I’ll try and fill you in on what’s been happening for the last 6 months and what I expect is coming my way over the next 6. So, sit back, grab a coffee, and enjoy my ramblings.
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My work doesn’t need to demand my all, and although that’s true in theory, I seem to be struggling with the practicalities of it.
So why is that? I’m a helpdesk guy, why do I let my job demand so much of me? Why is there very little left in my tank after 8 hours at work? Well, first, it’s usually a little more than 8 hours by the time I’m done, although that’s all I get paid for, but still, even 9 hours shouldn’t be that taxing . . . surely! Well, bottom line, it is, and I think it’s because of the myriad of things I’m involved in with our team and that I seem to be the one to come to for advice etc. Add to this the additional administrative tasks (like process writing, knowledgebase administration, etc) and the normal HUGE workload of support calls and e-mails from our customer’s staff, then my days fill up fairly quickly and my to do list looks like a six-month shopping list from Antarctica. I did try to back off a little after coming back from Myanmar last August (2006), but I just can’t sit by while things around me go downhill. I have to put in my suggestions and that usually means some follow-up with actions and there I go again adding to my list.
So as a consequence of my demanding job, which I really enjoy by the way, I have had very little time for anything. But, as I’ve been a little unwell over the last week or so (nothing serious, just a virus) I’ve had some time to invest here on the site and so it’s has had a face-lift and here I am writing news again.
You’re probably wondering what else has been happening, but I’m sorry to say it’s not been a lot really – as I said, I’ve been too worn out to do much – but here are a few bits of news you might be interested in.
Approved as a missionary
I can’t remember exactly when last year but I submitted my application to the NSW branch of Mission Partners (the Australian Presbyterian World Mission) and last October they called me up for the official interview. They asked lots of questions and quizzed me about my hopes and aspirations for life in Myanmar and also expressed a concern with the lack of official theological study under my belt. They talked amongst themselves for a short while then advised me that they’d be happy to recommend me to the national Mission Partners’ committee as a partner church missionary, however it would be pending 12 months of bible college and the completion of my TESOL course. I’d been expecting something like that so I wasn’t too shocked, and in hindsight now I’m glad that I have to do it. It will be invaluable for me to have done the study, and the fellowship and discipline will be very good for me too.
Further to the missionary application, in early February this year the national committee met and accepted the recommendation of the NSW committee and approved my application unanimously (pending the study of course).
TESOL – GRRR!!
I’m afraid that 2 years after starting the course I’m still slogging my way through it. The bad thing though is that the TESOL advisor in QLD who heads up the operation here is OZ sent me a curt e-mail about 2 months ago giving me an absolute final deadline of mid-August this year. It means I’ll have to do about 1 assignment/module a week, and in the last 8 weeks I’ve done 3. When I replied to her e-mail about the deadline I said it was probably unrealistic to expect 1 a week, but having me commit to it was what she wanted to hear so I said I’d give it a try. If I can’t get it all done by then then I’ll just find another course I suppose. I’ll be trying as hard as I can to get it all done though but 1 a week might just be a touch too much.
The Rest
Other less significant things have happened too. I discovered Skypecasting so I used it to “Skypecast” English lessons. It was fun while it lasted (about 3 times a week for 4 weeks) but I found it was consuming a lot of my time and I just couldn’t sustain it. I’d love to start it up again but I can’t see that happening between now and when I’m 80.
I worked Xmas day until 3pm and then had dinner with Mum, Helen (my sister), her husband and 4 kids and a couple of other ring-ins. I worked between Xmas and new year, and have been work, work, working ever since.
I’m still on a diet and am not having any success (could be all the cake and chocolate I eat) but I’ll keep on with it anyway.
Most recently I’ve been preparing for what’s ahead, which is full-time bible college in July. Oh, there’s another thing keeping me busy – I’m doing an evening subject at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC) called “Church history to 1550″ and I’m really enjoying it, but I’m not looking forward to the exam in June … I stink at exams. So, in preparation for full-time college I’ve been seeking alternative accommodation but it’s not looking good, so I think I’ve pretty much decided to apply to live in at SMBC if they’ll accept me as a full-time student. Either way it means moving out of this flat so I’ve been selling off non-essential furniture. All I’m hoping to be left with soon is a fridge, washing machine, bed and a desk. Then, when it’s close to the time to leave I’ll sell those things too.
In Closing
Here’s the schedule for the next 12 months:
- Continue to study evening bible college subject until June
- Continue to work through TESOL
- Leave work late June
- Start full-time bible college mid-July
- After bible college semester finishes early November, go the Myanmar for 4 weeks, late November to late December (Lord willing)
- February 2008 it’s back to bible college for another year
Prayers Please
So please pray for me, especially that I’ll get TESOL done and get through the bible college exams with a pass (otherwise it’s a waste of time and money as I’ll have to do the subject all over again). Also please pray for my financial support as my missionary work really starts this July and I’ll need something around $1500 per month support for at least the next 4 years after which I hope to be generating enough income from the English teaching school in Myanmar.
Hey, thanks for reading this far and for your interest in what I’m up to. I covet your prayers and as recent history has shown me, I really need them. During February I was going through a difficult time and wasn’t too sure why, but thanks to the prayers and support of my friends and my loving church family the Lord broke through and the burdens were lifted. Please keep praying for the battles that come my way, the ones which are in heavenly places.
In His service and for His glory.
Martin
Grace be with you.
