Dear friends,
In this issue, I will introduce you to some people I spend time with apart from the OCF students. Also top on the news are my plans for this summer!
My housemates!
Jonathan and Soong Leng have been very generous to provide me with rental-free accommodation. We generally have dinners together, though I must add that I get the better part of the deal, cooking only once a week! I assure you that there has not been any food poisoning due to my cooking skills (or lack thereof)! Thank God!
My mentors!
Believe it or not, I have 3 mentors! Pastor Max, one of the pastors of Subiaco Church of Christ which I’m part of, and his wife Aunt Patsy are my ministry mentors, primarily to mentor me on my work with OCF and studies at Bible College. So when I need advice tackling a certain theological or ministry issue, they are there for me! We meet up fortnightly to talk about things and pray. Aren’t they a lovely couple?
My other mentor is Angel, an ex-OCFer who has heaps of experience and a contagious love for the gospel, so it’s great to “pick” her brains and be infected! We meet up fortnightly, sharing about other aspects of life and to pray. She’s a ball of energy and it’s always fun hanging out with her. She and her husband, Ivan are planning a 6-month mission trip next year, so please pray for them as they get that organised!
My boyfriend!
David is also an ex-OCFer who is currently training to be a medical General Practitioner. He is Jonathan’s younger brother (note the resemblance?) and is still actively involved with OCF, discipling some of the guys. I get great advice from him about ministry in OCF, so I suppose you could classify him as one of my mentors too! We generally meet up on the weekends, catching Australian idol on TV, jog around Matilda Bay and pray together!
My Subicare Bible Study Group!
(Soong Peng's birthday celebration)
It’s great to have a Bible study group outside of OCF where I can get “spiritual feeding” from. Guess what? I’m one of the youngest! Everyone in the group is either a working adult, or a “professional student”. We’re studying the book of Esther now and it’s very encouraging to trace God’s providence all throughout the story!
Bible College – Baptist Theological College
(Gael, my group mate)
One of the good things about assignments so far is that I get to read some of my own personal collection of books which I’ve yet to read. I’m also absolutely delirious about the 20,000 volume of books in my library. The bookworm in me is getting very hungry! However, I got some REALLY good advice from a friend recently about balancing studies and work with OCF: “…the books are probably going to stay put on the library shelf for a while but lives are passing you by, so don't waste the opportunities given you.” WOW! Told you it was good advice!
Recent interesting assignments: Sermon illustrations have been occupying my mind. Trying to make everything into a sermon illustration, e.g. visit to the dentist – it’s about pain in the present, but relief in the end! Reckon I could (mis)use my new found inclination as a threat too – “Don’t irritate me else I’ll talk about YOU in my sermon illustration!” Now don’t you think that’s POWER?!
Exams are over now (YAY!), hoping to take the summer break to mull over some things I’ve learnt in class – especially the stuff about postmodernism and how that affects our theology and evangelism.
Ministry with OCF – OCF Murdoch
(Students enjoying themselves)
Mainly meeting up with my disciples (2 of them) these past weeks. Making it a point to meet up with one student leader each week to get to know them better and provide an avenue of support for them. Figured students don’t necessarily come to me even if they have problems, so why not I take the first step and go to them instead?
Some demographics about the centre:
- ~ 18 regulars - 5 boys, 13 girls
~ 80% from Singapore, rest from Malaysia ~ 50% veterinary science students; other courses: Education, Media, Commerce etc.3 Bible study groups, 1 Discovery group for non-Christians (which had only 1 attendee who came for 1 study this semester). Let’s persevere in prayer!4 graduates in 2007, 7 by end of 2008: meaning we’ve got to step up our recruitment of freshies next semester! Pronto! Been thinking about how I’m contributing to the centre and whether I’m suitable for this? It’s so easy (and I confess to still doing it) to assess my worth by the things that I’ve done or not done. Perhaps I have the “Martha” syndrome?
Summer plans
I’m going home! Busy 1st week back – wedding preparation of Steven and Yuen Peng – 2 of my best buddies! First time as a bridesmaid! Horror thought: what if I trip over the train of the bride’s gown?! Having some friends over at my place, so got to get the house organised!
Christmas celebration! Time to reflect on the wonder of God taking on human flesh to be born as a helpless little baby! Oh yes, if you’re intending to give gifts, why not check out this website (www.usefulgifts.org) about giving gifts that can help the poor?
Considering a little “pet project” whilst in KL – to visit Christian Fellowships in the pre-university colleges to tell them about OCF if they have students coming to Australia. Looking to get in touch with FES. Hmm… do you think that would work?
There’d be a handful of OCFers in KL for the holidays too, so will try to meet up with some of them. Summer Bible Studies anyone? There’s also the upcoming IDP pre-departure talk, which is a great way to meet students eager to go overseas for the first time.
I’m planning to apply for an Australian PR (Permanent Residency). Found out that the visa conditions now are favourable for me (thank God!) and God willing, I’ll be able to get that organised. Of course, there’s lots of catching up to do with friends and family!
Praise and Thanksgiving Points:
- For surviving the semester at College!
- Answered prayer of increased dependence on God!
- Generally successful in building relationships with the students.
Prayer Points:
- Orientation program next year for the new students.
- Networking project with the Christian Fellowships in KL.
- Time to start fund-raising again. Pray that I’ll speak to the right people who will be willing to financially support my work here with the students.
- For all my summer plans!
- That my spiritual disciplines won’t go on holiday during the holidays!
