Dudong "Branch" Of SUPP - All In The Hands Of Delegates Of SDC

The saga of "Dudong Branch" is now on its way to SDC of SUPP which is scheduled on Oct. 25.

The turn of the event did not come as a surprise at all. The committee of five failed on Sept. 27 to reconcile the two factions and that effectively paved way for a SDC. How could they possibly talk face to face when Dudong group was adamant that the formation of the branch be brought up to the party's highest level?

Between now and the day of SDC, a lot of tricks may set in to give a twist to the infighting. A sizzling hot talk now in Sibu kopitiam is that vote-buying is definitely not to be ruled out.

It is really getting exciting!

Sibu Lantern Festival 2009

A brainchild of Sibu Municipal Council, Sibu Lantern Festival 2009 has emerged to be the latest attraction of Sibu. Sibu Kutien Association is the organiser of the event, with various other Chinese clans coming in as either co-sponsors or co-organisers.

Sibu Lantern Festival 2009 is tied up with Mid-Autumn Festival. The 7,000 lit-up red lanterns along the streets really make this year's Mooncake Festival a lot more glamorous in Sibu.

Come and see for yourself to get a feel of the cultural atmosphere.

Photos: Steven Wong www.benniao1z.blogspot.com

From The Blogging World In The Borneo Post

Raymond Tang of The Borneo post gave me a tinkle last week, informing me about the daily going to use my post on Hwai Ang Methodist Church in its weekly "From The Blogging World".

It came out this morning (Sept. 28), a nice little column taking its readers nearer to the blogsphere.

Praise Lord that more people now get to read about the great fund-raising sales of the church.

The 9Th Methodist Convention - "Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming The Nation (Talk 2) - Part 11 (Final)

Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted David Aikman, saying, "The Christian moral foundation of social cultural life was what made possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics".

Bishop then touched on what transformation would involve. Saying there is much that we need to do, Bishop outlined the following points:

1. Christians must be committed to this country (Malaysia). What implications does this have for emigration?

2. How then shall we live? Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted 2 Peter 3 : 11f, saying:

-Good works

-Holiness and integrity in private and public lives

-Avoid dishonest gain; and resist and expose corruption wherever possible

-Get involved if God is calling you

3. Be prepared for the long haul.

Wilberforce's battle in the British Parliament took 46 years!

Bishop then put to the congregation two thought-provoking questions:

1. What plans do you have for your children?

"Bear in mind that, in history, a lot of movements started with the young people," Bishop said.

2. The power of prayers

Pray hard to let God use us to make Malaysia a better country!

The picture shows The Hoover Mission House and Hoover Square. Photo: David Ling

Hwai Ang Methodist Church - Fund-Raising Sales For Church Extension Project

At the pork stall, we bought some pig liver. The butchers were quite skilled in their job. The attendants hawked hard to get brisk nusiness.

Ha! James Su turned into a fishmonger today.

Dumplings station was where you could not afford to miss!

It was jam-packed in the food court. This makeshift eatery did brisk business!

It was almost full-house!The table turnover was fast! We encountered a hard time to get a seat.

The food counter was manned by some courteous sisters.

We grabbed an opportunity to have a shot.

Wow! The wonderful bananas made their way to the sales function also.

The DJ station was where the atmosphere of the food court was being kept lively.

The live cooking station.

Mitsu Tea House came in as a sponsor.

Hwai ang Methodist church held a charity sales function this morning within the church compound for the purpose of raising funds for the proposed church extension project. I brought Yian along with my mother-in-law to partake of the grand sales.

Upon reaching the venue, I was amazed by the huge crowds that bustled the whole place. We almost had to throng to get nearer to the stalls. It was simply jam-packed!

The sales presented a diverse range of mercandise. In fact, it was so wide in spread that you could hardly come out empty-handed.

We made a round of the place, stopping here and there to pick up our favourites. It was quite fun time buying for good cause.

Then we stopped at the food court (a makeshift eatery) where a variety of foods and beverages were served. Without a further thought, we decided to take our breakfast there. From mouth-watering kampua to aromatic 3-in-1 hot coffee, the food court truly pampered the customers with extensive menu, all at thumb-up quality in twerms of taste. The friendly waiters and waitresses put to practice courteous service with a smile to render a very heart-warming service. They deserve a word of praise!

The sales function was perhaps one of the best organised church sales I have ever come across. From merchandise to courteous services, the event reflected thoughtful planning and one-heart joint efforts by the church members for the good cause of God's work. I was very much impressed when three BB boys came forward as porters to help us with the merchandise. The organising committee really gave attention and thought to all minute aspects.

The sales function was really a job well done! May God continue to bless you!

Hwai Ang Methodist Church had had a similar sales function two years ago on Oct. 13, 2007. I gave a thumb up to it also!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009

This year Hari Raya Aidilfitri fell on Sept. 20. I spent the first day visiting business associates and colleagues, giving them my best wishes on this grand festival.

Open-house tradition is a valuable Malaysian cultural heritage. It works towards promoting racial harmony.

Let's preserve this culture with our hearts and spirit!

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat shaking hands with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the PM's open house in Putrajaya on Sept. 20. Photo: The Star Online

Mooncakes

Mooncakes started to creep in to take up shelves in all supermarkets weeks before the Mid-Autumn Festival, giving an early heat-up of this major Chinese festival.

This traditional Wu Ren Bing ( 五 仁 饼 ）is both luscious and nutritious.It has been Yian's favourite. I started to like it also.

I recommend it to you for trying out!

Red Sedan

I spotted this red sedan on display at BCF (Borneo Cultural Festival).

This means of transport has long become obsolete. Grab an opportunity to see for yourself in BCF 2010!

Ramadhan Bazaar At Sibu Town Square

Ramadhan is nearing its end and that signals that Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just around the corner. Sibu market is hotting up as festive shopping trends up. If you go to shopping malls, you feel easily the mood in the atmosphere.

This year, again, SMC set up a Ramadhan Bazaar for the convenience of Muslims. Over the years, the Ramadhan Bazaar has evolved into somewhat like a Malay food fair. It is an attraction if we promote it well.

I went there with Yian last Sunday to look for some goodies. Eventually we settled on grilled chicken. At RM 16 per whole chicken, it was really not pricey. We gave a big thumb up to the taste.

A Social Care And Concern - Cleanliness Campaign By SCAC

Cleanliness Campaign is essentially a social concern. SCAC has been at the forefront to promote the awareness of it.

Some of us may jeer at this nature of move, saying this is tantamount to "a show" only. But the campaign is really a social education with the aim to sow seeds of change.

This cleanliness campaign is a joint effort by SCAC and SMC to be held on Sept. 22 at 7:00 a.m. at Hoover Square.

If you feel burdened to participate, you may contact David Ting for details.

Press Coverage on Jing Cai Zhi Ye

See Hua Daily News
United Daily News
All the three local Chinese dailies came out this morning with full-page colour coverage on Jing Cai Zhi Ye. It was pretty impressive.

My dear press friends, thank you for taking up the news with prominence.

The last photo shows the newspaper clipping of Sin Chew Daily.

Jing Cai Zhi Ye (精 彩 之 夜） - Persistency In Your Excellence

Our strong technical back-up - The duo Terrence Tan and James Lau were spotted engrossing in their job.
Singspiration time - MAF of Zion Methodist Church led a wonderful sing-along session. （敬 拜 赞 美 - 锡 安 堂）
Welcoming address - I gave thanks to God for his love in congregating all the brothers and sisters in The Masland Methodist Church.
Quartet - MAF of Logos Methodist Church took the lead with a melodious quartet. （四 重 唱 ： 哦！ 耶 稣 是 我 救 主 ）
Dance - MAF of The Masland Methodist Church came in with a graceful dance. (舞 蹈 ： 耶 稣 恩 友 ）
Group singing - MAF of Ai Ming Methodist Church sang into the air "Jesus loves you". (合唱 ： 最知心的朋友 ）
Drama - MAF of Sing Ang Tong Methodist Church presented "Good Neighbours" with a message of love and care for your neighbours.
Group singing - MAF of Wesley Methodist Church praised God with a melody.
Sermon - DS Rev Wong Koi Foh quoted 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 in his message.
Video sharing - MAF of Shiuan Dou Methodist Church called on our church members to love our environment.
MC - Pauline Lau was eloquent.
Solo - MAF of Tieng En Methodist Church presented a solo.
Drama - MAF of Zion Methodist Church staged a drama "Prodigal Son".
Song-dance - MAF of Peace Methodist Church gave a song-dance presentation.
Dance - MAF of Huai Ang Methodist church was innovative in the dance.

Dance - MAF of Shiuan En Methodist Church put in tremendous efforts to present a multiracial dance.

Harmonica solo by MAF of Selangau Preaching Point.
MAF of Wang Ming Methodist - They were more energetic than most of the younger groups.
A dance item by Tou Ang Methodist Church.
MAF of Wang Ming Methodist Church.
Dance - MAF of Shiuan En Methodist Church gave an eye-opening dance presentation. A big thumb up to them!


Dance- MAF of Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church danced gracefully to praise God.
The congregation.
Refreshment time at Hoover Square - Thank God for the fine weather!

The much-awaited Jing Cai Zhi Ye was called to a glorious start in the evening of Sept. 12 at The Masland Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. by the eloquent MCs.

Essentially Jing Cai Zhi Ye was a district-level fellowship night of MAF of Sibu East District. The gathering bore testimony to the wonderful love of our God. The turnout this time was simply overwhelming. God moved more brothers and sisters to congregate than we had asked for in our prayers.

"Be persistent in your upkeep of faith. Fight a good fight like Paul to win a crown of righteousness," DS Rev Wong Koi Foh called on the adult fellowshippers in his message.

Quoting 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, DS Rev Wong said that excellence is not just confined to this evening in your presentations. "It is a life-long race," he told the congregation.

The energetic adult fellowshippers staged marvellous shows to glorify God. They don't look like their ages - their versatility matches the junior groups. The stage shows last night gave a manifestation that they are still at their peak.

It was a smooth-running evening. There were some technical hiccups, but Terrence Tan and James Lau managed them well.

At 6:30 p.m., the sky turned cloudy and there was a light drizzle. It was worrisome for us. Praise Lord that towards 8:00 p.m., the sky was cleared for us to use Hoover Square (an open-space ground) for the light refreshments after gathering. God truly answered our prayers for a fine weather!

Jing Cai Zhi Ye touched me personally. We witnessed a very brotherly working relationship in organising the fellowship night. There was personal experience of the closeness of God in our serving together hand in hand.

See you in 2010!

Photos: Daniel