Ministry Update FebMarApril 2020

Yes, I forgot to report my ministry update earlier. It was one week into March before I realized I forgot. I thought I’ll just lump it into the next report but God “disciplined” me as the partial lockdown “forced” me behind the computer most of the time.

January n Feb were “sction-packed” with many movements. It was the start of the academic term and I accompanied the first year students to visit churches from various denominations as part of their orientation. There was CNY, teaching/preaching engagements. In February my in-campus class visited an OA village in Lenggeng, about 40 mins away from Seremban. End of February was our faculty colloqiuim. March came pretty quickly and the DWM had their annual clergy/deaconesses retreat followed by two weekends in Kampar for BM TEE classes. Just as we were about to begin the second half of first semester, we were instructed to partially lock-down. And here I am exploring options to conduct classes through the internet/online.

So everything is postponed n these two weeks (14 days) everyone is instructed to self-isolate as much as possible. Today marks the first day of such confinement but here I am in my office. Well, it feels like coming to work on a Saturday. Campus is quiet n my radio is blasting. Many are finding it hard to adjust. But really, this restriction is good for me as it literally “forced” me to discipline myself to grade assignments, explore alternative teaching approaches, writing this report, pray more (n fervently). While we are distancing from “risky” locations, there are health workers who still bravely travel to the frontline each day to attend to the health of everyone of us. Do remember to pray for all health workers n pray for the blood of the Lamb to cover them to protect every inch of their bodies. Yes, I feel deeply because my sister is a medical doctor. The anxiety is real.

With the limited physical contact and view of each other, let us spend more time in the presence of an all-seeing God who is unseen to us but is as real as you n I. While we attend to our work with uncertainties of every plan beyond March, pray that God’s purpose will be accomplished. We hv two mission trips planned in early May n early June – there is a restriction from a host church in Sabah but it is only till mid April. However, the host church in the interior of Gopeng is cautioning our visit in early June n it may be cancelled. Please pray together as this is the burden and urgency of all of us in this season

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

TSB

Ministry Update JanFeb 2020

I am turning my calendar. It’s already the last day of the first month of 2020. Even CNY holidays are over, though the festive mood is still on till its 15^th day. January was a lazy moth as the Christmas/New Year festivity spill over n anticipation built towards CNY. It’s time to get to work. The spirit is willing but somehow the flesh is weak!

January at a glance: started new school term but SAM has yet to start her first classes. Our term will start with the first intensive class in Tapah center in February. Penang center will not start till April. Kindly uphold us in prayer – for the teachers n students.

The intension of registration for SAM as an integrated entity met with some challenges. In spite of that, we are considering the available options n proceed carefully, especially as the school deals with some sensitive matters.

In campus here in Seremban, the new semester commence with the start of the year. A brief visit back home was pretty disappointing as CNY means most popular hawker stalls were closed! Anyway, I’m accompanying the first years to visit churches over the weekends of Jan/Feb as part of their field education orientation. In March, there’s two weekends of intensive classes in Kampar. Btw., my weekend church attachment is now in Seremban/Port Dickson. I hope the shorter travel time will permit me to spend more time with church members.

Thank you for your partnership n prayers in this ministry

Ministry Update Dec 2019/Jan 2020

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

Ministry Update NovDec19

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