LONG TIME NO SEE

It's always a joy to see alumni drop by and visit.

Mi-Youn (Korea) came with ginseng candies and her familiar laughter - she was here for a rest, she said. She's serving with the campus ministry in Korea.

Shirley (China) is back from a short trip to Africa and preparing to teach in a Bible school in Cambodia. "It's a small college for local workers," she said. "I'll be teaching my first class on 'The Holy Spirit' in October, please pray for me." .

Si Si (Myanmar), who's just become a radiant Mrs Koh, also dropped by at chapel last week to visit, and meet with her old friends, especially her pal Estella.

And not forgetting Lim (Singapore) who, in fact, spoke at chapel. He gave invaluable tips on how to stay fit and fearless on the mission field, drawing from his recent experience as a sports coach in a troubled land.

Knowing our students are doing well and leading fruitful lives makes our daily labor of lesson preparation, back-breaking marking papers, teaching, tutorials and endless administration that much more meaningful.

HELLO

We just ended our orientation program: lots of getting-to-know-yous, ice-breakers, information about classes, library visits and of course dinner.

The Student Council did a great job in making sure everything ran: the program, snacks (we had the sweetest and biggest grapes for tea break), games, and of course, the final night dinner (which came later than expected BUT tasted all the better).

The talks got everyone serious and laughing and seriously laughing all at the same time.

Jeannette's Conflict Resolution highlighted the need to resolve issues quickly. "And don't facebook your dissatisfaction!" Check.

YK's Cross-Cultural Adjustments explained how the innocent "tsk tsk tsk", "can can" and "chope" could be misunderstood.

The games were hilarious.

Who knew Byju's new bride and David Kim could be hilarious!

While the new students were shy, they seemed to settle in well.

We already know Dunstan from Brunei could joke - in English, Mandarin and Hakka.

Stephen from the Philippines is quite the photographer and video enthusiast.

Looking forward to a brand new year.

GOODBYE ANN

On Sunday, one of our students, pastor Ann Chia, went to be with the Lord after a year of being bedridden from a stroke. Pastor Kew San and his daughter, Faith, lost the most important person in their lives. Their church lost a caring and gifted pastor. The world lost a generous and beautiful human being.

Ann was a "there you are" woman, always encouraging, always looking out for others. Sometimes we would pass each other at the school corridoor; no matter how rushed we both were, she would not fail to say something nice to me. "This dress looks great on you." "I prayed for you last week, how are you?"

I remember a few years ago I was invited to teach in Mongolia.

Everyone I spoke to told me how harsh the weather was, how muttony the food would be, and how much hardships I must be prepared for. I had a lot of fears.

Then I met Ann one morning at school while climbing up the stairs. She was at the top of the stairs, and called out to me. We chatted and when I told her I was preparing to leave for Mongolia, she said, "That's so wonderful!"

Her huge eyes were bright as she continued, "These are some of the warmest and kindest people you'll meet," she said, as she recalled her own trip to Ulaanbaatar some time ago. "You are so blessed."

Before she had the stroke, Ann was battling with cancer. The treatment ravaged her physical strength. I was scared when I went to see her for the first time, not sure how to react.

But as soon as she came out of the room, my apprehensions disappeared. She was all sunshine and joy. Her body was frail but her spirit was strong.

After I prayed for her, she prayed a longer prayer for me. She asked that I would experience God's deep comfort every day, and be used by Him 30, 60 and a hundred folds.

Goodbye Ann. Goodbye my dear student, my friend, my sister. You may be gone, but you haven't left us.

Your encouragement, your kindness, that beautiful smile, they're everywhere. At the corridoor. At the top of the staircase.

In my heart.

Behold a new year has come

I am encouraged.

I've been teaching the new intake of students in Turabian form and style and writing skill.

Not bragging here but this may possibly be one fo the best classes I've had in a long while.

Annie, with the Wycliffe's, is all wide-eye wonder and enthusiasm, and submits her assignments way ore time.

Mark and Patrick, two "almost veterans" with SCCC, say the dardnest things in class (good things) that never fail to wake everybody up.

Charles from Indonesia is serious but cheerful.

Last night I sat in and guest taught for an hour Roland's night class on "Christian Leadership."

Always admire night class people: they are tired from a full day's activities but they want to learn.

One of their assignments was to write their own obituary or "how do you want others to remember you when you go?"

One of them, a church worker, said, "I want people to know me as the woman who taught God's Word till she died."

A guy, an accountant by day, said, "Here's a man who gave and gave and gave for Jesus."

WORLDWIDE DAY OF PRAYER

I always enjoy the Worldwide Day of Prayer at EAST.

Imagine a whole day of no classes, homework, or lectures.

Just concerted and humble praying together, in twos and threes and as a body, asking God for breakthroughs.

My favorite part was when eleven students, one lecturer, and a visitor who just came in from Padang, Indonesia, stood up to ask for prayer for their countries - in all thirteen of them.

Some shared about pressing needs, e.g., the coming Myanmar elections, the persecutions of Christians in India.

Some, like Tunji from Nigeria, asked for "true revivals" that will bring about "real change" in their countries.

Others, like Chee Yuen who represented Singapore (and who asked that Singlish would never be erased!) and Gab Su from Korea requested that people and resources would continue to be raised from their nations for the global harvest.

Amen. Amen. And amen (including the Singlish one)!

WELCOME FAY

EAST welcomes a familiar face - Fay Yong - this week.
Fay, who graduated in 2008, has joined us as a ministry staff.
With her ministry background (Fay served as a campus staff and trainer in Malaysia Campus Crusade), giftedness (she was once receipient of the Walter Steitz award for her academic excellence), and joyful spirit, we know we will benefit much from her contributions to the school.

Welcome Fay. May God bless you as you make Singapore your home.

Jia Yu!

ORIENTATION

The new school year orientation went well.

Started with the business part at the school, then it was off to SAFRA (with the nice new renovations and beach) for two days of get-to-kn0w-you, prayer, and final-night bar-b-q.

Here's my observation about the new students:

1. This year, we had our youngest student - but tallest gal - Lydia, who will turn 21 next week. She lived in Thailand, where her Singaporean parents are missionaries, working among orphans and abandoned children.

2. We have many strong mature students too - church workers, missionaries from Thailand and China, leaders from CCC, a Korean businessman, and a Singapore ex-school principal.

3. The new students blended in easily. Most of the night's cooking, in fact, were handled by several of them who did a 'professional' job.

4. This year's bar-b-q was one of the most 'complete' - besides the usual chicken wings, sting ray and otah, we had a full spread of fried rice, croissant sandwiches, noodles, salad, and kimchi.

5. Byju came back looking very happy - he got married this school break to a CCC staff worker in India.

6. The team that went to Egypt were bursting with good reports. Cindy's English improved. Jacky lost weight - "Must be the beans we ate there almost everyday!" he said.

7. Moses and Daniel, who spent a month of ministry and "English immersion" in Manila, seemed more talkative than ever before. Good for them.

8. With so many coming back from internships and home visits, no one has been affected by the H1N1. Praise the Lord.

9. We missed the old students (sob sob), Tjoh Dju and Davina (who left for other ministries), and the Langstons and Winklers who are on home leave in the USA.

10. But we welcome new faculty Dr Kwa Kiem Kiok, who'd be taking over from Tjoh Dju in Intercultural Studies .