(All news reports are from Connection 15 February 2008)

Mothers’ Support Group
A Place Where Mothers Find Strength

“I come from Indonesia. I joined the mothers’ support group (MSG) a year ago and met many friends through this group. Now I have developed friendships with many others and do not suffer from home sickness. My two children and I also came to know Christ through this group,” said Winnie Wong during the MSG gathering.

The above is just one of the many testimonies among the ladies of the MSG. This group of mothers meets every Saturday 2.00pm in the Methodist Theological School (MTS) compound. They meet because they desire to raise children after God’s heart. They need to be nurtured emotionally. They need support when facing struggles in their daily lives. They need strong friendships and above all, they need God to enable them in the role as mothers.
 
Another mother, Wei Yi, shared, “I have joined this group for 3 years. This group provided me tremendous support during my recent bereavement. I have learned much about prayer and would have felt very lost without the support from this group. I see the group as my family and hope to learn more parenting skills in the future.”

Jevie is a full-time mother of two small children. She finds it a struggle to leave the kids behind to attend MSG but feels supported every time she managed to go. She also finds comfort when listening to other mothers share similar problems.
 
MSG is under the Children’s ministry of the Board of Family and Counselling of SCAC. The purposes of this group are to provide support and encouragement for English speaking mothers, to help them draw closer to God and to spend time praying not only for their families but for others as well, to study and learn from books and bible study materials.
 
Angie said, “I joined the group 8 months ago. Though my children have all grown up, I still find practical tips and advices on child-rearing very helpful in my role as a Sunday school teacher.”
 
Lian Jia related, “I have 2 very young children. I feel lucky to have been introduced to MSG. I have learned much and am now able to answer my daughter’s questions.”
 
Kee Kiong is one of the pioneer members of MSG. She has spent much of the past year focusing on prayer--not only for her son but on the needs of the mothers and many others. Kee Kiong strongly believes that God is at work in all of our lives and the time spent praying consistently bears much fruit. She finds studying biblical characters very helpful and that the group sharing provides much practical advice in raising her child.

MSG has about 23 members. Their regular attendance is 10-14. For those mothers who do not work outside the home, they meet one morning a week for breakfast and fellowship, usually at a coffee shop.
 
Hui Hui
Wesley MC, Sibu

Sarikei Sunday School Teachers’ Training

About 112 Sunday school teachers from Sarikei, Seratok, Betong and Sri Aman attended the Sarikei Sunday School teachers’ training on 10 Jan 2008. This training is aimed to help teachers have a better understanding of the Sunday school materials published by the Board of Christian Education, SCAC. Trainers were Pastor Yii Lai Yuek and Madam Yii Mee Leh, Director of Board of Christian Education. – Winnie