Festivities, though very much toned down this year, still
have an effect to cause laziness in many of us. I am one of those affected.
January had been a fast-paced month. It moved so fast n suddenly we have
arrived at the close of the first month of the year.
SAM Penang academic year began with a class in the Sungai
Petani center. I am teaching there for this first slot. We are studying
Cultural Anthropology, which is a subject close to my heart. Why? Because I
majored in Anthropology & Sociology for my undergraduate study; graduated
without fully understand what anthropology really is; finally in Seminary
discovered those undergraduate years were “foundation” years to my current
major in Missiology! God orchestrated everything beautifully, as always. As the
class in SP is at night, I usually spent the night “camping” in the church n
only drive back Penang early the next morning.
However, from the start of class this year, a student managed to persuade me to
spend the night in her home. Well, it sure is more comfortable – proper bed n
no noisy “mickey mouse football match on the roof” or clattering of utensils at
odd hours as neighboring shops begin preparing for the next day’s business.
Praise God for His providence!
SAM Penang Prai center will only begin its academic year
with its first class in Discipleship end of February. I hope the earlier
enquiries will translate into actual attendance as majority of the current
students will be ready for graduation by end of this year. They may miss this
year’s convocation and I am still looking at options and possibilities to
enable the accumulation of enough academic credits so they can make it before
deadline to graduate this year.
Elsewhere, SAM Ipoh will open with a certificate course of
intensive 2-weeks nightly classes at the start of February and an intensive
one-week day classes towards the end of February. The courses offered will be
“Church Growth” and “Corinthian Letters” respectively. We are also anticipating
some new students for the certificate modules this year.
Prayer requests:
1. Teaching
team: travels, preparations, good health
2. Students:
dedicated, teachable, committed
3. Administrative
team: well organized, attentive, focused
4. Financial matters: task of
“transferring” SAM fund from Bagan Jermal Anglican Church Penang into a new
bank account that can be easier accessed by other SAM committee in Ipoh/Gopeng.
This is on-going n please pray for St Peter’s admin team assisting us in this
with the required paper works n liaising with various parties
5. More OA to thirst to be well-equipped
to serve effectively n willing to “sacrifice” comfort, time, convenience to
attend classes n complete assignments
6. This weekend, 3-5Feb, the Anglican
School of Disciples (ASOD) participants will be visiting the OA villages. Pray
for the participants to learn, enjoy, n be “bitten by the ministry bug” to
carry the burden for OA work. Join us to pray for journey mercy, good weather,
n fruitful time of ministry in Kampong Sungai Poh/Kampong Kepayang, Kampong Ulu
Kampar, and Gereja Shalom Gopeng. Pray that it will be an “eye-opener” for the
participants as they experience a different lifestyle from that of urban
context
7. The first class of Bishop Certificate
of Ministry for Upper North Archdeaconry to prepare candidates to serve
officially as lay ministers in the Anglican Diocese. I’ll be teaching the first
module in “Bible Overview” over the 18-19 Feb weekend
8. The Northern Clergy Retreat in Penang 20-22 Feb: that it will truly be a time to “relax”
and fellowship with fellow workers in ministry
Thank you for
your partnership in ministry
SBTan
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