UNDERSTADING SPECIAL CHILDREN

Instead of having our regular cell group meeting on Friday, we all gathered at church to meet a group of representatives from Malaysian Care.

Who are they? Malaysian Care started in the late 1970 with a group of young and enthusiastic Christian individuals who decided to share the love of God with those in need. They offer diversified services such as residential care and community services and is also strongly committed to community development.

After going through the session with them, I am sure those who were present will view "disability" in a very different perspective.

As a matter of fact, one way or another, we may fall into this category so called "disabled". One tend to label those who has limitation to perform an activity as "disabled" or "handicap". For the benefits of many, it was brought to light during the session, that a disability becomes a "handicap" because of environmental or attitudinal barriers that limit the opportunity for a person to participate fully. Negative attitudes or inaccessible entrances to buildings are example of handicaps as illustrated to us.

We viewed a presentation on the "medical approach" and "social approach" on the definition of disability. While the medical model is based on the persons"impairment and "lack of ability", the social model shifts the focus onto " disability" due to surrounding barriers. The medical model puts the responsibility on the individual and the social model stresses society's responsibility to include and accommodate the needs of all persons.

We end the program with a group discussion on what has impacted us most through out the whole session and each group sent out a representative to summarize their group's discussion.
One conclusion, agreeing on a common definition of disability is not any easy task but the good thing is it is obvious that the message

" Disability is a socially created problem and not an attribute of an individual"

is well received by many who sat through the session.

It is indeed very encouraging to see many of our youth and young adults' participation throughout the session.

There will be another session next Friday, 17th October. Hope that more will turn up.

Migrant Ministry Klang (MMK)

On the first Sunday of every month, some members of the church will take on a second profession. A job that will not add extra dollars to their pay cheque. BUT, this is not what they are looking at. Definitely, not the dollars and cents. Then what are they up to...

My husband and I visited them at the Klang Methodist Church last Sunday. Really an eye opener. I went into the kitchen of the church. When I opened the door, I was greeted by some young adults, a few youth and grown children and a "young aunty" i.e. Wei Ling. They were cutting and washing the cabbage and carrots.

Then, I saw the chef, minus the tall white hat, with her rosy cheek from the hot flame, she gave a broad grin and with a loud "Hi" she waved at me. As I got nearer, wow, she is having a huge kuali in front of her. As she was cooking she was also coaching two youth, guys, on how to cook. What an impressive sight!! Not only that the "chef" is willing to teach, the two youth is willing to learn.

There was another spare kuali and stove so Sally, the chef with the rosy cheek asked if I would like to try to cook. Oh yes was my reply without a second thought. When the kuali is on the stove I suddely realised that oh no, I have never cooked that much in my life. I am suppose to fry potato chicken. Turned to Sally to get some tips. Finally all the potatoes were done. Then comes the cabbage and carrot. The whole kuali was filled with cabbage heaps of it. I dont even know where to start stirring. Huray, help came.

When all the food were done it was kept in rows and the young adults and children and the "young aunty" helped to pack the food in boxes. Meanwhile, the Sergeant, with her van drove to another church where a service is on going. She invited me to go along. I wondered why and guess what Sergeant is doing. Oh... delivering drinking water to the church. On arrival, we, together with two children unloaded the water and collect the empty boxes and drove back to the Methodist church. We then load the boxes of rice into the empty water boxes and sent it to the other church again.

I left after that. Know how many boxes of food were being prepared on a Sunday like this. About 250 to 300 boxes. Who are they cooking for??? Foreigners, mainly labourers, who are making a living in our country. These foreigners attend night service at a few designated churches.They are mainly Mynmarist and Vietnamese. May God bless those in MMK

Will try to get some pictures of those serving in action.

Family camp - Building my Family

What can I say??? GREAT and thank you to those who take time to serve the Lord and make this camp possible. It is not their duty but because of their serving heart we were all blessed with such good times together.

The theme "Building my Family" was just very appropriate for family camp. Especially, a church camp. A church is not like a big family. It IS a big family.

During this 4 days camp, I got to know other members much more than my two and a half years with the church. The way some of the members were serving the Lord indeed touched my heart.

Another two years before another family camp. Wow a long wait.............