Ministry Update Dec 2019/Jan 2020

Ok, the long awaited 2020 is just around the corner. What has 2019 taught me n what to anticipate for 2020? As I glanced back, like everybody else, I will comment that the days are passing by so fast! There were events attended, people met, n partnerships built. What I can summarize from 2019 is similar to what the story line of Star Wars Episode IX (Rise of Skywalker) presented to its viewers:

1.      There is a good in everyone regardless of our background

2.      Our destiny depends on our decisions

3.      Help comes at the right moment

4.      Believe n nurture the good we see in the other person

5.      Good will always triumph over evil

In a few short days, we will venture into the new year. Though I am grateful n thankful for all that the Lord had taken me through, I anticipate greater things in the coming year believing that God has greater plans for His church in Malaysia. I look forward to what He has ordained in 2020. I look forward to the challenges that will come along with what God has prepared in the year. But I am assured that through the challenges, I can see God clearer.

I continue to seek your prayer partnership in all that we have planned for the coming year – in all SAM centres: Prai, Gopeng, n Tapah. I seek your prayers n discernment as we merge all SAM centres under a single legalized entity: Prai, Gopeng, n Tapah as Northern Centres together with KL n JB. Pray that the process will be smooth n prompt. Pray for good working partnership as we have been working “independently” for quite a long time. 2020 will be a transition year for us. Similarly 2020 is a transition year for STM as we review our curriculum as an initial step to move out from the western frame-work.

Join us to pray for the students n lecturers for 2020 classes. I m familiar with the Prai n Tapah centres but the Gopeng centre I hv entrusted my colleagues to look into it, something I hope they can pick up n develop…the Semai way. Pray for the centre coordinators who are hands-on the physical logistics. I hope to “indigenize” SAM; thus, I hope for local participation as much as possible. Next step (something I m implementing slowly) is to turn the teaching approach into one that can minister well to our target audience, ie, orality approaches that uses the cultural practices of the target students to teach the biblical truths.

Yes, it is challenging but knowing the God that I serve n One who called me, I m confident of “accomplishing” the best to glorify Him. And I thank you for your continuous partnership n prayers without which, no progress can take place.

I take this opportunity to greet you a very Merry Christmas n Blessed New Year. May the days ahead be days we can worship n glorify a mighty God in a nation that so needs to know such a God is in our midst

TSB 30122019

Ministry Update NovDec19

It has been a travel-ful quarter that began at the start of October. A week in Tapah, followed by Penang, to Langkawi, then back to Penang; a weekend in Kampar, then to Taiwan, followed by Langkawi, n year-end break in Penang. I just got back from an almost 2 weeks trip to Hsinchu, Taiwan, attending a “historical” first Asian Ecumenical Women’s Conference. Though the Assembly was just 6 days, I was among a smaller group invited to attend the pre-Assembly workshop 3 days prior to the Assembly. With travels, it’s a 10 days affair!

I must admit that I was initially reluctant to participate. I mean, Taiwan? I don’t speak their language. Perhaps I may be a little bias…after all, I’m a Chinese who is not really a Chinese. But friends tell me they speak the Hokkien dialect, pretty similar to the Penang version. And yes, that helped a bit! The pre-Assembly workshop (never mind the topic – I wasn’t paying attention half the time!) with a smaller number of participants allowed us to quickly build strong rapport n the small group dynamics kicked in pretty fast. The evenings availed time for informal activities that we used it to plan visits to the night market. Again, never mind that the night markets in Hsinchu was a disappointment. It was the fellowship, the friendship, n the partnership established during those informal, casual walks at night along the streets of Hsinchu that knitted a bond of sisterhood.

What I learned at the conference:

1.      At the pre-Assembly workshop

a.       There is a possible elimination of HIV in the very near future

b.      However, this may further encourage same sex unions

c.       Christian groups are active to provide support

d.      Christians are persuaded to accept LGBTIQ+ as an alternative acceptable lifestyle

2.      The Assembly thematic talks n panel presentations

a.       The injustice n inequality of women in many parts of Asia

b.      The abuse n violence encountered by women

c.       The hope n future for equality

d.      The call for unity n solidarity

e.       The danger of embracing a lifestyle contrary to biblical instructions

3.      The Bible Study n workshops

a.       A brief meditation on biblical foundation to the Assembly theme

b.      A sharing of women’s needs to be acknowledged as equals

That was quite a November. The best part was making new friends from places I don’t even know existed. But I am excited at the opportunity to learn new cultures n its similarities in Asia – well, I am a missiologist!

December – next week is a preaching engagement in Langkawi. It’s a short trip, though. Coming back, I hv another speaking engagement, a Christmas visit to the OA community nearby. Will be going with a local church group. Then, I will be on annual leave (need to “clear” my leaves). I’ll be in Penang for about 2 weeks n spending Christmas back home.

SAM schedules hv been planned for Prai, Ipoh/Gopeng, n Tapah centers for 2020. Do keep us in prayer for the teachers n students. The whole ministry depends upon the prayers of the church to keep it going. Thank you so much for your partnership

SB

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Also found here https://mailchi.mp/c84054e757e9/sam_northern_centers

Ministry Update OctNov 2019

30 July n 24 October – these two dates are barely 3 months apart. But both dates marked the return of two promising pastors in the BM ministry to the Lord. Both returned under similar circumstances – sudden n unexpected. Both were my students with promising ministry prospects ahead of them. I wanted to ask the Lord if He knew what He was doing – how foolish! Of course God knew! He knows best. While we grieve over our loss, God is orchestrating His beautiful plans for each one of us. Even as you read this, may I invite you to pause for a moment of silence in honor of Eduan Bah Chimpok n Simran Masangkir…thanks

October was eventful. First week I was in Tapah for a 3-day intensive classes in the interior. Coming back to Seremban, I unpacked n repacked for the next stop in Penang for the Synod. Of course I travelled earlier to spend a few short days with family n friends (not forgetting the good food). Returning from Penang, it was busy time in campus as we geared up for the convocation events. With a short breather, it was on to the consultation meetings. Then packing to Langkawi for the faculty/staff retreat. I didn’t realize that today is actually a public holiday, a replacement from yesterday’s deepavali. Anyway, it’s another repacking to Penang tomorrow. I hv 3 annual leave break before attending to an official function n coming back I’ll need to start preparing for next year’s classes.

I’m in the midst of compiling reports for SAM ministry partners. Then Nov opens with another list of travels, teaching, n meetings. I hv to replace a colleague over a weekend in Kampar for a TEE class, then a major SAM meeting. There several maters I need to attend to as I prepare for the 10 days trip to attend the CCA meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan. The following week after return, I’m off to Langkawi for a speaking engagement.

Kindly pray for the SAM as we are initiating some major changes to better serve the OA community. Pray for better network n sharing of resources. Will update further but I’m excited at the direction we are pursuing. On the cards is the major proposal to start a mission training school for BM speaking candidates to specially equip them for mission ministry. Join us in prayer. Exciting times are ahead n we need prayer partners to pray for n with us 

TSB

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Ministry Update SeptOct 2019

Is it October already? Gosh! Why are the days passing so fast? I just reminded myself the need to write and update my prayer partners soon but lost track that today we have entered October and into the final quarter of the year.

 September was pretty “relaxing” in a sense. So relax that I felt “sick.” Yeah, really, too free can make me sick. Not really “free” actually. My regular classes concluded by the mid of the month n there were papers to grade n lessons to be planned besides articles to be written. There was a Women’s Seminar where I taught n some preaching engagements besides loads of long weekends due to public holidays in September.

Entering into October, I’m preparing for an intensive class in the interior of Tapah. Will be travelling this Sunday and classes will commence from Mon-Wed. Travelling back on Thurs with a break on Fri before travelling to Penang for a weekend “break” before the DWM Synod Mon-Wed. Then travelling back Seremban on Wed evening n a “break” on Thurs before the hectic Fri/Sat of convocation events. With a short Sunday “breather” Monday begins with a 2 full intensive days of faculty consultation meetings. Early Wed is off to Langkawi for the faculty-staff retreat. Coming back on Sat, a 2 day “breather” then off again to Penang for a 3-day “leave clearing” break before attending a seminary’s 65^th Ann n Convo dinner. Returning on Sat, it’s forward to attend cousin’s eldest son’s wedding. Phew…that has taken me into early Nov. I’m not sure if I can hv 2 weeks in Nov to prepare next year’s classes but I’ll be off to attend the first Asia Ecumenical Women’s Assembly. That takes 10 days off my Nov and the following week is another trip to Langkawi for a 3-day working holiday.

SAM Penang (Prai) was not able to offer a third course this year due to some “technical hiccups.” In the meantime, the third class scheduled in SAM Ipoh (Tapah) was also almost called off. That was the reason why I had to go to Tapah – to fill in for a prospective teacher who failed to fulfil his commitment. Do pray for this ministry, especially for young leaders/teachers to continue this ministry. I really can’t do it alone. Especially now in STM, my time is literally confined n only able to attend to SAM matters on limited time. Will greatly appreciate your prayers with n for us as we allow the Lord to lead us in this BM theological education ministry

Thank you for your partnership in ministry