Ministry Update Oct/Nov 2012

The first day of the second last month of the year…wow, it feels like just yesterday that we entered a “new year” n now we r gearing up for another new year. I hv next year to look forward to as I (hope) to graduate n thus (to finally) conclude my formal education (hopefully). It’s been 17 years in the Seminary for me! I first stepped into MBTS on 26Dec 1995 n officially enrolled into the January 1996 intake. Since then I’ve been in the Seminary pursuing one program after another n even serving in various capacity.

So, what’s next? I asked myself…pursue another post, post graduate program? I m praying for more ministry opportunities n trust that they will come at the right time, in the right manner. I so look forward to new challenges as I encounter this “closure” next year. My dissertation supervisor is now busy playing grand-dad. Twin grand-daughters in the US n now twin grand-sons in Makassar. He’ll be retiring next year; so, I really need to complete my studies by next year. Should he decide to leave n return to the US, there leaves a “void” to train another (local) missiologist. Perhaps, I m privileged to be the sole person?! I shld be able to complete all the necessary (the latest) by the first half of next year. Therefore, I’m seeking new challenges to fill in the “void.”

October began with the final class of SAM Ipoh Dip track. Going to Kinta Valley a day earlier enabled me to also attend the OA Church Anniversary. There was a spread of OA delicacy for the “VIP” guests. Rebung (bamboo shoots) were presented in two dishes: spicy n non-spicy. It was at this meal that I was “introduced” to buah perah a.k.a. buah hutan. A jungle nut that taste like a cross between cashew n almond. It is amazing how the jungle can provide the best for these “hidden people” n God simply provides the best; something we, urban folks r not aware. I was reminded of an old hymn n I re-wrote its lyrics:

I stand amaze in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could call me

A true urban freak like me

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is the jungle call to me

SAM Academic term is concluding. In both Penang n Ipoh, the certificate module through evening classes r on-going. I will soon be expediting reports to compile to all sponsors. I m now in the midst of preparing next year’s schedule n promotional materials.

October ended marvelously with a trip into the interior with AIMC team. As I shared over FB, I seldom encounter such a beautiful togetherness between a visiting team, visiting the OA village for the first time n the local OA community. I was very much encouraged, edified, n truly blessed. The Lord revealed to me that it is the spirituality element that binds us together. When both r praying, passionate, humble servants of God seeking to please Him, it matters not the color of our skin nor the language we speak. The Spirit of God in us is awaken to recognize the Spirit of God in the other person n that forms the spiritual unity; a true Body of Christ, a family of God.

Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Join me to pray for the establishment of an authentic indigenous Malaysian church.

SB

Ministry Update Sept/Oct 2012

Recently I experienced the “Elijah Syndrome,” falling from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low – almost instantly. I remembered that it was Malaysia Day n I delivered a good message in church; there were those who braved the heavy rain to come to church bcoz I was speaking, there were many “thumb-ups” n hand-shakes. I was on a (spiritual) mountain top, feeling real good that the message was strong n challenging (Christian) Malaysians to stay put in this nation to steer the destiny of our land. So (spiritually) high was I that even after the evening rally, I cld not sleep n began chatting online. That was when a friend told me she’s planning to go overseas the following month to look for a job. What?! That was my immediate reaction. Although I m not particularly close to this person, the significance of the matter knocked me down from my spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. I was not so much angry at her; rather at myself for taking this so seriously n personally. I suppose it was the timing that was just “too fantastic.” For about 3 days n 3 nights I was at the spiritual low n suddenly just snapped out of it, almost as instant as when I fell. Following that was this devotion I subscribed to that has often spoken to me strongly. Again this piece came so timely:

Sometimes we are on top of the world, higher than the highest mountain. But other times, we fall flat on our faces. For every mountain, there is a valley. But these ups and downs are what gives meaning to our lives.

We are here to learn and to grow. What would we learn in a predictable world? Why would we grow if everything came easy? Next time you find yourself feeling small or dark, look at the moon in the sky. Remember: In the times that it is smallest, it is reborn. The darkest parts of the cycle lead to the times of fullness and light.

Holy Land Moments Daily Devotional [Devotional@HolyLandMoments.org]

I felt the Lord speaking to me n comforting me in those words. Even more so was the Bible passage I read following that which was exhorting patience.

That was the “highlight” in September n now I m in Ipoh for a week-long class in OT Survey. Last Sunday was the OA church anniversary n it was fun to join them in their celebrations. Confirmation candidates totaled 34 n this is “abnormally” fantastic! Thought I missed the luncheon of asli food but it turned out that there were several late arrivals n we had dinner instead. It was prepared single-handedly by a church member who was a former SB police personnel. He is such a great cook – cooked rebung (bamboo shoots) in 2 different ways n an array of asli delicacies. It was simply delicious.

Looking forward to my next trip to the jungles: end of Oct with AIMC team to UK (Ulu Kampar); day trips at the end of Nov with Christ Church Penang; early Dec with GBC CG; n probably another trip following that to a new outreach post.

The SAM-STM partnership has been formalized; now I’m pursuing a networking with STS in Sabah. I hv a meeting with its rep in Nov n perhaps also plan a visit to STS to explore their campus facility n further liaison efforts.

By next month, Nov, our classes wld hv concluded for this academic year. Kindly pray with us n for us as we wrap up the academic year of 2012 n prepare for academic year 2013.

BJAC is partnering some churches in the SOS (Sahabt Orang Sakit) Ministry. Launched on Sat 22Sept, this ministry is anchored by New Destiny Fellowship International, an AOG Church in Singapore in partnership with a network of several local churches – AIMC, FGAC Bahasa, n BJAC. This ministry is focused on ministering to the Indonesians in Penang seeking medical attention. The services r on Sat 2-4pm n it is actually healing services for the sick. Though conducted wholly in Bahasa Indonesia, it contains live testimonies which r very encouraging. Come visit us sometime.

A BIG thank you to Chew GH for proof-reading my dissertation now...

Ministry Update Aug/Sept 2012

August closed interestingly with a significant, activity-filled day. So it was the Merdeka holiday, but it was a day I gladly woke up early to join the rest of my friends for a relaxing time at Monkey Beach. I don’t know how in the world it was called that; I saw no monkeys around n perhaps the Sarawakians came earlier to hunt down the last of the monkeys available n bbq-ed them! Ahhh…I missed bbq monkey meat!!!

I was glad that there is a “spiritual home” I can return to each time I need to be in a company of people who know me just as I am; with people who share the same passion to grow spiritually; people who share the same desire to progress in kingdom matters. It is especially significant for me who is in a ministry that is pretty much in its pioneering stage. And as with any other pioneering work, it can be pretty “lonely” physically n spiritually. I can appreciate the jungle; but I’m not sure if the jungle can appreciate me. I can hug a tree; but it definitely can’t hug me back. Thus, I am glad n truly glad of the church family that the Lord blessed me with. I think my “membership” is still in FLC n GBC; though technically the “active” one should be in the Anglican DWM. However, what is most important is to know I m a part of the Christian faith community – in both the universal n local church.

August was a full month of activities: SAM classes in both Penang n Ipoh, followed by the annual Anglican Synod which led me to nod, nod, nod n z z z……..But I had a few days break to spend with my sister n her family. The highlight was our trip to Wet World in Shah Alam. I also had a wonderful time of fellowship with old friends; varsity course-mates who are now new believers. One of whom encouraged me so much with her fierce passion for the Lord n the other searching curiously. I also discovered we had a course-mate who is now tent-making in China with her family. And I’m so looking forward to meeting her next year!

I turned in the complete second drafts of my dissertation n hv received a chapter back. There’s some formatting error n apart from that it was satisfactorily viewed by my supervisor. Two more super long chapters for him to read n comment. Plz join me to pray for him; it’s not easy having to read “an assignment of almost 100 pages.” And it’s not him who approved the initial proposal; he just “inherited” the task. I’m hoping that the rest of the process will complete by middle of next year. (Church “work” somehow picks up at the second half of the year) There’s still two readers to comment on the write-up before the oral defense n the final approved draft. My supervisor reminded me that the dissertation will be filed in seminary libraries n will be public domain, thus I need to be careful to write in a manner that is “suitable for public consumption.” The title is “Raising Indigenous Leaders through Christian Education: A Semai Model.” A completely academic writing; all 310 pages of it n that means it will come in handy for those finding it difficult to sleep at night. Academic writings are almost a guarantee to lullaby u to a deep sleep…

The SAM-STM formal partnership has been finally approved. While waiting for official letters of formality, I will hv to start planning to launch an active promotion of the School for the next academic year in 2013. In the meantime, SAM Penang n Ipoh are progressing well with our certificate n diploma tracks; both the intensive modules n night classes. SAM Gua Musang, however, is experiencing some hiccups n we hv not found a workable solution yet. Plz pray for us.

September has many meetings besides a night class module at FGA BP; but I’ll be in Penang till month end before traveling to Ipoh for the last course of the academic year for SAM Ipoh diploma track in early October. I’m already drafting next year’s schedule, gearing up to heavily promote the school next year. Though I look forward to a planned visit to Sabah in November – both official n social; it looks like I may delay the trip if GE is scheduled in November. It’s a more urgent matter to pray n watch the development of our beloved nation. End of October is a trip to the interior with AIMC; end of Nov with CCP; start of Dec with GBC CG; but I hope to plan more trips into the interior as we gear up towards Christmas 2012. And wow…it’s so fast that we r reaching end of 2012 already!

Thank you for your partnership in ministry.

SB

3Sept2012

Ministry Update July/Aug 2012

I think after we hit the middle span, the journey escalate. Just like we hv gone over middle of the year n July seemed to zoom past pretty fast. I’m working on the second drafts of my dissertation n m taking it slow; after all, it’s no longer possible to meet the deadline for graduation this year. And August is full of activities. The OA pastors/leaders from SAM Ipoh will be in Penang for a course in ATC; followed by another course back in Ipoh the very next week; followed by the Raya break n the annual Anglican Synod in Kajang. I doubt I can get any serious work done in the whole of August n I’m already drafting the 2 sermons I hv to preach in BJAC.

Several events to take note is ATC, the Anglican Training Center, will be closed; just the premise, not the center. We will return the bungalow to St Nic after I pack all the necessary. SAM-STM partnership is still waiting to be officially formalized. Bureaucracy, red tapes, aiyoh…headache with all these…only looking forward to the next jungle visits. Fresh air, lush greenery, endless whisper of the sounds of nature.

I suppose everyone is anticipating the next GE. Like everyone else, I m anxious too. At the same time, I feel guilty that I’ve not been as fervent as I should to pray earnestly for a changed Malaysia. I hope that all of u will partner me to pray for ourselves firstly, to be more pro-active spiritually. Perhaps it is just the circle of Christians I encounter around me here n I sure hope this is not the general state of the Malaysian church. It disappoint me terribly that when I propose going out to the communities, the response was they (my church members) were just only willing to step out of the church building!!! Aise…white hair grow instantly.

The BM Bible School is progressing well. SAM Ipoh, both the certificate n diploma tracks r on schedule with the courses offered. By November, the school term should end, allowing the students to catch up on pending assignments n prepare for Christmas; while it will enable me to compile the necessary data for the annual report. SAM Penang is taking a break pending the students’ delayed submission of assignments. We should resume in September. This is one worry for me, especially after experiencing the same in MBTS. Pending n accumulating assignments n at the end of it was poorly done work. The teachers also already forgot about the course. Worst was the students ended up with no credit n time n effort terribly wasted, not to mention the tuition fees involved. SAM Gua Musang is experiencing some hiccups. I’ll be meeting the coordinator next month to explore how we can iron things out.

As always n again, thank you for ur partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update July 2012

It’s been pretty relaxing entering the second half of the year. Having completed my dissertation draft end of May, I now wait for my supervisor’s comments n feedback for further modification n amendments to the draft. I doubt I can graduate end of this year. It’s been more than a month n my supervisor has not completed going through my dissertation of over 300 pages. Well, I can’t blame him. Over 300 pages…Anyway, it is the Lord who ordains the times n seasons. So, whether I graduate this year or next, it is the Lord who ordains it.

Tomorrow I’m going into the jungle. Just a short trip. Nevertheless, it is a trip I look forward to; I always look forward to visiting the “jungle.” I never know why because I was conceived, born, raised, n living in the city. I’m a pure-bred urban freak yet the Lord knows me better n He knows the jungle has a special place in my heart. I’m considering moving to the jungle upon my “retirement.” One factor that contributes to this is the meager pay as a church worker which surely cannot support an urban lifestyle at retirement. But it is more of the lure of the wild n nature; the closeness to creation; the whisper that speaks of the handiwork of God, untainted by modernity.

Plz join me to pray for the BM Bible School. In theory our partnership with STM is accepted but it is the administrative formality that is dragging it officially. Again, I believe it is the Lord who will ordain the right time n season. June n July are relaxing months. Perhaps, again this is ordained by God. August is pretty packed – one week the SAM Ipoh students will hold their class in Penang; one week in Ipoh for another class with SAM Ipoh; one week in Kajang for the annual Anglican Synod followed by a short break (holiday?) visiting Klang Valley. Anyway, I need to “corner” some people during the Synod to push for SAM-STM partnership progress n to start planning for SAM 2013.

Once again, thank you that I hv this privilege of partnership with all of you to serve God in the capacity of the OA ministry.

Ministry Update June 2012

May closed with many events. I had subjected myself to some strict discipline to complete my entire dissertation draft and I did it! And it was a whole month ahead of schedule. I figure that if I discipline myself to write a thousand words a day, I can complete it by June. On my off days I can write three or four times that effort. So, by the final week of May, I completed and sent the entire draft of more than 80, 000 words in more than 300 pages of it! Praise the Lord…

I thought that the schedule was nicely in place for me to fully enjoy the 4D3N stay in the jungle with Wesley Methodist Taiping in three different OA villages. But it was a (spiritually) stressful time. A few days before the scheduled trip, my sister told me she discovered a cyst in her ovary. Being a medical specialist that has to confront serious medical conditions every day at work, she admitted that it was pretty worrying. That made me worried too. We are very close to each other. When I was praying over this matter I had received a confidence from the Lord that it is not a serious matter but I have little faith and most of the time, worry overtook me. Perhaps, I figure, it was just a “spiritual attack.” After all, I encountered many along the course of my dissertation – at the research phase and the writing phase. I was constantly plagued with various thoughts of condemnation and fear for no apparent reason which affected my concentration on my research. It intensified when I built up momentum to complete the work. I was relieved when the entire draft was completed. Then the news came. It will only be on Friday for my sister to know the status of the cyst but I was away on Friday morning for the trip to the OA villages and there’s no network connection in the jungle. Adding to that was another unexpected incident when the air-con belt of my car snapped on the way to Ipoh, just before entering the tunnel. In a way I was glad it occurred on the journey to Simpang Pulai and not from Simpang Pulai. At least there were passengers and other cars accompanying to assist me. But it was at the expanse of the group and I felt real bad about it. About 5 hours were “wasted” to attend to the break-down as traffic was at a crawl between Ipoh exit and Simpang Pulai exit. Two reasons caused this – an overturned truck along the stretch from Simpang Pulai-Gopeng and the holiday-makers creating a long queue at the Simpang Pulai toll to go to Cameron Highlands. The car had to be towed to Ipoh for repairs.

Nevertheless, I praise God for the eventful happenings. It all turned out well…despite the earlier hiccup, Friday evening ended with a good time of bbq/fellowship. Saturday morning was a challenging climb to the second village. I had some “help” along the journey in the form of a bike-ride half way along the strenuous journey. Sunday morning was bright and sunny. When we returned to Gopeng and I finally got network, I received the news from my sister that the cyst was a minor issue. However, she was advised to remove it through a minor surgery. There was really nothing serious at all. Praise the Lord! And a big thank you to all my prayer and ministry partners. It was a relief. I finally saw my car in Gopeng, but not all was repaired. Some wheel bearing issue caused it unsafe to drive along the winding road up Cameron Highlands and I had to trouble my OA friends to provide additional transportation for the team. I sent the car for repairs earlier today and I understand why the mechanic in Ipoh was reluctant to repair that faulty bearing. It was massive work of removing and re-assembling. A whole 4 hours of work! But the repairs in Ipoh were sufficient to allow me to drive back to Penang – at a speed of 55-60km/hr!

For those of you who contributed towards the grocery store in Pawong, I’m happy to report that the store is doing well. Business is so good, the stock is usually sold within 2 or 3 days. Although they can roll on their own, they are seeking expansion now. Will greatly appreciate if anyone would like to invest in this ministry to expand the grocery store. Suria, the store-keeper is very happy serving there. She gets to meet villagers from nearby villages and the opportunity to build friendship and eventually to evangelize. Investment can be in RM500 or RM1000. Please consider, thanks.

Next month is another trip to the OA villages, then a break in August. There are 2 SAM diploma modules scheduled for August, one week in Penang and another in Ipoh. I’ll be teaching the second class in Ipoh. This is followed by the Anglican annual synod in Kajang. There are trips planned in both September and October. I’m not sure yet whether I can graduate in November this year or next. I’ve done the complete dissertation and now it’s all up to the readers and examiners to propose modifications to the write-up.

Well, this is my update for the month. Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.

 5June2012

Ministry Update 1st May 2012

Praise the Lord that despite the lazy bones I’ve grown accustomed to, I’m able to discipline myself thus far to reach the 60% marker for my dissertation. So, I’m on track and the end is in view. My supervisor told me the entire dissertation needs to be approved by 1^st Sept in order to be ready for graduation in November. I am looking forward to the final major chunk, chapter 4, which will detail elaborate proposal and ideals for a relevant training curriculum for the indigenous community in Malaysia. Thank you for all your support, prayer, and encouragement.

I’m glad for the breaks in May – May 1^st and 5^th being public holidays n I can focus on writing. But please join me to pray for the youth camp cum mission trip on 1-4June in 3 indigenous villages with Wesley Methodist Taiping. I am looking forward to the visits, especially the challenging journey to reach Kampong Kepayang, accessible only through hiking an approximate one (or two) hour(s). I so need to be “refreshed” by the jungle, away from the concrete structure everywhere I turn.

Let us continue praying for our nation, no words can adequately describe the state we are today!

^{PHP 1:3} I thank my God every time I remember you.