Oh My, How the Time Slips By!

Relaxing at Pangkor Island

Who sped up the clock? We've just had our first mini-vacation since Christmas, and it was a welcome one! We spent a night away at a quiet island enjoying Malaysia at its best.

It's hard to believe...
...it's been so long since I've updated you...
...it's been nearly two years in Malaysia...
...Joel is finished with his first college degree...
...Jen is beginning her 3rd year with InterVarsity...
...we'll be celebrating our 28th anniversary this week!

Joel got his Bachelor of Music in
Jazz Piano

I was encouraged by a friend who asked me about progress of CCEF's influence in this part of the world. It caused me to step back and reflect a bit. I'm in my 6th term of helping with CCEF's online program in Malaysia. There have been about 50 Malaysians who have taken at least one course, many of them multiple courses, not to mention others who are in the area who have benefited. As I think of the people those students (and I) are in contact with, there is an even greater number of people they are influencing who are being encouraged about how God is on the move in their lives. It gives me great joy to be a part of what is happening here.

Our lives continue to revolve around students as Tom's interaction with them grows. He is in his 6th term at Sunway University, and his opportunities to learn and contribute continue to expand. He is doing a research project with some of his classes to assess effective feedback approaches to help students improve their writing, and is facilitating a

Tom with students from the Christian Fellowship

forum of faculty who are interested in using technology more effectively in the classroom. As a faculty advisor of a book club and film club, and a regular participant in the campus fellowship group, he has opportunities to have discussions with students thinking about the more significant issues of life. And he loves having a say in the lives of those students who come to him for further advice and guidance.

Part of Janet's small group

We are both involved leading small groups at church, and it's been a great blessing to engage in animated discussions about God's word and people's lives. Tom's group is studying the gospel of Mark, and Janet's is
studying Genesis. We've also helped plan some bigger events at church. For Good Friday we helped with a service that provided an interactive exploration of the events Jesus went through, helping people to soberly consider why Jesus had to sacrifice himself on our behalf, and prepare for the joy of Easter. We are also helping plan a church-wide retreat for September called "Loving One Another Deeply" that will focus on the church community growing in relationship and encouragement of one another. Janet continues to help out at the Children's Library periodically as well.

One special person who has been part of our lives is a young woman from another country. She has become like family to us while exploring what to do next in her life. We are in the process of helping her further her education, which we will write about separately to some of you.

We appreciate your continued prayers and love to follow your updates on Facebook or email!

Much love,
Tom & Janet