So
we have officially entered into the second half of the year. Time just moved
swiftly. There’s so much to do in ministry I don’t understand how some people
can find time to meddle in “church politics” n internal strivings! Yea, that do
happen...n within the Body of Christ. I’ve always emphasized this: a church
that is not looking out will soon hv internal problems. Hey, how long can we
tolerate the same environment repeatedly over n over, year after year? Human as
we are, we seek “new thrills” n if we are confined to the four walls, sooner or
later we find “fault” with each other! So, I lay my case for missions
involvement...
June
had passed by fast. Returning from the UK end of May got me still “reeling”
over the wonders n fantastic weather of end Spring/early Summer. Still can’t
quite get over the “coziness” of Edinburgh! Well, God...when You are “done”
with me in the OA ministry here, send me to “re-evangelize” UK! ;)
There
was a meeting in the SPECS office at the start of June n got the opportunity to
meet some old friends n colleagues in ministry. It was a fruitful time to
strengthen networks. Almost immediately was an exploratory visit to the OA
village as this team wants to start preparing for their medical-themed visit in
late August. Then we had our very first Master in Ministry class, in
partnership with STS in YMCA, Ipoh. Total expenditure was a bit high but it is
worth it to “invest” in the upgrading of our BM counter-parts. Besides, God
will provide all the necessary. That...I am fully convinced. I was in Ipoh
briefly to attend to the necessary n the students had a fruitful time of
learning. We needed a minimum of 10 students but eight registered while three
pulled out at the last minute. Please pray that God will bring a minimum of
another five students or the program cannot continue as STS needs to justify
their cost of sending their lecturer here. The current five students are
committed n eager; it won’t be fair to deny them the opportunity to continue.
Do pray with n for us in this.
The
Raya break weekend saw a visit to the OA village. As always, visits to the OA
villages are a super wonderful time to connect with nature, people, n of
course...food! Different types of food. This trip, the spread covered wild
boar, venison, n monkey meat besides my all time favourite of wild bamboo
shoots.
As
July began, so I need to begin preparing for the next classes. In Prai, the
Anthropology class will be concluding soon. The next class will be Theology II.
In SP, the Discipleship class concluded n the next class is a “trial run” of
intensive module – two full weeks of daily night classes on TOPAD. The second
week of July begins the class nightly Mon-Fri n continued on the fourth week,
nightly Mon-Fri.
The
final classes in SAM Penang will be “Academic Writing” in Prai n Theology II in
SP for the fourth quarter to conclude the academic year of 2017. Elsewhere in
Ipoh, we will hv an intensive 3-day classes, 9am-5pm on “Dangerous Faith” end
of July; a two-weeks nightly intensive class in Biblical Interpretation in Aug;
a two-weeks nightly intensive class in Academic Writing in September. And that
conclude the academic year for 2017.
We
will only hv two graduates this year – one from SAM Ipoh for Certificate in
Christian Ministry n one from SAM Penang for Diploma in Christian Ministry. Do
continue to pray with n for us in this ministry
n thank you once again for your partnership.
020717
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