In repentance and rest is your salvation

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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)
Contents
Editorial
1
Congratulations Mr. Khor
2
The Unseen Head
3
Thank you – from a Helicopter Retiree
5
Teachers Celebrate
- Muar and Ledang
- Malacca
- Johor Bharu
- Taiping
- Manjung
- Ipoh
8
9
9
10
10
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 email address is [email protected]
Editorial
I
n 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
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2015 VOL 27 ISSUE 2
IN STEP • 1
Congratulations Mr. Khor!
KHOR HONG YIN PJK,
‘TOKOH GURU PULAU PINANG 2015’
H
e 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 RM30,000.00
from the Love Penang Charity Walk 2003. 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 1891. It is indeed an honour to
be given an opportunity to answer God’s calling by
offering my services to my alma mater since 2003.
Thank you.”
Reported by Tay Choon Neo, Director Spiritual Life Development, Methodist Council of Education (MCSC)
2 • IN STEP
By Tay Choon Neo
W
The Unseen Head
By Ruth Cheah
hen 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
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 2016. She views her career as a calling to shine
for Jesus. The Lord equips those whom He calls.
4 • IN STEP
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 1990. 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
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 1994.
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.
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.
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.
Very soon, I was made the head of discipline and
also senior assistant of student affairs. Straightening
6 • IN STEP
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.
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
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
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.
Johor Bahru
23 May 2015
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.
IN STEP • 9
Taiping
20 June 2015
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
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
Ipoh
4 July 2015
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
IN STEP • 11
Teaching, A Labour of Love
A
What do workers gain from their toil?
(Ecclesiastes 3:9)
bel 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
12 • IN STEP
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
That victory taught us a lesson: It is not enough
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 2020. 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.
Teaching has been an
eye-opening experience.
It gives you the highest
contact time to mentor
the next generation
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.
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.
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
Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
M
celebration.
s Seah Jaik Choo, former DirectorGeneral of Education of MOE Singapore,
shared a message on the invested life
at the recent Manjung Teacher’s Day
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)
again when we get to heaven. So what will you find
in heaven?
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.
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.
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
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
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
Corruption, Classes and
Crackdown in Cambodia
T
he 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.
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 2013.
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”.
Cambodian students
learn from an early
age that paying bribes
is not only normal but
also expected.
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
Training undergraduate students at a leadership camp
16 • IN STEP
By Ling Chern Chern
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 1996.
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
10 Things a Teacher Can Do
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.
by Yoshua Chua
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
18 • IN STEP
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”!
#4: A Teacher can Be Christ to Those
Who Do Not Know Him
#6: A Teacher can Model Good Character
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”.
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.
#3: A Teacher can Love the Unloveable
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.
#2: A Teacher can Show How It Is Done
#5: A Teacher can Sow Seeds of the
Word
#1: A Teacher can Change Entire Social
Systems
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 nonChristian 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.
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.
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.
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
The Gift of Silence
T
By Ting Moy Yen
he 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.
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, 29-31 May 2015, jointly organised by TCF and ICM.
20 • IN STEP
HEARING GOD IN THE STILLNESS
W
hen 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
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