Harvest Force 2017 issue 2

2017 ISSUE

02

PEOPLE

~ serving alongside us ~

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9

United we stand, divided we fall Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I

n this issue of HF, we continue to focus on people. There is a group of volunteers who is serving quietly alongside the MMS Home Office. They are helping in these six committees: Coordinating Working Group (CWG); Finance; Personnel; Building, Construction & Maintenance (BCM); Education; and Training. These volunteers are professionals who provide their expertise and in-depth knowledge to support us.

Read more about them on page 6.

Our Executive Director, Rev Philip Lim, is grateful for them. A Volunteer Appreciation Celebration was organised to show our appreciation to all our faithful volunteers. Read more on page 2.

Interestingly, there are three articles featuring the schools in the mission fields. Read about the Education Committee’s trip to the Methodist School of Cambodia on page 22. They helped to train the teachers there. Read about the dedication of the Singapore Mission School’s extension block on page 25, and Vineyard Methodist School’s new school block (Phase 2) on page 33. Both sets of construction works were closely supervised by the BCM Committee. Speaking of school, we are also raising funds for a new school in Timor-Leste. Please refer to the back cover for more details, and contact us if you are led to donate towards this new school project.

To have an overview of MMS ministries in the seven mission fields, do check out our update on MMS fields at a glance on page 12. For a more light-hearted read, take a look at the various types of popular drinks found in the seven countries on page 20.

Thank you for coming alongside us. You are our hands and feet. You are more than volunteers and mission partners; you are our friends!

Leongheng • Editor

Hello! 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 2017 issue 1 on page 01: It is a March 2017 issue.

And on page 36, Bishop’s Chinese name is 张振忠牧师(博士).

CONTENTS

02 04

FIRST WORD • Turning Water into Wine

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

WAZZUP! • Mission Trips • Opportunities to Serve • MMS Banquet 2017 • GoForth 2018

06 12 20

FEATURE STORY • Who are MMS Committees?

FIELDS UPDATE • MMS Fields at a Glance SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT • Fancy a Cuppa?

otherwise stated.

PERMIT NUMBER

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim EDITOR Leongheng PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

MCI(P) 063/11/2016

JULY 2017

2017 ISSUE

02

22

CHINESE PROOFREADER Goh Tuan Gee

EAST ASIA • Wind of Change

TRANSLATORS Koh Wan Yee, Thng Pheng Soon PHOTO CREDITS Alex Chng, Benedict Ooi, Cecilia Lim, Jason Chin, Leslie Lim, Matthew Chan, Noel Tam, Teams from Trackers, BCM Comm, CWG, Edu Comm, Finance Comm, Personnel Comm, Training Comm DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT Rasanya Isabella Gnasegaran, 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

FIELD FEATURES CAMBODIA • Improving the Quality of Teaching in Cambodia

LAOS • The Rainbow Connection

NEPAL •P rayer and Spiritual Warfare Retreat • Team Visvasa • Did the mountains call you?

THAILAND •D edication of new block at Vineyard Methodist School

MMS IS SOCIAL! Connect with us and never miss an update

mms@methodist.org.sg

39

HOME IN ON...

• MMS Family • Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

42

HF SPECIAL • What missionaries wish you knew about MONEY?

44

CLOSING THOTS • A Clarion Call

www.mms.org.sg mms.org.sg mms.gram

COVER: Breathtaking view of a stunning yet peaceful sunset in Timor-Leste.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

Turning WATER INTO WINE I

Rev Philip Lim 林建隆牧师 is the Executive Director of MMS 卫宣执行主任.

His favourite smell is freshly cut grass.

n April, we had our Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. I was delighted to see so many friends of MMS coming together to worship God and to encourage one another. A number of our volunteers have been serving with us for more than 20 years already. Hence, this time, as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration, we decided to specially acknowledge these friends by giving out the Chairman’s Award.

At that event, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung gave the exhortation. He shared from the story of Jesus who attended a wedding at Cana in Galilee (John 2:1-12). He pointed out that the servants followed the directions given by Jesus, and then water turned to wine. An embarrassing situation had turned into an encounter with God. The guests continued to enjoy themselves and were oblivious to what had taken place. Even the master of the banquet was not aware that a miracle had occurred.

In the story, the most blessed group of people was the servants. They were unnamed and worked behind the scenes. Yet, they had the privilege of having a first-hand experience and involvement in Jesus’ first miraculous sign.

MMS has many volunteers who are like these servants. They respond to God’s call. They serve away from the limelight. They give of their best even though nobody is watching. And they give without expecting anything in return.

But they are the most blessed ones who get to see how the hand of God is moving. Although our missionaries are in the forefront, they need our volunteers back here in Singapore. Our volunteers provide very important support for our missionaries. We are deeply grateful to all of these servants.

Concerning service and giving, I would like to draw some inspiration from three verses in 2 Corinthians 8: a.

Christ is our supreme example of service and giving.

Verse 9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. b.

Our service is our response to God’s grace.

Verse 7: But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. c.

Our giving is our expression of our love.

Verse 24: Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

Let us continue to spur one another on towards good work. To God be the Glory!

FIRSTWORD 03

把水变成酒 在

四月举行的答谢义工庆祝会上，看到这么多卫理宣教 会的朋友集聚一起敬拜上帝，彼此鼓励，我感到非常快 乐。其中有好几位义工，和我们共同服事超过二十多年了。因 此，在这一次二十五周年庆祝会上，也特别颁发主 席奖章给这群忠心的同工。 张振忠会督在庆祝会中给予大家勉励 时，分享了耶稣在加利利迦南婚宴上的 事件（约翰二：1-12）。会督指出，仆 人按照耶稣的指示行事，最终水变成 酒，使到原本快要陷入尴尬的局面， 转化为与上帝相遇的美妙奇迹；在场 来宾继续尽兴行乐，畅饮美酒，对于在 身边所发生的大事懵然不知，就连宴席 总管也不知道发生过神迹。 在这个故事里，得到最大祝福的要 算是这些仆人了，尽管他们是默默无名的幕后工作人员，他们 却得以亲身经历、甚至参与耶稣第一个神迹的过程，这是何等 的荣幸。 卫理宣教会的许多义工就像这些仆人一样，他们毫不张 扬，回应了上帝的呼召，即便没有人注意他们，也一样尽心尽 力、任劳任怨，不期待获得任何回报——就是这一些人，亲眼 见证了神大能的双手如何运行，这是至高的福分。是的，我们 的宣教士在前线耕耘，仍需要后方的义工支援与配合。这批义 工在支援上扮演非常重要的角色，我们对这群义工非常感激 赞赏. 就服侍和付出，让我以哥林多后书八章里三段金句，彼此 勉励。 a. 在服事与付出上，基督是至高无上的榜样。 第9节。你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典：他本来富足， 却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因他的贫穷可以成为富足。 b. 我们的服侍，是对上帝恩典的回应。 第7节。你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心和待我们的 爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格 外显出满足来。 c. 我们以付出表达我们的爱心。 第24节。所以，你们务要在众教会面前显明你们爱心的 凭据，并我所夸奖你们的凭据。 让我们在服侍的道路上相互扶持前进。愿荣耀归于主！

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

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 • Our second request is for short term workers who are willing to spend between two weeks and six months to help one of our missionaries. Please raise your own support.

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

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.

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.

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

For more information about 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.

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 share and teach English, cooking, hospitality, dressmaking and/or counselling at our various ministry points.

• 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.

• Ministry support in social / community engagement programme Laos

• A Christian Ministry Worker (CMS) to serve for a term of three to six months, with a view to serving longer. Specifically to provide spiritual guidance to the children,

WAZZUP! 05

to offer pastoral care for the staff, and to befriend and counsel parents.

• A trained Early Childhood Educator (ECE) for teaching at the Singapore Mission School (SMS) Kindergarten.

• Two or three Primary teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to teach the primary classes at SMS. Teachers can opt to serve a term a year or long term.

• Experienced volunteer English teacher to help at the language centre INSPIRE. • A full-time Operations Manager (OM) for one or two years, to cover the administrative and financial aspect of the work at SMS. 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

• Volunteers to teach conversational English at Shineforth Methodist Church in Chiang Mai and its preaching points.

• Prayer partners and supporters for Shineforth Methodist Church’s community outreach effort by building a multi-purpose hall.

• Medical teams to visit rural areas.

• Short or long-term teachers of English, Chinese, Mathematics, and Science to teach at Vineyard Methodist School in Chiang Mai. 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 International Christian Fellowship.

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 37.

GoForth 2018 Put this on your calendar!

The next GoForth National Missions Conference is 21 to 23 June 2018.

Look out for more details.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

Who are MMS COMMITTEES? I

n HF 2017 issue 1, we introduced our new Executive Committee (EXCO) members for the upcoming quadrennium 2017-2020. Now, let’s get to know the members of the various MMS Committees. They are a wonderful group of professional volunteers whom MMS cannot do without.

Coordinating Working Group (CWG) Chairman: Alvin Tan Members: Collin Tan, Michael Khor, MMS Directors (Rev Philip Lim, Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, Rev Dianna Khoo, Rev Teresa Wilborn, Noel Tam)

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

The CWG, formed years ago, comprises MMS EXCO Chairman (Chairman of CWG as well), Finance Chairperson, Personnel Chairperson, Executive Director, all Area Directors, and Home Director. The CWG was formed for the purpose of working on some of the issues which would come before the MMS EXCO meetings, and of facilitating timely approval for matters with a lower delegated financial authority.

What are the role and function of this committee?

CWG acts as the coordinating body for the various planning, approval and execution activities of the home and field offices. It helps to provide the necessary traction on matters between and at EXCO meetings. We meet at least four times a year, to work on and approve matters within CWG’s authority as delegated by MMS EXCO. What are your hope and vision for this committee?

We hope that, as a subset of MMS EXCO, the CWG is well connected into the former in terms of engagement and ownership of its work and decision-making. And that the CWG also benefits from the collective mind of EXCO.

FEATURESTORY 07

Finance Committee Chairman: Collin Tan Members: Eddie Liew, Isaac Abraham, Tan Hua Joo, Wong Kron Joo, Ying Siew San

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

The MMS Finance Committee is made up of volunteers that were nominated.

What are the role and function of this committee?

The Finance Committee provides financial oversight to MMS on finance matters. Quarterly meetings are aligned with financial reviews with interim circulation to address supplemental budget issues.

Role & Function • Ensure compliance with MMS and MCS-GC financial policies.

• Assist and establish budget procedures and processes for MMS. • Assist in MMS internal and external audit matters.

• Evaluate and review MMS financial commitments or contractual agreements.

• Establish MMS guidelines on all financial matters.

What are your hope and vision for this committee?

Finance Committee is privileged to be serving MMS Missionaries of The Methodist Church in Singapore and their work in the field by being faithful stewards of God’s providence. We pray that our faith and works are a testimony to how good God is - all the time.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

Personnel Committee

Chairman: Michael Khor Members: Deborah Chou, Rev Erick Tan, Jimmy Tay, Teresa Chan, Woo Li Chun

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

The volunteer committee members come from a number of churches and from different work backgrounds that cover areas relevant to the Personnel Committee (PC). Some have experience dealing with missionaries and have a strong desire to care for missionaries. They want to help enhance connection between home office, missionaries, field workers, and churches.

I was referred to the previous Chairman, Jimmy Tay, who invited me to join the PC. The reference could have been related to the time I had spent in the Missions Committee of my church and the number of years as Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations and Staff Committee (PPRSC). A number of years of HR work late in my career could also have been a factor. Most importantly, it was a desire to serve the Lord in this area as called upon.

What are the role and function of this committee?

The PC carries out the HR function of MMS with respect to the missionaries. It works with the other committees of MMS to ensure that policies of the PC would be in line with the terms of reference of MMS. Policies cover recruitment, training, financial support, leave, pastoral support, and counselling. It ensures that these policies are carried out in a smooth and clear manner at the operational level.

Changes are also considered based on the feedback of the more than 40 missionaries in the field as their welfare is of uppermost concern to the PC. The committee spends quite some time in the implementation of its policies. There is a happy problem of more Christians approaching MMS with a view to be missionaries. So PC members have been busily involved in a series of interviews, processes to determine the suitability, strengths and weaknesses of these applicants. PC meets every two months to review matters and to discuss new items requiring attention.

Role & Function • Develop, establish, implement and review the framework and processes for the recruitment, selection and preparation of missionaries for MMS. • Establish and review the missionary appraisal system.

• Establish and review Member Care policies and procedures for the well-being of MMS missionaries.

FEATURESTORY 09

What are your hope and vision for this committee?

Christ has given all Christians the Great Commission. Many Christians will be called to carry out this commission in the field. The vision of the PC is to help MMS carry out this commission so that every suitable missionary be trained, supported and cared for in the field that MMS sends them to.

The PC hopes that it will carry out its mission to the best of its ability through the unity and synergies of dedication and talent of its members. With more and more ‘satisfied customers’ returning from the field, it is hoped that more would be led to come forward and answer the Great Commission in whichever fields the Lord leads.

Building, Construction & Maintenance Committee

Chairman: Ho Lip Jin Members: Andrew Loh, How Choon Onn, Joseph Lau, Joshua Lim Chwee Hock, Robert Chew

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

I have been approached by Area Director, Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, who knew me because we are from the same church, to join the committee. Since I have worked in a property developer company for most of my career, I thought it is good to volunteer my technical skills for the Kingdom of God. What are the role and function of this committee?

The Committee’s role and function are basically to provide professional and specialist expertise to assist our missionaries and the national leaders in the development, construction and maintenance of infrastructure in our mission fields. We meet quarterly to discuss project and maintenance issues.

Role & Function • Provide professional and specialists expertise in the development, construction and maintenance of infrastructure in our mission fields.

• Coordinate with MMS Home Office and the Field Project Teams on infrastructure development programmes.

• Provide regular reports to MMS EXCO on the progress of development programmes.

What are your hope and vision for this committee?

My hope and vision for the Committee is to achieve a consistent and standard way of managing projects and maintaining buildings in the various countries where MMS operates in so as to reduce risks.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

Education Committee

Chairman: Richard Seow Members: C ecilia Lim, Heng-Lim Gaik Kee, Mag Kooi, Sandra Kumarasamy, Seow Hong Kiang

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

I think we were approached by people to join the committee. Some of them have been there since the committee started, about the time Methodist School of Cambodia started.

What are the role and function of this committee?

We see ourselves as a group that pools our resources to help meet the educational needs in the field. We provide training when missionaries ask for our help. This could be training teachers in our mission school, or in some cases, training local teachers or organising English camps for students as a means of the missionary’s outreach to the community. In particular, we have run English teacher training (both for teaching pedagogy and for improvement of the teachers’ language skills) and English enrichment camps for students, in Cambodia (Methodist School of Cambodia) and Thailand (Vineyard Methodist School) as well as East Asia. Our committee was working solely to help in the area of English for many years, but in recent years, we have been able to find people to help with teaching of Mathematics and Science as well. We meet once in two or three months.

Role & Function • Equip Christians to serve and facilitate the sharing of the gospel through education in MMS mission fields.

• Support appropriate education ministries in MMS mission fields.

• Motivate and mobilise educationists to assist in curriculum development and education resources.

• Training of teachers and educators for the mission fields.

What are your hope and vision for this committee?

We hope to grow our pool of volunteers and do more in the field, especially in the new fields of Laos and Timor-Leste. As the other two mission schools mature in their work, we see less of a need for our involvement.

FEATURESTORY 11

Training Committee

Chairman: Juliette Arulrajah Members: Ashok Kumar, Rev Erick Tan, Rev James Nagulan, Stanley Ling

How did you and your committee members get involved in this committee?

I was approached in 2013 by then MMS Area & Operations Director, Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng together with Executive Director, Rev Philip Lim, to consider chairing and helping to form the inaugural Training Committee for MMS which was to begin operations in early 2014. As I am very passionate about cross-cultural training, after much prayer I accepted this invitation.

In consultation with the abovementioned key MMS leaders, the individual members were approached to serve on the committee because of their experience and expertise whilst ensuring representation from each of the three Annual Conferences.

All the Committee members have been involved with MMS for several years in various capacities whether as clergy or laity in the MMS EXCO, in Field Leadership, in Sub-Committees, or as Missionaries. Several of us are also regional and global leaders with other international agencies in the arena of cross-cultural missions and experienced particularly with regards missions and missionary training.

What are the role and function of this committee?

In a nutshell, the committee trains and equips missionaries and national field workers to make disciples and disciple-makers and plant churches, and creates awareness of, equips and empowers Singapore Methodist churches for cross-cultural missions. We try to meet quarterly.

Role & Function • Develop, establish, implement and review the framework, curriculum and resources to meet the training needs of MMS missionaries.

• Facilitate the training of national pastors, leaders and co-workers.

• Implement effective discipleship and outreach training for national churches in all MMS mission fields.

• Ascertain training needs and progress of each of the mission fields.

What are your hope and vision for this committee?

We hope to conduct regular mission seminars and courses for the Methodist community to widen the pool of potential missionaries. For existing missionaries, we hope to provide mentoring and spiritual direction.

As for our National Pastors and Lay Leaders, we hope to facilitate courses on church planting and disciple making. We wish to work alongside other Christian business networks in the fields for Marketplace Evangelism, and build up a reservoir of trainers.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

MMS FIELDS at a Glance CAMBODIA Vision for Cambodia: Impact Cambodia with Christ!

Church Planting Work List of churches we are involved in: • Chress Methodist Church • Glory Trinity Methodist Church • Krang Svay Methodist Church • Prek Omperl Methodist Church • Upper Room Ministry • Antioch Methodist Church • Prek Tual Methodist Church • Hope House Outreach Point Community Development Work • COS-Immanuel Children’s Village (COSI) • COS-Youth (COSY) Hostel • Post COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP) • Emmaus Women’s Centre (EWC) & COS Eco Lodge (COSEL) • Methodist Hostel • Joy Hostel • Hope House Ministry • Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC) • Prek Tual Kindergarten • Cambodian Methodist Bible School

Our Challenges • It is a long and tedious process for the churches to become self-supporting. Training is needed to help the churches understand and appreciate the need for proper governance and best practices.

• Village churches are affected as more people leave for the city for education and work. Churches need to respond to the change in demography as there are mostly elderly and young children left in the villages.

• The people are faced with false teachings that are rampant due to cult groups and social media.

And Bible schools are encountering a low intake of students. So, sound Biblical teaching, training and discipleship are needed for the laity.

• MMS Cambodia Missionaries and Staff need wisdom to adapt to new regulations from the authorities for our registered school and NGO. Having said that, we appreciate that the new regulations are evidence of the country’s advancement.

• Emmaus Women’s Centre faces recruitment challenge as many young women prefer to work in factories instead of receiving training, even those who are underaged. It needs to redevelop some of its operations to be relevant to the situation.

FIELDSUPDATE 13

Your Response • You may pray individually, with a small group and as a church.

• You may contribute towards the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) that provides subsidies for needy students.

• You may join an MMS MITE programme.

• You may join a mission trip, and encourage the Cambodians to pray, read the Bible and serve the Lord.

• You may visit and pray with the missionaries.

• You may use your skill and resources for God’s mission.

Pray • Pray for the Methodist Churches in Cambodia working towards being a Provisional Annual Conference. May the pastors be filled with the Holy Spirit, serve with joy, and lead their congregations to grow in God. May the laity rise up to serve and be faithful in discipleship.

• Pray for our missionaries to persevere and labour faithfully with love and vision from God. May those on Home Assignment have a refreshing encounter with God. Pray for the equipping of missionaries and national workers in the Market Place Ministry, Urban Church, Women Ministry, and Children’s & Youth Ministry.

• Pray for the Cambodian staff and teachers to grow in God as they serve in our ministries. Thank God for those who are committed and are serving faithfully with us. Pray for the six new teachers, who accepted the Lord through the Alpha Course, to grow, be faithful, and stand firm when they face challenges.

• Pray for the young adults in Joy Hostel, Methodist Hostel, and the PCOSIIP to grow deeply in God’s Word and stand firm in Him. May they be committed and faithful in serving in the church, and be dynamic witnesses in the Market Place.

• Pray for the children and youth in the MSC, COSI, and COSY to encounter God and receive Jesus as Saviour. May the ministry of the Christian Education, Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, devotions, and chapel effectively touch their lives. May all the workers be empowered and encouraged to reach out to these children and youth with the vision from God. • Pray for more intake of women for EWC. May they know the Lord and be blessed, and even commit to full-time ministry.

• Pray for all ministry workers to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, and not just to keep up with the fast-changing developments. May they stand firm and have the courage to bring His Gospel to set the people free. Pray for effective penetration of the Gospel.

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HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

EAST ASIA Vision for East Asia: Make disciples of Christ to carry out the Great Commission.

Church Planting Work • International Community Fellowship (ICF) Community Development Work • Stamford Consultancy • Marketplace Ministry Our Challenges • We lack devoted and experienced shepherds.

• There are plenty of oppositions and obstacles.

Your Response • You may intercede for the land.

• You may participate in community work.

• You may give financially to designated projects.

• Youth Club • Drug Rehabilitation Centre Pray • Pray for the Lord of Harvest to raise up more labourers.

• Pray that the local national staff will rise up and carry on the Great Commission.

LAOS Vision for Laos: To be a witness of God’s love through community development efforts, with a focus on education and health.

Community Development Work • Partnering with Singapore Mission School (SMS) • Exploring the possibility of sending medical/dental mission teams Our Challenges • Our challenges are to increase the enrolment of students at SMS, and to find good teachers.

Your Response • You may contribute towards the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) that provides subsidies for needy students.

• You may teach because SMS is looking for trained teachers who love the Lord and young children, and are able to teach all the primary school level subjects.

FIELDSUPDATE 15

Pray • Pray that all the pupils of SMS may grow to love the Lord and have a love for learning. Pray for all the parents that they too can reflect on the school’s ethos, ask questions and come to know the Lord. Pray also that the Lord will guide the growth of the church in Laos and the role of SMS in His grand scheme.

NEPAL Vision for Nepal: Redeeming Nepal for Jesus Christ.

Community Development Work • Sophia’s Home

Church Planting Work • Wesley Bardan Methodist Church

• Caleb Bible Institute

• Phulbari Methodist Church

• Medical and Dental Camps

• Mahimit Methodist Church

• Disaster & Crisis Management

• Jars of Clay Café

• Vijayee Methodist Church • Tanahun Bhaisjanga Methodist Fellowship • Basantapur Methodist Fellowship • Pokhara Methodist Fellowship • Faisidol Methodist Fellowship • Patlekhet Methodist Fellowship • Halde Methodist Fellowship • Surunga Methodist Fellowship • Dhadhare Methodist Fellowship • Terethum Methodist Fellowship • Khanibhanjyang Methodist Fellowship • Badamtar Methodist Fellowship

Our Challenges • To prepare, encourage and equip our Nepal church pastors and laity for spiritual leadership responsibilities.

• To recruit and equip our national pastors to plant multiplying and disciple-making churches to transform lives and communities.

• To encourage our Methodist churches in Singapore to partner our church planting and community development ministries in Nepal.

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Your Response • You may pray for the missionaries and national workers.

Pray • Pray for the spiritual growth of our MCN believers that more disciple makers will be raised.

• You may participate by being involved through short-term mission trips.

• Pray that many more Methodist churches in Singapore will be involved in Nepal ministry through long term partnership.

• You may give financially to support the work and ministry.

• You may contribute towards the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) that provides subsidies for needy students.

THAILAND Vision for Thailand: To fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in Thailand.

Church Planting Work • Genesis Methodist Church • Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church

Community Development Work • Mettakij Hostel • Term Fun Home • Vineyard Methodist School • Vineyard Childcare Centre • Little Candles School • Rangsit Crematorium • Income-Generating Projects

• Pangbok Methodist Church • Payakaphumphisai Methodist Church • Payakondee Methodist Church • Rangsit Methodist Church • Sanklang Methodist Church • Sanphranet Methodist Church • Santi Methodist Church • Shineforth Methodist Church • Water of Life Methodist Church • Huey Krong Preaching Point • Kamtakla Preaching Point • Khlong 8 Preaching Point • Life Preaching Point • Nongothong Preaching Point • Nongsatit Preaching Point • Nongsomboon Preaching Point • Papae Preaching Point • Roiet Preaching Point • Subchareon Preaching Point • Subpunnue Preaching Point • Thungyao Preaching Point

FIELDSUPDATE 17

Your Response • You may make small financial contributions to support church planting and discipleship programme.

• You may support a youth to take up study at a seminary school (tertiary education).

• You may support pastors’ children with their school fee and educational needs.

Our Challenges • Mobilising church members with a passion to plant new preaching points.

• Fanning into flame member’s appetite for winning souls, and equipping and building disciples.

• Identifying, motivating church youth to undergo seminary studies for pastoral and church leaders succession planning.

• Canvassing partner churches from Singapore to aid in the church-planting and disciple-building programmes.

• You may volunteer to teach English or Chinese Language at Vineyard Methodist School or Little Candles School.

• You may organise mission trips to churches in Thailand that may need help with outreach programmes or community services over the Easter and Christmas periods.

Pray • Pray for all pastors to have a renewed and revived passion, commitment, wisdom, and perseverance in the implementation of disciple making strategy for their local churches.

• Mustering mature pastors to help mentor pastors in rural districts in disciple-making, shepherding, and organising outreach events.

• Pray for God’s protection of the pastors and their families from the fiery arrows of the evil ones who are daily battling for attention and distracting the focus of God’s servants.

• Raising fund for the operations of Community Development programmes like Mettakij Hostel, Huey Paraai Hostel, and Term Fun Home.

• Pray for church members to rise up with courage when there are opportunities and open doors to plant new churches and preaching points.

• Recruiting Singapore MOE-trained English and Chinese Language teachers to take on teaching positions in Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles School.

• Pray for supplies of resources and funds to enable the churches to carry out their ministries.

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TIMOR-LESTE Vision for Timor-Leste: In pursuit of Christian unity, full maturity in Christ for His Kingdom’s goals.

Community Development Work • Sundermeier Home • Methodist School Our Challenges • The children in Timor-Leste do not have accessibility to quality education.

• The people face malnutrition and health issues in remote districts.

Your Response • You may contribute towards the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) that provides subsidies for needy students.

Pray • Pray for God’s favour as the missionaries engage the locals in community development projects.

• Pray for God’s strength and wisdom to be upon all who are involved in the advancement of God’s kingdom in Timor-Leste.

• Pray for the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Timorese under the umbrella of Methodist work in Timor-Leste.

• Pray for the youth in Sundermeier Home to grow spiritually, physically and academically.

• Pray for churches and individuals to support the fund-raising efforts in building the Methodist School in Timor-Leste.

FIELDSUPDATE 19

VIETNAM Vision for Vietnam: To be a House of Blessings to all nations by building strong biblical disciples (Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20) and reaching out in Christian love and deeds (Great Commandment – Matthew 22:37).

Church Planting Work • International Christian Fellowship (ICF-HCMC) Community Development Work Financially supporting: • Sunlight Boys Shelter

Your Response • You may consider coming to visit ICF in order to understand and appreciate our purpose for existence and the good works being done here.

• You may also financially support MMS-FNGO social projects and ICF social concerns.

• Sunrise Girls Shelter • Go Vap Centre for Cultivation and Sponsorship of Children • Some needy families Our Challenges • We have to apply for official written approval for many of our procedures.

Pray • Pray to the Lord of Harvest for more labourers in the field. We need mature Christians who are experts in various fields (professionals, businesspeople, social entrepreneurs) to join ICFHCMC. • Pray for good rapport with local officials, and local church pastors and leaders.

• There are language and cultural barriers.

• We need patience to build trust and commitment with people to have a common vision and mission. MMS-FNGO (Foreign Non-Governmental Organisations) is short of human resources and manpower to expand our social concerns here.

EMAIL mms@methodist.org.sg for more information on the seven mission fields

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Fancy a CUPPA?

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

W

hen you visit a country, you would probably want to try out some of its popular drinks or beverages. Here, we have selected seven types of drink you must try when you visit the seven mission fields. Have you tried them all?

CAMBODIA Fresh Coconut Juice (or Dteuk Doung Dtra-jeak in Khmer) is one of the easiest and safest refreshing drinks to have on a hot summer day. In Cambodia, fresh young coconuts are abundant and cheap. You can get one from a street side stall. It will be cut open in front of you and served with a straw. And thankfully the shell keeps the natural juice sterile. After you have sipped up the juice, you can scrape off the tender flesh inside with a spoon.

EAST ASIA Chinese Tea is a beverage made from the leaves of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) and boiled water. Tea leaves are processed using traditional Chinese methods. Chinese tea is consumed throughout the day, including during meals, as a substitute for plain water, for health, or for simple pleasure. Chinese tea can be classified into five distinctive categories: white, green, oolong, black and post-fermented. Green tea is the most popular type.

LAOS Lao Coffee began to be cultivated on the Bolaven Plateau about 100 years ago when the country was still part of French Indochina. Today, coffee is one of largest export products of the country. Lao Coffee is served in a glass with a rich layer of condensed milk at the bottom. The coffee is made using finely ground coffee beans that are strained in a netted black bag (the sock) with steaming hot water. It is described as dark and sweet. It is also popular as iced coffee.

NEPAL Masala Chai (or Spiced Milk Tea) is a flavoured tea beverage made by brewing milk tea with a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs. It is a popular tea in Nepal.

Masala refers to the combination of spices like cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. The simplest traditional method of preparation is through decoction by boiling a mixture of milk and water with loose leaf tea, sweeteners, and whole spices. And then the residues are strained off before serving.

SAMESAMEBUTDIFFERENT

THAILAND Cha Yen (or Thai Iced Tea) is a Thai drink made from strongly brewed Ceylon tea. Orange blossom water, star anise, crushed tamarind seed or red and yellow food colouring, and sometimes other spices are added. This sweet creamy beverage is sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and served chilled. When you buy it from the street and market stalls in Thailand, it is typically poured over the crushed ice in a clear (or translucent) plastic bag or tall plastic cups.

TIMOR-LESTE Timor Coffee is the primary export commodity to countries around the world. Major coffee chain Starbucks also has Timor coffee beans available under its Reserve range.

The high altitudes and fertile soil in various districts are optimal coffee growing conditions, resulting in production of high quality specialty coffee beans. The coffee varietals grown organically in Timor are mainly Arabica or a local Timor hybrid that are high in acidity with fruity notes. The best coffee, hailing from the Letefoho region of Ermera district, is described as being ‘creamy’ with ‘green apple, sour cherry, lemon, and peach’ flavour notes. (Source: coffeestrategies.com/2016/12/08/timor-lestecoffee-quality-competition-won-smallholder-farmer)

VIETNAM Viet Ca Phe (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) is a traditional Vietnamese coffee that uses medium to coarse ground dark roast Vietnamese-grown coffee with a small metal Vietnamese drip filter. After the hot water is added, the drip filter releases drops of hot coffee slowly into a cup. This finished cup of hot coffee is then quickly poured into a glass full of ice making the finished Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê đá). It is popular to drink this coffee by filling up with the coffee cup with about 2-3 tablespoons (more if you like your coffee on the sweeter side) of sweetened condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá) prior to the drip filter process.

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.

Photo source: Fresh Coconut Juice – https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zS3PcjhhJQo/hqdefault.jpg Chinese Tea – http://wikybrew.com/prepare-chinese-tea/ Lao Coffee – http://www.beijing-visitor.com/laos/luang-prabang-cafes Masala Chai – http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spiced-milk-tea-masala-chai-355421 Cha Yen – http://chayenthaicookery.com/thai-iced-tea-or-coffee-2-95/ Timor Coffee – http://coraltriangle.blogs.panda.org/coral-triangle/a-day-in-the-east-timorese-life.jpg

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CAMBODIA

Improving the Quality of TEACHING I M

MS Education Committee organised hands-on training sessions for the teachers at the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC) in September 2016.

The training team, made up of Sandra Kumasamy, Seow Hong Kiang, Magdalene Kooi, Cecilia Lim, and Richard Seow, with facilitators Ng Wei Min and Adeline Seow, arranged for two types of training. Members of the middle management team (MMs) in the school were briefed on planning for the school while teachers covered topics on assessment of students, who were divided into beginner and intermediate levels for English language skills.

Cecilia Lim is from Living Waters Methodist Church.

She has been on short mission trips to teach English since the late 1990s – to share her teaching experience with local teachers and to build His kingdom on earth.

MIDDLE MANAGEMENT TRAINING Sandra and Hong Kiang conducted workshops on Strategic Planning Process – SWOT (Internal Scan – Strengths and Weaknesses; and External Scan – Opportunities and Threats) and Formulating the school’s Strategic Plan dealing with areas like Strategic Thrusts, Goals, Key Performance Indicators, Strategies, and Timelines. These skills will help the management to look and plan ahead for the continuing success of the school. Training leaders also focussed on leading and managing. We adapted from William Glasser’s Choice Theory looking into Needs, Stories and Actions and shared how MMs can better manage their staff with positive outcomes. Case studies were used to discuss strategies to manage difficult situations.

MOTIVATION WORKSHOP 11 teachers attended this six-hour workshop that was part of the on-going leadership training at MSC. The participants were taken through the key principles of Glasser’s Choice Theory. Using case studies, the team explored some common school problems and sought to review them through their newly acquired knowledge. The feedback was very positive and the team also identified other training needs.

ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP This workshop was conducted, based on a request by the school principal.

About 43 teachers attended the 5½-hour workshop which was for teachers to be able to craft quality assessment questions or tasks both for formative

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IN CAMBODIA 2

and summative assessment. While some teachers knew Bloom’s new Taxonomy, most did not. Through various activities, the participants crafted different types of questions and higher thinking order questions. Based on their reflections, the teachers responded positively to the concept that checking for learning should take place all the time in the classroom.

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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY PROGRAMMES We had two groups for these programmes: One for English teachers, conducted by Richard and Adeline, and the other for beginners and intermediate level speakers as well as teachers with Basic English proficiency, conducted by Cecilia and Magdalene and facilitated by Wei Min. The management and teachers were enthusiastic and participated actively in the training. They left armed with better skills and learnt from the experienced group of trainers over the three days in Cambodia.

The feedback was very positive and encouraging; and participants wanted more of such training. We were touched by the keen and active participation of the teachers. We are indeed grateful for the meaningful opportunity to serve the school and to give glory to His name and to extend His kingdom here on earth.

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1 Group photo of teachers and trainers 2 Sandra and Hong Kiang conducting a workshop on Strategic Planning Process 3 Pair-work and team-work teaching is encouraged 4 Sandra conducting an assessment workshop for 43 teachers.

5 Richard and Adeline addressing English teachers on teaching upper secondary classes.

6 Cecilia conducting a workshop for English teachers on how to prepare an interactive teaching of English.

What is Methodist School of Cambodia?

MSC provides education for Cambodian children from nursery through Grade 12. Coursework is aligned with the Khmer National Curriculum, with added instruction in English, IT, and Christian Education. For more information, contact us or visit www.facebook.com/methschcam

PRAY • Pray for God’s guidance for the school board as they work together to bring the school to the next phase.

• Pray for the teachers to teach the students with love and grace.

• Pray for the HODs and teachers to embrace changes in terms of teaching methodology and student learning styles.

• Pray for the students to continue to show respect and honour to the teachers.

• Pray for us missionaries in the school for opportunities to disciple the teachers and students.

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LAOS

The RAINBOW Connection 12

Dr Eileen Aw is the Chairperson of SMS School Board.

She is from Wesley Methodist Church and she enjoys cooking for people.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in the April 2017 issue of Methodist Message.

It was edited by Rev Teresa Wilborn, who is the MMS Area Director of Laos, and she worships in Aldersgate Methodist Church.

years ago, it was a glorious rainbow that sealed God’s call to Lesley and Kok Liang Yeow to live and serve in Vientiane, Laos. In faith, they started a centre for teaching English language to adults. Landlocked Laos is one of the world’s few remaining communist states and one of East Asia’s poorest nations.

The Yeows soon discovered that good schools were needed in this developing country. Encouraged by like-minded Singaporean friends in Vientiane and back home, they started ‘play and learn’ English sessions for children aged three to five years in 2010. Four years later, these two-hour sessions had grown to a full-day school.

Registered as a foreign enterprise, The Singapore Mission School (SMS) eventually secured an education licence to teach kindergarten and primary students. To maintain this licence, the Laotian Ministry of Education indicated that additional classrooms and facilities would have to be constructed. As SMS was funded entirely by donations from family and friends, it seemed unlikely that this requirement could be met.

As an answer to prayer, the Lord brought SMS and MMS together in 2013 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in support of an educational ministry in Laos. Through this partnership, funds were raised that enabled the school extension to be built. The construction of a beautiful, three-storey building was completed in December 2016.

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On 23 February 2017, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung dedicated the SMS extension to the glory of God. MMS representatives, friends and supporters were present for this joyous event. The children drew jigsaw pieces and shared their personal expressions of love and appreciation for the school.

Later that evening, parents and government officials were invited to join an open house celebration. The event was appropriately themed “The Rainbow Connection”, and the students enthralled the audience with songs, dances, and a performance based on the story of Noah’s Ark.

What is Singapore Mission School?

SMS provides holistic education in English and Lao for the coming generations of Lao people who will possess the right moral, mental and educational upbringing to positively influence their community and country through excellent service in all sectors of society. For more information, contact us or visit www.facebook.com/sms.vientiane

PRAY Pray for Methodist churches in Singapore to journey alongside SMS in providing quality education and Christian values for Laotian children. Qualified primary teachers, missionaries and volunteers are urgently needed to support the teaching and operational responsibilities of the school!

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NEPAL

Prayer and Spiritual WARFARE RETREAT “P

Noel Tam is the MMS Home Director and also the Country Coordinating Officer for Nepal. He loves cooking for the family and enjoys his time with his two grandsons. He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church.

rayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life… Real prayer is life creating and life changing.” Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline The Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) conducts regular training for pastors, leaders and laity. Over the last two years, they have received training in ‘Journey to Holiness’, ‘Healing & Deliverance Ministry’, and ‘Hearing the Voice of God’.

Following the theme of Spiritual Holiness, MCN arranged for Brenda Goh to teach on the spiritual discipline of prayer.

44 pastors, leaders and young adults participated in this retreat which was held at Wesley Bardan Methodist Church in Kathmandu from 21 to 24 March 2017. This was the first time every MCN church and preaching point was represented. The objective of the retreat was to enhance the personal prayer life of the participants and to equip them to minister to their communities.

The retreat covered the biblical teachings and principles of prayer. To express the multi-facetted nature of our relationship with God, training in different forms of prayer (Listening, Intercessory, Warfare, Meditative, and Healing) was given. The participants shared and had group practicum. The retreat concluded with a time of ministry during which 23 people received healing for various physical ailments.

Hearts were opened and mighty was the move of the Holy Spirit! Many had wonderful and blessed encounters with the Lord!

14 young adults throughout MCN attended this retreat. This augured well for the future leadership of MCN. Shishir BK, Simon Rong and Christina Pandey shared their experiences at the retreat:

Shishir BK

Simon Rong

Christina Pandey

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What motivated you to attend this Retreat?

Shishir : T he hunger and thirst to know more about Jesus Christ and to seek His presence in my life and to exalt His name!

Simon : A s I have just joined MCN, I believe this retreat will help prepare me for my ministry. I hope to learn more about prayer and enrich my spiritual walk with Jesus Christ.

Christina : I t has been some time since I last attended a training course that will enhance my spiritual life. My desire to serve God more effectively encouraged me to attend this retreat.

How has this Retreat changed you?

Shishir : P rayer was just a part of my life. I now know much more about prayer and it has brought me to a higher level. Learning about the different forms of prayer has enabled me to grow deeper in my relationship with God. Simon : I realised that there is much more to prayer. There is a different way to pray for different situations. I also realised that Jesus has given me the authority to pray in His name. I am looking forward to practice what I have learnt to improve my personal life as well as the lives of those that I share the gospel with.

Christina : I have a better understanding of the discipline of prayer and how I can pray for those who are in need of ministry. Having been taught the different forms of prayer, I can now pray more confidently and effectively. I thank God for this opportunity and for the Singapore team that has shown so much love towards us.

Over the years, MCN has grown numerically and spiritually. These seminars and retreats equip the present and future leaders with the spiritual foundation to enable them to reach out to the unreached and to advance His Kingdom in Nepal. There was a resounding affirmation by the participants on how much they had benefitted. MMS will continue to support MCN with more trainings for their clergy and laity to equip them holistically. We continue to pray and uplift the ministry in Nepal as MCN works towards its vision of ‘Redeeming Nepal for Jesus Christ’!

Editor’s note: This article was first published in the May 2017 issue of Methodist Message.

Who is Brenda Goh? Following the theme of ‘Spiritual Holiness’, MCN arranged for Brenda Goh, the (Lay) Head of Department overseeing the Prayer and Intercession ministry of St John’s – St Margaret’s Church to teach on the spiritual discipline of prayer. For several years prior to this, Brenda has also been teaching on the areas of Prayer, Intercession, and Hearing the Voice of God.

PRAY • Pray for the participants of the retreat to grow deeper in their personal and spiritual walk with Christ through effective prayer.

• Pray for the leaders of MCN as they strategize their plans through Church Planting and Community Development to transform lives.

• Pray for God’s outpouring of wisdom upon the government and His blessings upon the people of this beautiful country.

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NEPAL

Team VISVASA T

Iris Li just graduated from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and is currently attending Covenant Community Methodist Church.

eam Visvasa, made up of eight youth and two mentors from various Methodist churches in Singapore, embarked on a Trackers mission trip to Nepal. Our team name, which was inspired by a fusion of words ‘Faith’ and ‘Hope’ in Nepali, encapsulated our team’s desire to bring hope to the community through our faith in the healing love of Jesus Christ.

We dedicated 11 days in February 2017 to serve God’s kingdom through sports and medical ministry in three different parts of Nepal — Tanahun, Fasidol and Kathmandu.

At Tanahun District in West Nepal, a competitive soccer tournament was held in an open field among the mountains by a local pastor, Ps Singa, to attract villagers through a sports outreach. The Trackers built sincere relationships with the local youth by interacting through sports like volleyball, frisbee and soccer, as well as conversing and taking Polaroid photos with the women and children.

After the tournament, Ps Singa gave his sermon and we performed a ‘Set Free’ skit that reflected on the possible vices that may distract the locals from a life with Jesus. We also sang a worship song ‘Good Good Father’ to bless them.

A difficulty we faced was coming out of our comfort zones to integrate with the locals. As we were not the best candidates to participate in the soccer tournament, most of the Trackers had to improvise ways to facilitate outreach given this limitation. We soon realised that serving in ministry goes beyond the planned programmes and the tangible acts of service. Just as Jesus did, the way to bring God’s love to people was to be proactive in reaching out to the last, the least and the lost, to always act in love and humility, and to be living testimonies for God. At Fasidol Village, where a brick factory site was located, we partnered with a small medical team from Grace Methodist Church to set up medical camps that would provide medical service to the villagers. We assisted the doctors in the areas of administration, pharmacy and health education. A few of us were stationed at the registration booth to measure the patients’

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blood pressure, while Jeffrey controlled and interacted with the locals when a queue was formed. After the patients saw the doctors and were prescribed medicine, we would dispense the medicine at the pharmacy and personally explained and demonstrated how to apply the medicine to the patients.

Moreover, Faith and Leonard taught the brick workers and locals, who engaged in loadlifting related work, how to correctly lift loads so that they would not injure their backs.

We learnt from the medical team to avoid objectifying the local patients despite the temptation to treat them as a number to be cleared once the queues grew longer and the day drew on. The doctors reminded us to treat each patient as if he or she was the first patient we saw that day rather than the 100th. We learnt to put aside our Singaporean tendency to rush for time and the monotony that began to overwhelm us as the day passed, and to serve them with the same magnitude of love, time and energy by looking at them as fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ. We treated each patient as an individual loved by God, and took on the responsibility of being that vessel of love to them. As much as we could, we remembered and called them by their name, incorporated our limited Nepali vocabulary

What is Trackers?

Trackers is a three-month intensive discipleship programme for youth in transition organised by Trinity Annual Conference Youth Ministry (Truthmin).

into conversations, and avoided using clinical gloves while attending to them. We realised the importance of showing love through the small ways we could – to make them feel acknowledged and loved – just as God loves us and calls us by name.

Perhaps the biggest revelation most of us attained from our ministry in Nepal was a dramatic change in perspective towards missionary work. The local missionary GS taught us never to delve into missions with a saviour mentality, focusing on what tangible changes we can affect in our limited time of service there. Instead of judging the situation from the human perspective of community service, we should look directly at the locals and see each individual we encounter through God’s loving lenses. We learnt that the heart of missionary work is about embodying God’s love and sharing it through relationships and friendships built. Though our time of service and fellowship with the locals may be limited and may easily seem futile, we were hopeful in understanding that the short term work we did was one of the many small acts of contribution that added up to a much bigger chain of spiritual and physical change God is orchestrating in the long term.

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NEPAL

Did the MOUNTAINS Call You? I

t was a joke we had; the guys were obsessed with the recent movie ‘Moana’ and were calling Joanna ‘Joana’. It started from a leaf falling on her head and her sock rolling down a steep portion of the hill, but, each time, the guys (and I, maybe) told her that the mountains were calling her.

I know I should have gone into the mission trip with something from God on my heart, but I found it tough. However, here are some similarities I found between our mission trip and Moana.

Sarah Amanda Folk Wen-Hui is a 19-year-old child of God from Barker Road Methodist Church. She has a crazy obsession of organising other’s rooms and is excited about what God has in store for her in the life ahead of her.

Moana had many firsts.

It was her first time leaving her island, first time sailing and first time going past the reefs. I had many firsts. It was my first time going on a mission trip without my family and going on a medical and dental trip. I was excited about what there was to come, though uncertain about how it would be like interacting with people I was not so familiar with.

Moana had a mission.

It was to get Maui to ‘board [her] boat and restore the heart to Te Fiti.’ We had a mission. It was to make an avenue for the pastors to interact with the Nepalese to make way for future connections with them, for example, through the church. The pastors did translations and prayed with Nepalese who were comfortable. We gave the excuse for the Nepalese to come to the pastors.

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Moana learnt many things.

She learnt how to sail, make decisions and find purpose in what she was called to do. I, and probably the rest of the mission team, learnt many things. I learnt how to sterilise dental instruments, pack medicine, and assist the dentists. I also learnt more about my fellow mission trippers most of whom I had not met before.

Thinking back, although this may not be something directly related to the people we aimed to touch in Nepal, I feel that God put me on this mission trip because He wanted to bring me out of my comfort zone and learn independence in doing missions in such a way.

So my question to you is: “Did the mountains call you?”

Testimony by Joanna (Joana): The Nepal trip really changed my perspective on medical missions. I realised what it meant to be both a doctor and a Christian at the same time— that we’re not there just to treat patients, but to further God’s kingdom! Besides the medical work we were doing, God had already begun working in their hearts. Two years on since our first trip to Khanibanjyang, the villagers were now more open to us and there were more believers in the area. Praise God for the work He has started and will bring to completion! Though we weren’t able to help them as much medically due to limited resources, God was pleased with us doing our part to love and do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). How incredible it is when God uses us empty vessels to be part of His plan!

PRAY • Pray for Nepalese to be more receptive to their pastors and to want to go to Church despite the distance and terrain.

• Pray for more Churches to be set up around each hill and existing Churches to continue strong in the faith so that Nepalese have easier access to Church.

• Pray for the training of existing and new pastors so that more Churches can be set up and pastors not spread so thin.

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THAILAND

Dedication of a New Block at VINEYARD METHODIST SCHOOL O

Rev Dianna Khoo is the MMS Area Director and Mission Superintendent of Thailand. She loves to enjoy a good cup of coffee to start the day.

n a hot and sunny morning on 13 March 2017, a new school building of Vineyard Methodist School (VMS) was dedicated by our Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung. It houses additional classrooms and a multi-purpose hall. Also present were members of the VMS School Board and representatives from MMS. There was a wonderful atmosphere of celebration as students, staff and supporters alike joined in the dedication service. At the entrance to the new school auditorium was a memorial plaque dedicated to the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim, MMS Founding Executive Director.

Mr Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman of the Muangthai Mettakij Foundation welcomed all special guests both from Thailand and Singapore as well as the children and their parents to the dedication service.

Also present that morning was Mr Preecha Chuechart who is the Director of the Ministry of Education, Chiang Mai School District 2. He congratulated the school and staff for achieving high standards in the 2015/2016 O-Net examination, scoring higher aggregates

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than the national level in all subjects. (O-Net is the primary school leaving examination.)

Mrs Mayuri Yoktree who chairs the Evaluation and Development (Province of Chiang Mai) mentioned, “The school has good academic standards, efficiency and clarity. It is a leading education institution.

Parents who send their children to this school should be confident that their children will be schooled well. But more importantly, they will be nurtured to be children of integrity and good character.”

This was echoed by Mrs Pannee Sahasawien, Vice President of the Association of Private Schools. Rev Dr Buakab Ronghanan, President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand, Northern Thailand, who also added her encouraging words for the occasion.

It was particularly interesting to have present at the school, local crafts persons from the area displaying and selling their handicrafts. And of course, the service would not be complete without the participation of Editor’s note: This article was first published in the June 2017 issue of Methodist Message.

the staff and children of the school. The younger children showcased their musical skills and the older ones performed a Thai dance.

VMS has a total enrolment of 445 children to date.

Dr Lionel Lee, Chairperson of VMS School Board summed it up nicely when he said, “Children’s education is a God-given mandate and privilege of VMS. The Bible said, ‘bring up a child in the way he ought to walk, when he is old he will not depart from it.’”

It is indeed the sacred duty of the Principal Mrs Sungwan Yeo and her team, as well as a great privilege to play a significant part in the lives of the children entrusted to them at VMS.

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Front row of the ribbon cutting ceremony: Rev Henry Yeo, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, Ms Pannee Sahasawien, Mr Prachuab Kanthiya (Vice Governor of Chiang Mai), Mr Disakul Kasemsawat (Inspector General of the Ministry of Education), and Mr Suchad Chiaranussati.

What is Vineyard Methodist School?

VMS provides formal education with Christian morals principles from Kindergarten to Primary School children. The school was officially opened in 2004. In 2012, the first school block was dedicated by Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon.

PRAY • Pray for the principal, teachers and staff members.

• Pray for the students to do well in their studies and to grow in Christ-like character.

• Pray for those who are not yet Christians to come to know the Lord through the school.

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.

ORDER FORMM Items

Qty

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)

Total (S$)

Subtotal My donation for MMS My contribution to defray postage cost

TOTAL

PERSONAL INFORMATION Name [Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms] Mailing Address

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[home]

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Church

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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 mail cheque and completed form to: METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY • 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.

Thank you for your gift and support. For more information, please contact us at 6478 4818.

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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)

$

Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund $

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Non-Residential)* General $ @ S$45 per month

(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 COSI Ministry Expenses Emmaus Women’s Centre – ministry expenses Post COSI Integration Programme

$ $ $ $

East Asia Church Ministry Support Social / Community Engagement Programme

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 School Ministry

Vietnam

V ietnam Children’s Fund

Printing And Postage Cost

Harvest Force & PrayerConnect

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

“My Father’s Business” Banquet

$

Others (please specify):

$

PERSONAL INFORMATION Name [Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms]

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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.

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

HOMEINON... 39

MMS Family Bishop Dr Chong has appointed REV DR ALEX CHNG as a Missionary Pastor for a four-year term with effect from 1 April 2017. He is an ordained Elder with the Chinese Annual Conference, and he has expressed a passion for outreach and training. He is now the Regional Director for the South Gate section of East Asia, but home-based for the first year.

Dear Lord, we commit Ps Alex and his wife, Susan, to You as they transit to EA. We pray that Ps Alex may get on smoothly with the task of building up the national believers. May You grant him wisdom and passion to reach out to the people. Amen.

We have a new Administrative Executive & PA to MMS Executive Director. She is RASANYA ISABELLA GNASEGARAN who joined us on 4 April 2017. Rasanya worships at Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church and is the Church Treasurer and MYF President. She recently finished her studies at NUS. Mandy Ng has left MMS.

Dear Lord, we thank You for bringing Rasanya to MMS. May she find favour with You and everyone she meets in the office. We pray for Your wisdom and grace as she serves you in MMS. May You continue to lead and guide her. Amen.

We have a new Associate Missionary, RENCY RAJAN. Bishop has appointed her to TimorLeste with effect from 1 May 2017. Rency is from Mumbai, India and she is a member of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church in India. A few years ago, the Diocese of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Singapore began exploring Timor-Leste as a possible mission field.

These two churches connected up when they learnt of her calling.

Early this year, Rency spent two months in Gleno teaching English amongst other duties.

During that time, her sense of calling grew. And after undergoing the whole missionary application process, she was recommended for appointment. She will be serving in the school ministry while learning the national language. Prior to joining MMS, she was a trainer for a HR company in India.

Dear Lord, we thank You for Rency and we pray for Your grace and empowering to be upon her for the ministry in Timor-Leste. Amen.

40

HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

VOLUNTEER Appreciation Celebration About 70 people turned up for the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration on 8 April 2017 to celebrate their service to the Lord. We thank all our volunteers who have come alongside us. Without whom, MMS would not have come so far.

Bishop Dr Chong gave an inspiring exhortation, and Robert Chew shared his testimony.

As part of MMS 25th Anniversary celebration, we especially thanked some faithful volunteers who have journeyed with us for many years. To these, we gave away the Chairman’s Awards, which acknowledged individuals, couples and group who were involved in the pioneering works and development of MMS. These volunteers have contributed significantly and displayed a spirit of initiative, teamwork, courage and self-sacrifice. They are Albert Low, Andrew Tay, Big 3 Productions, Chou Fang Soong & Deborah, Danny & Julie Ng, Dorothy Chan, Dr Grace Hsu, Dr Ong Eng Keow, Dr Simon Chong, Jimmy Tay, John Lim Thuan Woon, John Seet & Nancy Tay & Mailing Team, Juliette Arulrajah, Lyndon Gan, Pearlie Lim, Prof Lionel Lee, Robert & Linda Chew, Suchad Chiaranussati, and Tan Hua Joo.

Dear Lord, we thank You for all our Volunteers. We pray that You bless and keep them in Your perfect peace as they serve You. Strengthen them to do the work You have tasked them to do. Amen.

HOMEINON... 41

42

HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

What Missionaries Wish You Knew A THE INCOME GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR BREAKS OUR HEARTS

M

Ting Siew Lee is the Executive Director of COCOON. Her ideal retirement job is to volunteer at an orang-utan sanctuary.

issionaries shuffle between two very different worlds as cultural brokers. To be credible before church administrators and board members, we have to speak the language of management and finance. We stand before the rich and powerful, speaking with eloquence and confidence, so as to secure resources for the local people we represent. For us, the stakes are high. Every resolution, every budget item and every decision affects the lives of individuals whom we know and love.

We see both wealth and poverty up close. We relate to the very powerful, and the very powerless. We speak in carpeted, airconditioned conference rooms, sounding like experts, but a few days later, we sit with the poor and vulnerable, hearing stories that break our hearts, unable to find words to express our empathy.

Recently, I had to spend hundreds of dollars on my pet cat because he fell very sick and needed treatment. I ask myself why it is that I have the resources to take care of my pet, even as I hear my Timorese youth tell me that they have no money to pay for a ride to school.

We live in a very unequal and unjust world. Missionaries are forced to face that reality all the time. We hope you will too, and that your hearts will also break.

FACEBOOK LIKES DO NOT PAY THE BILLS

Editor’s note: Due to popular demand, after her previous article in HF 2017 issue 1, Siew Lee is writing a few more articles on missionary’s honest take on some issues that are usually not discussed.

The truth is missions cost money, especially mission to the poor.

They cannot afford to pay for the essential goods and services that the missionaries are providing. And so, someone else has to foot the bill. Nothing is free. Everything has a value, and we will always pay for what we value.

Let me ask you a question. If you look at your tithing and your giving, is there any evidence that you value the poor the way Jesus did when He lived among us?

Every now and then, missionaries share stories about the suffering and deprivation that the local people go through. To be honest, we do not do that often. There is an unspoken loyalty among

HFSPECIAL 43

About MONEY? friends that does not publicise personal tragedies. But when we do share stories of injustice and lack, it is because we feel compelled to sound the call, so that people can come together and right a wrong.

And more often than not, it will take more than a Facebook “like” to do that.

Facebook “likes” do not put food on the table. They cannot be used to pay staff salaries, or send a village girl to university. They do not become pocket money so a hungry teenager can eat something before a long walk home from school. As much as we appreciate your warm and encouraging words, your affirmation, your well wishes for our ministry, deep down, we really wish you would match your giving to your rhetoric. This is the hard truth we would like you to know.

When you give sacrificially and radically, you do not just give to the poor. You also give us courage and hope to keep serving with all our hearts. You tell us that you too value the people whom God values, and whom we love. You tell us that we are not alone, and that you believe in the fight, way more than a Facebook “like” could ever communicate.

44

HARVESTFORCE 2017 • 2

A CLARION Call R

Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung 新加坡卫理公会会督 is the Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Besides hymns, he also loves to listen to and sing old Chinese songs like 何日君再来，绿岛小夜 曲，风雨同路，朋友.

ecently I visited several of our mission fields which are all in developing countries. In these fields, MMS is working in the cities, villages and rural areas, to help the indigenous people with formal education and English classes, enhance their living conditions, care for orphans, provide conducive places for gatherings and worship for foreign workers, help the residents initiate community development projects, and others. Concurrently, our ministry workers are seeking opportunities to share the gospel with the communities they serve in.

Two of these mission fields left a deep impression on me. These two fields in Cambodia and Thailand have started the process to become a Provisional Annual Conference and Mission Conference respectively. Although there are still approvals to be obtained, the pastors, missionaries and lay people are making preparations. Besides training the disciples, leaders and future pastors, they are also actively looking into organising their finance budgets and the process for the collection of tithes and offerings. Pastors and laity are working closely together to reach self-sufficiency as soon as possible. As I chaired the executive meetings and worked with them, there were good feelings all around.

As these areas did not originally have any Methodist presence, the work was initiated by MMS, the Annual Conferences and church co-workers together, to call for all Methodists to be concerned and to adopt these areas as harvest fields for their annual conferences or local conferences’ blessings. Today, we can see the fruit. These two regions have established highly reputable local primary and secondary schools, social services and meeting places. Many new nationals came along to be involved and to serve, and some are even preparing to become full-time preachers and pastors.

Each time I visit these mission fields, and listen to the testimonies of the national people on how they came to know Jesus, I am deeply moved and encouraged. It is as described in Psalms 126:5-6, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

This is not about whom or whose work and accomplishment. This is about the prayers, involvement, offerings, and cooperative fruit of the brothers and sisters of the Methodist Church in Singapore. And especially, it is about God, who 132 years ago inspired the American missionaries Rev James Thoburn and Rev William Oldham, from the South India Annual Conference, to come to Singapore, which at that time was a small but flourishing town. And it is about the Holy Spirit who inspired the setting up of preaching points and the building of schools, continuing to inspire the Methodist Church in Singapore.

Let us continue passing on the baton of missions and evangelism! That the flame and passion for evangelism remains burning brightly. This is a clarion call for evangelism, just like a flaming torch lifted high, to send a loud and clear message to all disciples that the Great Commission demands our response.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

高举福音火炬传承福音使命 我

最近探访了几个卫理宣教会的宣教区，它们都在发展中的国家。新加 坡卫理宣教会在那些地区的城市、乡村、山区协助当地居民改善教 育、开班讲授英语、加添和改进当地居住设施和卫生、照顾孤儿、给外地劳 工提供交谊敬拜的场所、帮助居民设立经济改进计划等。当然，在条件许 可下我们的同工都会争取机会向所服侍的群体分享福音。 最令我印象深刻的是其中有两个宣教区—柬埔寨和泰国。这两个宣教 区已经准备申请为当地自治独立的临时年议会及宣教议会 。虽然还需 等待各个政府部门的批准，但牧师、宣教士及当地的信徒们都在积极筹 备，除了栽培信徒领袖，未来的传道牧师；他们也在经济预算和奉献上 操练，教牧和信徒彼此鼓励，希望早日自立自养。我在他们当中主持执 行会议时，感触良深。因为这些地区原本没有卫理教会，一开始就是由 卫理宣教会和年会及堂会同工同筹，号召卫理信徒关心及考虑认领这些 地区为年会或堂会祝福的福音禾场。如今我们看见了成果。这两个地区已 经有了声誉卓越的当地中、小学校、社区服务、聚会场所。许多新人加入教 会、许多当地人参与服侍，甚至预备受装备成为全职的传道人和牧师。 每一次出访这些宣教区，可以聆听到当地居民见证他们认识耶稣的感 人经历，令我受激励和感动。正如圣经说“流泪撒种的必要欢呼收割，那 带种流泪出去的， 必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来”。（诗篇126：5-6） 这不是谁或任何单位的工作，这是新加坡卫理教会弟兄姐妹的祷告、 参与、奉献、同心合意的成果。更是上帝在132年前感动美国宣教士多尔本牧师 和阿尔汉牧师，从南印度年议会来新加坡—当时不过是刚开发的小城镇， 宣教布道和建立学校，圣灵继续感动新加坡的卫理教会传承使命！ 宣教，传福音的棒要继续传递下去！传福音的热忱火炬，在 今天这个时代更要高高举起，要点燃起来！要告诉我们的信 徒，耶稣颁布给我们的大使命，如雷贯耳，必须响应： 你们要去传福音给万民，奉父子圣灵的名给他们 施洗，凡我所吩咐你们的都都教训他们遵守， 我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。 （马太福音28：19-20）