Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
Chiat Sern was accepted by Seminari Theologi Malaysia (STM) and enrolled in the Master of Divinity (M.Div) program since January 2009. We both resigned and moved to Seremban. We struggled and prayed on our knees as Siew Hong was still jobless after 2 months resigned from a good prospect job while Chiat Sern was searching for practical church. We seek the affirmation of God’s calls to missions. All this happened right after 6 months of our marriage, in our midst of starting to build the home of God’s love.
We are grateful as the Lord always cares and provides for us as we put our trust in Him. We have been very blessed by the outpouring of love from brothers and sisters during our time in STM. Few brothers and sisters later were offered to support us, Lutheran Church Semenyih is supporting Chiat Sern’s 2009 study fees and Siew Hong was blessed with the position of communication officer in STM.
By the grace of God, Chiat Sern has completed his 1st year course in STM. After his many burning of midnight oil to rush assignments and read books, we thank God for the good equipping in STM which integrates spiritual formation, knowledge and ministerial skill development. We thank God for our life-change and passion for God. We truly believe that for it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
Chiat Sern is having church practical in the Lutheran Church Semenyih during this semester break. He is also ministering to 2 students from University of Nottingham since early this year. They had Bible studies together in their last semester.
Serving in church is a challenge for both of us as there are different needs. We are learning to care for the elderly, the sick, the poor and needy and at the same times, to advice others not to compromise with the standards of the world. It is a great challenge to us and in fact to all churches as there is a widespread deficiency in the basic elements of Christian character, ethics and morality. Today many churches have become more and more like the world. It has sought to be popular and acceptable to society, and in doing so, it has compromised its standards of morality and holiness. The scripture make it very clear that "do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). This church practical gives him a good preparation and exposure prior to his pastoral work in future.
We hope to learn and be equipped with God’s words that we are able to help people to face the world’s social, political and economic challenges with the power of the gospel. We hope to be part of the church which is the hope of the world that offers something that cannot be found elsewhere.
To be a professional, we need to study many years; yet to be a couple after God's own heart, we need more efforts. We experienced and felt this after married. We are in the process of making our home a Jesus-centered home, seeking and planning for our future. We pray to live the abundant and transformed life in Jesus Christ, to serve Him fruitfully and faithfully.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your support in many ways: prayers, monetary, gifts, greeting cards, words of encouragement, a hug, a pat on our back and many more that are very meaningful and great blessings to us. Thank you for all the kindness expressed to us during the illness and loss of Siew Hong’s father. Together we walk the journey of faith and pray that you will continue support and uphold us in prayers.
Please remember us in your prayers:
1. Chiat Sern will have wisdom and strength in his 2nd year study in STM and his serving in church and seminary. Chiat Sern’s preparation for his thesis writing.
2. Siew Hong’s future work as her passion and joy in food processing and nutrition research. Siew Hong is considering to further studies. Besides, she is interest in practical theology. She is seeking God’s direction in her life.
3. Chiat Sern and Siew Hong will have good health, wisdom in family plan and all needs to be provided in His time.
4. Chiat Sern and Siew Hong to be passionate for God and serve in love and truth.
In His Love,
Chiat Sern and Siew Hong
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