IN S EP. Isaiah 30:15 TEACHERS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP MALAYSIA CONNECTING HEARTS AND MINDS 2015 VOL 27 ISSUE 3 PP6303/09/2012 (030561)

Transcription

1 IN S EP TEACHERS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP MALAYSIA CONNECTING HEARTS AND MINDS 2015 VOL 27 ISSUE 3 In repentance and rest is your salvation This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15 PP6303/09/2012 (030561)

2 Contents Editorial 1 Congratulations Mr. Khor 2 The Unseen Head 3 Thank you from a Helicopter Retiree 5 Teachers Celebrate - Muar and Ledang 8 - Malacca 9 - Johor Bharu 9 - Taiping 10 - Manjung 10 - Ipoh 11 Teaching, a Labour of Love 12 Storing Up Treasures in Heaven 14 Corruption, Classes and Crackdown in Cambodia 16 Top 10 Things I Learnt as a Teacher 18 The Gift of Silence 20 Hearing God in the Stillness 21 In Partnership - Work is Love Made Visible 22 Kindly take note that our new address is tcfmy@pd.jaring.asia

3 Editorial In this issue are inspiring testimonies of Christian educators who have lived and are living out their calling. Their commitment to partner with the Lord as His servants and messengers of His love in the places that He has sent them to has indeed resulted in much fruit. We hear from a few principals in this issue. In the Unseen Head, when Ruth Cheah was sent to head a low-performing school, she told the Lord that He was the Head and she only His tool. By divine intervention, miraculous things began to happen which resulted in improved examination results. In April this year, Ruth was the proud recipient of the New Deal Awards for Heads with the best academic improvement. The recipient of the Tokoh Guru Pulau Pinang 2015, Khor Hing Yin retired after 32 years as an educator. In Congratulations Mr Khor, he shares on how the Lord provided funds to upgrade SMK Methodist Boys School, Penang, where he was principal. Another retrospective tale is told by Chong Ik Poh, who had always wanted to be a teacher After serving as a teacher and principal for 35 years, she was given a spectacular send-off in a helicopter! As she sat in that helicopter, her heart was full of gratitude to a faithful God who enabled and blessed her in her joyful journey as an educator. In this issue are also two testimonies from a silent retreat. Together with the Institute for Christian Ministry (ICM), TCF has run a joint educators retreat for the last 4 years. First-timers Ting Moy Yen and Ding Lay Ming had a refreshing encounter with the Lord during quiet reflections over the weekend at Fraser s Hill. Meanwhile, in a report from Cambodia, Ling Chern Chern writes about god-fearing Cambodian teachers and students who refuse to engage in bribery. In 10 Things a Teacher Can Do, Yoshua Chua reminds us of the tremendous influence we teachers have on our students, the power to coach them to greatness and to even change entire social systems. Finally, may our selection of Teacher s Day reports inspire you to see your vocation as work that is love made visible and storing up treasures in heaven. Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world s deep need. Frederick Buechner. Editorial Committee Indyrany Kannaiya Elena Kua Soo Li Liew Nyuk Lan Printer PENERBITAN SERI SETIA ( T) No 57,Jalan Balakong Jaya 6, Taman Industri Balakong Jaya, Balakong Selangor. KDN: PQ 1780/4548 Creative Layout & Design Petrix Trading & Service Agency petrixad@gmail.com TCF Office Unit C , Blk C10 Apt Subang Perdana Goodyear Court 3 Jln Kewajipan, USJ Subang Jaya Selangor. Tel / Fax: tcfmy@pd.jaring.asia Website: Facebook: TCF Malaysia IN STEP is a non-profit Christian newsletter published four times a year by the Teachers Christian Fellowship Malaysia (TCF). It is dedicated to Christian educators and issued FREE to TCF members. Views expressed are the writers and do not necessarily represent those of TCF VOL 27 ISSUE 2 IN STEP 1

4 Congratulations Mr. Khor! KHOR HONG YIN PJK, TOKOH GURU PULAU PINANG 2015 By Tay Choon Neo He started teaching in 1978, a Science graduate from USM, and retired after 32 years in government service. Even before retiring, the then Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, Rev. Dr Hwa Yung, had sought him out for a position as Executive Director in the Methodist Education Council where he currently serves. It was not easy leaving his family in Penang and coming to live in Petaling Jaya on his own, but Hong Yin recognised the voice of God and had answered His call. In a different capacity from school life, he now oversees all the Methodist Mission Schools, government-assisted and private. He also serves as an Exco member of the Malayan Christian Schools Council and presently represents the Mission Schools in the Monitoring Group of the Ministry of Education for special school allocations. * * * * * He said this way back in 2010 when he was still the Principal of Methodist Boys School Penang: I have been in the teaching profession for more than 30 years, with teaching assignments in more than 5 schools from Perak to Penang which eventually culminated in my appointment as the principal of MBS Penang in July 2003 a calling from God to partner with Him in carrying out His work in the school. I was thrilled to see persons from the church directly involved in seeing to the development and needs of the school. Thus, it is my personal conviction that nothing happens by chance but God makes all things possible. The major issue to be addressed in mission schools of which MBS is no exception is the dilapidated infrastructure which requires much upgrading in order to provide conducive studying and teaching environment in the school. Another major challenge is getting teachers to be more effective in carrying out their tasks in today s fast-changing environment. It is only by God s grace that we can hope to bring about such a paradigm shift in the mindset of the teachers. I have been most encouraged by the support I have received from the churches in Penang, by which MBS received a sizeable donation of RM30, from the Love Penang Charity Walk We must make a difference and remain united to serve the community in keeping with Christ s teaching of love and care. I am most thankful for God s bountiful provision for MBS, the earliest and oldest Methodist school in Malaysia, founded in It is indeed an honour to be given an opportunity to answer God s calling by offering my services to my alma mater since Thank you. Reported by Tay Choon Neo, Director Spiritual Life Development, Methodist Council of Education (MCSC) 2 IN STEP

5 The Unseen Head By Ruth Cheah When I received my promotion letter on 16 June 2012 to head SMK Tropicana, I had mixed feelings. Although the school was located next to the upmarket Bandar Utama and Tropicana area, it was a low-performing school as it served mainly poor achievers from nearby villages. In fact, the school was in the bottom 12% among all secondary schools in the nation. Gangsterism and vandalism were rampant and teacher morale was low. What could I do? The bleak outlook and the uphill task to bring change seemed impossible. My journey began with hope when I told God, You are the head and I am just a tool for Your use. Then things began to move quickly with lots of prayer support and encouragement from many quarters. Things happened miraculously, one after another. Funds literally rolled in. First, we installed grilles to control the movement of mischievous students. Then, we installed bright spot lights to encourage students to develop the reading habit. At the same time, we wanted to teach those who came very early to school the value of time. When God moved donors we least expected, we had enough funds to replace broken doors and switches. God also sent people from private institutions to run motivation seminars for our students and helped them see the importance of doing well in school. The tagline Coming to school with hope and leaving with success became a constant reminder and encouragement. A major contribution came from the group Generasi Gemilang, which was and still is a major co-partner in rendering invaluable help in many ways that I am immensely thankful for. By the end of 2013, the school had moved 431 places up the scale and I was privileged to receive the New Deal Award for Heads of School for the best academic improvement this year. In 2014, our school made the highest jump in Selangor when we went up another 788 places, putting us in a higher band and in the second quarter in the national ranking of all secondary schools based on our average school grade for SPM. The lesson I learnt was With God, nothing is impossible. Recently, a generous donor gave us brand-new expensive rattan chairs and tables, and we had enough funds to upgrade our meeting room, visitors lounge, and canteen. What more can I ask for? I am lost for words and awed by His faithfulness. Since my appointment, I have learnt that putting God first is vital. I need not worry too much about outcomes, whether positive or negative. God takes IN STEP 3

6 care of every detail. In His perfect plan and purposes, He knows when and how to release help in times of need. Resting in God and trusting Him has enabled me to experience His faithfulness. He brought a wonderful team of administrators - Cheng Ley Sing and Loi Poh Sieng, as well as counselor Catherine Thomas to work alongside me, plodding on and encouraging one another when the going got tough. He surely knows our strengths and weaknesses and how best to use them for His glory. On hindsight, I would like to take the opportunity to encourage Christian educators to take up the challenge to head schools in spite of unpromising places and difficulties. Our workplace can be our Isaacs laid on the altar, where obedience and willingness to sacrifice ultimately brings about victories for others and ourselves, with God receiving the ultimate glory. To Him be the glory. Ruth Cheah is currently the principal of SMK Tropicana and will be retiring in mid February She views her career as a calling to shine for Jesus. The Lord equips those whom He calls. 4 IN STEP

7 Thank you God - from A Helicopter Retiree By Chong Ik Poh Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 I wanted only to teach from day one. But when I landed in a rural school in Batu Pahat for my first posting, my dreams of the comforts of home were dashed. Even basic utilities were missing then. But the rural children were warm, sincere, and needed help. So, I did my little role. I met kind colleagues, one being Richard Tok Kee Meng, who took effort to make me feel as comfortable as I could be, for which I am thankful. My second posting was 5 years in another rural school in Johor. After my marriage in 1983, I landed in the state of Selangor. I was again chosen the best candidate to go to Sungai Chor another rural stint! I refused to budge and stood by the door of the Director of Education and knocked till I was heard. Expecting my first child and a change of environment were reasons enough to ask for God s mercy. I was spared. That took me to a new village, SMK Seri Kembangan. It was Chinese in every sense dialects, food, attitudes and the children needed help in English. Although I made the students stand on their chairs as punishment for not completing homework, we got on well. I also understood all the local dialects, Mandarin, English and Malay. So they were wary of me. But I know they respected me as they visited during my confinement when my eldest daughter Grace was born and gave me loads of gifts. A man s heart is never satisfied. I wanted a school nearer Subang Jaya. So, I applied for a transfer to Shah Alam. Oh, yes, it was indeed nearer home; so grateful was I. Soon, I had all my three daughters. That evoked a thought. I wanted to put them in an all-girls school! So, I asked to go to an all-girls school, SMK Assunta, in What a different environment. The girls were very warm, intelligent, vocal, boisterous, and creative. It was here that I saw girls striving for excellence in concerts and sports. The cheerleaders helped me to see sports in a different light, which gave birth to the idea of setting up a cheerleading group in SMK Seafield later. In SMK Assunta, the Christian ethos was ingrained through the influence of Sister Enda, a former principal of the school. I looked forward to school each day. It was as though a new dimension of teaching had opened up in my career. Although SMK Assunta was a great school for my girls, battling through the massive traffic jams daily began to take its toll. For practical reasons, I decided that it was again time for a school nearer home. The girls would be under IN STEP 5

8 duress and stress each day if it meant having to go through long hours for extra-curricular activities. The conviction was strong; I needed to look for a school nearer home. Back in the early 90s, USJ was nothing more than oil palm trees. I used to cycle with my husband during the weekends from SS15 to USJ 2. It was at USJ 2 that I saw a new school being built. While cycling, I prayed that I would be given a posting there. Little did I know that my simple prayer would be answered by God! Mrs Chan, the first principal of SMK Seafield, needed a library teacher; I was one in Assunta. That was how I got the transfer to SMK Seafield USJ 2, in December SMK Seafield trained me well. I first learned to be a follower, then a leader. As a follower, I followed instructions and submitted to authority because God constantly reminded me through Romans 13:1: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except that which God has established. In my obedience, I established deep friendships with my principals and we still remain thick friends to this day. Such was what I learnt: that in whatever we do, we work diligently and conscientiously, gaining trust and respect from our bosses. Very soon, I was made the head of discipline and also senior assistant of student affairs. Straightening Punishment had to be meted out, but when done with integrity and genuine concern, it was accepted by the students and the job became easier. out recalcitrant students became a daily chore. I punished a huge number, expelled many students, and annoyed parents. An important practice I learned was to make sure the students understood why they were being punished. Punishment had to be meted out, but when done with integrity and genuine concern, it was accepted by the students and the job became easier. Indeed, the heart of education is the education from the heart. I wish to testify that the effort poured into these recalcitrant ones has not gone to waste. Former students share on Facebook that they remember the admonishments and are now thriving pretty well in life. Some have actually apologised for their defiant and recalcitrant acts. What better reward than this? I even get invited to class reunion parties. At 58, I had set my heart on SMK Seafield for retirement, but God had other plans for me. In 2013, He gave me an opportunity to head a school. Heading SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara was, on hindsight, a sweet experience. What I thought was difficult became easy because Psalms 22:19 was my daily plea: But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. I made it a daily practice to pray for the teachers, students, and parents and, through prayer, to cover the school with the blood of Christ. I also sought prayer support from two Christian sisters. 6 IN STEP

9 One of the best practices at the management level is to walk the talk. As a principal, I took great pride and pleasure in teaching class. The students are your best judge, and they love you even more when they benefit from your skill. I taught well a good testimony to teachers and students. I have not in any single moment compromised in my teaching in class. 18 months is a short period to have served SMK Seksyen 4, Bandar Kinrara, but God gave me ideas and opportunities from my past experiences to make a difference in my last school. I delegated in trust, and I think the teachers and administrators caught the passion and energy. The school canteen extension project was one example. Adequate funds were raised in June, the plan was mooted in August and the building completed in December. I also had the privilege to establish the Christian Fellowship officially in the school. I never thought I would end my teaching career in such a spectacular manner on my 60th birthday. As I took off on that helicopter, I could only thank God for giving me a safe journey throughout the 35 years, 10 months, and 27 days of my teaching career. He watched over me and granted His favour. Indeed, Psalm 32: 8 has been my stay: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. This is my song by Joseph Hart to the Provider: How good is the God we adore Our faithful unchangeable friend His love is as great as his power And it knows neither measure nor end It s Jesus the first and the last Whose Spirit shall guide us safely home We will praise Him for all that is past We will trust Him for all that is to come. Thus I can humbly end with nothing but gratitude to Our Living God. IN STEP 7

10 Teachers Celebrate May, June and July were busy months in the TCF calendar as teachers gathered in different parts of the country to celebrate their calling as Christian teachers. Muar & Ledang 21 May 2015 This year s event jointly organised by the Teacher s Day Committee of both districts was attended by 110 Christian educators at the Muar Assembly of God. Teachers and pastors came from 12 different churches in Muar and Ledang. We were greatly inspired by Khoo Seok Lin s message on Work is Love Made Visible to continue to serve the Lord in our schools. Reported by Toh Cheng Hwa Fung Siew Kim receiving a gift from the organizing chairman, Toh Cheng Hwa 8 IN STEP

11 Malacca 22 May 2015 The Malacca Teacher s Day 2015 was celebrated at SMK Notre Dame. Ms Khoo Seok Lin s message on Work is Love Made Visible helped the 85 of us who attended to reflect on our calling. Our teaching career can be revitalized if we seek to reflect on being who we are, loving what we do, why we do it and for whom we are working for. Indeed work is a mirror of our convictions and values that we hold dear. Reported by Rodney Tan. The evening s guest speakers were Mr Abel Cheah and his wife Jascintha Tagal-Cheah, both fellows of Teach for Malaysia (TFM).They shared on the theme, Teaching, a Labour of Love. 150 teachers, church members and supporters came for this celebration. Besides the Cheahs, there were two other speakers. Pastor Ang Kheng Huat shared on how his Form Six teacher, Ms Loh Chwe Chu changed his life and Dr Jason Ding shared on the life-changing influence of his former teacher, Ms Mary George. Indeed Christian teachers can change the lives of their students through God s love! Reported by Nga Johnson. Johor Bahru 23 May 2015 IN STEP 9

12 Our teacher s day was held at the Hotel Perdana Taiping. It was really encouraging to have 40 teachers gathering for the first time in more than 20 years! What a powerful reminder from Mr Cheli Tamilselvam that God has placed us as life-changing agents in our schools. We were greatly motivated by Cheli s testimonies of how students problems were solved by getting the parents involved. We enjoyed an evening of warm fellowship, sumptuous food, and most importantly, a great message to carry back into our classrooms. Reported by Leow Keok Fong Taiping 20 June 2015 Manjung District Teachers Day 4 July 2015 The Manjung do was held on 4 July morning at the Wesley Methodist church, Sitiawan. 80 teachers came to hear Ms Seah Jiak Choo speak on Storing Treasures in Heaven. We were greatly inspired to shine for Christ by walking the extra mile in our schools. Reported by Mr Tan Ying Kee. 10 IN STEP

13 Our hearts gave thanks to God for gathering 91 serving Christian teachers, trainee teachers and lecturers for a time of worship and reminder of our calling to store up treasures in heaven. Winston Kao, lecturer from Institute Pendidikan Guru Kampus Ipoh, Hulu Kinta brought a strong contingent comprising 50 teacher trainees! These eager and fresh faces gave us cause for rejoicing! Indeed the God has raised this group to be future teachers in our country. Our speaker, Ms Seah took our eyes off the material perspective of most teachers to look at the eternal perspective of our calling as God s servants. As teachers, we are to see our students as Jesus would - with eyes of compassion, patience and kindness. In due time, it will bear fruit as testified by Ms Seah. Reported by Goh Kai Lian Ipoh 4 July 2015 IN STEP 11

14 Teaching, A Labour of Love What do workers gain from their toil? (Ecclesiastes 3:9) Abel Cheah and his wife Jacintha Tagal shared their Teach For Malaysia (TFM) experience at the recent Johor Bahru Teacher s Day. Jacintha: Before TFM, I was studying in the United States, and Abel in Monash University. We were both active in church, growing in our understanding of service and ministry. I was president of the Harvard Radcliffe Christian Fellowship. I knew it wouldn t be enough to settle for typical jobs after graduating. Abel: It wasn t enough for us to serve from where we were comfortable in. In 2011, we heard about Teach For Malaysia, which prepares young leaders to teach in some of the most challenging public schools in our country, where the needs are greatest. I felt the pull of God and decided to help plant a church in Melaka while being a teacher under TFM. This would become my life for the next two-and-a-half years: teaching English from Monday to Friday and churchplanting on weekends. Both were difficult, but both were also similar in an unexpected way. Teaching and building a church required immense patience and endurance; I had to rely on God s strength in a way I never did before. TFM schools typically fall within the band 5 and 6 categories, and many of our students are from underprivileged environments. Many of our students worked and often came to school late or exhausted. Some didn t show up because they didn t have money for bus fares. Many came from broken homes of great lack. My students were, by most standards, intelligent and full of promise. What they didn t have were the opportunities that many from urban middle-income families grow up with: good role models, a culture of hard work, and small successes that build their confidence. I will never forget Melvin, an East Malaysian student, whose father was based in the army camp in Gemas. He reminds me of the extent of the challenges some students go through. Melvin was full of potential, and had a growing interest in English. I was so proud to see him picking up the language despite how foreign English must have seem to him and his friends. He even went for student leadership camps to improve himself. Some months ago, I learnt about Melvin s death. He had been involved in a motorcycle race. His is a story shared by many small-town boys who lack opportunities for growth, good wholesome fun, and the kind of success so attainable to people of a higher income bracket. I think of Elida, who displayed an exuberance for learning but was being abused by her father. She had been absent from school for 2 weeks. I later discovered that she had a broken nose from being punched and was being put under someone else s custody. We were in the thick of battle every day, and many times we felt like giving up. Jacintha: There were definitely small success stories along the way, like finally seeing interracial friendships in a school whose students are usually very hostile to other races. There were also really tough challenges. Low literacy rates were just the start. I had Form 3 students who did not know how to read. I had students who would yell at me, curse my mother and throw my things out the window. There was even one time I came into my classroom and every one in my Form 3 class was sleeping (or pretending to sleep). 12 IN STEP

15 Abel and I had decided we were going to do as much as we could. So even though these kids tested our patience day in and day out, we tried our best to give them every opportunity to learn. A few months before PMR, I started free night tuition classes for my Form 3 kids, three nights a week. We met sometimes in KFC because of the lack of public space in Segambut and sometimes in our school hall. At first I had only a few kids come until it grew to 30 students. These were students who were used to being at the bottom. They began to feel like they had a chance of passing Maths. Nothing will ever replace the joy of seeing them work hard, and at the end, their eyes lighting up, when they finally understand how to solve a math problem. None of the kids in my last two Form 3 classes had ever passed Maths. When the PMR results were released, I was ecstatic that 92% of them passed PMR maths, many with B s and some with A s. Not only did they have to present in English, but they also did so to a board of corporate managers and they won the funding prize! That victory taught us a lesson: It is not enough for us to bemoan the state of our national education. We are stewards of Malaysian youths and must be part of the redemptive work Christ has for our country. Jacintha: One huge reason I invest in education is because of my roots. My father, who died 10 years ago in a helicopter accident, was the state assemblyman for Ba Kelalan, Sarawak. His dream was to see every family in his constituency have at least one graduate by the year Though he didn t live to see it, his dream took form in my own life. A big part of what I do now is to continue my father s work. Abel: Teaching has been an eye-opening experience. It gives you the highest contact time to mentor the next generation, even more than that of a fulltime pastor, and it s the fastest way to understand the problems and therefore contribute to the solutions. Teaching has been an eye-opening experience. It gives you the highest contact time to mentor the next generation Ecclesiastes 3 talks about how God gave each of the sons of men a task. These men are to be occupied with their work, get their hands dirty, and invest in it. But while we work, God reminds us that our labour is not in vain; he makes all things beautiful in their time. When I learnt about Elida s abuse and how she was missing school because of something that should never happen to a 16-year-old, something struck a chord in me. Maybe it was because my younger sister, also 16, was so far removed from the dangers of this context. I was angry. I was determined that Elida be given an opportunity to hone her talents and celebrate something. One day I found out about a pitch competition and knew I needed to get Elida and her friends to do this. We practised every day, and they prepared to present a pitch to run peercounselling and student leadership camps in schools. It was the most nerve-racking experience for them. Abel: In this hall today are educators at various points of service, some beginning and some who are far along that figurative road. I m reminded that we will never see the full extent of the work God is doing, and sometimes that work may be invisible to our eyes. But we know God is interested in the Melvins and Elidas of the next generation the voiceless, nameless, and often helpless ones. Today, we celebrate the ones who have gone before us, who inspired us to educate, and we remind ourselves: There is more to be done! Abel Cheah is Manager of Regions, Teach For Malaysia where he is involved in recruiting young Malaysian leaders to teach and build our country. He also oversees coaches and staff who support teachers in the field. Jacintha Tagal-Cheah is a lecturer cum School Projects Coordinator with the Sunway Education Group. IN STEP 13

16 Storing Up Treasures in Heaven Ms Seah Jaik Choo, former Director- General of Education of MOE Singapore, shared a message on the invested life at the recent Manjung Teacher s Day celebration. Drawing from the main text, Matthew 6:19-24, a part of Jesus Sermon on the Mount, Ms Seah draws three points from the text which outline the character and lifestyle Jesus expects of disciples. 1. Storing But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (Matt 6:20) Our treasures are those things we value greatly Our treasures are those things we value greatly and feel we cannot do without. If you have to flee your home suddenly and only have time to grab 3 items most precious to you, what would you take? In this electronic age, I think most would grab their handphones. Now, if the world were coming to an end in the next 24 hours, what things would you regret losing? Are they the same 3 things you grabbed as you fled your house? Suddenly, in the light of eternity, we see that often what we treasure has no eternal value. Jesus tells us that what we spend so much time achieving, what we feel so proud of, should be things that have eternal value things we will find again when we get to heaven. So what will you find in heaven? First, you will find yourself. If you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, you will find yourself in heaven (John 3:16). And all that you have invested in yourself to grow a Godly character you will be able to present to the Lord when you see Him face to face. What else will we find in heaven? Those we have witnessed to and brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Imagine the delight when you encounter in heaven these souls saved for eternity. Day in, day out, all the good that you do for your students, colleagues, and family will become treasures stored in heaven. And if your treasures are in heaven, your heart will be set on things above, not on things below (Colossians 3:2). 2. Seeing If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. (Matt 6:22) With good eyes we can see clearly and go through life with a sense of awareness and direction. With bad eyes our life may be lived in darkness, stumblings, and pain. Jesus is using the good eye as a metaphor for spiritual eyes which are clearly focused on God and the things of eternal value. We noted earlier the power which treasures have of attracting the heart. Therefore, we need spiritual insight, a clear 14 IN STEP

17 perspective that our treasures ought to be in heaven. This can be applied to our work as teachers. Everywhere, we hear the teacher s work is getting tougher. But with spiritual insight, we see that it is not just what we do but how we do it which is important. How do we see the recalcitrant student? With eyes of kindness and patience? Or with an eye to what our superiors are going to think when we have not managed to reform the student? Do we see that though they may not improve their grade, yet we can help them improve in their mindset and character and this will always serve them well in the future? 3. Serving You cannot serve both God and money. (Matt 6:24) The Bible doesn t teach that material wealth is bad. Abraham was a wealthy man. Money is not evil; it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil (see 1 Timothy 6:10). Those who lack money want money, and when they have money, they want more. Money is a good servant but a bad master. This means that money can be put to good use to serve God and others. However, if we allow money to control us, our life will be full of darkness because our eyes are narrowly focused on material gain. We need our eyes to be fixed on heavenly treasures if we are to serve God. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, said this: Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. When Wesley had an annual income of 30 a year (this was in eighteenth-century England), he lived on 28 and gave away 2. When his income increased to 60, he still lived on 28 and gave away 32. When his income increased four-fold to 120, he still lived on 28 and gave the balance away. At that point he gave away 77% of his income. Wesley s stewardship of material wealth clearly indicated that his allegiance was to God, not money. His growing prosperity led to growing responsibility towards the needs of others. He viewed material wealth as a blessing from God and used it to expand God s Kingdom and bless others. We, too, can be good stewards of material things and convert them into treasures in heaven. Conclusion God has given us considerable material possessions. He has also endowed us with talents and skills to be gainfully employed. But God does not want us to live for the things of this life. Or become slaves of things which have only temporal value. He wants us to consider wisely where to store, how to see, and whom to serve. If our treasures are in the right place we will never lose them. If our eyes are good, they will be rightly fixed on those things that have eternal value. And we will be set on serving God, not on what the world can offer. Reported by Indy Questions for reflections:- 1) As teachers how do we bear fruit that will last (John 15:16a) and thus store up treasures in heaven? 2) What challenges do we face in storing up our treasures in heaven, and what are some suggestions to overcome these challenges? IN STEP 15

18 Corruption, Classes and Crackdown in Cambodia By Ling Chern Chern The articles Teacher or Cheater in The Star Newspaper on 15 September 2014 and in IN STEP Volume 26 Issue 4 about the 2014 UPSR exam leak prompted me to write this reflection from a Cambodian perspective on how education can go wrong and the need for reform. Cambodia is a post-conflict society where poverty, corruption, and trauma are widespread. It is one of the least developed countries in Southeast Asia and presents significant spiritual, physical, and emotional challenges. Cambodian students learn from an early age that paying bribes is not only normal but also expected. Students have become laid-back, knowing that they will be able to buy exam answers so they need not work hard at school. For years, high schools have been churning out high-school graduates who, in reality, do not have the knowledge or the skills which would be expected from someone with their qualifications. This is a pattern that continues into the university level. Students can also pay others, including teachers, to do their projects for them. Not too long ago, I had an opportunity to talk with a student who wanted to Cambodian students learn from an early age that paying bribes is not only normal but also expected. borrow some money for this purpose. When I asked why wasn t he doing the project himself, his answer was, I don t know how to do it and I don t have the ability. Cambodian education ministers face a continual challenge in restoring integrity to national exams, often seeing corruption return again and again. However, the current Minister of Education has made some headway. After a recent crackdown, the examination results fell dramatically only 26% passed their Grade 12 in year 2014 compared to 87% in This puts into perspective just how many people were buying their education and yet not acquiring any knowledge from their education. The Guardian newspaper reported, For the first time in recent history, all the students who passed did so purely on merit, according to the Ministry of Education. In past years, students were able to bring mobile phones and cheat sheets into exam rooms. Teachers would leak test papers for a fee, students would pool money to get proctors to turn a blind eye to their cheating, and parents would even throw rocks wrapped with answer sheets through the windows of testing centres. Training undergraduate students at a leadership camp 16 IN STEP

19 What was the response of students who took the exam in 2014? Many students were angry because they were not allowed the cheating privileges that Cambodian students are used to and which they rely on to gain university admission. The result of the exam allows us to fix our education system, [because] we can see the strengths and the weaknesses [clearly], the current minister says. [The reforms] are necessary because we cannot allow this to continue, otherwise we will produce massive [numbers] of graduates who will not be able to find jobs. Chern Chern (2nd from right) at a student s thesis defence. In my experience as an educator in Cambodia, I have encountered a small number of students who chose not to cheat, even if that meant they sometimes obtained a lower GPA compared to their weaker classmates who cheated. Though their theses took a longer time to be processed, they stood by what is right. Several of them have gone on to obtain honorary mentions for their theses and were awarded educational grants to present their research at regional and international conferences. Not all teachers in Cambodia take or give bribes, though they are small in number and sometimes stand out like sore thumbs. Yet they continue to persevere and impart good values to their students. One such teacher is Mr S, a new believer in Christ. For some time, Mr S prayerfully sought a transfer from his high school as he had to cross three rivers by boat to reach the school and had to live at the school Mondays to Fridays. Such transfers normally cost hundreds of dollars in bribes and take months to process. However, praise the Lord, Mr S was able to transfer to a school in between his hometown and Phnom Penh for free, and it only took one day to process! Now, he can live in his hometown and support his mother - a recent widow - get involved in a local church, and travel to school on his teaching days. He has weekly Bible studies with an Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) missionary and is growing in his faith. Meanwhile, the provincial Ministry of Education offered him a more lucrative, fulltime administrative job. After prayer Mr S turned down the higher-paying, higher-status office job, saying that teaching is more his gift and he has more gospel opportunities serving God as a teacher in the classroom. To bring change to Cambodia, we need to pray for the Ministry of Education to persist in the reform and provide good training and adequate salaries for teachers so that the next generation of Cambodians will not just receive good education but will also have good values. Pray for teachers and students to stand for what is right. We also need God-loving people who are keen to reach the lost, to disciple new believers, provide good quality teaching and train others. OMF Cambodia is seeking people who are passionate to see communities of disciples who are following Christ in every aspect of life, multiplying throughout Cambodia and beyond. Is God calling you to use your professional skills in a variety of contexts in Cambodia? There are opportunities in student work, teaching university students and government servants (teaching English is needed very urgently), training staff in hospitals, tribal work, and many more. The opportunities abound. Is God calling you? Ling Chern Chern is an OMF missionary from Malaysia serving as a volunteer Orthodontic lecturer at the University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, Cambodia since Find out more at: omf.org/asia/cambodia/ Sources: (1) theguardian.com/global-development/2014/sep/02/cambodia-corruption-crackdown-exam-cheats (2) transparency.org/cpi2014/results IN STEP 17

20 10 Things a Teacher Can Do by Yoshua Chua I belong to a new generation of Gen X-Y-Millenial teachers who have been given opportunities by God to teach the youths of our time. I would like to share some lessons I have observed over 4 years of teaching in Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL), an established and growing Pre-University institution of excellence. its hype, can sometimes be a very lonely platform to be on. One of my students messaged me privately on Twitter to confide about a perplexing sexual dilemma she had landed herself in. This was perhaps because I was relatively vocal on my Twitter account. I could then share with her some basic principles to help clear her mind. #8: A Teacher can Illuminate with Interesting Information Because many of our students live in echo chambers bubbles of friends that talk about the same topics and are of the same ilk teachers can provide alternative perspectives and challenge a supposedly knowledge-rich generation to rethink some of its assumptions or, better yet, some of its sources! #10: A Teacher can Coach Students to Greatness Teaching is one of those professions where you spend an extended period of time with individuals, even more than those in the medical or legal professions. A purposeful teacher can help his or her charges to achieve crazy feats, whether it be becoming a great orator, ditching a medical ambition to pursue teaching, or just to reach the tree tops. I teach A-Levels Religious Studies and now Divinity, and in 2014, one of our students obtained the highest marks in her A-Levels Divinity subject and won the Cambridge International Examinations Top in the World Award for the subject, beating centers all across the world. #9: A Teacher can Be a Friend This often-used phrase still has powerful implications to a very Internet-savvy generation. Although many of our students today spend most of their time in the online world, teachers can still reach out to them via Instagram, Facebook, or even Twitter to catch up with how they are doing. Social networking, for all I like to read from alternative news sources RT.com, aldaily.com, and so on and regularly challenge students assumptions about what they know. And not a few have asked me the same question, Mr. Yoshua, where did you get all this information? How come I don t see it a lot? #7: A Teacher can Warn of Impending Harm Many of our students do not know the dangers of online pornography or what computer gaming in excess can do to their brains for example, see Philip Zimbardo s research-based publications The Demise of Guys (2011) and Man (Dis)connected (2015). Or even the dangers of unhealthy food or exposure to certain types of chemicals. Teachers can rescue some of their beloved students from selfdestructive behavior. A few male Christian colleagues and I conducted a 4-week seminar in our school addressed to guy students and we talked frankly (and sometimes very openly) about taboo topics like sex, masturbation, and online pornography. We gave practical tips on how to overcome some of these issues. The students were grateful and relieved that they were not the only ones suffering from these sins that so easily entangle! 18 IN STEP

21 #6: A Teacher can Model Good Character More than any other profession, I would argue, a teacher must strive to model impeccable character and virtue. By becoming a model human being or model Malaysian or model Christian, students can see walking, talking exhibits of all the good we hope to see in this country and beyond. In MCKL, we have gone ahead to develop comprehensive Character-oriented student activities which all have Honor God as their chief value. The challenge is, of course, modeling such high standards as facilitators, but we hope that with a bit of direction, students will be able to take the good and leave the bad. Only after we had forged ahead did we realize that some of the very successful schools in America have been emphasizing Character Education as well. #5: A Teacher can Sow Seeds of the Word When students (whether Christian or non-christian) ask us searching questions about God, life, or relationships, we have an opportunity to present the Christian perspective. How many of us seize such serendipitous opportunities? I remember a recent example this year when a non- Christian student from a major non-christian faith confronted me on my apparent Christian-bias. According to him, I was placing a higher standard of morality on my Christian students (which indeed I was), and I had a wonderful opportunity to share the Good News and the grace of God and why I was imposing such unfair standards. #4: A Teacher can Be Christ to Those Who Do Not Know Him We need to get more feet on the ground and be Christ s hands and feet to a generation that is ignorant of the Great Event on Calvary. I teach Character Formation classes to an average of 200 students every semester. I do not force religion down the throats of non-christian students, but I do present the Christian position as faithfully and tactfully as I can. I went home on cloud nine when one student commented at the end of the semester, I can see Christ in you. #3: A Teacher can Love the Unloveable Christian teachers can be foot soldiers in advancing the Kingdom of God by loving our enemies and laying our lives down for those who hate us. We can bless them by praying for their sick, casting out demons and proclaiming the Lord s blessings into their lives. #2: A Teacher can Show How It Is Done If we seek to see a better Malaysia, a country where justice, righteousness and love must be fought for daily, we must win these battles within ourselves day after day. Once we have conquered the Goliaths of our selfishness, fear, and anger, we can make a difference in our classrooms, schools, and communities through lives lived solely for the glory of God. #1: A Teacher can Change Entire Social Systems A teacher has the power to shake entire ideological foundations through careful and profound understanding of how these systems are put in place. We can become mobilisers, facilitators of a new consciousness, a new way of seeing the world through God s perspectives and empower our students to be part of these God-inspired visions for a better community built on justice and righteousness. There will be challenges no doubt but that is what is called resistance in Physics. Resistance can be surmounted by an indomitable will that has been set on fire by the Holy Spirit s zeal. If God is for us, who can be against us? asks the Apostle Paul. Yoshua Chua works at the Methodist College Kuala Lumpur and lives in Kepong with his family. IN STEP 19

22 The Gift of Silence The drive up to Fraser s Hill was slow and filled with anxiety. The scenery was beautiful but I had no sense of awe for the Creator. I was tired both physically and spiritually. But God, in His grace, brought me to this awesome silent retreat because He knew the state of my heart. By Ting Moy Yen During the first session, our spiritual director Dr Alex Tang asked us to make an object using Play-Doh to portray the state of our spiritual life. After thinking very hard, I tried to make a hammer but it did not turn out right. So I made a tortoise but at the very last moment I squeezed it, as I just did not like it, and it became a rock. As I reflected in bed that night, I realised that all the three objects were hard objects. Had my heart become hardened just like those objects? At the retreat, silence provided the space that allowed me to be still before Him and experience His presence in my daily undertakings. In silence, I learnt to chew on God s Word slowly, with thanksgiving in my heart. Reflection 1: Lamentations and the God of Jeremiah (Lamentations 3: 21-25) The clear and timely reminder to me was to put my hope in the Lord, to wait upon the Lord, and to seek the Lord. For He will protect me. I felt comforted by this. Reflection 2: The Call to Be (Jeremiah 1:1-19, 7:1-34) The Lord knew me, formed me, set me apart and appointed me to be the kind of teacher He has intended me to be. To be bold for the Kingdom of God. For the Lord is with me and will take care of me. I was also strongly reminded of the consequences of disobedience unto the Lord. Reflection 3: Run with Horses (Jeremiah 12:5) Our spiritual director cautioned us to be mindful of Satan s snares, i.e. WMD, Weapons of Mass Discouragement. In the course to complete the race, life disappointments may distract my focus from the goal. Therefore, I need to nurture my inner life that I may continue to be an educator who touches lives. Reflection 4: A People Apart (Jeremiah 35:14) God commended the faithful act of the Rechabites, who made the nomadic way of life and abstinence from drinks a religious obligation for 250 years! No compromise! The New Living Translation describes the Rechabites as the nonconformist family. In contrast, the chosen race Judah disobeyed God s commandments. I was reminded to be a people apart, faithful to the call and to live a life of obedience to God. As Dr Alex reiterated, It is not what you say but who you are. The silent retreat provided time and space to seek the Lord and finally find rest in Him. What a gift. During the closing session, Sister Wai Ling said, Silence is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. I couldn t agree more. The drive down was faster and I did not feel anxious. The scenery was breath taking, and I was aware of my great Creator. He was there in the serene surroundings of Fraser s Hill but more importantly I know He will be with me in my real and tough life. I hope to put into practice all that I have learnt, lest I live in vain. Will I be able to? Not by my own might but by the grace of the Almighty. Ting Moy Yen enjoyed her first silent retreat held at Rumah Methodist, Fraser s Hill, May 2015, jointly organised by TCF and ICM. 20 IN STEP

23 HEARING GOD IN THE STILLNESS When I discovered that the Educators Silent Retreat in Fraser s Hill would fall on a weekend that I was free, I felt in my heart that God wanted me to go. I am basically an extrovert and gain energy by interacting with people. However, I have always wanted to go for a silent retreat. By Ding Lay Ming other living things around me that I had not noticed before! I started to see the different colours and shapes of trees, leaves, flowers, and moss during my walks around the Methodist Bungalow. These living things are also God s creation all trying hard to grow, flourish, bloom, thrive and survive in the midst of challenges. Despite harsh conditions, the plants grow, the flowers bloom in the most unexpected places, the birds continue to chirp, and even the ants go about their daily routines. The sound of insects and birds chirping all around left me in awe of God s creation! As I looked up, I noticed a clear blue sky. However, very quickly, the wind blew and some dark clouds began to gather in the sky. And what caught my attention was that even the darkest cloud had a silver lining Since I started working in one of the busiest public hospitals in Malaysia, I have had to face many challenges but felt all along that those challenges were God-given opportunities to make a difference. I felt that with so much going on in my life, I needed to be silent before the Lord. Dr Alex Tang, the retreat director, helped us enter into a contemplative mode. We began to reflect on our spiritual journeys. As I reflected, I became more and more aware of God s presence throughout my life. His grace and mercy surround me, and I am so thankful for that. I am indeed His beloved child! As I quietened, slowed down, and took time even to breathe slowly, I began to notice the existence of I became aware of the fact that I am not alone! I am not the only one facing challenges. Challenges only make me stronger and richer with experiences to encourage others. The most important thing to remember is who is in control. It s certainly not me but my Heavenly Father. I am His beloved child, loved by Him and protected by Him. The most uplifting moment for me was when the ray of evening light fell on me as I was standing outside the bungalow looking at the changing sky. I felt that it was God s message to me that there is yet hope for my beloved country Malaysia and not to despair. I must strive on to make a difference in my workplace as His salt and light. Dr. Ding Lay Ming is the director of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah hospital in Klang. She is also a TCF life member. IN STEP 21

24 Work is LOVE Made Visible Ms Khoo Seok Lin, an organisational development and change management consultant from Singapore, spoke at two celebrations: Muar Teacher s Day (21 May 2015) and Malacca Teacher s Day (22 May 2015). Both her talks were titled Work is Love Made Visible, which is derived from Khalil Gibran s poem On Work. Seok Lin confessed that she had once unwittingly misquoted it by saying Work is love made miserable! She said that it could have been a Freudian slip or perhaps a reflection of her own personal struggles. Work has been both a source of much fulfilment and joy as well as anxiety, stress, and discouragement. Seok Lin strongly believes that work is an expression of God s love in us to the world to bring His light, love, gifts in us to do good works, to set captives free, etc. She asked some great questions for us to ponder: What jobs and projects bring a light to your eyes and energise your spirits? Who are you? What are your gifts, values, hopes, and fears? What makes you get up in the morning and come to work? Why do you do what you do? What do you celebrate about the people you work with? What hopes and aspirations do you share with them? She shared examples of educators and people who love what they do (teach), know who they are (God s beloved and their unique gifts. They do not need to compare themselves with others but simply run their own race) love why they do what they do, and who they do it for and love who they work with Indeed when work is love made visible, it is an expression of the best of who we are and what we stand for. Before his death, Rabbi Zusya said, In the coming world, they will not ask me: Why were you not Moses? They will ask me: Why were you not Zusya? From time to time I get news of TCF members being promoted or given awards for being outstanding educators. The ones I know personally are educators whose motivation has always been about being servant-leaders - serving and loving their schools and students in the best possible ways. Their passion, dedication and commitment to their calling have inevitably resulted in better overall performance of their students and schools. What do we love? What truly matters to us? May the answers to these questions energise us to stay the course and be His salt and light in our workplaces. Indyrany Kannaiya TCF General Secretary In Partnership