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 .

After almost two months of break, school will reopen next week.

Just met the new students after their orientation.

Some looked excited and ready to go, others seemed a little 'blur' after all the "information overload".

Chatted with Jean and Shirley who were part of a team that went to a M country for mission trip.

They looked fresh and excited as they talked about God's provision and blessings on that trip.

Personally I'm excited to start teaching next week.

As I just read in someone's newsletters, we are coaches of people who could run faster, better, and stronger than we.

But they need training.

They need people to give them confidence.

They need all the help we could give them as teachers, guides, and mentors.

If you're a new student of EAST and reading this, WELCOME.

We're right there behind you.

IT'S TIME FOR CELEBRATION

It was a small cohort - just nine persons graduating - but it was a big happy celebration.

Held at Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church, the 15th commencement was a grand affair.

Lisa Sim-Lim was recognized for her godliness, service to the community, and academic excellence when she received the PRESIDENT'S LEADERSHIP award.

Hangyu, our sport captain, received the GREAT COMMISSION award for his heart and enthusiasm for mission.

Others who were commended for their faithful service were Sang Hyuk, James Chua, and Barnabas Won.

Barnabas' mother, by the way, flew in from Korea especially for the event, and to give her son new shoes and pants for the occasion.

Thank you everyone for praying for our graduates.

And for your support and encouragement to EAST.

REJOICE

We didn't win the inter-school games this year.

But hey, nothing could stop us from celebrating.

Today after chapel, all of us were treated to lunch and ice-cream.

We reminded ourselves that even though we lost - actually we were second runners among the grand total of four teams - our joy in Christ, and our oneness in the spirit remain intact.

And there's much to rejoice for.

We were one.

We fought for the same goal.

We wanted the same thing.

Many people in this world don't have this unity and blessing.

And besides, there's still next year.

Hallelujah.

WILL WE WIN AGAIN?

This is the question Choi Han-Gyu (above right) is asking a lot lately.

"Last year we were co-champion with TTC in the inter-seminary sports day," says the former missionary in the Middle East, proudly holding up the trophy.

"Before I graduate this year, my greatest wish is to bring the cup home to our school again."

Besides building inter-school fellowship, the sports day is also a chance for faculty and students to play - and compete - together, aim towards the same goal, and bond.

This year's sports day is on 27 February.