Field Trip / Visitation to a Lutheran Church

The first year’s had the first field education today. I visited a Lutheran Church today in a small Chinese village called 11^th mile Cheras Lutheran Congregation (EMCLC). As I arrived to the village there was a Morning Market right in front of the Church. Thus, have to look for parking further away from the Church.

Today's bulletin..

As I enter together with my seminary-mates, we were greeted by the Senior Pastor of the church Rev. C. H. Lee. There were two concurrent worships at 9.30am, a Chinese Service and an English Service. The English department students and I went for the English Service. As we sat in the church, the liturgist starts with a prayer session. During Praise and Worship there was a session for us to confess our sins to God.

Sis. Emma a member of the EMCLC went to Myanmar for missions last year and taught English for the school. She gave her testimony about how God used her to be a blessing to the people in Myanmar. From her sharing I know God is working among the Burmese people and a lot came to know the Lord from her contribution to the society there.

Sermon today was given by Pastor Aaron Yap the English congregation pastor on “Jesus is calling!” taken from John 1:43-51. The liturgies of a Lutheran Church are quite similar to the Methodist Church although this Church I was in does not follow fully the whole Lutheran liturgy. After service, we have sometime of dialog with Bro. Ronnie (Church chairman), Rev. Lee and Pr. Aaron Yap. Rev. Lee gave a brief history and ministries of EMCLC. A time was given for us to ask questions in regards to the Church.

Pr. Aaron giving sermon "Jesus is Calling!"

Left: Pr. Aaron Yap, Right: Rev. Lee.
Rev. Lee talking about the church history

After the dialog, we had our lunch together at a restaurant nearby with Bro. Ronnie, Rev. Lee and Pr. Aaron. I have a good time of fellowship over lunch. We left Cheras about 2.30pm back to Seremban. We stopped by the ‘Seremban Siew Pau’ building that was beside the Plus Highway. Most of us in the car wondered how to get in because it was just right beside the highway. Jeremy from Seremban guided us there. I brought some ‘Siew Pao’ so that I can indulge eating it later.

Church leaders brought us to this restaurant for lunch...

Stopped by the Seremban siew Pao

I've bought some as well....

That’s it for Sunday the church visitation day. All of us the first years are instructed to write a reflection on the worship earlier.. I’ll do it later! Now is the time to rest and plan for dinner.

First week of the academic semester

The academic semester begins on the 12 January on Tuesday. My first day of class I have class in the morning, afternoon and evening. The main core subjects are on the first day itself. I’ve got 3 assignments on the first day of class. Each day when I’ve got some free time, I’ll be in the library just to read up some books and doing my assignments. Another reason for me to be in the library is because my room is hot in the afternoon. I’ve also started the Greek class. It is a fun class to be in. Lecturer taught the class to sing ABC in the Greek alphabets.

The English for Theology class is quite tough as well. The lecturer for the English class really make me think whether i have pronounced or say the word correctly. Today, there is a class on Christian Spirituality. The lecturer of this class i nice.

Today, joined the farming team. purpose! is to farm vegetables and fruits to financially help the poorer students. We were preparing the land for the vegetable farming in the evening. there are so much work to be done just to farm vegetables! reminds me of the farms in Cameron Highlands.. really hard work for them to look after all the vegetables.

there are no class tonight. i have the rest of the evening free. so i went out with Ronnie to the night market!

Look at the crowd!!

There are a lot of cookies and snacks sold tonight at the night market because the Chinese new year is coming... after walking a while...

The biggest pao i've ever seen! too bad i already have my dinner!

While just walking around there was a very nice breeze of wind there.. there is always a nice breeze here in STM.. especially when i walk out in the morning.. it is just so wonderful the wind blow the cool air! i think i'm gonna like this place!

Will be having a Greek class tomorrow morning! and after that i've got the whole afternoon free! time to do my assignments!

My last day of relaxation!!!

My relaxation is about to come to an end! now its just hours away from my first class. Tomorrow morning and afternoon, will be Intro and survey to New Testament... at night Intro and survey to Old testament!! kinda heavy don you think for my first day?

Yesterday... a good sabbath day for me. For Sunday service we had the worship in the MPH here in STM... they followed an old Methodist liturgy and during communion they used an Anglican communion... kinda like a culture shock for me.. except for the WINE.. lol but did not get to drink just dip the waffle into the wine!


during dinner i went out with Ronnie and Chaw Leong for dinner at a near by restaurant.. ordered Ginger and onion pork rice! after a week... finally i get to taste pork!


This was one of the most satisfying meal here in Seremban... although, i have no complains about the food served in STM :P we had a good time of fellowship over dinner!!

Today woke up at about 8am.. get ready for breakfast and after that the whole monday is a rest day for everyone! so i just went online to search for some materials for my studies... played RA3 and then its time for Lunch! after lunch i went out with Sam Chong, Samnang (a Cambodian) and Ronnie to Jusco... walked around for a while and brought some more things needed.

Yes!! my COKE after a week of not tasting it! its like calling for me in Jusco super market! lol...

Hendry came back to STM today.. a nice guy.. spoke mandarin most of the time.. an opportunity for me to improve my conversational mandarin! when i came back from shopping, he was unpacking and cleaning up the room.. haha... makes me feel a bit guilty... but we will take turns to clean the room up...

I got my student card today!! see... see...

Leng chai leh!! hahaa..... Seminary Theoloji Malaysia... don play play..
I'm officially a Seminarian.. more pressure don you think?

Ok thats all.... pray that i'll be able to focus and stay attentive in class!

Sonic Unleashed...

Sonic Unleashed! how i wish i could play this! i've been a fan of sonic ever since i got myself a Sega console...

My week in STM

Its Saturday... and i'm in the midst of the STM annual retreat, still quite relax classes will start this coming Tuesday. I still got about 2 days to hang around before that! made some more new friends and getting more involve with the community here. In seminary its not just academic i have to focus on! there are more than that... they have the spiritual development, the community living, the Field Education and yes.. the academic!

My roommate is not back yet.. i heard from the seniors that he's dad just passed away and will be coming back only on Monday! so i only can meet him then!

I've got 2 job offerings here in the seminary! 1. be part of the IT team which they called it Cyber TEAM and 2. the Food team... haha. basically, both teams are helping the community. but i've only chosen one to participate in because i do not want to burden myself with too much work here in the seminary! so i've chosen to join the Cyber Team. i've also listed myself to serve as a guitarist for worship as well... thats part and parcel of a community living.

over here i'm placed in a pastoral group (some thing like a small group). the group comprises of a Lecturer as a pastor to the group and about 8 students. Even in this group i'm elected as a driver for the group! so our first gathering next week we will drive out to have our breakfast.. yay!

I've started washing the plates during dinner time... had a back pain cause washing plates and bowls! one steward group are to handle the weeks preparation in the dinning hall and also to clean after the meal.. mine is group 4... maybe in 2 to 3 weeks time i'll be helping in the dinning hall again! lol..

for this month and next.. i will be going for my field education to visit different churches and denomination... my first venue will be Lutheran Church at Jalan Cheras! then there will be a STM night and STM sunday in IPOH which require the 1st year student to handle a program on a saturday night with the youth and sunday morning follow a lecturer to different church for worship!

thats it for now... will blog more when time comes!

My second day in STM

At last i get to use the internet! there was problem with the access points that is in the hostel thus i couldn't use the internet in my room. the only solution, i have to travel outside near a Coke vending machine to get connected... *no i did not buy any coke*

I made some new friends here in the seminary. most of them are quite mature and "Spiritual" so i have to be more mature and spiritual as well. well its just the 2 day and relationships need to be build slowly... i have the whole year to do it! I've asked some of my seniors about their time in first year! one lady told me to be prepare to think critical for my assignments... i was thinking in my heart! WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?!!... and she added the only way to score high is to think critically for my assignments!

Reached STM on Sunday around 3.30pm! checked in to my room and the person in charge said that my room is one of the bigger twin sharing room. a big smile was seen on my mom's face because of that. she worried i might not have space in the room to put all my stuffs! my room mate have not arrive yet! i got to know that he's from Indonesia, a smart student and he sleeps early! what i do not know is that does he sleep dead or snore louder than me! i think snore louder than me is out of the question!! On Sunday i unpacked all my stuffs, i found out that i did not bring my pillow! oh man! thank God that night we were all taken out to Giant for shopping.. i brought 2 pillows.. haha... some stationary and hangers. Came back to the hostel about 10.30pm there was nothing else to do because i did not get the wifi key. so i went to sleep!

This morning.. woke up at 5 am! was coughing thats why i woke up early or not i'll sleep until 7am.. 7.30 is breakfast time... just a few kuih-kuih for breakfast!! then the Orientation begins with alot of inputs and Rev. Anthony *lecturer for the Old testament came in and said that there will be a test on bible knowledge on Wednesday! Oh my... the first test of the year!!!

Was briefed on the rules and regulations on living in a community lifestyle... toured around the campus... briefed about the IT in the campus and got to know that i need to do my assignments with computer.. DUH! and a printer is needed because i cannot use my usb drive in the library and print out my papers! quickly i sms my sister to prepare the printer as it will be taken to STM with me after CNY!! went into the library to enjoy the air con then followed by briefing in the library with tons of information to remember.... rested after that in my room... got the wifi key in the morning and tried to connect to the internet but couldn't. had a very good steamboat dinner and now i've got the chance to Blog....

Well.... even the orientation is to tense and cramped! i do not even want to think about the time when my classes is starting! now i'm stucked outside of my dorm! i can't go in... it started raining and its heavy! oh well... at lease i'll get a cosy night sleep tonight!

Dear Lord, please help me to adapt to this new environment. please give me wisdom and strength to do Your will as You've called me to serve You. its not by my strength that i can endure this but with Your strength O Lord. In Jesus Name..AMEN

New Year! New begining and New Life

Time has really gone by fast... Last year i've decided to commit my life again to God as i apply to go for my Theological studies. I've got the blessings from my parents, my pastor, the church committee and my friends as i answer this call to serve God. Now i'm moments away from this new begining and new life that i'm going to be travelling and i'll be travelling with Jesus all the way as i trust and commit to Him as my Lord.

I had a wonderful time as my home fellowship group gave me a farewell dinner in Sushi Zanmai in Pyramid. Time for fellowship and laughter as they give me a farewell. we had alot of different types of Japanese food and deserts. i'll not know when i'll be eating Japanese food again! lol.

Yesterday, the MIYF youth group also gave me a farewell and a farewell gift to remember them all. I'm going to miss all the youth, the time when we play around and time when we share and learn God's word together.

Today! the church will be commissioning me off for the studies and i do not know this feeling that i have.. a bit of joyfulness and i felt kinda of scared of what will be happening next. i pray that God will always be with me as i journey together with Him.

remember to put me in your prayers!

Christmas day!!

Christmas finally came! and there are a lot of things for me to prepare, especially the musical drama for the christmas worship service on the 25th Dec...

almost 2 months of preparation the day finally came! both the youth and the church choir sang the christmas anthem very well.... the children's drama about the angels and the shepherds in the field gave a clear message to everyone... plus with the christmas message shared by pastor... christmas was meaningful for all of us..

Christmas! a precious gift that God have given to us... He gave us His Son... to die on the cross for us! I was a seeker in the dark world! looking for truth in the wrong places... but now i've seen the light. the light of hope that God gave me on the day of Christmas..

God loves you and me! have a blessed Christmas as we remember this gift that God given to everyone of us....

Counting my days!

Counting my days now! i still have about 2 weeks of work! then... in December will be the month for my preparation as well as others fellowship and mission matters to attend to before i leave for STM. in the last week of November i'll be training the new collegue so that he will be able to handle the work when i leave! can't wait till that time.

My work now have been slowing down! now there are more time for myself. am still coughing now but not as severe as last month. last week, wednesday i went to the CAC office in KL for an interview as i'll be going to STM. I worried that the scholarship would not be approve so i was anxious that day. I was called into the meeting room together with 5 other. there sitting in front of me are the District superintendents and the president. couldn't imagine the tension at that time and everyone were speaking in mandarin. Thank God, i am able to speak a little and understand. at the end, its just a get to know more about me interview...

I've been counting my cost about this path that God wants me to journey on! its a journey that have no U turns and the path is taken its all about serving God and follow His will all my life. During the interview, president brought out a point, since i'm under the scholarship of CAC after the graduation i'll have to serve in the CAC circle! which means chinese churches... this is one of the cost that i have to take! not an easy task to take.. i'll just have to learn up my mandarin! but i believe that God will bless me thru this journey... now i'll have to prepare myself both physically and spiritually for the seminary.

Today, i have the yearning for sweedish meetballs.. lol.. after going to office in the morning. i drove all the way down to IKEA and indulge myself with meetballs and salmon... did some walking after that. i went to the curve and to the cineleisure nothing much just walk around while digesting the food! (^_^)

Salmon


Sweedish Meetballs

After a while, i went to Salvation SS2. just browse thru the books and christian audio CD. what caught my attention was the new Album by Don Moen "I Believe there is more" and a book "15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors" i tought awhile whether i should buy this book or not... and at last i grab it, anyway... it may help me to prepare for the future!

Don Moen's new album

Went to Evangel after that to get my pre-ordered CD about the last KVBC spoke by Christopher Ash about "Out of the Storm: Expositions on Job".

Pray that i'll be able to prepare myself for studies in Seminary

Disciples!!

At last i have finished the race for the disciples course for the last nine months. after all the perseverence in reading and understanding the bible, i'm graduating from disciple 1 next sunday 16/11/08! woohoo....

at first it was really tough cause i need to really train myself to be discipline to read the bible and also to complete the homework that have been given everyweek. After a few weeks of endurance, i am able to ajust myself to the habit of reading and doing the given assignments! it is a good bible study and it really make me open my eyes to understand more about the Bible and how God continues to work with his people from the old testement to the new testement thru Christ Jesus..

so if you really want a hard core indept bible study.. take on the disciple course...

Watching video teaching

Discussion after the video lesson

Disciple group picture

The Sick file!

I've been sick for the past 1 month plus! it all started with coughing... and coughing.... while i'm still in the mist of cough and flu! there is still work and i do need to travel around just to complete the task DiGi given to me!

the climate is wierd! very hot in the afternoon and storms in the evening in the month of october and that makes my body health decrease and untill i really fall sick with fever! well... my fever came on and off during the week and i tought it might be dengue cause its quite rampant in Subang Jaya! Thank God its just a normal fever and it passed away after a few days!

still coughing and having nose block then came the migrain that cause me sleepless nights and big eye bags! went to office, my collegues says that i look like a walking zombie! thats it... i went straight home and rested!

went to a goverment clinic in Kelana Jaya today! it took 3 freaking hours just to wait for the doctor's consultation on top of that the doctor directed me to various rooms just to have to test done! well... what would you expect from a goverment clinic! good thing is that i just have to pay RM1 just for the whole process even collecting my medication! now i have to go back to the clinic 2 weeks later for a followup and more checks!

i've been taking alot of different kinds of pills and drugs lately! it make me look like a medicine pot with all the pills and drugs that i have to take. still having coughs! and cough! hopefully this cough will heal and back to my healthy days!

Jacky Cheung - Love letter

Once on the way back after sending SL back home! i tune into a chinese radio station! this song was played on the radio! and my memories came back! if i'm not mistaken this album released in year 1997 and that time i was still in College. This was at that time my favorite chinese song. the memories remains! now i'm looking high and low for the album but i can't find it! hopefully i can go buy the album and listen to it again!

My Saturday / Brother's night

Woke up in the morning craving for Dim Sum! i've made arrangements for my team of workers to meet at 11am.. so i have the whole moning for myself watching cartoon shows from the TV and enough time for me to EB before i go out for work! Went to Hong Lim at 10am! and indulge myself with Dim Sum..

Indulging on the various Dim Sum in the morning!

Well... had a good breakfast in the morning and enough to last me till evening dinner! went to KK for work and completed 5 dealers there and came back home at 3pm for rest and EB.. then there is a brother's night tonight for the youth fellowship program!

Syok Sendiri shot!

Game with A.Julia! and i lose!

Guys picture!

October Holiday!

Its october now! and DiGi my big company requires all their merchandisers and sales people to redeco the dealer's outlet. kinda giving us more things to do! this time around there are 2 different types of sticker that we need to stick! come on.. as if there are not enough work already! on top of all the work i have done.. on the 3rd day, they announced that the stickers printed wrongly! most of us including me, complained that they should have double check before executing the project! at last we were allowed to just use it! will be working on this project until the 21st Oct!

i was anticipating for the coming Raya holidays on the month of October although i'm not celebrating it but the public holiday does help me to relax and take my mind out of the project from DiGi!

On wednesday! the first day! stayed at home the whole day just playing Elven Blood and PS2 the whole day! haha... relaxed leh! got a long sleep in the afternoon also! at night i skipped the Badminton games for a dinner in Jogoya! with cc,ff,kh,Mt,Ky and YC (am the only single there if u know what i mean!) this is the second time i went for dinner in Jogoya! just looking forward to the fresh Oysters! yummy!!

The fresh oysters! this time i only had 5pcs! mostly i whack the salmon sashimi

on my right! CC,FF and YC

On my left: MT,KH and KY

CC and I 'he's busy sucking the snail out'

Another nice dish with the mini lobster!

Had a good time together.. the next day, Ky suggested we go to FRIM for an outing! he said "There will be bicycles for rent and for those who do not know how to cycle there are motorbikes as well" "Lets go there since we put on some weight tonight" early morning the second day of holiday on Thursday we head off to Kepong lead by KY and we ended up making a U turn cause he brought us to the wrong road! haha.... classic man.. really classic! and when we reach our destination! guess what! there are NO bicycles for rent what more a motorbike! so we just went and walk admiring the nature!

Nice shot by YC the malaysian rain forest!

i was looking for more adventure rather than just walking on the road!

walk slowly admiring the nature!

After FRIM we went to CHILLI'S 1U... i do not know why FF so sad! maybe i get to eat first!

FRIM outing pictures are from YC!

After the trip! reached home at about 2pm! took a shower and went straight to beg after Elven Blood! :) at night my sister cooked carbonara pasta for dinner! and that ends my holiday! and now back to work!

Finally the Letter

After anxiously waited for the letter to come to my doorsteps! it arrived today, after Pastor called me up stating he received the cc copy of the letter while i was at work! After work today, i open the letter box and found the letter. Joy filled my heart as i opened the letter! The admission letter for the first semester.

i remember the time i rededicated my life to Him. I commit myself that i would serve Him faithfully. From being a normal member of the Youth Fellowship to an Advisor and serving in various ministries in the church. God have laid the burden in my heart as i serve Him. as the years goes by... He planted and mold me into His full time ministry.

When i've got the confirmation from my church and my family for Fulltime. i prayed to Him that he will show me the way and His plan for me. By faith i requested for the application form and filled in the details. When i went for the interview i was afraid of what to say and there was an ENglish Test as well. I just praise God that He path my way until now.

Next year, i'll be moving to Seremban and there i will spend 4 years studying and serving. May God continue to bless me and be with me throughout my studies there!

Tea ceremony

My sister's Wedding!

Dinner together before rehearsal on Thursday!!

Leonie, Yeh Ching and Esther

Fei Fei and Joanne

Sean and Leonie

Lorraine and Burke

Me, Charmain and Lorraine

we looked so serious! Are we fighting? lol

Bestman backup for rehearsal!

I'm the happy man in 2 days!

Wedding Day!

Luncheon in Church before wedding

Simple wedding setup!

Lorraine and her bridemates

Charmain, Esther and Lorraine

The bridesmates!

Esther the receptionist!

The team of leng chai

GMSJ family camp 2008

After 2 years.. this year the family camp once again held in Awana gentings! it is not very cold there.. but at night its comfortable lar! went up to Awana on the 29th aug, friday! and came back on the 31st aug! so i have another holiday on monday cause the merdeka holiday on the sunday!

the speaker this year is Bro. Tan Meng Poo Director of RBC (Normally its known for the daily bread) haha... the Theme this year is 'Close to Thee' Bro. Tan uses the scripture from Deuteronomy 6 as his sharing! first talk he shared about 'Fear God'. how are we to fear God. second talk he shared about 'growing in the love of God'. the third talk is about 'growing in worship of God'. a very encouraging talk..

In the hotel room we have to squeeze in 5 people while the rest of the rooms only 4 people.. haiya.. i slept together with SH.. on the same bed while he sleeps 2/3 of the bed i only have to suffer with 1/3 of it! haha.. still no complains lar.. the rest of the room mate complained about the ochestra SH and i are making in the night! cool! hehe...

the 2 nights we are there... we had a good time.. fellowshipping and playin Big 2! and i lost most of the game! hehe.. FF came and told us to sleep for 3 times on the first night and claming we are very noisy! haha.. on the second night we have a good view of the fire works on the peak of gentings! actually not very visable cause most of the smoke already cover the view!

The camp ended on sunday at 11am! i was back in subang at about 1pm! and we went to eat sushi in subang parade! haha..at night the family and i celebrated my grandpa's 90th birthday with all my relative back and we celebrated together.

A big group picture in the Hall

My room mates! accept for esther lar.. she sudah sesat!