Asian Outreach Malaysia

I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOUR

On 28 November 2016, as I stood at the foyer waiting for the pastors to register for the Retreat I was approached by the Indian concierge on duty who asked me what retreat are we organizing and why it was all Indians only. I told him it was a Christian Tamil Speaking Family Retreat for the Tamil pastors and their families. Looking into the foyer he then asked me who was the ‘Chinaman‘ there that I was talking too so I told him that was the organizer of the conference, Pastor Eric Fung and you should have been there to witness his facial expression “What! A Chinaman organizing something like this for Indians! I told him we are Christians and we are all one in the family of God.

27 pastors and their families attended a 3-day/2-night Tamil Speaking Pastors Family Retreat in Penang at the Rainbow Paradise Hotel. The participants were pastors from small churches with a membership of 50 and below. AO Malaysia has always had a heart for pastors of small churches and have wanted to encourage and to bless them for their faithfulness and diligence in their pastoral ministry despite all the discouragement and hardship they face in the ministry. Most of these pastors have made great sacrifices for their congregation at the expense of their families sometimes. The pastor carries the responsibility to take care of himself, his family and his church.

The response we received from the two previous retreats in 2009 and in 2012 was overwhelming and every one of the pastors who attended with their families were so encouraged and blessed and many shared that it was the first time they could have a holiday as a family. It was so heart-warming to see how the families enjoyed their time together and draw closer as a family. One of the best things a church can do for their own spiritual health is allow their pastor the time to take care of his family. The retreat gave the pastors quality time with their families and at the same time be encouraged, challenged and motivated.

The Tamil pastors and their families were excited and happy to be there and there was an air of comradeship and a family atmosphere prevailed. Some knew each other and those who did not quickly forged friendships and the gathering was very informal and warm. The pastors themselves organized a praise and worship team and what an awesome praise and worship it was. Praise God for the worship leaders and musicians. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was very evident. Thanks to donors who partnered with us for this retreat, we were able to bless each child there (15 children) with a love gift and reimburse the pastors for their transportation. None of them expected this and many were so overcome emotionally when we handed them their gifts.

Our speaker for the camp was Ps Paul Silvanus, AO partner from India and an anointed and gifted speaker. Familiar with the struggles of small churches, having over 110 church planters that he has sent out to the various mission fields in India, he encouraged, motivated and challenged them. As one participant told us “He rekindled the fire within us for God’s work that we had allowed the fire to slowly die down as we became overwhelmed dealing with the challenges facing us. Our focus had shifted from what God has called us to do.”

Ps Persis, one of the participants shared with us that when he received the invitation he prayed about it and the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to go promising him that he will be refreshed and blessed. Obediently he signed up to attend and he felt the peace of God in his heart. After the retreat he felt so blessed and thankful to Asian Outreach for honouring these Tamil pastors in such a way, something no one had ever done before for them.

Another participant, Ps Zech who was in the music team shared, “Sometimes we pray and think people will answer our prayers or maybe the church will because we are overwhelmed by the challenges we face. During the retreat we were reminded that only God can answer our prayers and bless us and we need not depend on people because He is all we need.”

One of the pastor’s wife shared another powerful testimony; a few months ago when she and her husband visited Penang they were invited by their friend who was staying in Rainbow Paradise Hotel (The same hotel where we had our retreat) to visit him so they went up to his room for a chat. The minute she entered the room she fell in love with the wonderful view of the sea from the balcony. As she and her husband stood soaking in all the beauty of that scene she whispered to her husband that she wished she would have an opportunity to stay at this hotel and have this same view. Her husband told her to pray and God would give her the desires of her heart. She had forgotten the name of the hotel where she had visited her friend but when she and her family stepped into the foyer of the hotel on 28 November she immediately recognized it and was so excited. Silently she thanked God and continued being excited. They checked in and were given their room key on the 24th Floor. As they entered their room it suddenly dawned on her that this was the same room where her friend had stayed and rushing out to the balcony she immediately recognized the view. That night after they had retired to their rooms the family sat in the balcony and worshipped the Lord, giving thanks for answering her prayers.

Asian Outreach would like to thank all of you who partnered with us to give these 27 pastors and their families from Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang a refreshing and wonderful time. Many felt renewed and as one pastor mentioned he felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders and he felt transformed. Overall they felt the tangible love of God and were comforted that they were not alone. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Alex Ooi, the event planner and Ms Belinda Ong (Director of Sales and Marketing) and the Rainbow Paradise Hotel staff for their dedication and service to ensure all our participants had a wonderful time during the three days. All the participants felt pampered and enjoyed overflowing food. Thank you Rainbow Paradise Hotel for a job well done.

Proverbs 11:25

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.