The art of distraction

Mat Sabu to face criminal charge over communist remarks

Compared to free of charge for Utusan Malaysia and Perkasa's worse remarks.

How much more silly can the government get.

And the Police danced along with the jokers.

Time for change.

Malaysia Day celebration

It was Malaysia Day yesterday, and I was off work. There was this Inter-church Malaysia Day Prayer Rally held in the Holy Seal church, which sits nicely on top of City Mall shopping centre. Interestingly, the sessions were all tri-lingual (Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin, sometimes with Hakka and Cantonese thrown in), and the translators did a really wonderful job.

I always believe that the politicians could never be depended upon to lead Malaysia into true racial unity and harmony. It is the church who should show the way. Why not, look at the Malaysia Day gathering, and you see the true manifestation of 1Malaysia (if only the M group could come)... people of different races and languages coming together, celebrating their diversities and yet seeing each other as equals, expressing a common love for the country. Try finding that in PWTC Convention Hall.

That was Mr. Eugene, a constitutional lawyer who came to remind Sabahans of their rights on religious freedom and native land issues, as enshrined in the 20-point agreement, rather than the distorted version declared by the ruling government. His take-home message was 3S... Stand (on this land... don't migrate... hmmm), Steadfast (don't be cowed), Speak-out (make your voices heard).

There were many empty seats in the morning session. Too much intellectual stuffs maybe.

But the hall was filled to the brim at night!

The night began with a wonderful praise and worship session to set the temperature right.

Then there was our own Pastor Jerry giving the opening speech, and telling us that he was one of the lucky kids who stood on stage on the actual Malaysia Day in 1963, and getting a memorable coffee mug in return.

The young ones who would carry on the baton. By the way, 'young' means under-30s. I have passed my prime. Sigh.

The really cool stuff was a live tele-conferencing prayer with the group in Kuching over Skype. But the audio was a bit off (maybe coz of bad weather), made it sounded like Darth Vader was praying for Kota Kinabalu.

Ryan making new friends and being naughty.

Malaysia-flag bearers marching in.

There were visitors from many countries who bought their own flight tickets to come to Kota Kinabalu to share the joy and aspiration of the Malaysian church. Reminded us that the church is one big global family. When one member celebrates, the whole body rejoices with it; when one member suffers, the whole body cares for it. So Malaysian church, be assured the churches of the nations are looking out for you, even in the midst of persecution in this land.

Pastor Eddie Ma of Hong Kong received tokens of appreciation (a book on 'The Birth of Malaysia' and a T-shirt) on behalf of the visitors from the other nations.

I got a CD of instrumental praise music played using ethnic musical instruments, proudly made in Sabah, Malaysia.

That, was one memorable night in the history of Malaysia.

Grandma came to visit

Grandma came over to play play with me over the weekend.

She brought lots of toys for me and my adik.

Brought me to eat yummy food.

That's New York food in 1Borneo.

And we went fishing for the freshest catch of the day.

SIB Likas (E) fund-raising dinner

We attended the fund-raising dinner for the new SIB Likas (E) Fellowship Hall last night. As usual, the event was held at the Putera Ballroom in Bukit Padang.

The guest-of-honour was the mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Gosh, I never knew the mayor is an SIB church member. And of course, our own beloved Pastor Jerry, the guy who fought tooth and nail for the right to use the word 'Allah'.

I was late for the dinner. There was the kids' karaoke, duet, Christian songs, Chinaman-style magic show (right down to the music)... but I was eating, so no photos from me. People say save the best for last, so I got some pics of the last presentation... Juwita Suwito!

Juwita what?! Never heard of the name before? Remember the Akademi Fantasia theme song? She was the original singer... plus a string of awards under her belt.

My friend Imelda said she can sing 'damn good'. Mel, here are some pics for you.

Hitting the high notes...

... even higher notes.

Diva mode.

Sentimental mode.

Izac enjoyed himself very much.

You shoot my photo, I shoot you also.

My camera is the latest model one. It's a Lego D1234... comes in a colourful package, extremely lightweight, easily dismantable and upgradable... and the best part is, it takes images of one's imagination. Hahaha...

Group photo of Pastor HengSie (of SIB Immanuel), Kelly and Chen-Li (visiting evangelists from China), and jet-setters uncle Say Hoe and auntie Sharon.

Mel and Kyi Kyi you guys left so early before I could take your photos. Thank you all for investing into the Kingdom.

Here's the latest development of the Fellowship Hall. Pastor said it should be done by March 2012.

Maybe Ryan can have his wedding here one day.

The kampung boy

A beautiful miracle

He was once a hardened gangster terrorizing the streets of Taiwan. Numbed to gang-fights and bloodshed, a hot-blooded comrade who would not hesitate to come to the rescue of his brothers in the midst of punches and sword fights.

That was till his life took a turn on that unforgettable day, where his beloved brother-in-crime smashed a bottle on his head. He fell from height, broke his back, and was destined to be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life.

He had every reason to resign into despair. He lost the control of his bladder and bowel functions. He had to depend on others to clean up his mess, feed him, and move him around.

Yet today, he travels around the globe, telling people about how he was saved from a despised and useless life, and transformed into the cheerful person he is now.

He never learned music, and could hardly read the 'beansprouts' on a musical stave. Yet the songs that he wrote resonate amongst Chinese churches around the world. He attributes all his praises to his God that placed music into his heart.

Yup, that's Mr. Lim (林和成) who came to tell his story in the Taman Midah Lutheran Church in today's Sunday service.

He entertained the congregation with a few two-wheeler stunts.

Sharing his heart and vision through beautiful melodies. 宣教的中国 sings of his yearning to see China arise into a missionary-sending nation and bless the world.

Who would have thought an ex-gangster-now-paraplegic would rise from the ashes and become a beacon of encouragement to many.

Who would have thought a lady would want to sacrifice her youth and life caring for a paraplegic.

Yet his God has blessed him with a marriage, and a beautiful wife that helped expand his ministry far beyond the shores of Taiwan.

The Chinese call it 夫唱妇随.

He has not lost the 'fire' of his gangster days, but now it is channeled to a greater calling to serve his God. If you asked him how did he achieve so much against all odds, I am sure he would say... well, there's a long answer and a short answer.

The short answer is... Jesus Christ.

And the long answer is... well, let's just keep the answer short and sweet.

A beautiful miracle, don't you agree?

I've got a collection 3 CDs autographed by the songwriter :-)

Easter Sunday 2011

Before you read on, click the music track below and enjoy...

Well, today's Easter Sunday. Went with my Sarawakian friend Harris to our nearby Lutheran church.

The ever funny Pastor Ezra Yew gave the Easter sermon today. The story of the day was taken from Luke 24:13-33 ... about two of Jesus' disciples walking balik kampung towards Emmaus, about 11km from Jerusalem where Jesus was killed on the cross.

Their faces were downcast and they felt cheated. Jesus, whom they hoped to lead a new government, died a horrible criminal. Nailed on the cross. Very dead. The opposition party was crushed.

"Ai yo yo... so now how la. Back to square one. Waste time only follow Jesus. I thought he's gonna be our next leader... mana tau he turned out to be a criminal, liar ... kena hang on the cross lagi."

"I wonder what did he do wrong la, that the government hated him so much."

"Dunno la. He seemed a nice guy to me. And he talked nicely to children and lepers and prostitutes, I also can't do that."

"The government ah, dunno real or not one what they accused him of. Said he's a threat to national security la, want to overthrow the government la, causing disunity among our race la..."

"Tu la, he said must love everybody, even our enemies. Where can like that one. Cannot let those pendatang share our rights ma. It's our rights you know... the Scriptures said one. Die die also must defend our rights."

"I think those politicians don't like him being so vocal about their corruption, and the cakap tak serupa bikin la"

"Ei, you think what the government said about his video, real or not one ah?"

And they talked and talked, not realising Jesus that has joined them in the walk.

"Uh hum guys, what are you fellas chatting about?"

Both followers still talking among themselves...

"Jesus lo. Now he's dead, we don't what to do anymore. Balik kampung tanam padi. Wasted those months following him."

"Where did you guys get your news from la? The mainstream media? As if you guys don't know they will always spin the story to side the ruling party meh?"

"Ei come on la, brother, are you new in town? Dunno what happened meh?"

Jesus pretending blur blur... "hmm... tell me about it."

"Some of our ladies went to the tomb where they kept his body, but they said the body's no longer there, and they saw angels wor..."
"Ai ya, dunno those ladies talk real or not one... sometimes they talk big only..."

"No la, some of the guys also checked out the tomb... no body nobody but cloth there"

And they talked and talked, all the while keeping their heads down.

And Jesus gave them some reminders of what the Scriptures said about the 'saviour' who would need to suffer and die.

As the sun was setting, the followers reached their kampung. On seeing Jesus wanting to travel further, they invited him for makan and an overnight stay in their homes. Typical Jewish hospitality.

At the dinner table, they gave Jesus, their guest of honour the privilege to say grace. And when Jesus took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it and gave to them, then only they held up their heads and realised that IT WAS JESUS! (I wonder what were they looking at all those while)

OK la, the Pastor Yew didn't say those things. It's meant to be an Easter play, which I will be directing next year perhaps.

Pastor Yew gave 3 main points to learn from the passage in Luke.

Point 1: (Dozed off here. Post-oncall... ehem. Anybody knows what point?) updated from Pastor Yew... Do not seek the living among the dead

Point 2: Do not be blinded by our problems... till we can't see Jesus anymore. Problems, pain, stress can sometimes be part of God's plan to build our character... and the final result is peace & cool in all circumstances, good times or bad times. The Chinese call it 'even if the sky falls down, I will use it as a blanket cover'.

Point 3: Give your sovereignty to Jesus. The disciples only recognised Jesus when they let him be the Master of the meal. We can only see what life really is about, when we pass over the control to Jesus. Till then we will still be brooding over our problems, and losing sight of the blessings in our lives.

After the sermon, there was the installation ceremony for the new office-bearers of the Church Council.

"Let me ask again... you guys very very sure want to take up the job? No gaji, lots of complaints one. Think very carefully before you say yes. Sure or not?"

"Church, I present to you, your faithful servants for the next one year."

Then there was the baptism ceremony for adults and children...

Harvest time.

And then it was Pastor Chan's birthday celebration! There he was beaming away with his family, and that huge chocolate cake.

Had lunch in church, went home... and then shared my day with you here.

Happy Easter.

A park in KK

My daddy came back to see us.

He brought us to play in a new park in KK. I brought along my bicycle which has been collecting dust in the bedroom...

I can ride very fast you know...

Then the park guard did not allow me to ride bicycle. So I had to find other things to play... No worries, there were many more fun things to do...

Ai ya, Izac still small baby, don't know how to ride bicycle yet la.