Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Season's Greetings

Dear Loved Ones Far and Near

Christmas tradition or myth tells us that Mary & Joseph were also displaced persons compelled to travel on a donkey back to their birthplace of Bethlehem for census-taking. The Holy Family journeyed further on to exile in Egypt before returning home to Nazareth.

Residents in that region in particular continue to be displaced by the pressure of political conflicts. Travelers are displaced by weather gyrations. Migrant workers are displaced in search of employment. Others are displaced in search of greener opportunities. We have become people on the move across this globalized situation.

Wherever you are as family members and friends, may we wish you a Meaningful Christmas and a Moving New Year of 2011. May you realize your dreams and fulfill your hopes in the days ahead.

Church Encounters
In April, I participated in the annual Methodist Pastors Retreat in Johore Bahru and Melaka in Malaysia.
Attended the General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as its former General Secretary. These are occasions of renewal of relationships with partners in the mission of the Church.

Family Movements
Richie's family in Dallas visited us in July together with Shirley from Orlando. We went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was to discover the roots for Sandy who is originally from Saigon. Raymond from Orlando paid a filial visit to the old folks whose last visit to US was in 2008. Susan here is expected to settle in Australia in two year's time and we will be in an empty nest and wondering where to fly to.

Mission Moves in Sri Lanka
I just returned from my third tiring trip to Vavuniya, gateway to northern Sri Lanka, in connection with the establishment of the Chen Su Lan Education Centre. It is a service to the displaced persons since the cessation of the Civil War. Classes including computer use started for about 500 registered students. It is an interfaith centre for peace and reconciliation.
Took a two hour ride on a three-wheeler from Negombo to Colombo which weaved and threaded through the congested traffic to the rapidly developing modern city sense the smell and see the sights of development.
Rode on a rented SUV with relief supplies to Vavuniya which is six hours away to the Tamil majority area.
Driven by Brigadier General Napagoda in a four-wheel drive vehicle through the jungle trek 40 KM further to Bogaswewa village to displaced persons who returned to their ancestral homes three months ago. Tossing and tumbling on the road that divided the conflicting armies battling in conflict for 30 years. Some areas still display landmines warning signs.
Met with Government Agent Mrs Charles (Catholic Tamil) to seek approval for land for Turkish Muslims to build an International School in Vavuniya and providing quality education including human values and interfaith relations.
Paid farewell visit to Major General Kamal Gunaratne who led the final battle which ended the war and now headed for a course in UK before receiving a higher command in Colombo. He supported is personally in our mission moves.
Journeyed four hours to Trinconmalee to meet with the Inspector General of the Police to survey the land for possible educational development.
Along the way we joined the pilgrims walking through the jungle path and up the 308 uneven steps to the oldest and highest ancient Giribandhu Pagoda reputed to have been constructed 75 days after Buddha's enlightenment. Continuing the six hour travel in the night to cross the country to Colombo Airport and waited at the VIP departure lounge to catch the early morning flight home to Singapore.

Continuing Ministry
Supporting Free Community Church organized by LGBT and the only church that welcomes all as Pastoral Adviser. Theologically trained lesbian Pastor Su Lin was installed. Heartened by repeal of DADT signifying global moves of acceptance of LGBT. It is getting better all the time and moving to welcome LGBT home.
Engaging in interfaith activities which is gaining community-wide support in faith communities living together in mutual respect and harmony.

Personal
By God's grace, keeping reasonably good health with the expected geriatric problems of enlarged prostrate, borderline blood pressure and cholesterol levels and gout. Hee Choo discomforted by chronic back aches and acid reflux issues.
Maintaining my daily swim of 600 meters and golf at Tiara Country Melaka Golf and Country Club.

Hoping to make family visitations in 2011 to US and Australia where grandchildren Jinwei is in second year of PhD programme in neuroscience and Jinli graduating in International Relations from the University of Melbourne.

Thanking you for your kind thoughts and good wishes and wishing you and your family God's blessings in making your moves in the days ahead.

Hee Choo & Kim Hao
Christmas 2010

Rev Dr Yap Kim Hao
10E, Braddell Hill, Apt. #16-17
Singapore 579724
Tel: +65-6250-4561
Email: kimhao.yap@gmail.com

"When we lose the right to be different,
we lose the privilege to be free"

Attachment(s) from Kim Hao Yap

1 of 1 File(s)
Vavuniya Dec '10.docx

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