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
281119
Also found here https://mailchi.mp/c84054e757e9/sam_northern_centers
