praying for Bataa

The test result is out.

Bataa (Mongolai) is eligible - physically - to be a liver donor for his sister.

Right now, he's keeping himself healthy and ready, and raising support.

The surgery will cost S $300,000.

"It's a huge sacrifice for him to do this," says Dr Mah Yeow Beng. "Not many people are willing to do this as it involves risks."

Let's pray for Bataa as he looks to the Lord for grace and strength in the coming days.

If everything works out, the surgery could happen end of August.

SCHOOL'S IN

First week of school.
You know what it's like.
New excitement, new routine, (and even new carpeting for the chapel and Agape room).
But before the end of the week, everyone's clearly exhausted.
One of the faculty put it aptly, "Many are going through syllabus shock, especially the freshmen."
But it's to be expected.
As Dr Ho Chiao Ek reminded us in the first chapel, coming to EAST is more than just getting through from one class to another, and aiming for the degree.
It is a training process.
A time of intentional mentoring from our professors, our teachers, and our peers.
A time to submit to God's discipline which, hopefully, make us better disciples and mentors of others.
Hebrews 12:11: 'All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.'
So if you're feeling under the pile - literally - don't give up.
Look up.
Tighten your belt.
A-cha.
Jia You.

Welcome to the Family

IT'S GREAT to see everyone again - after the long summer break and internship.
The last to come back were Siew Hong and Jacky who joined a relief team in Sichuan, China.
And it was refreshing
to meet the new students.
Among them are Singaporean church workers, and missionaries who served in student and relief ministries.
Though a few are still hunting for housing and schools for their kids, and 'going through cultural shock', most seem to have settled down.
Kim Kwan-Shik (Korea) shares, "My family is very happy to be here in Singapore."

Like every year's orientation, this is a get-to-know-you, games-and-makan week.
Yesterday we spent a day at a condominium, where Steve Yu (an alumnus) rented an apartment; we had a day of laughter, and fellowship.
And as in most EAST dos, the highlight was when the wives and kids joined us towards the evening for the bar-b-q.
Han Gyu and James Kang came up with quite a menu: besides the usual chicken wings and meats, we also had sting ray, sotong, otah, mee-siam, and salmon.
What better way to begin the new school year, and prep up for the hard work ahead.
To all our students - esp those who've just joined us - all the best.
And welcome to the family.