We are wrapping up the first half of the year with the
conclusion of June 2016. It has been a month of many significant incidents.
From the end of the previous month, my (third) aunt was ill and in the ICU. At
the first visit, I had a bad feeling of her condition. She was the only
Christian among her siblings. I remember that I was suddenly unable to pray for
her, overcame by a strong wave of emotion – seeing a glimpse of my mother in
her. My aunt went home to be with the Lord early in the morning on Friday 17th
June. The funeral was on Tuesday, 22 June. The whole day I was disappointed
with how the pastor conducting the funeral failed to seize the opportunity to
deliver a strong evangelistic message to our unbelieving relatives. I was upset
at his wrong theology n poor understanding of the Bible. The thought kept
reeling in my mind. Even late into the night driving back from a class I
visited in Juru. I stopped by a nearby petrol station to get a full fill of
petrol n was all set for my class in SP the next day. My mind was pre-occupied
n I let down guard. When I reached home, I drove my car into the compound n
turned behind to see the auto-gate shut. Just then, a man wearing black jacket
n a full-faced helmet rushed in. I immediately pressed on the horn while he
started to smash my car window at the passenger side. Then he rushed out just
before the auto-gate shut. Turning behind to see him leave, I saw another
accomplish running out from my right. Gosh! There was another robber at my
right, probably trying to open my side of car door! It was pretty traumatic for
me. But praise God for caring CG members who came to calm n advice me. The next
day, police report lodged n window repaired. Thank God also for a caring
Christian who offered to pay for the repairs. Incident behind but the traumatic
healing is still progressing. Nevertheless, I praise n thank God I was not
harmed n nothing was lost.
Ministry-wise: there was a brief trip to the OA village with
SAM Penang students at the start of the month. Then there was a trip to
Seremban to teach in a Seminary there on behalf of SPECS. I had the opportunity
to spend some short but precious time with an old friend from 2nd
RC, UM. Next, was an over the weekend trip to OA villages in Kampar with a
group of China Chinese pastors from MBTS. I was pretty disappointed that my
colleague planned most of the activities to take place in his town church in
Kampar itself. We only went for short visits to two different homes in the
outskirts.
SAM Ipoh Dip/MMin one-week intensive module is on-going now
in Ipoh during
this last week of June. Elsewhere, SAM Penang in Taman Pelangi had started
their third class of the year with the study on New Testament Survey beginning
2nd June and will conclude sometime end of July. In the meantime,
SAM Penang in Sungai Petani will begin its third class in Church Admin on 29th
June and will continue till end August.
Next month, July will see many public holidays. But in the
field I am in, it makes no difference whether it is a work day or public
holiday. For me the major difference is the traffic on the road. After the “holiday
season” in July, I hv another class to teach in Seremban. Then, another trip to
the OA villages with MBTS team. This time, we will visit Gopeng. Please pray
for the church in Ulu Groh. We planned to visit this village then, but last
week I was told a huge storm struck n a tree was uprooted, falling right on the
church, destroying a major portion.
Please pray for SAM administrative wisdom. Our funds were
parked in my church (BJAC) accounts all these years but this year our mother
church strongly suggested for SAM to move our funds out. We are seeking our
Archbishop’s advice to move the funds somewhere that we can be placed under the
covering of the Diocese. I will advice all of you once the new account has been
created n its details. It will be a joint account consisting of all four SAM
Northern Centers committee members.
I am very looking forward to August – in particular a short
over the weekend trip to KK for a mini reunion of 2nd RC collegians.
It has been about 25 years since our college days n we are meeting for the
first time to see each other, 25 years later!
Thank you for your continuous support and partnership in
ministry.
SB
290616
