Ministry Update SeptOct 2021

 

The final quarter of the year is here too soon. Spilling over from the pandemic of 2020, events along the past three quarters of the year were bitter sweet experiences. Tears of joy and sorrow intercept each other as both happy and sad events unfold to mold us into stronger individuals, preparing us for some great event I am sure God has ordained for us in this generation and in this nation.

 

SAM Prai is graduating 4 students: 3 with diploma and 1 with certificate. Four online classes were planned but only 3 took place. We were expecting by end of the year physical class will be possible. However, this is not the case. The “old school” lecturer, uncomfortable to teach online, had to cancel the class. The plan for next year is to continue online for this centre.

 

Elsewhere among the OA community, the pandemic caused many villagers to be quarantined and villages placed under EMCO. Generally, OA villages around the central region of the peninsula are affected. Thus, delaying and cancelling classes planned for them. With limited or no internet access, it is difficult to begin classes. What more with SOPs that limit number of individuals permitted to gather. But I praise God for the church in the city that extended help in various ways. Vaccination is slow in the OA villages – some due to distorted teaching, some due to the geographical location. Let us continue to pray for our OA family.

 

SAM national council has resumed talks that were paused due to the pandemic. We are planning to consolidate efforts to share resources and manpower. Do pray for us as we plan forward for SAM to be a legal entity.

 

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

 

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Ministry Update AugustSeptember 2021

 

August is closing and the third quarter of the year is concluding. The whole year, the battle with C19 continues. What can we make out of this? From the worldly perspective and from the spiritual angle? It is a bitter-sweet situation. As the number of reported cases escalate, so are the number of daily reported recoveries. It has become more frequent that students are requesting prayers for family members who are infected while there are good news of recoveries that grant us joy in answered prayers. Watching the trend allows us to pray in specific. Most of all is the pattern that shows deliverance is near. Yes, the numbers fluctuates but watch carefully and recall the Bible narratives. No eyes have seen, no ears have heard…watch, as Jesus reminded His disciples; and don’t miss it, something great that God has ordained for this generation.

 

I really do not know how to plan for SAM classes next year with the fluidity of the situation right now. We have been reminded that restrictions lifted do not mean it is safe but is for the survival of the nation’s economy. Some OA villages are very badly affected. Right now, I believe prayers are most crucial and the need to wait for the right timing as God ordains.

 

Here, we are gearing up for online graduation. SAM Prai will be graduating 3 students for diploma and 1 for certificate in Christian Ministry. Elsewhere, teaching centres are temporarily closed for physical classes and the students’ academic progress are halted as there are no internet access in the interior. Will greatly appreciate your prayer partnership for the OA community:

1. Right aid to reach them,

2. Able to “recover” post-pandemic.

 

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Ministry Update July-August 2021

 

Can it be so easy to erase 3 months from my life? I wish that like this word processor software, Ican delete 3 months – May, June, n July from 2021! On 3^rd May my mom had a stroke n the whole month was one of anxiety until she left us on 29^th. Two months on and I am still grieving. In my grieve, the Lord reminded me of what He told me in April when I visited her in Penang. Even as I contemplate on the many “what if” moments, it cannot change what the Lord had ordained to happen on 29^th May. As I continue to grieve, yes, it is commonly known that time will heal, another loss occurred. A dear friend in the prime of her life n career, so full of potential but the big C picked a fight with her. Though she lost the fight, her well-lived life was one that glorified God. She was cheerful, careful to hide her pain that only an observant eye could see. I am still grieving over the loss of my mother and it is still fresh emotionally – the utmost pain unexpressable. I cannot imagine the pain of my dear friend's 4 small children. “Count your blessings,” the Lord said. I had my mother for 53 years. These girls had their mother for just 10-20 years.

 

Now I understand why ancient people cut themselves when they mourn. Internal pain hurts so much that perhaps a physical pain can adequately express it. This is a season of so much uncertainty. Friends hurting around me because their loved ones contracted COVID. One has everyone in his immediate family down with C19 n I m as anxious as himself of his family's daily developments. Is this ever going to end? When we read a story, we can read till the end. Right now in the midst of a story, when is the end? It has been a bitter sweet time – bitter because we see huge numbers of C19 cases reported each day, death by COVID increase in numbers, the deteriorating economy n people affected by it one way or the other. Besides all these is a super messy government. But it is sweet that people are rising up in unity to volunteer, to reach out a helping hand – across barriers of race n religion. I believe a post-COVID Malaysia will be a wonderful Malaysia. Perhaps this is the very great wonder God is preparing for us to witness.

 

Yea, old people like to nag and tell stories. That's what I m doing right now. I m pleased to share that SAM Prai will graduate 3 students with diploma this year n one with certificate in Christian Ministry. Prai is the only “urban” center. The rest are teaching outreaches in the interior where there is no access to internet facility. Because of that, classes are on hold these two years except for Prai that can proceed online. Please continue to pray for the OA ministry. Physical classes are on hold till the pandemic can be over. In the meantime, risks are taken as workers reach out to the interior. Do join us to pray for these efforts.

 

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

 

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Ministry Update June-July 2021

I have to take time to grieve. My mother left us unexpectedly. It was on a Monday afternoon when I received a call. Events unfold too quickly. My mom had a massive stroke but the clot was removed promptly. However, her frail body had to fight aggressive infections for about 3 weeks. She was showing signs of recovery when her heart decided to stop. I wanted to get angry at God. After 4 years of persuading mom to move south to be nearer us, she had finally agreed. In mid April when I visited, we were happily planning the move in June. Mom was alert as before n could recall phone numbers from memory. But on 3^rd May, the unexpected short-circuit our plans n 3 weeks later mom left us without regaining full consciousness. Yes, I am taking time to grieve. Home is just not home without mom.

 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank friends and partners in ministry for your prayers and emotional support. I am finally back in Seremban after an unexpected long stay in Penang for 6 weeks. The C19 situation does not look too bright at the moment for us here in Malaysia. But I really hope it will improve soon so I can visit Penang regularly as before. Along my 5-hour drive back Seremban yesterday, I broke down many times. I wanted to get angry at God. I wanted so much to get angry at God. Mom finally agreed to move down south to be near us after 4 years of persuading her. We were supposed to move in June but we were driving back alone… It was hard having to leave the Penang home. The emotional part of me wanted to continue staying to cherish the fond memories n to keep it alive as long as I can. But the rational part of me know I need to move on n return to work and ministry in campus

 

Along the days after the funeral, me n my big sister who was also stranded in Penang hv to attend to my mom’s maid – documentations to transfer her to a new employer. Those were difficult days as we discovered how she pocketed much of my mother’s money through phantom purchases, even claiming expenses to buy herself pots n plants! We thought of sending her to the police when we discovered mom’s gold pendant she stole n kept in her pouch on the day she was to move out. My good-hearted sister decided to give her a chance as she needs to fend for her family back home. After all, she had returned what she stole n promised to refund a minimal sum of money she pocketed. But I believe God is not blind n will judge accordingly. I just feel upset n guilty that my mom’s final months were with a maid who took advantage of her trust n generosity!

 

With FMCO in place, classes continued to be online here in campus. It’s just that being in campus permits me access that I otherwise do not hv being away physically. For one, my students in campus are happy I am back. But I m subjecting myself to a 7-day self-quarantine as precautionary measure.

 

SAM classes scheduled in Temerloh hv to be delayed due to the C19 related restrictions. In the meantime, in Prai, class commence online with TOPAD

 

I will greatly appreciate your continuous prayer partnership in this ministry during this difficult times. It is even more difficult for the OA church n community as they do not hv access to internet facility.

 

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

 

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