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| My thoughts.... |
For the past four days, I have been a
participant of an eye-opening workshop of “Culture meets Scripture"
anchored by two wonderful energetic speakers in Dr. Amy C.West and Joanne
Shetler. I must admit that when I first stepped into the workshop, I have no
idea of what the workshop is all about but I have read Joanne Shetler’s
powerful faith book entitled “And the Word came with Power “ as it was indeed a
privilege to finally meet the author of the book. My Wycliffe sister, Evelyn
Gan was the one who gave me this book and I finished reading it in a day. It
was such a powerful and gripping book for me especially involving the lives of
missionaries who obeyed the call of God to go to a far away place, learn a
foreign language, lived with the people and to teach the truth of God. As I was
quite a graphic reader, I could feel the anxiety, the drama, the tension, the
excitement, the love of God and the effort in putting this book together for
the good of many for generations to come.
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| Joanne Shetler & Amy West - our lovely speakers |
Coming back to the workshop, I guess,
being a working individual, I am used to the fact of the post modern mentality
of “ Okay, these are the facts, discussions and so on. These are all good but
what is the answer?“ This line pounded my mind ever since I started out on this
workshop and it irked me a bit at first. But before you wield and throw axes,
knives and parangs at me, hear me out. Could you blame me for this as I have
been in such “routine” in life every day that everything is either a firm “yes”
or a “no” that it has become part of your daily “culture”? I even told this to
Joanne Shetler during our dinner in Cheng Perdana restaurant and she just bend
over in laughter and told me if only she had another hour to spend with me and
explain to me on this matter! But I must say this - I have never been so wrong
in my life and how narrow my thinking was after completing the workshop!
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| My family and the speakers.... |
So, in many ways, I was distressed and
uncomfortable but yet, I have enjoyed every moment of discussion, group work
and fellowship. A good friend of mine says that it was good that I am
distressed , agitated and uncomfortable because of God’s work and Word rather
than anything else. In that way, at least, I will learn and put something into
this skull of mine. Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaa………. Ah! Anyway, food was good and in
abundance too, I must admit. In any culture or any event happening, food is the
binding agent of all cultures! Anyway, the atmosphere of the workshop was good
and lively but yet lingering thoughts of “Why No Answer?” swirled my mind all the
time.
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| Joanne Shetler signing my sketch......... |
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| Amy West signing my sketch..... |
I speak for myself that I can be
analytical, cautious and headstrong in my views at times and I give no excuses
for that but I must say, I have learned a lot especially on the 3rd
and final day (4th day ) of the workshop. I guess, the 1st
and 2nd day was for the introduction of what we were going to do and
to move our mind to a renewed mindset of what’s to come. I guess, once, you got the idea of what is
being taught and shown, digest and digress, the learning kicks in nicely. I mince not my words in saying that I am as
cautious and not easily taken in as I am these days as I have seen too many
crap speakers and so-called proclaimers of being workers of God who make
blunderous fools out of themselves by remaining high and mighty of themselves
and inconsistent. Maybe, I am being harsh and judgemental in that way but I
just don’t want to be led astray in these later days.
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| Working hard penning down group idea... |
I guess, as in any setting, we see
what our speakers say and do. I am no
different though. Their actions speak
louder than words, really. For me, I see
two lovely women who gave their all to serve God and it has not been easy for
them either. I see two women of strength, wisdom and great faith. I am deeply
honored and privileged to have been taught and able to interact with these two
women of faith. You could see straight away that these two women spoke with
much conviction and much love as they unveiled each situation and each
circumstances of culture meeting with scripture. The laughs, the remarks or
even their actions show much humbleness, experience and convictions. I was
impressed by them but I tell you what, they were not out there to impress us.
That was very important for me. They were out there to make sure we understood
what we need to do to make choices that honor God in every way. I have never
seen such conviction in emphasizing the need for prayers (individual &
corporate prayers) and the other support group of prayers.
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| Loreen presenting our group findings..... |
As in any workshop, we have group work
and presentations too. Our group consisted of Pst. Joanne, Pst.Tan Yong Heng,
Teo San Tuan, Loreen Lim, Cassie Ng, Errol Gan, Jessica Han and myself. Loreen
Lim became our natural leader in the group and it was fun all the way. From our
formulation of a cultural event chart to a skit/drama and finally, a singing
effort, we did not do too badly though. ( I laughed myself hoarse every time I
looked at our singing video! ) But I
must say, it was hilarious and fun all the way. I guess, that cheers the heart
a lot for as working individuals like me, we are so wrapped up in every day
serious crap that we sometimes forget to laugh, act silly or even enjoy the
simple things in life like loosening up a bit and smelling the flowers in our
garden. Well, I truly enjoyed our “hidden & buried” talents being unearthed
during the drama and singing acts, though!
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| My Singaporean sister, bubbly Hin Ann.... |
As in my nature, I like people
watching and watching the people at the workshop was no different. I have come to understand why certain people
do the things they do. I am particularly impressed with one super duper bubbly
individual, Hin Ann, a young tall, skinny Singaporean woman who joined in our
workshop. She had had a stint with Wycliffe attached to Mukdahan,Thailand and
she was thinking of going full time on missionary work and so on, so we were
told during our break and lunch session. What a personality and such positivism,
I must say! Always a smile away, creative, sporting and infectious bubbly
happiness. The very essence we all needed in our crazy world today! Now, that
is a real natural talent, a great teacher, leader and a truly gem for any
organization, I tell you! So, all the best to you, Hin Ann and have a time of
your life wherever you serve. May God bless your every journey!
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| Dinner with the speakers, Amy West & Jo Shetler, Evelyn, Richard & wife, Hin Ann and the Gans.....what a privilege! |
As we wind down the curtain of the day
with dinner at Cheng Perdana restaurant together with Richard & wife (
another Wycliffe couple ), Hin Ann, Amy, Jo and the Gans, it was sad to see all
of them leave but I take heart that many more would be blessed and would stand
to acquire good sound Bible living knowledge from the teachings of Amy &
Jo. Thank you, Amy West and Joanne “Jo” Shetler ! ~ I've learnt a lot and I treasure the opportunity to learn from all of you.
Ama id Chaya (
Ama id chaya machad-ayaw nan ngachanmo.
Omali nan en-ap-apowam.
Maangnen nan nemnemmo isnan lofong ay kag id chaya.
Ichowam nan kanenmi isnan kawakawakas.
Pakawanem nan fasolmi,
tay pinakawanmi akhes nan finmasol ken chakami.
Ad-im ogkhayen chakami isnan maawisanmi ay enfasol,
mod-i ket isas alakam chakami isnan ngaag.
Omali nan en-ap-apowam.
Maangnen nan nemnemmo isnan lofong ay kag id chaya.
Ichowam nan kanenmi isnan kawakawakas.
Pakawanem nan fasolmi,
tay pinakawanmi akhes nan finmasol ken chakami.
Ad-im ogkhayen chakami isnan maawisanmi ay enfasol,
mod-i ket isas alakam chakami isnan ngaag.
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| Joanne "Jo" Shetler book entitled " And The Word Came With Power" |
