Sivin Kit’s Garden

I’m blocking out this Saturday, October 27, 2.30 - 4.30pm at Bangsar Lutheran Church for some conversations that I think are worth having.  And here’s the email we sent out to invite people, you are welcome too

Dear friend,

It has been a while since our last conversation, although I’m sure during this time we’ve all been busy plotting (and carrying out) goodness within our own spheres of influence. So here’s a personal invitation to you to join us for our next gathering in which we will explore some very current issues, joined by two very special friends: Goh Keat Peng and Dr Hermen Shastri. Details attached below.

Really looking forward to seeing you then, and catching up with your stories.

Blessings in Christ,

Sivin Kit
Yoon Yew Khuen

On behalf of, Friends In Conversation

How Can We Make A Difference? - Conversations on Politics and the Kingdom

Much has been discussed in the media and public forums about various aspects of our nation & society - the judiciary, communal relations, economic policies, migrant labour etc. Increasingly Christians too are grappling with questions of if and how they are to be involved in issues of politics and social justice, but often don’t even know where to begin and wonder if they should even bother.

If you struggle with such issues, or are even remotely curious, you can do no better than spend an afternoon with us as Brother Goh Keat Peng and Rev Dr Hermen Shastri share candidly about participation in politics and the Christian perspective

Bro Goh Keat Peng is Executive Secretary of MCCBCHST
Rev Dr Hermen Shastri is General Secretary of CCM and CFM

Details of the conversation:

Date:
27 October 2007

Time:
2.30pm - 4.30pm

Venue:
Bangsar Lutheran Church, 23 Jalan Abdullah (Off Jalan Bangsar), Kuala Lumpur
(Map: http://blc.net.my/contact.htm)

Contact:
Sivin
(Mobile: 013 3507246; Email: rev.sivinkit@gmail.com)
Yew Khuen
(Mobile: 017 3363882; Email: yewkhuen@yahoo.co.uk)

An elder Buddhist monk is escorted by a protester in Yangon. At least four people were killed and 100 injured as Myanmar’s security forces clamped down on anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks.
(AFP/Democrativ Voice of Burma)

I got a letter from my Bishop Rt. Rev. Philip Lok yesterday to call for our churches to pray for our neighboring country. The monks and nuns in have truly inspired and challenged me in their actions towards social change in their nation. Please allow me to share Bishop’s letter to you.

” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with great concern that we follow the recent developments in Myanmar, where hundreds of thousands are marching in the city streets to raise their voices for freedom and change. It is simply moving to see how religious people, especially the Buddhist monks and nuns, are at the forefront in this struggle for justice, after a long era of oppression under the military junta. But the recent violent crackdown on the helpless citizens is very distressing indeed.

As Myanmar faces uncertain times, I urge all LCMS congregations to offer our fervent prayers for the nation during our worship services this week. Let’s pray that this crisis in the history of the country will result in the dawn of new era of democracy, justice and peace. As Christians, we believe that God can transform any evil situation by the power of truth, justice and love.

In His Grace,

Bishop Philip Lok

主內弟兄姐妹，

平安。

緬甸最近有進千人在城市街頭示威以表達對自由及改變的心聲已引起各界的關注，大家都拭目以待在經過長時間軍事強權壓制下，宗教人士尤其是佛教界的和尚及尼姑如何在前線掙取公正。

在這段時間，緬甸籠罩著許多的不確定性，本人懇請全體信義會的堂會在本主日崇拜時特別為他們禱告，期盼這次的危機能帶來民主、公正及和平。身為基督徒的我們相信上帝能以真理、公正及愛的力量來轉化邪惡的境況。

主僕，

陸愛平會督”

The day … September 26, 2007 Wednesday .. a good day for my friends who are lawyers.

The call was for lawyers, but some of us who were not came to support or watch …

The waiting was longer than expected … little surprises included who turned up.

I didn’t expect that many to turn up … it was getting inspiring as the seconds ticked away.

Connections and conversations flowed.

The crowd was swelling (and sweating away!) This is a hot and humid Malaysia.

Spend quite a long time standing … we couldn’t go without those in the buses.

The cheers for them was moving!

Finally, we get to walk.

and we walked …

and kept on walking … it began to rain … but it was good …

after the rain … we were still walking I think it makes a difference when you are not walking alone.

I guess, it’s going to be a long walk …there are no short cuts.

Even if it’s long, it’s got to be for something worthwhile.

I’m a little busy now .. but this video clip does a good summary. I hope to put a more personal or even pastoral perspective later

I was away for three days and two nights at the Lutheran Mission Bungalow up in Cameron Highlands. We had lots of good food, fun and laughter which is good for pastors. Of course, we still had our times of sharing and prayer to start off our first night. It was unfortunate that 2 of our pastors had to pull out the last minute to conduct memorial services and a funeral. 3 others missed it because of prior engagements or the difficulty to work out their schedule.

Bishop Philip Lok joined us the next afternoon and facilitated a time where we could share about how does busyness affect our faith and ministry. Interesting how the conversation later evolved into how do we deal with disappointments and discouragement.

Later on the second night we had a short time to explore what does it mean for each congregation to see themselves as part of the district and brainstorm future projects together. While it’s tempting to see the “business” part of the meeting as boring but what’s important is we are forced to remind ourselves of our interdependence on each other. It’s simply too easy to go on a “lone ranger” kind of mentality these days. We ended the second night with a good two bottles of wine and lots of laughter.

I’m glad to manage to catch up with some sleep and reading during the retreat. I think overall I could get a decent balance of solitude and life in community. As always, I found the mornings especially precious .. with a beautiful sunrise each day.

The last day was simple. Off to the market for some shopping for cheaper vegetables.

Later we met up with other pastors from the Northern district at Menglembu for a good lunch and fellowship. The special bonus was the short visit to one of our Lutheran Old folks Homes before we headed back to Kuala Lumpur. Then it was a long tiring drive back.

I think this will be my last long distance drive before baby no. 3 arrives in November. It’s hard on the family when I am away. It’s always a pleasure when Gareth and Elysia welcome me home with excitement.There wasn’t a lot of time to be alone. But the little I had was precious. The additional bonuses were time spent with fellow pastors and the older folks at the home. One thing for sure, I’m not a vegetable and fruit shopping enthusiast. And I realized how inadequate I am when it comes to talking about food. I’ll smile and chip in my ignorance or shift some other focus. Learning to REALLY listen is also an art … to listen beyond the words into the heart. Watching closely what’s beneath the laughter, and hearing what’s contained in the silences is something I’m paying more attention to lately.

What’s important for me during this trip is that our fellow pastors got some rest, refreshment, and relational building opportunities … and in the midst of that some “revelation” of ourselves, our surroundings and our savior sneaks in. That would need a little”pause”, “rewind” and “reflection” to get the best of it. Another value for me is that a good dose of encouragement is shared liberally… we all need it don’t we? Clergy or laity? Ok … all humans!

There’s quite a lot I could reflect on based on the OHMSI event. I’ve included two videos to get a feel of the opening and closing segments. The in-between stuff was the heart of the event. Dr. Lim Kar Yong as kindly begun putting up his paper on his blog. But I will start with a memorable poem read our by the second commentator Dr Beth Baikan, Catholic Scholar from Stella Maris Parish, Sabah during her time for comments to set the tone.

I Cannot Pray
(author unknown)

I cannot pray “OUR“,
if my faith has no room for others and their need.

I cannot pray “FATHER“,
if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.

I cannot pray “WHO ART IN HEAVEN“,
if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot pray “HALLOWED BE THY NAME“, if I am not striving for God’s help to be holy.

I cannot pray “THY KINGDOM COME“,
if I am unwilling to accept God’s rule in my life.

I cannot pray “THY WILL BE DONE“,
if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot pray “ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN“,
unless I am truly ready to give myself to God’s service here and now.

I cannot pray “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD“,
without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread I receive.

I cannot pray “FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US“,
if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot pray “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION“,
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray “DELIVER US FROM EVIL“,
if I am not prepared to fight with my life and my prayer.

I cannot pray “THINE IS THE KINGDOM“,
if I am unwilling to obey the King.

I cannot pray “THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY“,
if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.

I cannot pray “FOREVER AND EVER“,
if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.

I cannot pray “AMEN“,
unless I honestly say “Not MY will, but THY will be done”, so let it be.

I was impressed and encouraged by the participation in the latest biggest ever bilingual 30 hour famine event (at least 5000 people I heard). The staff has set up a blog too … good job! (need updates after some rest I know!)

As I was walking out back to my car after a short 7am to 8am mini-worship service, i was delighted to take some pictures and capture the above moment. Isn’t it true for the “wave” to work it needs every person to play their part in creating a “ripple”?

I confess I was a little rusty on my Mandarin phrases. But it was fun to translate myself and then lead the songs, hopefully encouraging the participants along the way. I saw many familiar faces to my delight. The mini-worship service I had the chance to conduct had around 200 people at the corridor. It was wonderful that others could eavesdrop on our singing, praying and sharing. The passage I used was from Matthew 5:1-16, and focused on, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ” After sharing a little based on that passage and phrase, I closed with what is seen by some as Mother Teresa’s Crisis of Faith but to me is a realistic picture for all of us to see. That those whom we think are extraordinary saints are really people just like us … having ordinary struggles. And this can serve to empower us to move forward rather than slip back into inaction or apathy or disillusionment. The process isn’t easy, but necessary I guess. At least that’s how I experienced it thus far and why I think many can relate to her experience. What inspires me more is in spite of her so called “crisis of faith” at different stages, the work still continues. Too often, I suppose most of us - I think I would have - given up.

My guess is .. when it’s less about us …. there’s more space for outer strength to be poured in .. to play some part for the hope for others. That’s the kind of wave I want to be part of.

It depends … capital “P” or small “p” …?

I will be there … it’s a pretty good set of speakers and commentators … I’m sure the participants would be a good bunch to interact with.

For registration go –> OHMSI Dialogue 15-Sep-2007 - Register here

 ”GRACIOUS AND LOVING GOD, I give you thanks this day for the gift of my present work.

I hold in prayer those who are jobless and those who have yet to discover their work.

I hold in prayer the young people throughout the world and in my community who must have a job to help their families and who, therefore, cannot continue their studies.

Have mercy on me for the times I have failed to love. I praise you for giving me the opportunity to share in the work of re-creating this world.

My prayer is that my work makes the world a little more just, a little more peaceful, and a little more hospitable for everyone.”

- Nancy Pineda-Madrid and Angela Fernández
“Work”
Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens (via The Upper Room)

The world that we live in is lack of justice, struggling for peace, and very often inhospitable.  Sadly, I wonder how many a times I fall into the trap of contributing to the problem than being part of the solution.  I hope to have a good start this week.  In fact, yesterday was a delightful surprise of multiple blessings of a pleasant enriching drive to the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia  in Seremban.  Apart from a full day seminar and a pretty “fulfilling” dinner, I think the most precious gift for yesterday was getting to know Dion Forster. He beautifully captures in essence our time in his post Seminari Theoloji Malaysia - new friends, learning, and teaching.

I was caught by this phrase in the above prayer:

“Have mercy on me for the times I have failed to love. I praise you for giving me the opportunity to share in the work of re-creating this world.

My prayer is that my work makes the world a little more just, a little more peaceful, and a little more hospitable for everyone”

While listening to Dion, there were a number of “a-ha” moments where I was inspired and drawn to what he and the church he’s part of in South Africa has been doing and is doing. One thing which impressed me was how the “social holiness” dimension was embodied even in the most basic of structures and practices - even to the whole process of the formation of a pastor.  More on his session in another post.

Now, what’s on my mind  is how my time spent today will contribute to “God’s will” and “God’s work” in the seconds which keep on ticking even as I key these words,  the space in which I will occupy in my movements, the projects I need to complete  and most of all in the interactions with people for the whole day.  That’s part of my work.  But  this prayer transforms what can be taken as “mere work” (which is seen as boring and a necessary evil)  to “a gift”.  And it truly becomes a gift as I begin to see in some small way … a world that is a little more just, a little more peaceful, and a little more hospitable to everyone.

Lord, in your mercy …

Hear our prayer.