10: Friday September 24th Singapore

Another swim in 9th storey open air pool! What a refreshing way to start the day - a swim before breakfast.







Dean Kuan takes me to see Trinity Theological College. Here a student is practicing in advance of her leading and preaching in front of the whole college the following week. The stained glass window picks up Chinese images and references. I ask about acculturisation since I have not seen many signs of connecting to Chinese culture. 'Worshipping together is a complete no go area. We don't worship at the shrines'. I recall Eunice saying how important it was for George to take a stand
when he was expected as the elder son's elder son to take a key role in his Buddhist/Taoist grandfather's service. He said no and the family were angry and distressed. Kim Seng says that there is some interesting work being done which shows connections between Chinese characters and the Genesis account. Also the character for righteousness shows a lamb (or a goat) above me - he has given this name to his grandchildren so they will not forget the sacrifice of Christ.

The origins of the college go back to a gathering of prisoners under Japanese occupation in WW2. They decided to form the college. What Kim Seng describes as a liberal period was countered by a number of students who decided they would go overseas to train and return and gradually through getting on the staff would put things right. The present Archbishop John Chew was one of these students. He went to Trinity Theological College, Bristol, where he shared a room with our present Bishop of Lichfield. Their friendship those years ago lies behind the new Companion Link relationship the two diocese now enjoy. Perhaps his experience there also accounts for what Dean Kuan describes as his readiness to invite someone in to discuss some disagreement over a cup of tea - many others would be far less conciliatory. So he plays a vital bridging role in the Anglican Communion today - aligned to the Global South yet wanting to preserve the Anglican Communion.

Trinity Theological College (TTC) is about to celebrate its 62nd Anniversary. There are few residential students as distance is not an issue in Singapore. As we arrive at TTC the 11.30 chapel service is about to start. The chapel, at the clear insistence of Archbishop John Chew who was Principal at the time, despite opposition from the architect, insists on placing the chapel above the very big library, to show that our worship comes out of our learning and studying of scripture. We wander round an attractive roof top prayer garden with pebbles, grasses and places to sit and pray. A notice reads 'Please do not remove pebbles'.

He arranges for Rev Peter Chen, formerly in the Navy like David, to join us for lunch.After serving in the Navy Peter went to read theology at Regents College in Canada. He oversees the cell groups at the Cathedral and has an impressive system in place where most of the 100+ per year who are confirmed would take a 16 week faith foundation course and proceed to join a cell group for a further year of foundational discipleship. The Cathedral's mission is 'Building Lives and Winning Souls'.

Meanwhile back in the centre of Singapore David and I are faced with the overwhelming noise of the Formula 1 cars practicing for Sunday's Grand Prix. It seems we could choose from any number of concerts; Mariah Carey is here, and Missy Elliott. Outside of the circuit, the advertising literature says, can be found 'world class entertainment, specifically designed shopping and dining experiences that will fuel high octane excitement and glamour right into the city'. Well it's the nearest I've ever been to a live Grand Prix. David and I take refuge in the famous Raffles Hotel. As non residents we are directed to the Long Bar - having passed a couple stepping out of some sleek red racing car - where David very generously buys me a 'John Collins'; a cocktail he used to enjoy those 46 years ago when as a Naval Captain he was involved in the Konfrontasi, based here to deal with the Indonesian uprising. I sensed standards had dropped since David was here last but still it was very impressive, and it would appear, very costly too....

9: 23 September Singapore

The Straits Times today tells has the heading:

Expat Income: Singapore tops global list. Survey of cities within 25 countries shows it has the largest ratio of high earners... 45% of expats are earning more than $2oo,000 a year. Elsewhere I read that Singapore has the fourth highest average per capita income in the world. How different from Birmingham's Companion Link with Malawi - one of the world's 20 poorest countries. I look forward to the challenges and oppotrun ities of developing further our links with Matlosane Diocese in South Africa.

The Singapore Grand Prix is taking place. This is the Church Poster in the Prsbyterian church just beside the YMCA where we were staying.

We are collected by Boon Ann who took us to Archbishop Chew's favourite restaurant with some of the Deans of the Missionary Deaneries..... before making our way to St Andrew's Diocesan Offices for further discussion.

Boon Ann very kindly drives us across Singapore (!) to see dock area where David was based back in 1965/66. We have the opportunity to meet Revd Timothy Keng-Hoi Chong, vicar of Yishun Christian Church who leads a church with multilingual services and diverse ministries. He is the Associate Dean of Indonesia where he supervises the Anglican churches and auxiliary services in Indonesia. He has a staff team of about a dozen working for him...... which does not seem to be that uncommon. He passes on an interesting book which he has written: 'Paul's Theology of Church Discipline in 1 Corinthians: A Holistic Model of Discipline for the Church in Singapore'.

We are held up in more Grand Prix traffic as we head for Discipleship Training sessions with George and Eunice Tay at St Andrew's City Church. They are using the Sa'rang Community Church material from Korea and kindly give us the work books and folders. Whilst I am completely convinced of the importance of Discipleship training I think the material would need quite a significant degree of rewriting in terms of educational methods before it could be used in our Lichfield context.

8: 22 September Penang to Singapore

Heavy traffic on way to airport but make the flight comfortably. More insightful chat on way with Christopher.
Met by Dean Kuan Kim Seng - so inspiring. Every Cathedral should have a Dean like him! He takes us to the Cathedral, then out for lunch before meeting
Met Tom Handley at 9.00pm - remarkable testimonies.....

7: Penang - insights

Revd Christopher Tan of Christ Church, Penang, tells us of his conversion as a 16 year old and of how he lost his family and friends as a result of his decision; of how relationships are central within our Asian culture and the importance of eating, sharing and talking together; of the way in which the internet is enabling people to share and exposing injustice, corruption or misinformation; that the change to Bahasi as the main language rather than English means that the Bible is now available in a language which can be understood by all; of the way in which marriage is being used as a means of conversion to Islam as Muslim women attract husbands from Sarawak and Sabah for instance and they are legally compelled to convert to Islam......

After a brief visit to St George's Church which is being restored - it was built in 1817 and is one of the oldest churches in S.E.Asia. It was built by Captain Robert Smith of the Bengal Engineers. The first service was held on Christmas Day 1818 and the church was consecrated a year later by the Bishop of Calcutta. The last major renovation of the church was done in 1948 after it suffered great damage after six Japanese bombs were dropped during a raid.

Gurtsey showed us around central Penang including a visit to this Protestant graveyard with many reminders of the price paid by the early pioneer missionaries. Her grandparents settled in Penang from India. Gurtsey takes us in a flying visit to a hand printed batik factory / shop where she gets a 30% discount. David buys rapidly and strategically; feeling the pressure of needing to be back at St Nicholas' Home for the massage which was booked; important to support this employment initiative.... I decided to go for just a chair massage and found my masseur a bit on the rough side. I wondered from his wrenching and pretty lively chopping if he was drawing on martial arts skills or some high pressure tradition that I hadn't previously encountered. Anyhow I survived and the management graciously received my feedback.

Revd Stephen Soe shows us around St Paul's Church which is preparing to celebrate it's 125th anniversary. Like many of the leaders I meet he is keen to develop Discipleship Training, recognising that further teaching and formation is needed to give people the confidence and ability to come forward as lay pastors.

From the roof top of the six storey church building we look down on the Catholic Church beneath

David and I decide to go out for a meal. Since we are not sure which way to head for to reach the beach restaurants we ask a young woman who is approaching us on the pavement. She offers to show us the way - 'This way', she says. I hope it didn't look too untoward as she walked with us. She turned out to be from Bali, Indonesia, and was working as a maid for an English family in Penang. She is from a Roman Catholic family and is called Maria. I asked her how long the walk would take, to which she replied 'Oh, nearly five years'. When we realised that walk is so close in sound to work we had a good laugh together.

6: Mon 20 September - KL to Penang

The new Executive Director of St Nicholas Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired, shows an impressive commitment to positive change. A former St Chads Volunteer Matthew Teather is spoken of with great affection and appreciation. Matt is remembered for his fund raising and the acquiring and establishing of a new playground.Yes, we would greatly value more Volunteers here. I wonder if there could be some creative link and partnership with a schools working with people who are visually impaired back in the Lichfield Diocese. We look at the 'First Touch Garden in Asia', and admire the pieces of sculpture donated by Japanese and local sculptors.

We were met by Rev Ho meets us at Penang Airport. He is an Non Stipendary Minister, having trained at the Baptist seminary near the beach in Penang - sounds like an attractive location. He says that young people are leaving the church. It seems that 30 people from Christchurch went over to Lichfield some years ago as part of a grand visit but a good number of them subsequently just vanished from church and weer seen no more. So we discuss whether exchange visits are worthwhile - not according to Rev Ho if is just about broadening horizons. There needs to be a more clearly defined purpose and an agreement and commitment to prepare and follow up in a way which will feed into the developing life of the church. He speaks of the problems Christians are facing. I ask him if he is from a Christian family. 'No', he replies. I ask more but he is reluctant to say more than that he was converted and that there was much pain. Such things cannot be shared lightly.

It's easy to forget that Penang is an island so we are grateful to Bishop Pfang for taking us to a beach side restaurant for our evening meal - the Northam Beach Cafe. As ever I seek out the less familiar and at his recommendation choose a drink made from the Ambra fruit with dried plums; quite a leafy taste. Above us are the luxury apartments overlooking the sea. I think I need outposts in all the Companion Dioceses and that penthouse suite at the top with curved balcony would do nicely.

After we meet Pastor Sweebee who speaks of evangelistic work with the Orang Asli indigenous peoples. Bishop Pfang reflected on the large numbers of people who had gone to Lichfield and hoped that we could now focus such visits more sharply and to be quite selective in choosing suitable people. He said, 'I went to England and saw how many people take their faith for granted. Whereas here we have to work hard to fight and stand for our faith in the midst of hostility. That is what we may contribute to the partnership'. He went on in a lighter vein to recall how concerned he was that day after day they were being given salad - 'I must have rice!' It was also a great surprise to find that the bathroom was carpetted!

5: Sunday 19th September - Preach it!

6.25 am alarm goes - in time to get to St Paul's Petaling Jaya for 7.00am service. Well over a hundred people there. And again at 9.00am - this time with nearly 300. Was it OK? I ask for feedback. 'I had hoped you would preach on the Gospel' - (that tricky one about gaining unrighteous wealth!). Another comment; 'No wonder that people are leaving the Church of England if sermons are that long'. I preached for 30 mins having been told that the norm is around 35 mins for that service. Difficult to pitch.......
The family lunch was great time of sharing, teasing, discussion and laughter.
5.00pm CRACC service at Cathedral and 7.00pm Peace Community Church.

4: Malaysia Day - St Chads Volunteers

Day with St Chads Volunteers - Reggi, Abigail, Helina, Nicole and potential new Volunteer.....

Morning at Bird Park.

Banana leaf South Indian lunch.

Round table discussion at St Mary's Cathedral joined by BishopMoon Hing. Open air meal under moon and palm trees (joined by Melissa and Shireen). On return to Helina's family home we watch the last part of 'America's Got Talent' - won by a crooning ventriloquist; a boost for ventriloquists worldwide!

3: Mission Conference Day 2

Yesterday was Malaysia Day - but one of the delegates, John Santhosam, has some concerns. 'All this 1Malaysia talk is all very well but we Christians are not allowed to build churches. There is land for mosques - all over the place - and for Hindu Temples, but not for Christians. We are not happy about this.'

I learn some Inbam, from East Malaysia:
Puji Tuhan - Praise the Lord!
Nama Burita - How are you?
Thanks to Rev Iben Arang for that brief tutorial.

Alongside the devotional, personal and intimate in worship let us be inclusive and diverse, owning corporate pain and injustice. We tend to polarize and stay safe in our zones.

It is so remarkable to be engaging with Mission here in West Malaysia; to encounter a different paradigm, a new landscape. The past missionary heritage is embraced with confidence and gratitude and the new challenges and opportunities in world mission are faced with hope, energy and vision.

On Parish to Parish Links:
According to the Revd Dr Viji Daniel at Klang Church, 'When the links work well they work very well. There's usually a boost after a visit but somehow it then gets neglected alot of the time.....'

"Your Diocese must be a very big one. We find visitors from the Diocese are not knowing each other".

George Tay is Dean of Indonesia when he is not too busy with his own parish ministry! This is an expression of the Diocese of Singapore's commitment to mission, evidenced in the formation of six missionary deaneries which also include Vietnam, Laos, Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand. This initiative is supported and 'anchored' by the other Dioceses in the Province of South Asia. We hear of how the Revd John Sim had to flee under cover of darkness having received death threats following his invitation to people on one island to come to this new church. Subsequently he told the local Muslim policeman about it who remarkably gathered the people of that Muslim village together and told them that this man was under his protection!

2: Mission Conference Day 1

Tan Jin Huat heads up the Theological Education by Extension training at the local theological college in Seramban. He looks at my card and comments approvingly on the Lichfield Diocesan strap line ; 'Going for Growth - great man!' He speaks of the way in which when he was in the UK he realised he needed to make appointments first before seeing anyone. 'You don't just drop round. Whereas here you come round anytime. Welcome!' He is concerned at the way in which people in the West have lost their critical assessment of the supernatural. 'It's not that they don't believe it; they are very receptive to it but don't recognise the occult'.

Rev Paul Monash was converted from Hinduism at the age of 16. He was excluded from his family as a result for 6 years but wonderfully his father in his old age was subsequently converted. It had been difficult for Paul as he was sent to minister in Ipoh where his parent's family lived - perhaps finding that a prophet is not recognised in his home town. He later went with his wife and children to Perth and is now adjusting to working in Kuala Lumpur.

Bishop Moon Hing delivers an engaging, dynamic, passionate and humourous address with an overview of where we have reached in our world today. The world we live in is getting strange. 'There is more terrorism where people are killing each other for fun, gain and in the name of God. There is more abnormality where people are approving and practicing activities against nature and God's original plan. There is more corruption where people can sell their dignity and authenticity for fantasy and dreams.' We are playing God, trying to fool God and cheating ourselves. So what will happen? Some say 'Nothing will happen', others that we can't help it and others see the solution in simply building bigger churches. However the answer lies in reshaping our thinking and realising that 'The fruit of an apple tree is not an apple but rather an apple tree'. The priority is to build disciples of Christ.

We are introduced by key members of this 80,000 strong Sa'Rang Community Church in South Korea to a model of Discipleship Training. It is a thorough, Biblical and world mission oriented programme of activities and training processes. At one point the digital projector broke down which prompted the person next to me to say 'No power - no point!' Clearly not a fan of the powerpoint. So we were ushered off to lunch and amazingly those responsible for providing us with a delicious cooked meal were able to serve it to us calmy despite us being 45 minutes early.

Was it David Pawson who said 'Churches want people to Show Up, Pay Up and Shut Up'?

'God loves you just as you are but He refuses to leave you there'. Max Ricardo.

Amazing to reflect on Mission in this South Asian context and to hear Isac from Korea say that soon China will become the main driving force behind Christian mission to the world.....

1:Connecting the World

'Dubai Airport: Connecting the World'. These next three weeks as I meet people in West Malaysia, Singapore and Kuching are all about Connections - making them, building on them and reviewing them. In a busy restaurant in downtown Malacca I share a meal with Bishop Batumalai, eating the rice and curries on banana leaves. He did his Ph.D. in Birmingham and he is delighted to receive greetings from friends at Lickey Parish where he was based over 15 years ago - people he remembers well. He is concerned about the impact that hasty decisions about homosexuality in the parts of the Anglican Communion are having in South East Asia. 'Here we take teaching of the Bible very seriously. I do respect Archbishop Rowan, but we must not act in haste. Your church in England can benefit from the emphasis we have on mission......'

'Eat,Pray,Love', is the title of One Women's (Elizabeth Gilbert's) Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. I reckon that's a pretty good summary of Jesus' message. There's certainly been plenty of eating so far as we relax, laugh, share and talk together. This was a meal with Revd Canon Fred David (centre) and Yoke Fong who lived in the same College house when I was training for ministry at St John's, Nottingham back in 1986. He has played a key role in developing an evangelistic ministry in the villages.