Ministry Update Dec18Jan19

So it’s the time of the year again…to reflect upon the year that was. Well, for one, today (27Dec) is the first anniversary of my move from North to South. Yes, it’s been a year…a whole year of adjusting to sub-standard food n yes, it’s making me appreciate Penang food even more. The culinary skills of southerners are really questionable n the few good ones? Well, you can easily tell by the long queues at their stalls/restaurants. That is probably just a hand-full of them. Even the “once upon a time” good stuff failed to maintain its standard. Like the cendul I had earlier today which was supposed to be the best in town. If it is really the best, then the taste buds of the people here are questionable. It tasted nothing more than evaporated milk with diluted brown sugar!

Ok, enough of food. One thing is for certain – Penang has the best! Well, December started fun with almost two back-to-back teaching/preaching engagements in Ipoh, then to Langkawi. In between I managed to send out SAM Northern Centers annual reports. Originally planned to spend Christmas in Penang, I decided to stay put in Seremban instead as there appeared to be an increase in traffic volume along the highways. No, I wasn’t planning to drive back but traffic jams seem to have a negative effect on impatient people like me. I decided to spend my leave (19-27Dec) in Seremban instead – to explore this little town beyond the little confine I have grown used to. However, I ended up…spending most of my leave in my office! And I’m getting pretty bored that I can’t proceed with work because hardly anyone is in campus. Hello…semester break is for students (only). Can say that I can’t wait for term to start n very looking forward to next week – closing of the year n the opening of the new.

For a start, SAM Ipoh may be temporarily closed. In its place SAM Ipoh (Tapah) will be established with students from the Gospel Hall OA church or the Sidang Injil Orang Asli (SIOA). They are requesting a center to train their pastors from Tapah n Temerloh. SAM Penang (Prai) will proceed with three courses conducted twice a week at night and one intensive course for 2019. SAM Penang (SP) is also temporarily closed.

From STM front, two prospective extension centers are in view – JB n Sibu. Will greatly appreciate your prayer support. Also, plz pray with n for us: first full-fledge mission trip to Makassar in May n also in the cards, sending a team to participate in the Prayer Conference in Mount Murud in July. It’s going to be an exciting year. And (finally) I get to teach one mission class in first semester in BM n another one in second semester in English (yippee!!!)

Next week, orientation starts on Wednesday till Saturday, then STM community retreat in PD the next Mon-Wed. Following which, the “show begins” as first semester in the academic year starts. Well, next year is “supposed” to be special for STM – celebrating its 40^th Anniversary on 6^th Jan. So, it’s going be a busy start.

To all my prayer n ministry partners, thank you for your tremendous prayer support n encouragements. It is your contribution – however small it may be – that allowed us to sail through 2018. I pray that you join us for another exciting year in 2019. Happy n Blessed New Year to you!

Blessings,

SB

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Ministry Update Nov/Dec 18

Coming to the close of the year, reports are being generated and preparations begin to welcome the new year. November was event-packed. The first weekend began with a meeting with the Sidang Injil Orang Asli in Tapah who requested a SAM teaching center in Tapah for their pastors serving in villages in Tapah, Perak and Temerloh, Pahang. Discussions are still on-going and we will likely begin a teaching center there. This is in view with the declining support/interest in Gopeng. The following weekend, I was preaching in an Iban church in Port Dickson. Then it was the faculty/staff retreat to Penang with the main aim of savouring Penang delicacies. I stayed back in Penang for ministry. But in fact, it was a continuation of “makan spree.” Ministry engagements were only on the weekend which left the weekdays to savour Penang favourites. There was a visit to the OA village where we were involved in a “rescue operation” that was pretty dramatic. The next day, I was preaching in a small church. The rain and the cancellation of the Penang Bridge Marathon that morning turned the day a bit gloomy as I stood in front of a locked church 30 minutes before service was scheduled – wondering whether the church had decided to “tutup kedai” that Sunday.

December is just around the corner. There will be two teaching engagements in Ipoh and in Pulau Langkawi. I have actually applied to clear my annual leave but not sure what to do during that time. Office is quiet with very few staff/faculty around.

The annual report for SAM will be sent shortly. Kindly partner us in praying for this ministry. The need is enormous; the workers are few. The potential is huge; the funds are limited. The prospects are big; few are seeing it.

·         Do pray for committed individuals with a heart and passion for this ministry to partner us to develop and grow the local leaders in a holistic manner

·         More prayer partners who will uphold this ministry consistently

·         For funds to enable us to offer quality theological training at very affordable costs

·         For God to open avenues and provide the necessary for OA pastors to be adequately trained

Ministry Update OctNov 18

The highlight of October? Well, it was a brief trip back Penang and this time my meals were carefully planned to include many local delicacies. I taught a 4-hour class on persecution preparedness course at a church in Air Itam, which was part of a 4 part series.  Then I preached in an Anglican church in Seremban where I stood behind the rostrum and discovered I’m too short for the congregation to see me! And the graduation dinner/service over the third weekend…

There were as many as 11 graduands from SAM Penang (Prai n SP). From these, 8 had indicated they will proceed to diploma.  The last module in Prai is concluding for the year soon and that will wrap up SAM North academic year. With my transfer to Seremban, SAM North was pretty neglected. I truly hope next year it will be better organized. With four students left in SP, SP centre will temporarily close and students channelled to Prai for the time being. So, for 2019, we scheduled 3 night classes n one intensive module in Prai centre.

Elsewhere in Ipoh, there’s still much uncertainty as students are not too committed. We are considering juggling the venue between Ipoh n Gopeng. Please pray with n for us in this. This year, only two classes were held.

In the meantime, there are three enquiries to hold SAM teaching centres in Georgetown, Tapah, n Sibu. Now that I am based in STM, I will hv to propose two options to these three enquiries – SAM or STM. Whichever route will still end up with an accredited certificate from STM!

November is filled with activities: meeting in Tapah; (new) students interviews; teaching in JB; preaching in PD; faculty/staff retreat in Penang; leading a visit to OA village; preaching in Penang. Spilling to Dec is another visit to OA village; teaching in Ipoh; teaching in Langkawi; n finally a short break to clear annual leave which I will likely return to Penang (for a makan trip!) or just laze around ;)

Will greatly appreciate your partnership in prayer in preparations for Nov/Dec engagements n 2019 classes.

Ministry Update SeptemberOctober 2018

Final quarter of the year and classes are wrapping up. September had been an interesting month with loads of public holidays. Despite that, I was on “working holidays” and it was not quite of a “holiday.”

With three consecutive long weekends, it’s exciting as one program ends n immediate preparation attended to for the next. It was hectically fun! From last weekend of August with a trip to Miri to attend a friend’s wedding cum preaching engagement; then the Merdeka weekend having to chauffer a guest lecturer to Kampar then proceed to CH for a short break n later a meeting with SAM Ipoh committee meeting; followed by a teaching trip to Lawas via Miri; and finally ending the Malaysia Day weekend with a BBQ dinner with the first year students. An unexpected trip to Penang took place after my return from Lawas. My aunt passed away n I travelled back Penang briefly to pay my last respects.

Though it was a brief teaching assignment in Lawas, it was fun. First time travelling to Lawas n by MasWing 18-seater aircraft, it sure was an adventure. Once again n as usual, I feel so at home amongst the indigenous people group. This time with the LunBawang people group. Upon my return transiting Miri, I hv approx. 4 hours before boarding the flight back  KL. These hours were filled by going out briefly to meet friends in Miri

Next week (first weekend of Oct) I hv a teaching engagement in Penang n that allows me to briefly return for another dose of authentic Penang food. The second week of Oct is convocation weekend n activities are peaking in campus. While classes are concluding, student assignments are pouring in. With the close of 2018 academic year, reports need to be prepared. In the meantime there are preaching/teaching engagements, retreats, n OA visits in Nov/Dec.

I’m thrilled that SAM Penang has 11 students graduating this year with certificate of Christian Ministry. Several of them will be upgrading to diploma. With a slow start, SAM Penang Prai held one class n one is on-going while another is planned. This means there will be 3 classes, stretching till early Dec before our academic year concludes n annual report generated.

Elsewhere in SAM Ipoh, we only managed to hold 2 classes. Even that, we hv very poor attendance. The committee met n decided to alternate class venue between Ipoh n Gopeng in our quest to meet the needs of the students.

Will greatly appreciate your prayer partnership:

1.      SAM Northern Centers – Penang (Prai) n Ipoh

a.       More suitable/qualified teaching personnel

b.      Dedicated n committed students

c.       Focus n commitment of committee

2.      STM BM program

a.       More to hear of this program n will consider coming here to be trained adequately

b.      In-campus/full-time students adjusting to community life

THANK YOU

SBTAN 280918

Ministry Update AugSept 2018

As we approach 31^st Aug this year, there’s an added patriotism attached to it. It feels like we have experienced a “second Merdeka” this time round. I know many are feeling extra patriotic during these times between 31^st Aug till 16^th Sept. To further fuel this are the many patriotic videos posted on social media. I am pressing on in prayer for this country, especially for our new government. I pray that you will also join me to pray for a nation where “justice flows like a river n righteousness like a never ending stream.”

A “big” achievement I accomplished recently is to complete translating my doctoral dissertation from English to BM. Now the next step is the editing n proof-reading to get it ready for publishing. I guess I needed some motivation. I remember starting the project in Feb 2016 n it slowed down after awhile. In 2017, hardly any effort was invested and I just kicked myself to progress till the end. Of course, a lot of divine investment was involved too!

Ministry-wise, I was in Miri for a weekend n somehow, time felt a little too short. This Merdeka weekend I need to chauffeur a colleague to Kampar before proceeding to Cameron Highlands for a short break with the family. I hv also slotted in a meeting with SAM Ipoh committee to discuss the future of the school. Response had not been too encouraging. I hv nevertheless prepared a tentative schedule for next year. SAM Penang is progressing well with 11 prospective graduates this year n most intending to continue with the diploma program. Do pray for n with us for the development of this school. It’s tough having to juggle responsibilities here in Seremban n the school in Penang n Ipoh. I’m praying that perhaps I need to get a new car with a larger engine capacity to travel long distance to attend to these centers.

Will also appreciate your partnership in prayer for our TOPAD class next weekend (the Agong birthday weekend) in MIM, Lawas. This time travelling MAS transiting Miri. By mid Sept all my campus classes will conclude, then it’s grading assignments time, followed by convocation service in October. Nov n Dec are slowly filling up with ministry appointments all over Malaysia. Will greatly appreciate your prayer partnership. Thanks