterworth
to the villages. Returning on Sunday, I will travel to Gopeng the next day for
the “ordination retreat” till Wednesday. Following this is an 8-day course in Ipoh (Mon-Fri, Mon-Wed).
So, I’ll be spending more time in Ipoh/Gopeng this month. Yes, I’m looking
forward to Aug as I’ll be traveling to London for abt 10 days in mid-Aug.
This year, SAM is expecting to graduate 4 certificate
students n 1 diploma student. The diploma student will be the first graduating
student from SAM Penang. The leadership of SAM Northern Centers is also in the
process of re-negotiating with STM so that the OA students pursuing their BTh
in STM can be permitted to do some courses within the close proximity of their
villages. This will help reduce cost/travel time.
Do pray for us as we continue to develop/improve the BM
theological education ministry in Malaysia.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in ministry.
SB
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