Ministry Update SeptemberOctober 2018

Final quarter of the year and classes are wrapping up. September had been an interesting month with loads of public holidays. Despite that, I was on “working holidays” and it was not quite of a “holiday.”

With three consecutive long weekends, it’s exciting as one program ends n immediate preparation attended to for the next. It was hectically fun! From last weekend of August with a trip to Miri to attend a friend’s wedding cum preaching engagement; then the Merdeka weekend having to chauffer a guest lecturer to Kampar then proceed to CH for a short break n later a meeting with SAM Ipoh committee meeting; followed by a teaching trip to Lawas via Miri; and finally ending the Malaysia Day weekend with a BBQ dinner with the first year students. An unexpected trip to Penang took place after my return from Lawas. My aunt passed away n I travelled back Penang briefly to pay my last respects.

Though it was a brief teaching assignment in Lawas, it was fun. First time travelling to Lawas n by MasWing 18-seater aircraft, it sure was an adventure. Once again n as usual, I feel so at home amongst the indigenous people group. This time with the LunBawang people group. Upon my return transiting Miri, I hv approx. 4 hours before boarding the flight back  KL. These hours were filled by going out briefly to meet friends in Miri

Next week (first weekend of Oct) I hv a teaching engagement in Penang n that allows me to briefly return for another dose of authentic Penang food. The second week of Oct is convocation weekend n activities are peaking in campus. While classes are concluding, student assignments are pouring in. With the close of 2018 academic year, reports need to be prepared. In the meantime there are preaching/teaching engagements, retreats, n OA visits in Nov/Dec.

I’m thrilled that SAM Penang has 11 students graduating this year with certificate of Christian Ministry. Several of them will be upgrading to diploma. With a slow start, SAM Penang Prai held one class n one is on-going while another is planned. This means there will be 3 classes, stretching till early Dec before our academic year concludes n annual report generated.

Elsewhere in SAM Ipoh, we only managed to hold 2 classes. Even that, we hv very poor attendance. The committee met n decided to alternate class venue between Ipoh n Gopeng in our quest to meet the needs of the students.

Will greatly appreciate your prayer partnership:

1.      SAM Northern Centers – Penang (Prai) n Ipoh

a.       More suitable/qualified teaching personnel

b.      Dedicated n committed students

c.       Focus n commitment of committee

2.      STM BM program

a.       More to hear of this program n will consider coming here to be trained adequately

b.      In-campus/full-time students adjusting to community life

THANK YOU

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Ministry Update AugSept 2018

As we approach 31^st Aug this year, there’s an added patriotism attached to it. It feels like we have experienced a “second Merdeka” this time round. I know many are feeling extra patriotic during these times between 31^st Aug till 16^th Sept. To further fuel this are the many patriotic videos posted on social media. I am pressing on in prayer for this country, especially for our new government. I pray that you will also join me to pray for a nation where “justice flows like a river n righteousness like a never ending stream.”

A “big” achievement I accomplished recently is to complete translating my doctoral dissertation from English to BM. Now the next step is the editing n proof-reading to get it ready for publishing. I guess I needed some motivation. I remember starting the project in Feb 2016 n it slowed down after awhile. In 2017, hardly any effort was invested and I just kicked myself to progress till the end. Of course, a lot of divine investment was involved too!

Ministry-wise, I was in Miri for a weekend n somehow, time felt a little too short. This Merdeka weekend I need to chauffeur a colleague to Kampar before proceeding to Cameron Highlands for a short break with the family. I hv also slotted in a meeting with SAM Ipoh committee to discuss the future of the school. Response had not been too encouraging. I hv nevertheless prepared a tentative schedule for next year. SAM Penang is progressing well with 11 prospective graduates this year n most intending to continue with the diploma program. Do pray for n with us for the development of this school. It’s tough having to juggle responsibilities here in Seremban n the school in Penang n Ipoh. I’m praying that perhaps I need to get a new car with a larger engine capacity to travel long distance to attend to these centers.

Will also appreciate your partnership in prayer for our TOPAD class next weekend (the Agong birthday weekend) in MIM, Lawas. This time travelling MAS transiting Miri. By mid Sept all my campus classes will conclude, then it’s grading assignments time, followed by convocation service in October. Nov n Dec are slowly filling up with ministry appointments all over Malaysia. Will greatly appreciate your prayer partnership. Thanks

Ministry Update July/August 2018

Start of second semester swiftly led to the mid of it already. July quickly led to the first Deaconnesses n Pastors’ Wives Retreat in Port Dickson. It was the first time the Diocese had such a retreat n it was the first time I met many pastors’ wives who were “hiding” behind their husband’s identity. It was a short retreat n it was shorter still for me who had to return campus early for a seminary event – official photo taking for the seminary community. The month had many other “happenings,” probably because for two weekends I was teaching the BM TEE class in the KL center. STM BM TEE in KL center is based in KL Wesley Methodist Church, which is almost next door to KL’s famous China Town, Petaling Street. It is really not a good place to hold a class over weekends – because the location is too tempting for us to eat, eat, n eat ceaselessly! The class I taught was a small class n we quickly were able to bond fondly. After almost 30 years, I was strolling Petaling Street n Central Market with the students after dinner – a place I used to “roam” during my uni days in the early 1990s.

Another memorable “event” in July was receiving an invitation from an editor of a “new concept” publishing house asking if I’d consider publishing my doctoral dissertation through them. I was thrilled! But not wanting to do anything that I will regret later, I did a little investigating n asking around. Apparently, established authors have some doubts over the credibility of the publisher n I decided to pause in this publishing plan. God has His time n I want to move in His time with His blessings. So, it’s back to the drawing board n pray while waiting for the right timing to publish my writings.

However, I have an article published recently. It is a local webpage n a project initiated by some students. Do access it here https://awthentic.asia/articles/47-outreach/236-semai-in-my-heart and advise me what you think.

Next weekend, my pastoral group will be going for a retreat. Our plans take us to Pangkor, Gopeng, n Ipoh on a 4 days n 3 nights trip. Do pray for us – that it will be a good time of fellowship, bonding, n sharing.

SAM Penang has as many as 11 students ready to graduate with their Certificate of Christian Ministry in October. 5 of them still need their final 3 credits n they are currently pursuing the final class in the Prai center. Do pray for them that they can fully pass with the required assignments n ready with all the necessary by end of August.

Two weddings are coming up in August. One, of a current student in Melaka n the other one of a former student in Miri. Travelling to Miri, I’m also taking the opportunity to share about the STM BM theological education ministry in a SIB church. Will appreciate your partnership in prayer.

Once again, I close with this passage as I thank you for your partnership in ministry…

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. 

Monthly Ministry Update JunJul18

June had passed by pretty slow. Perhaps it’s because there were many events along the month. After a nation-wide event, June was focused on many ministry activities. Returning campus from the first semester break, I led a small team to visit the OA village in Kampar. It was pretty much an impromptu trip n was confined to the BM class. That too, one member pulled out at the last minute. We left campus on Monday afternoon after a little hiccup regarding transportation. The MPV we booked was taken away by a colleague without consulting the user record. That cost us more than an hour delay. The three of us reached Kampar nearing dinner time n met up with another team member who is a local OA in Kampar. She had brought us to explore a little bit of Kampar at night. Early the next morning, after breakfast we went to climb a hill – well, it was actually to visit the OA Prayer House. It was located on top of a small hill overlooking Kampar town and Mambang Di-Awan. Though it was a low hill, I was pretty unfit after being “grounded” the last six months. So, it was pretty much a challenge to climb the hill. It felt like hours before we reached the prayer house. I was “gung-ho” enough to attempt the climb wearing just an old worn out pair of slippers. Apparently it was just 30 minutes (after many stops) to reach the prayer house. Descending the hill, we returned to Kampar town for lunch while waiting for our hosts to bring us to two other OA outreaches near Tapah. The day ended with a late dinner of clay-pot chicken rice in Kampar. We were staying in the OA Anglican church in Kampar n my team-mates in the room next door had a real good bonding time, chatting till 2/3 am. I think they were excited at the experiences during the day. The next morning we packed n ready to return Seremban. We met up with partners in ministry in Kampar n briefly dropped by Bidor before arriving back Seremban nearing 5pm on Wednesday 6^th June.

In the meantime, SAM Penang is still not holding any classes. After the first class early this year, the SP center continued in the pause mode. The Prai center has yet to begin any classes. The hiccup this year is pretty unavoidable as I’m still learning to juggle my duties here in Seremban, church in Cheras, n the task to travel around to promote the BM program while attempting to insert SAM in between. SAM Ipoh just had another intensive module in Theology 1. However, attendance was at an all time low – just 3 participants. Elsewhere, Prai will begin its first class for the year in July. I thank God for understanding students in SP/Prai n the partnership of FGAC to assist during this time of adjustment for me.

In July, there’ll be the first deaconesses retreat in PD n TEE classes over two weekends in KL. It’s been a super-long while since I last visited that part of KL – Petaling Street area. I used to visit that area when I was a student in UM. Gosh, that was more than 20 years ago! Well, before all that is the first Inter Seminary Games I’ll be participating next Monday (2July) in MBS (Rawang). I did “tried” to be “sporty” n wanted to be a part of the tug-of-war team. But the very first task the coach gave already “dis-qualified” me – 30 push-ups! Anyway, I’ve found myself a place in the sports team – cheer-leading…

Will greatly appreciate your partnership of prayer in this ministry.

SB

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SAM Monthly Ministry Update MayJune18

It’s nearing half of the year. But it’s been a good first half as evident from what transpired early May in Malaysia.

What did I accomplish the first half of 2018? I survived first semester in STM! New culture, new practices, new colleagues, new community to adapt to (in Seremban), not to mention having to lower my standard for food. I think what I like most of my “new” assignment is the opportunity to travel throughout the country to promote the BM theological education ministry. During our semester break I had the opportunity to visit three BM congregations in three different locations in the Northern region: Penang, Taiping, n Ipoh. I also praise God for the privilege to “touch base” with several partners in ministry in Penang. I hope for stronger partnership to continue as we grow to glorify God in this “renewed” land.

While back in the land of good food, I had to depend on public transport to travel within the northern region: around Penang, to Taiping (and back), n Ipoh where concluding the assignment in Ipoh, travel back Seremban. For the first half of the year, I have the experience of travelling via bus, train, n air. It was my first time trying out the ETS train services n I must say, I’m pretty impressed. However, my bus experience travelling south was pretty disappointing. Using public transport also mean I need to allocate more time in waiting, unsure of traffic conditions. So, more time was “wasted” in waiting for bus n train. I could have driven my old Kembara, yet I rather not; although it serves me very well in short distance travels. The Kembara is an excellent companion in OA ministry where I need to travel into rural areas but it’s not too suitable for long-distance capacities with its high n narrow design. So, I’m praying (n will appreciate you joining me) for a new car that is more suited for long-distance travels.

Next week, I’m bringing the BM class to visit OA villages near Kampar. We will travel to Kampar n visit two OA villages in the interior – in the morning n the evening. We plan to “jalan-jalan cari makan” along our drive back. Do pray for us that this short exposure trip will generate further passion n burden for indigenous ministry.

Second semester officially opens 9 June n we begin with a community retreat on Mon 11 June. I’m glad to have a heavier load this coming semester as I was “too free” last semester.

Elsewhere in SAM Northern Centers, it is still slow moving. I hope that next year, things will be better organized as the committee adjust to new roles, me included. Will greatly appreciate your partnership in prayer.

Once again,

Php 1:3-5  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.