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....