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 40th Anniversary on 6th 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
271218
