This has been the most fascinating year for me. When many of my friends retire from active work, I feel my life work is just beginning. Not only did I take up a new pastoral appointment at the other side of town, though it is only 14 kms away, but this is the farthest church I had had to pastor. My first church rented a house for me, 3kms away, my second church house in Ranau was only 1km from the church, my third church was 9kms away but basically one way northward from my home but my current one, I had to make several turns across the city before reaching the church building.
But the fascinating thing as the year ends is that in the past few weeks, my blog is read from readers of all seven continents, from Australia to Africa, North and South America.
Third, I have also published my autobiography and memoirs in Malay (bahasa Melayu) having published a kind of a memoirs in English called, "Departure Points" five years ago. Both volumes marked milestones, the latter 25th anniversary in full-time ministry and the most recent, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of full-time ministry. I sold almost the first 100 copies, as I only sell in churches that I preached in or got invited to preach in which amounts to 7 churches since the publication of my book in early November (SIB Lingga, BEM Canada Hill & Pelita (convocation service), SIB Lobou, SIB Losou Tintapon, SIB Bandar Keningau) and the church I pastor now. I have received three written feedbacks, one from Instagram message, Facebook, and WhatsApp texts.
Fourth, I have preached in two different non-SIB churches, one in English and one in Malay, the former in Sabah and the latter in West Malaysia. I have also taught in two theological institutions, one in Sabah and one intensive course in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
Fifth, for the first time I got invited to preach in Miri, Sarawak. More than 25 years ago, I went to Miri regularly for meetings with the SIB leaders of Sarawak and Sabah.
Finally, my wife and I attended my former School's reunion in Sandakan, my hometown for the first time in 46 years. We had a lunch about 8 years ago at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu but that did not count as a reunion as there were only 15 of us then. But this time 40 people came and the event went for three days with 6 big meals together, lunches and dinners. We invited several of our former teachers, a couple of whom in their late 70s and another one and the Principal in his 80s. We plan another reunion in 18 months' time in July 2026.
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