Well, it has been quite a month! May opened with an important meeting
of the SAM Network. Is not often that we come together – is only on “special”
occasions. The last time (my first time) attending such meetings was when I
first entered the Anglican Church n “grafted” into SAM in 2010. So, it was a
meeting to “rekindle” ministry bonds under the SAM name. We hv the northern centers
(Penang n Ipoh), KL, n JB. As usual, after such meetings n collaborating on our
strengths, plans were conceived n possibilities open doors for more ministry
opportunities. Do pray for us n with us.
I had a holiday which I never thought will ever happen. After my first
visit to London in 2015, I asked God to send me back there. Though I was never
quite sure if I will visit again, in faith I started preparing for the trip. By
the grace of God, I visited London again. To some it may be too short a trip but
to me, it is sufficient – 8 days. An added bonus was a brief visit to
Edinburgh, the capital city of bagpipes! I spent so much time researching n
planning for the Edinburgh visit that I did not plan much for the rest of the
time in London, except to visit an English friend base in Kent n a Malaysian
couple who partner me closely in ministry who is staying with her
daughter/son-in-law in Reading till July (well, they missed Malaysian food
after 3 months in UK n we ended up in a Malaysian restaurant for lunch over
char koay teow, nasi lemak, n roti canai!).
Besides that I volunteered for my nephew’s school fund-raising event –
Party for the Planet. I can only thank God for making this wonderful visit
possible. I was carefully budgeting my expenses as every price tag I mentally
x5.5. However, after the trip I realized I spent less than GBP300! God is good.
Somehow, everything is sufficient n adequate. One important lesson I learnt
however, is Godly dependence. I remember preparing to rely on the internet to find
my way around Edinburgh. I figured that once I arrived in London, I only need
to get a local SIM card n rely on the internet to bring me to wherever I want
to go. Suddenly, my handphone began giving problems (maybe jet-lag) n I
couldn’t get online! I remember getting off the train from Edinburgh Waverly
Station, stepping on the streets of Edinburgh n suddenly realized I don’t know
where to go. But God’s Holy Spirit assured me n I relaxed in His presence n
comfort. Even without getting online, being aligned to God is all that matters!
SAM Penang (Prai) is continuing its study in Cultural Anthropology
while SAM Penang (SP) is continuing with its study in Discipleship. The first
STS-SAM partnership to offer the MMin (BM) program will commence next month in Ipoh.
Do pray for the 8 students attending n pray for more students to seize this
opportunity to upgrade themselves with quality theological education at
affordable rates while conveniently base in Peninsular. Next month I am
traveling to Klang Valley to attend a meeting n perhaps begin preparing for
next year’s course schedule. Please pray with n for our SAM Northern Centers
team – both the admin n teaching team. Will appreciate your discernment with me
if it is the right time to begin empowering our OA friends beyond the church.
Do pray also for the proof-reading of our commentary (Phillipians) in BM where
we are partnering other seminaries for publication. June also has several
visits to the OA villages n possible partnerships between the urban-rural churches.
Thank you once again for your partnership n ministry.
