New Blog

I have created a new blog which you can access here. This blog will not be updated anymore.

Hello from SP ;)

It’s been 1 week since I came to SP. I’m somehow trying to fit myself here. SP seems to be a nice town. The food is pretty cheap here and I also found GSC ;). Ha ha. Planning to watch Quantum of Solace on Monday (That’s my off-day okay).

The Church I’m attached to has 4 services – English. BM, Mandarin and Tamil. Except for English all the other services were newly started. Because of the weekend differences between Kedah (Friday & Saturday) and Penang, all services are in the evening for the convenience of people working in Penang. Yesterday I attended Mandarin service for the first time! They also had Children ministry in the church yesterday and I was lost ;) I am never good with Children because they scare me for some reason. Looks like there is no escape this time. He he. Probably I will be concentrating more on the BM and Tamil services for now.

I must admit the change of environment is quite difficult to adjust. Trusting in God through prayer sustains me. I thank God too for few of my close friends who are giving me “company” through Skype, IMs and SMSes. What will I do without them..

I guess that’s all for now. Planning to start my reflective posts soon but was thinking to delete this blog and start a new one. Let’s see…

Graduation 18/10/08

Graduation Dinner 17/10/08

With Billy

With Beena

Joshua and His Mom

Takeshi, Vicky and Calebu

Children at the Dinner ;)

Performance by Rod and Rowena

Charles and His gang

At our Table

From Left: Yap (Jacob's gf), Joanne (Dan's sis) and Hui Kah (Dan's gf).

Commissioning Service 17/10/08

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

(Scripture quoted from ESV; As for the photos, except for one which is by Kevin Carter, I have no idea who is the photographer. Inform me if you know so I can acknowledge here.)

What a WONDERFUL world (sorry this is not lyrics for the song)

See the smiling sun
I see the birds having fun
Children playing wind
Kites to fly they run

Oh what a wonderful world,
Fervently a legend sung.

Love the flowers won,
I love the beautiful one,
Free joy in the air,
Elevates the legend’s song.

WhAt a WoNdErFuL WoRLd,
Oh WhAt a WoNdErFuL WoRLd InDeEd!

I'm blessed with friends who are sweet and funny :) God bless them

Selamat Hari Merdeka (From a Stranger in His own Country)

It’s the 51^st year of Independence in Malaysia. But there is no mood of celebration. Usually when you drive around the road on the month of August, you can see “Jalur Gemilang” more than anything. Some even cover the whole car with flags and drive proudly in town. This sight can hardly be seen this year.

The nation is torn down with political uncertainties. Moreover lost of faith in the judiciary and continuous news and rumors of corruptions marks the 51^st year of independence. No wonder some bloggers decided to “fly” the flag upside down, a sign of distress in the nation.

For me it’s a bittersweet day. I was born in this nation. This is the only home I know and have lots of memories. I am proud of being a Malaysian though I wonder what it means to be a Malaysian.

The problem is I never feel that I totally belong here. The fact that I have to be a 2^nd class citizen in my own nation I cannot comprehend. Why am I being called “kaum pendatang”? Does that mean I will always be stranger in this land? All the patriotic songs that we sang during school time are coming back to my mind. I can’t sing it with my whole heart anymore. Remarks like “go back to China” or “Be grateful of the privilege given to you here” are the “songs” that playing in many people’s mind.

Malaysia is in distress indeed. I have become cynical of national unity. As long as there is fear and animosity between ethnic groups, we will never become one. We will only be Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Bidayuhs ect. We will never become Malaysians. And without being a Malaysian, there will be no sense of patriotism or love for the country.

And this is the reality. No amount of political speech or false assurance will make anyone feel any better. Only time can tell the future of this nation. But one thing is for sure. If Malaysia remains the same as it is today, we can only see the future in uncertainties and fear.

Anyway, I won’t say that there is nothing in the nation to thank God for. After all this the nation that God has given me. So I will try to cherish all the goodness in the nation and be positive because I trust in God. Compared to some other nations with national disasters, worse political scenarios, religious violence and poverty Malaysia is fortunate for sure. For this I thank God and feel grateful. So with a smile in heart I still wish, Selamat Hari Merdeka.