Christmas Day 2012

The day before Christmas day and Christmas Day were extremely busy.

On the Saturday I helped organise and unload two truck loads of presents into the rooms in CPC. This went well and we started at 9.15am and finished around 1.00pm.

On Christmas day I met with the volunteers from the Salvation Army at 9.00am and we went through what the day would hold and what we were supposed to do.

I think something like around 160 people children and parents possibly more came through to collect presents.

Thanks to Lisa (my wife), Derek, Philip, Becky and Danny (all from CPC) and Der-Ming(from CPC) and his family and Lei and Fiona (from WSCCC) whose help on the day was immeasurable.

Childrens two ways to live and lollies were handed out to people who queued to collect presents.

At the end of the day we had about one truck load of presents left which we then loaded on the Salvation army truck.

We finished cleaning up around 4.15 pm

Thank you everyone for your support and prayers

Michael

Last Thursday Bible discussion for 2011

Well today was our last meeting of the year. 12 people attended.

I changed the format today and we read through passages and sang songs with me also speaking in between now and then. We also served a chinese lunch with Char-sil bau, sil mai and har gow. Of course this was well received.

I am thankful that Derek has been there all year to help me out. I am just as thankful to my wife Lisa who came to prepare lunch today without any sleep as she worked the night shift at hospital then came with me straight to Church.

A friend of mine from another Church made cookies and her boys wrote up cards for Thursday group members. One was so impressed they rang me tonight at 9.00pm to tell me how great the card was and thank me. I will of course pass this onto my friend.

Thanks for your prayers and please pray for Christmas day that things will run smoothly and God will grant us good conversation and opportunities to share about Jesus.

Thanks Michael

Christmas Day Prayer Points

Hi all
If you are following this blog I ask they you read on and pray for the following:

This year I have been in conversation with the Salvation Army which is across the road from CPC. I have talked to them regarding connecting together in minstry in the area. We talked regarding possibly working with them on Christmas day. This is due to the influx of people they have on that day and the lack of space they have.

As such they recently apporached me if they could somehow use part of CPC's premises as a distribution point for presents to some 400 Children. They would obviuosly be accompanied by their parents.

This presents some logistical juggling as well as creative thinking.
The proposal to use Church grounds on Christmas day has now been given the approval from our hierarchy at CPC.

To complicate matters further CPC will also be providing Christmas lunch to its members. There will be 400-500 people present on Chistmas day from CPC as well.

The salvation Army just wants to get children in give them their present and out again. They are happy for us to hand out children's two ways to live and advertise our church and Sunday School.

This part I think we can do by placing leaflets with the children's present. I would like to do more but with people coming through quickly and leaving and the large volume of people I am unsure as to what we can accomplish.

Please pray or contact me if you have ideas or want to be involved.
Pray that all on that day runs smoothly and does not cause problems with any of the existing members as this may effect any other furure ventures.
Pray for wisdom for myself as well as to how to best handle this situation.

I see this as a building more connections within the Surry Hills community and hopefully we can use this to futher extend God's kingdom.

Please pray.
Thanks again
Michael

Thursday 1st December 2011

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today 3 new people came unfortunately they did not stay for the study, despite our encouragement, they had lunch then went. Despite this another 12 people arrived in all by the end of the day. One lady came even after I forgot to pick her up and she made her own way there and stayed and kept talking till about 3.30pm.

Please pray for the guy who continues to come and disagree with what the Bible says. He really seems to want to have his opinion heard. However please pray that he does not cause disruption or distract the group.

Derek and Ann were there also to help today.

Thursdays will continue right throughout December so if you remember us please continue to pray for the Thursday and small group that meets on Sunday.

Thanks Michael

November SHUM and end of Year

Thanks to the November Shum Team for their participation and support during November. It was great to have you there. I know everyone is a little tired after the month and hope you all get a bit of a break even though I know December is normally a busy time for everyone.
Take care and hope to see you in the new year 2012!
Thanks Michael

Thursday 24th November

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers everyone.

10 people attended Bible discussion today with one new person attending. I picked her up and brought her today.

Derek graciously led the Bible study which gave me a breather as I am struggling to prepare a talk for the weekend.

After Bible study I visited a lady who has been placed in a nursing home. She used to attend Thursdays regularly before getting ill and has spent the best part of the last 11 months in hospital.

She was not well today and I am not sure how much longer she has to live. Please pray for her.

Please also pray about Sunday’s Bible study as we appear to have at least a couple of regulars now.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Michael.

Thursday 17th November

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers

I am still suffering from some sickness but my voice was able to survive the day.

Despite the weather 9 people attended Bible discussion today. We also shared communion together.

Today everyone seemed to be in a good mood and state of mind and today. It was a rare moment when I and everyone enjoyed and appreciated the fellowship. One new person came today from an invitation from one of the regular attendees. Apart from the 9 who attended Derek and Ann were there as well as my wife Lisa who provided a great lunch. The minister of our Church led communion whilst I assisted and the assistant pastor who has just started recently at our evening service also attended the Bible study.

Please continue to keep the group and its people in your prayers.

Michael

Wednesday 16th November

Derek a student in training at our Church faithfully organised 2 classes from Crown St Public School to come to CPC today. We were able to give them a tour and able to explain to them stories behind the stained glass windows and talk to them openly about God and Jesus. Derek did a great job.
Praise God!

Thursday 10th November 2011

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers

Well it was a slow start today people arriving a bit late but by the end of the afternoon 9 people had turned up and two were away sick.

I was extremely grateful to have Derek lead the study today and he did a very good job indeed. It is good to have him there each week as helper and leader. By the way if you don’t know Derek is Anna’s fiancée. Please continue to pray for the group and pray for the people who may turn up on Sunday to study God’s word.

One of our regular Thursday members passed away a few weeks ago. Last week I was informed by her family that her brother in New zealand had just passed away two weeks after her death as well. Please pray for that family.

Please also pray for Ann, who normally helps out each week. She has torn a tendon in her shoulder and is experiencing some pain and is in a sling.

Thanks Michael

Sunday 6th November

The last couple of months I have been doing Bible study with what started with one person. One Sunday we had another 3 people attended. This was not including Lisa ,my wife and Danny who is going to help lead the study when I am not available.
The other 3 are regulars on Thursday. It is good for them to attend as the group being much smaller than Thursdays allows for more questions and interaction.
Please pray that God will develop this group the way He wants to and that we will all grow in Him.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 3rd November

Hi all,
Thanks for your prayers. Today 13 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including helpers Ann, Derek and myself.
Lisa my wife made small cakes for everyone to celebrate Derek' birthday.
God was gracious and one guy who has come for only lunch a couple of times in the last 3 months came today and stayed for our whole procedings including Bible study and prayer.
Another guy who we prayed for last week and had not seen for nearly a month today returned. We were concerned about him as he was attending Thursdays meeting every week for at least 4 months.
A new person who came today is a believer. He is a young guy who has gone out to sleep on the streets to see if he can find out what is needed out there and how to do ministry on the streets. Sound strange? Well thats my world. However it was a pleasure to meet him and he was encouraged by the way we studied God's word with people who are marginalised.
Please continue to pray for us.
I am also thankful to God that no disruptions occurred during study today.
Thank you Lord and thank you everyone for your prayers.
Michael

November Shum

November SHUM has started. I hope that you wiill all be challenged and encouraged through your witness to Jesus.
Michael

Sunday 30th November

Hi everyone,
The last few months I started meeting with a person to do Bible study on Sunday morning. God is amazing - let me explain. He has had a stroke and is originally Mandarin speaking. A friend of mine met him on the streets of Surry hills and brought him to the Thursday group. Anyway he could not make Thursdays but wanted to goto the Mandarin service. He has been attending this regularly for the past at least year. He then said he wanted to have Bible study. I said don't you want me to get someone who speaks Mandarin. He said NO. The stroke has obviously damaged part of his brain and as such he can understand Mandarin but can now only read and speak English. Before the stroke he was fully conversant in Mandarin and could also read Chinese.
Anyway we started meeting on Sundays I invited a couple of people who are from the Thursday group, who I though would not be too intimidated by Church. In the past it has been myself, the stroke efffected man and rarely one other.
Last Sunday 5 attended the group.
One lady who comes regurlarly to the Thursday group decided to come to our Church for the first time on Sunday she also attended the Bible study. I am actually not as actively trying to grow this group as I would the Thursday group. It is very nice to have a couple of people to do Bible study with and they respond differently and ask questions which they do not normally ask on Thursday as Thursday numbers including helpers is probably around the 14-15. This number of people of course changes the dynamics.
Please pray that God will give me wisdom about those attending on Sunday and He will form the group that He wants to be there.
Thanks Michael

October SHUM

Thanks to the October Shum team for participating. I hope you found it a learning and challenging experience. It was great to have you there. Special thanks to Helen and Anglea who particpated in response to my plea for more helpers for the month of October.
Please continue to keep SHUM and the Thursday group in your prayers.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 27th October

Hi all,
Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. This was not included helpers Derek, Ann and my wife Lisa who cooked lunch. Bible discussion today was well participated by people, praise God. We also had a time of silence in remembrance of Celia.
After todays discussion I went to visit Carmen in the nursing home. One of the guys from the group also came along with Derek. Carmens cousin was there so we met and chatted with him as well inviting him to our Church and Thursdays group.
Please continue to pray from the group that God will transform lives and be in control of people's growth in Him.
Thanks
Michael

Monday 25th October

Today we had the funeral of Celia at CPC. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a friend Debbie as our pianist at such short notice. Thanks Debbie.
The funeral was reasonably well attended and all things went well in a funeral sense. Near the end of the service I invited people to share or pray. A number of people came forward and eventually I needed to intervene as , of course this cannot continue forever. We served coffee and biscuits in the Church hall and most stayed for this.
The family appreciated the service and I and others appreciated them having the service in Sydney as Celia has been taken back to Newcastle to be buried.
She was a dear sister and I shall miss her presence.
However I know that she is being looked after much better where she is now.
Thanks for your prayers
Michael

Thursday 20th October 2011

Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including helpers which were many. 4 wonderful ladies from Bobin Head Church provided a fantastic lunch which all people were amazed at. This also included desert, WOW!. Thank you ladies.
We had a brief study today and spent time praying for Celia's family and sharing about her. I took a photo of the group and the group signed cards for another lady who is still in hospital and a sympathy card for Celia's family.
Please continue to pray for the group and that God will work in them to continue to transform their lives.
Thanks Michael

Wednesday October 19th 2011

Today a dear friend and sister passed away in the early hours of the morning. She had been a consistent particpant in the Thursday Bible discussions before being taken ill.
Please pray for her grieveing family. She will be dearly missed.
She has now gone home to be with the Lord who has kept her faithful through many years and trials.
'Blessed be the name of the Lord'
Michael

Sunday 16th October

Hi all,
On Sunday I was called into hospital to see a woman who had been regularly coming to Thursday meetings until she began having heart problems. Since then she has been in and out of hospital last week she went to see her doctor for her heart and in the process of visiting the doctor broke her hip. Hence she went back into hospital but with her bad heart it looks like she is unlikely to recover from the operation. On Sunday her son called me in as they were turning off life support to her. All her family was there and obviously were upset I stayed there for some time and prayed for them and prayed with her. She is now on morphine only and receiving palliative care.
Please pray for her and especially her family as this could possibly be a prolonged process. She is a faithful woman that God has kept in his flock for many years. She has a good knowledge of the Bible and I and others will miss her greatly. She enjoyed Thursdays and the camps at our Church and was looking forward to return to another camp until illness took control.
God bless her and keep her. I think this week will be a tough week.
Please pray for her and her family
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 13th October

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers

Thursday went well with Derek leading the study which gave me a much appreciated and needed breather. Attendance was good with 16 people attending. This did not include the helpers I had today which I was grateful for. Ann and another friend of mine from another church came to visit which was very encouraging to me. Thanks Debbie!

Two people could not stay for the study today. One of the two is regular and the other I have also known for a long time but does not come often on Thursday but says they will be back next week.

The person who can be a handful during discussion was reasonably co operative but if you could continue to pray for him each week that would be great.

I also a visited a lady who most of the Thursday group knows. She is in hospital. I visited her yesterday she is not doing very well. Another two ladies who regular came on Thursdays are both not well and are both still in hospital. One has a bad heart but has now also broken her hip. Please pray for the three of them.

Thanks again

Michael

Church Camp 2011

Hi all,

Thank you for your prayers for the weekend.

As expected two people pulled out from coming on the Friday we were to leave for the Church camp. However in hind site this was a blessing in disguise. As the weekend proved to be very full and tiring with the 5 people I did manage to get there.

Overall the weekend went reasonably well. However there were many tense moments and one bad situation did develop. As used to dealing with these problems as I am something will always develop which I had not thought of before , as was the case the past weekend.

God was gracious with the organising people of the camp being very understanding and helpful to the people whom I brought along.

God also provided people qat the camp like my wife , Derek and a few others to make the group feel welcome.

For me again it is a reminder that matching our actions to our belief is always hard. The challenge to love unconditionally and continuously is even harder.

The camp and weekend is over and whilst a lot of effort has transpired the task to continue to witness, encourage and teach people about Jesus continues.

Please continue to pray for the group on Thursdays and the people we meet with and interact with on Tuesday nights

Thanks Michael

Thursday 6th October

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.Today 10 people attended Bible discussion not including myself and helper Derrick.

The Bible discussion went reasonably smoothly with people participating.

Please pray for one guy who normally attends and can be disruptive to the group. He was not there today pray that God might work in him to help him to be not so disruptive and disagreeable. However this is part of the response the gospel brings. Please pray that I will have presence of mind and wisdom to deal with these situations.

Pray also for the Church camp which I am taking 6 people hopefully tomorrow to the camp.

My car broke down this afternoon and so I had to stay at Church for quite a while waiting for the NRMA. During that time I met a couple of other guys on the street one of whom was supposedly coming to the camp as well but now is no longer coming as I have found out. Please pray for him he needs a lot of prayer.

Please pray for this weekend as I endeavour to take people from the Thursday group to the camp and hopefully integrate them into a chinese upper middle class environment.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 30th September

Hi all,
It was a pleasure serving with the last group of people from the Tuesday night ministry. Then this week I felt a little daunted faced by another Thursday meeting. However God was gracious. 8 people attended this was not including helpers Ann, Derek, Lisa (my wife) and myself. Roxan Chan cooked a wonderful lunch. Unfortunately one of the people who attended was not in a good state of mind and was getting angry at others and speaking to herself. However I prayed for her before we began the study and we manged to get through the study.
Please pray that God works in the people who attend despite all the obstacles. At times I cannot gauge with any certainty whether people have learnt something from the study or whether it was even clear and understandable.
Please Pray that God will continue to use me regardless of what transpires.
One guy afterwards said he found the study hard to understand I visited him later and we had a good chat and time of sharing.
Please continue to pray for the group and the upcoming Church camp which I am attempting to take some of the Thursday group to.
Thanks
Michael

Shum September 2011

Well it has been a challenging month and thanks to all those who paticipated. Thank you not just for your physical participation on Tuesday nights but also your prayers. One guy from Tuesday nights has begun attending on Thursdays so please keep him in your prayers.
Please pray for our upcoming Church camp. I am taking people from Thursdays group to attend. Pray God will work in them to commit and remind them to attend.
Pray that when issues do arise I will be able to deal with them in a loving faithful manner and that all will feel welcome at the camp.
Please pray continue to pray for one particular guy at present who attends regularly to Thursdays. Pray that God will open his heart and that he will be more agreeable and less antagonistic during Thursdays meetings.
Thanks again for your prayers, they are a critcial part of this ministry.
Michael

Thursday 22nd September

Today 8 people attended Bible discussion. One new person came whom we have been encouraging to attend, each Tuesday night we meet him. Today he finally came and I think he enjoyed it. Please pray he will continue to come. Please also pray for one guy who comes who is often arguing some point in the Bible passage. Pray this does not discourage others who attend.
Please pray also for myself that I have wisdom and the presence of mind to continue to handle in a loving way these situations.
Pray also for the coming Church camp Octobner 7-9th
I need prayer for this at many levels , starting with making sure they are committed to coming.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 15th September

Hi all,

Just want to thank you for your prayers. I am not sure whether you realise this or not but for me to know people are praying for me is comforting and encouraging. Particularly on Thursdays when anything can happen and there is generally only me to deal with any issues amongst 10 or more people.

God was very gracious today and 11 people attended today’s proceedings. Two new guys attended to. One of them from Tuesday night. He told me said he would come today and he did. Another guy rang church said he could not make it because his foot was sore. The other new guy who came stayed for the whole Bible discussion he is not a believer and openly stated this fact but stayed anyway. Please pray for the guy who attended from Tuesday night's invitation that he will return. He could not stay for the discussion today.

I arrived at church at 11.20 by 11.30, 4 people had come in. We start at 1.00pm. Somedays people are early others late.

Please also pray for one guy who comes regularly and generally arrives pretty early but has been leaving early because I think certain people make him feel uncomfortable. This is just the nature of events that occur.

Please also remember to pray for the church camp I have asked a number of them to attend. Pray the ones that God wants at the camp will commit to coming as I have to organise registration for them and transportation.

Thanks to Wendy for your encouragement today it was most welcome, needed and appreciated.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 1st September

Hi all,

Well today was an extremely tough day at Bible discussion with many people participating and wanting to express an opinion. One man in particular who comes weekly does not believe and today was expressing his opinion quite aggressively. Today was not a day for the faint hearted. I was grateful that the minister from my Church was also there and participated in the discussion.

However the upside 16 people attended this was not including myself and two others and the minister. Yes it was a big group.

Also thankfully everyone left in good spirits as we closed in prayer.

One person who has severe mental illness did not stay for the discussion. Although he was there so early he spent an hour and a half with us before he left. He also sincerely apologised that he had to leave.

After this I did some doorknocking around the area Derek also advertising our coming Church fete.

Some great news is that one man whom I have known for over year from Tuesday nights ministry had promised that he would attend and he came today. Two other people were also there from Tuesday night.

This morning I received a call from one of the regular atendess to Tuesday night and Thursday. This person was very y agitated, swearing as they spoke incessantly. then swore at me and after 5 minutes hung up. 10 minutes later she rang back and calmed down we prayed and she apologised.

Some days its just a wild ride and all we can do is survive and continue to proclaim who Jesus is.

Please continue to pray for the group especially the man who can be quite aggressive during the Bible discussion. Pray that God keeps him under control and convicts him about Jesus as God’s son.

Thanks again for your support and prayers they are really appreciated.

Michael

SHUM August 2011

Thanks to the group who participated in the August SHUM 2011. Isaac, DJ, Austin, Min, Jocelyn, Yong, Kp and Annie. I hope you were all challenged and encouraged. Please continue to pray for us and I hope to see at least some of you soon.
Thanks Michael

Sunday Bible Study

I have the last two months been meeting with someone for Bible study on Sunday. Since this has happened a couple of people from Thursday group hav been attending on Sunday and joining in on the Bible study. Please pray this may continue and that they will grow in the relationship with God.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 25th August

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Today 15 people attended Bible discussion. Two unfortunately could not stay for the study. We ended up with 3 new people staying for the study and a total of 4 new people attending the day. Praise God. Helpers were Derek, Ann and myself. Please pray that the new people will return. Roxan cooked a fantastic lunch which was well received by all.
I also visited a woman who has been in hospital for the last 8 months. Before this she was regularly attending the Thursday group. She has just been moved to a nursing home. Hopefully she will be there only a few weeks before returning home. Please pray for her recovery and return to the Thursday group.
Another woman who was also attending regularly has not returned because she too has not recovered from her illness please pray for her recovery as well.
Please also pray for the coming Church camp and the attendance of some of the Thursday group to this event.

Thanks Michael
Michael

Thursday 18th August

Hi all,
Today 13 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including Derek, Ann and Lisa, my wife. Today we had a brief Bible study followed by communion which Reverend Tsai from the church I attend led. A few people have been making the transition from Tuesday nights to Thursdays and I praise God for that.
I have been advertising a camp to the group which is in October. Hence I am preparing some to attend. Please pray about this as many things get in the way of them being there.
Thank you for your prayerful support
Michael

Thursday 11th August

Hi everyone,
Today first started out with only a few people but then others drifted in until 9 people attended Bible discussion. 2 other guys had come very early on separate occasions but left as they had to attend to other matters. This is the first step at least they know where to come and had responded to our invitations from Tuesday night. I also had two helpers Derek and Ann and a great lunch was provided by Scila Seah from the church I attend.

Most people participated in the Bible discussion and also the group prayer at the end.
Please continue to pray that the group will grow in their relationship with God.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 4th August

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 12 people attended Bible discussion. That was not including myself and helper Derek. A new person from Tuesday night's invitation attended today. He says he will come on Sunday. Two others also advised they will come on Sunday. This means the small Bible study I hold on Sunday for one particular person may move to 4 people. Please pray that works out for all intended. Pray also for their attendance.

Thanks Michael

28th July Thursday

Hi everyone,
Today 12 people attended Bible discussion, Praise God. One new person came with two others attending who have not been for a while. We seem to be developing a bunch of new regulars praise God. This comes as a surprise to me for in the past few months we have lost a couple of regulars due to poor health and it appears they might not be well enough to return.
Please pray for the church camp in October as some are already expressing interest to attend.
Continue to pray that God will open the hearts and minds of the people who attend so their faith maybe secured in Him.
Thanks Michael

SHUM July 2011

Thanks to those who participated in Shum in July. I hope you found it beneficial and encouraging . I also hope that you will take with you some of the things that you have learnt during the month and continue to apply them to your life.
Thanks for your participation, support and prayers
Michael

Thursday 14th July 2011

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today was an unusual day. Today 7 people stayed for Bible discussion two others were also present but one was in a bad state of mind apologised and left. However he spent at least an hour with us as he arrived very early . The other person left and came back later. On top of this after we had packed up 2 more people came into talk with us. It was one of those few days where everyone decided to participate in the study and everyone also prayed except one person. Praise God! People also actually stayed around and talked to each other in groups. This was a first, I and I was encouraged to see God at work in people's lives.

Thanks to God and for your prayers.

Michael

Thursday 7th July

Hi everyone,
Today was cold and very slow to start. At 1.00pm there were only two people present. We continued as normal through lunch and by 1.30pm 9 people had showed up, praise God. I have also been told that there have only been a few people present at lunch at the salvation army across the road. Maybe the cold weather is having an affect.
Please continue to pray for one guy that he is not a discouragement to the group as sometimes he is difficult during Bible discussion, today he was fine.
Please also pray that a woman I have been following up the last couple of months is able to get accommodation this week. I have been helping her out but it is imperative now she get off the street.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 30th June

Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. It was encouraging to see people today who had not been for a few weeks. Two new people also attended. One of them had came because she heard of the group through Edward Eager Lodge. Roxan from the church I attend provided a great lunch and Derek and my wife Lisa were also there to help. Tabitha also vistited and aprticipated. Please pray for one guy who is struggling to attend and another guy who can be quite disagreeable during the study time. He is not a believer and is not scared to voice his opinion. However his attendance is regular and we must continue to love and pray for him.
Thanks Michael

June Shum

Thanks to the June Shum team from EFC East Lindfield.
I hope you were both challeneged and encouraged this month
It was a quiet last Tuesday night wet and cold. However one exciting thing that happened was t one person I had met when we first started shum up ten years ago returned on Tuesday night. He remembered me and that we were around central on Tuesday nights. It was good to see him, although as yet he has not accepted Jesus.
Please continue to pray that people will come to Tuesday nights during the cold and wet weather currently experienced.

Thursday 23rd June

Today 9 people attended Bible discussion unfortunately two could not stay for the discussion. Many regulars were away today. It was a starnge day as I was also told that many people were missing from the salvos acroos the road as well. 2 guys who have not been for a while today returned, praise God. We also had some youth (7) from Melbourne visit us today doing a gap year in Bible college. They shared two of their testimonies with us. They were also received very welcomely by the people of the Thursday group. Fortunately Lisa had the day off work and spent the time preparing lunch and cleaning up, Derek too was there to help out.
Please pray that our regulars will return as quite a number of them were missing today. Please pray for one guy in particular a lovely guy and a believer who has stopped coming because he thinks some of the group don't want him there. This is not correct however his fear and paranoia are preventing him from returning.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 17th June 2011

Yesterday 10 people attended Bible discussion there were 2 new people and one person who had been once a couple of months ago. Yesterday Derek graciously led the Bible Study as I have been very busy with ministry and exams. Ann was there to help and Josh Smith there to particpate in discussion and of course myself. We are still missing some regulars. So please pray for their safe return.
Prayers for myself would also be appreciated as I am currently deciding where God wants me to be and serve, apart from SHUM and Thursdays.
Thanks Michael

Tuesday 14th June
Last night was a very cold wet night. However this did not keep people away. god was very gracious bring many people last night who stayed right up till we left. Because of this we overstayed our normal time finishing at 10.00pm at Central. Oops! Thank Fod for his faithfulness and grace that He continues to use Tuesday nights to witness to others.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 9th June

Today 7 people attended Bible discussion. We did have quite a few regulars away today at least 4. However despite this one new person came today. I met her on Tuesday night and hoped she would attend today. I have helped her with some accommodation and was trying also to meet and speak to her friend but he unfortunately was sick and at the doctors. I sent some food around to him. He sounds keen to come to Thursdays and maybe even both will attend on Sunday. Not sure about this but God has that in control. Helpers today were Derek, Ann and myself. Please continue to prayfor the group particularly those who are sick and unable to come.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 2nd June 2011

Today 11 people attended Bible discussion. It was a slow start but eventually all made it, Praise God. One of our regulars will be overseas for the next couple of months, pray for his safe return.
Helpers were Derek, Ann and myself. One of the members who served in shum in last month (May) also came. She thought that someone from Tuesday night may attend. Unfortunately this was not the case.
Please continue that the group continues to grow in their knowledge and relationship with God.

Thanks
Michael

May 2011 Shum Team

Thanks to the May shum team their prayers and encouragement. I hope that you were challenged and that we will be able to meet each other again in the not too distant future.

Thursday 26 May

9 people attended Bible discussion today. This was not including David Tsai, Josh Smith, Derek, Ann and myself. Roxan from CPC made a fantastic lunch and cake as well. Lisa my wife had also made chocolate cup cakes which also were devoured. A new person attended from invitations and encouragement from Tuesday night Shum.
The discussion was also very productive today with one person expressing their feelings quite strongly about their dislike for a certaing part of the Bible which we were looking at today. Praise God that this actually turned out in a positive manner.
Thanks for your prayers
Michael

Thursday 19th May

Thanks for your prayers.

Today 11 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including Ann, Derek and myself

One guy from Tuesday night came which really amazed me. I am glad he came I think he even left me some money on the bench 70 cents.Through the prayers and participation of the May shum team God really worked in this guy to bring him along. We can follow him up hopefully on Tuesday night. Another guy who is now become regular on Thursdays says unfortunately he cannot make Tuesday nights at present because he needs to reserve his sleeping place.

Please continue to pray for the group.

Thanks Michael

May Shum 2011

Thanks to the May Shum Team for their participation. Although there have been cold nights the fellowship we have experienced has been warm.
Michael

Thursday 12th May 2011

Thursday Bible Discussion
Thank you for your prayers.
Today 15 people attended Bible discussion. 3 people came from our invitations on Tuesday night and were there for the first time. Thanks to Rose from CPC who provided lunch for us today. Helpers were Josh Smith, Ann and myself.
Please continue to pray that the group grows in Christ.

Tuesday nights
Thank God also for the many people that have been coming on the past 2 Tuesday nights and braving the cold. Pray that we will be able to engage them about Jesus and encourage them to meet with us consistently.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 5th May

Thanks for your prayers everyone.

It was an amazing day today 17 people attended Bible discussion at least 3 from Tuesday night invitations. Hopefully we will see them again next Tuesday night. Also On top of those 3 another 3 or 4 came who had not been before. This is a praise point with about 7 people there who had not attended before. Please pray that God will work in their hearts to bring them back and open their hearts to Him. With this many people please pray for wisdom for myself and how I speak and lead not just the study but other conversations. Fortunately the food streteched, just for this many. However my two helpers Derek and Ann and myself did not get to eat. (That’s fine I am used to that)

Thanks for your prayers I am sure that this could not be accomplished without them. You all play an active role on Thursdays through your prayers so thanks once again.

Michael

Tuesday 3rd May

The start of a new month and SHUM team has brought a great mix of people together. It was quite a busy Tuesday night with people waiting for us when we arrived. The team worked well and everyone did their best to converse with the marginalised.

Thursday 28th April

Once again Thanks for your prayers. It was pouring with rain come 1.00pm today. I was wondering who would show up with such miserable weather. However God was gracious and 9 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including helpers Derek , Ann and myself. Please pray for one guy who says he wants to meet regularly for separate discussion about Christianity. I believe he is endeavouring to try and worship and find the one true God, he is also looking into Buddhism. We were thankful to have James Fong join the group and lead us in Bible discussion today. Roxan from the church I attend also provided a great lunch which was greatly appreciated and eaten.
I was also fortunate today to be able to attend a birthday party for one of the guys I know. He had a cake and party food at the savlovos across the road from Church. He was very happy even a bit teary.
Please continue to pray that the group grows in number and spiritually.

April 2011 Shum

Thanks to the April Shum Team. I hope you found your month and challenging and I also hope to see you back sometime in the future.
Thanks again for your support participation and prayers.

Thursday 21st April 2011

Thanks for your prayers.

On thursday when we met at 1.00pm only two people were there. However in the next twenty minutes people came in until 11 people had arrived with two new people attending courtesy of one of the regulars. Today we shared communion together. Helpers were my wife (Lisa), Derek, Ann and Josh Smith. Rev David Tsai minister of the church I attend also assisted me in leading communion.

It was great today as a few people returned who have not been there for a while. Please pray for the recovery of two of our regulars who have not been able to come for the past 3-4 months due to ill health. I am not confident they will be able to return but this is held in God’s gracious hand and plan.

It is evident that God is the one who continues to bring people to the Thursday group.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 14th April

Thanks for your prayers today. 6 people attended Bible discussion today. This was not including helper Derek and Ann and myself. A friend from CPC made a great lunch today which was well received. Yes many were away it was strange. However with a smaller number people were more willing to open up and some quite amazing things were shared today. One person in particular who comes regularly shared for the first times about the struggle he is having with gambling. He shared this because the passage we read somehow spoke to him. Honestly I could not see the link and was amazed when he shared. I did however already know this about him but the guy has never before confessed up to this and I have known him for a few years. Praise God for working in the people that attend. I also visted one lady who used to come regularly but cannot come at present due to ill health. We actually now have two ladies who have unfortunately fallen into this category. Please remember them in your prayers
Thanks
Michael

Thursday 31st March

Today 14 people attended Bible discussion. Two new people attended. One person who attended was not doing so well and left before we began please pray that she will be ok. We had the privilege of James Fong leading the Bible study and Roxan made a great spaghetti bolognaise for lunch. Along with the 14 I also had Derek and Ann as helpers.
Please continue to pray that the group will grow in Christ.
Thanks Michael

March 2011 Shum

Thanks to the March Shum Team . It was great serving with you. It was also quite a busy month with many people coming to see us each week. Please continue to pray for us.
Thanks Michael

A busy month of Tuesdays and Thursday 24th March

Thanks for your prayers everyone,

March has seen Tuesday nights with many people attending. Often God has brought ten people or so waiting for us before we arrive at Eddie Ave. Please pray that we get to talk to as many people as we can as some are very disappointed when we do not get to talk with them in a certain space of time. Last Tuesday fortnight we ran out of hot water and coffee.

Thursday saw 14 people attend. 3 were new comers and came from invitations on Sunday at Edward eager Lodge. Praise God. Two others are from our continuing invitations on Tuesday night. I was thankful my wife had the day off and came in to help out. Derek and Ann were also there to assist. Fortunately we had enough food and all felt welcomed and hopefully learnt from the Bible discussion. Please continue to pray for the group.

Thanks
Michael

Thursday 17th March

Today 9 people attended. One new person from Tuesday night came. He is not necessarily a believer but wanted to come and is grateful for the way we treat him. I had two other helpers today Derek and Ann. Unfortunately soem of our regulars were away again due to ill health. Please pray for their recovery and return. However God is gracious and other people still are coming in their place.
Please pray they God will use me to deliver his message clearly.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 10th March 2011

Thanks for your prayers everyone,
Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including myself, Derek and Ann. Today two new people attended. One person was from invitations on Tuesday night the other person had heard about us through another group I know and had emailed me where to meet. I gave him the details and he attended today. A friend Scila cooked a great lunch today which was very much appreciated and eaten.
Thanks again everyone
Michael

March SHUM Team

Thursday 3rd March

Thanks for your prayers
Today 11 people attended Bible discussion with 1 person coming late but making a great effort to get there. Please pray for this person as they have recently been trying to attend regularly. Others who came were myself Derek and Ann. It was great to have Ann return from holidays and be an extra helping hand.
Please pray that God continues to grow the group and people spiritually and that I can lead and teach in a manner that God would be pleased with.

Thanks Michael

Thanks to February Shum Team

Thanks to the February Shum team. I hope you were all challenged and encouraged. My hope is that you will continue sharing the gospel with the enthusiasm and motivation you showed on Tuesday nights.

Thanks

Thursday 26th February

Today 8 people attended with one person coming for the first time. I have known this person for a few years and today he decided to attend. Derek and Josh also came today. We had a special guest appearance from James Fong who led the Bible discussion today. Roxan Chan also prepared a great healthy lunch for us. Lisa my wife baked a cake and today we had two birthdays.

Please continue to pray for the group. Please also pray for a couple of people who are ill and cannot attend and I am not sure if they will be able to return due to health issues. This is very sad indeed.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 17th February

Thanks for your prayers. Today 9 people attended Bible discussion . This was not including myself, and 3 others , 2 from my own Church.

One guy came for the first time I think he came from an invitation on Tuesday night. He stayed for the entire session but was very tired , dropping off now and then. I suspect this came from substance abuse. Another guy came whom I know but has not been before. He has severe mental illness and can be a handful when not well but today I was thankful that he fit in nicely to the group.

One elderly lady who has been trying to come for the past 3 months and has been a regular has been unable to attend due to continuing health issues. Please pray for her she is so keen to attend and is a believer but is suffering declining health. She called me today again to advise she was sorry she could not attend.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 10th February

Today everyone who attended came for the Bible discussion and not just lunch. One semi regular also bropught along a singer whom I know from around the area she plugged her cd and I let her sing a couple of songs as well, this was well received by all. We did this in the part where we normally sing a couple of worship songs. We still sang a worship song and then I allowed her to song a couple of her own songs. I was thankful because this person can be a handful but was fine today. She also said she would be there on Tuesday night to sing some songs.

13 people attended Bible discussion today this is not counting myself and a 3 other helpers/visitors I had there. All up the group was about 17. I know quite a large group. Your continued prayer support would be appreciated in all matters regarding Thursday. With such a large group it is at times more difficult to have Bible discussion it was more of a short talk with questions interlaced.

Please continue to pray for the group and wisdom for me as I lead.

Thanks Michael

The restart of Tuesday nights and Thursdays- Feb 1st & 3rd

Tuesday night minstry started this week with a new group of people participating. I am encouraged as always to see new people particpate despite the fears and apprehensions they must have. It was a bit of a slow night but as always there were enough people for all of us to speak to.

Thursday enjoyed very good attendance with 11 people attending not including myself and Derek from the Church I attend. One of the regulars brought along a friend he had also brought to Tuesday night. I had not prepared a bible study as I normally do due to illness but instead showed pictures from my holiday with a perspective of showing what people really worship in those countries. 3 new people attended . These people I do not know from Tuesday or Thursdays. two came just for the lunch and left.
Please pray about this as it does happen from time to time which is fine as we need to be welcoming to all. However in doing so I would not like this to become a pattern. This is not an issue as yet but is definitely something we should commit to God.
Thank God that He continues to provide for this ministry.

Thursday 7th January

Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. Praise God for this as I first thought today would be a very quiet day. They have also all been told we will be in recess till the 3rd of February , however whether they remember this or not will be a different matter. Thank God for the year of Thursdays just ended and His work in people's lives. Please pray that God will again provide people to participate in SHUM ( Tuesday nights) this year.
Thanks and please pray that God will bring the Thursday group back in February.
Michael