MICHAEL, 12, had an older brother, John, 18, who had just started his military service. John was so happy when he received his first pay cheque. “I’m rich,” he said, looking at his bank statement. “In just a few months I will be able to buy something I have wanted for a long time – a DVD player.”
After six months, he drew out his money and carefully selected the latest DVD player. It came in a well-designed box with beautiful pictures and words describing all its wonderful features. He bought it and proudly showed it off to everyone at home. Everyone admired the wonderful way in which the DVD was packaged.
Michael could not contain his excitement. “Hurry up! Hurry up! Let’s open it and try it out.”
At this John stood up and clutched the box to his chest. “No! We are not opening it. I’m going to keep this carefully in my cupboard. Do you know how expensive this machine is? It’s a very good one with many powerful features. If you do not know how to use it properly, you can easily spoil or damage it. The safest place for my DVD is in its box in my cupboard – that way it will never get damaged.”
Michael could not believe his ears. “John! Six months in military service has made you crazy! No one leaves a new DVD in its box in a cupboard! You need to unwrap it – connect it to the TV – and let everyone enjoy DVD movies on it.”
Michael is absolutely correct of course. Many years ago, Jesus said something very similar. He said, No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in may see the light. (Luke 11:33)
I am still in the middle of my writing project to develop our own English language curriculum. I am collecting many short stories (like this one) that help to explain the truths in the Bible. These stories will be used to teach the English language. I would appreciate your prayers and your help. Please send me your favourite short story.
I believe the Lord wants us to do for others what our founding missionaries did for us more than 100 years ago. Bishop Oldham began a small class teaching English. The class grew into a school – Anglo-Chinese School.
I believe the Lord will help us establish several English Language Centres in the region. During the weekends these centres will be used as places of worship for His church. It is my hope that these centres will be able to generate sufficient income to support the work of these churches. I am praying that the Lord will ask some of you to spend one year in the mission field to help us establish these centres. I hope to start four centres in the next two years. The start-up cost for each centre is about $25,000.
Our Methodist School of Cambodia (Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary) already has more than 400 students. We will need to expand the facilities because we want to include Junior College level classes. Architectural plans have been drawn up – they will cost us US$1.6 million (S$2.4 million).
We also have plans to start a primary school in Chiang Mai in Thailand – $100,000 has already been donated for the purchase of the land. A further $100,000 has been donated towards the building costs. Plans are being drawn up for the building. I am hoping to keep building costs below $500,000.
In the midst of a global economic crisis, these are very ambitious plans. Please join me in asking the Lord to provide for all these needs.
Thank you for your partnership in missions.
The Rev Dr Norman Wong is the Executive Director of the Methodist Missions Society. He can be reached at mms@methodist.org.sg