It was a historical mile stone for the Anglican DWM when we had the
first Regional Assembly to begin the move to divide the West Malaysia diocese
into three regions: North, Central-East, n South. Apart from that historical
significance was also the start to debate/discuss issues of women ordination
for the conservative Anglicans. With many clergy from the Indian community,
their deeply rooted cultural perspectives object to the proposal to ordain
women. Yet, they never admit to it n tried to hide behind their reasonings of
theology. I m amused actually – how do we derive our theology in the first
place? Anyway, I’m not bothered with ordination or not. After all, God’s
calling n God’s enablement is enough to equip us to serve without the need to
have “fanciful titles.”
August had been a very interesting month. The highlight of it was the
mini reunion of Second Collegians of Univ. Malaya, the meeting of old friends
that shaped n colored the start of my adult life!
The mini reunion in KK was very much anticipated when it was first
mooted in June. Although we tried to persuade more collegians to come along, I
guess it was just three “curious monkeys” that made it to the land beneath the
wind to meet with another three collegians. Arriving from the south, central, n
north of the Peninsular, we greeted each other with much joy n excitement at KK
airport n spent the short weekend indulging in the exotic local food, the
highlight of which was the Kadazandusun traditional dishes.
Returning from Borneo, work resume with classes in SP n Juru. With the
class in SP concluding today, I can focus on the class in Juru – both r
exploring Church Administration approaches. September will begin the class on
Theology in SP. These are concluding classes for SAM Penang – the SP center n
the Juru center.
Lower south, for the Ipoh center, they concluded an intensive module in
the study on the Book of Ephesus in early August. September is a break for
them. Another MMin/Dip module is scheduled for mid October after graduation in
STM. We will hv 4 graduates this year in Certificate of Christian Ministry. The
MMin/Dip module is on the study of Theology of Persecution n Discipleship.
Please pray for n with us as we attempt the course in BM for the first time.
While SAM Penang is wrapping up with its academic year (Church Admin in
Juru; Theology 1 in SP), SAM Ipoh will offer its final class in the study of
the Gospels for the certificate students in Nov. Please remember us in prayer.
In September, there will be two trips to the OA villages: a medical
mission to Kampong Air Denak over the weekend prior to the Hari Raya Haji; a
follow-up trip to Kampong Sungai Poh over the Malaysia Day weekend. Again, will
very much appreciate your prayer support.
Another area I am forwarding a prayer request is in regard to wisdom in
exploring options on how SAM can create our own banking facility to manage our
funds. We hv several options n are praying for the best. Pray also for our
partnership with other Seminaries, especially in the quest to offer the master
programs – MEC in Sarawak n STS in Sabah. Do pray for n with us as we iron out
the conditions/hiccups, etc.
I apologize to some of you durian lovers out there that this year, the
harvest was not as good as two years ago n I only managed to bring limited
fruits to a few of you. In certain parts of Gopeng, it is still in season. For
those of you who hv tasted the fruit from the OA kampongs, you’ll know how God
loves them bcoz the fruit of their harvest is simply the best! As much as
possible, I will bring “jungle produce” to share with you, our partners in
ministry as a token of our appreciation. And I believe that as you taste how
good these “jungle produce” are, you will be similarly convinced of God’s favor
upon the OA church today.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry
SB
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