Occasional Green Pastures and Quiet Waters

I had the opportunity of having quite an insightful discussion with a good friend which revolved around the topic of gender roles in Creation.

Once, there was this pastor visiting this church I used to attend in the early days of my university life. During his sermon, he made this statement: 'Children are sinful too!' At that point, I assumed that everybody there understood and agreed with the pastor. After all, everyone was guilty of rejecting the kingship of a God who had created this world, whether adult or child, and are under judgement for said rebellion; and this rebellion shows itself in many ways, but most of the time, it is about wanting ourselves to be the centre of the universe, whether it is in relationships with God, with other people, or even with the natural world around us. It was later that week, while I was talking to a girl from the same congregation about the sermon, where she told me in a very hurt tone, that she "couldn't believe that children were sinful". At that time I didn't say anything. I had no idea what children were like.

Today, almost four years down the road, with roughly the same amount of working experience with children, I think if I ever get the chance to relive that conversation, I would tell the girl that she obviously had never had to look after children for more than a quarter of an hour. In my three years with children even as young as six months, I have witnessed jealousy, rage, selfishness, self-righteousness, and manipulation. Although undeniably, they do have a great capacity for kind deeds, and the gift of a short memory for grievances, one can hardly say that they are the innocent, chubby angels from above. After all, like they say, we just only get better at hiding it when we grow up.

As I recount my experiences with children over the past three years, I am reminded of this article I read somewhere. Probably on the Gospel Coalition. Regardless, it was about Gospel centred parenting, where children need the Gospel as much as the adults. After all, do we not have a high priest who once was the infant in a manger, and the child at the temple? As much as he identifies with adult struggles with sin, he also identifies with the struggles of children with sin. In realising this, my heart is once again burdened with how I can share the good news of Jesus with these children, and I despair at the shortness of my arm. For how then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Though the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few and overworked.

So, if you are thinking about areas of ministry you would like to help out with, let me encourage you to have children's ministry be one of them. No, it is and has never been limited to women only. In fact, the young boys would benefit lots from having a male figure setting an example. 

The walls there are only about 4m high, but don't let it's short stature fool you into thinking that it is easy! Compensating for what they lack in height, they excel in challenge, both mentally and physically. There are many excruciating paths you can choose to traverse across the walls, and even ceilings! Definitely a fun place to visit if you're looking for both a mental and physical challenge.


Scaling walls is a hungry business, and so for dinner, I was at the Overseas Restaurant to celebrate the 50th birthday anniversary* of a dear family friend. 50 years and she doesn't look much different from when I first met her about 20 years ago. One thing I really admired was that at the dinner, her father made good use of the opportunity to share the gospel with the guests. Very, very brave of him!

At the dinner, I met up with the birthday girl's sister and brother, who are my old fishing 'kakis'. It goes without saying that somebody casually mentioned the word 'fish', and we ended up going for a all-night fishing expedition to this Natural Exotic Fish Fishing Pond in Rawang. For RM100, you can fish for three hours, or you could pay RM100 for two hours and try reel in a jackpot catch. They said that there were giant fish to be caught, and they were absolutely serious about it. Here's me with my 8kg catch - the biggest I have ever gotten. Ever. Amongst the four of us, we managed to reel in another three more giant Redtail Catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides) by 5am. Unable to stay awake any longer, we left quite reluctantly. So there ended my adventure.

*I say birthday anniversary because you technically have only one birthday. No prizes for guessing when that was. The ones you celebrate every year, would then naturally be your birthday anniversaries.
**Farshid, if you're reading this, no worries. The fish were not killed, but allowed to recuperate, then were subsequently returned into the pond.

My Fishing Buddies

Catch of the Day!

This time, we brought earthworms for bait. The fish didn't quite seem to fancy the worms we brought, so I tried luring them in with some meal. Next thing I know, something's gently pulling my line taut. Seeing the slow movement of the line, I didn't think much of it, and reeled in anyway. Several tugs on the line, and I didn't seem to feel like anything was on the hook. Strangely enough, as the bait end came in closer, I could see the silhouette of a fish breaking the surface, and this fella popped out!

However, with closer inspection, I noticed that the line looked a little funny - it was all rusty brown. Then I realised it wasn't my line at all! Turns out somebody had hooked this fish, and thinking the line got stuck, cut the line. That or the fish broke the line. Either ways, the line trailing from that fish's mouth had got ensnared in my hook, allowing me to reel in the biggest fish I've ever caught.

After reeling in my catch, I was quite satisfied, so I didn't really try for any more. Instead, I took a stroll to the opposite side of the pond where we had seen plenty of piscine activity. Standing on the edge of the stone bridge, I could see plenty of fish, and proof that my fish wasn't the biggest in the pond! I'm definitely marking this spot down as potential fishing area. The only problem is the security guards... may have to pay them off. haha.

I can't believe it's already been almost one year since I've set foot in HELP. It seemed like yesterday when I first stepped into Wisma HELP for my orientation and first lecture. It seemed like just hours since I first met Joyceralda Lim & Co (Joyce, Esme, Jeremy, etc.). lol. It seemed like I stepped into the Ministry House just moment ago. It seemed like I've only spent minutes hanging with KC and the Sunshine band (KC, KM, HR, Kevin, Koo, Daryll, etc.).
And now the year's drawing to a close. Where did all that time in between go? 
Jamming sessions at the Ministry House, Chilly Pan Mee sessions, doing assignments and studying in McD's, more makan-ing at Ming Tian, dinner at the Ministry House, indoor picnics, birthday surprises and parties, emo sessions...lol, cramped car rides to Subang, CF camp, captain ball, movie outings in between lectures, assignment attempts at Daryll's place, COD, carolling practice...
Time sure flies when you're having fun. I feel really blessed to be in such good company. Thanks, guys, it has been a good year. (^_^) I'll see y'all when I come back from the hols!

How nice... I'll be having not one, but 2 exams on my birthday. Yeah.........

I wrapped up the last of my work at the computer lab and made my way to the lifts. I pushed the down button and waited.

Sometimes you reach a point in life where you look back all that has gone before. Your imagination digs deep and draws on the well of memories. It makes you wonder how life would be if you did this the other way, or that some other way. Sometimes it brings a smile to your face, sometimes it makes you regret.

3 foam bullet guns and an ample supply of bullets have been lying around the house ever since J's friends left them here. So what do a bunch of guys and an occassional girl do with them? They leave them lying on floor, gathering dust. Just kidding!

Front row: Wholemeal loaves  2nd Row left: Mini Baguettes right: Zopft   Waaay behind: Rye Levain