Higher Education

Earlier this year, when a team of intern was prophesying over me with words of encouragement and edification, one of them said,

"Higher Education. I don't know what that means but it is a gift of the Lord for His Kingdom."

At that time, I thought, "Ok, I think God is going to teach me through my life experiences and I'm going to pay attention to it."

Few months later, I was thinking, "Should I go back to school? I'd love to take classes at FMA (Forerunner Music Academy), that's definitely a higher education for me, I haven't really taken formal classes for worship ministry and I'd really like to." But I had a problem, what about my children if I go back to school? I checked on the website and their requirement is approximately 50 hours per week. I don't see how it is possible. I talked about it with the Lord and very soon the Lord spoke to my heart. He showed me the insecurity in my heart especially in area of worship leading, and that insecurity prompted me to want to get credential, with my own effort, in my own way, to prove my ability in this ministry. I was brought low with the 'revelation' from the Lord and I sincerely repented before the Lord and dropped that thought of applying FMA from that point on.

So, I continue with my life and try to be faithful in doing what's already in my hands. Lately, I feel like I'm beginning to understand what the "higher education" is for me. It is through the work of translation.

I've been doing written translation for a while and I've tasted the benefits in doing so, I've been learning so much. But when it comes to oral translation, it is totally different. With written translation, it takes me a week and more to finish 1 sermon notes, because I'd check the dictionary for certain terminology and think how to put words and ideas into sentences that make sence etc etc etc. But with oral translation, I only have the few seconds to hear and digest and say it out and every session of message is finished in an hour or so. I'm getting more out of the message because usually the speaker preach more than what's in the notes (and many speakers don't have notes at all), and in shorter time (compare 1 oral translation in an hour to 1 written translation in a week). Intense!

Few weeks ago, I did oral translation for David Pawson's conference and week long teaching (I'd say about 8-10 messages), and this weekend for Joseph Company conference (3 messages). Also, I started translating the message for every Sunday service. I actually volunteer to do so even though it is not required or needed. When I realize how much I'm learning, it dawned on me that God is giving me opportunities to be in "school" for "higher education". I learn about the history in Israel and God's purpose for them, and history of the founding of USA as Christian nations and the founding Father's experiences, God's heart for the marketplace Christians, authority of believers, God's trategy in the End Times in restoration all things - is through restoring the family etc etc etc.

When I'm not translating, the % of reception is 70%, and if Cheryl is with me, it drops to 50%, and if the title doesn't interest me or I'm in low mood that day, it drops to 20%, and with the distration of looking at people passing by, there'll be only 15% left. But when I'm translating, the % of reception is 99%, doesn't matter if I'm interested or not, or feel like it or not. Very interesting!

Also, with conferences, staffs serving can go in without charge (means, no registration fee). If I'm to pay the fee, I probably won't go and would think I can just watch it on-line but ended up taking care of kids and houseworks.

And, if I'm thinking about going to a meeting, I alwas have to think of my kids, and for whatever reason (Jerry can't take care of the kids because he has works to do, I have to pay $25-30/child for the children program during the message and it is beyond our budget, or they don't have children program provided etc etc etc), I usually ended up not going. But if I volunteer to translate, I will make every effort to go there, and Jerry will make every effort to accomodate.

Now I'm just so glad I get to do this work of translation, it is a gift of God, for me, to go through higher education. :)

One time during staff meeting, the translation work was described as "sitting in a dungeon with your computer". It sounded funny but it can be very true and can be very torturing to the physical body to sit long hours before a computer to do written translation, hours after hours, das after days. For me, my translation work is much easier than the 'dungeon' work, and much enjoyable. I'm a part time staff, and hours required of me are half less compared to a full time staff. I respect my husband for taking up this 'dungeon' work for doing it 24+ hours/week. And as for me, I'm thankful, and I enjoy doing translation.

Btw, I'm not professional translator, it is because there isn't much people willing or available to do translation here, I get to do it and I'm tremendously blessed by the Lord through it. I went to Chinese school till 6th grade and I remember Chinese was a hard language for me as an elementary child. My schooling was done primarily in Malay from age 12-16, and in English from then on, so I'm what I call "mixed". It was like the days when I first started involved in worship ministry, no one was there to play the piano, and there was my turn, with the limited skill I had but was able to explore and develop in that area.

I'm loving this life I have when I can see life from the perspective of God. Amazing!