Chapter 113: Canon Sylvia Jeans

Last Friday at 2PM, when I returned back from Labuan, I immediately called Canon Sylvia Jeans who is a missionary from Australia.

"Ibu, I am Jack. What time do you want me to do the videography?"
"Hey! Jack. I am glad that you find me. 2:30PM, we will start our video shooting."

Wow! Half an hour left!

Video shooting in her house
Filipinos - illegal children in Sabah
Without hesitation, I rushed to STS after the arrival. Grabbed a handy camera which Canon had borrowed from STS, rushing to her house. And I was surprised to see that there were so many local and foreign teachers in her house. And I realised that she used her house as a school for illegal children. All the children were Filipinos. I was impressed by her love. Therefore, I found out that her house was served as a mission field.

She had came to Sabah for more than forty years, serving God, stayed celibacy and faithfully working in God's ministry. She has greatly blessed the interior areas especially the Filipinos and Indonesians. She had been sharing the gospel with her whole life without fail. I was thinking her endurance is truly great. I believe she has faced many hardships and she perseveres till this present day.

I was also impressed by those missionaries who are willing to work with her in Sabah. How I wish one day, I can conquer my dream and goal to fulfill the sharing of gospel in other nations. I want to go to other countries to do missions.

Canon Sylvia Jeans (Ibu = Mother)KellieCollinMary
After the video shooting, she invited me into her house. She had eight dogs in her house. All were well fed and fat. We spent another hour to talk and I was shocked that she actually knew that I had left the full time job in All Saints' Cathedral. She did ask me why I quitted the full time. Her face was full of love and care. My heart melted. The way she asked me was very sincere, and she hoped that I would not turn away from God. My answer to her was...

"I want to pursue my dream. And I am still continuing my journey with God. One day, I will fulfil His task in my life."

She was glad to hear that. And I also shared with her about my mission in Wa, Myanmar. She told me not to give up and continue to hold on to the divine calling of God. I agreed and felt touched that someone truly believed what I had just said. In the end, she prayed for me that I will always stay in tune with God.

God, be with me. And I will continue to fight for You. You had called Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and You had sent Him to this world to save the lost. And now we had received Your Son as our Lord. Truly beliving in Him, we are saved. Therefore, now He, in the same way, calls us to do God's will (which God has sent Him to do),

...and He also sent us to go.

Isaiah 48:15
"I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission."

Chapter 16: Life to the fullest

Written on 1 November 2008


Right now, I was working in the Diocesan Office in All Saints Cathedral. Hence, I always have chances to work with Bishop. Praise the Lord!


On 24 – 26 October 2008, I was called to follow Bishop Albert Vun to Kudat and Telupid (Sabah, Malaysia) for confirmation services. I felt something different in my heart. I should say he got the highest authority among all Sabah Anglican Churches. I thought, “This is the first time that I am going out with Bishop to other places. I was working with a person who holds the highest authority in church, how is the feeling going to be?”

I really like Bishop very much. He really takes care of the people who work under him. And he really knows how to associate with people around him. He really has the wisdom to look after the Diocese. This is not easy at all. One thing I really appreciate about Bishop – he thinks so much differently from most of the people. His thoughts are really wide and open. From this point of view, I really respect him. Somehow he is like a father to me.


________________________

On the way to Kudat, he suddenly brought me to his mother’s house. I wonder why he suddenly visited his mother. Then he offered me DURIANS! I was so surprised. Bishop really knows how to enjoy his life. It’s the 1st time that I saw Bishop did such a thing like opening durians. Interesting!


On the way to Kudat (about 4 hours drive), we have so much things to talk – food, lifestyle, wisdom…etc. Mostly, I was the one who asked him about the vision of Diocese. He shared with me many things about the churches. And he even taught me how to handle some serious matters in church. I was blessed to learn about his experiences. The amazing thing is that I could be able to talk to him about photography, and videography! He even challenged me to do one project regarding to Multimedia. In the future, you all will know about it! So I took the challenge. I told you before, readers. I am a person who loves to do something different and challenging.

Then our next destination is Telupid (about 6 hours drive). Seriously, I was pretty tired about a long drive and long period of photography. On 26 October 2008, after our Confirmation service in the morning, Bishop promised that he wanted to bring me to have a SHOWER IN THE RIVER! I was so surprised! This is the 2nd time that I thought, “WOW! Bishop really know how to enjoy his life!”


John 10:10
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
__________________________________

From these pictures above, I learn one thing from him. Though he is a very busy man, somehow he can be very tired too, yet he will enjoy his life to the fullest. I love the way he spent his time. This is really called LIFE. I believe I will have a great time with Bishop again in the future. I love spending time with him.

I will live my life to the fullest, with a life of abundance in Christ Jesus.
The life of Jack’s Stuff will continue to move on in an extraordinary way…