Harvest Force 2017 issue 1

2017 ISSUE

01

PEOPLE

~ behind the scenes ~

FOR WE ARE GOD’S FELLOW WORKERS. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV

God’s fellow workers Someone said: Behind every success is effort...

Behind every effort is passion...

Behind every passion is someone with the courage to try.

I

am not saying that MMS is a very successful organisation; we still have a lot to learn. But it is a great feat to be 25 years old and we are still growing in our ministry to reach out to the people in the seven mission fields.

Besides God, Who causes all things to be possible, MMS would not be where we are now if not for the people who have been working very hard with deep passion. A group of them are our precious and faithful volunteers. Our volunteers work hard behind the scenes so that our Missionaries are empowered and supported to do their work in the frontlines.

The MMS Executive Committee is a group of dedicated and influential people who are responsible to make executive decisions to bring MMS to the next level.

They are made up of clergymen and lay-leaders from our Annual Conferences.

Read and find out more about them on page 6.

Another group of volunteers is a group of publicity-shy but faithful folks who come around every two months to prepare our publications to be mailed out.

Though they may be retired seniors, their hearts are still fervent in their desire to serve the Lord. Read about them on page 14.

These groups are “same same but different”. They have the same willing and dedicated hearts to serve but they are performing different functions.

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9, NKJV) I am reminded that we are all in this missions work together with God, regardless of which areas we are serving in. Our success is from Him and all glory goes back to Him. Speaking of “same same but different”, this is a little side-track promotional. We have started a new series, “Same Same But Different”.

It explores some common items found in our seven mission fields to see how similar or varied we are. Read page 16. I hope you find this series interesting and enjoyable. Please continue to give us suggestions and feedback to improve ourselves.

Thank you Volunteers for coming alongside us! We cannot do it without you.

More exciting times ahead as we look forward to your continued support and love in the next 25 years and beyond Leongheng • Editor

Do you have anything to share?

Email mms@methodist.org.sg Your article may be edited for length, style and clarity.

Oops!

We are sorry for a typographical error in HF 2016 issue 3 on pages 17 and 39: Fang Soong served two terms. And on page 17: Alvin is our new Chairman from 1 January 2017.

CONTENTS

02 04

FIRST WORD • Our God Reigns!

WAZZUP! • Mission Trips • Opportunites to Serve • MMS Banquet 2017

Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is the mission agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore. In 1997, MMS was given the mandate to establish indigenous churches supported by mission endeavours in communities across this region where there is no Methodist presence. Harvest Force is published three times annually and distributed free. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. All information published is correct at time of writing and may subject to change. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version, unless

06 14 16

FEATURE STORY • Who is MMS EXCO? FACE TO FACE • Getting to know you

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

• Slurping up the Best Noodles

otherwise stated.

PERMIT NUMBER

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim EDITOR Leongheng PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

MCI(P) 063/11/2016

MARCH 2016

2017 ISSUE

01

CHINESE PROOFREADER Goh Tuan Gee TRANSLATORS Koh Wan Yee, Thng Pheng Soon

18

FIELD FEATURES CAMBODIA • Post COSI Integration Programme EAST ASIA • Mi-cation

PHOTO CREDITS Benjamin Lee, CAC Office, Carol Loh, Chou Fang Soong, Collin Tan, Daniel Lie, Derrick Lau, Daniel Lie, Goh Nai Lat, Gopal Sebastian, Gordon Wong, Henry Yeo, Jeremy Kum, Lyndon Gan, Peter Anna, Pravin Soosai, Phillip Lam, Shelley Siu, Tamilkodi Arthur, Tan Hua Joo, Tan Li Diang, Teresa Chan, Ting Siew Lee, TRAC Office DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT Eileen Lim, Helen Tan, Nancy Tay & Volunteers DESIGNER SNAP! Creative Pte Ltd PRINTER Print & Print Pte Ltd PUBLISHER Rev Philip Lim 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 Tel: 6478 4818 • Fax: 6478 4817

MMS IS SOCIAL! Connect with us and never miss an update mms@methodist.org.sg

www.mms.org.sg

mms.org.sg

mms.gram

27 30 34 36

HOME IN ON...

• MMS Family MITE REPORT • Thankful for the Experience HF SPECIAL • Two Things Missionaries Wish You Knew CLOSING THOTS • Caring for Missionaries

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

Our GOD REIGNS! I

Rev Philip Lim 林建隆牧师 is the Executive Director of MMS. 卫宣执行主任 He has a compass on his office table. As the needle is always pointing North, it points him to God.

always look forward to visiting our missionaries and national workers in the different fields. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit two groups of them who worked with the minority people-groups.

The visit helped me realise that our workers have to be culturally sensitive in reaching out to the people. They also have to have a great measure of patience because the fruit is slow in coming.

During those visits, I was intrigued by the people’s ethnic costumes. There is so much to learn about their local culture from their native dressing. For example, the intricate design on the waist belt identifies a person from a particular dialect group. Or you may tell from which village the person is from by the colour of the apron he or she is wearing. And their choice of headdress indicates whether he or she is single or married.

I want to make this assumption: what you wear says a lot about you. At the hospital, those in white gowns are our health care professionals. Those in army fatigues are our national service men. Those in clergy attire are pastors.

While God’s people were in exile, the prophet Isaiah urge them to put on their garments of splendour. They were to also shake off the dust and free themselves from the chains on their neck (Isaiah 52:1-2).

I imagine that when God’s people were in exile, their clothes were old and torn. Their dispositions were dull because they were taken into exile and were displaced.

While in the foreign land, they missed their homeland dearly. Moreover, their beloved temple had been destroyed and worship rituals had ceased. They were ashamed and longed for those glorious, early days where the temple of God stood in full view of all. At that time, the presence of God was visible to them and they could worship freely.

It was at the lowest point in their lives that the prophet Isaiah proclaimed a piece of good news to them. The good news was that they will soon return to their beloved homeland. And upon their return there, God’s temple would be rebuilt and the worship of God revived. Indeed, Isaiah’s proclamation served to galvanise them to arise and look beyond their pains and woes.

However, the problem is that this vision was for the future. At that point in time, they were still in exile and subjected to the oppression and mockery of other

FIRSTWORD 03

我们的上帝作王! 我

strong nations. Was there an inspiration to keep them going until the fulfilment of the future hope?

The answer is in Isaiah 52:7, where Isaiah declared that our God reigns! In the midst of all their pains and woes, God was sovereign and was in full control. They were still living in exile but God continued to reign. Their worship may not have been like before but God continued to reign. Whether they felt like it or not, God continued to reign.

This has applicable for us today, especially when we enter into a new year where reports of gloom are the order of the day. In the midst of these uncertainties, let us remember that our God reigns! Never mind if we are undergoing an intense period of difficulties and pain – our God reigns. Or we may be at the lowest point in our lives – our God reigns. Even if we think God is far away – our God reigns.

Since our God reigns, we shall respond in two ways. Firstly, let us be clothed with strength and put on the garments of splendour (v1). Secondly, let us be the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation (v7).

Our God Reigns!

常期待到不同的禾场探望我们的宣教士和当地 同工。去年有机会走访在少数民族中服侍的两个 团队，让我意识到同工接触当地的居民时，除了要保有 高度的文化敏感，还得大有耐心，因为在这些地方需要 等待更久的时间才能结果子。 在探访途中，我被当地的民族服装深深吸引着。他们的 民族服饰丰富多彩 ，有鲜明的地域性和民族文化特征 。比方 说，图案精致的腰带，可以区别他们的民族支系与方言，围裙 的颜色可以区别穿戴者的村寨，头饰还可以标记他们的婚姻 状况。 我在这里作个假定：衣着代表一个人的身份。医院里身穿 白色外袍的是我们的医护保健专业人士；身着军装的，那是我 们的国民服役人员，而身穿神职服装的则是牧师。 在上帝子民被掳的岁月里，先知向他们发出呼吁：穿上你有 能力、华美的衣服……抖下尘土，解开你颈项的锁链！ （以赛亚 五十二:1-2） 我想象上帝子民被掳，必定是衣衫褴褛，面容憔悴，精神萎 靡。他们身在异地，对于家乡牵肠挂肚，更何况心爱的圣殿被 无情地摧毁了，各种敬拜仪式也终止了。他们感到无限羞耻沮 丧，怀念着圣殿耸立的那一段辉煌岁月——那时候，上帝与他 们同在，他们也可以自由敬拜。 就在他们生命陷入低谷的当儿，先知以赛亚向他们宣告了 好消息：他们很快就可以回归到日思夜想的家园了！回返后就 可以重新建立圣殿，恢复往日的敬拜活动了！的确，以赛亚作 出这个宣告，让他们在痛苦和愁楚中看到盼望，重新得力。 然而，这毕竟是一个未来的愿景。眼前的他们还是被掳流 放的一群，受尽周围列强的逼迫和嘲笑。需要如何激励他们， 持续仰望直到那日的到来？ 答案就在赛五十二：7里以赛亚所发出的宣告：我们的上帝 作王！在百般绝望和痛苦里，上帝依然掌权，统管万方——他 们还是俘虏的身份，但是上帝继续作王。他们的敬拜生活尽 管和以往有所不同，但是上帝继续掌权作王，不管他们喜欢与 否，上帝继续作王。 前例也适用于今天的时代，尽管迈入新的一年，处处蒙上 层层阴影，上帝还是掌权。在环境充满不明确的因素中，让我 们切记我们的上帝仍然掌权作王。即使我们正处在困难与痛苦 期间也别担心，我们的上帝还是掌权为王。我们生命或许正处 于低谷， 但是上帝继续掌权；即便是我们认为上帝远离我们 了，实际上，我们的上帝仍然为王。 我们的上帝既然继续掌权作王，我们就当作出两个回应。 首先，让我们穿上有能力、华美的衣服（赛五十二：1）；第二， 让我们成为那报佳音、传平安、报好信、传救恩的人 （赛五十 二：7） 我们的上帝永远掌权作王！

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Mission Trips If you are interested to organise, or simply to find out more, please email to the respective persons at these email addresses: Cambodia jeremy.choo@methodist.org.sg East Asia koheng.quek@methodist.org.sg Laos

david.khew@methodist.org.sg

Nepal noel.tam@methodist.org.sg Thailand david.khew@methodist.org.sg Timor-Leste

teresa.wilborn@gmail.com

Vietnam dianna.khoo@methodist.org.sg

Opportunities to Serve IN THE FIELD missionaries. Please raise your own support.

• Our last but important request is to raise passionate prayer partners to be part of our prayer team.

What to do if you sense the LORD calling you into His mission field: 1. Tell your pastor and ask him/her

to help examine your calling to missions.

The fields are ready for harvesting – but there are so few labourers. In all seven countries that MMS has chosen, our missionaries in the field are asking for assistance.

• Our first request is for more fulltime missionaries to join them! They are asking the Lord to send pastors, church planters, administrators and English language teachers.

• Our second request is for short term workers who are willing to spend between two weeks and six months to help one of our

2. If your church pastor and leaders

affirm your calling and are prepared to provide full financial support – praise the Lord! Call MMS straight away.

3. If your church pastor and leaders

affirm your calling but are unable to provide full financial support for you – call MMS anyway! Some of our missionaries are supported by the combined efforts of multiple Methodist Churches and Agencies, and individuals.

Cambodia

• Volunteers to teach English for three months, six months or one year, and work alongside the Khmer English teachers in the Methodist School of Cambodia (Phnom Penh).

• Volunteers to teach Chinese for six months in Emmaus Women’s Centre.

• Volunteers to teach basic canteenfood cooking skills and food hygiene in COSEL (Community Outreach Services ECO-LODGE) East Asia

• Church leaders and trainers to train and equip National Workers on church planting and discipleship training in various provinces.

• Local churches to partner and support newly established preaching points.

Laos

• Christian worker who would like to come and serve for a term of three

For more information about all these opportunities, kindly email mms@methodist.org.sg. Be in prayer with us as we seek God’s direction to challenge and mobilise our Methodist community to serve with MMS.

WAZZUP! 05

to six months but with a view to serving longer to befriend and counsel parents, offer spiritual guidance to children and provide pastoral care for staff.

• Kindergarten and Primary school teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to come serve for a term to begin with, especially to teach Mathematics.

• Experienced volunteer English teachers to help at the language centre INSPIRE. • Anyone whom the Lord is leading to be involved long term in this work of the language centre and the kindergarten and primary school.

Nepal

• A missionary pastor to serve as teaching staff at Caleb Bible Institute in East Nepal and equipping ministry for National leaders and workers.

• Full time missionaries to support the church planting and community development work and assist in administration and finance matters in the field office.

• Ministry staff to serve as spiritual counsellors and mentors for Sophia’s Home on short field assignments.

Thailand

• Teachers to teach English, Chinese, Mathematics and Science at Vineyard Methodist School and public schools.

• Local Churches to partner projects at new Preaching Points, and support new MOT candidates.

• Medical teams to visit rural areas.

Timor-Leste

• Short-term volunteers to provide English and Mathematics tuition for Grade 10-12 students in the Sundermeier Home.

• Teachers willing to volunteer for one year to provide instruction for Grade 7 and 8 students at the school at Hera.

Vietnam

• Mission teams to visit the Sunlight Shelter and Sunrise Shelter.

AT HOME You can also come alongside as Mission Partners and Volunteers (MPV) at home to encourage and empower God’s work and workers to incarnate the love of Jesus Christ to make a difference in the mission fields.

Communications & Publications

• Be an English-Chinese translator.

• Be a photographer.

• Be a graphic designer.

• Be a web designer.

Office Assistance

• Be our MMS Event Coordinator.

Mission-Trip Coordinator

• Be a Mission-Trip Coordinator to assist in briefing and debriefing the mission teams to achieve optimal preparation, mission fulfilment and benefits.

Financial Assistance

• Be a sponsor through the Student Sponsorship Schemes.

Please refer to page 25.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

Who is MMS EXECUTIVE COMMITTE A new Executive Committee (EXCO) was formed for the new quadrennium 2017-2020.

Let’s get to know some of these EXCO members and ex-officio members better.

Rev Erick Tan Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I’m married to Shanti and it’s been 20 years now. Two of our three children were born in Nepal where we served as MMS missionaries for over 12 years.

How did you get involved in missions?

Through multiple short term missions (STM) experiences with various Churches and agencies; the call to plant Churches in South Asia was too clear to ignore.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

We have had a good run of 25 years of intercultural ministry. Would love to see multiplication of intercultural missions from our existing fields in my lifetime.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

The worship of God is the outcome and also the reason for missions. If worship fails to happen, then our work feeds our humanistic project instead of the Kingdom of God.

Mr Tan Hua Joo Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

My wife and I, together with our three sons, worship in Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TACMC). My great grandmother was baptised in TACMC. I am the 4th generation of Christians in the family and I have been in TACMC since I was a boy. Currently, I am the LCEC (Local Conference Executive Committee) Chairman as well as the Missions Committee Chairman, and have been so for more than 10 years. I run a family business dealing with aluminium architectural products.

How did you get involved in missions?

18 years ago, I went on my first mission trip to Hainan Island. It left a deep impact on my life to see so many people hungry for the gospel. After that trip, I committed myself to mission work and went on more regular trips to Hainan Island and other places.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

I started serving in the CAC (Chinese Annual Conference) Board of Missions four years ago. This is my second term of service. I want to encourage more CAC churches to come on board to participate with MMS, and to put in more resources towards missions.

FEATURESTORY 07

EE? What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions is the heart beat of God. It is His will for the spread of the Good News before the second coming of Christ. I hope for all churches, pastors and members to understand the Great Commission of Christ.

Rev R Prabhu Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

Before coming to Singapore, I was a missionary serving with Indian Evangelical Mission. I have been in Singapore as a pastor for 17 years. My wife is Cecilia and my son is Sandesh.

How did you get involved in missions?

I started teaching about missions in Sunday School in India, and helping the children there understand about missions. Then I went to seminary where I was exposed to various missionaries and people groups. I went on to mission trips during vacations. That was how it started.

My wife Cecilia was a missionary from Singapore to India.

She was a nurse by profession.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

I wish that in the mission fields, we will pay more attention to the unreached people groups instead of properties and structures, although these are important. People are more important than institutions. I wish MMS success in the Church Planting movement so that it may reach more people.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Don’t just read about missions. Get involved if possible.

You can be praying for missionaries, giving, or going to the mission fields.

Mr John Praveen Raj Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

Born into a Methodist family, I grew up at Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church till the age of 23, and then moved to Jurong Tamil Methodist Church where I am until the present. I graduated with a bachelor degree from NTU/NIE in English Language and Drama. I am currently teaching at ACS (Barker Road) as an English Language and Drama teacher. I am an old boy of this school.

I serve as the Missions Chairperson in my church and have organised missions awareness programmes, mission trips and so on for the past 3 years. I also serve in the Church Choir and Worship.

How did you get involved in missions?

I was inspired to get involved in missions since I was a young boy by my Church leaders, namely Mr Andrew, Mr Solomon and Mrs Tamilkodi Arthur. I have also been very passionate about sharing the love of Christ to the lost and suffering, especially through personal testimony and the arts. I believe that, besides teaching and reaching out to students, missions is my calling. And I can use my talent in music and drama to deliver the gospel.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

My wish for MMS is to continue to reach out to the unreached souls in the world and inspire Christians to serve in the Lord’s missions.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Readers should know that Missions and Evangelism is a commandment and expectation from our Lord and Saviour for all of us.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

Rev Derrick Lau Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am a first generation Christian and have been so since the early 70s. By His grace, God brought committed Christians to guide and lead me through the discipleship journey. I responded to the call of God to full-time pastoral service in early 80s. Upon graduation from Trinity Theological College, I began serving with Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC). Praise God for the privilege of serving in various TRAC Churches over the past three decades. This year, I serve as a pastor of Faith Methodist Church as well as District Superintendent of District 2 comprising six local churches with 18 pastors. My wife and I have 3 grownup children (Jeriel, Jenalyn and Joezer). Jenalyn and her husband, Wei Qi, have been blessed with their lovely first son, Josh, last October.

How did you get involved in missions?

I recall very vividly my first overseas missions trip to Sarawak in the late 70s that left an indelible conviction in my heart for God’s mission. I participated in the Youth Leadership Programme organised by TRAC Board of Missions. We ministered among the Ibans in Sibu and Kapit. It served as a springboard to my subsequent mission trips in the areas of ministry, equipping and teaching to places in our region as well as to Unreached People Groups (UPG). I also have had the privileged of serving as Chairman, TRAC Board of Missions from 1992-1995. The strategy then was to encourage and challenge TRAC Churches to focus on UPGs via the adopting a people group by each local church through the commitment of prayer, human and financial resources in a sustainable manner.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

My prayer is that MMS will serve to encourage, enlist and equip members to explore mission endeavours in places where the gospel is needed urgently, as well as to develop collaborative partnerships with Methodist Churches and Christian agencies to plant indigenous churches in our region, to the end that the Great Commission might be fulfilled in our generation.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

The one thing that we should know about missions is that the field is ripe for harvest and the labourers are few (cf. Luke 10:2). Therefore, I pray that as disciples of Christ, let us develop greater passion for God’s mission and build capacity in terms of equipping ourselves (and others) for the harvest field as well as constantly explore partnership with others towards greater saturation of the Gospel especially among the least evangelised peoples of the world.

Mr Lyndon Gan Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

LG: I am a child of God, husband of Pearlyn, father of Jed and Anya.

I work and worship at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church (KKMC).

At KKMC, I serve as a Lay Ministry Staff in the areas of Missions, Witness and Evangelism. I am also the editor of the church’s newsletter and the chaplain of a Boys’ Brigade Company sponsored by KKMC. How did you get involved in missions?

During my University days, the verses in Matthew 28:1820 came sharper and shaper into focus. I felt that God had already given the call to “go and make disciples of all the nations”. We did not need another special missionary call. I went for a month-long mission trip organised by the Varsity Christian Fellowship and New Tribes Missions, and later got involved in the missions work in my church and in missions organisations. At that time, I felt that I should be preparing to “go” into a mission field. That led me to spend six weeks in Papua New Guinea and then to study at the Trinity Theological College. I was preparing to “go” into a foreign field but little did I realise then that God would lead me to serve in other areas of missions work.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

That many more Methodists will join with MMS in going to places and doing works that will enable people to acknowledge that Jesus alone is Lord and God, and to worship Him.

FEATURESTORY 09

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Finding our part in God’s Mission and doing it with all our heart is the one thing that will give us an eternal purpose in our life here.

Mr Chou Fang Soong Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am privileged to be able to serve at MMS EXCO to facilitate the transition. My wife Deborah and I worship at Bedok Methodist Church. We have two grown-up children and one granddaughter.

Deborah also serves at MMS with the Personnel Committee. In the marketplace, my work involves investing and nurturing technology start-ups.

How did you get involved in missions?

My first contact with MMS was through the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim. It has been a fulfilling journey of faith for me; from being involved in sending our first two missionaries with MMS in 1997 to the privilege of serving with MMS EXCO for over 16 years.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

My wish and prayer is that MMS can play the pivotal role of bringing our Methodist Community together in unity and passion, and the acceleration of disciple-making movements that will impact and transform lives in all the communities we serve. My hope is to see every Methodist involved in MMS in one way or another as we head towards our Jubilee year.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

MMS is the mission arm of the Methodist Church in Singapore that is set up to serve and support our Methodist Community to fulfil Jesus’ Great Commission.

As we share a common Methodist network, practice, tradition and heritage, we believe MMS can become the partner of choice to strengthen and accelerate the work of missions for our community.

Ms Teresa Chan Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am a lawyer who has a heart for children, youth, marginalised women, and disadvantaged adults in the seven countries MMS is serving in. I have been married for 33 years and I have a grown-up daughter. My husband and I have been members of Wesley Methodist Church (WMC) for about 30 years.

How did you get involved in missions?

The first influence was when I was 11 years old. I was then a student at Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, and I was a member of the Legion of Mary where we were taught to look after the poor and needy, the sick, the old and the young. We were sent to churches to clean, and to old folks homes like the Kong Wai Siew and the St Teresa’s Home for the Poor and Aged, to help out in whatever they told us to do.

Then during my student days in London, I was involved in voluntary work with NGOs and churches in helping immigrants, delivering hot meals to needy people, bringing wheel-bound patients out for fresh air, and giving talks to young people.

Subsequently, from 16-18 years ago, I got involved with MMS and their missions. I have been a member of the Personnel Committee for several years, and it is a special privilege and honour to be on the EXCO of MMS. And recently, I have been appointed to be on the school board of the Singapore Mission School in Laos.

Finally, my involvement in missions with WMC, firstly as a tripper, then subsequently (and still am) a member of the Main Missions Committee.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

To be blessed with more resources and volunteers with staying power to take MMS’s growth and expansion plans into the next 50 years to be truly God’s umbrella for all Methodist churches’ vision for missions.

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What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

If you have a heart for God, you should have a heart for Missions because missions is the exemplified translation of God’s love. Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) Treat others with dignity and kindness even if they seem to be the “least” - this will be true loving testimony that would bring many of the unreached into God’s Kingdom. It is not just being “preachy” that will bring people into God’s kingdom.

Mr Eddie Liew Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am Eddie Liew. Married with two daughters, and we worship at Bedok Methodist Church (BMC).

Mr Colin Tan Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I’m a goal-oriented, purpose-driven person. My current goal is listening to Dorothy (God’s gift - my wife) so I’m consciously trying to focus on being presence-oriented.

Dorothy and I will have been married for 20 years this year. We have lived in Australia, HK and the Netherlands before settling back in Singapore in 2010.

I joined United Overseas Bank (UOB) in 2014 to run the multinational corporation (MNC) banking business. Prior to UOB, I spent eight years at Citibank and almost 10 years at General Electric. My wife is currently a volunteer at St Andrew’s Community Hospital.

I’ve been attending Bedok MC (BMC) since early 70’s when my family moved from Toa Payoh MC to BMC.

How did you get involved in missions?

I went on my first short-term mission trip to Thailand in 2004 when BMC initiated the year of missions and encouraged its members to get out of our comfort zones and see God’s work in the mission fields. It was an eye-opener for me and my family. Subsequently, I went on more trips and also served on BMC’s missions committee and MMS Finance Committee.

How did you get involved in missions?

Through our church community. During the time we lived in different countries, we were blessed to be involved with church communities that had strong Missions focus.

BMC, where we currently worship, has a strong Missions focus – by being in a place to receive God’s blessing through sharing the message of Christ.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

My wish is for MMS to achieve the vision of successfully planting more indigenous churches in the various mission fields and to continue to bring God’s word and work to more unreached people in the years ahead.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

That we remember the purpose of our calling as we share the gospel of Christ. James reminds us that faith without works is dead. So the work we do and the faith we share and keep in Christ cannot be separated.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions work is both hard work and heart work. It is also about doing God’s work, God’s way, in circumstances that God places us in.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions is not about sharing Christ overseas, it’s about extending and receiving God’s blessing at every given opportunity wherever we may be.

FEATURESTORY 11

Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I was born in Indonesia and migrated with my father to Singapore when I was five years old. I spent most of my childhood in Malaysia, and my youth and adulthood in Singapore. I became a Singapore citizen after completing my National Service. I am married and have three grownup children and three grandchildren. After graduating from Trinity Theological College, I became a pastor and continue to serve until today. In the 30 over years, I was in Kum Yan Methodist Church and Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church as a Pastor, and later in the Chinese Annual Conference as the President.

How did you get involved in missions?

I was touched by God’s love and by the dedication of many missionaries as I read about their stories. I wanted to be a missionary too. When I was a pastor, I was actively involved in missions and connected with the missionaries. I strongly supported the mission works of the church by leading or joining mission teams to visit the field and missionaries. Even when I was the CAC President, I continued to visit them regularly and pioneered new mission works in East Asia and Indonesia.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

I have 2 wishes. Firstly, I wish that more people of different age groups, from young to retired, should take up the calling to be missionaries. This is urgent because the Lord is returning soon. Secondly, I wish that more Methodist churches will have mission awareness and support MMS. May our drive and passion help to fulfil the MMS vision of planting 800 churches.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

From the beginning, God is a missionary-sending God. We are to follow His example to bless everything on this earth. Jesus himself is the archetype who came to the world. We are to be good stewards of His natural resource on earth so that everyone will be blessed.

Rev Dr Goh Nai Lat (CAC) Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I accepted Christ at the age of 18 and I was the first Christian in my family. I received my calling to full-time ministry at my last year of University in 1989, and I went straight to theological study at Trinity Theological College. Upon graduating in 1992, I served in the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) where I am till today.

My wife, Irene Lim, is a teacher. We were married in 1990 while I was still a theological student. We have three children: elder daughter Yee Shuang (24 years old) is serving as a missionary in Japan; Yee Wei (22 years old) is now finishing her last semester of her honour years; and Jireh (21 years old) is serving his national service now.

How did you get involved in missions?

My first mission trip was a trip to a small town in West Malaysia. Our Chinese Varsity Christian Fellowship (CVCF) Committee decided to have our first mission trip there. It was a wonderful experience from organising to experiencing God’s providence and miracles during the trip. We organised children’s programmes, a teen campfire, door-to-door evangelism, and the highlight was a Gospel Rally with a drama production! This was my unforgettable first mission trip.

As a full-time minister, my involvement in missions is mainly through preaching, teaching and supporting mission works.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

MMS working together with local churches to fulfil the Great Commission of our Lord.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions is about love. It is the love of God and the love for man that bring us into our actions of love i.e. missions.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

I am not sure if all of the Methodist churches in Singapore are already a partner church of MMS. It will be great to establish the works that are ongoing in the various countries and to see them mature to Methodist Movements in the respective countries.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions begins at our door step. Just as the church is a lighthouse to all the next door neighbours, missions is to reach the unknown people groups in the world.

Do you know?

“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world, as that God has a church for his mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission – God’s mission.” ~ Chris Wright, author of “The Mission of God’s People”.

Rev Dr Gordon Wong (TRAC)

Rev James Nagulan (ETAC Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am married to Kalaimathi, who is a teacher, and we have three children: Noel Jeeven (20), Naomi Jenitha (16) and Nathanael Jana (9). We are happily married for 23 years. I studied at Trinity Theological College and have been serving in the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) for 20 years as a pastor. I was elected as ETAC President in 2004 and served for two terms. I had a break from ministry to do a Master’s Programme in Asbury Theological Seminary (ATS). I was re-elected as President in end 2016 after my return from ATS. How did you get involved in missions?

I was first involved with MMS as a “Supporters Coordinator”. It was at the infant stage at that time. We had a few programmes to bring awareness of MMS to the local churches and recruit supporters for MMS.

Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I am married to Lai Foon for 28 years, we have two children, Deborah (27 years old) and Jeremy (23 years old).

How did you get involved in missions?

I am appointed to MMS by Office as President of the Trinity Annual Conference.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

To strive for Excellence with Compassion.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Everyone can enjoy the privilege of missions.

Editor’s note: Mr Alvin Tan, who is MMS new Chairman

from 1 January 2017, was interviewed in the last issue of HF (HF 2016 issue 3). You may want to read that interview to know him better.

FEATURESTORY 13

Mrs Tamilkodi Arthur (ETAC) Tell us a little about yourself, your family, work and church.

I retired six years ago from my job as a secondary school teacher after 40 years of teaching. I am married with 2 grown-up sons.

Presently, I am worshipping at Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church.

How did you get involved in missions?

When I accepted the Lord years ago, I was deeply convicted to share the Gospel with others and help them feel the joy and peace that I experienced. I felt that it was a commandment of Christ that we ought to take seriously and I wanted to heed that command beyond the shores of Singapore. To that end, for the last 13 years, I have been privileged to serve as Chairperson of ETAC’s Board of Missions. In that capacity, I’ve organised

a number of trips to India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka for the ETAC churches and have the aim to bring about mission awareness in the churches.

What is your wish for MMS as we celebrate our 25 years and go beyond?

I would like to see all our Methodist churches become partners of MMS and actively support and participate in the opportunities that the organisation provides. I pray that the ministry of MMS expands beyond our existing fields as we broaden our reach into new countries.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?

Missions – saving lost souls – is the heartbeat of God. We need to understand this before we are able to truly appreciate how important the ministry is in the church.

We will then find ourselves wanting to contribute to the ministry in multiple ways, whether it be through praying, giving or going.

We take this opportunity to thank the EXCO members and Ex-officio members of the last quadrennium 2013-2016. Thank you for your faithful contribution and service to MMS. May you continue to bless others wherever you are stationed.

Dr Stanley Ling (CAC) Mr Jeremy James (ETAC) Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan (Co-opt) Mr Jimmy Tay (Co-opt) Bishop Emeritus Dr Wee Boon Hup (Ex-officio – Bishop) Rev Dianna Khoo (Ex-officio – TRAC Board of Missions)

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

Getting to KNOW YOU

MY CHURCH

MY FAVOURITE VERSE

Toa Payoh Methodist Church

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Paya Lebar Methodist Church

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

A

lmost every two months, a group of dependable yet friendly volunteers would quietly gather in a small meeting room to help MMS with our posting of publications like Harvest Force and PrayerConnect.

They also help to paste new MMS Logo stickers on our old envelops, and mail out our Easter and Christmas Letters. Without any fuss or fanfare, they have been doing so faithfully for more than 15 years - initially led by John Seet and now Nancy Yew. Their acts of service may seem small, but without them, this copy of Harvest Force may not reach your mailbox by post. Here is a fun and candid interview with them as they are rather publicity-shy.

Trinity Methodist Church

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. (Psalm 23)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8)

JOIN • If you are keen to help out in this area, please contact us.

Yio Chu Kang Gospel Hall

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8.28)

Trinity Methodist Church

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)

PRAY • May Your Spirit strengthen us so that we will be strong in faith, discerning in proclamation, courageous in witness, persistent in good deeds.

FACETOFACE 15

MY FAVOURITE PASTIME

MY FAVOURITE FOOD

NO. OF CHILDREN

NO. OF GRANDCHILDREN

Surveying the market.

Too many!

1

Waiting

Listening to oldies songs on radio.

Mee Siam

2

1

Watching TV, taking a short walk, and cooking.

No preference

2

Reading

MY TREASURED PROCESSION IN MY BAG OR WALLET

MY MOTIVATION TO KEEP COMING BACK

I’m serving with joy and enjoy the good fellowshipping.

Identity Card

To serve the Lord and to fellowship with other church members.

Small Bible

To serve the Lord.

Yam Paste

EZ-Link card

To do God’s work.

Watching TV

Popiah

Bus card

Serving the Lord and fellowship.

Eating

Mee Siam

Pioneer Generation (PG) card

Serving the Lord and fellowshipping.

Reading

Popiah

Money

To be a servant of God and to fellowship.

Travelling

Yong Tau Foo

Playing games like Sudoku and 4 Pics 1 Word

Laksa

2

Listening to Hymns

Long Tong

3

God has blessed me so I want to give back.

6

My children’s photo

I’m happy to serve and to bond with all volunteers.

Credit cards

Fellowship.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

Slurping up the BEST NOODLES

This new series explores a common item in the seven countries and see how similar or varied we can be.

N

oodles are everyday dishes in this region. They come in a wide variety in terms of preparation, use of raw materials and ingredients, width, length, colour, and texture. Come and see (and taste) the best noodles in our seven fields. Are you game enough to try out all these different varieties of delicious noodles? I cannot wait…

CAMBODIA Nom Banh Chok is a well-loved Khmer dish consisting of rice noodles topped with a green fish gravy and heaps of fresh green beans, bean sprouts, banana flower, cucumbers, water minosa and other common raw vegetables. Into the fish gravy is added a fermented fish paste called Prohok.

It is a perfect warm-weather dish. It is also served with a purple reeds flower called Pika Kom-Ploud, and a yellow flower called Pika Snaw. These, with the rest of the raw items, are common condiments to go with the noodles, including sliced raw banana with skin. Making the noodle is just as intriguing; Rice flour paste is pressed through a perforated can into hot water to make the noodle.

EAST ASIA There is probably a thousand types of noodle all over East Asia with their various local characteristics. But Biang Biang Mian ( 面) is probably one that is worth mentioning. The noodles, touted as one of the “ten strange wonders of Shaanxi” (陕西十大怪), are described as being like a belt, owing to their thickness and length. The noodle is broad and hand-made. It was originally part of a poor man’s meal in the countryside, but has recently become popular in fashionable restaurants due to the unique character used in its name. Dishes with this noodle are often topped with lots of red hot peppers for the cold winter in Shaanxi. The Chinese character for “Biang” is made up of 43 strokes in its simplified Chinese form. It refers to the sound made by the chef when he creates the noodles by pulling the dough and slapping it on the table.

LAOS Khao Poon, also known as Lao laksa, is a popular type of spicy Lao rice vermicelli soup that has spread to other countries. It is a slowly-simmered soup most often made with pounded chicken, fish, or pork, and seasoned with common Lao ingredients such as fish sauce, lime leaves, galangal, garlic, shallots, Lao chillies, and perilla. It is typically made with rice vermicelli noodles, but rice stick noodles can also be used. It is served with an assortment of shredded cabbage, carrots, and banana blossom along with bean sprouts, fresh mint, cilantro, lime, and dried red chillies. It’s always served at a party.

Photo source: Bakso – https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g297517-d1203753-Reviews-Depot_Mie_Bakso-Dili_Dili_District.html

SAMESAMEBUTDIFFERENT

NEPAL Laping is a spicy cold mung bean noodle dish in Tibetan cuisine. It is a street food. It can be eaten with red pepper chilli, cilantro and green onion sauce. The noodles have a slippery texture and are served with a soy sauce gravy. It is traditionally a summer food. A tool is used to shape it. It is found along the streets of Nepal where Tibetan communities live such as the Boudha Area in Kathmandu City.

THAILAND Khao Soi (or Chiang Mai Curry Noodle) is a Burmese-influenced dish served widely in northern Thailand. The name means “cut rice” in Thai, although it is possible that it is simply a corruption of the Burmese word for noodles which is just “khao swè” which may account for the variation in its name. Traditionally, the dough for the rice noodles is spread out on a cloth stretched over boiling water. After steaming, the large sheet noodle is then rolled and cut with scissors. These traditional cut noodles can also be found in several places in northern Thailand. But nowadays, the noodle are machine-prepared. The Thai also garnish it with deep-fried noodle, pickle and shallots with a squeeze of lime.

TIMOR-LESTE Bakso is commonly made from finely ground beef with a small quantity of tapioca flour and salt. However bakso can also be made from other ingredients, such as chicken, pork, fish or shrimp. Unlike other meatball recipes, bakso has a consistent firm, dense, homogeneous texture due to the polymerization of myosin in the beef surimi. Bakso is usually served in a bowl of beef broth, with yellow noodles or rice vermicelli.

VIETNAM Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles called Bánh Phoa, a few herbs, and meat, typically either beef or chicken. Pho Bò is beef soup noodle which is more famous than Pho Ga (chicken). Pho is a popular street food in Vietnam and the specialty of a number of restaurant chains around the world. Vietnamese people usually consume it at any time of day. The dish is garnished with ingredients such as green onions, white onions, Thai basil (not to be confused with sweet basil), fresh Thai chilli peppers, lemon or lime wedges, bean sprouts, and cilantro (coriander leaves) or culantro. Fish sauce, hoisin sauce, and hot chilli sauce (such as Sriracha sauce) may be added to taste as accompaniments. Do take time to taste and relish the intricacy in this pristine broth before heaping it with a mountain of garnishes and condiments.

Editor’s note: This compilation was done with consultation with our missionaries and workers living in the mission fields. And also with some help from www.wikipedia.org.

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CAMBODIA

POST COSI Integration Programme C

Tan Li Diang is a Missionary in Cambodia. Although she just took on responsibility in October 2016, Li Diang has witnessed the growth of these PCOSIIP youth since they were little children in COSI.

urrently, there are 18 students under the Post COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP). Two of them are undergoing vocational training in Project Khmer H.O.P.E. (PKH) and 16 are undergrads in the various universities. Tong Hak has recently completed his nine-month training with PKH and is now doing his internship at the Dara Airport Hotel. Sokna has been accepted into the Physiotherapy course and Sreyla will be studying to be a Laboratory technician.

These two girls have begun their courses at the University of Health Science in January 2017. They are our latest addition in the PCOSIIP. Aom Chen, who has been accepted by PKH, will start a two-year hospitality course in March 2017.

The three boys, Chhim Ratanak, Mao Dara and Tan Leap, are doing well in Israel, having overcome the initial adjustment to working and living conditions in a foreign land. Since September, they started their studies in the university there, feeling quite lost as lectures are conducted in English. They felt quite intimidated by their classmates from Myanmar, India and the Philippines, who are more proficient in English than they. But they are making friends and learning in an international community. They take comfort in that they do better in their practical work, which greatly compensates for their weakness in academics. Their school has also arranged for them to tour the Holy Land and it was really special that they got to visit Bethlehem during Christmas! Thank God for such an opportunity and I believe that the one-year experience would certainly enrich them in many ways.

Linna Seangly, who was recently in her final year studies in International Relations (IR), won a scholarship from Sweden to read Law in English and she started school there in October 2016. The four-year course is conducted in the evenings and since her final year in IR is not too heavy, she is able to handle her study load. She excitedly shared that if she does well in Law in English, she will be able to progress to do the Master’s degree overseas. Pray for Linna as she is so

FIELDFEATURE 19

hungry for knowledge and very self-driven. As the course is conducted in the evening, Linna will find a job to support herself when she graduates from the IR course next year.

Darareaksmey, who was also in her final year of IR studies until September 2016, has started work in the MMS-Cambodia office since August, to replace Dina who got married to Veasna in November, and has moved to live and work in COSI. Darareaksmey is happy to be able to serve in the MMS-Cambodia office where she can be involved in ministry. She has been appointed as captain of the Girls Brigade in the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC).

Polleang Kim, who was working with the Singapore Embassy, has resigned in January because she has to take up extra classes for her final year of studies at the National University of Management, doing a Marketing course there.

Sinat Phok who completed her studies in management with the National University of Management in September

What is PCOSIIP Post-COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP) is a programme to help the COSI kids in Cambodia successfully transition from a sheltered environment back into society.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

2016, has been a capable administrator for BAMBOO. She works in the MMS-Cambodia office and sometimes lends support to other MMS offices on work besides BAMBOO. Chorvy Keo has joined the teaching staff in MSC this new academic year in October, and she is teaching Christian Education (CE) and Khmer language.

It was in 2009, while I was still on study leave in Singapore whilst doing my counselling course, when I met Dr Tan Poh Kiang and Prof Ong Seow Eng at a café in Tiong Bahru mall over lunch to talk about how to give the COSI kids extra help so that they may be able to realise the best of their potential and that was how the PCOSIIP came about. Both of them are from Pentecost Methodist Church, which has been a strong partner church of COSI orphanage from its beginnings in 2001.

Since the inception of PCOSIIP in 2009, fifteen COSI youths (10% of COSI) have successfully completed the programme, and graduated from universities in various disciplines: 1. Chanthin Eang................ Accounting 2. Dina Keo........................ Finance and Banking 3. Veasna Thav................... Civil Engineering 4. Vanara Nop.................... Electrical Engineering 5. Reaksmey Ouk............... Electrical Engineering 6. Chantha Soun................ Management 7. Chorvy Keo..................... Khmer Language 8. Socheat Po.................... Management 9. Sreyleak Pov................... English 10. Kimtharn Thet................. Physiotherapy 11. Sophuan Touch............... Physiotherapy 12. Ratana Chhim................. Law 13. Mengtry Sun................... Law 14. Sinat Phok...................... Management 15. Chanthorn Soun............. Economics

PRAY • Pray for sponsors to continue their support as funds are running low.

• Pray for the PCOSIIP youth to be able to juggle work and studies well. Most of them want to work to help support themselves. But many of them are doing courses which require full day studies, so they have no time to work.

• Pray for those freshly graduated that they are able to find jobs relevant to their studies.

GIVE • Donate towards PCOSIIP by filling in the form on page 25.

We rejoice and thank God that all of them are gainfully employed and some of them are carrying on the ministry work in MMS, taking on key positions. It is a joy to see them moving on in life and some who got married! I am certain that they will pay back with gratitude for what they have received, as many have expressed. It may not happen now but certainly when they are more settled and have established themselves in life, perhaps in ten years’ time.

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks on behalf of these beneficiaries. Thank you so much for your participation in the PCOSIIP, – your contribution has resulted in many lives made good.

FIELDFEATURE 21

EAST ASIA

MI-cation MI-CATION: An appropriate term coined for our “mission-vacation” in the great historical ancient city of Xi An. This was our first mission trip ever in our 60-odd years as Christians. Together with Gim Leng, Chris Tham and Lee Soon Ai, we embarked on nine-day wonderful balance of mission and vacation with spiritual and touristy activities.

P

Shelley Siu authored Singapore’s first e-book, “Barrier Breakers – Women in Singapore” in the year 2000. She works tirelessly for marginalized women through her social enterprise, The Singapore Shawl. A hobbyist designer, she was a Nominee for The President’s Design Award in 2014.

eter and Anna were our hosts in this old and first capital of China. Peter planned the whole itinerary, and Anna was his staunch and gracious assistant, who is a blessing to his work and the Youth Club.

Meeting Peter and Anna’s Care Group was an eye-opener for us. We met in their cosy and comfortable apartment in a lush, landscaped estate which had everything one needed, right down to spas and massage centres. I could live there quite happily in the huge, green, self-contained development. We were blessed by the warm fellowship of the group – mainly members from the Youth Club who eagerly welcomed us as their extension of God’s family from Singapore.

Gim Leng was the first amongst us to share on how God had touched him through significant people in his university days, and how he turned over from being his father’s pampered son to one obedient to God’s word. The message was relevant to the Care Group’s study topic on John Stott’s choice of a life partner.

When Singaporeans play host, it is never without yummy food even in faraway Xi An! Anna’s Singaporean dishes were something the members looked forward to besides the spiritual food, fellowship and love. It was evident they looked to Peter and Anna as their spiritual parents. What a heart-warming sight!

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 1

On Sunday, we worshipped in Xi An’s oldest church which houses the Nestorian Stele/Stone/ Monument. Attending service there was an experience as we did not know when the earlier service ended because no one seemed to be leaving and there were insufficient seats for those attending the service that followed! Thus we happily sat on benches in the open courtyard for the cool air.

Xi An, being the first ancient capital of the great land of China, has much to offer in terms of culture, history and heritage. We were happy to drive out to the open countryside to visit the vineyards growing their famous sweet round red grapes clustered in bunch sizes we had not seen before!.

No one goes to Xi An without visiting Hui Street – where the sights, sounds and tastes of the Islamic world stretch from restaurants to shopping bazaars to market places and to floral displays, matching the magnificence and buzz of the whole city lit-up every night!

One of our recommended visits was to Xi An’s oldest mosque - a rambling complex of annexes, courtyards and prayer halls – all built with Chinese architecture! Its splendour was in stark contrast to the humble and basic oldest church we had worshipped in on Sunday.

Of course, a visit to Xi An is never complete without a visit to the site of the Terracotta Warriors. Unfortunately, Gim Leng and I sat this trip out due to bad weather and his earlier fall. We promised to be back to complete this part of the trip when God sends us back for more work, and also to visit the ancient bath-place of famed beauty Yang Guifei.

Lee Soon Ai and I promised Peter to be speakers to the university students. To prepare for my presentation in my new terrain of the “unknown”, I visited the place and went through my slides with my presentation assistant, Lavender, a bubbly personality from the Youth Club. I stressed that it was to be an interactive session and was most blessed that the crowd size of 40 was conducive to my favoured American style of delivery. I introduced basic entrepreneurship, focusing on doing business with a heart for the poor. My emphasis was on integrity – a good foundation to build any business on, beginning with self and values which would then help to grow their businesses to becoming sustainable. It was an indirect teaching on God’s values. I could see it touched them and felt this would be a good topic for future workshops as it ties in with the areas of Stewardship and Servant Leadership. It would

FIELDFEATURE 23

be a good outreach strategy for the Youth Club. It was encouraging to know that our talks convinced some students to sign up as new members.

Lee Soon Ai spoke at the university – a huge campus with students round the clock, even late at night. About 100 had registered for her talk on, “How to Attend Interviews”.

In summary, my objectives for the trip were met. We enjoyed ourselves, fulfilled our promise to the hosts, ate very well, enjoyed the sessions of massages, and were ever grateful for Peter and Anna’s selfless time, care and planning. Most importantly, we “reached out” and made new friends for God’s kingdom.

Xi An has many opportunities to develop the students through the Youth Club which is poised to grow as God’s instrument to help them develop into wholesome adults who, in turn, will touch the many empty and disillusioned lives in our world. They are starved for exposure to the rest of the world but need God’s pillar of strength and wisdom for guidance along the way. I pray for open doors to return to conduct short courses to help them with God’s grace.

Chris Tham, our superb trip leader said, “Observing the services in church and at the Youth Club, we see that people in China are hungry for God’s word. More support in all areas should be given to those who are sowing seeds there.”

For Gim Leng and me, our first “mi-cation” succeeded in opening our own hearts, and the hearts of God’s hungry people in far-away Xi An. We saw the splendour of the land of our forefathers, juxtaposed by poverty and hunger for knowledge and a better life. They need to find success, fulfilment and peace through our Father. We need to encourage and guide them there, sharing with them that it is the wisdom of God, the truth of God, and the beauty of God that will help them succeed in life.

Thank you, Peter and Anna, for our rewarding time in Xi An. It was a great “mi-cation”!

Read about God’s goodness and faithfulness in MMS History Book “Blessed to be a Blessing”

These DVDs present an overview of MMS work and ministries.

Get your free copies now.

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MMS DVD – Simple Faith Amazing Grace (2005 @ Cambodia)

MMS DVD – Of Miracles and Grace (2007 @ Nepal)

MMS DVD – Choose to Help a Few (2009 @ Thailand)

MMS DVD – MMS 20th Anniversary Videos (2011 @ China and Nepal)

MMS DVD – SSS Videos (2012)

MMS DVD – MMS at a glance (2013 @ Nepal)

MMS DVD – Education Opens Doors (2015 @ Cambodia)

MMS DVD – Proclaim His Wondrous Work (2016)

MMS Book – Blessed to be a Blessing (S$10)

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OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONS We would like to support MMS so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to the ethnic Cambodians, Chinese, Lahus, Laotian, Nepalese, Thais, Timorese and Vietnamese, by giving to:

GIFT DETAILS $

Crisis Relief Fund (General)

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Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund $

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(minimum commitment of 12 months)

Cambodia / Laos / Nepal / Thailand / Timor-Leste

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General

$

@ S$110 per month (minimum commitment of 12 months)

[

] COSI (Cambodia)

[

] Emmaus Women’s Centre (Cambodia)

[

] Sophia’s Home (Nepal)

[

] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand)

[

] Term Fun Home (Thailand)

[

] Sundermeier Home (Timor-Leste)

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Cambodia Church Ministry Support Emmaus Women’s Centre – ministry expenses Post COSI Integration Programme

$ $ $

East Asia

$ $

Church Ministry Support National Workers Fund

Laos

$

Staff & Ministry Support

Nepal Community Development Crisis Relief Work Sponsorship for Pastor Lay Leader Training at Caleb Bible Institute Youth Ministry / Hub

Thailand

Church Ministry Support

Timor-Leste

Staff & Ministry Support

Vietnam

V ietnam Children’s Fund

Printing And Postage Cost

Harvest Force & PrayerConnect

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

“My Father’s Business” Banquet

$

Others (please specify):

$

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In the event that a donation cannot be applied as you have designated, MMS may exercise the discretion to redirect it to where it is most needed. If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. *For more information on the Student Sponsorship Scheme, please logon to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss

PDPA MMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data. To withdraw or limit consent, please email to mms@methodist.org.sg.

Please cross and make cheque payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore (MMS)” and mail it together with this form to: Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936 Please apply glue here

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General Donation (where it is most needed)

OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONS “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing” 2 Samuel 24:24

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Postage will be paid by addressee. For posting in Singapore only.

BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE PERMIT NO. 08175

MMS Executive Director Methodist Missions Society 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936

HOMEINON... 27

MMS Family

TING YANG was appointed as a Missionary Intern to Nepal by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung. He is from Sarawak and found he had a burden for Nepal while studying in Bible College. A couple of years ago, he did his field education in Nepal and his burden for that nation grew. For now, he will spend the initial few months learning the Nepali language and assimilating into the local culture by taking opportunities to interact with the local community. As part of his job scope, he will be coordinating mission teams. He will be in Nepal for four years.

Dear Lord, we commit Ting Yang to You. May his inner man be strengthened to walk closely with You. We pray for good physical health, strong relationships with the people, and ability to learn and speak the Nepali language. Amen.

We welcome MANDY NG who has taken over the role as our Admin Executive. She worships at City Harvest Church. Eileen Lim left MMS in mid-February after serving with us for four years. She joins her husband in the USA

Dear Lord, we thank You for sending Mandy to MMS. May Your favour and grace rest upon her as she serves You. Grant her wisdom and tenacity to excel in this role. May You also be with Eileen and her husband in their coming in and going out. Guide and protect them in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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REV CASSANDRA LEE was ordained as a Diaconal Minister at the 41st Session of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC). More than seven years ago, when God called her to missions, she responded by joining MMS. Since then, she has served in a couple of different fields and she is serving in Thailand today. In North Thailand, she plays an important role in starting a ministry in Tung Yao. It grew from a children’s ministry to a church. Her ordination is an affirmation of God’s calling to serve in missions. Bishop charged her to take authority as a Diaconal Minister in the Church to teach the word and serve God’s people. Please keep her in your prayers .

Dear Lord, we pray that Rev Cassandra to have a strong personal walk. May You protect and strengthen her spiritually and physically. We pray for wisdom and passion to reach out to the people in Thailand. Let her speak Your Word boldly, with clarity and precision. Amen.

HOMEINON... 29

At the 41st Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), some senior pastors received their long service award. Amongst them was REV DIANNA KHOO, our Area Director for Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. She has been in ministry for 35 years. She started as the first full-time youth worker for TRAC, then served as a Christian Ministry Staff member in the schools for eight years, then to the pastoral ministry. The other person who received the long service award was REV TAN CHEOK KIAN who also served 35 years.

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your faithfulness to our senior pastors. May they continue to enjoy good health while serving You and Your people. Hold our pastors in Your hands and provide for their every need. We ask for Your wisdom and direction to lead Your people. Amen.

TRAC also acknowledged a group of senior pastors and ministers who had reached their retirement age. Among them were REV TERESA WILBORN and REV LAWRENCE CHUA. Rev Teresa has been engaged to continue to serve in MMS. She is Area Director for Laos and Timor-Leste. Rev Lawrence was our former MMS Executive Director. .

Dear God of grace, You fill Your servants with the vision of Your Son. You empower Your servants with Your Spirit. We give thanks for their ministry, for the ways in which You have ministered to us through them. Give them a sense of Your abiding presence, that they may continue to love and serve You, and ever grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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THANKFUL for the experience Hello Aunty Li Diang! miss you all! I’m still trying to adapt back to Singapore’s fast paced life.

It’s definitely a world of a difference when compared to staying at COSI (Community Outreach Services – Immanuel) Children’s Village for a month.

You asked us if we are called to be missionaries. I guess planting myself in a foreign land for 20 years may seem daunting. My expectations and reality are two separate worlds. Since the ultimate goal is to share the gospel, I had always imagined a missionary to be like a pastor, or a ‘nun’ as you mentioned in your stories. I never thought of missions to be holistic in approach, - a long-term commitment to providing the right environment and nurturing people to transform these children’s lives for the better.

I am very thankful for the instances where you had given me a glimpse of how missionary life is. I recall you were so busy with work and trying to sort out Aunty Christina’s accommodation – over the budget of just getting a mattress to have a good night’s rest. It’s something that spoke to me about God’s faithfulness and just having enough trust that He will provide what is necessary for His work to be done. It is also about becoming truly immersed into the culture and drawing links for visitors like us to understand the history and context behind the ministries. Thank you for giving us these important cross-cultural insights and being our ‘tour guide’ so that our hearts and minds are more attuned in our interactions with the children. I am also grateful for the opportunity to tag along with the hostel leaders to visit the small church in Kampot, where the youths are planning an outreach programme.

As I listen to you share of the stories of ex-COSI kids like Neng and others who have grown up rather healthily under your charge, all I can think of is not only the effort that has gone into providing for their needs, but how God has been so pivotal in the transformation of their lives. Discipleship is a life-long process and like you said, the goal is to see them become good citizens of Cambodia and good citizens of heaven as well. I observed one of the Grade 8 boys, Meng Koung, who helped me during worship practice, and over a few days, I got to know him better. He shared with me how he missed his parents after the Khmer New Year, and although he had no mood to study, he was still revising his books as I was talking to him on a Saturday. He’s probably one of the more hardworking kids I’ve seen at COSI, and I was very encouraged that he chose to share with me his ambitions and dreams. As I sat in his English class to help him along, it’s heartening to see how he kept asking me questions on pronunciation and checking the meaning of unfamiliar words. Despite what you shared about how hard it is for diligent students to break out the poverty cycle, I choose to hold on to that glimmer of hope that doors will be opened for him and everyone else, that they will see the fruits of their labour. At least for him, his priorities of studying first are rightly set, as he has that capacity to recognise the long-term importance of education.

When I think about it, I am so amazed how God’s love can cause such a change of heart in these kids. During the younger kids’ vespers in the evening, even the more mischievous ones in class can be assigned to lead in songs and

I

Jeremy Kum worships at Church of Our Saviour. He enjoys exploring new places and seeing the world through photography.

Editor’s note: After her graduation from Trinity Theological College, Tan Li Diang has been an MMS missionary since 1998. Trained as dental nurses, Li Diang and her fellow missionary, Carol Loh, set up a dental clinic to serve and minister to the Cambodian children.

When COSI was officially opened in 2000, Li Diang and another fellow missionary, Carol Ong, took care of the COSI kids. Read about the pioneer batch of COSI kids on page 18 to see how much they have grown up to be excellent and useful citizens in the country.

MITEREPORT 31

1

Following the kids to their school nearby

2

Conducting village outreach English lesson/games

3

Kids from my Grade 4 English Class

4

Some kids from my relief English classes

5

Younger kids at nightly devotions

6

Conducting guitar classes for nearby village children

7

Joining the Village Outreach Programme led by older youths

8

Doing drill as part of the BB/GB programme

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prayer. When they start singing their hearts out to the song Every Move I Make, the simple words ‘waves of mercy, waves of grace, everywhere I look, I see Your face, Your love has captured me, Oh my God, this love how can it be?’ were impressed upon me deeply as their combined testimony of faith. With the older kids where they hold small group prayer sessions, they will pray for their families to come to Christ, and week after week that those who are sick be healed.

It seems that I’ve come here not to change lives, but rather to witness how God has moved in the lives of these broken kids. It is very heart-warming to see how they respond in faith together despite their struggles and circumstances, coming to be spiritually strengthened as a community. How much more than for us who are so blessed and privileged, to never doubt God’s goodness and His provision for our needs!

When the children gave us farewell letters, I was honestly overwhelmed. As I write this reflection with the stack of notes beside me, I would never have expected that my little actions would yield such a response. As I was reading the letters the older boys gave me on the way to the airport, I couldn’t help but weep. Yes, they did thank me for teaching them English, but more importantly they thanked me for being a good friend, and for the conversations and what we have done together. From these experiences and more, I am very grateful and encouraged.

I want to give what I can, though it may not be much.

Thank you, Aunty Li Diang, for sharing tons of stories which have shown me what it is to be a true disciple of Jesus, and helped put into perspective who we are in God’s kingdom – of how much our small actions can impact the lives of others, whilst knowing how there’s so much more to be done. This experience has imbued in me so much compassion and changed my heart and spiritual walk with God as well. “Everything I once held dear, I count it all as lost, Lead me to the Cross.”

I was humbled by the humblest of people. I would like to convey my thanks to Aunty Carol Ong, and the COSI and Emmaus staff as well, for putting food on the table, and making our stay a comfortable one. I will definitely continue to keep the children and you all in prayer, that God’s hand will move mightily in the lives of these kids.

MITEREPORT 33

What is MITE MITE (Missions Internship Training & Exposure) is a programme designed to send believers to the mission fields for a period of one to three months. A MITE participant will serve, learn and grow, and experience the work and life of a missionary in the field. It may be a perfect opportunity to discern God’s call. Visit www.mms.org.sg or contact us to find out more.

And that through this ministry, that God’s wlove will empower each of them to be a living testimony and a blessing in return to their community.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NKJV) See you again!

God Bless, Jeremy 9

Fellowship with the older boys

10

Gardening time – removing weeds and putting fertiliser

11

Music as a favourite pastime

12

Football at the field outside COSI

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TWO THINGS Missionaries Wish You D

o you ever wonder what really goes on in a missionary’s life? Beyond the upbeat and positive news of salvation and spiritual breakthroughs reported in newsletters, what is really happening? What are the everyday stories that are not chronicled? What are the prayer needs that they withhold?

I do not assume that my experiences are shared by all missionaries, but perhaps the list below might give you a better understanding of how some people feel in the mission field. More importantly, perhaps you will be moved to pray more faithfully, and with more compassion for the missionaries you know.

FACT 1: THEY ARE UNDER STRESS CONSTANTLY

Ting Siew Lee is the Executive Director of COCOON, a Christian NGO that seeks to bring social and spiritual transformation to Timor-Leste through holistic education.

She is from Church of Our Saviour.

All of us experience stress, whether where we live or work in the First World or the Third World. But the missionary life comes with unique stressors.

There is cross-cultural stress that comes from living and working in a different culture. This may surprise some people, but after ten years in the field, I can say that cross-cultural stress never really goes away completely. My personal experience is that it comes and goes in waves.

For example, the new missionary, upon moving into his first local house, goes through cultural stress associated with setting up a home. He struggles with the low quality of materials, the shoddy workmanship of local craftsmen and feels upset at being overcharged constantly just because he is a foreigner! But when the season of setting up house is over, he finds a certain emotional equilibrium.

Then, he buys a scooter. He experiences the chaos of local traffic for the first time. He is provoked by other road users who drive dangerously, upset at the lack of respect for traffic rules, and has a few run-ins with corrupt traffic cops. He comes under another wave of cross-cultural stress.

I live in Dili, which has intense summers at the end of each year. Its climate is similar to the northern territories of Australia – think desert heat in the day.

Visitors hear me comment about the hot weather and they ask, “Haven’t you got used to it?” I sometimes tell them, “You don’t get used to it, you just learn to cope!” In the same way, cross-cultural stress isn’t something that you get used to. Missionaries have to learn how to cope, all the time.

That is one important reason why you should pray for missionaries. They experience a lot of stress and often receive less social and emotional support, being far away from their friends, family and home church. Pray for them to find good friends in the field. Pray that they will find healthy and enjoyable forms of recreation so they can be recharged. Pray for grace to flourish in the midst of difficult conditions, counting it all joy when they meet trials of all kinds. (James 1:2) If possible, encourage them through a text or an email. Send a gift to let them know you are thinking of them. Visit them just to spend time together. Your ministry of presence is a prayer in itself. You are with them literally in the gap.

Editor’s note: This article was edited by Lai Kheng Pousson, who is the Founder of COCOON, and she worships in Barker Road Methodist Church.

HFSPECIAL 35

Knew FACT 2: THEY FEEL SORRY THAT THEY CANNOT BE WITH THEIR PARENTS

Missionaries who leave behind aged parents back home struggle with guilt for not being around to take care of them. Saying yes to God isn’t a onetime deal; it is a never-ending process of surrender. In the last year alone, my mother went for an operation, and was hospitalized twice after that. Hearing news like that never gets easier, no matter how long one has been away.

So pray for missionaries’ families. Pray especially for their ageing parents, for supernatural protection upon them. Pray for God to comfort them when they miss their children. Better still, after praying, do something practical to bless the old folks. Visit them regularly.

Call them for a chat. Include them in your social life. That is powerful intercession!

From God’s perspective, we are all called to be a part of His family business. Whether we go or stay, we can participate in what God is doing. Every person is important in the Body of Christ. By praying for missionaries, and taking practical action to bless them and their families, you are the answer to their silent cries. You become the answer to your own prayers for them. In that way, you honour God. You play a significant part to fulfil His mission in the world.

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CARING for Missionaries F

Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung is the Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore •

He loves music.

He plays many musical instruments, sings, and conducts a choir and a school band.

rom the nineteenth century to the twentieth century, Asia was the top destination for missionaries from Europe, America and other western regions.

Each time I read about western missionaries who went to Asia, my heart is moved by their dedication. I was surprised that such ‘colonial masters’ would actually leave everything including their parents and families in their home countries, and travel to far-off Asia, to impoverished remote villages. Even though separated from their wives and children, these missionaries continued in the field, starting preaching points and building churches. Many remained there their whole lives, retiring there in their old age, never returning to their own countries.

How did they deal with their families, friends and neighbours in the emotional sphere? Did they have any regrets?

I knew an American missionary who worked in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, - the Reverend Denver Stone. At that time, he was already retired and had returned to the USA and was living in Greensboro, North Carolina. When I went to further my studies at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, I visited him and his wife several times at their home, over Christmas, Thanksgiving and even the Chinese New Year holidays. They showed me such warm hospitality and I was even invited to stay at their home. They frequently spoke of their gladness and readiness to host any pastor or Christian from Singapore. This is because they had been missionaries in Singapore and Indonesia since their youth till their retirement and were actively involved in the pastoral ministry. After more than 30 years of serving in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, the husband and wife team said that all their friends and neighbours were to be found in Singapore, while they had few to none in the USA. Thus retiring at home created a sense of displacement and also of isolation.

We cannot assume that missionaries do not have or will not have emotional struggles. When God’s calling to them is clear, they are willing to cut the emotional ties that bind them, and to put their heart and soul into the mission field. They have counted the cost and paid the price for being missionaries.

Times have changed and thanks to technological advances, air travel has become commonplace and inexpensive.

关爱宣教士 Missionaries today have little difficulty travelling to and fro the mission field and do not have to wait years for such an opportunity. On a day to day basis, they can keep in constant touch with their families and friends through social media and so maintain their relationships. This greatly reduces the resulting alienation commonly felt by missionaries in the last century whenever they leave home and lose contact with loved ones.

However I am certain, that today’s missionaries and their families, no matter where they are situated, will still feel the impact of being in a different place and culture and have to face various challenges. As such, they still need our care, prayers and embrace. Being involved in caring for our missionaries is being involved in mission work.

Let us be the support behind our mission work. We need more Christians to become partners in missions, so that our missionaries may receive all round support for various aspects of their ministry, whether it be spiritual, mental, or physical. May God call you to service in missions.

从

19世纪到20世纪，亚洲仍然是欧美及西方宣教士首选 的宣教区。每当我读西方宣教士到亚洲宣教的事迹，心 里都为他们的献身感动。我也很惊讶他们这些“殖民主人” 竟然放下一切，包括留下父母亲戚在祖国，跑到偏远亚洲的 穷乡僻壤，甚至有些宣教士的妻儿都没随身在侧，他只身往宣 教区开荒布道，建立教会。许多宣教士一生留在宣教区，也在 那里终老，不再回到自己的祖国。究竟他们如何处理家乡的亲 情、朋友邻居等的感情世界？他们有遗憾吗？ 我认识一位从美国来新加坡作宣教士的 Denver Stone 牧师。当时他已经退休回到美国住在北卡罗莱纳州的葛林郡 Greensboro。当我到北卡罗莱纳州的杜克大学神学院深造 的时候，曾经数次在感恩节、圣诞假日拜访他们夫妇，受到他 们热情接待并且留宿他们家。他们常常说非常欢迎新加坡的 牧者信徒到他们家去，因为他们从年轻一直到退休，都在新加 坡、印尼作宣教工作及参与教会的牧养事工。他们夫妇俩很感 概地说，30多年都在印尼、马来西亚、新加坡，其实他们的朋 友和邻居都在新加坡那边，美国这里反而没有朋友了，因此退 休回来这里反而有一种失落和寂寞。 我们不能以为他们没有或不会有感情挣扎，其实他们都深 信只要是上帝清楚的呼召，他们都愿意牺牲和舍下这些亲情 感情的纠缠，全力以赴到宣教区专心宣教。他们是已经付上宣 教士的代价了。 由于时代改变，也拜科技发达，航空普及和 廉宜的福祉，现代的宣教士，要往返家乡和宣教 区已经不像以前那样要时隔数年，就算是平时 也可通过社交媒体，两地经常保持联系，继续 保持亲情友情的感情联系，大大减少上个世纪 的宣教士离乡背井后与家人朋友的失联或断联 导致疏离陌生的结果。 不过我深信，今天的宣教士及家庭，无论在 什么地方，仍然会面对其他因异地文化、社会 环境所带来的各种冲击和挑战，他们还是需要 我们的关怀、代祷、接纳。如果能参与关爱我 们的宣教士和他的家人，也是间接参与宣教的 工作。让我们成为宣教事工后方的支援。我们 需要更多信徒成为宣教伙伴，让我们的宣教 士在服事中，也获得心灵、精神、身体等全方 位的支援。 愿上帝呼召你在宣教的岗位上服事。