Wishing all my family members, relatives and Chinese friends,
Have a prosperous and HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
GONG XI FA CAI 2014!
Be Safe, Be Wise, Be Responsible and Have Fun!
HUAT ARRRRRRRRRRR!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Conscience
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| The lovely children : Rayan, Caleb, Rhys, Elyon, Shaohana, Kimberly,Siew Yee , Hui Yee and Selina. |
When I first received my topics to teach in the Sunday school for the year 2014 from my good friend, BLing, who is the Sunday school cordinator, I just looked at her , shook my head in despair & disbelief. Instead, BLing would smile so wide that her teeth would sparkled to illuminate the entire hall. She would pat me on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you'll be able to do it. I know you can." Such was the confidence this woman has for my flawed and cracked ability but somehow, God always enables those who are frail, flawed and cracked in a miraculous way. So very thankful for that and for that challenges BLing throws in my way to strengthen my work for Him.
I guess, I must admit that these are usually "kacang putih" stuff for seasoned teachers but for a working individual like me who still have to chase for "dateline" and receiving harrowing gentle reminders to get our works done , it can be quite a challenge and dramatic one. Somehow, I've always learnt a lot during this process and it can be rewarding at the end of the day. As always, I sought for inspirations over the weeks and when I finally put them down in paper, all I could do was actually to draw out and doodle what I know best. I guess, with the simple gift that I have, the ability to do some artwork, I was able to get my lesson done. When I completed the work at about 1.30am this morning, I felt a sense of satisfaction and I pray that I could inspire the children in my lesson.
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| My artwork on "Conscience" signed by the children ... |
So, after the prayers, I started out the lesson with blind test on smell, then on taste and went on to the strength of the rope with the eye splice end. After some nice games with the children, it was time to get down to the actual business on conscience ( Romans 2 : 14-15 and 1 John 1 : 9 ) It was fun teaching these wonderful children as they opened their hearts for the lesson. For me, it was the children who inspired me to do my best all the time. Their lives meant so much to me and I do really hope that they would learn something from me even though they can be annoying with their nonchalant mood swings and mischievous ways. Many times, I had to make sure that they do learn something at the end of the day. At the end of the day, playing games with them was fun. Today, we had a little tug of war using the rope and they won one while I won one but not before I fell like a sack of potatoes on the floor and they roared with laughter too. I wasn't hurt physically nor wounded traumatically for losing/winning but it was fun playing with them and knowing how it feels to be a child again. Sometimes, we just need to be a child to play with a child or else we lose the essence of reaching out to them. Sure, we can be strict,grumpy and all pure business end with these children but we'll lose that essence while too playful with them can be disastrous too. So, a quick good balance is important but a bit of common sense do help a long way. I am just so thankful that these wonderful children do get the opportunity to learn something and be an inspiration to me too as I looked into their lives. You can be stumped with what they can teach you as they say the darnest things ever and they are so innocently truthful too. So, even when it hurts, at least, it is the truth alright. Love the children a lot for what they are.
As I finished up my lesson and sent them off to their parents, seeing their smiley faces, the expressions of what they did with me and showing their parents what they received from me made me happy. At least, they appreciated me in their small ways as I appreciated them too. There can never be any other fulfilling feeling for a simple person like me as I am always the sucker for children's smile and humble "thank you"s. For me, that is truly more than enough reward for me to last me a lifetime. These are the simple pleasures in life that sustained my sanity each time in a crazy world like ours.
Hmmmnnnn.....as I sit back and sipped my coffee now, I am thinking....." what's next, Ivan?". Here we go again............
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Mozzy lesson....
When we arrived there at Ward 5B - a mixture and men & women ward, I was told there was an epidemic of dengue cases hitting Seremban the last few days. Though the hospital was funnily old and antique looking but it was clean and quite conducive as a hospital, actually. I was pleasantly surprised with how well it was maintained despite being built in 1969. Since then, many other buildings were being built. The floors were clean and it was much brighter and more airy than most hospitals I have been. Anyway, I noted that there weren't any spare beds on this floor as dengue patients started to crowd the floor. I guess,the back portion of the ward was mainly to cater for the ladies as the dengue patients rises. I must say that though the air of hustle and bustle was there but the airy and cool atmosphere helped cooled down flared tempers and impatient visitors who sought only the best attention for their loved ones. Who could blame them, actually.
Anyway, one incident that caused me to have a lump in my throat and had a lasting memory in my head was when I saw a Malay nurse attending to an invalid Indian patient who had been groaning and teary all day long. SLing's mom told us that she had been like that ever since she was admitted. The patient was Thanaletchumi, a thin and invalid woman with twisted feet. She was such a pitiful sight indeed. However, what really amazed me was when I saw this Malay nurse patiently took care of her and took the trouble to feed her during lunch hour. As I looked at the nurse, I noted that she was in her mid-thirties and she patiently mixed the fish pieces with the rice and lovingly fed the lady. There was something about that tender loving care and the way she fed the lady that capture the very essence of the meaning of care. She carefully and meticulously placed the food in the lady's mouth and ensure that she took in the food. She spoke to the patient gently, gave words of encouragement and smiled at her. What a sight! What true spirit of humanity!
Yunno, many a times, we confess and throw our hands up to the heavens that we are to love the unloved, the ugly and even the unwanted but here was the epitome of that very meaning of it. How many of us could actually do what the nurse did? We could be skeptics and say that it is the nurse's job and rightfully so but how many of us would patiently wipe the mouth of the lady for her spills or even clean her up after the meal or even gave a good word to the lady after the meal? This window of opportune learning and happening made me look at myself and examine the matters in my own heart. At that moment, shame and remorse feeling engulfed my heart. I guess, we are all so caught up in our own little world that we had forgotten where we are and what we are to do. It was indeed a lesson well learnt.
Recovering from that, I immediately asked SLing and SYuen to pray for the speedy recovery of SLing's mom. Somehow, praying for SLing's mom seemed so good. She looked much healthier than the rest of the patients there. As we spent the next few days shuttling from home to hospital, we were much happier being with the family. Though tiredness will creep in eventually but knowing that everyone in the family is recovering is good news indeed. Just wanted to thank everyone of you who had prayed for SLing's mom, my nephew and my niece for speedy recovery. Thank you so much. Your prayers had nurtured our hearts in our times of anxiety, tiredness and trying times.
Anyway, one incident that caused me to have a lump in my throat and had a lasting memory in my head was when I saw a Malay nurse attending to an invalid Indian patient who had been groaning and teary all day long. SLing's mom told us that she had been like that ever since she was admitted. The patient was Thanaletchumi, a thin and invalid woman with twisted feet. She was such a pitiful sight indeed. However, what really amazed me was when I saw this Malay nurse patiently took care of her and took the trouble to feed her during lunch hour. As I looked at the nurse, I noted that she was in her mid-thirties and she patiently mixed the fish pieces with the rice and lovingly fed the lady. There was something about that tender loving care and the way she fed the lady that capture the very essence of the meaning of care. She carefully and meticulously placed the food in the lady's mouth and ensure that she took in the food. She spoke to the patient gently, gave words of encouragement and smiled at her. What a sight! What true spirit of humanity!
Yunno, many a times, we confess and throw our hands up to the heavens that we are to love the unloved, the ugly and even the unwanted but here was the epitome of that very meaning of it. How many of us could actually do what the nurse did? We could be skeptics and say that it is the nurse's job and rightfully so but how many of us would patiently wipe the mouth of the lady for her spills or even clean her up after the meal or even gave a good word to the lady after the meal? This window of opportune learning and happening made me look at myself and examine the matters in my own heart. At that moment, shame and remorse feeling engulfed my heart. I guess, we are all so caught up in our own little world that we had forgotten where we are and what we are to do. It was indeed a lesson well learnt.
Recovering from that, I immediately asked SLing and SYuen to pray for the speedy recovery of SLing's mom. Somehow, praying for SLing's mom seemed so good. She looked much healthier than the rest of the patients there. As we spent the next few days shuttling from home to hospital, we were much happier being with the family. Though tiredness will creep in eventually but knowing that everyone in the family is recovering is good news indeed. Just wanted to thank everyone of you who had prayed for SLing's mom, my nephew and my niece for speedy recovery. Thank you so much. Your prayers had nurtured our hearts in our times of anxiety, tiredness and trying times.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Machap Marvels....
Last Sunday, the Youth leaders decided to make a trip to Machap Baru for our "dinner reward" after the successful CCC Youth Superhero Night 2013. Eleven of us ( Kenneth, Jessica, Jonathan, David, Jui Shan, Charlene, Jenny, John, SYuen, SLing and myself ) "squeezed" ourselves into the Starex van as we headed out to our destination for our meal and fun time of fellowship. I guess, to me, it wasn't so much for the food but the recognition for all the worthwhile effort, hardwork and dedication in ensuring the success of the event.
As I am attached as an advisor and do advisory level of the ministry, I am really thankful that the team leaders are well receptive of ideas, fellowship and changes that comes the way. I am most happy to see that these young leaders are really passionate, dedicated and fun people. Everyone to his or her own strengths and weakness, I have learned that we all can learn from one another and make the ministry a success. Team work is pivotal and I am so glad that there is so much teamwork in getting a lot of things done in this ministry. I am encouraged by what I see is in store in the coming years but I'll definitely miss the services of David and Jui Shan who would probably be leaving once they have finished their studies here. For whatever "little" time they had here, they have "poured and squeezed out" their very best for the young people and I am very very appreciative of that. Their influence and impact will always be a gem to the young ones.
I am truthful in saying that CCC Melaka has always been a vibrant young people's church whereby students from nearby colleges would frequent and serve during their college days. It has been a "transit" church for many aspiring young men and women while the Christian foundational teachings had been solid and firm. If it will be His will, some will stay back to find careers here while some would just venture into the other parts of the states to start their careers. No matter what, CCC Melaka will always play that influential part in these young lives. I am amazed that the church as a whole genuinely love, care and cherished these young lives.
For me, personally, having worked with these young leaders, I have learned to respect their views, their work rate and even their commitment. The pinnacle was the carrying out of the Youth Superhero Night which was a real success. So, to celebrate this success, away we went for a good dinner together as we laughed, fellowship and even share some lighter moments of life.
As I was looking at each and everyone of them, I felt proud and a sense of love for all these young people. Yunno, it is very easy for an old fella like me to always want my way in doing certain things but these young people has taught me what it meant to accommodate, to be patient and even to let go of certain things. I must admit that it wasn't easy for me because I had a team who "knew" what I wanted to do and what is my next move but with a new team in ministry, I had to start all over again. A wise old friend/leader spoke to me that I need to impart to the new team of people who will be as passionate and as understanding plus as patient as the last one but at the same time, I must be able to reach, teach and keep leaders and young people for Christ! That was the importance. I have kept that in my mind without a doubt.
That night, as I looked around me, every one of them are so special indeed. Kenneth & Jessica are just a great and dynamic young couple in the Lord. Jonathan is efficient, strong in the Word and precise. Jenny is witty, humorous, creative and helpful. Jui Shan is soft spoken, silently strong, and helpful. David is extra-ordinarily passionate, creative, helpful, strong in the Word and very sharp mentally. Charlene is ever smiling, grounded, helpful, strong willed and great person. John is quiet, hardworking, witty, ever smiling, grounded and ever willing to help. The one thing they all share in common is that they are always a smile away. That is such a blessing, actually. Such cheerful hearts and cheerful disposition. I really like that in the leaders.
The million dollar question - Would I put my life up for them? ........ My answer: ABSOLUTELY YES!
I am truthful in saying that CCC Melaka has always been a vibrant young people's church whereby students from nearby colleges would frequent and serve during their college days. It has been a "transit" church for many aspiring young men and women while the Christian foundational teachings had been solid and firm. If it will be His will, some will stay back to find careers here while some would just venture into the other parts of the states to start their careers. No matter what, CCC Melaka will always play that influential part in these young lives. I am amazed that the church as a whole genuinely love, care and cherished these young lives.
For me, personally, having worked with these young leaders, I have learned to respect their views, their work rate and even their commitment. The pinnacle was the carrying out of the Youth Superhero Night which was a real success. So, to celebrate this success, away we went for a good dinner together as we laughed, fellowship and even share some lighter moments of life.
As I was looking at each and everyone of them, I felt proud and a sense of love for all these young people. Yunno, it is very easy for an old fella like me to always want my way in doing certain things but these young people has taught me what it meant to accommodate, to be patient and even to let go of certain things. I must admit that it wasn't easy for me because I had a team who "knew" what I wanted to do and what is my next move but with a new team in ministry, I had to start all over again. A wise old friend/leader spoke to me that I need to impart to the new team of people who will be as passionate and as understanding plus as patient as the last one but at the same time, I must be able to reach, teach and keep leaders and young people for Christ! That was the importance. I have kept that in my mind without a doubt.
That night, as I looked around me, every one of them are so special indeed. Kenneth & Jessica are just a great and dynamic young couple in the Lord. Jonathan is efficient, strong in the Word and precise. Jenny is witty, humorous, creative and helpful. Jui Shan is soft spoken, silently strong, and helpful. David is extra-ordinarily passionate, creative, helpful, strong in the Word and very sharp mentally. Charlene is ever smiling, grounded, helpful, strong willed and great person. John is quiet, hardworking, witty, ever smiling, grounded and ever willing to help. The one thing they all share in common is that they are always a smile away. That is such a blessing, actually. Such cheerful hearts and cheerful disposition. I really like that in the leaders.
The million dollar question - Would I put my life up for them? ........ My answer: ABSOLUTELY YES!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
My Conviction - 2014
This is my personal conviction to the people who continued to harass, ridicule, spread hatred, racist, spread religious extremism and plain biasness.....
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