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!