Ministry Update JanFeb18

It’s been a month since I moved south to Seremban. Friends here keep telling me that this is a small town but I’m still exploring the place…very slowly, especially with the new ministry n schedule to juggle – I hardly hv time to go out of campus, actually.

I recalled 30 years ago (yes, it’s THAT long ago) when I first left home for tertiary studies in UM. It was a similar feeling…well, I’m back in campus. There’s a lot of getting used to n the one tough challenge is the food which is way below a Penangite’s expectation.

The past two years I’ve been a “deaconess” with the Anglican DWM, I have never worn my deaconess robe more than I have worn them in two weeks here! Thus, begins my process of being “Anglicanized.” A first year student told me that her friend “complained” of having to attend chapel services twice a week in the seminary she is studying at. But guess how many times of chapel services we have to attend here – 6! Three seminary chapel services n three Anglican chapel services!

So what’s going to happen in SAM Penang (SP n Prai) n SAM Ipoh? Well, this year’s schedule has reduced classes. To be on the safe side, I’ve scheduled my classes during semester breaks while I observe the “culture” of this new place. I hope by next year SAM can get back on its feet. There was a reduction of student participation in classes in 2017, especially from Gopeng/Ipoh. Well, there was a little “crisis” there for awhile…Please pray for us. Classes begin end of Jan in SP; after CNY in Prai; early March in Ipoh. Apart from that, some one or two days of popping up to ensure things proceed as planned is in the plan throughout the year.

Besides in campus classes, I will also teach at off campus extension classes. So, it’s really not THAT boring being confined solely to the small campus in a small town. I’m following the first year students to visit various churches of various denominations. Thus far, there’s the two extremes of super traditional n super free n easy.

In the meantime, I’m continuing the task of establishing urban-rural partnership n exploring possible visits with teams into the OA villages. Will appreciate your continuous support n prayer for:

1.      Adjusting/juggling of new schedule/ministry commitments

a.       New work culture/environment

b.      Getting acquainted to the Christian community in campus n off campus

2.      SAM (Penang n Ipoh) centers (teachers n students)

a.       God will enable those coordinating n will raise an individual to co-oversee the ministry – eventually take over

b.      Students n teachers are focussed n teachable

Php 1:3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 

Php 1:4  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 

Php 1:5  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 

Php 1:6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 

Ministry Update Dec17Jan18

Finally I have unpacked n settling in my new office n apartment in Seremban! Do drop by for a visit when you are in the neighbourhood...

I am assigned to be the faculty of the newly established BM stream n will teach mainly the BM classes while offering myself for the English classes if I’m needed. For 2018, I’m basically assistant to every task I’m assigned to (except teaching) in campus. I greatly appreciate this as I have a whole year to adapt; acquaint myself with the “system” n culture; the environment n how to get around, etc.

I am still overseeing the SAM centers up north – in SP, Prai, n Ipoh. So, there’s going to be a lot of adjustments n juggling of time n schedule. There’s also going to be less visits to the OA villages n I know I’m going to miss those jungle food!

As I bid farewell to 2017, I am also bidding farewell to the familiarity of Penang – the people, church, food...As I welcome 2018, I am also welcoming the new venture of ministry, people, n environment. For sure, Seremban is not like Penang at all. People here speak Cantonese n yesterday I had to speak BM to an elderly man delivering the washing machine (?!) I thought I only had to do that in Ipoh or KL. Here too? But I’m glad to know that there is a small Penang community within the “taman” here. So, whenever I miss speaking Penang hokkien, I can always drop by their place! But the food...good old Penang food – this can ONLY be found in its place of origin.

As I pen this update from my new office, I looked up to the book shelves in front of me. There’s two more on my right plus two metal cabinets n a glass-door cabinet. On my left is a shelf above some cabinets. The top shelves are empty...why? I’m not tall enough, la...I look up to see the two Kiroro stuffed-toys I received from students from HK while in MBTS. It always brought back laughter when I look at the two green Kiroro’s. One HK friend came back to campus after returning home for the holidays. He got me a Kiroro clad in its graduation gown for my graduation (ThM) n told me that Kiroro was the most popular cartoon character in HK at that time. But Kiroro looks so “ugly” n since it was a gift, I left it on my office shelves. Then another HK student saw the Kiroro n assumed I was a fan of it. The next time she returned HK, she got me another Kiroro! All the while I thought Kiroro was so super ugly but now the two Kiroro’s together always bring smiles to me!

I’d like to thank all supporters along 2017 – prayer support, ministry support, n financial support. I look forward to 2018 n your continuous partnership in this exciting ministry. I trust that many of you have received SAM annual report. Join me in prayers for another exciting year for the Lord. It is your partnership that makes all these possible n I hope you “give me a reason” to visit Penang officially so I can enjoy the unofficial in-between’s.

Ministry Update NovDec 2017

Just a couple more days n we bid farewell to 2017. I m wrapping up my assignment here in Penang n preparing to move down south for the new assignment that will commence 2 Jan. November was fast, but then again, every other month was fast in 2017!

SAM Penang wrapped up its class in Prai at the close of October but the class in SP officially wrapped up at the start of November. SAM Ipoh diploma class wrapped up end of September. One October day-time class was cancelled as students met to decide they only want night classes. The MMin class in partnership with STS scheduled for November was cancelled due to a lack of response from the students. We are still in the process to recruit a minimum of 10 students for the class to proceed. We had just five last June n since many remarked November is a busy month, we decided to cancel the class n focus on recruiting students for June 2018 class which will be held in Penang. We have begun the transfer of SAM funds to Ipoh n hope it will be completed promptly soon. All year end payments are delayed till then. I’m still expediting student grades n reports for the academic year of 2017.

Visits to the OA villages this year were confined to the following:

Feb: ASOD visit to Ulu Kampar/Sg Poh as part of the training module;

May: AIM visit to Ulu Kampar to explore future partnership to adopt a new outreach near Ulu Kampar;

June: COR visit to Sg Poh as their annual outreach;

Sept: Jubilee Outreach visit to Sg Poh to conduct a medical mission. Originally target to partner Sg Poh in adopting a new outreach in Kampong Sat, Sg Poh will serve as the base as there is some developmental issue with illegal encroachment into OA land nearby;

Sept: Foursquare exploratory visit – initial visit by Foursquare Church Ipoh to consider future partnership to adopt a village;

Nov: GBC CG visit to Sg Poh –  superbly wonderful wrap for the year with members of my CG from my home church

In the meantime, SAM partnered STS to co-publish a commentary which was translated into BM. The book was printed and now available at RM10 a copy. It is a commentary to the book of Philippians by Dr William Lawson. Praise the Lord for a sponsor who contributed towards the publication costs n to an old friend who helped proof-read the script.

Activities seem to be wrapping up by November as we gear towards Christmas preparations. I am preparing my final n farewell message on Saturday in BJAC. Will officially be living in Seremban after Christmas. There’s a lot to adapt n juggle between STM schedule n SAM responsibilities. But I m looking forward to it because I know God is with me n I can only say, “Bring it on!”

I hv been exploring options to deliver my office stuff to the new office. The costs were pretty high from two quotes I received from two different transporters. Then a friend suggested a road trip if we can borrow a van or MPV. Juggling between the options, I finally decided on the road trip. So, I’m planning to bring my office stuff of books, files, n documents down south n pray that we (the three of us) will hv an enjoyable, blessed, n fruitful fellowship in the van.

Many friends asked me how I feel having to leave Penang to assume the new assignment in Seremban. Honestly, I’ve not paused to examine how I am feeling. I have given my best to the assignment as pastor of a small church consists mainly of physically blind congregants. As much as I can, I have played my role to the best I am able, to increase the (felt) presence of the Anglican members into the Penang (Christian) faith community. I have always attempted to raise missions awareness, especially the needs of the indigenous community. Yet, I still have the feeling I have not done as much as I could have. I’m glad I am continuing to oversee the SAM centers in Prai, SP, n Ipoh. Although the location distance is a challenge but thanks to modern technology I think it is possible to pull it off well. In fact, most communications today is online. The challenge remains in the expediting of getting the job done – a challenge I am sure most of us are also “familiar” with.

SAM year-end report is yet to be compiled as data has not come in from various individuals concern. In the meantime, as always I am extremely grateful for your partnership in ministry. Using the mailchimp platform, I can see the percentage of audience who read my prayer letters n sometimes it is not very encouraging. However, to those of you who ceaselessly read my monthly report n the annual report I normally send out end/start of the year, I thank you. I thank you that you are standing with me to move the OA church along towards where God has ordained for them.

^{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 OctNov2017

Yes, I do realized that I usually sent my monthly updates within the last 3 days or the first 3 days of the month. There’s been quite a bit of travelling around and I felt pretty “uninspired” to pen my thoughts. So, I planned to go watch a movie. Not just any movie but one my OA friends are talking about. But the problem is, it’s a “mandarin” movie. I was prepared to just read the sub-titles. So, I went to buy the ticket late in the morning, went for lunch, n browsed through the mall till it was time to enter the cinema hall. I walked in and there was no one else in the entire hall! The movie started and about 80% of its dialogue n music were in Semai language! I found myself mesmerized by the “indigenous-ness” of the movie. Simply story-line with poor acting skills no doubt but the background stood out more to attract this little missiologist n captivated her small, little heart. The lush greenery, the simple lifestyle, and the serenity behind the tall trees. So, go watch this movie, “Asli” for a quick “dose” of the Semai community. I doubt if it will show for long. I mean, I was the only person watching the movie in the entire screening hall...

Well, October saw two SAM students graduated at the STM Convocation service – one from Penang who graduated with his diploma and the other from Ipoh who graduated with his certificate.

I also just “wrapped up” the 9^th n final class of the year at the close of October. Will begin packing soon and get ready to move down south for a new chapter n adventure. Just got back from a brief trip to STM in Seremban. This is where I will begin a new chapter of ministry. Course schedule looks pretty relaxing. I’ll be concentrating on the BM program which is kicking off in January 2018 itself. But I’m certainly “inserting” missions emphasis whenever I can. And I still need to juggle between the BM Bible School up north – SAM Penang (SP n Prai) n SAM Ipoh. So, there’s going to be quite a bit of adjustments. Anyone visiting from the North will be required to bring some “Penangness” to Seremban!

So, I finally got to see my new office n living quarters. And I welcome contributions to help make the half-furnished two-room apartment a more “homely” place. Of course, friends n partners in ministry are very welcomed to visit. Seremban is only about 45 minutes drive from KLIA2 airport. However, the only attractive “food” is the beef noodles. Nothing else – not even Seremban siew pow!

November will be a time for packing. I’m hoping to send the office stuff – books, files, notes – in early Dec. Then, perhaps take a short break in Klang Valley. Still hv 20 out of the 28 days of annual leave available. Planning to move after Christmas. After all, Seremban is too “boring” to stay there for long. Serembanites will probably be stoning me for that remark!

My monthly updates will continue; ministry is still continuing. Only my “base” will move. Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry. I greatly appreciate your continuous prayers n support in the OA/BM ministry.