Thursday 20th December

Hi everyone

This was the last Thursday meeting for the year. We served up a great meal. Chinese pork buns, dim sim, prawn dumplings, beef and noodles hor-fun (thick noodles) , vietnamese wraps and mango pudding for dessert (made by a friend Margaret who also attended). Another friend also made up packets of sweet treats to give everyone.
10 people attended with a number of regulars unfortunately not there. 3 people came who had not been for months and attended. Helpers were my wife Lisa, Derek, Ann and new comer Margaret also from my Church.
We had Bible discussion followed by communion. Thursday meetings will resume on the 24th January.
However they can still contact me in between on Sundays and attend Bible study there. I will also be contactable and available to them on some of the Tuesdays in January.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and supporting this ministry throughout the year.
Please continue to pray for them as a couple of the regulars have gone missing as of late. Pray that God will keep them in his care and that they will not stray to far but will know where home truly is.
Thanks again
Michael

Thursday 13th December 2012

The last two Thursdays our numbers have dropped a little with about 7 people attending. This however still makes for a good Bible study. God has been gracious with people participating and hopefully learning from God's word.
Strangely enough though 3 people turned up for Bible study on Tuesday and last Sunday.
Please pray for two guys one who had been very regular. One seems to have gone missing the last 2 weeks and the other  has  just started to get things back together. He has now  returned and attending  a bit more regularly. He used to be one of the most consistent and attend Thursdays and Sundays but this has stopped since he has lost his way.
Thanks also to Ann, Derek and Lisa (my wife) whose help was again invaluable yesterday.
Next Thursday will be our last Thursday meeting for the year.
Please continue to pray for the group.
Thanks
Michael

Early Christmas 29th November 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers today.

10 people turned up for Bible discussion although a couple of people had to leave in the middle of study. Two new people attended today. One guy came to know of us through someone else on the street he had the map that we give out on Tuesday nights in his hand. He enjoyed the afternoon and is clearly going through some issues. Unfortunately it looks like he will not be back as he is leaving the area. At least that’s his plan.

Another guy who has been a keen regular for the last couple of years but has really gone wayward as of late, returned today. It was great to see him. Please pray for him that this will be the beginning of getting his life back in order.

A friend and supporter of this ministry provided a fantastic lunch today. It was Christmas early. We had turkey, ham, bread rolls, salad, coleslaw, potatoe salad and desert. It was great and I am hoping appreciated by all. My friend also went to the trouble of driving all the food and containers in.

Big thanks to her and her Bible study friends for their efforts and concern

Thanks again and please continue to pray for the group

Michael

Last Tuesday Night for 2012

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your participation and prayers throughout the year. Last night was the last Tuesday night for this year.  It was  a busy night with people coming in about 3 waves at different times. Chocolate cake was available and was finished but lasted till the end of the night. Thanks to the November SHUM team whom I hope were challenged and encouraged by the month.
Praise and Thanks to God for sustaining yet another year for SHUM. God has provided willing participants who want to share the gospel with others all throughout the 10 months of SHUM this year.
Pray that God will continue to provide and give me wisdom to develop this ministry in whatever way God may want this to occur.
Thanks everyone for your support and prayers and have a joyous Christmas.
PS The Thursday group will continue during December.
Michael

CMS Misssionary thoughts on SHUM

IINTERVIEW with a CMS MISSIONARY on SHUM - To listen please click here!

Thursday 22 November 2012

Hi everyone,

8 people attended Bible discussion yesterday. This did not include another who came and dropped something off for someone but had to leave.

It was a relatively quiet day without incident and people participated well. We also shared communion together.

The minister of the Church I attend was also there to join in as were faithful helpers Ann and Derek.

It was a sort of relief for me to not have as many people there yesterday. God clearly knows what I can cope with and when I need a breather.

Please continue to pray for the people that come and their state of mind and position before God

Thanks Michael

A Busy day Thursday 15th Nov 2012

Hi everyone

Thanks for your prayers, they were needed. Today 14 people attended Bible discussion. By 12.20pm 5 people had arrived with a couple of them being very agitated speaking loudly and aggressively. I called Derek, who assists me each week, over so we could pray about today. I could already see that things could easily get out of hand very quickly. God was gracious and by the time Bible study came around things did calm down with that bunch. However two others who attended today and have been running a longstanding argument for the past month and a half, one of them in the midst of Bible study stormed off and was unhappy, I think with the other.

Although he  has told people he has  forgiven the other clearly there is a way to go.

We need to encourage and pray for both to reconcile their relationship

I was hoping they could both at least get through a session of some event together. However unfortunately that was not today.

Please pray for both, it was more than appropriate today maybe even too appropriate that the passage we studied was Philippians 4:2-9 – Paul encouraging reconciliation between two arguing sisters in the Lord.

Thanks again for your prayers they are most appreciated.

Michael

Thursday 8th November

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers!

Today again 13 people attended Bible discussion and another person came to see me after we had finished that person was quite distressed.

One guy attended from Tuesday night’s invitation. Praise God. He enjoyed our group however it sounds like he will be moving on(?) but wanted to still try and make the Thursdays. Please pray about this as when people move on they generally do not return unless they return to the city. Another new guy came from the invitation of one of the guys who attends semi regularly. He said he was Muslim yet he participated in our discussion which pointed to Jesus as the only way to salvation. Most likely he was Muslim by association. He is Lebanese.

Praise God for another guy who attends semi regularly but has severe mental illness. He arrived at about 11.30 and stayed for the discussion and until we had finished. He was not causing a commotion or disturbance as previously has happened. God was gracious and today went relatively smoothly , well as smooth as things can go. We talked about the races which happened this week – the Melbourne cup and the US presidency and this was a natural progression into today’s study on Philippians.

Thanks again for your prayers

Michael

Meet the November SHUM Team

Last Tuesday night began November SHUM. The night went well and many people came to speak and engage with us in conversation. The group handled itself well speaking to as many people as we could on the night. We left central with people still there and many invitations, encouragement and prayers were given to those we conversed with.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

A chaotic day Thursday 1st November 2012

Hi everyone

Thanks For your prayers

Today 13 people showed for Bible study. This was not including faithful helper Derek and myself. Two guys who attended today obviously had  a previous altercation. Unfortunately as soon as they saw each other they began arguing. One guy left with the other staying. The one who stayed  was then mentally unstable being annoying, threatening and irritating during the whole afternoon even after people had left.

Fortunately I was able to get him to leave Church calmly without calling the police. Praise God.

Just before Bible study began I set down some rules on how we were to speak and treat each other. Praise God everyone but the guy who was unstable stood by that and were very patient with him.

I did my best to stay on track with the Bible discussion whilst in between trying to contain the other guy who was moving all over the hall. However the group were quite subdued due to events that had already transpired.

Please continue to pray for the group that people will learn and grow in Jesus , that I will teach clearly and that God will control people and their mental state.

In Him

Michael

October 2012 SHUM Team

Thanks to the people who participated in October SHUM. It was encouraging serving with you and I hope you were challenged and encouraged. Hope to see many of you again soon.

Michael

Thursday 25th October

Hi everyone,

Today 11 people attended bible discussion. This did not include Marshall whose wife provided a great lunch, Derek, Ann, my wife Lisa and myself. Unfortunately 2 had to leave before Bible study began. Although one of these is a regular.

Two people who have had some aggressive arguments during the week did not attend. Both are fairly regular particularly one of them  is normally there every week until now. Please pray for them both and that God will work in them to change and forgive each other.

On the upside one new person attended today and another woman who I have not seen for about 9 months. Please pray they will return and become more consistent.

Please also pray for two people whom I am meeting with each Tuesday afternoon to do an overview of the Old Testament with. I asked them to commit to 10 Tuesday afternoons. So far they have both attended 3 consecutive weeks. Please pray this continues

Thanks Michael

Unity or Disunity Thursday 18th October 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 8 people attended Bible discussion with one person leaving before Bible study began. This did not include Marshall, Ann, my wife and myself.

I called one woman who attends regularly each week. However she was  upset from an argument that transpired on Tuesday night. She swore a lot in our conversation and I could not convince her to attend. I offered to pick her up but she would not be in it. Please pray for reconciliation between her and the other person she had the argument with. The other person also attends on Thursday semi regularly.

Please pray for forgiveness and reconciliation in this relationship and that this does not affect their Thursday attendance.

Praise God also for another woman I had not seen for a while but the last time we met we left not on good terms. Today I saw her crossing the road and invited her to our meeting. She came and we reconciled from the previous conversation we had. 

Please also pray for one guy who attends on Sunday to have Bible study with me but is struggling with Thursday. He attends and then someone puts him off and so he leaves.

Thanks for your support.

Michael

Sunday 14th October

Hi all
Last Sunday 4 people turned up for Bible study. Praise God.
Last Tuesday  I also began about a 10 week overview of the old testament with 2 marginalised people. Today is the 2nd week into this and both were there, Praise God . Please pray they will not be distracted from Bible study on Tuesday afternoons.
Thanks Michael

Thursday 11th October 2012

Hi,

Thanks for your prayers.

7 people turned up for Bible discussion yesterday. We also had communion.

2 new people whom I met and invited from Tuesday night attended. They were quite keen and participated and seemed eager to return. It was their first time. Praise God. Another man who  has been a regular for a while but has not been for the last couple of months also attended as our paths crossed again on Tuesday night. He can be  a prickly sort of character at times. Another lady  called me and was unable to attend because of a doctor’s appointment. Many of the regulars were not there yesterday but God brought others. Praise God

Please continue to pray for our Thursday meetings and the people who attend. Pray that God will work in their hearts to transform them as with us. Please also pray that I may present clearly the gospel message.

Thanks Michael

A Busy Day 4th October 2012

Hi everyone ,

Thanks for you prayers. Today was a busy day with many regulars retruning who had not been for a while.

Today we had quite large group with 12 people attending Bible discussion and this is not including another person who came to see me after we finished. This is also not including myself and Ann a faithful helper. Zacky from the Church I attend cooked lunch for us today which was quickly demolished.

I am so thankful to God for all the people  participating this month. Without these people this month would not be possible, Praise God and thank God for them all.

Thanks for everyone who prayed that God would provide people for October.

Your prayers were answered

Thanks

Michael

Praise God and Thanks

I just want to thank God an everyone who has prayed for people to participate in October SHUM. I now currently have a team of people another person or so would be great but Gos has certainly provided. At one stage only two weeks ago I had only myself and one other. Now we have 5 people (including myself) starting the first week and 6 people from there after.
Thanks
Michael 

Thursday 27 Sept 2012

Hi everyone,
Today 8 people attended Bible study.he Youth group at the Church This was not including myself, faithful helper Ann and visitor Jocelyn from the Youth group at the Church I attend. We had a few regulars missing today. One new guy attended he has been once before but that was a couple of months ago. The group was quiet today and this seemed to be the case around the city.
I was encouraged to have Jocelyn attend. She baked biscuits and generously brought them to share. Everyone loved her biscuits. Thanks Jocelyn. Hope to see you back again some time.
Thanks everyone  for your support and prayers
Michael

Thanks October SHUM Team

Thanks to the people who paticipated in October SHUM. I hope you found it a worthwhile experience and trust it encourages you to continue to seek opportunities to share the gospel.
Thanks again
Michael

Church Camp

Thanks to all those who prayed in reference to taking people to the Church Camp.

Last Friday before we left for Church camp as always a number of issues happened.

One guy who was supposed to come (Mr X)  had not made contact with me for 1 and a half weeks and was not there at 5pm when we were supposed to meet. I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to come and so had organised another person to come (Mr Y) and have dinner and take his place if Mr X did not show.

Well Mr Y then said he wasn’t coming and I spent an hour talking and praying with him to convince him to come, I could not convince him so after dinner he left. Then at 6.45pm when we are leaving Mr X calls to ask if he can come. I pick him  up and he is not thinking too well at all. He did not want to take anything to the camp.

Suffice to say we made it to the camp. It was a tiring weekend looking after them.

However God is good and Mr X and Mr Y both attend Thursday Bible discussion.

Thanks

Michael

Urgent Prayer Request

Hi everyone,

I have not had much success in  finding people for SHUM in October. As a result I currently have only one person committed to SHUM in October. If you know anyone who maybe interested in participating or available please let them know and get them to contact me

Thanks

Michael

Email: Michael-tang@optusnet.com.au

Thursday 20th September 2012

Hi guys,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today 9 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including Derek, Ann and myself

A guy (Mr X) who had gone missing lately and who I have requested pray for has contacted me in the last couple of days and attended today. Praise God.

This weekend is our Church camp and I am taking two people with me from the Thursday group. There is also a good chance that one guy maybe a no show tomorrow so I have asked the Mr X  to meet with us for dinner and if the other guy does not show he  can take his place.

So what are the chances? I maybe taking 2 or 1 or no one to the Church camp. In this ministry you need to be flexible. Please pray about this as I am sure God has this under control.

I have been extremely busy as of late and so Derek led the Bible study for me today and Ann also again faithfully helped out.

Thanks for your support

Michael

Thursday 13th September

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. I did a sausage sizzle for lunch today, needless to say it all went.

One guy who has attended over the last few weeks, has been staying the whole afternoon. At first I thought he was only coming for the lunch but he is happy to interact during Bible discussion. Pray that God will work in him. Pray also for the guy I have told you about who recently accepted Christ. I have spent a lot of time with him over the past couple of months but now he has gone missing. I cannot contact him ( he is not returning my calls or messages) and he has not been coming to see me. Pray that God will continue to work in him whether it be through me or some other believers.

Please pray for the Church camp as I intend to take a couple of people to the camp. This is always thwart with danger as whatever I plan with them normally does not work out as planned.

Please also pray about SHUM in the next couple of months I currently have no one who is able to participate.

Ann from my Church was faithfully helping out today.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 6th September 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 10 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including faithful helpers Derek and Ann (from the church I attend) and Sam from another church who had joined SHUM in a previous month and now has some time to join us for fellowship on Thursdays.

We also shared communion today.

Please continue to pray for this one guy I have recently spoke about. I should be meeting up with him tomorrow but he is struggling and a new Christian as well.

Thanks also to a friend from Church Zacky who provided a great lunch today.

Thanks

Michael

August SHUM Team THANKS

Thanks to the guys who participated in August SHUM. Hope you guys were challenged and encouraged and hope to see you in the future at SHUM.

Thanks for your support, participation and prayers.

Michael

Thurdsay 30th August - Sunday 2nd September

Hi guys,

Thanks for your prayers for Thursday.

9 people attended Bible discussion on Thursday. One new man attended who had not been before. Please pray for one guy who meets regularly with me and I am also encouraging him to attend on Sunday as well. He is a bit intimidated by Sunday.

On Saturday I worked with the youth of CPC and our other youth worker to put on an Art Exhibtion. This was done as an out reach and we invited people from the Local area to this event. The day was well received with 80-100 people from the area attending. Praise God! Unfortunately we could have done with a lot more people to help converse to people and welcome them in.

Today two people attended for Bible discussion which was great. Please pray for one guy who has been inconsistent in attendance this year but is just now starting to get his act together.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 23 August 2012

Hi guys,

Thanks for your prayers. Today 8 people attended Bible discussion. One person arrived about 3.30pm to come and see me and I spent a sort time with them they should be there on Tuesday night.

Please pray for one fellow who has been meeting with me regularly to study God’s word. He was not present today. Pray that he is ok. I will try to contact and possibly see him tomorrow.

Please pray for a person whom spoke with me today. She attends regularly but said she did not want to come today. She said she wanted a break and will return next week.

Another guy I know called me later this evening. He normally calls me up every now and then to chat. He has many problems with his partner who has severe mental illness. They both need our prayers. He says he will try and meet up with us on Tuesday night.

Today Roxan from the Church I attend provided a great lunch. Derek was there to faithfully lend a hand. I greatly appreciated this as I was not feeling too well today. Thanks Roxan and Derek.

Thanks for your prayers.

Michael

God works in unexpected ways 16th August 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers today. Today 12 people attended Bible discussion. 3 new people attended one of them being a guy we met on Tuesday night. I really did not expect this guy to attend. 2 others who have not been for months showed up today it was good to have them back. Unfortunately 3 had to leave before Bible discussion began.

Please pray for one guy whom attended from Tuesday night’s invitation. Pray that he will return and we will get to speak further with him.

The group was a little more chaotic than usual with people arriving at different times

Thanks for your prayers they are needed and most appreciated.

Again is has been most unexpected but on Tuesday nights the last few weeks numbers have been down. However God has really been at work in some people’s lives. One of the guys from Tuesday night who has been meeting with me one on one over the past month accepted Christ this week. Praise God. Pray for him he still needs lots of help and guidance. However I can see that God is working in his life to change him.

Thanks also to Derek the faithful helper, whose help today made the load lighter

Thanks again

Michael

Thursday 9th August 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. 10 people attended Bible discussion. Two people attended who had not been before. One of them was a woman whom I met and invited 3 weeks the other was a man invited by one of the other guys in our group.

Praise God for both of them, although the guy had to leave early before Bible discussion.

Unfortunately a guy from Tuesday night (SHUM) who we were expecting to attend, did not attend today. Please remember him in your prayers and that we will see him again on Tuesday night. Pray also for another guy who has been meeting me regularly to also study the Bible one on one as well as attending on Thursdays

Derek and Ann were faithful helpers today with a friend from the Church I attend providing lunch. The lunch was well received by all.

Please continue to pray that God will work in the hearts of those who He brings to the group.

Thanks Michael

Thanks July Shum Team and Thursday Bible discussion report

Thanks to the July SHUM team!

Thank you for your prayers , participation and encouragement. I hope you found the month a learning and growing experience.

Please pray for one guy who has been coming regularly and meeting with me on Tuesdays as well. He was in trouble today and I leant him money for his accommodation. Not the first time I’ve done this for someone nor I guess the last time. Please pray that he is truthfully seeking the Lord as he appears close to making a decision.

Please pray for my involvement with SHUM and CPC both don’t always mix well.

7 People attended Bible study today. 2 others came but left. One guy was in a particularly bad state of mind and wanted to blame me for inciting others not to make him feel welcome. The other who came also comes regularly on Sunday but is a bit sensitive to another person in the group and when that person is there he generally leaves. Please pray about this. Ever felt like your babysitting children? J

Derek again was a faithful helper and a friend from Church came today and cooked a great lunch.

Thanks again

Michael

Early Birds - Thursday 26th July 2012

Hi all

Thanks for your much needed prayers

Thursdays like Tuesday nights at Central can be unpredictable. We normally start at 1.00pm but by 12.30 at least 7 people had arrived. Go figure??? Keen?? One lady was there at 11.30 when I arrived.

Today 10 people attended Bible discussion we had at least 4 different people from last week. One man who is also meeting with me separately to read the Bible also came. He has been consistent in attending Tuesdays and Thursdays. I invited him to Sunday today as well. Another man whom I met on Tuesday night accepted the invitation and attended today. I was encouraged to see him there. He said he enjoyed himself and hopefully he will return.

Even though the last couple of weeks less people attended Tuesday nights it is great to see that God is at work. Maybe this was the reason for fewer people so we could have a longer more personal conversation with those few. Please continue to pray for the two guys I just mentioned as one is very close to accepting Jesus.

Please also pray for a person I know who rang me today in turmoil and conflict. I have been trying to meet up with him but he has been unable to commit. We made a date tentatively for tomorrow before I need to attend youth group from my Church and also in between another meeting. Pray God will work in him so he will know where his priority should lie.

Thanks Michael

An Early Start - Thursday 19th July 2012

Hi everyone

Thanks for your prayers

Today 4 people arrived around 11.30am. We don’t start till 1.00pm. They were happy to sit around relax, talk and drink coffee.

Today 9 people attended Bible discussion with one person having to leave before Bible study began.

This was not including another guy who came in early and had not been before but thought we started at 12 and so had to leave as he had a previous appointment after 1.00pm. However I did have a good conversation with him and he seemed keen to return another day even on a Sunday. We’ll see how this works out.

Today a friend who is a missionary in China and currently on furlough in Sydney shared about his experience in China.

Derek, Ann and Lisa , my wife, were the faithful helpers for the day. Lisa cooked and provided a great lunch today.

We had a few regulars away today so please pray that God will continue working in their life and that they will return.

A guy who I spoke to on Tuesday night and have been encouraging to attend over the past few months, attended today. I had rung him on Wednesday and this morning to prompt and encourage him to attend. I invited him to Edward Eager Lodge on Sunday and he said he will be there please pray for this. He is really searching for God. Please pray that he will open his heart to the Lord.

Thanks Michael

Cold & Wet Thursday 5th July 2012

Hi all.

Thanks for your prayers

Today 8 people attended although one had to leave before Bible discussion started. One guy who has only been once before also attended. Helpers were Derek, Ann and visitor Winnie who attended SHUM last month. A friend from Church provided a great lunch today. Please pray for next week as I won’t be there and Derek has kindly consented to running Thursday for me.

Please also pray for one guy who is very sensitive to people. If he is made to feel uncomfortable at all he leaves. He is the guy who left before discussion began.

Thanks Michael

July SHUM

The July SHUM team is comprised of members from Narwee Baptist Church, WSCCC strathfield and St George Baptist. They began last Tuesday night it was cold but many people attended the night and gave us a warm reception

An Unplanned day Thursday 28th June 2012

Hi all,

Thanks again for your prayer, support and participation.

Today was one of those days where nothing goes to plan but God’s grace shines through and goes to his plans.

Today I had organised a missionary friend of mine to come and share with the group. I was looking forward to this as a welcome relief as I do not often get a chance to get someone else to run the Bible study/talk.

I received a message form my friend about 9.30 am saying that his wife was sick and he had to take her to hospital. I rang and spoke to them, then began trying to pull a talk/study together. (Please pray for her she is not well) Then I went to pick up lunch which another friend of mine had kindly organised to cook.

I went to church and while I was setting up one of the guys came in. He was not in a good way and did not want to stay. I talked and prayed with him and he decided to stay.

For whatever reason the Bible discussion we had today was really well received. People enjoyed themselves and participated. The guy who came early had an altercation the previous night with another person who attended today but thankfully even though things started tense and I had to have a few words they both stayed and participated. God was in control.

Later the guy who came early prayed a really heart felt prayer and everyone was touched even the person he had the altercation with.

9 people attended Bible discussion today not including the faithful helpers Derek and Ann. Reverend David Tsai also joined in the Bible study today. One of the 9 was a friend of mine visiting from Hong Kong she is here on holidays and wanted to attend as she had been quite a few times about 3 years previous.

Roxan supplied a great lunch.

How can anyone plan for all this. Praise God

Later I had to visit and elderly man in hospital, I was caught in the rain on the way and got soaked. L

Please pray for him he is not doing too well he has pneumonia. I sat him up and helped feed him dinner.

After this I went to give an information night at Belvoir St Baptist Church. Praise and Thanks to God for supplying people for SHUM in July.

Michael

SHUM TEAM June 2012

Thanks to the June SHUM team for their participation and support. I look forward to seeing you all some time in the future. Hope you learnt many things during the month

An Encouraging Day 21st June 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers. Today was an unusual day, with people who had not been before or for a long time returning

11 people attended Bible study and we were missing two regulars who come pretty much every week.

1 man came and has not been for about 4 months another man came back today he has not been for a year. One year, imagine after moving around suffering mental illness the going back to the street you remember the time and place of a Bible study you attended about one year ago. That’s God working, please pray they continue to return.

Another lady came once a few weeks ago and seemed keen to attend consistently . I did not see her again until today. She had been in hospital for 20 days.

Another lady who has just started to attend cannot read but is happy to listen to the discussion, when I am speaking and when we are praying together.

Today was encouraging to me seeing God at work to bring people together to study God’s word.

One guy thanked me for today indicating it was like a little piece of heaven during his week. He enjoys being able to meet with other believers and study the Bible.

Go figure, other times they are arguing whilst I am trying to hold communion.

God is good and thanks for your prayers.

Thanks also to Derek and Ann who faithfully helped out today

Michael

Thursday 14th June 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers.

Please pray for one guy who came a few weeks ago and is a believer but life’s distractions are getting in the way of him consistently meeting with us.

Despite this 9 people attended Bible discussion today.

Please pray for one woman who has now come 3 times in the last 5 weeks. She was assaulted at her home as she interrupted some men stealing from her place.

She heard about our group through some of the others. She was quite upset today as you can imagine. Strangely enough we have another man who is visiting Australia from another country. He is a believer, but does like to talk a lot during the discussion which at times can be frustrating for others not so confident in the group.

Derek and Ann from the Church I attend also helped out today. Thanks to God for that.

Thanks again

Michael

Thursday 7th June 2012

Hi all,

Today 9 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including myself , Derek and Ann from my Church who help out weekly. This did also not include two other people who came very early I think before midday, we start at 1.00pm. One of them has severe mental illness and comes every now and then and had been waiting and talking to me for an hour before he left. That’s about the length of his concentration. One new person came to the Bible study today and he had heard about our group through another Church. Another lady also attended, it is only her second visit.

Please also pray for a guy who attended a couple of weeks ago. He walked all the way from Granville to attend. He was keen to return but unfortunately was not there today. Please pray that he will continue in the Lord and that we may see him again soon.

Zacky from my Church provided a great lunch today. Thanks Zacky.

Thanks for your prayers

Michael

June SHUM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers. God has graciously again provided people to particpate in SHUM on the cold Tuesday nights in June. Please pray that God will continue to provide for July.

Praise God for his continued provision.

Michael

Thursday 31st May 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today 7 people attended Bible study, This did not include a regular who arrived early and setup for me but left before we began. Another guy who comes every now and then really only came for lunch but we also prayed for him and welcomed him too. He did not attend the study either.

Praise God that a guy I met on Tuesday night who remembered me form Edward Eager Lodge about 7 years ago, attended today and enjoyed himself. He said that he wants to attend regularly. Please pray for him that life’s distractions do not prevent him from attending.

Roxan from the Church I attend provided a great lunch and Derek and Ann were there to also help out.

Thanks for your support everyone. Michael

May SHUM Team 2012

May SHUM Team,

Thanks for participating in SHUM in the the month of May. I hope you found it a challenging and learning experience. I also hope that I will see some of you again in the not too distant future.

Thanks Fletcher and Alistair for co-ordinating things on your side and for participating

Need Prayer and Wisdom 24th May 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today was a strange day with 8 people attending Bible study and another person, whom I knew, I grabbed on the street to bring in, stayed for lunch but had to leave for a solicitors appointment.

As it was raining I rang one lady to see if she needed a lift. She was angry at me saying that we ignored her on Tuesday night. She said everyone else there was important but not me. I disagreed with her and said why would I be ringing you for a lift if I did not consider you to be important. I apologised to her profusely and she changed her mind and decided to come and I picked her up.

Another lady also attended who had not been for 2 months. She said she has been unwell physically and mentally and was glad to be back.

A new lady also attended who had neither been before nor had I met her before. She was advised to come through someone else. She says she believes, pray she will return.

The person I chased after on Crown St thought that she might not be welcome anymore. This was due to our last phone conversation where she was very angry and hung up on me. I reassured her she is always welcome despite anything that transpires in between. She came in and immediately apologised to a lady for an incident that occurred a couple of weeks ago. Praise God. The apology was grudgingly accepted.

Bible study went well I think with most people participating. Helpers today were Derek, Ann and my wife Lisa.

I would ask that you pray for wisdom for me for two familes related to each other and living next door to each other in Surry Hills. They are having experiencing many problems. Anyway I visited them both after Bible group today. Pray that I might be a good witness to them and be able to have wisdom in my conversation to them. I met them door knocking a few years ago and have been visiting and praying with them ever since.

Thanks Michael

Sunday 21st May 2012

3 people attended Bible Study on Sunday. 1 guy had to leave early. However he actually came to service early Sunday morning English service. This is encouraging as two that come to Bible study have started to attend Sunday service intermittently.

The third person attends the Mandarin service every week.

Pray that they will continue to grow in God and continue to learn about him.

Michael

Thursday 18th May 2012

Hi all,

8 people attended Bible discussion yesterday. Although 1 regular had to leave before we started but came very early and spent an hour with me before he left. He even helped me prepare lunch. Another lady who came has only been once before a few months ago, decided to attend. Unfortunately she and got into a heated argument during Bible discussion with another lady. Ironically it was over this passage

^{1Pe 3:8} Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

^{1Pe 3:9} Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Please pray for the lady who argued with Margaret. Pray that God will work in her heart and return when God wills this.

After we cleaned and packed up I had a meeting just a block away with the some of the youth leaders of the Church I attend. Whilst walking to the meeting a met another guy who sometimes attends Thursdays. He has severe mental illness so I just encouraged and reminded him about our meetings. Hopefully God will work in his mind to bring Him. I know that God has this under control as I certainly do not.

Whilst I was at the meeting 2 other people came to Church to talk to me, God was gracious as Derek the student in training at our Church was still at Church and spent time with them.

Please continue to pray that God will work in the lives of these people and bring them to a knowledge of Him.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 10th May 2012

Hi everyone,

On Thursday numbers have dropped slightly as we have two regulars overseas and a couple of others being sick. Despite this 7 people showed up for Bible discussion not including one person a regular coming late, so late we were packing up. But that’s fine we prayed and chatted for a while. Bible discussion went fine with people participating.

God is truly gracious as two new people attended the group. One person whom I know from Tuesday night had never been before. He was encouraged to come by one of our regulars whom he met. Another lady apparently who attended wandered into Church on Sunday was invited to attend Thursdays group and left.

Its clear God will bring whom he wants there. On the same Sunday I spent quite a bit of time with another woman, homeless, who wandered into Church she would not even let me pray for her, invited her to Thursdays and Bible study that morning but she did not show.

Please continue to pray for the people who attend and pray that the 2 new people may return, Lord willing.

Thanks Michael

Thankful Sunday 5th May 2012

Today 3 people attended Bible discussion and all participated It was an enjoyable time. I was extremely thankful for one guy who attended the service and Bible study today as I think he left early on Thursday because of someone else's behaviour which made him feel uneasy. Praise God that he returned. Please also pray for one person I talked to this morning and also invited her to Thursday's group. She walked into our Church I offered her morning tea and invited her to the bible study as well. She was very polite had some morning tea and left. She said she may be there on Thursday

Thanks Michael

A Strange Week Thursday 3 May 2012

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your prayers

The previous Tuesday night people were mentally on edge or strung this generally means some sort of follow on to Thursday. Don’t know why but this is generally the pattern.

Its almost like some sort of bio rhythm or clock for people.

Numbers were down a bit for Thursday 6 people stayed and attended Bible study and participated well. Praise God the lady with Alzheirmer’s was in a good frame of mind.

However one guy who comes regularly came early, 12.00pm. He stayed tell about 1.00pm which is when we start. He left because another guy who comes semi regularly was in a really bad frame of mind. He was angry and yelling and shouting. I tried to calm him down but he was inconsolable. I tried to get through to a number he wanted to call but they were not available and that made him even more angry

Unfortunately he left in this state of mind. Please pray for him and the guy who left as he is a sensitive person.

In spite of this God was still gracious and the people who were there, participated well in the Bible discussion.

One of the regular attendees rang me and said she could not come as her leg was sore and she was going to rest it. She believes this is from Tuesday nights events.

Another semi regular also contacted me and said she could not make it as she would be at the solicitors.

Please pray that those who were in a mentally bad state this week will calm down and feel comfortable enough to return to Tuesday night and Thursdays.

Thanks Michael

May SHUM Team 2012

God is gracious!

Last night a new SHUM Team for May began.

It was a strange night with people at Central being a little mentally on edge. Two people who come regularly to Tuesdays and Thursdays had a misunderstanding which ended up with tea being spilt on one of them both left angry and dismayed.

However this morning one of the involved rang me and wanted to apologise to the other and for me to pass this on. I then contacted the other party who did not realise it was an accident and not done out of any malice to the other person. Both were sorry for the situation. God is gracious.

Please continue to pray for the people I minister to.

Michael

Sunday 29th April 2012

On Sunday I met for Bible study with two of the guys who attend Thursday group. They were really on the ball on Sunday understanding the passage and some of the background information. It is like there were two different people there from the ones who attend on Thursday. I think because of the number of people on Thursday this prevents them from sharing and asking further questions. Shawn from CPC who participated in Shum last month also came to participate in our discussion. Please continue to pray for the Thursday and Sunday groups.

Michael.

Thursday 26th April 2012

Today 9 people attended Bible discussion. This was not including Derek, Ann and myself and a very late comer.

Today was very interesting as a couple of men I met on Tuesday night and invited, attended the meeting today. Unfortunately they had other things to attend to but wanted to make an appearance as they had given their word they would be there. They even ate lunch before arriving.

Hopefully they will return another time , they said they would. Please pray for them.

Another regular came in very late as we were finishing cleaning up but also wanted to make an appearance so we chatted prayed and they left.

Those who were there today participated in the Bible study, praise God.

Roxan from the Church I attend also cooked a great lunch.

Please continue to pray for the group.

Thanks

Michael

Tuesday 24th April 2012

Hi all,

Thanks to the April SHUM team for their partcipation, efforts and prayer. I hope you all were challenged and encouraged. Last night was a very busy Tuesday with many people waiting for our arrival. Not only this many new people also came to meet us. It was a cold night but the conversation and fellowship were warm. Please pray that some of the people from Tuesday night will make the effort to attend Thursday and that God will open their hearts to His word on that day.

Thank God also that one guy who was mad at me for not talking to him straight away when we arrived on Tuesday night, loosened up forgave me and eventually made conversation with me.

Please continue to pray for the mission and hope to see you all again at Shum another time.

Thanks again

Michael

A Tough day at the office? - Thursday 19th April 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today was a complicated tiring day.

One guy who came with severe mental illness was there before I arrived at 11.00am, we start at 1.00pm.

Someone form my Church had advised this guy, he could have an old PC which church is not using. When I heard this Straight away I was not happy with this for a number of reasons, even though the intentions were good.

1) If he gets a pc who is going to take him and the PC to his place, that will then fall to.

2) Thursday is a really bad day for this to happen. I am busy trying to organise the people who come, lunch, get lunch ready, lead some praise songs, get through a Bible discussion and have group prayer. It is not time to be chasing a PC. This format needs to continue and the focus of our meetings kept to this pattern so people are used to this

Hence if you tell someone , with severe mental illness that they maybe getting a PC what do you think they will be focussed on all day, What will their questions be about all day

3) Of course the bad thing did happen he could not get the PC today. Guess who is left to deal with that. For the next 1.5 hours he argued with me told me off and I was left to try and reason and be stern with him.

I prayed about this during this time and God was gracious and by 1.00pm lunch I served and he settled down. He even stayed for the study and prayed during group prayer. Praise God.

9 people attended the Bible discussion today. Eva from Tuesday night also showed up to my amazement. God is indeed sovereign and gracious.

We were missing a few regulars today please pray they will return safely.

Just when we had finished for the afternoon someone slipped into have a shower next to the hall where we were meeting. I then had to wait another 30mins for this person to finish and have some words with them. This person turned out to be someone I know. She wanted to give me a bit of attitude but I stopped her straight away. She knows I have helped her out many times and also knows, I am sure, she just cannot come into Church walk around and start to use everything without asking. She was fine with what I told her but was trying to be cute about her actions and tried to laugh things off.

There is always a thin line between love and loving discipline.

10 minutes later I had a meeting with the one of the youth leaders of our Church.

Some days are just hard work, which just goes to show that ministry always will need plenty of prayer.

However in the midst of the chaos God’s hand and gracious love is also seen.

-The guy who was upset calmed down and later apologised to me. He even stayed and participated in Bible study and prayer.

-One new person came today from Tuesday night’s invitations. ( I did not expect she could even remember)

-I had previously organised Derek to take the Bible study which today freed me up a little to deal with the other issues occurring

Please continue to pray for this ministry

Thanks Michael

Tuesday Night 17th April 2012

This night was pouring with rain. However although it was wet this did not dampen people's attendance, many people still came. Praise God.

Conversations, prayer and invitations centring around God continued throughout the night.

God is good and sovereign and will bring people if we are faithful.

Michael

Thursday 5th April 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.

Well today was busy and a little chaotic.

17 people attended Bible discussion today. This was not including myself, Derek and Zacky who cooked for us. It was a lot of people and at times a struggle to keep people on track. One person came and left immediately as I think he felt a little uneasy with the number of people.

Today I was fortunate to have Zacky come in and cook lunch for us. With so many people we just had enough lunch with a couple of late comers missing out. Myself and Derek (Ministry student in training at CPC) did not eat.

Today we had Bible study and I then followed this with communion.

With so many people there were some altercations and arguments happening but on the most not too bad. One guy in particular featured in the altercations.

Another friend of mine provided Easter egg gifts. She got her children to write and make the gifts. These like the lunch were greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your prayers.

Please keep praying that God will continue to work in their lives and they will grow in Knowledge and faith in Him.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 30th March 2012

Today 8 people attended Bible study. One person also called and advised that could not make it due to illness. Couple of others were MIA.

Please pray that they will return.

Despite this, Derek led the study today, which I was extremely grateful for.

He did such a good job that everyone gave him a clap afterwards.

Thanks Derek

Also Thanks to Danny who is leading the Bible study on Sundays to a few of the guys from Thursdays group. He led last Sunday and will also lead this Sunday for me while I am away at another Church preaching.

Thanks Danny

Shum Team March 2012

Thanks to the March SHUM team. This month the females grossly outnumbered the males.

I hope that everyone was challenged this month and reminded of how important it is for us to share the gospel with others.

Special mention to Helen who returns to Taiwan but has been a great supporter of SHUM and who I for one will sincerely miss. Helen's participation and support as a sister in Christ has been great. Also congratulations to Jennifer who was recently engaged.

I want to thank the team for their support and participation.

Please pray for April Shum as we are still short a couple of people.

Thanks

Michael

Tuesday 20th & Thursday 22nd March 2012

Tuesday night had another good attendance of people at central. We invited and encouraged many to attend Thursday's meeting.

Thursdays meeting had good attendance , with 2 people unable to stay for the study.

13 people attended and this was not including Ann, Derek or myself.

One guy who attended had not been for about one year as he had moved to Newcastle. When he was in Sydney he came semi-regularly. Now he is only in Sydney for medical reasons. So on Thursday he was in Sydney and was wondering if we were still meeting. It was great to see him and fellowship with him.

The Bible study went reasonably well, although this is always hard to say.

Thanks for your prayers.

Michael

Thursday 15th March

Hi all,

Thank you for your prayers.

Today 2 new people attended. They came from initvitations and conversations on Tuesday night at Central. Another lady who also returned on Tuesday night and has been to Thursday Bible study a number of times also attended today.

All up 11 people attended, that was not including myself and Derek and my wife who came and cooked for us today. Lisa cooked a lovely meal, thanks Lisa!

Please also pray for a couple I have been visiting regularly in the Surry Hills area. I went to visit them today only to find out both have been admitted to hospital. Hopefully I will see them tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayer support it is greatly appreciated

Michael

Thursday 8th March 2012

Hi all,

Thank you for your prayers.

On Tuesday night March SHUM began. That night we had a minor altercation between one of the guys and the female who had been camped on CPC’s premises for some time. Both were at Central on Tuesday night and had come to meet with us.

On Wednesday night, the guy who was in the altercation called me 3 times. He said he would come on Thursday to Bible study.

I knew the female would also come on Thursday and knew that this would create a very tense argumentive time, if both were present.

Anyway God was gracious and the guy did not show up on Thursday.

9 people attended on Thursday. This was not including myself, Derek or Ann. It had taken many people over an hour to get into the city due to rain and the rain kept coming till about 2.00pm

The female was not in a mentally good state and struggled to stay. She definitely would not come in and sit with the others as she thought that other spiritual forces were working through the others who were there. She believed this was threatening her.

Pray for her and that she will return in a better mental state next time.

As you can see much prayer is needed for the these people as many forces are against them.

Please continue to pray for them.

Thanks Michael

Thursday 1st March 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for your prayers.

Today 10 people attended Bible discussion, plus another person who came to see me before we started.

It was a bit of a slow start with only half being there at 1.30pm.. However God was gracious and by the time we had finished singing songs and began Bible study most had arrived.

One guy who has not been since last year came and really enjoyed the Bible study. He enjoyed it so much that we had to give him a piece of paper so he could copy the notes I made on the whiteboard. This is really God working in him as I don’t think my Bible discussions/talk is that noteworthy.

Derek and Ann were also there to help out and Roxan from my Church provided a great lunch.

I have told my Church that we cannot change the day we meet for Bible discussion. Hopefully this will not be a recurring issue.

Danny from my Church also ran the Bible study I run on Sundays for those few who attend. Thanks Danny.

Michael