Harvest Force 2016 issue 3

2016 ISSUE

03

MISSIONARYKIDS ~ Heritage from the Lord ~

Every MK is special CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD. ~ Psalm 127:3 NKJV

When I became a father 11 years ago, I was intrigued by this bible verse: “Children are a heritage from the Lord.” It did not really occur to me until then that children are not the fruits of chance. But every child is a gift, a blessing from God. I am very grateful for not one but two gifts from God. Like any parent, we try to provide the best for our two children. Although we may not be rich, Sharon and I believe in imparting something much more important to our kids – good character traits and godly values.

I am also very curious how our MMS Missionaries raise their children.

Our missionaries have given themselves fully to serve the Lord, and that included transferring their families to a foreign land. There must be some initial struggles with the Lord. Some may still be struggling. Now that the missionary families are relocated, the important question we have to ask is how we can support these missionaries and their children, –fondly referred as MKs (Missionary Kids).

In this issue of HF, we got the missionary parents to reveal their hopes and concerns for their MKs. Read from page 7. We also interviewed some MKs and got to know them a little better so that we can minister to them as well. Read from page 10.

Rev Philip Lim, MMS Executive Director, served as an MMS Missionary earlier. Read page 2 for some of his interesting stories on how he raised his young daughter in Cambodia. Read Bishop’s message on how we can be producing healthy MKs on page 43.

Every child is special. Every MK is special. Please pray with and for each and every MK you know.

Leongheng • Editor

Do you have anything to share?

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

Together with the Executive Committee members, Missionaries, Home Staff and our families, we wish you a God-blessed Christmas and a Spiritfilled New Year.

CONTENTS

02

FIRST WORD • Seven years in Cambodia as a Missionary Kid

04

WAZZUP! • Mission Trips • Opportunites to Serve • MMS Banquet 2017 • Vacation with a Mission 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.

PERMIT NUMBER

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim EDITOR Leongheng

06

17

FACE TO FACE • Up Close and Personal with New MMS Chairman

MCI(P) 063/11/2016

DECEMBER 2016

2016 ISSUE

PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

03

CHINESE PROOFREADER Goh Tuan Gee TRANSLATORS Licia Yeo, Ng Hsu-Fen, Thng Pheng Soon

19

THAILAND • Cool to Serve the Lord

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

www.mms.org.sg

mms.org.sg

mms.gram

FIELD FEATURES CAMBODIA • Love Gift to MCC EAST ASIA • The Holy Spirit’s Work: Transformation through Faith

PHOTO CREDITS Alvin Tan, Angela Sng, Benjamin Lee, Clara Toh, Daniel Loo, David Chan, David Khew, Eunice Phang, Gopal Sebastian, Gloria Khoo, Jacob Cheng, Leslie Lim, Low Wee Teck, Mildred Goh, Ong Eng Keow, Philip Lim, Mission team from Education Committee

mms@methodist.org.sg

FEATURE STORY– Missionary Kids • MK Parents: – A Gift from God – Mummy, I miss Singapore • MK: – MKs in Cambodia – MKs in Thailand – MK in Nepal – MKs in Timor-Leste – MK in Vietnam

29

MITE REPORT • Discipleship in Action

31

MMS 25TH ANNIVERSARY • MMS Thanksgiving Service • MMS Missions Conference • MMS Missionary Retreat

38

HOME IN ON...

• MMS Family • MMS new Chairman

40

HF SPECIAL • Current Trends in Mission – Short Term Missions and

Ecological Missions

(Part 3)

43

CLOSING THOTS • Producing Healthy Missionary Kids

02

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

Seven years in Cambodia as a MISSIONARY KID T

Rev Philip Lim 林建隆牧师 is the Executive Director of Methodist Missions Society 卫宣执行主任 He learnt to play the Chinese flute while serving in Cambodia because he felt that it compensated for his weak singing vocal and it was a good platform to engage people.

his issue of the Harvest Force is about Missionary Kids (MK).

So the editor asked me to write something about our daughter. Olivia is now 18 years old and she is in the third year of her polytechnic course.

She was with us throughout our seven-year stay in Cambodia.

Looking back, there were a few concerns when we made the decision to go to the field. For one, we were inexperienced in crosscultural living. Another was safety and security. But high on the list were two things – schooling and health.

People were interested to know about Olivia’s schooling arrangement while we were in Cambodia. When I told them that Olivia did not take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), they almost always responded with a gasp of admiration and incredulity. I also informed them that it was in the middle of the year when we came back, so she joined her Secondary 2 class at mid-year.

It was a struggle trying to get up to speed with those core subjects. But, by the grace of God, she was able to be promoted to the next level every year.

In Singapore, we desire to give our children the best opportunities for education where possible. Plus, we want them to have some soft skills – music and other hobbies. Our intentions are noble as we do not want them to miss out or fall behind others. It might bring embarrassment and stigmatisation.

But we decided to go because

we were certain that education is more than just classrooms and examinations. It is also about inspiring interest in lifelong learning and developing life skills. Hence, we came to accept that the quality of education would be different from Singapore’s.

She had a very different experience. For those years, she accompanied us everywhere we went in Cambodia. She ate with us at the road-side eating shops, went to school in slippers, rode in the tuk-tuk, climbed trees, had a baby owl as her pet, and had a backstage view of her missionary parents in action.

As for health, having access to dependable healthcare was important. Olivia is slightly asthmatic, has enlarged tonsils and a small appetite for food. But we praise God that nothing serious happened during our time there.

But beyond this, we kept an eye on her spiritual health. Hence, we spent time to nurture her relationship with God and inculcated her with biblical values. We took seriously the bible verse: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV) I praise God that she is actively involved in church today. She is part of the worship team and serves in the youth camp committee. Lydia, my wife, has on occasion been anxious

FIRSTWORD 03

那七年的时 光 — 她的 成长之旅

An eight-year-old Olivia.

about her spending too much time on church activities. She was concerned not so much that Olivia would neglect her studies but that she is not getting enough rest! On my side, I often wonder how these experiences will affect her future development. How will it impact her views of the church and ministry? Only time will tell.

Oh, one more thing: the weather in Cambodia is very hot. So in the afternoons on the way home from school, she would get a fresh coconut from a roadside hawker.

After drinking the juice, she would smash the fruit on the concrete floor with all her might to break it. Soon, she would be slurping on the soft translucent coconut flesh by scraping it off the shell with a metal spoon. Today, she misses this activity very much.

“丰

禾”这一期的主题是“宣教士的孩 子”。编者要我写那些年我女儿佳信 在柬埔寨的生活点滴。

突” 车，爬树，她还养了小猫头鹰为宠物。在 拥有这些另类的生活经历之余，她也成为我 们在柬埔寨各样事工活动的幕后“观望者”。

佳信已经十八岁了，就读于新加坡理工学院 的第三年。她伴随我们夫妇在柬埔寨有七戴 之久。在决定离开这里上工场服侍前，我们的 确有好多考量。一来我们都缺乏跨文化的生 活经验；其次要考量的是当地的治安问题。 还有我们最重视的两件事——孩子的教育和 健康。

佳信从小有轻微的哮喘病，她的扁桃体肿大， 对饮食的胃口特别小。我们因此特别在意当 地的医疗设备的可靠信。感谢主，那七年里她 并没有患上任何大疾病。

很多人对她在柬埔寨的学习生活非常感兴 趣。每当我述说佳信没有参加本地小学离校 考试，回到新加坡时刚好是学期中段，她就这 样报读初中二课程。听者总是用羡慕又难以 置疑的眼光来回应。老实说，当时她最大的挣 扎就是如何赶上几个主要科目的进度。不过 神的恩典够用，她每一年都顺利升级。 在新加坡，家长总想为孩子安排最佳的教育。 除正规学业外，更想让孩子有机会学一些课 外的技能，音乐或培养某种爱好。这不外是 怕孩子的表现会落在同侪之后而感到羞愧和 困窘。 虽然有一些顾虑，最终我们还是决定上工场。 我们相信教育不该只局限在课堂和考试上， 还需要包括激发孩子对学习的恒久热忱和生 活技能的学习。因为怀有这些理念，我们欣然 接受与新加坡完全不一样的教育方式。 佳信于是展开了另一段非一般的旅程。她跟 随我们到柬埔寨各角落，和我们一起在路边 小食店歇脚用餐，她穿拖鞋上学，乘坐 “突

我们夫妇也紧记申命记6章6-7节的教导： “我今日吩咐你的这些话，都要记在你的心 上。你要把这些话不断地教训你的儿女，无论 你坐在家里，或行在路上，或躺下，或起来的 时候，都要谈论”。因此，我们都很关注她灵 命的健康，常花时间帮助她与神建立亲密关 系，灌输她圣经的价值标准。 我很感恩，欣慰地看到青年的佳信积极参加 教会的各样活动。她不单是敬拜团的一份子， 也是青少年营的筹委之一。我的太太淑燕看 到女儿投入很多时间在教会的活动，有时不免 会担忧。不是担心会影响女儿的功课，而是担 心她会累倒了。而我呢？更爱用另一个角度来 思考 ：這些年的经历会怎样影响她未来的发 展？这些经历又怎样影响她对教会及事工的 看法？这只能让时间来证明了。 结束前再与您分享一件逸事 。 柬埔寨的气侯 非常炎热。佳信下午放学后喜欢向路边小贩 买一粒新鲜的椰子。喝完鲜甜清香的椰水后， 她就使劲将椰子往地上一砸，椰壳例开后， 她一勺一勺刮起透明鲜嫩的椰肉往嘴里送， 慢慢咀嚼，细细享受。这道地，简朴的生活文 化，至今她仍难以忘怀。

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

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

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 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.

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.

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 Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Fujian 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 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.

• Experienced volunteer English teachers to help at our 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.

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

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

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

• Teachers to support curriculum development and provide instruction for Grade 7 students at the future Methodist 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 27.

MMS is planning for our next Banquet on 27 August 2017 at THE FULLERTON HOTEL. Please pray with us as we plan and organise to raise funds for our work and ministry in the mission fields, especially for a future school in Timor-Leste. We have already begun collecting for these needs. If you wish to contribute, please refer to page 27. Indeed, this is “My Father’s Business” as usual.

Vacation with a Mission

2017

MMS is planning an exploratory trip to Nanjing, Huangshan and Tunxi from 26 April to 3 May 2017. Join us for a great vacation to visit scenic places and at the same time attend the local church services. The cost is S$1,650 which includes air-ticket, insurance, meals, accommodation and land arrangement. For more information and to register, please visit www.mms.org.sg. Please submit the registration form by 28 February 2017. SIGN UP NOW!

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

A GIFT from God C

Low Wee Teck & Chen Qiuluan are missionaries in Cambodia. Qiuluan started serving in Cambodia two years before they got married in June 2014. They were subsequently deployed to the field together in September 2014.

hildren are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. (Psalm 127:3, NLT) Nathan, our firstborn, arrived on 17 September 2015. He is an SG50 baby, born during Singapore’s golden jubilee year. As our nation marked an important milestone, Qiuluan and I embarked on our exciting journey of parenthood.

Just as our young nation had a tumultuous start in the early years, Nathan’s arrival came along with its fair share of challenges. In November 2014, on my father’s 60th birthday, Qiuluan had to be evacuated from Cambodia for a medical emergency. She had been diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy and needed immediate medical care. By the sustaining grace of God, she recovered very well from that bout physically. However, the emotional strain from losing our first pregnancy was taking its toll on us and we needed the healing of God. In our time of grieving and healing, the Holy Spirit reminded us of His promise that we would have a son

AS WE SERVE THE LORD AS A FAMILY IN THE MISSION FIELD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR INCREASING NEED FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.

FEATURESTORY 07

and that we are to name him Nathan. We prayed, and surrendered our desire to have a child unto the Lord, knowing that He makes all things beautiful in His time.

As it turned out, the doctor told us that the surgical procedure for the ectopic pregnancy had helped prime Qiuluan’s body for child-bearing.

She was now in a better position to be pregnant than before. True enough, two months later, we received the good news that Qiuluan was pregnant again. This was when we went to look up the meaning of the name “Nathan” and found out that it means “He gives.” We knew that each child is a gift of God. However, we took this as a specific sign of God’s lovingkindness in our lives. This is God’s promise to us that we would have a son. We received the confirmation during an ultrasound scan at the 20-week milestone of the pregnancy. The entire pregnancy went very smoothly and we were eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little boy.

Nevertheless, we did not expect what laid ahead of us. Qiuluan experienced a very trying delivery and postpartum period. We passed the estimated due date and Nathan decided he was too comfortable in mama’s belly. Qiuluan had been admitted to induce labour and after waiting for 16 hours, she was wheeled into the operating theatre for emergency caesarean section. Nathan was delivered successfully but Qiuluan experienced severe bleeding postpartum and required a blood transfusion. Later, on the day she was supposed to be discharged, she developed a high fever. The doctor said that Qiuluan had contracted E. coli infection. She had to be put through a long series of tests and injections, all the while, trying to nurse our new-born baby. Altogether, she was admitted for three long weeks and had to complete the course of antibiotics as an outpatient for an additional two weeks.

All in all, it was an extremely trying period in our lives. We felt like we were being pushed to our limit. In that crucible of moulding, we found our faith and dependence on the grace of God being reaffirmed. As sure as God has given us this gift of a son, He will give us the grace to raise him up with the reverence and knowledge of His righteousness and grace.

As we prayed for Nathan, the Lord dropped into our hearts to pray Psalm 1:13 (RSV) over Nathan.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

That is truly our hope and desire for him as parents. As we serve the Lord as a family in the mission field, we acknowledge our increasing need for the grace of God. Through every season of our lives, we hope to ground Nathan upon the word of God, our firm foundation. We want Nathan to live by the authority and life-giving power of scripture. Finally, we want Nathan to be a blessing wherever God leads him, loving God and His people.

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

Mummy, I MISS SINGAPORE I

Angela Sng is an MMS Missionary serving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She enjoys reading and baking, and she is also a K-drama fan. She has two MKs, Jed and Zachary.

t was 6.35am. I woke up to the sound of Jed crying.

“What’s wrong, Jed?” “Mummy, I miss Singapore…” Sob… sob…

What do you do when your son tells you this? My heart aches as I see my 5-year-old trying to grapple with the reality of living in two countries. While Jed is born and lives in Thailand, Singapore has become increasingly dear to him as well. He starts to ask questions that I am finding hard to answer.

As a missionary serving in Thailand, my biggest joy is to see how God has prospered the work of our hands. Yet deep down, a part of me often questions if I am short-changing my own boys. Jed is 5 and Zachary is 16 months old. Am I giving the best I can to my boys? Where should I send them for their studies?

Would things have been better for them if we are back in Singapore?

This, I guess, is the challenge that every missionary family faces. Raising our kids in a culture different from one that we grow up in is not easy. I thank God that Jed has been a very adaptable boy since young. Switching languages between English, Mandarin, Thai and Shan is as natural to him as breathing. He enjoys himself in his Thai school every day. However, there are still days when he wakes up crying and asking to go back to Singapore. My boy loves Thailand and sings the Thai national anthem passionately. At the same time, he is learning to sing Majulah Singapura (the Singapore national anthem). Who can blame him for being confused? How do I attempt to explain to him at this young age why daddy and mummy choose to do what we are doing now, and why we are living in Thailand and not in Singapore?

I can only surrender it all to God because “the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV) Truly, as we struggle with how best to raise up our kids in a different culture, we can only trust that He, who loves my boys so much more than I can ever love, is watching over them and paving the way ahead for them.

Jed is learning, and Mummy is learning together as well as I have decided to homeschool him next year. It is an onward journey of faith. Like any other parent, my prayer is that my Missionary Kid will grow up seeking, serving, and following God all his life, and he will love his unique identity.

9 FEATURESTORYMK 09

WHAT THE OTHER MK PARENTS SAY...

CONCERNS

Gloria Khoo is an MMS Missionary currently based in Singapore. She loves baking and cooking. She enjoys doing crafts with her son, Jayden, as well as playing music and dance with her daughter, Anna, who always dances along when there is music.

• Saying goodbyes can be really difficult for the MKs as they have a change of friends whenever the parents move to different places. Yet because of this, they are able to make friends easily too.

HOPE

• Being a Singaporean parent, one of my biggest concerns for the children is education. Will they be able to catch up when they return to Singapore?

I am also concerned for Jayden’s enlistment to National Service when he is older. Another of my biggest concerns is whether Jayden and Anna can fit in well in the mission field or even back at home. They may not be able to identify with their own country home.

SUPPORT MKS

• MKs may either love God wholeheartedly because they see how their parents serve the Lord, or hate Christianity because their parents usually tend to care for others more than their family.

Mildred Goh is an MMS Missionary in Northeast Thailand.

She is married to a Thai, Pastor Ping, and spends half her time chasing down her very active one-year-old boy, Mikael. The rest of her time is spent on ministry to youth and children in the area.

• Rather than being viewed as typical kids, MKs may even face unspoken expectations from others.

• I hope MKs will find God as their personal Father rather than as their parents’ God. God has no grandchildren but only children. This is my prayer that they will live out what God has in store for them; God has a plan for their own lives.

• Help them fit in with constant updates on what is going on in Singapore.

• Bring them out to see what Singapore is like.

• Have programmes for them or babysit them whenever the parents have to attend conferences or meetings.

• Remember their birthdays and send gifts which will help them know that they are remembered and loved.

CONCERNS I am concerned about his future education in Payakkaphum as the schools here enforce traditional religious practices.

And children who do not follow are punished and scoffed at by friends.

HOPE I hope that as he follows us as we go about our work, he will learn to love to serve the Lord and will do so when he grows up.

SUPPORT MKS It will be nice to receive books or toys that were preloved from Singapore.

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

MKs in CAMBODIA

Zoe Lee is the daughter of Benjamin and Serene Lee, who are in Cambodia. She has two brothers, Zachary and Ephraim, and a sister, Elizabeth.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

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WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

O

ur hopes and aspirations are just like any regular parent – that they will find God’s path for their lives and passionately live for Him. Of course being Singaporeans, there is a concern about how they would integrate back into the competitive education system in the future when they get back to Singapore. But we constantly remind ourselves to surrender that to the Lord and trust that He will take care of their future.

1

5

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH)

I am 11 years old.

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN CAMBODIA?

Bai saik churook (BBQ pork with rice) and Pho (rice noodle soup).

3 WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN CAMBODIA?

My home – in the Methodist School of Cambodia. Because it feels safe and I am surrounded by friends and family.

4 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY?

Moses and the Israelites leaving Egypt and the adventures they went through. The story in Exodus reminds me of how God took care of them and provided for them. And how I can trust Him in my life adventure too.

When mission teams visit, those who genuinely connect with our kids really make a difference to them because they feel that they are not forgotten and the connection made helps them feel more in touch with their home country.

My kids view these visitors as our extended family members whom they miss.

feel sad when they leave to go back home. I have to say goodbyes often when mission teams or friends leave or when I leave Singapore after a short visit.

9

Quality time and Words of Affirmation.

6

WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL?

Play basketball with friends or roller blade.

I see my parents always surrounded by people and my Dad is usually busy with meetings and stuff.

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10

WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME?

DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID?

You mean in Singapore?

Family and friends, and also playgrounds and parks where there are open spaces to run and play.

8 WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID?

I have friends of different nationalities. I get to meet mission teams from Singapore and make new friends of different ages and backgrounds. But I

I get anxious whenever I need to fly because of all the recent plane accidents. I get affected when I visit the Killing Fields and I feared that there would be war in this country again. Sometimes I get nightmares about it but I have learnt to commit my fears to God and He gives me peace and joy to overcome it.

With the high cost of education here and the lack of resources, missionary families always face the struggle of ensuring that our kids get a good education that prepares them for reentry into Singapore when it is time for them to get back for tertiary studies.

So another practical way

of supporting MKs is to provide support whether financially or through providing resources that can help them best prepare themselves for their future.

Creda Cheng is the daughter of Jacob Cheng and Wai Cheng, who are in Cambodia. She has a brother, Coen, who is in Singapore.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

FEATURESTORYMK 11

1

5

8

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH)

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID?

10 in November.

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN CAMBODIA?

Prohok Keti. It is fermented fish dip eaten with with raw vegetables and rice.

3 WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN CAMBODIA?

Quality time with my best friend.

9

6

WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL?

Play with my friends and my cats.

Home.

7

4

WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY?

I am not so busy as I don’t need to join my parents sometimes.

Air-con almost everywhere.

When Jesus ate with the tax collectors.

That they are into helping other people.

10 DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID?

That somebody tries to break in or that we get scammed.

5

WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

W

e are thankful to God for allowing us to be in the mission field. Like many other parents, our desire for our children is that they may encounter Jesus.

They have seen, heard

or known much about God. It may be a natural thing to them but they may not have personally experienced Him. It is our hope that our children will grow up knowing God, loving God, and serving God. We do have missionary retreats to refresh and renew our mind, and to share among fellow missionaries. We are wondering if a workshop for the MKs will be good.

It can be a time when they gather and hear from a third person on what missions is all about and understand the work of their parents better.

The meeting will allow them to identify with each other in their struggles as MK’s. This meeting can be conducted for similar age groups during the Chinese New Year or July periods when most missionary families are back for the festive or summer holidays.

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

MKs in THAILAND

Sammi and Caleb Loo are the children of Daniel and Sharon Loo. They have two younger sisters, Alicia and Hannah.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

12

1

4

8

HOW OLD ARE YOU? Sammi:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY? Sammi:

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID? Sammi:

12 years old Caleb: 10 years old

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN THAILAND? Sammi:

Noodles Caleb: Fishball noodle soup

When Jesus was born (The Christmas story) Caleb: Moses and the 10 plagues

5 WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS |OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH) Sammi:

Receiving Gifts Caleb: Receiving Gifts

6 WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL? Sammi:

3 WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THAILAND? Sammi:

Phrao, Chiang Mai. This is where we serve in Thailand, around 100 km from Chiang Mai City.

Caleb: Chiang Mai night safari

After school, I like to snack.

Caleb: I like to ride my bike around my neighbourhood after school.

7 WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME? Sammi:

The snow mountains in Victoria, Australia.

Caleb: The snow mountains in Victoria, Australia.

The life as a missionary kid is sometimes fun and sometimes hard.

Caleb: Life as a missionary kid is very fun!

9 WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY? Sammi:

When I accompany my parents in ministry, I get to learn new things about Jesus.

Caleb: I observe how they work to help people.

10 DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID? Sammi:

Going to a new culture is one of my fears or concerns as a missionary kid.

Caleb: I do not have any concerns as a missionary kid.

FEATURESTORYMK 13

CHIANG MAI WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

O

ur hope is for our children to grow up to be Christians who are strong in their faith and active in serving both the Christian and non-Christian community. By letting our children be part of our ministry, we show them by example that we are just normal people who are willing to be used by God. We too have our own struggles in lives. We experience pain, disappointment, and are sometimes weak in our faith. We too grow weary and lose hope. However, we do not need to be perfect to serve God. As long as we are willing to change, be humble and have faith, God can do mighty things in and through us.

My concern for my children is their education. We serve in Phrao, a small town, 100 km from Chiang Mai City. The education of our children is a challenge for us. We struggled to home-school our two older children for three years. We are thankful that from January 2016 onwards, our older children are attending an international school for missionary children in Chiang Mai City.

There are many ways to support missionary children. The church or the youth group can write to them, or send them cards or gifts on special days. If you have time to visit us and spend a week or two with our children, it will be great! Simple things such as playing with them, telling them a story, playing board games, doing a small project with them, etc. Activities such as going for a movie or ice skating is great too.

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

MK in NEPAL

Sebastian Jedidiah Jivon (aka JJ) is the son of Gopal Sebastian and Jacqueline, who are in Nepal. He has two brothers, Kiran and Josiah, living in Nepal too.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

14

WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

1

4

7

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY?

WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME?

I turned 15 in September.

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN NEPAL?

Momo, a type of dumpling (Xiao Long Bao without the soup).

3 WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN NEPAL?

Hattiban (Elephant Jungle), a hill covered in forest. It is an hour’s drive from our area and my school will bring all the secondary students there annually to play capture the flag on the slopey hill top.

O

ur hope as parents is that the Lord will call them to the mission field as well. Although these Third Culture Kids are restless, they are generally adaptable to different environments and this adaptability extends to the mission field.

They should be considered as a part of the missionary

2 Kings 2:23-25, where Elisha cursed some boys who were calling him “baldy”, which then ended up with them all being killed by two bears.

The food, cleanliness and the absence of load shedding (power shortages).

5

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID?

WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH)

Acts of Service.

6 WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL?

Play sports with my friends.

8 It is interesting in fun, new and unexpected ways.

9 WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY?

That the world is not a fair place; there are both more fortunate and less fortunate people than you.

10 community. When we are having a missionary retreat or conference where parents are called back (air tickets paid for parents only), there should be a children’s conference track, a retreat or a seminar for these kids as well.

This will show that the missionary family is a part of the missions community.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID?

I am concerned if I am not fulfilling my part as a missionary.

FEATURESTORYMK 15

Isaac, Joy and Isaiah Chan are the children of David and Jessie Chan.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

MKs in TIMOR-LESTE 1

4

7

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY?

WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME?

Isaac: 15 years old Joy: 12 years old Isaiah: 9 years old

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN TIMOR-LESTE?

Isaac: My father’s home-cooked food Joy: Bakso Isaiah: Kmanek Sabor Chicken Rice

3

Joy: Noah’s Ark Isaiah: Jesus healing the Blind

5 WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH)

Isaac: Physical Touch Joy: Receiving Gifts Isaiah: Physical Touch

6

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN TIMOR-LESTE?

Isaac: Gleno Joy: Gleno Isaiah: Cristo Rei of Dili

WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL?

Isaac: Play soccer Joy: Play soccer Isaiah: Play soccer

W

e hope that they will grow up knowing God, seeing God, and loving God. You can support them by your gifts, your time, your presence, your prayers and whenever the Spirit prompts you too. The surprises will surely brighten up their days and deepen their understanding that God is a God of sudden surprises.

Isaac: Xiao Long Bao and durian Joy: Friends Isaiah: Friends

8 WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID?

Isaac: Exciting Joy: Relaxed Isaiah: Happy

9 WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY?

Isaac: Caring for the local children Joy: God-fearing Isaiah: Hardworking

10 DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID?

Isaac: No Joy: No Isaiah: No

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

MK in VIETNAM

Leesa Lim is the daughter of Rev Leslie Lim and Linda, who are in Vietnam.

She has an elder brother, Lucas, and an elder sister, Lydia, who are in Singapore.

10 QUESTIONS TO KNOW YOU BETTER

16

1

4

8

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE STORY?

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MISSIONARY KID?

15

2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD IN VIETNAM?

Bún bò Hué. It is a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bún) and beef (bò). Hué is a city in central Vietnam associated with the cooking style of the former royal court.

3 WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN VIETNAM?

SC VivoCity in District 7. It is like the one in Singapore. Furthermore, there are many Koreans in this district!

Moses parting the Red Sea.

5 WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE? (RECEIVING GIFTS, QUALITY TIME, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION, ACTS OF SERVICE, OR PHYSICAL TOUCH)

Words of Affirmation.

O

ur aspiration for our MKs is that they will keep on growing in their love for the Lord and learning to acknowledge God in their daily

decision-making. May Leesa learn to trust the Lord in her studies.

We are blessed with three wonderful children. Leesa, the youngest, is with us in the field. We have two non-working dependent children, Lucas and Lydia, at home in Singapore. Whilst they may not be in the mission field, they are very much part of our

9 WHAT DO YOU OBSERVE WHEN YOU ARE ACCOMPANYING YOUR PARENTS IN MINISTRY?

6

I sense the Holy Spirit at work.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER SCHOOL?

10

Gym or watch Korean Drama.

7 WHAT DO YOU MISS BACK HOME?

Friends in Singapore and my sister Lydia.

WHAT THE MK PARENTS SAY...

Adventurous. It involves finding where to live, finding how to go about in the city, going to new places, and trying out new local dishes.

missionary kids. They need to be recognised as MKs – the ones who are supporting us from our home base.

They are brave to be separated from their parents because they recognise the calling of God in their parents’ lives. We continue to pray that they will walk closely with the Lord in their local church, under the watch of our fellow

DO YOU HAVE ANY FEAR OR CONCERN AS A MISSIONARY KID?

Two things come to mind: Safety (no freedom to roam around in the city on my own) and I am finding it hard to have new friends of the same peer group.

Methodist pastors and family church. We pray that Bedok Methodist Church will rise up to take them in as part of the family to nurture and help them grow in the Lord. As the African proverb goes, “It takes the whole village to raise the child.” That is one practical way to support us.

FACETOFACE 17

UP CLOSE and PERSONAL

with new MMS Chairman Alvin Tan 陈义生 is our new Chairman with effect from the new quadrennium beginning 1 January 2016. He enjoys travelling and hiking, and the occasional cooking when he feels inspired.

HF: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

W

e are a very blessed family of five, with three amazing God-loving daughters. The older two are married and, together with their husbands, are also actively involved in their respective churches. The youngest is still at university, and she is into missions. We worship at Grace Methodist Church, where I am involved in missions, evangelism, and cell groups.

My wife, Lay Choo, serves at the Sunday School. Outside of church, we serve together at Bamboo Foundation. I have been retired from full-time work for some eight years now, though I take up the occasional consultancy assignment. The privilege of early retirement affords the opportunity to rebalance my life in favour of a more spiritual pursuit. I started serving at the Methodist Head-quarters, with the Finance and Administration Council, some eight years ago and that led to my serving on the MMS Executive Committee (Exco) for the last four years.

Editor’s note: MMS thanks Chou Fang Soong for serving two teams as MMS Chairman. He will continue to serve in the MMS Executive Committee.

HF: WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

The joy of retirement life is there are no in-your-face daily demands, and there is freedom to pursue the meaningful and simple joys of life. My “typical” day, more appropriately week, revolves around church/ministry work, exercise, and family.

Alternating between gym days and rest days, I attend to my pets and meet up with friends. The daily constant is reading to keep up with current affairs and market developments, working on the computer, bible reading, and reflections.

主编：请您自我介绍一下。 有一个蒙福的家庭，我和我太 太育有三名很爱神的女儿。两 个女儿已经结婚了，和夫婿热心参与 各自教会的事奉。小女儿还在读大 学，也参与宣教。我们是恩典堂的会 友，我参与宣教，布道和小组的事工； 我太太丽珠也在主日学里服侍。在 教会以外，我们一同在竹子基金会服 侍。我已经从全职工作退休八年了， 但偶尔会提供一些咨询工作。早退休 的好处是我有机会和更多属灵追求的 时间，得以重新平衡我的生活。退休 后我在卫理总部的财务与行政理事会 事奉。 4年前上帝带领我进入卫宣的 执行委员会。

我

主编：可否请您说一说您平日的作 息？ 退休生活的乐趣就在于你不需要为每 日的需求忙碌，可以自由安排简单又 有意义的生活。我的生活就环绕在教 会与事工的服侍、运动和家庭。我上 健身室运动，照顾宠物，也跟朋友聚 集。每天灵修祷告，反思；阅读报章刊 物，了解时事和市场动态，当然也包 括用电脑回复电邮与工作。

18

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

HF: WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES DO YOU FORESEE YOU WILL FACE AS MMS’ NEW CHAIRMAN?

At the moment I do not know enough of the operational issues to be able to see the challenges clearly. I have some thoughts about certain areas to focus on. But I believe more heads are better than one, so a key approach would be to rally the MMS Exco behind a set of key priorities and engage individual Exco members to lead in addressing the issues. This should lead to a more participative and effective decision making process at the Exco Meetings.

HF: HOW DO YOU RECHARGE?

主编：作为卫宣的新任主席，你预见会面对什么 挑战吗？ 我刚接棒，在还未完全了解卫宣的运作前，也就 说不上将会面对什么挑战。我个人认为有好几方 面可以聚焦发展。我相信群策胜与单独的探讨 和决定，一些主要的课题可以由卫宣执委共同探 讨与决定，再由负责个别事工的委员带领解决问 题。执行委员会议让执委有更多参与会更有效制 定决策。

Take a break from the routine, travel to awaken the sense of adventure and experience something new. If time does not permit, go to the gym or golf course. Even washing the car and waxing to bring out the shine can be therapeutic.

主编：您如何在生活中给自己“充电”呢？ 在日常工作中脱身出去旅行，旅行可以提升我的 冒险感及体验新的事物。如果时间不允许，就上 健身房运动或打高尔夫球。洗车、打蜡也是我的 运动，有益于身体健康。

HF: WHAT IS ONE THING OUR READERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MMS? That it has brought together many God-loving people from all walks of life giving sacrificially of their time, expertise and resources to further His kingdom in our seven fields. As a denomination-based missions agency, in years to come when the churches in the field countries are established and with diverse ministries, we will be able to see the Singapore Methodist footprint.

主编：您认为卫宣有哪一件事读者该知道的？ 上帝感动许多不同背景、爱神、乐意奉献时间、 金钱和专业知识的信徒到卫宣，在七个宣教区参 与上帝国度的圣工。作为一个宗派的宣教机构， 当七个宣教区的事工纷纷建立起来，也植立了教 会后，我们就可以在那里看到新加坡卫理公会的 足迹。

HF: WHAT CAN OUR READERS DO TO BE INVOLVED?

主编：我们的读者可以参与哪些卫宣的事工？ 如果读者是初次参与宣教事工，我会建议他参加 卫宣的宣教队，多了解我们禾场的事工。若已经积 极参与教会及年会层面的宣教工作，可以鼓励教 会与卫宣建立伙伴关系，认领、支持禾场的某个项 目或带短宣队去支援。此外，也可以在媒体上支 援我们、成为我们的义工， 或让我们知道他的恩 赐与乐意参与的领域。

If you are new to missions, join us in our many mission trips and get to know our work in the field. If you are involved in missions at the church or annual conference level, partner us by adopting a field project or spearheading a mission trip. Generally, you can follow us on social media, volunteer to serve with us or just write to us about your interest.

HF: WHAT IS YOUR WISH FOR MMS AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 25 YEARS AND GO BEYOND?

That we build on the foundations of the more established fields, and quicken the pace of local leadership development and church growth by leveraging on technology, social media, community and market place ministries. Hopefully, a successful church development model may emerge that may then be replicated in the less established fields or applied to new fields.

主编：值此欢庆卫宣25周年之际，您对卫宣有什 么祝愿与展望？ 我的心愿是卫宣各禾场的基础更加巩固。 通过 科技，媒体，社区和职场事工，加速培养当地领 袖，促进教会增长。 我也希望能找到一个有效的 教会拓展模式，可以应用在新的禾场或其他拓展 速度较缓慢的地区。

FIELDFEATURE 19

CAMBODIA

LOVE GIFT to MCC

VISIT METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA 68-70, St 217, Sangkat Boeng Kak II, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh Kingdom of Cambodia

25

Benjamin Lee is the Principal of the Methodist School of Cambodia. His hairstyle has never changed since he was three years old – except for the first few months in National Service – short, sloping with side parting and no side burns.

May 2016 marked a milestone for both the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC) and the Methodist Church in Cambodia (MCC). On that day, the school, through the Board Chairman, Mr Ong Teong Hoon, presented a cheque of US$10,000 to the Missions Superintendent of MCC, Rev Sok Sovandy. It is a significant milestone for the school. As God has blessed the school, the school board felt that it is the right time to present a gift to MCC as an encouragement to the pastors in the Methodist Churches all over Cambodia. It was truly God’s providence that MSC was able to become self-sustaining a few years back. As we gave by faith to MCC, we are believing that God will continue to provide for the needs of the school and the churches.

PRAY • Pray for the students in MSC to be healthy and protected from harm.

• Pray that they will know Jesus’ love and encounter Him in a real and personal way.

• Pray for wisdom for the School Board and Missionaries to explore the extension of the school premise.

Apart from providing affordable education to the children in Cambodia, the school also believes in supporting the local churches through MCC. The school is a platform where the gospel is being shared, the school is a platform where future leaders and pastors are being developed, and the school is a platform where disciples are being made.

As the school and the church move forward, we are trusting God to continually give wisdom to the leadership of the school and the church. All Glory to God.

20

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

EAST ASIA

The Holy Spirit’s Work: TRANSFORM

Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng is the Area Director for East Asia and Nepal.

He worships at Charis Methodist Church.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message September 2016 issue. Initials are used due to religious sensitivities.

FIELDFEATURE 21

MATION THROUGH FAITH A

re these testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit?

• A 94-year-old worshipper walking 10km each way to attend church.

• A crippled lady in her 60s making her way to church.

• A 70-year-old man bringing his handicapped wife, who is crippled from the waist down, on a tricycle to attend church.

It reminds me of the words in Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (KJV) In 2009, MMS organised a “Vacation with a Purpose” trip to HS. On a Sunday morning, intending to join a local church for worship, the team was disappointed at not being able to locate one. The team leader, TCK, returned a few months later, determined to look for a church. After some enquiries, he was informed that there was a local church in GC village. He decided to venture to this village in spite of the challenges to get there due to the poor transportation system.

He embarked on a faith journey, following the main road that leads to the village.

Turning a corner into a small mud track, he started walking into the village, not knowing whether there would actually be a church at the end of his journey.

After walking for about half an hour, he began to have doubts. However, his desire to locate the church encouraged him to continue walking. His determined effort was rewarded when he saw a cross in the distance. He had arrived at GC Church (GCC)!

It was the beginning of a wonderful partnership, one that has grown over the last seven years.

GCC was started by five families led by three elderly believers.

Through their faithful witness, a Christian community was established. Although the Elders had no theological education, they zealously shared the gospel with the villagers. Many of the initial worshippers were elderly and had very little education, yet the gospel was shared beyond the village. As a result of their faithfulness, three other worship centres and the number of new believers grew in the TP Lake area under the TP Christian Council (TPCC).

GCC was further blessed when the Government approved a 2,700 sqm parcel of land to build a new church building. The new building was funded by donations from other local churches in HS and ZJ. In 2013, MMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Elders of the GCC to help build an annex building, adjacent to the church, for ministry. This ministry is still in partnership with the TPCC. In 2014, MMS started its partnership with the TPCC and the formation of a team to oversee the various ministries. These included: 1. Pulpit ministry 2. Conducting the BTC programme 3. Disciple programme 4. Sunday School 5. Bible study group 6. Outreach through English language classes The future certainly looks bright as GCC moves into a social outreach ministry, and sending out small ministry teams for missions exposure. Its partnership with MMS is also growing with greater opportunities for our Methodist churches in Singapore to participate and help grow the ministry capacity in GCC. The transformation of lives in GCC is truly the work of the Holy Spirit. From its humble beginnings, through the faithfulness of the largely elderly pioneers with a passion and desire to share the gospel, GCC is now a growing and multiplying church, making disciples who live Christ-centred lives and bringing glory to our wonderful, loving God!

22

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

THE TRANSFORMATION OF LIVES IN GCC IS TRULY THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MMS partnering GCC in community projects in the annex building

PRAY • Pray for then GCC community as they live in faith and grow in maturity.

• Pray for the transformation of the lives of the younger generation.

• Pray for our MCS churches to participate in growing the ministry in GCC. Rev Dr Chong saying a prayer of blessing at TP Church’s dedication service

FIELDFEATURE 23

THAILAND

COOL TO SERVE the Lord

Sandra Kumarasamy is a member of the MMS Education Committee. She is from Grace Methodist Church, and she enjoys reading about heritage and history of various cultures. She volunteers as a docent in our local museums.

“I

’m going on a short mission trip to Chiang Mai.” The usual response to this is, “Cool place.” Sadly, not anymore, as de-forestation has affected the temperature of this northern Thai city. However, it is definitely a cool place to praise and spread the glory of God. Vineyard Methodist School (VMS) in Chiang Mai was set up by MMS. The school’s mission is to be an innovative learning community with strong Christian morals. VMS comprises a kindergarten and primary school, and prepares its students for the Grade 6 O-Net Examinations (somewhat similar to our PSLE).

The MMS Education Committee has been supporting the school with English Proficiency lessons for all the staff and this is an on-going programme. Currently, VMS has identified two additional areas of need for training: School leadership for the Middle Management team and Mathematics.

Since 2015, Sandra Kumarasamy and Choo Hong Kiang (members of the education committee) have been running school leadership workshops for the middle management team. The management team learnt managerial functions of POLE (planning, organising, leading and evaluation). They had hands-on experiences planning and reviewing school events and programmes. This year, the management team had a taste of what is involved in strategic planning. They

24

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 3

spent a couple of days crafting the school’s strategic focus and strategies to achieve the school goals. Case studies were also used to help members discuss ways to manage difficult school situations.

MAGDALENE KOOI (ANOTHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBER) AND LAI HAR (A VOLUNTEER), WHO ARE BOTH MATHEMATICS TEACHERS RAN A MATHEMATICS WORKSHOP FOR THE STAFF IN JUNE 2016. LAI HAR SHARES HER EXPERIENCE:

W

e spent two mornings with the teachers, observing their Mathematics lessons and in the afternoon, we met the teachers to provide feedback on what they have done well. The feedback included suggestions on how to make their lessons more engaging. The teachers were very enthusiastic about their lessons. We were particularly impressed with a new teacher who joined the school about a week before our arrival. Though lacking in experience, she was filled with enthusiasm to learn Singapore’s approach to the teaching of Primary Mathematics.

On Saturday morning, all the teachers came back for a Mathematics workshop. It was heartening to see some kindergarten teachers joining us out of their own interest and the desire to learn something new. We introduced the CPA (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) approach, and the model approach in solving Mathematics problems. We also explained the difference between the part-whole model and the comparison models. One teacher who had seen the Singapore Mathematics textbooks commented that she finally understood what all the diagrams in the textbooks meant. Others found the use of number bonds a good and easy way to help build confidence in mental calculation.

The school’s Mathematics room is well equipped with a number of manipulatives. We decided to share with them how they could better use manipulatives like number cards in the teaching of the four operations and Cuisenaire rods in the teaching of number bonds, explanation of the bar models and fractions.

We also shared with them some Mathematics games to help pupils memorise multiplication tables and improve their skill in mental calculation.

It was a fruitful morning for all. For us, it was time well spent with dedicated teachers who were enthusiastic and willing to embrace change for the better. We were touched by their hospitality and warmth despite the slight language barrier.

I first visited Vineyard school five years ago and am very happy to revisit the school. I can see the hand of God working in the school. Much growth has taken place. The church has planted but God has given the increase. Glory to His name.

“I’m going on a short mission trip to Chiang Mai.” Will you be saying this soon? It’s cool to serve our Lord.

FIELDFEATURE 25

PRAY • Pray for the Principal, Mrs Tuk Sungwan Yeo, and the staff members.

• Pray for the students to diligently pursue academic excellent and grow spiritually.

VOLUNTEER

WITH EDUCATION COMMITTEE

• Conduct English Proficiency classes for Thai teachers and co-teach English, together with Thai teachers, to students.

• Co-teach and mentor Thai teachers in Singapore Mathematics.

• Teach or co-teach Chinese to students.

ENQUIRY david.khew@methodist.org.sg

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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2016

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)

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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)

$

East Asia

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

$ $ $

$ $

Church Ministry Support National Workers Fund

Laos

Staff & Ministry Support Singapore Mission School Building Project

$ $

Nepal Community Development Relief Work Caleb Bible Institute Trainee Sponsorship @ S$80 per month 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

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

MMS Banquet 2017

$

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

MITEREPORT 29

Discipleship IN ACTION

I

embarked on a two-month MITE programme to Timor-Leste, beginning from 2 July 2016. This was my first trip to Timor-Leste and I was captivated by the beauty of this land and her people. The Timorese are friendly yet resilient, and they have a deep love for their country, which gained independence in 2002.

TEACHING AT SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN DILI

Eunice Phang worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church. She loves nature, and enjoys running and hiking.

I had the privilege of working alongside MMS Missionary, David Chan, and his family in the area of education and community development. They are teaching the Grade 7 students at a school in Hera district. This group of 13 to 15-year-old teenagers would be the nucleus for the planned Methodist School in Dili. They were full of energy and made a good effort to learn. The students struggled in their learning as all subjects were taught in English and they have a relatively weak foundation in most subjects. However, they displayed much grit and perseverance in their desire to master English. Most of them treasure the opportunity to learn English and believed what they learn will develop them to be

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What is MITE ITE (Missions Internship Training M & Exposure) is a programme designed to send believers to the mission fields for a period of between one and 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.

citizens contributing in the building up of Timor-Leste.

It was indeed a tremendous joy to see them progress, slowly but steadily.

Every Tuesday evening, we blessed the children in the Hudi Laran community by singing songs, playing games, sharing bible stories, and distributing food. There was no greater joy than seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of these children!

SUNDERMEIER HOME AT GLENO

Sundermeier Home at Gleno started in January 216 and it is home to 20 youth who study at Nino Coni Santana School. Education would have been impossible if they had stayed in their remote home districts as they would have needed to travel for hours to attend High School.

Some of them have lost one or both of their parents.

However, they fondly called Uncle Joe and Auntie Grace their ‘papa’ and ‘mama’ there. The elderly couple are the house parents who love, care and discipline them. As the youth learn to live in a community, they pick up important life skills such as discipline, responsibility, and empathy for one another.

I enjoyed teaching English and Mathematics, and having devotion time with them. They never failed to inject laughter and insight into the lessons with their honest sharing.

Working alongside MMS Missionaries on a longer duration impressed upon me that “the best kinds of ministry are, more often than not, long term and low key.” (Christopher Ash) I was amazed and humbled by the Missionaries’ obedience to respond to the call to give up a secure and comfortable life in Singapore to serve in Timor-Leste. They picked up Tetum (Timorese language) in order to live among the Timorese.

They exemplified the love of Christ by simply faithfully loving and teaching the Timorese. They are deeply convicted that while they may not yet see the fruits of their labour, they trust God to bring about the results in His time. There are definitely challenges and trying times while in the field, yet their faith in God, and their compassion and love for the Timorese, never failed to amaze me. Truly, this is authentic discipleship in action.

Interacting with the Timorese and the Missionaries made me realise that colour and language are not barriers to communication and God’s work, if we speak the language of LOVE in Christ.

May God increase our love and capacity to pray, give or serve in the area He has called us to. As Brian D. McLaren rightfully points out, “every Christian is a missionary and every place is a mission field.”

MMS25THANNIVERSARY 31

FOR OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY, MMS ORGANISED THREE CELEBRATORY EVENTS:

THANKSGIVING SERVICE • MISSIONS CONFERENCE • MISSIONARY RETREAT

MMS THANKSGIVING SERVICE

MMS LAUNCHES NEW LOGO with gratitude to God for 25 years T

Grace Toh is the Editor of Methodist Message and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. She is secretly obsessed with patterns, and her favourite plant has leaves parallel to each other.

hanking God for His immense faithfulness and favour, the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) revealed their new logo at their 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on 19 August 2016, at the Trinity Theological College Chapel.

Amid heartfelt expressions of gratitude to God for His grace, about 200 staff, missionaries, volunteers, supporters, guests and well-wishers joined in the countdown to unveil the logo, which was in the shape of a fish with a cross in the centre.

“The fish shape, reminiscent of the ‘Jesus fish’ symbol, identifies us as a Christian organisation, with the cross of Jesus at the centre,” explained Rev Philip Lim Kian Leong, Executive Director of MMS. “The logo also reminds us of Jesus’ words to Peter, that He would make us ‘fishers of men’. The blue and red in the logo are the official colours of The Methodist Church in Singapore.” The logo was designed by Ms Angeline Tan from Pentecost Methodist Church.

In praise to God, MMS took the opportunity to present Long Service Awards in recognition of some of their missionaries who have served for between eight

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and 18 years, the longest-serving being Ms Carol Loh Juat Fang and Ms Tan Li Diang, both from Bedok Methodist Church.

A video was also screened, of missionaries recounting what had started them on their mission journeys, their challenges, and how God had kept them motivated.

Ms Gloria Khoo, a missionary, and Rev Singa Tamang, a national pastor, were present at the Service to share their testimonies.

Gloria, who is from Charis Methodist Church, shared about how God freed her from the chains of depression and suicidal thoughts in her teenage years, and gave her a hunger in her spirit for missions. She spoke of

the challenges in moving from a mission field in one country to another as led by God, and her realisation that “only God is consistent”. The congregation was moved as she teared while sharing about the heart-related medical conditions of her two children, yet gave glory to God for His miraculous provision for their health.

Rev Tamang, an ordained elder of the Methodist Church in Nepal, described his journey from his family’s Asian religion to Christianity, and his struggle to find peace as he was influenced by his teacher towards atheist beliefs. He spoke of how God overcame his resistance through Bible verses, and gave him such peace that even his dreams

changed from carrying heavy loads to flying in a garden.

He then shared about God’s providence in leading him into ministry, meeting all his needs even as he had a child with disability.

Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup gave an animated sermon based on Psalm 105:1-6 (ESV), noting: “How do we give thanks to God? Psalm 105 shows us a way of doing so, which may not be a way we are used to. ‘Call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!’ In other words, say in a loud voice that He is God!” Bishop Dr Wee punctuated his point by loudly proclaiming “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

MMS25THANNIVERSARY 33

and drawing parallels with crowds cheering for a soccer player such as Eric Cantona, chanting his name. By doing so, he noted, there is an expectation for the person to act. “Similarly, when we call on God’s name, we expect Him to act for His glory and honour.”

Making known God’s deeds entails telling others what He has done – as the psalmist says, to “tell of all his wondrous works”.

The rest of Psalm 105, explained the Bishop, elaborates on what these wondrous works are.

Verse 12, for example, tells about the small beginnings of the people of Israel. Bishop Dr Wee noted that from MMS’ small beginnings, with the passion and dedication of its Founding Director, the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim, MMS has grown over the past 25 years to expand its ministry to seven nations. “God made it happen!” he asserted.

He concluded the sermon by leading the congregation to loudly proclaim “Jesus!” three times, while reflecting on all God has accomplished in our lives, bearing in mind our hopes and expectations, and offering to Him whatever comes to our minds and hearts.

The Service closed with Bishop Dr Wee and the Presidents of the three Annual Conferences – the Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung, the Rev R. Prabhu, and the Rev Dr Gordon Wong – praying for MMS’ national pastors, missionaries, and staff in the Home Office.

MMS also announced that they had refreshed the look of their publication, Harvest Force, and invited the congregation to fellowship over a reception.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message October 2016 issue.

WITH GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR 25 YEARS

A

s MMS celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and goodness.

On 3 July 1991, the structure for the formation of MMS was received at the Special Session of the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). On 30 September 1991, MMS was officially inaugurated and became a full agency of the MCS and the first home-grown missions agency.

Since then, MMS has initiated church-planting work and community development projects in different fields. Today, after 25 years of mission work, MMS has 42 missionaries and many more national pastors and co-workers serving in seven countries, namely: Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. In these fields, many of God’s people are touched and generations of leaders nurtured and raised. These are testimonies of “God’s amazing missionary blessings”, where lives are being transformed. This is what MMS is about, “A Disciple-making Movement that Transforms Lives”.

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MMS MISSIONS CONFERENCE

Catching THE URBAN WAVE A

Rev Teresa Wilborn is the Area Director for Laos and TimorLeste. She worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church. She likes to bake and have a good book nearby.

s part of its 25th Anniversary celebration, MMS hosted a Missions Conference at Trinity Theological College on 20 August. The focus of the conference was how to effectively share the gospel in urban areas, taking into consideration the unique social, economic and psychological challenges faced by city dwellers.

Rev Dr Gordon Wong, TRAC President, opened the morning session with a talk on “Holistic Missions”. Reading from Psalm 107, he reminded us that God gathers exiles from many lands and redeems those who suffer from afflictions and oppression. As witnesses to the love of Christ, we can all be missionaries, whether at home or abroad, by ministering in the marketplace and reaching out to the hungry, homeless, sick, and imprisoned.

MMS25THANNIVERSARY 35

Joseph Chean, Director of YWAM Singapore, proclaimed that God loves cities because cities are full of people – children, migrants, elderly, people with dreams, and people who are lonely and isolated. Separation from loved ones, language and cultural differences, lack of access to basic services, unemployment, – all these factors and more put great stress on individuals and families. Just as God spoke to exiles through the psalmist, He also spoke through the prophet Jeremiah telling the people to build homes, put down roots, and work for the peace and prosperity of the city to which

they had been exiled. The city can release mankind’s greatest potential, bringing together diverse groups of people with different skills and gifts. Missionaries can help unleash this potential by providing encouragement and access to education, training, and healthcare.

During the afternoon session, conference participants could choose two of four workshops to attend. Visiting national pastors from Methodist churches in Nepal and Cambodia were especially encouraged by Rev Lam Kuo Yung, Senior Pastor of Katong Presbyterian Church, who shared the importance of churches in building

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community within cities. Rev Malcolm Tan, Pastor of Covenant Community Methodist Church, provided inspiring and practical ways to plant churches and grow congregations based on his experiences at home as well as in mission fields abroad.

MMS missionaries and local workers from six countries joined in the lively dialogue and exchange of ideas throughout the conference.

For the first time ever, a concurrent Children’s Mission Track entitled “Heart to Change the World” was offered to children aged 6 to 11. Organised by David and Cynthia Leong, with support from volunteers and the TRAC Board of Children’s Ministry, this programme aimed to increase awareness of other religions and teach children how to support missions through prayer.

A mother from Charis Methodist Church was delighted to observe her child having fun and learning ways to give God glory by “Knowing Him, Loving Him, Worshipping Him, Serving Him and Telling the World about Him!” A parent from Pasir Panjang Brethren Church praised the programme because “it helps children to be aware of their role in the Great Commission and they are equipped with skills to share the Good News!”

MMS would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all speakers and volunteers who contributed to this event. It was a time of joyful learning and proclaiming His Wondrous Works! May God continue to strengthen and guide us throughout the next 25 years of service in building His Kingdom!

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message November 2016 issue.

MMS25THANNIVERSARY 37

MMS MISSIONARY RETREAT

Retreat TO MOVE FORWARD MMS

had a retreat for our Missionaries from 23 to 26 August at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It was a great time of catching up with missionaries whom we may meet only once every two years or so. A missionary commented that he got to know another missionary from a different field much better through this retreat. Everyone enjoyed the team building games and group discussions. This year, we even had seven Missionary Kids who joined their parents.

Mr Chacko Thomas of OM was the retreat speaker and guided the missionaries through an in-depth Bible study of Isaiah. We were encouraged and motivated as numerous missionaries shared their testimonies. Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung, CAC President, also encouraged the missionaries to keep up the good work. Ms Juliette Arulrajah took time to share on the missionary training and encouraged everyone to use a beautiful set of prayer cards to pray for one another. Mr Joseph Chean spoke on the challenges and strategies of urban missions.

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MMS Fam ily

T

wo MMS Missionaries, LOW WEE TECK and RUDY WONG, were commissioned on 21 August 2016. They are from Aldersgate Methodist Church. Wee Teck is serving in Cambodia and Rudy in Timor-Leste. We praise God for them and may God’s blessings and favour be upon them always.

LOH HAN CHEW of Aldersgate Methodist Church was redeployed to Cambodia with effect from 1 October 2016. He is currently serving in Methodist Hostel, Joy Hostel, and Prek Omperl Methodist Church.

RACHEL TAN of Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church has completed her service in October 2016. She served in Vineyard Methodist School in Chiang Mai, Thailand for one year and ten months.

Dear Lord, pour out Your grace upon Wee Teck, Rudy and Han Chew so that through their witness, Christ may be lifted up and all people drawn to Him. May God continue to use them mightily to touch lives in the mission fields. May they be joyful in spirit and steadfast in hope. May they know grace and peace in serving You. May God watch over Rachel as she enters a new chapter of her life. Amen.

HOMEINON... 39

MMS new Chairman W

e are pleased to announce that ALVIN TAN is the new Chairman of the Methodist Missions Society. Currently he is a member of the MMS Executive Committee. He worships at Grace Methodist Church and is in the Missions Committee there. Alvin will succeed Chou Fang Soong, who has served two teams as MMS Chairman. Fang Soong will continue to serve in the MMS Executive Committee. Get to know more about Alvin on page 17.

Dear Lord, may You guide and direct Alvin. Grant him godly understanding, knowledge, discernment and wisdom. May You also protect him and his family. Place him in the shelter of the Most High, to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. May we say of the Lord, You are his refuge and fortress. Amen.

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CURRENT TRENDS IN MISSION

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS and ECOLO I

Rev Dr Andrew Peh graduated from Trinity Theological College (TTC) and Asbury Theological Seminary, and lectures in the area of mission at TTC. He is a Friend of the Zoo and would likely have been working at the zoo if not for God’s call to teach at TTC. This is the third and last part of his essay.

t may perhaps be a little reductionist to conclude a series on current trends in mission by highlighting only a few recent developments and emphases in mission in our time. There are indeed other important advances especially of mission work in the various parts of the world where Christianity has minority representation and in countries termed as creative access nations. The updated and increasingly ubiquitous nomenclature of a missional church is also a trend that requires further study and analysis. Partnerships in the mission field, church planting, contextualization – these are also important developments/trends in mission studies. But in this series, I hope to highlight four of these trends that are of particular significance to the church in the Singapore context; but in no way should this trivialize the others.

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS

Are short-term missions a boon or a bane? This is presumably one of the most frequently-asked questions as churches invest a significant portion of the budget and involve a good number of people in these trips that spans over a weekend or over a slightly longer duration. This innovation, which we refer to as short term missions (STM), may be traced to the mobilisation of North American youths to participate in missions in Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Loren Cunningham founded YWAM in 1960 and built his vision for world evangelisation on the principle of mobilising young people as missionaries though short term trips in the summers. This ‘model’ has since gained traction and has become one of the primary programmes for the majority of churches all across the world. Singapore churches have the further advantage of Singapore’s strategic geographical location and Singapore’s position as a regional land/sea/air transportation hub.

It is hence not surprising to see various churches being involved in short term missions be it in Bangalore, Ban Chang, Battambang, Bac Ninh, Balikpapan, Baoding or Bacoor. It seems unlikely that STMs will be superseded anytime in the near future. Not a few missiologists, however, have cautioned against an uncritical acceptance of STMs, citing various reasons including the disruption for long term missionaries on the field, increased expense in funding for the volunteers instead of investments for the mission field itself, language considerations, and adequacy of missionary preparations.

Perhaps the question should not be, “Are short-term missions a boon or a bane?”, but instead, “How do the short-term missions contribute to the longterm mission of God?” Timothy Tennent, the President of Asbury Theological Seminary, writing about the place of short-term missions, made this poignant conclusion: I think if we learn to ask the right questions, we can begin to more effectively assess our short-term missions program and, thereby, begin to have more clarity on the central question. I have developed a six point series of questions for pastors and church missions committees which may help to serve as a diagnostic tool to develop a better, smarter short term missions program.1

HFSPECIAL 41

OGICAL MISSIONS The six guiding questions are: #1 What is the goal /motivation of short-term missions? #2 What is the cost of short-term missions? #3 Where are short-termers going? #4 What is the witness of short-term missionaries? #5 What is the impact on field resources/ personnel? #6 What is the impact of short-term missions on long-term missions?

Tennent referred to these six questions as ‘dangerous’ questions because “if reflected on honestly they could dramatically change the way we talk about and do short term missions in our local churches.”2 It is imperative that we understand that honest reflections will indeed yield dramatic results.

ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL MISSIONS

We are daily inundated with news of extreme weather conditions, the intensity of which is freakishly matched by the frequency of such occurrences. We read of fracturing ice shelves, melting polar ice caps, retreating glaciers and increasing sea levels, and we are perhaps apathetic. We read of greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere, ozone depletion, plastic pollution in the oceans and we remain indifferent. But when Singapore is shrouded by a thick blanket of haze, our discomfort and irritation is a little heightened and we perhaps begin to take note of the devastating effects of global warming. But when was the last time your church made a stand to halt the purchase and use of polystyrene/ plastic disposal cups and cutlery? When was the last time you read about or attended a teaching session on caring for and the conservation of the flora and the fauna of your country? When was the last time you heard a sermon on creation care preached from the pulpit?

Climatologists, geologists, economists, entrepreneurs, celebrities and even politicians have in recent years become vocal proponents of the devastating effects of climate change and global warming. Yet it is a puzzling that little is articulated or acted upon on this important and urgent issue from a missiological perspective and response. There are thankfully a growing number of significant voices (such as Christopher Wright and Howard Synder) who enjoin stewardship of creation as an integral part of the mission of God. Wright is strident in his pronouncement:

http://timothytennent. com/2010/04/29/ top-ten-missiontrends-in-the-21stcentury-pros-and-consof-short-term-missions/ 2 Ibid.

3 Christopher, Wright. The Mission of God. (IL: Intervarsity Press.

2006) 413.

1

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a biblical theology of mission that flows from the mission of God himself… must include the ecological sphere within its scope and see practical environmental action as a legitimate part of Christian mission… … To be unconcerned about it is to be either desperately ignorant or irresponsibly callous.3

Howard Synder’s eloquent contribution to a more holistic understanding of mission is articulated in his book, Salvation Means Creation Healed. For Synder, salvation is not limited to the redemption of humanity but includes the story of how God is redeeming and transforming His creation. And He calls us into mission with Him, to bring the healing of creation.

Rightly understood, creation care is hence not merely the responsibility of tree huggers or Greenpeace activists. It is, in fact, an integral part of God’s mission. Peter Harris surmises: “If the Christian church around the world does not understand that this is rightly important; it is not just us that is in trouble, it’s everybody. But if the Christian church does, … then we are in an extraordinary moment of hope.” 4

4

Peter Harris, in his introduction of Christopher Wright for the John Stott Lecture on Creation Care, 23 Oct 2013. Please refer to http://www.licc.org.uk/resources/portfolio-item/chris-wright-john-stott-lecturecreation-care/

} 43

Producing HEALTHY MISSIONARY KIDS MK

Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup 黄文合牧师（博士) is the Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore • 新加坡卫 理公会会督. He came fifth from a family of two girls and five boys. A full-blooded Peranakan, he enjoys a good meal of his ancestral cuisine.

3 WAYS TO SUPPORT MKS: Talk a lot about missions.

Put yourself in the MK’s shoes.

Remind the MKs that they aren’t that different.

s (Missionary Kids). PKs (Pastor’s Kids), as we call them. Or a more recent term TCKs “Third Culture Kids.”

These are a special breed of people. They themselves either love or hate to be MKs or PKs. For those who manage to find themselves in a healthy place between these two extremes may end up making positive contributions to the church. For those who do not, they become people who get continually stepped on by others, or they themselves are destructive forces in the church. A lot depends on the kind of experiences they have when they were growing up, both overseas and when they return home.

The term ‘third culture kids’ include not just children of missionaries.

Nowadays, many parents work overseas in different countries and hence their children spend a significant number of years in the culture different from that of their parents. The third culture refers to what the children have assimilated from their experience of all the other cultures and made into their own unique blend. Missionary kids easily fall into this category because the countries where missionaries are sent to, may themselves possess different sub-cultures unique to certain tribes and regions.

There are two different aspects that we must pay attention for MKs. One is what they are exposed to in the culture of the mission field of their parents. How do their parents and other fellow missionaries relate to and nurture them in that environment? The second perspective is how we relate to them when they return to the home country of their parents. What can those outside the family of the missionary do to assist MKs to settle down and adjust to ‘home’?

While learning or studying in school may take a large portion of the MK’s time, we should not forget the other aspects of a child’s development. Key among these is the relational dimension.

Missionary parents often struggle with their children’s education: should they attend an international school, or a local school? That is a decision requiring careful study of the curriculum and its adaptability and suitability when returning home, or sitting for recognised international qualifications as well as its parity with the system at home should they decide to relocate back permanently.

The other dimension to consider is the kind of relationships that they will form with children of their age. Sometimes this is best done in a community setting of other fellow missionary families. The highest consideration must be for the safe and healthy development of the MK’s social and spiritual development.

These are decisions that parents have to make and some struggle greatly with the issue. But it is ultimately a family decision.

Then, there is the challenge of re-entry into home situation, that is the country of their parents. How MKs adjust depends much on the kind of reception they receive from relatives, friends and church members.

One now grown-up MK shares some insights about how best to relate to those like him (Source: https://team.org/blog/raising-healthy-missionary-kids).

Josh McQuaid gives three simple pieces of advice on how to support people like him while they are growing up. Firstly, talk a lot about missions. The purpose is to let MKs know that they are not outsiders in that local home environment.

This presupposes that the people who interact with them have interacted with

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other MKs before, and therefore know how to accept some of the eccentricities that MKs bring along with them.

Secondly, as a way to facilitate the above, McQuaid advises that we need to put ourselves in the MKs’ shoes. Returning home, adjusting to even simple tasks like where to shop can be a challenge. If we know this is the MK’s challenge, for instance, then we can take him or her along and provide shopping tips along the way.

Thirdly, remind the MKs that they are not that different, McQuaid adds. Innocent comments like “you and your family are such heroes” or “you have sacrificed so much” made him cringe. He believes it is more helpful to be treated as normal. He found that those who treated him as they treated his peers then, had the greatest impact on his life.

Reading McQuaid’s article raises a few issues for mission agencies to consider. While parents are still responsible for their children, agencies are responsible for the well-being of the whole family. Sometimes, what happens to the kids determine the whole climate of family relationships. Hence, we must pay attention to how missionaries are managing their children, both overseas on the field, as well as when they return home.

To assist missionary families in this area, agencies may well consider that orientation upon assignment overseas and debriefing upon return include this particular subject. We need to provide resources and persons from whom they can seek counsel. Should matters take a turn for the worse, especially when they have recently started assignment, then measures must be taken to deal with the issue immediately.

We have been considering MKs. It is important to remind ourselves that what happens to the missionaries affects the MKs, and vice versa. There must be a holistic approach to this matter, and the sending local church should be included in the process of re-entry.

Relationships that accord a sense of ordinariness of life would have to take place with people in the local church. Home office and the missionaries tend to deal mostly with official and formal matters. This is where the communication must be three-way: among missionary, local church, and missions agency. The three must be talking to one another on an on-going basis, especially when it comes to family matters, so that one will not blame the others, when things go wrong.

It would be a sad reflection of the mission enterprise if at the end of the day, MKs turn out badly. We do not send people on God’s mission only to have their families end up dysfunctional, the damage being caused by their being overseas. We have to do our best to prevent that from happening. Any effort to prevent that from happening will go a long way to producing healthy MKs.

培养健全的宣教士孩子 在

英文教会，常见几个缩写 字母：MKs－宣教士的孩子 (Missionary Kids)，PKs－教牧的孩 子(Pastor’s Kids)，以及最新近出现 的TCKs －第三文化的孩子(Third Culture Kids)。 这是一群处境特别的孩子，无论 他们喜欢不喜欢成为宣教士或教牧 的孩子，都别无选择。那些能够在这 两个极端之间找到一个健康落脚处 的，最终对教会也许会作出积极的 贡献。反之，他们日后不是继续被排 挤，就是在教会形成一股破坏势力。 至于具体发展，得看他们在这段成 长岁月里，在国外以及回国后有怎样 的经历。 第三文化的孩子并不局限于宣教 士的子女。时下也有许多在各国旅居 工作的父母，子女也因此曾经有好几 年生活在与父母不同的文化环境中。 所谓第三文化，指的就是这群孩子 在吸取各类文化之余、将这些文化 融成本身的独特文化。宣教士孩子也 可以归入这一类别，因为宣教士可能 被派差到拥有不同独特次文化的部 落或区域。 宣教士孩子有两方面是我们必须 注意的。首先，宣教禾场的文化会对 他们产生怎样的影响呢？在那个环 境里，父母和其他宣教士又是怎样 应对和培育他们呢？再者，他们跟随 父母回国后，我们又是怎样对待他 们呢？那些宣教家庭以外的人，如何 协助这些孩子在自己的家园安顿、 适应下来呢？ 尽管宣教士的孩子把大部分时间 放在学习上，然而我们也不可忽略孩 子在其他方面的发展，尤其在关系 层面上。 宣教父母经常为子女的教育问 题挣扎——是上国际学校？还是报 读当地学校呢？在作决定前需要慎 重考虑课程与孩子回国后所受的教 育是否切合，或是为以后永久性回返

家园做预备，报读有国际认证又与 国内教育系统对等的课程。 另一项要关注的是孩子和其他同 龄友伴会建立怎样的关系。有些时 候，这个问题最好是结合其他宣教 士家庭社体中一起思考。我们需要 高度关注宣教士孩子在社交和灵命 上能否获得健全的发展。 这些都是身为父母必须作出的决 定，其间也带有很大程度的挣扎。然 而，这个决定毕竟是关系到全家人 的大事啊。 此外，重返家园也是一个挑战。 宣教士孩子对环境的调整度也取 决于亲友和会友对他们的关怀与接 待。 如今已经长大成人约硕•穆怀裕 Josh McQuaid在他的博客里，分享 了如何关爱像他这样的宣教士孩子 (网址: https://team.org/blog/ raising-healthy-missionary-kids)。 他提出三项简单的建议来支持这类 成长中的孩子。第一，多个他们谈论 与宣教相关的课题，这是为了让这 些孩子认识到他们也是这大家庭里 的一份子。这里的预设前提是：在这 些和他们交往人群的心目中已经有 了“宣教士的孩子”这个类别，也因 此懂得如何接受他们一些与众不同 的思维或处理事情的方式。 第二，穆怀裕也提议说，我们必 须设身处地体会宣教士孩子的处 境。他们回国后，即便是面对看似 简单不过的琐事——比如到哪里购 物，有时候也会是一种挑战。认识到 这一点，我们就可以与他同行，一路 上还可提出购物相关的好点子。 第三，穆怀裕说，提醒这些宣教 士的孩子他们与我们的孩子没什么 差别。一些言者无意的话，比如“你 和你家人太了不起了！” 或者“你做 出好大的牺牲”这类话会让他感到 畏缩、难堪。他相信比较恰当的做法 是，把他们当成和普通人没有两样。

他发现到，那些对他和其他同侪一 视同仁的，对他生命的影响力最大。 读了穆怀裕文章，想起有几点值 得宣教机构深思的。宣教士家长负 起教养子女的责任，宣教机构却要 为全家的安康、福利着想。一些时 候，发生在孩子身上的事，左右了家 庭关系的整体氛围。有鉴于此，我们 要关心的，不仅仅是宣教士在禾场 上如何处理子女的事务，还得延续 到他们回国后的生活。 因此，为了扶持宣教家庭这方面 的需要，宣教机构应该把以上需要 关注的课题囊括在出发前的预备及 返国后的检讨汇报中。我们需要提 供资源和人力，让当事人得到照应 和辅导。万一出现状况——尤其是 发生在刚上任不久后， 就得马上行 动，给予适当处理。 到目前为止，我们的话题都是放 在宣教士的孩子身上。要切切记得， 发生在宣教士身上的，必定影响到 孩子，反过来也是一样。这项工作要 妥善处理，宣教士的关顾就必须需 是全方位的，整个过程也包括遣派 教会的参与。宣教士与会友之间的关 系建立在一些例常事务的联系与处 理上，而宣教机构与宣教士的联系， 大多在于公事的处理。从这个角度 来看，宣教士、遣派教会、宣教机构 之间的沟通，必须是三向性的。三方 必须不断进行对话，尤其是与家庭 相关的事务，这么一来，一旦出现状 况，就不会互相指责、彼此埋怨了。 如果有一天宣教士的孩子没走 上正路，那就是宣教事工的悲哀。我 们把工人送到禾场，是为了完成上 帝托付的使命，绝不愿意看见宣教 士家庭在海外出现失调的情况。认 识到 “涓滴成流、杜渐防微” 的道 理，我们就会不遗余力地协助宣教 士培育健全的孩子。