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
