Sign Language Class completes

How time flies! The Sign Language class which started on Sep 22 has ended yesterday. Intended as a language programme undertaken by my cell group members for the benefit of the community, the free Introductory Course was conducted by Victor and his wife Kristy. Roseline also helped.

From what I could see yesterday, everyone had a good time.

Here are the pictures taken yesterday afternoon at SMCGC.

Class in action

Class monitor's appreciation speech

A gift from all the participants to Victor

Group photo

Roseline reading out Victor's message on his bookmark gift to his students

Celebratory feasting!

Celebrating Pastor Connie's birthday

Today our cell group organized a potbless lunch to celebrate Pastor Connie's birthday - she was caught off-guard completely and very touched! I think this is one surprise she will treasure and remember for a long, long time.

Happy birthday Pastor! May our Lord bless you mightily always!

Since the beginning of this year, the young and dynamic pastor has been in charge of Senadin Methodist Campus Gospel Centre (SMCGC). The good shepherd is doing a wonderful job for Christ and we are so proud of her!
In line with Chinese tradition, Pastor Connie was served with a bowl of mee suah and a hard boiled egg cooked in authentic Foochow chicken soup with red wine. My wife Roseline was away in Sibu for the past few days and she was able to buy the finest mee suah for today's special occasion.

Mee suah is traditionally served during auspicious events like birthdays, anniversaries and on the first day of the Lunar New Year because it signifies longevity.

It is not easy to prepare a five-star, mee suah chicken soup - even the best ingredients may not guarantee you a satisfactory outcome. I'm one of the remaining few who know the closely-guarded secret recipe, xD.

I was nearly thrown out of orbit when the three superchefs (Joyce, John, Jennifer) in my cell group cooked dishes that could only be appropriately labelled as imperial cuisine! A new friend also joined us for lunch. Noel is a new worshipper at my church and we're very happy to welcome this brother-in-Christ from Seoul.

Some updates from the weekend

Badminton
Congratulations to Hwai En Methodist Church (Team A) for winning last night, dethroning defending champion Mei Ann (Team A) in the deciding set thriller! My prediction that my church could reach the final was wrong. We lost in the semi-final and the subsequent 3rd placing round to better teams. Congratulations to Mei Ann (Team B) too.

Sign Language class at SMCGC
The Sign Language class had a great start! There were 30 sign-ups, exceeding our expectations. Roseline welcomed the new intake and also introduced Victor the instructor.
Pastor Connie opened the session with an opening prayer. At the end of the two-hour class, every student learned quite a fair bit including their own names in sign language!

Baptism and confirmation
My cell group member Kristy was among the three persons baptized last night - praise the Lord. Following that, her husband Victor was confirmed as a member of my church together with five others. Roseline was present also to help out to sign to Victor and Kristy as Rev Law Hui Seng read out the rites and affirmation.

Sign Language Class

PEOPLE WITH A HEART FOR GOD HAVE A HEART FOR PEOPLE

My cell group member Victor is starting a new class this coming Sunday (Sep 21). We are much encouraged by the good response; so far more than 20 people have signed up for the free course which is to be held at SMCGC.

When my cell group was formed last month, we had a discussion among ourselves on how we could do more besides having the weekly Friday night gathering. Victor did not hesitate when I put forward the Sign Language proposal to him. As the 10-lesson course is free and open to public, I am reminded of the selfless act of a brother and his gratitude for the salvation he has received from God.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some may have unwittingly entertained angels. - Hebrews 13:2

I thank and praise God for sending Victor and his family to GMC.

Inter-church badminton

The inter-church badminton competition started last night. Ten Methodist churches in the Miri district took part in the round-robin tournament.

Last year we participated for the first time and was placed an impressive second. This year we have an even more formidable team and I predict GMC will be in finals again.

Pastor Reverend Law Hui Seng (the great greatest Pastor- cheerleader I know) with a group from GMC were present last night to cheer our team.

Permyjaya Methodist Church(PMC) did their best and displayed good sportsmanship but unfortunately they lost to a stronger GMC team.
Pastor Connie Yong was also present to show her undivided support for the SMCGC team.

SMCGC's Fidella psyching herself up before the match! Don't play, play! Inter-church activities are really good - they bring us all closer together. Praise the Lord!

How to make mooncakes

SMCGC organized a DIY mooncake-making session ahead of next Sunday's Mid-Autumn Festival. Roseline and I were at their centre last night to pick up some tips.

We were impressed with Louis who demonstrated his mooncake-making prowess much to the delight of those who were present. It was an eye-opener for me as I observed how he made the non-traditional "ping pi or ice skin" type. The filling Louis used was red bean paste which is now widely sold at bakery shops or supermarkets.

Louis had confidence and poise even though it was his first "public performance"!

Roseline couldn't wait to try after observing how the delicate "skin" was done.

It was fun and the fellowship was awesome!

Everyone had a go at it!

Being at the right place at the right time!

The end-results were gratifying!

Roseline and Pastor Connie showing off their results!

SMCGC's blog

I was thrilled to learn from my son Aaron last night that Senadin Methodist Campus Gospel Centre (SMCGC) has set up a blog recently.

I have also noticed that my two sons have been visiting SMCGC regularly on Friday and Saturday nights for the past two months. And I'm pleased that they like SMCGC, and they have been active in the music worship for the English-speaking worshippers. My wife and I are glad that our sons serve with a servant's heart like many of the worshippers at SMCGC do; because they love Christ. Clearly SMCGC thrives on His presence and grace as more and more people join as worshippers!

David Casland puts it best when he says:
Christ the Lord set the example for all who would follow Him, confirming that it's not what we're called for, but what we do that counts.

And in the words of Sper,
When Jesus took a servant's towel-
His honor set aside-
He humbly showered us how to serve,
And how to conquer pride.

Double bonus

Acts 2:46 states:
They worshipped together regularly at the temple each day, met in small groups in homes for communion, and shared their meals with great joy.

Page 25 of the 40 Days of Purpose Small Group Curriculum Study Guide states:
Plan a time in the next 3-4 weeks for your group to hang out together. Get out your calendars and pick the date. This could be a party, picnic...

Yes, we had a double bonus today! We gathered for a pot bless to complete our final 40 Days of Purpose assignment. What a blessed coincidence that we could also celebrate Sister Yieng Eng's birthday too! The birthday girl was caught by the element of surprise as she had no idea what was in store; I think she will treasure the overwhelming moments forever!

After the birthday song we sang praises to God. Our worship was strengthened with Pastor Connie and her flock joining us.
We are truly blessed with so many great chefs in our midst! It was difficult not to over-eat!
Roseline's close friends and classmates Helen and Ngiik Sieng also joined us. They arrived from Sibu three days ago. The last time I met up with them was during this Chinese New Year. How time flies!

I received five-star compliments on the beef stew I cooked. Sister Mui Foon said she looked forward to getting some cooking tips and recipes from me!