This site will normally be updated weekly Email Contact: michael-tang@optusnet.com.au

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Latest News - will need your prayers

Over the past year Wesley Mission and I have been in talks. They have approached me to be the Chaplain at Edward Eager Lodge as the current Pastor their will be relinquishing his duties next year. We are still working out detail about all this. However it is confirmed with Wesley and myself that I will be there. This will begin as part time capacity (probably 2 daysa week) as CPC (my current Church) still requires my services, at least in the interim. Hence I will possibly continue working for CPC probably 1 day a week.
Please pray for wisdom in these areas. There is still much detail to work out including how Thursday Bible study may fit into this.
Wesley has communicated to me that  they  happy for  and want to encourage other people/congregations to take part in the Tuesday night ministry.
Please pray that God will use me to achieve his will in these areas.
If anyone has questions or comments email , sms or phone me.
Thanks again for your prayers.
Michael
0417 455 292


Have a joyous Christmas 5th Dec Thursday 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers throughout the year. Today was the last Thursday Bible study meeting tell next year. I will still be meeting people on Tuesdays in between being away.
13 people came through our doors. We had a celebration lunch today. In typical Chinese fashion we provided dim sum, har gau, char sil bau and noodles.

10 people stayed for Bible study and everyone was in a good state of mind. I also gave out presents.
I would like to take this opportunity to Thank all who have participated and supported SHUM  throughout  the year. This mission can only continue with your support, through prayer and participation. This I believe is a partnership just as Paul refers to in his letter to the Philippians.

Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
Phil 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now

To everyone out there have a joyous Christmas that may grow you even closer to Him.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, November 28, 2013

November SHUM Team

Hi everyone.
Thanks to the November SHUM Team. Thank you for their participation and support. I look forward to serving with you next year. I hope you were challenged, encouraged and learnt many things during the month.
Thanks
Michael

Peace Thursday 28th November 2013

Hi everyone
Today 7 people attended bible discussion. We were short a few regulars and people are probably at other functions as well Thank and praise God that the guy who wanted to pick a fight with me a few weeks ago and whom met up with me on Sunday came today in a good state of mind. He stayed and participated in the bible study and enjoyed himself

Continue to pray for him and the rest of the group that God's word will transform their lives.
Next Thursday will be our last meeting for the year. Pray that God will continue to sustain the group through the break.

Faithful helpers today were Margaret and Ann.

Thanks

Michael

Monday, November 25, 2013

Gracious God Sunday 26th November

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to share with you that the guy who I told you about a couple of weeks ago who was disruptive and tried to  pick a with fight me, came to the service at Edward Eager on Sunday. In fact by God's grace he arrived just as I was about to preach. He listened and learnt and concentrated intently. I could see this by his responses. Later that afternoon I returned to the church I attend for a meeting. After the meeting he up with me again.We spent time together and spoke more about the passage I talked about at Edward Eager Lodge. He was also sorry for his previous behaviour. I think it  took him a lot of courage and some alcohol to get over the shame and guilt and return to see me. I encouraged him that the past is the past and there will always be times like this but he must remember he will always be welcomed back when he was in the state of mind he was in on Sunday.
Thanks for your prayers .
God is gracious and continues to work in people even when they are not with us

PLEASE PRAY
Next week I am meeting up with Wesley mission, who own Edward Eager Lodge. I will be meeting with the two top people who run Wesley. This meeting has the potential to impact SHUM, I hope  in a good way. Please pray that this meeting will be productive and serve to grow God's kingdom. Pray also for myself that God will give me wisdom in the way I respond to questions and proposals.

Thanks
Michael


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thursday 21 November 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your prayers. Two guys who can be a handful did not attend today and a couple of other regulars were also away.
Despite this 12 people came through our doors today. However 3 were late and came in at prayer time which also meant they stayed longer. God was gracious to me,as I was feeling extremely tired today but picked up fine in order to lead the study/talk. Danielle and Ray whom some of  you have met on Tuesday nights were also there today.
Please continue to pray for the group especially the two guys I have mentioned  previously who can be a handful.
Margaret and Ann were faithful helpers today with Roxan cooking a great lunch.
Thanks

Michael 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Welcome Peace Thursday 14th November 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your prayers. They were definitely answered. In comparison to last week, today was relatively peaceful.
11 people stayed for Bible Study and this did not include two people who came in and then left. I will mention more later.
A lady whom I know, who has not been before. came in but was put off by  a guy I have spoken of previously, who has a very sharp tongue.  She left, after a comment from him. This happened before our meeting had started. People were sitting around chatting. However she did say, that mentally she was not going too well  and that’s why she was leaving. She did not think she could handle any more comments like that.
The other guy who last week wanted to pick a fight with me did not attend  today. In a way I am thankful as he is still probably not going well and God is being gracious to me amd the Thursday group in his absenteeism.
Please also pray for another guy who attended and then walked out. He used to come very regularly on Thursdays and Sundays and meet with me . However since then his mental state of mind has deteriorated. Please pray he will recover and return to the Lord.  He says he will try and come on Sunday to meet up with me.
Faithful helpers today were Margaret, Ann and Thomas. Please thank God for their support
Thanks for your prayers they definitely make a difference.


Michael

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A Tough Day 7th Thursday November 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Your prayers were answered regarding Matthew he behaved today
10 people attended Bible study. 
Unfortunately one guy who came was mentally, not doing well. He arrived very early and fortunately after encouragement sat outside for most of the Bible study. However he did come in at the end during prayer. He stayed for quite a while and I had to ask him to leave which he was unhappy about and then wanted to pick a fight with me.
By God’s grace he left without altercation but his verbal abuse continued.
Believe it or not he does come to see me regularly and does believe but clearly today he was mentally not well.
Please continue to pray for the group, as you see it needs more than my help but God’s intervention.

Thanks again

Michael

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Peace Thursday 31st October 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your support, participation and prayers this month. I hope that you were challenged by many things but also challenged to share the gospel with people.
Today God was extremely gracious
It was a peaceful and enjoyable day. 11 people attended Bible study today. One guy  who sees me regularly has many problems alcohol is one of them. He was able to concentrate the entire afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed and learnt from the session. Praise God
Only one problem occurred which I would really like you to pray about. There is another guy who comes regularly. He is intelligent quick and has very good knowledge of the Bible. He confesses to being a believer.
However he is extremely sharp, even  vindictive with his comments. He only needs to speak a couple of words and those words will cause damage. Whilst the other guy was sharing during the study (in reference to living a life worthy of Jesus) , he said to him ‘pity that does not work with alchohol’. God was gracious and the other guy either did not hear him or ignored him. However if he had not been in such a good mood and heard him, world war III would have broken out.
Please pray that God would silence this man’s tongue and that God would work in him to transform his life.
Thanks

Michael

October SHUM

Thanks to the October SHUM team for participating and supporting the ministry this month. It was great to meet and serve with you all. I look forward to serving with you in the future.
Thanks Michael

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Thursday 24th October 2013

Hi everyone
Today 10 people attended Bible study. I was really thankful to God as two people who had been regulars and who had not been for the past two months attended today. Please pray that God  will  stabilise their mental state so that they will continue to attend.
One of them stayed behind to talk to me and share what has been happening with him. Pray that God will give him strength to overcome the temptations which face him daily at the place he is boarding at.
Please also pray that God’s Word will  transform the group and that God will use me to speak to them.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday and thanks for your prayers, God continues to answer them.
I Thank God also for helpers today Margaret, Ann and Thomas. Their help is invaluable to me.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, October 17, 2013

God's Grace Thursday 17th October 2013

God’s Grace
It was an interesting day today with 4 women arriving at 12 to attend today’s meeting (we don’t start unitil 1pn). Another woman also attended as well as a couple of guys who had not been for a year. Hence there were 5 new people. God was gracious as many regulars were away today. Which menat with the extra people we would have enough food.  However this meant that 13 people still came through our doors
3 of the women did not stay for Bible discussion. Most were staying in women’s refuges.
One of the ladies who did stay though spoke to me after and was interested on meeting me on Sunday for Bible study. Please pray she will attend. She also had with her two children who were so well behaved I could carry on with our meeting as normal. Again praise God for His grace.
Please pray also that the regulars will return as well.
I was also fortunate to have Ann , Margaret and Thomas as helpers. Another lady from another function on at Church today also helped me out before Ann , Margaret and Thomas arrived.
Praise God again for His grace.
Thanks you for your prayers

Michael

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Thanks SHUM September Team

Hi all,
Just wanted to thank the September SHUM team. Please forgive my tardiness. The last few weeks has been a little hectic.
Anyway through Lei we also have a new trolley which I was thinking of replacing. So God provided this through Lei and the September team. We also have more gospel books which is great.
Thanks
Michael


We're Backkk Thursday 10th October 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Today is the first week back after a 2 week recess for the group. 9 people attended with a few regulars still being away. There were 3 helpers today which is great. Thomas who has become a regular and Margaret and Ann who have been regular helpers for a long time. Lunch was most appreciated and provided by Rose from the Church I attend.
I want to praise and thank God today for bringing back a guy who has been lost mentally for the past 6 months. He was a s regular to all the Bible studies I was holding for a long time. His thinking and commitment was great he was just as you or I. However something happened whether he stopped taking medication coupled with smoking pot mentally he just lost it. He went from stable job and home and committed believer to homeless and no job and no consistency with Bible study. Today he stayed for almost the whole session. Praise God who has answered our prayers.
Please continue to pray for him.
Today was relatively peaceful and we also shared in communion
Thanks again

Michael


Thursday, September 19, 2013

A peaceful day 19 Sept 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers! Today was a much quieter and peaceful day. I prepared a few passages on forgiveness I was hoping that would sit well with everyone. God was gracious and I had planned to talk more sternly about last weeks mess but this seemed unnecessary today. God was gracious I just hope and pray that they understand about the forgiveness we have in Jesus and if we truly are grateful for this then we will treat others the same.
Realistically they have probably already forgotten about last week.
I have also told them we will be in two weeks of recess from Thursday Bible study and will be back on the 10th of October. Pray for their return. I have others ministry matters I need to attend to during these next couple of weeks.
Today 10 people entered through our doors. One guy was new but unfortunately could not stay for Bible study.
Pray he will return another time. Another guy who regular comes called me and said he could not make it today.
One lady who has recently been attending from the Tuesday night crowd came again today. She even brought a friend. Pray she will continue to attend
Thanks for your prayers everyone. Your prayers are critical and vital to this ministry.
Thanks

Michael

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Prayer Needed as war breaks out in our group 12th Sept 2013

Thanks for your prayers. However please continue to pray  this group definitely need PRAYER.
Today the Presbyterian General assembly was meeting at our Church. This did not necessarily help matters as we had to use a smaller room and many people were walking around asking where things were.
Through God’s grace 12 people attended Bible discussion. This did not include one who arrived late and left.
Today was a torrid and tough day. One man came in a bad mood and unstable mentally. At the end of discussion he picked an argument with another person and that person retaliated. They almost came to blows. There was also another argument during prayer which developed into some nasty abuse. They guy who was not going well also picked arguments with others, who responded with snide comments.
After everyone left I spent some 40 minutes listening to him but unfortunately he was still angry and aggressive.
The lady who arrived late left as I think tension and arguments were occurring by then. Pray she will return.
It was a rough day and clearly much prayer is needed.
Its hard to believe some are definitely believers and yet are brought very quickly to verbal abuse of each other.
One lady who attended, was her first time there. Pray she too will return. 
Please pray that next week people will attend in a more stable state of mind with forgiveness in their hearts.
Thanks Michael


Thursday, September 5, 2013

Thursday 5th Sept 2013

Hi everyone.
Thanks for your prayers
Today  9 people came through our doors. However 2 had to leave due to previous engagements. It was nice though they wanted to say hello and we prayed for them.
One lady who comes regularly each week , has had  her daughter and grandson attending regularly the past two months. Well today her granddaughter also attended.
Pray that her granddaughter will return sometime in the future as she is travelling to NZ for a holiday.
Today we had communion and her grandson would not take communion as her had an altercation with a friend and he wanted to rectify that first.
I am thankful that he listens to what I say before communion. As I request them to think carefully through their sin and seek forgiveness before taking communion.
Praise and thank God that he is working in their lives and pray he will continue to do so.
Please continue to encourage people on Tuesday night to attend Thursdays gathering.
I will be meeting with two others for Bible study on Friday 5-6pm before meeting and running the youth programme at the Church I attend at 6pm. Please pray for this too.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, August 29, 2013

A Busy day Thursday 29th August 2013

Hi everyone,
Today was a very busy day with 15 people coming through our doors and all but 1 staying for the Bible study. However that one person came to see me early and I spent time with him. He has just came off detox and has been off alcohol for 7 days so please commit him to your prayers. He has spent something like 35 years with alcohol.
The 15 people did not include faithful helpers Margaret, Ann and Thomas who are of course priceless in the things which they do to help out each Thursday.
Things today ran relatively smoothly. Smoothly but busy  with so many people. Strangely enough we are still missing some regulars.
Please pray for 3 guys who have been meeting with me regularly for Bible study until recent. Two are suffering from depression and the third praise God has been working. However this has been interfering with him being able to meet me  for Bible study. Please pray that our times will sort out and coincide.
Thanks again for your support and participation

Michael

August SHUM Team

Thanks to the August SHUM team for their support,prayer and participation.
I hope you were all challenged and encouraged. I also hope that I will continue to see you at SHUM in the future.
Thanks again
Michael

Thursday, August 22, 2013

A Quiet Day Thursday 22nd August

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. On Thursday we were missing many people. 6 showed for Bible study and two of them were sick with colds. Others had also not come due to illness. That time of year I guess. However we still had Bible study and for me it was a welcomed break to the normal business of the afternoon that 10-12 people generally brings. Not to mention attitudes and state of mind.
Please continue to pray for the group and continue to encourage and invite people to attend from Tuesday night.
If you could pray for one guy he accepted Jesus earlier this year and was meeting regularly with me but has not been doing so as of late. It seems he is quite ashamed of his physical appearance as he has put on some weight and this coupled with his mental state this is preventing him from attending. Satan will use any means to stop the gospel. Please keep him in your prayers.

Thanks Michael

Thursday, August 15, 2013

God's grace Thursday 15th August 2013

Hi everyone,
Today 11 people attended Bible study not including another person who arrived late after everyone left. I did a short Bible study with him and then we both left.
One guy, who comes regularly was in a very sorry state today as he got himself temporarily banned from Edward Eager Lodge. He came today and I encouraged him to stay and sit in. God was gracious and despite his mental state he sat through the whole session. Praise God!  Many times in fact he cannot sit in and just comes and goes when he can handle it and I encourage him to do this.
We also had communion after Bible study today. He went to sit outside and listened from there. He felt guilty for his prevous behaviour and did not want to partake in communion. I encouraged him and took the bread and juice outside where he was and he ate and drank with us from there. He was very touched and so sorry and emotional. However he ended up thoroughly enjoying the day and was the last one to leave.
As I was driving out the Church I stopped for the traffic and the lady crossing the street was one who had been to Thursdays and Tuesday’s a couple of times . She has a very sick daughter. It was hard to recognise her as she was dressed in a suit like any normal office woman and that’s exactly what she is doing now. Things are going better for them both. She hopes to catch up with me on a Tuesday or Thursday. Please pray she has some time to do this.
Thanks again for your prayers and praise God as he indeed is very gracious.

Michael

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Wet and Cold Thursday 8th August 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Thursdays meetings and the people who attend.
Despite the wet and cold weather today 12 people came through our doors. One could not stay for the Bible study as he had a doctors appointment. Most were in a good state of mind and those who were not, were not disruptive at all. Praise God.
At present we have a mother her daughter and her grandson attending regularly. Today one person who attended had not been for well over a year. It was good to see her return
Please continue to pray for the group.
Rose from the Church I attend provided lunch and faithful  helpers were Margaret and Thomas.
Thanks

Michael

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Encouraging

One guy who I met early in the year  has come to accept Jesus. Since then he has been meeting with me for Bible study either on a Tuesday or Thursday. He recently acquired accommodation at Maroubra. Another guy I met while speaking at Edward Eager lodge also recently accepted Jesus. He also has been coming on Tuesdays or Thursdays to Bible study. By God’s grace he also recently found accommodation and it was in the same place as the guy I first mentioned. They now pray and read the Bible together at their new home.
Others from the same block have also been asking them questions about Christianity. Some of these people asking questions also know me from Tuesday nights. Now what the two are doing is taking the Bible study we do on Thursdays making notes and taking some of the other people from their block through it when they have questions.  
Praise God.

Michael

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Follow up on the man who needed the Ambulance

Two Tuesdays ago A man passed out in front of me. We called the ambulance and by the time the ambulance had arrived he ahd passed out another 3 or 4 times. Speaking with him recently his fainting were due to hearts attacks and when he was in the ambulance he was defibrillated  as his  heart stopped. Last Tuesday during the day he called me and he could find no accommodation so he wanted to travel to Melbourne where he could rent a friends place. I met him later and bought him a train ticket to Melbourne.
We spoke and prayed. I encouraged him to attend a Christian group and Church as his friend it seems is a believer. I emphasised that God had saved  his life for a reason and part of that was to know and be in a relationship with him. He an has understanding of the Bible and Jesus and says he believes.
Please pray for him that he will return to God and renew and or follow up his relationship with the Lord.
Thanks
Michael

Peace Thursday 1st August 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your prayers as well as supporting and participating in SHUM with me. I hope it was a beneficial experience for you and encourage you to continue to fuel your enthusiasm for seeing the gospel proclaimed.
Today 14 people came and stayed. Out of those 14 were two new people. One I met at Edward Eager Lodge on Sunday and invited him the other came from an invitation from one of the regulars. Today we also had 3 of the regulars missing from  sickness and doctors appointment.
God was so gracious that he brought all these people and on top of this most were in a good peaceful state of mind. Another guy who attends regularly but is normally unable to sit through the whole session stayed  the entire time today.. Praise God for these few gems.
Zacky from the Church I attend provided a great lunch. Margaret and Thomas (recent helper) again provided invaluable help.
Praise God for today
Michael


July SHUM

Thanks to the team from July SHUM.
It was great having people from UTS Credo particpate. I hope this is a pattern for the furture. I hope you learnt many things and were challenged by just as many. Thanks also to Benny who has help out the last 2 months.
Thanks you for your support and particpation everyone.
Michael

Friday, July 26, 2013

Rescue Friday

Hi everyone,
Here is an interesting update to the guy I placed in the ambulance on Tuesday Nightl. The guy we put in the ambulance called me yesterday . He has been moved to Gorman house but will have to there upon Doctors approval.
He was very grateful to me as the ambulance officers said he would have died if we had not got the ambulance . In the ambulance his heart stopped again and they had to defibrillate him.
He is trying to get and needs accommodation so I referred him to Edward eager lodge so I should see him on Sunday as I will be at the lodge this Sunday. He does not get paid till later in the week so I said I would pay for his first week at Edward eager lodge if he can get in. He could be pulling a swifty but clearly his health is bad so I am willing to help out.
I think he is a believer and he intends to come on Sunday and to bible study on Tuesday and Thursday. However I have heard this all before so let's just see if he fronts on Sunday.
Please pray for this situation.
Also on Friday I had  to see a regular to bible study. He was depressed with the flu and had not eaten for 2 days. So I took him so food and panadol and prayed for him. Also gave him money for the train so if he is well enough he should be there on Sunday too.
Please pray for both these people. Another person also rang me on Friday needing help but I had to reorganize my times and due to this we missed each other by an hour is so. Must have been rescue Friday

Please continue to pray that God works in the lives of these people to bring them to a saving knowledge of him.
Thanks Michael

Thursday, July 25, 2013

God's grace through a brother Thursday 25th July 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. I managed to struggle through Bible study which was good and God was very gracious. One guy was not going well and attended and started arguing with others in the group. He walked out. Fortunately a friend through SHUM turned up today to help out and he spent time talking to him while I took the Bible study.
Then after Bible study I was able to speak and share with him and he left later in good spirits.
God provides.
God brought 12 people through the church doors today with 2 people having to leave before we started. However we prayed for them as usual and it was great to see their commitment to want to come and spend some time with us today.
Please continue to pray that God and his word will speak to their hearts and transform their lives.

Thanks Michael

God's grace even when we do not deserve it Tuesday evening 23rd July

Hi everyone
Last Tuesday evening- though it has been cold people have still been meeting us on Tuesday nights. One fellow I met on Tuesday night who was not so familiar with Sydney came straight from hospital. He was upset and was suppose to meet up with the Mission Beat bus but was not sure of the meeting point. I calmed and rang mission beat they knew of him and the bus had been but not found him. I told them where he was and gave them my contact number and they would send a bus in 20-40 mins.
The man was grateful and relaxed and we prayed. 5 minutes later whilst talking to him he blanked out with his eyes open I searched for a pulse and tried to snap him out of this state. I quickly got someone to ring for an ambulance while I was doing this. Fortunately he came to. However this happened another 3 or 4 times before the ambulance arrived. In between time Mission beat also arrived.

By God’s grace the ambulance arrived and the man was taken to hospital. He is ok and has since been discharged.
Praise God for he watches over us constantly
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thursday 18th July 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers.
On Tuesday afternoon 2 people came to have Bible study with me. It was a good time of fellowship.
Today (Thursday) 12 people came to Bible study today. However one left before we started . He did the same last week. He was not going well mentally. Please pray for his mental state as he will see the doctor to review his medications this week.
Praise God also for a guy who attended from Tuesday nights invitations. It was his first time with us today. 
One guy who have I have been blogging about and has been struggling the last two months managed to sit through some of the study today. He listened and enjoyed his time with the group today. I also spent some time with him after as well. Please pray for him too as he with a friend of his maybe going to by themselves try and detox him.
Praise God also for 3 other new people whom attended today. One of our regulars brought them. Pray that they may return.
Praise and thanks to God who brought people in today as well as everyone attending in a good state of mind. I was very grateful.
I thank God for the opportunity to speak from God’s word  which highlighted it is only by faith in Jesus that we are saved. Pray that God may impact the lives of the new people that attended today.
Thanks for your prayers as today again they were answered.
Thanks also to helper Margaret from my Church and Roxan who provided a great lunch
Thanks everyone.

Michael

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Thursday 11th July 2013

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Today started slow but by the time for Bible study started 7 people had arrived and stayed. Two others also came to see me but could not stay for the study. They normally do but one of them did not feel well. We studied Galations 4:8-20 and could see how hard Paul was working to bring the Galatians back to Christ. This prompted us to pray for those semi regulars who had not attended today. As we counted the list there were at least 10 people we needed to pray for who were semi regulars through our doors. Some like some of the Galations had also gone astray, some mentally, some physically and some both.
One fellow who has been experiencing many problems and sees me regularly was not there today and this is a worry so please pray for him. I also visited a person I had lent a camp stretcher to because she had just got a place through DOH and had no bed. I then found out through her that a couple of people who recently have been coming to Thursdays Bible study and were not there today, were very ill. Fortunately I had some left over food from today, so I asked the lady, I lent the stretcher to, to give it to them. God was truly gracious.
Please continue to pray for these people as it is clear  that much prayer is needed for each person’s life and for them to either accept Jesus or continue in him.
Thanks

Michael 

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Thursday 4th July 2013

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your prayers. They were certainly answered. After Thursday Bible study being in recess the last two weeks, today was our first week back. Its hard to know what to expect. Today started very slowly with 4 people arriving by 1pm. However by the time we began Bible study 12 people had entered through the doors.
We had Bible study and communion today. Today ran relatively smoothly, Praise God. This was however quite different from the last few times we have met.
Please pray for one guy whom  I managed to convince  to come early and then return to speak to me after people left. He returned near the end in group prayer. He even apologised to another fellow there that he had picked a fight with a couple of weeks ago. However he  is not well mentally and hence also physically. Pray that we can have wisdom to encourage him  to receive the correct help he needs.
Praise God for His guiding influence today and your prayers.
Thanks

Michael

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thursday 13th June

Hi everyone
Well today was as always eventful. Today 10 people came through the doors 1 of them turned up late. We shared in the Bible study as well as communion. One guy who attended was there in very bad shape mentally and physically.
Unfortunately he picked a fight with the guy who arrived late and I needed to intervene. Fortunately no fighting took place.
Please pray about this as this is a real concern as the guy he had the altercation with may not return because of this. Please also pray for wisdom for myself so I can seek some resolution to this as it is happening quite regularly. I will be away for a week and a half so Thursdays will be in recess for two weeks. Hopefully this will calm things down.
Out of the people who attended today 2 were new and one guy has not been for a while. He only comes when he is not at work. However he has been retrenched and not well as he has cancer and it is advanced.
Pray that he will return when I come back from holidays and that his cancer if not healed will not bring suffering.
Please pray that God will sustain the people who attend Thursdays and that they will remember to return when I return.
Thanks
Michael  

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Sunday and Tuesday (9th and 11th June)

Hi everyone,
The Church I attend currently is undergoing renovations. On Sunday morning two people turned up to see me. Both were distraught and 1) I did not know if they both could tolerate each other in their currect mental state 2) where could we meet privately to pray and if possible read God's word and 3) were the number of people at Church going to increase their anxiety

As it worked out it was a sunny day and we moved off Church premises to the street. Here we chatted I shared from some passages and they shared their thoughts . It was a great time of fellowship reading and discussing God's word together then ending in prayer. Praise God.

On Tuesday I normally open the afternoon for if people want to meet to have biblestudy and prayer. Normally it is only 1 person at the most 2 today 4 people decided to come. Praise God again.
Where this will lead I do not know but pray that God's word will transform lives.
Thanks and Praise to God and also for your prayers
Michael

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Tuesday and Thursday 6th June

Hi everyone,
Tuesday
After speaking at Edward Eager Lodge in May I connected with one guy who has recently accepted Jesus. He has many questions and so he came to meet me on Tuesday and have Bible study. Unfortunately timing is not right for him for Thursdays but Tuesday's timeslot seems to fit well. It is encouraging to see he has questions and wants to learn from the Bible. God has brought our paths together and so we shared a great time of Bible study together and will hopefully continue to do so.
I have continued to leave a timeslot open for people to have bible study with me. This is a small number but always the time has been good. The number of people who come are from 1-3.

Thursday
Thanks for yours prayers for today's Bible discussion. Today 6 people attended Bible discussion with another two people arriving late.  Today’s bible discussion was good  with people participating. 
One of the late comers was not in good shape and I spoke with him the moment we finished bible discussion. 40 minutes later he was calmer and left more at peace but cannot communicate in the group. God was gracious , however when he is like this I cannot speak and catch up with others after Bible discussion has finished.

Please pray for him as it is extremely hard to manage him and he gets aggressive and this scares people.
Please pray for wisdom as I continue to deal with this situation which unfortunately over the past month has become common place each week.
Thanks
Michael 

Friday, May 31, 2013

Thursday 30th June

Hi everyone
Last Thursday was a strange day 10 people came. Out of those 10 were 3 new young people who had not been before.
They chatted stayed for some lunch were not really hungry but had to leave to see Dept of Housing. They said they would return next week. They got on well with everyone. Please pray that they will be reminded to return.

2 of the regulars also had to leave early. Then during Bible study one guy who meets with me regularly (at least twice a week) got frustrated and angry during the study. I managed to calm him and he stayed till the end and was a lot more stable. Its not the first time I have had to do this with him. Pray for his mental stability and that of the group.

PRAISE God as he has supplied a team of people to participate in SHUM in June.
As always thanks for your prayers
Michael

Thursday, May 23, 2013

A Peaceful Thursday 23rd May 2013


Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Today it was pouring with rain but 5 people braved the elements to attend Bible discussion. It was actually a welcome relief after the last couple of weeks with many people and problems.
Our small group was peaceful today without incident and everyone participated in Bible study. Such a welcome relief. God probably new I had, had enough after some of the torrid moments I have had over the last month or so.
 Please pray for the service at Edward Eager Lodge this Sunday. Pray that people will attend in a good state of mind and that God will give us wisdom as we speak and encourage others in Him.
Please also pray for a dinner I have invited 8 people to on Sunday night. Pray that they will attend and not be intimidated by the number of people present.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, May 16, 2013

A Chaotic day Thursday 16th May


Today 11 people came to attend Bible discussion and 1 left before lunch and just stayed for a couple of coffees. Please pray for this man he is not going well and used to attend regularly every week.

One other guy, who comes regularly but does not always stay because of his mental state got into an argument with someone else this almost resulting in a fight,. The other guy was angry at him and was going to leave but he is a believer and God worked in Him and I managed to convince him to stay. Many of them were unsettled today. One other man  I meet with regularly, whilst we were almost through the study, said he could not concentrate and he left.

Strangely enough a couple of others wanted my attention after the meeting even though it was clear I had to deal with the guy who was drunk and in a bad mental state.

The guy who was drunk was angry at some of the group and was swearing at them. I had to spend time with him after and walked him out and across a busy intersection so he could get to his destination safely. Please pray for him.

As you can see Thursdays need prayer. Satan seemed to be working hard amongst the group today as one of the people who got angry and almost in a fight is one the most passive gentle people I know.

Please continue to pray for the group
Michael

Monday, May 13, 2013

June SHUM prayer request

Hi everyone
I am struggling to find people to participate in SHUM in June. So if you know anyone who is interested get them to contact me. Prayer for this would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Michael

Thursday, May 9, 2013

A Busy Day - Thursday 9th May 2013


Today 17 people came through the doors. One person came early to see me but had to leave before we started but we spent time together which was great. Another also left before we began Bible study. It was a bit of a torrid time with so many people and trying to keep their interest and attention.
Praise God that he brought so many people and pray that God will continue work in them so that their lives maybe transformed.
2 of the regulars will be travelling overseas for the next month please also pray for their safety.
Lunch  provided and was more than enough for everyone. Thanks also to helper Margaret form the church I attend, who I so appreciate particularly on days like today.
As you can imagine dealing with all these people, their insecurities , their concentration spans, their mental state requires more than me. It requires God to be at work
So please continue to pray for the group and that the people who come will come in a good state of mind. Pray also that God’s word will speak into their hearts and transform their lives

Thanks again
Michael

APRIL SHUM TEAM THANKS

Thanks to the April SHUM team for their prayers participation and support. Sorry I have been slack the last week or so with my updates but its been really busy.
I hope I will serve with you all some other month.
Thanks Michael

Thursday, April 18, 2013

A tough day Thursday 19th April 2013


Hi everyone,
9 people attended Bible discussion yesterday. It was a very tough day with one person being a bit difficult during the study and another attending later in a very unstable state of mind. He was angry and aggressive but fortunately sat down with me after and talked and calmed down. He was punching the wooden table with his fist to the point of bleeding. Please pray for him and the group as you can see it does not take much for things to  a little awry.

Two praise point though one lady whom I have not seen for over a year came in to see me. She could not stay but wanted to say hello and that she would return in a couple of weeks. Please pray she does.

The other praise point is for another person who attended yesterday. I had met him when  we first started SHUM and he was the first or one of the first to attend the Thursday Bible group. Then he dropped out I had not seen him since 2008 he says. It was great to seem him and he is still in the Lord. He says he will return please pray he does.
Please continue to pray for the group and pray that I may be able to present the gospel clearly without distortion despite events that occur.

Thanks
Michael

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thursday 11th April Birthday week


Hi everyone
Today was a busy day 13 people attended Bible discussion only 1 had to leave before we started. However he arrived early about an hour earlier and normally does this. Please pray for him.
One fellow who attended today it was his birthday this week his name is Michael. It was also my Birthday this week and you already know my name. What a pleasant coincidence.
The 13 who attended today did not include myself and two faithful helpers Ann and Margaret. God was gracious and most people were in a good frame of mind. However I did have to exercise  teacher like control as little conversations pop up between people during the study.
One new fellow attended and thanked everyone and said he had enjoyed the afternoon. Lets pray he will return as he had suggested.
Please pray for one guy who attended today. He has bad depression and is hopefully attending on Sunday to meet up with me for further Bible study. He also frequents Tuesday nights. Another fellow rang me later after we had finished  to apologise that he could not make it today.
Your prayers play a critical part in this ministry
So thanks again for your prayers
Michael

Thursday, April 4, 2013

A slow start Thursday 4th April 2013


Hi everyone,
Well today started very slowly 4 people arrived early and it began to rain and rain hard. By 1.00pm no others had arrived but in the next 20 minutes people started to dribble in. In the end 11 people attended Bible discussion. It was great to see they braved the wet and cold conditions. The 11 did not include myself and helper Margaret.
Unfortunately 1 guy left in the middle of Bible study because others were talking offering their opinion and this confused him. He was struggling mentally today please pray for him.
We also celebrated one members 60th Birthday today. We did this without cake as he cannot have too much sugar due to dietary restrictions. So he asked for fruit-we brought and he ate apples. Healthy!
Thanks and please continue to pray for the group. 
Michael

Friday, March 29, 2013

March SHUM and Thursday 28th March


Hi everyone,
Thanks to the March SHUM for participating in SHUM. I wish everyone a joyous Easter.
Thanks for the month I enjoyed meeting and serving with you guys.
I hope you found the month challenging, encouraging and informative.
Thursday was a relatively quiet day, not many people around the streets and missing a fair few regulars. I think many were off to other Easter functions.
8 people attended Thursday Bible discussion with 1 new person coming and really only looking for lunch.
Helpers were Lisa(my wife) Ann and Margaret. Reverend David also joined us. Sandy from Church provided a great lunch for us.
We also had communion together.
Here is a picture of what the people in March thought about SHUM. I filled in the letters JUST in case you could not make out what they were doing. J
Thanks again for your support, participation and prayers.
Please pray for the people who attend Thursdays group that
1)       Their relationship with God will grow
2)       That God’s word will transform their lives

Michael

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thursday 21st March


Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers and thanks to those who have sent me a couple of paragraphs on SHUM
Today 11 people attended Bible discussion with one leaving before we began. This guy comes each week an hour before we start but because of mental illness cannot concentrate during the study. Praise God that he continues to attend and feel comfortable and welcome. The 11 did not include  who arrived when we were ending in prayer but stayed and chatted after.
It was a good group today with people in a relatively good state of mind. God was gracious.
Roxan from CPC provided a great lunch today and Margaret was again agreat help.
Please pray that God will continue to transform the lives of the people who attend.
Thanks again.
Michael

Thursday, March 14, 2013

In and Out Thursday 14th March 2013


Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. It was a strange day with 6 people staying for Bible discussion and another 4 people coming to see me during this time but not being able to stay.
3 of the 4 were semi regulars and one was a new person who had not previously been
The other person of the 4 had an appointment later, but came early and stayed for an hour or so. It was good to see him and he needs lots of prayer. However he has been very regular in turning up on Thursday or Sunday even for a short time.
Please continue to pray for Tuesdays and Thursdays and the people who attend. Pray that God will work in their hearts and that they will come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Thanks
Michael

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

March SHUM Team

Hi everyone it is great to serve with the March SHUM team this month.
Last night (tuesday 12th) was a very busy night. We ran out of supplies including cups. God brought many people across our path last night, please pray that their hearts will soften to accept him. Pray also that they may accept the invitations offered to them regaurding Bible study.
Thanks
Michael

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Thursday 7th March 2013


Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers. Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. This did not include another person who came in stayed for a while and then had to leave.
It was incident free day. One guy who came in a bit drunk comes semi regularly but even though he was drunk was able to participate in the study and songs and was challenged by God’s word.
A guy I met on Tuesday night took up Tuesday nights invitation and was there today. Praise God!
Another guy I know who has not been for a few months because of an ongoing feud with someone else in the group attended our meeting today. Praise God for that too.
I was also grateful my son could drive me in and home and setup today as my arm is still recovering. He has done this 3 times since my accident.
Thanks for your support and your many prayers for me everyone.
Michael

Thanks to February SHUM Team

Many thanks to the February SHUM Team. Although I missed a couple of weeks I enjoyed our time together and it was a pleasure serving with you. Hope you found the month beneficial.
Thanks
Michael

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Busy day. Thursday 28th Feb 2013


Hi everyone,
Thanks for your prayers!
Today we had a lot of people return so 13 people attended Bible study. This is not including myself, my wife and two other faithful helpers. We also had communion. Unfortunately from Tuesday nights invitations a few who were expected rl did not show. Although whilst waiting outside of Church I saw one fellow  from Tuesday night and dragged him in. He was happy to attend.
Unfortunately also one fellow got upset at something before we began and left. He comes every week and is a believer and a nice guy, so please pray whatever happens will get sorted out.
Please commit this situation to God.
My wife drove me in and home and cooked lunch for the group today. I am thankful for her support and commitment. As well as the support of our other 2 helpers Margaret and Ann.
If anyone would like to visit Thursday’s group anytime when you are free, feel welcomed to attend.
Thanks again for your support
Michael

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tuesday and Thursday 3rd week of February 2013

Hi everyone
Thanks for your prayers
It was good to return to Tuesday nights this week broken wrist , stitches and all. When we arrived at Central people were scarce but within half and hour many people were arriving and chatting and praying with us. Praise God for continued opportunity to do this.We will be at Edward Eager Lodge on Sunday.
Today at Thursday Bible group

10 people attended bible study by the time we had finished.
One person did not stay for the study and that is the guy I have been telling you about he is not well, Stays for about 15 minutes and leaves.
Two people attended today who have not been for at least 4 or 5 months.
Please pray for the group and that God’s word works in them to bring transformation to their lives
Also praise God my son drove me in again today and helped setup and serve. Thank you also that someone from my Church cooked a great lunch for us and thank you for the consistent support of Margaret Lo ( from the Church I attend) since the beginning of this year.
Thanks and please keep us in your prayers
Michael

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Thursday 14th Feb 2013


Hi everyone.
Thanks for your prayers. I had our smallest number for along time. 6 people attended and two had to leave during Bible study. However fellowship and the study went well with people sharing and talking freely I think because of the smaller number. So God was indeed gracious. Also the guy who I mentioned to you last week, who is not well mentally, still managed to return today. He still wants me to pray for him and hopefully will be there on Sunday to have Bible study.
I was also fortunate that my wife had the day off work and so was able to drive me in, pick up food and help out.
Please pray that other former regulars will return as there seem to be a few away still.
One guy who did not attend on Thursday came to see me on Sunday at Church. He is not going so well. Please pray for him.
Thanks also for those who are praying for my recovery.
Michael

Sunday, February 10, 2013

SHUM starts for 2013 and unexpected incident


Hi everyone
SHUM on Tuesday nights has begun.
Just like Thursdays things are a little slow getting started and people are still getting used to the idea that we are back.
Sorry I have been offline but I had an accident.
I plan to hopefully attend not this Tuesday but the following. I broke my wrist quite severely and have a plate and 2 screws holding it in place. I also had 8 stitches above my lip which has just recently been removed. I also had a lot of bruising on my body but a lot of this has now gone down. I will be seeing the surgeon and getting follow up xrays this week.
I cannot drive which does propose a bit of a problem. This is because I often need to cart many things with me whilst doing ministry. Please pray that I will be able to sort/reorganise this.

I managed to run Thursday Bible study group last week. My son drove me in and setup and cleaned up and drove me home. One new person attended which is great but we still have a number of semi regulars missing. We had 7 people attend. This did not include myself, my son and another helper. Please pray for one guy who was extremely consistent in attending everything but has now mentally lost it and with that his life is disarray. Its truly a miracle that he came on Thursday even though his thinking is all over the place. Pray that God will work in him and continue to remind him to attend.

Thanks
Michael

Thursday, January 24, 2013

2013 Thursdays Commence

Hi everyone,
After a break today was the restart of Thursday Bible studies.It was a slow start but in the end 7 people attended with another coming to see me after we just finished. Another also SMS in he was trying to make it today but unfortunately could not be there. Roxan provided a great lunch and new helper Margaret from the Church I attend, CPC, also came to help out. It was good to see those who attended today and we have begun the year by studying Romans.
Another person also intended to come today and came the previous week when we were not there. Please pray for this fellow as he admitted himself into rehab and hence why he was not there today.
Please also pray that people will come forward to participate in SHUM on Tuesday nights in February. I am currently a little short in numbers for February.
Thanks for your prayers
Michael