Busy...

In spite of my promise in the previous post to try and be more regular with my updates, it has indeed been quite awhile since I updated. Hopefully, the title of this post would explain my predicament.

Got back from Ipoh last Tuesday, it was a good trip (in term of ministry), except my tooth chipped while I was in Ipoh, so it was an extremely torturous trip for me; was only able to see a dentist on Wednesday, so I was in pain for two days (it was more like in medically induced 'high' for two days, as I was surviving on painkillers during the two days).

Things are getting crazily busy, with Youth Alpha on every Saturday, and Campus Alpha on every Tuesday (at Bethany Centre) and Thursday (in Malay, at Kuching Public Health College). As no one else in Bethany Ministries is comfortable with doing live talks in Malay, I have to be the speaker for all the sessions on Thursday.

The next ten days will probably pass by in a daze (rushing from one busy-ness to another), as my schedule below would illustrate.

• 17th September - Campus Alpha at Kuching Public Health College
• 18th and 19th September - The Reading Bus visit to Kampung Bawang (a village one hour from Kuching): I am handling Village Alpha for both nights
• 20th to 23rd September - Attending The Plan 09, a mission conference in Melaka, as Bethany Ministries will be setting up an exhibition booth
• 24th September - Meeting up with my prayer partners in Kuala Lumpur
• 26th September - Launching of Village Alpha at Kampung Pueh (a village two hours from Kuching) - 26th is also my Dad's 58th birthday, and I am trying my best to work around my schedule to accommodate it as well, though I really don't think it will work out
• 27th September - Village Alpha Holy Spirit Weekend at Kampung Bawang

Apart from the above, I am in the process of helping the leadership of a school Christian Fellowship here in Kuching to plan the next year (as well as helping them to find their fit in their new positions as leaders) which include the planing of a camp.

Of course, there is still the usual things to deal with at Timothy's Place, repair and maintenance works there never seems to end. My tuition classes (which have been a great source of income for my substanance) are also keeping me busy, and with my frequent travelling lately, I have to reschedule many of the classes, which are now filling out every empty slots in my schedule.

Much prayer needed, do pray that I would be able to get whatever rest whenever I can, as I am truly swamped.

God bless.

Funeral, Campus Alpha, Counselling Seminar, Trip to Ipoh, and so on

It has been almost a month since I last updated my blog, and it had been a really busy month.

First there was a funeral, the father of one of my young mentee passed away, so the month of August began with a note of sorrow. I thank God for opening doors when my mentee's family needed help, and I thank God that He gave me the opportunity to be there for them.

We at Bethany Ministries has just added another 'Alpha course' to the many that we are already running, last night saw the launch of 'Campus Alpha', adding to 'School Alpha', 'Village Alpha' and 'Youth Alpha' that we are already running.

And last week, for the whole week, I had the privilege to attend 'Introduction to Counselling' at the Alpha Omega International College. Dr. Evelyn Biles from the US was indeed a superb teacher. The month of August also saw me going back to holding microphones, as I return to the ministry of worship leading.

Coming up this week, I will be running the Holy Spirit weekend of Village Alpha for Kampung Bawang on this Saturday, and on Sunday, I will be flying off to Kuala Lumpur, just to travel down to Ipoh directly from the airport to attend the NECF Youth Ministry Forum.

There will be a lot more things happening in September for me, but I shall endeavour to update my blog again soon and list down the other events. Until then, to all my supporters and prayer partners, thank you for standing along side with me all these while. God bless.

Timothy's Place 2? - From Dreaming to Praying

A year ago, I started Timothy's Place, a struggling little ministry 'house' (it's actually one floor of a shop lot unit) for students of Swinburne University of Technology. And in the process of setting up Timothy's Place, I found myself standing inside a row of near empty shop lots, which is located immediately by the side of another local college. Even then, I find myself asking, is God trying to show me the location of a second Timothy's Place. I was tempted, but knowing my own limitations, both in strength and finance, I held back that thought.

Now, as the operation of Timothy's Place begins to show signs of stability, I find myself wondering about (and wandering to) that row of shop lots, about setting up of Timothy's Place 2. Can I really cope with operating two ministry houses, both physically and financially? I wish I know the answer to that, but I thing I know for sure, I have been spending every unoccupied waking moment day-dreaming about it; and each night, as I lay awake on my bed, I thought wanders to it.

So, it is time for me to step out in faith, time for me to STOP DREAMING, and START PRAYING. If it is indeed God's will for Timothy's Place 2 to become a reality, then let Him be the One to show the way. Would you please pray with me for His confirmation, and if so be it, His provisions and favours?

God bless.

It has Been ONE Year!

It has been a long journey, and the little ministry has endured and survived 365 days of existance. It would not have been possible without many of you.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been there for me. I pray that the Lord will pour back blessings in greater multitudes into your life; for I have truly been blessed by all of you.

Thank you and God bless.

[Post-script: This is my first attempt of actually posting a graphic, and now that I have learnt how to, I shall endevour to try and post more graphics on this blog.]

Timothy's Place: Updates and Musing

Updates

Have been spending part of the last one week cleaning and fixing some things at Timothy's Place. Many thanks to Daniel Shin and Jason Chia (who came from Kuala Lumpur) for helping me out a great deal. We shall be spending at least another two afternoons next week to do more cleaning and also fixing up the place. I still have in my possession some framed pictures of New York and London, souvenirs from my travels from yester-years; but somehow, given that the students staying at Timothy's Place are all from Swinburne University (an Australian university), those nice framed pictures somehow just don't seems appropriate.

Many thanks to a few friends who have offered a variety of assistance. Rest assured that the blessings which you poured forth are reaping harvest. Thank you.



Musing

A year ago, when I started Timothy's Place, Daniel Shin's father, who is a pastor, gave me a couple of beds, and I went to his church's hostel (which they were shutting down) to collect the beds. Even then, I couldn't help notice that the location was really suitable for another Timothy's Place, as it was directly in front of a local institute of higher learning. But, as I was just starting with Timothy's Place, and all things were extremely uncertain then, I dare not give it much thought.

Yesterday, while running some errants, I found myself in the same neighbourhood again; and I couldn't resist checking on the same row of shop lots directly in front of that local institute. Much to my surprise, every single unit of the upper floors (second and third floors, as well as some first floor units) that row of shop lots is currently empty. "For Rent" signs are hanging from almost every window. In fact, the whole row of shop lots appeared deserted.

Dare I think of starting a new ministry there? Dare I ask God for it? There had been so many times when I asked God (without being sure if I was in fact ready) about things, and He brought them to pass. Dare I ask? Am I ready for more? Daniel Shin commented when i was musing it that he believes the Lord will not give it to me if I can't cope, hence if I ask and God does give, it would means I am ready and it is meant to be. I love it when young people speak their minds, their wisdom can be so profound at times.

Dare I ask for more? Am I really ready for more? Only God knows.

God bless.

An Appeal for the Upgrading of Timothy’s Place

Since the posting of my last blog entry, I have received two responses in regard of helping out with replacing the much needed refrigerator and fans at Timothy’s Place. I am truly grateful for the two friends who responded. Sadly, after one week, that’s all the response I received, and it is far from enough help for the ministry.

I received word yesterday afternoon that the shop lot next to Timothy’s Place is being converted in to a plush private-operated student hostel catering to the students of Swinburne University, the very same target group of Timothy’s Place. The renovation work has been ongoing for some time now, but I never knew who was behind it, nor what was it for, until now. Upon hearing the news, I felt very dishearten, as Timothy’s Place, being a ministry house, is definitely not in a position to ‘compete’ with a commercial-based student hostel. They would no doubt be offering better facilities, nicer furniture, and I heard they are going to air-condition the entire place. Timothy’s Place is founded upon the vision of providing an environment of Christian love and care, and more importantly, guidance based upon Christian values and beliefs, for students who are away from home for the first time. It is meant to be an effort to make the students felt care for and welcomed, but it would be pointless if I am not able to provide them with the physical needs of a proper hostel.

Ever since the day I started work on Timothy’s Place, I have always kept in my mind the image of how wonderful the place can be, and of course, with the little resources that I have, the place is far, far from it. It sadden me to actually look inside Timothy’s Place at times, as I would see the mental image I have, and the sharp contrast of what it is at the present moment. For one whole year, tried my best to save whatever income generated from Timothy’s Place so as to upgrade the place; but I cannot even keep up with the repair works needed to keep the old shop lot in working condition, in fact, I have lost track of how much money that I have invested into it after the initial renovation. And now, with the need for a new fridge and fans, I am once again forced to shelf my desire to buy new sofa set and kitchen cabinets, and I dare not even begin to dream of replacing the toilet bowl or laying of new kitchen floor tiles.

As I said in the previous blog, I am never good in asking for support, but IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS WILLING TO OFFER HELP? I definitely NEED some in order to keep Timothy’s Place running.

God bless.

Update: 7th July, 2009, 1.25 p.m. - I have just been offered the use of a second-hand fridge and water filter. Praise the Lord.

Wear and Tear

First thing first, I had a great time in Kuala Lumpur/Petaling Jaya last weekend. It was a much needed long weekend away for me. It was truly great for me to meet up with old friends and get to know new ones. For all who have helped made my four days stay in Petaling Jaya a good retreat, thank you.

News from my little ministry house - Timothy's Place. A new batch of students are moving in, as the new semester begins next month. New faces, new people, new excitements; I am truly looking forward to having new students moving in. Timothy's Place is about to celebrate its first anniversary at the end of July, and it had indeed been a trying year for me. I have learnt a lot, endured a lot, and grown a lot through this little ministry. I have came out of it (so far) intact and surviving. Sadly, I can't say the same about some of the items at Timothy's Place.

I started Timothy's Place with some new furniture and equipments, and a lot of second-hand ones (most of which were donated or sold to me cheap, which I am truly thankful for). After almost a year, many of the old items are victims of wear and tear. The refrigerator had been repaired twice, and it has broken down again, and a few of the stand fans are no longer functioning well (two ceased functioning completely). I am tired of repairing them, as the cost of spare parts are just not worth the money - it will be more sensible to just get new fridge and fans.

I have never been good in opening my mouth and ask for things, but sometimes, I just have to, so here goes: I am appealing to anyone who has an old (but still functioning) refrigerator and stand fans which are not been used to donate it to my little ministry. Your generosity will see blessings being poured upon many students who are away from home for the first time.

On the other front, I shall be leading the Reading Bus team to start ministry at Kampung Bawang - a village which I have ministered to - for the first time this weekend. Do keep my team in prayer as we travel in to the village and bring with us knowledge and Word of God for the people.

Until the next update, God bless.