This month has marked a very good beginning to 2008. In addition to the new member that I mentioned in my last update, we have had another young man come in from Ipoh, Malaysia, and place his membership with us. The two young men (22 and 26) have fit in very nicely with our young adults, and the group is bonding very well. They have even gotten together to plan a training workshop for this weekend. Two couples will come from Manila and conduct the workshop, and we have invited all of the congregations here to attend. From the sign ups we have received so far, it seems that there will be participants from several other congregations in Singapore here with us on that day. We are really looking forward to the time together this weekend, and it has especially been a pleasure to see the young adults working together to plan it.
We have restructured the Bible classes this year, adding a new class for the preteen and teenage boys. With most of our secondary students having recently finished their O-level exams (and doing very well!), there is a natural progression for them to move into the young adult class. That leaves one boy in a sort of “in-between stage.” He is older than those in the children’s class, but a bit young (and left out) when he joins the young adults. We’ve made some adjustments so that he is now joined by 3 boys who are a little younger than him, but still close enough to his level to make for a workable class. I think the arrangement is good overall, but it is a little more demanding of our resources (teachers) than what we were doing in the past. I would appreciate your prayers for those who are teaching here, praying for their strengthening and encouragement.
Next week we will celebrate Chinese New Year. It is always a good time for families to get together, and also a time of warm fellowship within the congregation, when we spend a good deal of time visiting in one another’s homes. I am looking forward to the week, especially because our guests from the Philippines will be here to celebrate with us. I think it is going to be a good time for everyone.
I have made my plans to spend 3 months in China after the holiday. I will be leaving on the 18th, and will be back in mid-May. During that time, I will be studying in a language school, hoping to make some progress with my Chinese while working with the group there. I won’t be personally updating this blog while I am away, but I will send news back to a friend in League City who will post updates and information here. I will probably not be able to log in to comment during that time either, but any comments you leave will be forwarded to my email address. If you don’t see my reply then, it is only because I am not able to log into the site, but do know that your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated, as are your prayers and support.
