Ministry Update Sept/Oct 2013

I was preaching in a church in Taiping last Sunday. After the service, an old lady came to shake hands n she said to me, “You looked just like a little girl!” Well, I literally felt my jaw dropped…

September had been an eventful month. First week, the chairman of SAM passed away following a heart surgery. Second week, a friend’s mother passed away at a ripe old age. Third week, another friend’s brother passed away. Fourth week, a (Anglican) church friend discovered he has 6 months till a year to live bcoz of a brain tumor.

Ministry wise, I was speaking on the OA ministry at the start n end of the month. Pray with me that the seed of passion for OA ministry will take root in a wider circle of the Christian faith community. I m very convinced that the OA church is indeed the key to the spiritual revival that the Malaysian church is so anticipating.

October has a busy schedule. Will be traveling twice to the Kinta Valley. The first trip is to attend to the administrative matters of the week-long SAM Ipoh diploma class (which I’m not teaching) n it’s a short trip. The second trip will be much longer n is much anticipated. The first batch of SAM-STM students will graduate with their diploma. Unlike MBTS that opens the hall to everyone during convocation service, STM holds its convocation in campus n due to its limited seating capacity in the chapel, they allow each graduating student to only bring in 4 family/friends. This is my first time attending their convocation n their logistics sounds “serious;” but I m “seminary guest” n can walk right in to the chapel. So, I’ll be going to Gopeng to join the OA team. There’ll be 19 of us traveling in 2 vans to Seremban, to STM campus n meeting another smaller team of 5 from Subang. Returning from Seremban, I’ll stay on in Ipoh for a week-long (night) classes with the SAM Ipoh certificate module class. This will be my first time teaching the class n meeting the students. Plz pray for us.

I don’t normally look forward to holidays, especially public holidays but it’s thrilling to see there is a public holiday in Oct n at the start of Nov, a long weekend break – the deepavali n awal muharam public holidays – back to back. Woohoo…I think it must hv come with the aging process – the thrill to anticipate holidays (?!)

30Sept 2013

Ministry Update July/Aug 2013

Finished but not completed…that’s a dilemma. It has been 5 years of “toiling” effort but I know it’s worth it. I’m dedicating it all to a people group worthy of that much effort. I’ve had the privilege to learn from one of the most renowned missiologists of our time n he managed to conclude all requirements for graduation before he retired n return to the States. Then as the “completed” dissertation was submitted for graduation, I was made aware that there are “seemingly additional requirements” before graduation can be granted. Hmmm…it was frustrating n I’ll still trying to get over that frustration – when u hv finished a hard-earned work only to be informed that it’s not quite over yet. I do agree with the rationale presented that:

1.      This will be the first time the Seminary is conferring the highest academic award n there’s bound to be hiccups when we do things the first time

2.      Endorsement from wider academic community will certainly strengthen the credibility of the degree

And this is the “price” for being the first! Honestly, I m still harboring a hope, even if there is the slightest of it, to graduate this year – the Jubilee year for our nation. It will be spiritually significant as a breakthrough for a maturing indigenous Malaysian church. So, as I’ve been made aware, there will be another “round” of evaluation for the submitted n approved dissertation by my initial supervisor. It will be reviewed by scholars in various (academic) disciplines involved in the research of my dissertation “Raising Indigenous Leaders through Christian Education: A Semai Model.” There may be further corrections n amendments; perhaps also another round of oral defense. It really feels like enrolling in a whole new program!

I’m in Ipoh for a week-long class with my OA friends. It’s been interesting, as always, to mutually learn from each other. August is a packed month filled with activities. There are preaching engagements but I’m glad bcoz it gives me an opportunity to share about the OA work n an attempt to impart the passion for this ministry. September is also a packed month with almost all weekends “booked” for speaking engagements. But I hope in between, I can attend to any necessary “corrections” required for my “approved dissertation” to qualify it for graduation. I’m in a dilemma – should I proceed to purchase the doctoral graduation robe? If I drop the idea, what if I manage to complete the necessary in time for graduation this year? If I proceed to buy the robe, what if I cannot complete the necessary n hv to delay graduation to next year? Then I can only “dream” of putting on the doctoral robe for a whole year! This is a humorous situation. The truth is, I fully support the need for further evaluation of my dissertation so that it gives stronger credibility to the degree. Bcoz, the truth is, the rumor is true – it is easy to earn a degree in MBTS!

Plz pray for me n the OA ministry. Thank you.

Ministry Update June/July 2013

So we’ve “traveled” through half the year. It’s been an exciting schedule for me the last few weeks n I simply wish I hv more of such schedule throughout each n every year: a few days in PJ one week; a few days in Seremban the next week; a few days in Kota Bahru the following week; n a few days in the “jungle” the next weekend. In between was the reunion dinner for our 1985 CGL class which I gave it a miss. Next on my “exciting” schedule is to prepare n familiarize with over 300 pages of research I started about 3-4 years ago for the oral defense of my dissertation. Plz pray for me; it’s on Wed., 17July.

There was just one thing on my mind when I was obligated to attend the combined archdeaconry meeting in Kota Bahru recently. Honestly, I m very “out-of-place” when I attend Anglican meetings bcoz the structure, approach, mindset, etc r all so different from what I hv been so accustomed to. So, the only thing I hv in my mind as I headed east was the prospect of meeting a friend I’ve not met for abt 22 years. Of course, there’s also the keropok lekor, of the ori kind to savor.

I eagerly waited for that opportune time n it came – an afternoon off where the “delegates” were to travel to Rantau Panjang for some shopping. I wasn’t the “shopping type” so I sneaked out of the timetable after lunch. There I was, waiting in a restaurant called Jin Man Lou n watching my colleagues leaving, in the vans n MPVs. Even though it was lunch hour, the restaurant was very quiet, with hardly any other customer. My friend could only come after school at 2pm so I eagerly waited in the deserted restaurant. The minutes ticked away n I received a sms from her that she’s stuck in a traffic jam. Hey, what is a few delayed minutes when I’ve waited abt 22 years to see her?!

Then a Myvi drove in n I saw that familiar smile at the driver’s seat. The next few hours were just too short as we talked about the old times (this is really old people la!) in college n update each other about the who n who n the latest we hear of them; of our varsity lecturers who r now in politics; of second collegians in politics; etc, etc, etc…as we sip coconut juice by the beach of KB in Perdana Resort. Then we proceeded to savor CPT ie, cendul pulut tapai, in the heart of KB. Of course we also did not miss out on going to Kedai Buloh (this is a village, not a shop) for some raw, authentic keropok lekor, of the “Kelate” kind.

July is full of activities which will spill over to August. It’ll be in September before there’s some “breather.” But I praise God bcoz having a busy schedule means I m being blessed to serve Him.

Thank you for ur partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update May/June 2013

Miracles – that was what the CG was discussing just now. Our CG leader concluded that our salvation itself is a miracle. I suppose often we define miracles as lightning n thunder sort of experience, something that is drastic n dramatic. Yet, as I ponder on this topic, I see miracles, subtle miracles in our daily lives each day. And yes, it does increase one’s faith. Yes, it also strengthens one’s faith.

So I’m at the last lap of a “5-year marathon.” And it is nothing short of a miracle in itself. I admit feeling anxious, nervous, excited, overwhelmed n just can’t wait to share my testimony of God’s goodness n faithfulness. I did not come from a Christian home n my schooling days r hidden from my church family. You’ve just got to take my word for it as I honestly revealed that I’ve never been a good student in school – faring average to below average grades n I still hv my report book as proof. Yet, here I am – waiting to officially hold that “coveted” paper of the highest academic achievement. Truly, it is purely n solely by God’s grace. A miracle of sorts.

I began this “marathon” in early 2009 n planned to complete it within 3 years. Yet, circumstances did not allow that. End of 2009 I left MBTS n subsequently joined the Anglican DWM in early 2010. In order to qualify for the DWM study grant, I was requested to delay completion of my study as I can only apply for the grant after 3 years of service. Then, another delay came about when my initial supervisor fell sick n returned to the US. Thus, another 9 months put on hold. Because of these delays I “lost” the privilege to be the sole graduate n hv to “share” the honor with an IMB missionary who did his study almost full-time. We’ll be the first PhD batch to graduate from MBTS in partnership with Southern Seminary in Louieville, Kentucky for the Missiology major.

The last 2 weeks were frustrating as I seek out suppliers for the doctoral graduation robe. The Academic Office in MBTS was no help at all. Apart from providing pictures of how the robe n hood shld be, I’m on my own. Importing from US will cost approx. RM1300 without customs tax. So, I’m hoping to secure a set locally. Thus far, the suppliers I contacted – most r familiar with UK robes n the US robes need to be tailor-made n costing RM1800! Still waiting for several suppliers n hopeful for a quote within RM1000 for a complete package of robe, hood, n tam. Is not cheap to graduate!!! There’s still printing n binding of the dissertation n I hv to make 4 copies of over 300 pages of it!

May ended with an interesting note. I accompanied an Anglican church to the OA village. Yes, this is something to shout about bcoz the Anglican church here almost has no sense of missions at all! In my (about) 4 years of service in the Anglican DWM, I tried to instill some “missions sense” n success is very, very minimal. Thus far, I managed to bring BJAC to the OA village 2x, another is going for the 2^nd time this weekend (woohoo…), n last weekend was the first time for this small outreach from Relau. In July, I’m scheduled to bring another Anglican church (in the mainland) into the village. Looks like things r slowly picking up, huh?!

BJAC also began partnering with HKBP church. They will use our facility for Batak/Indonesia services every Sunday at 11am. This is the only Indonesian church in Georgetown to conduct regular services on Sunday morning. HKBP is Lutheran-based n has the largest membership in Indonesia. They r even more conservative than BJAC! Do pray for this young church. This is their 3^rd outreach in Malaysia, after Ulu Tiram in Johore n Klang in Selangor.

SAM Northern Centers is progressing well. We had a meeting recently to decide on a standard policy regarding wise use of funds. Is bcoz our trip to Seremban last April, 2 participants pulled out at the last minute n we “lost” abt RM250 which was already paid for the travel, accommodation, n food expenses. In June we hv another trip to Seremban. This time our class will be in STM campus n the students will hv an opportunity to experience “campus life” of our “mother school.” Plz pray for us. We r also, slowly but sturdily, progressing to upgrade our academic performances, ie, computerize assignments n using standard academic writing format. It will be a challenge for the students, especially the older ones to learn to use computers. I hv managed to secure some funds to purchase computers n a printer to be placed in the OA church for the students. Class is also growing; SAM Ipoh Dip track now has 14 students; SAM Ipoh Cert track now has 24 students; SAM Penang has 10 students. We r now expanding our networking with various training (n missions) institutions to give bigger credibility to the school. I covet ur prayer support to continue in this challenging yet exciting ministry of vast potential.

^{PHP 1:3} I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ministry Update Apr/May 2013

I walked into a friend’s house n there before me was a woman sitting on the sofa wearing a spaghetti-strap tank top revealing tattoos across her back. She turned n smiled widely, as if she saw an old friend she was eagerly waiting to see. I was stunned. Do I know her? But she knew me. We were school-mates n hv not met each other for almost 30 years. Next to her was her son, a very grown-up young man.

What’s going on? I asked myself. I cannot recall many friends from school; I cannot remember part of my childhood days, growing up in a convent school while playing childish games. Did I really never bother about people around me? Or could it be that I hv “burnt the bridge” n forgotten I m still “in this world.” Honestly in my mind I asked myself how I can be acquainted to this woman who speaks foul language while casually lit a cigarette after a meal in a crowded restaurant.

But it “hit” me when she asked about my “job” n honestly inquired, “do u get a salary?” It was then I realized I’ve “lost touched” with the reality in this world. Money matters n the objective of most people is to accumulate as many “toys” as possible. It must hv sounded extremely absurd to my friends that this SB, whom to them, was (supposedly) a smarter n more promising candidate to “make it” in the world; but she seemed to hv “given up” on all that. For awhile, which seemed like eternity, these two friends stared at me in such disbelief when I explained to them I don’t get paid a lot but what I hv has always been enough.

It will be a lie if I say it never bothered me when I see the “toys” my friends r enjoying now. Sometimes I wonder if I hv made the right decision to forsake everything in the world to follow Jesus. Those were the times when I was spiritually low n wondered how “foolish” of me to believe in an “un-win-able” cause on this end of heaven. Yet I know for sure I will never be satisfied until n unless I obey the divine calling. Certain things have just been ordained the way it should n this is how the good will triumph over evil at the end of it all.

It was a whole week of partial-solitude spiritual retreat in Seremban with (mostly) my OA friends. At the end of the retreat, we returned home with a few opting to stop by Subang to visit some friends. I took the opportunity to drop by visiting my nephews too. It was in Subang that I met some old friends. I must confess that I was pretty “irritated” by the discipline of solitude – no internet n I cannot “reach” the world. Tried to “steal” one unsecured network nearby but connection was slow n intermittent. So, I resorted to working off-line – drafting sermons. What I learnt from the retreat was a reminder of who I am, as one being ordained by God to be just as I am – a person who is simply defined by the “work” I do, a person consumed with “work,” n a person who needs “work” to be energized.

Election fever is everywhere n like most Malaysians, I hv decided n only waiting for 505 to cast my votes. When I was traveling from Penang to Ipoh by bus n then from Ipoh to Seremban by train, flags were everywhere. People on the street r all very excited n waiting for the day to cast their votes. Their tone of excitement is easy to decipher who they r waiting to vote for. Thus, I could feel the air of change, a sweeping wave of a wind that is approaching. I m as excited as everyone else n cyber space further fuel our excitement. I’ve not attended any ceramah this time round. The exciting ones seem to clash with my planned activities. But this does not matter bcoz I can watch it online in the cool of an air-con room away from hot, sweaty crowds of people. Actually not much fun bcoz it is no fun screaming alone!

The excitement is for the first OA candidate running for election in the Perak state assembly against MHS! *All my 2^nd RC friends – let’s watch this constituency*

May is a month to stay put n prepare for the months ahead. I did not realize that the SAM Penang class will be ending bcoz someone else is teaching. We r encountering a little hiccup in Ipoh as the coordinator there seems to be moving slowing than the first gear. Nothing is being done n I hv to intervene. That is taking up a lot of time as I contemplate the best way to “rebuke” in the most gracious of approach. Plz pray for us as we move forward to progress in this ministry n as the OA church in Malaysia.

Finally, let’s keep praying for our nation till we see the fulfillment n beyond of what the Lord has ordained for us as a nation. UBAH, UBAH, UBAH…

Ministry Update Mar/Apr 2013

The Holy Week r the days leading to a holy weekend which traditional churches observe by holding commemorative services like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, n finally, the very core of the Christian observance, Easter Sunday. For me, it began with a fully traditional service in a high (in tradition) church where the clergymen/deaconesses renewed their ordination n commission vows. I sat n observed every bit of every procedure. It was interesting but I’m not sure what most of it meant – did it hv biblical implications or was it merely a tradition? Half the hymns belonged to the previous, previous century. A few churches proceeded to observe the traditional Maundy Thursday Service at night but minus the significant washing of feet ritual. Then came the Good Friday mid-day devotional service. Bcoz I was asked to share on one of the seven last words on the cross, I attended yet another (super) high (in tradition) service. Starting from 12 noon till 3pm, to commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross till He breathed His last, seven speakers shared a short devotion from each “seven last words.” Again, the hymns were from the previous, previous century. It was a bit “eerie” with the organ (maybe it was a piped organ) playing those ancient hymns in a church with super high ceiling. It felt like as if the saints of old were watching us from “up there.”

I had a “break” from the traditional setting when I delivered an Easter day message at the Sahabat Orang Sakit (SOS) service on Saturday. On Easter Sunday I was in a Methodist church n faced the challenging task to interpret “live” for a funny Japanese-American speaker. I was in the annex building with a group of Indonesians. I think there were about 70-80 of them. It was a challenge bcoz at the main sanctuary, the speaker spoke in English n there was an interpreter to interpret into hokkien while I interpreted into Bahasa Malaysia (not Indonesia) in a different location. Yet the most challenging part was during the altar call. About 80-90% of the Indonesians responded n they proceeded to the main sanctuary. That was when I was called in. In a moment, I “panicked” for awhile bcoz coming from a “traditional” setting, I’m not used to this, what’s more, the call came from this anointed speaker n I’ve always tried to avoid “praying in BM” bcoz my BM prayer language has extremely limited vocabulary! But the moment I stepped on the “stage” I felt a strong anointing n I felt extremely calmed. Surprisingly, I prayed n did the altar call (almost) flawlessly! After the service, several church members came up to me to express how impressed they were with the interpreted “altar call.” I can only respond, “praise the Lord!” but one day the opportunity will come when I can tell them the truth – it was not I but the Lord who enabled.

April is just the “next page.” There’s a Regional Women’s Conference I’m obligated to attend in Sungai Petani. It is a dread for me bcoz most participants r “from the previous generation” n the program does not look interesting at all with reports after reports. There’s a tentative trip to the OA village the following weekend. Then I’ll be accompanying the OA pastors to Seremban to attend a week-long class in Spiritual Retreat. No rest for me here as I’ll be interpreting for the facilitator throughout the retreat. I hope there is some time I can meet up with an old friend who is in Seremban. He needs help as he’s in n out of depression n is on heavy medication – my course-mate in varsity. When we first “met up” thru facebook, he sounded extremely frustrated with life n quickly shared with me that he’s gay n expecting me to stop “friending” him. Right now, he sounds pretty in control n on the road to recovery. From Seremban after the retreat, part of the class intends to stop by KL to visit our pastor friend who has been transferred to Subang Jaya. I’m joining this visit n later drop by my sister’s place to see my nephews who wanted me to “see what they’ve got from HK Disneyland.” GE13 better not suddenly be on last Sat of April so we can proceed with our plans. The uncertainty of when GE13 will be is really driving me crazy especially when it comes to planning my travels. I know I’m not alone in this. Most of us r as frustrated.

So the next few days I will need to translate student notes into BM for the retreat n to edit/read thru chps 3 n 4 of my proof-read (2^nd time) dissertation. It’ a bit behind schedule here bcoz my proof-reader in Singapore was overwhelmed by his teaching commitments n the demise of his mother. The final chapter should come in soon. Plz pray for me. I know I’ve never been a good student in school n I hv my report book to prove it. And I know that on my own I can never ever come close to even half of what I hv reached academically. I’m anxious, excited, overwhelmed by God’s goodness. This is truly my testimony of God’s faithfulness n goodness in my life. Therefore I so look forward to completing this (academic) program n anxiously waiting for new challenges ahead.

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update Mar 2013

Ok, it’s not yet end of the month n I’m sending another update? Well, I want to dedicate this post to a special friend. The highlight thus far in this month was the trip to KK. It was much anticipated as I eagerly waited for this opportunity to meet an old friend from varsity – a (residential) college mate that I spent 2 precious years with. Hmmm, is amazing how within that (just) 2 full years living close to a person can carve deep into our lives. Thanks to technology, to Facebook in particular, we r able to meet n rekindle the old times.

The last time I met her was, I think, 1991. For the past 20 over years we know not what has become of each of us, having gone separate ways upon graduation. Honestly, my heart pounded anxiously as the day drew near to meet this old friend with whom I spent many wonderful, live-changing days in the “old” campus of Univ Mal. Hey, even our (residential) college has been re-named!

I cannot adequately paint that moment but it was like travelling back in time for a while. There was this familiar figure walking towards me along the narrow corridor n I found myself staring at her as if it was just yesterday that we were playing pranks on our other college mates. It was as if it was just yesterday that we “poke fun” at Pakcik Jalil in the dining hall; recalling the “quarrels” with MHS; complained how we were “outcasts” among the Chinese bcoz we speak no mandarin…yes, those were the days. This is a phrase old people use to describe days gone by. Never thought I’ll reach this moment in life but I did n here I am – I’ve even lost count of how old I m after I hit 40!

And there she was, walking towards me with a “replica” beside her. Once again, I was reminded how those 3 years in campus molded me. Left home for the first time, yet found “home” n discovered myself. Heard my “calling” for the first time beside Tasik Varsity yet not knowing that was the voice of God. Just 3 years, like the 3 years of active ministry on earth n Jesus turned the world right side up. And within that 3 years, my life took a different turn – gradually but certainly; pursuing a discipline I know nothing of except that it will “guarantee” (as I wrongly perceived) I would “never” end up in the teaching profession. Yet, it is this very discipline that forms the basis for my present major in missiology n mold my (ministry) adventure in the Christian (theological) education academics.

The biggest joy, however, is knowing that friends from the past r now Christians n serving fervently. It is a comfort to know we r in the “same journey;” a journey that will eventually bring us closer bcoz of the seed planted years ago by a Divine Being who knows this is how it has been planned for us…all the while; and that our paths crossed for a purpose more divine than we can ever know. As I penned this, I also think of other (residential) college mates (at 2^nd RC, UM) n course-mates (ANSOS Dept) sharing the same adventure of Christian ministry n walking with me in this exciting journey serving a glorious God.

Ok, back to a “more serious” matter. The trip to KK was to initiate networking efforts with Sabah Theological Seminary (STS). STS, being more developed in its BM program, is an obvious good network to work with in developing our school, the Sekolah Alkitab Malaysia. Having officially recognized as STM’s TEE BM centers in the Northern Region, we r now geared towards developing its vast potentials in the Peninsular. STM, also realizing the demand for BM theological education will launch their own “brand” of BM program in April. We r partnering n networking to share resources. No point to re-invent the wheel, esp when the objective is similar. Plz pray for us as we journey this exciting path.

In KK, we also took the opportunity to visit a village church, approx 4 hours drive away from the city – Kampong Manggis in Pitas, pastored by a Tembunuo pastor, Biography Tabangka. Exciting trip – dry season, little water n we went without shower whole day n night! We did hv the intension to travel to Lahad Datu but were “prevented” by our local friends; instead we pray for our friends n colleagues serving in the “front line.” Raw info came from them pastoring churches in the “affected” village n its surrounding. Yea, I remember emailing prayer request for these pastors n I know we find their names a bit strange. I also hv a pastor friend with a surname Silikon (?!)

Plz join me in prayer for these pastors who r faithfully in “their post” to pastor churches around the “intrusion crisis.” The latest news I received was that things r returning to normal although everyone is still very cautious.

Also, plz pray for my proof-reader in Singapore. He’s taking longer than anticipated due to his busy schedule as a teacher n the recent demise of his mother. I hope he can complete the proof-reading soon. Suddenly, time is running out. I hope to submit n complete every requirement by middle of this year. Graduation is not until Nov but it is usually after June that ministry activities pick up at a faster pace.

Next week is Holy Week n I take this opportunity to greet all of u Happy Easter. The Lord has risen! He has risen, indeed…thank you for your partnership in ministry.