June
had passed by pretty slow. Perhaps it’s because there were many events along
the month. After a nation-wide event, June was focused on many ministry
activities. Returning campus from the first semester break, I led a small team
to visit the OA village in Kampar. It was pretty much an impromptu trip n was
confined to the BM class. That too, one member pulled out at the last minute.
We left campus on Monday afternoon after a little hiccup regarding
transportation. The MPV we booked was taken away by a colleague without
consulting the user record. That cost us more than an hour delay. The three of
us reached Kampar nearing dinner time n met up with another team member who is
a local OA in Kampar. She had brought us to explore a little bit of Kampar at
night. Early the next morning, after breakfast we went to climb a hill – well,
it was actually to visit the OA Prayer House. It was located on top of a small
hill overlooking Kampar town and Mambang Di-Awan. Though it was a low hill, I
was pretty unfit after being “grounded” the last six months. So, it was pretty
much a challenge to climb the hill. It felt like hours before we reached the
prayer house. I was “gung-ho” enough to attempt the climb wearing just an old
worn out pair of slippers. Apparently it was just 30 minutes (after many stops)
to reach the prayer house. Descending the hill, we returned to Kampar town for
lunch while waiting for our hosts to bring us to two other OA outreaches near
Tapah. The day ended with a late dinner of clay-pot chicken rice in Kampar. We
were staying in the OA Anglican church in Kampar n my team-mates in the room
next door had a real good bonding time, chatting till 2/3 am. I think they were
excited at the experiences during the day. The next morning we packed n ready
to return Seremban. We met up with partners in ministry in Kampar n briefly
dropped by Bidor before arriving back Seremban nearing 5pm on Wednesday 6th
June.
In
the meantime, SAM Penang is still not holding any classes. After the first
class early this year, the SP center continued in the pause mode. The Prai
center has yet to begin any classes. The hiccup this year is pretty unavoidable
as I’m still learning to juggle my duties here in Seremban, church in Cheras, n
the task to travel around to promote the BM program while attempting to insert
SAM in between. SAM Ipoh just had another intensive module in Theology 1.
However, attendance was at an all time low – just 3 participants. Elsewhere,
Prai will begin its first class for the year in July. I thank God for
understanding students in SP/Prai n the partnership of FGAC to assist during
this time of adjustment for me.
In
July, there’ll be the first deaconesses retreat in PD n TEE classes over two
weekends in KL. It’s been a super-long while since I last visited that part of
KL – Petaling Street area. I used to visit that area when I was a student in
UM. Gosh, that was more than 20 years ago! Well, before all that is the first
Inter Seminary Games I’ll be participating next Monday (2July) in MBS (Rawang).
I did “tried” to be “sporty” n wanted to be a part of the tug-of-war team. But
the very first task the coach gave already “dis-qualified” me – 30 push-ups!
Anyway, I’ve found myself a place in the sports team – cheer-leading…
Will
greatly appreciate your partnership of prayer in this ministry.
SB
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