Chris Abner's Farewell

This is the last Sunday for Chris Abner and his family in Malaysia. They have been faithful in leading Sunday service and bible study for almost 3.5 years. I still remember their first arrival at Nilai, I was still a student there, and we've done a lot of amazing stuffs together.

After touching so many hearts and being a great blessing, Chris and Rebecca ended their contract and is returning to US. His sermon today is about Acts 20, very specific calling to their family, being sent to Asia to serve The Lord.

Chris giving the message:

Not only Chris, the other American students who came here for ConneXion conference has completed their 2 months mission trip and are returning to US too. This is Sunday service with a lot of farewells to bid.

The Americans' farewell speech:

Charles made a video about the Abners' journey in Malaysia. Haha, the 4 kids really grew a lot. Knowing that a few core members are leaving soon in this year (including me), but I believe God will provide, with a brand new generation that serve with a good heart.

No more kids running around the Sunday service:


"Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges even the highest?"
-Job 21:22-

By the plans of God, we are gathered to do great things and learn from each others. By the plans of God, we are directed to our new place of ministry and meet new people, to share and receive faith. Wherever we are, may God bless us journey mercy, and that we'll never forget the wonderful things we've done together. God bless, Amen.

ConneXion Conference 2011 (Day 2) + Graduation

On Saturday, the conference takes whole day with a morning session, break out workshops in the afternoon and a closing session at night. More or less like the session last night, we have CK from ConneXion Nilai to share his testimony. In addition, there are ice breaker games before lunch, great participation rate.

Testimony and game:

Seems like the CF gang is really worn out, we walked to Subang Parade to get some coffee. Since I knew that it's less than 10 minutes walk, I'm pretty sure we can get back before the session starts, or at least just a little late. Honestly, I enjoy running around in a big city.

CF Subang explorer:

There are actually 3 breakout sessions, we attended one, and left Subang for Nottingham's graduation at PutraJaya International Convention Centre. I guess it's ConneXion Conference's tradition to clash with my uni's graduation, just like what happened last year.

I thought I'm gonna go there by public transport, but who knows Wen Shan and David are going too. Thank God to Wen Shan's GPS and the kinda-smooth traffic, it didn't take us too long to reach there. It's our first time there, the place is huge, but I prefer the variety of scenery at Palace of Golden Horses.

Graduation at PICC and free buffet:

It's actually quite hard to move around, after making a few steps, somebody will grab me for pictures. But really, I'm glad for them, please go out and get a life after graduating. Don't ever come back XD Thanks Wei Ern for the free ticket to the buffet hall.

Taking picture all over the place:

Fuh~ I have no idea how could that be so tiring. Worse thing is, we need to rush back to Subang for the closing session. Well, rushing all around during summer is OK once in a while, how often can we do crazy things together anymore?

From Subang to PutraJaya, and back there again:


"You will call and I will answer you, you will long for the creature your hands have made. Surely then you will count my steps, but not keep track of my sin. My offenses will be sealed up in a bag, you will cover over my sin."
-Job 14:15~17-

Finally, all is done, not for me but for the graduates.No matter how bad things were, it's all paid off just for this moment. It reminds me that no matter how bad things are currently, there will be an eternity, where we are comforted by a greater relief when we reach the end. Will pray for the graduates' future, Amen.

ConneXion Conference 2011 (Day 1)

It's Friday and I'm gonna travel all the way to Subang by public transports for ConneXion Conference at night. I can't really estimate the travel time, so it's better to leave office in the afternoon and chill at Mid Valley a while before the long journey.

Carl's Jr burger and pearl milk tea:

After some sardin experience, finally I'm here at Subang Jaya station. To my surprise, hey~ I've been here before. According to google map, it should take me 22 minutes to reach First Baptist Church. Well, I ended up reaching the place in 10 minutes.

Exploring new route:

I reached at 5:30 pm, which is too early for the conference at night. Then I walk back to Subang Parade to meet up with Sarah. We had dinner at Manhattan Fish Market, and our vegies are not removed from the dishes =.=

Dinner and getting back to the conference:

It started off with worship session, and then Legend giving his testimony. A short sermon is given according to Acts chapter 9, where God come and change your life like Saul, and Ananias who take courage to change someone's life.

Testimony and sermon:

Everything is kinda like the last few ConneXion Conference, except a new lucky draw session. There are a few lucky draws for CDs and T-shirts, but the big one is of course the iPod touch. The winner of the night is Dian Han from ConneXion Semenyih, haha.

The crowd with the excited faces:


"Our statement have about as much value as ashes. Our defenses are as fragile as a clay pot"
-Job 13:12-

Thank You Lord for this time of fellowship with other ConneXions around the country, and also those ConneXion people that have been missing throughout summer. I thank that You had grant me journey mercy. Pray that this would be an encouraging conference for those who are presence and have yet to know you, let them be changed like Saul did. Amen.

Roadside Durian

As usual, Robert is picking me back from Nilai to Semenyih. He suddenly suggested something for me to blog, and showed me a pack of chocolate... specially made for him and Cheryl. OK, took a few picture in the car, but this is not enough to blog.

Good thing that I can resist myself not to eat it:

On the way back to Semenyih, we already noticed a few roadside durian stalls. Robert was kinda tempted, asking should he get some. I'm not really crazy about durian, but if it's something to blog, why not?

Stop by to buy durian:

I thought he's planning to buy back home, or just eat at my place. But he actually wanna eat it on the spot =.=" This is really a blogable since it's my first time eating durian at the roadside. Two young man eating 3 durians at the roadside, a very different feeling, but they are good stuffs! Love it~ Ah... I miss tarap.

Big boss eating durian:


"What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often? For you examine us every morning, and test us every moment."
-Job 7:17~18-

Bless us as the new week is starting. Pray that research and visa will be smooth, let everything be done in your perfect timing. Be our guide when we are lost, help us through this maze of life, so that we can see Your glory. Amen.

POCER 11 Broga Hill & Closing Ceremony

After cleaning up and supper with housemate til 2:30 am after the performance, I'm waking up (did I even sleep?) at 4 am to join the committee and some of the participants for... Broga Hill. How long was it since I woke up this early and go to uni? I just remembered going back home this "early" after rushing for report/assignment.

Waiting at the bus stop, non-stop yawning:

There wasn't as many people as the last time, no need to queue up the hill. This time, we didn't make it to the last hill, just hang around the 3rd hill since it's too cloudy and misty for the sunrise. We have some fun taking picture though. Not too bad.

Picture shooting at Broga Hill:

Well, the main reason I join them is always the strongest attraction for PhD students, FREE FOOD! We had buffet style nasi lemak for breakfast. Then I rush back for a quick shower to rush for the bus that takes us to Oriental Crystal Hotel at Kajang for the conference's closing ceremony.

Breakfast and closing ceremony:

Basically, it is said that there are more and more young researchers in Malaysia, and we lack communication among each other, that's why the social night and a series of activities if to let us know each other from different uni(s) and fellowship. Wow, I never realize that academic do care on this aspect.

Free lunch buffet after ceremony, EAT ALL YOU CAN!


"Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong."
-Job 6:24-

Thanks God for all the blessings and fun during the weekend. Preparation and practice for events are always annoying and frustrating, but by Your grace, everything will be fine. It is when everything's over, we can look back and say "it is well". Teach us to learn from our mistakes, to be greater in Your glory. Amen.

POCER 11 Social Night

POCER is a conference/workshop about Environmental Engineering organized by our uni. Participants include postgrad students from other local universities. After poster presentations and workshops (most importantly free high tea), there's a dinner at night and I'm in the live band for a few songs.

Doing things are harder than usual during summer, since most of the equipment support and available musicians are out for holiday. Milor moved his drum from Seremban over to my house and managed to borrow a bass for Eugene for practices. Thanks God Sarah agreed to join and take up the vocalist job.

A mini band in the house, wonderful!

Just 3 hours of practice for 10 songs (1 hour a day), and here we are preparing for the dinner. It sorta rained in the evening, glad that we get ourselves some poster board to cover the instruments. The weather turned really well after the rain, it's really great for an outdoor dinner at the clock tower balcony.

Dinner preparation at the admin building balcony:

Almost 40 people were there, mostly organizing committee (our colleagues), some participants, and lecturers. Regardless of all the stress to prepare practice, equipment rental and setup... I guess I really enjoyed myself that night. Haven't been doing great thing with my keyboard for such a long time. Oh ya, we did a surprise birthday song for my senior too.

Dinner time and surprise birthday for Bai Man:


The last song, Take Me Away:

Yeah~ my job is finally done. It goes well, big thanks to Sarah and the band. Sarah is really fast at socializing (as usual), she's already sitting with the participants chatting while eating the dinner. We ended up joined them in the ice breaking night and magic show. It's just some guessing games and card magic, kinda cool for a conference though.

Games and magic show:


"For though He wounds, He also bandages. He strikes, but His hands also heal."
-Job 5:18-

Research job is getting tougher (not busy, just tough). Time is running out for VISA application as well. Gonna pray for everything that's clouding me up, I need the strength to face the clouds, to find the silver lining. Hope that everyone is blessed for that night. Amen.

Worship Workshop by Americans

I was in the train to Nilai on Saturday, rushing for a worship workshop/seminar delivered by 3 Americans. Coincidentally, I met one of them in the train, the other 2 are in the ladies' coach. The meeting was kinda funny as they look exactly like Asian, and found at that they're actually Chinese/Korean born in the US.

Worship seminar in student house:

The seminar basically talks about the attitude of worship, not much of technical stuffs. But I think it's pretty appropriate to the people who attended as we have a few new believers in the midst. We have fried banana and potatoes, thanks to Charles and Jeffin who worked all day in the kitchen.

Mingle around after the workshop:

Later at night, the Chan family invited us for dinner, together with the other 5 Americans who are already in Nilai. Surprisingly, they are quite interested with some local fruits. It was a split decision during the night that we're joining them in the worship team the next day =.=

Great night of food:

It's Sunday service~ we kinda go through the songs one round. 2 new songs for me without preparation, but that's how worship team are trained. Overall, nice time of worship together with the Americans. I notice a lot of the students actually love taking pictures with Americans... I wonder.

Picture session after Sunday Service:


"Mordecai was second in rank to the King, preeminent among the people, and held in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the people."
-Esther 8:3-

It's a great reminder about the reason of us worship team being in front there leading worship. Pray that this will not only lead us to become a better worship team, but also in our personal life, that a change will occur to handle what's shaking our faith. All the best for the American team in Malaysia, see ya all in ConneXion Conference. Amen.