Ministry Update MayJune 2020

My google calendar reminded me…I should be in Sabah for a mission trip. Again my google calendar reminded me…I should be in Tapah for a class. Everything seemed to pause and the pause is getting long. From mid of March till almost mid of June, that is about 3 months pause. And everyone is still unclear what holds after 9^th June. Will the Conditional Movement Control Order continue with lesser restrictions. For sure big gatherings n international travels will still be restricted. How about domestic travel? Wondering, wondering…with safety in mind; not so much for self but for people around in the community I am in.

What transpire along the months of MCO n CMCO: weekly broadcast of panel discussions aimed at the young adults segment trying to understand God in the midst of the COVID crisis. It started as a live stream on FB and later “progressed” to pre-recorded sessions on FB n Youtube. We started as “Teh Tarik sessions” n later became “Into the Unknown” series. We are also discussing to “expand” to another mid-week devotional. Apart from this, everything is pretty much normal except for the restricted movements. I used to go out once a week to get supplies during MCO n now during CMCO, twice a week to get supplies. NS is still pretty much a RED zone area, after Selangor n KL. Seremban district itself doesn’t seem to break away from RED; still swaying regularly between RED n ORANGE . My office is just about 2-3 minutes walk away from my apartment in campus. So, I still regularly go to the office for online classes, grading assignments, preparing for next semester, etc. Besides, the internet here is stronger than the one in my apartment block. And talking about the apartment block, it has been a mystery game for all dwellers in the apartment block to guess the water supply that comes on n off in our kitchens. We even hv a whatsapp chatgroup to update each other on whether water is here or water is gone on a daily basis! Well, that seems to be our only “entertainment” during this MCO/CMCO.

Several things I hv learned during this “confinement” period:

1.      Crisis brings out the “real” person: It is in such times that we see who really has the “substance” or they are just full of empty air. Some people talk big but when it gets to real work, there’s nothing at all. Some just cringe at the sudden change n cannot function all together; unable to make decisions, or just waiting for someone else to make decisions. I suppose it is in a crisis that we can clearly see the leadership quality of an individual (or the extreme lack of it)

2.      The “underdog” winners: several nations are confronting COVID more successful than others. I noticed (n I’m sure many too) that the “lesser known” nations are doing better than “developed” nations. I read these articles (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/21/africa-coronavirus-successes-innovation-europe-us; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52628283; https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/whats-south-koreas-secret/611215/; https://www.leadersleague.com/en/news/here-s-how-taiwan-succeeded-in-containing-covid-19) African nations, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan…just to name a few. Nations the world overlook in many aspects. Malaysia…I remember someone was sharing of his Singaporean friend’s response to COVID. The gist of it was that this doctor in Singapore was overwhelmed by the task to control COVID n I remember the comment…If Singapore finds it too overwhelming, how about Malaysia? We’re doomed! The next few weeks we surprisingly see Malaysia doing better than Singapore! Even videos uploaded to Youtube praised Malaysians for chipping in regardless of background to be united to fight COVID. Honestly, watching this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__G7wcGW43s; one I’m sure many Malaysians watched n moved to tears. On the other hand, the big developed nations, ie, the obvious Big Bro a.k.a. US, already had 1.68 million infections n over 98k deaths as of today 25052020, with its first case reported in late Jan while news reported that on 12 Apr US became the nation with the most deaths by COVID. What is God telling us? The “big nations” vs the “small nations”

3.      Church: everything we hv falsely built to define “church” are being challenged. Church is NOT buildings, traditions, structures. We are re-defining church n recognizing it as the people of God. Live streaming breaks down every boundary of geography n denomination. Finally, Christians come together to sing of blessing over our nations. Hey, wait a minute – do we need a crisis before we come together? In Haggai 2:6-7, For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.  and Hebrews 12:26
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well."

I think this is the time that the Lord breaks down everything that hinder us from drawing close to Him so that what remain are what truly matter – our faith, our love, n our trust in Him n Him alone

4.      Of prophecies and miracle healings: can one still believe in prophecies n miracle healings today in light of what’s happening? Several prophecies stated that COVID will fade away after April. Today is almost the end of May n COVID is still very much in the news every day. Some are even growing tired of it. So, what about the prophecy that COVID will end in April? All I can say is I STILL BELIEVE in prophecy! Look at ALL “predictions” n they all show cases dropping AFTER the month of April. WE may hv expected God to work the way we wanted Him to but He has His own ways. Healing? Look at nature n the many reports of how the pause is healing nature. For the first time in many decades the top of famous mountains can be seen, rivers are flowing clear, clean water, the ozone layer is recovering, etc. The problem is more of – can we RECOGNIZE the work of God in the events/news that we read each day. (https://www.india.com/viral/after-several-decades-mount-everest-visible-from-kathmandu-as-covid-19-lockdown-reduces-pollution-4032223/; https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/04/11/mco-lets-nature-repair-rivers-in-the-klang-valley/; https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ozone-layer-healing-coronavirus-climate-sun-uv-rays-a9429341.html)

For the next few days till 9^th June, I pray we use it wisely n to spiritually discern God in the events that unfold each day – locally n globally. Let us adopt the new normal n practice what we know we should. We hv reached a junction n beyond this is a whole “new world” where the “old” is in the past. It is both a reset/pause n an accelerator. It is both scary and exciting as God takes us to the next level. Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

Ministry Update AprMay 2020

Into the unknown…entering into the fourth phase of MCO: Some morning I wake up uncertain which day is it today? Everyday feels like Saturday. What are you up to these days? For me, nothing much different from the usual, except that I can go to bed as late as I want and wake up as late as I want! Other than that, it’s work as usual, actually – virtual classes and grading assignments, preparing for next semester and the “old new” classes (repeated classes with new students). The worst of this MCO has to be my cooking which confirmed an already known fact – I cannot cook! But I m “forced” to tolerate my own MCO recipes (MCO is “mong cha-cha origin: grab whatever is available in my kitchen to come up with something “creative n new” n sometimes I literally “forced” myself to eat my “master piece” dish)

Inter-state activities are all cancelled and this includes all mission trips and classes. There is not much to report as there is hardly any activity but much uncertainty. Many are expecting the MCO to further be extended till 28 May. Even the PM’s latest announcement already gave hint that it may be extended. Year-end graduation events are also uncertain whether they can proceed. The “no big gatherings” advice is till end of the year or till a vaccine is found. I remember a friend telling me at the start of the MCO that “if China, a nation so advance, needs two months to control this, what makes you think Malaysia can do better?” Well, she has a point and rightly we are going into two months, perhaps more, of MCO. In the meantime here in campus and in our individual “caves” we are churning up video conferences, webinar, FB/Youtube broadcast, etc. In the little way that we can, we raised funds to make face shields and bought face masks for the frontliners in Seremban public hospital; many groups hold weekly podcast/service/panel talks on various topics; and there’s a list of public lectures on zoom, etc. In between, I also participated in online free short courses.

I am a Christian in Malaysia. We may have an “illegitimate” government and a cabinet made up of clowns but I believe in my God and the reason why events turned up the way it did. There had been many, n I mean countless opinions on how Malaysia will “fail” both as a nation n in its fight against COVID. And such “reports” are still being circulated n forwarded in WhatsApp chat groups. In such times of crisis as we are in right now, yes, many so-called “analyst” will emerge with their “professional views.” But I know who my God is. The Bible I read each day is not a fairy tale of sorts. It is a record of a mighty God who is my God. He is the same yesterday, today, n forever. Despite the “gloomy” scene of each negative “analysis” I know who I have believed, who I am believing, n who I will always believe. This is not some positive-thinking to make myself “feel good” in the midst of a crisis, but this is a fact for one believing Christian in Malaysia. From the start of this MCO, I have observed n very sad to say that it involved Christians – how some of us “contributed” to the spread of fear n curse to our nation. Hello…there is power in the spoken word. So, my fellow believers, if you are claiming yourself to be a Christian, please be careful of your words. Let it be words that bless n edify. It is in a time of crisis that we can see each person for who he/she really is – whether a person of substance or a person full of air. The same goes with a “friend” – is this person trustworthy or a friendship not worth maintaining? I am upset that a “long-time friend” can actually texted me “to inform” that she is not doing any favour for my mom in Penang. And this is a Christian! Horror of horrors! On the other hand, I’d like us to notice the good from all these, where we are being “reset” into what we ought to be, ie., families together; earth healing herself from pollution; time to pause n “smell the roses;” clear skies n singing birds. I realized, yes, it is costing more to the poor n the “aftermath” of lock-down is tremendous n devastating to many. But hey, this is when Christian stewardship takes over. Christians are called to live a life of sacrifice n this is the time for us to make that sacrifice for those in need. We are in this together, let us go through this together.

I hope you are doing well too. Personally, I am excited at what the Lord has ordained for us. We read so much of this great God and His miracles/great wonders in the Bible. Here, in our contemporary stage, He is unfolding His great might once again, both locally and globally. What privilege that we have this opportunity to personally witness these. Let’s continue to pray for spiritual eyes to be opened, hearts to be willing, and lives surrendered to Him. This is the time, this is the hour. Let’s not miss this moment

TSB

27042020

Ministry Update MarApr 2020

A 4-weeks partial lock-down! A “divine interruption,” something needful but something we “do not want.” We actually do not know if this RMO will be further extended. My only concern is my mother in Penang, But I take comfort in knowing that Penang as a whole is coping well in its fight against this virus. Here in Seremban, is classified as a RED zone. Yesterday, Klang came under RED classification. Looks like it’s unlikely for anyone of us to return to Penang till, perhaps June. I pray that we will up a notch in prayer. The longer this RMO, though it is helping, the more difficulties we will encounter. I m thinking of the hawkers, the labourers, those who “kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang.”

In Malaysia (from today 30th Mar) we (may) have another 15 days to go, other countries elsewhere just started their lock down. Some 21 days, some a month with very likelihood of pro-longing the situation. My flight to Penang in April had been suspended by AirAsia. And AirAsia has suspended all domestic flights till 21^st April. Our mission trips to Sabah in May and to Gopeng in June had been cancelled. My SAM class in Tapah end of May had been cancelled. The September class teacher from Miri had been instructed by his home church not to travel n I’m not sure if the class can proceed. The month long missions module in STM (whole of June) had been cancelled. SAM Prai class scheduled to begin 1 Apr had been postponed. All classes on campus in STM had been suspended during the RMO. A few students who went home are not allowed to return when the RMO was extended. Classes till end of the semester will commence on-line. This is truly unprecedented. A complete stop. A divine interruption! Perhaps, it is overdue…

My initial observation was that the church was generally caught unaware. Many “crumbled” at the suddenly restricted movements n found themselves gripped with fear – fear of uncertainty, of COVID, of simply unable to be a (physical) church. It is even more devastating for conservative churches that heavily depend on traditional observances because suddenly the question cropped up, “How to ‘perform’ tradition to an empty audience?” A few managed to pull themselves together n resorted to “performing” before a webcam. One obvious observation is that those from a high church setting steeped in tradition are “crumbling” as they are unable to observe Easter in a (physical) church setting.

^HAG2:4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ⁵ ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
⁶ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. ⁷ I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ⁸ ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ⁹ ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
I know you are praying just as I am. But let us encourage each other to press in. In a little while…this too shall pass n we will enter a new era of unprecedented (golden) season for the church. Let us be discerning.

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