Preparing to Say "The Marriage Vow"

In Malaysia, it is mandatory for Muslims to attend a pre-marriage course in order to be eligible to apply for a marriage registration. This requirement, however, does not apply to non-Muslims. In our Church, couples who wish to have their wedding ceremony conducted in the Church - and to have their marriage solemnized by a pastor - are also required to attend a pre-marriage course. This practice has been in place for over twenty years.

This year, only two couples registered for the biennial Pre-Marriage Course conducted from 29.06.2025 to 27.07.2025. Despite the small group, each session was thoughtfully and meticulously planned - beginning with ice-breakers, followed by engaging talks, refreshment breaks, and meaningful conversations between the couples.

One of the ice-breakers.

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Some of the mid-session refreshments served.

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The "graduates" and facilitators, helpers and pastor.

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This time, the "Graduation High Tea" was truly exceptional. Every detail, from the elegant table settings to the overall ambience, was meticulously planned. A dedicated team of supporters and friends oversaw the arrangements, achieving a standard comparable to that of fine dining.

David and Dianne - the second generation facilitators.

Kelvin and Wai Yan, who currently serve in the PA system ministry, attended the pre-marriage course nine years ago. Now married with two young children, they are a wonderful example of a couple continuing to grow in faith and service. When invited to step into the role of facilitators for the upcoming course, they responded positively. They will become the third generation of facilitators - a meaningful milestone that reflects the lasting impact of this ministry across the years.

Revisit Sandakan - Appreciating Educators and Teachers

I had the opportunity to revisit Sandakan on Friday, 18 July 2025. The last time my wife and I were in Sandakan was way back in December 2012, i.e. almost thirteen years ago, when we came to attend the wedding banquet of one of my female engineers (Read here). During that trip, we stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan, which had only recently opened its doors in July of that year. Sadly, the hotel ceased operations at the end of May 2020, primarily due to a downturn in business brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Equally unfortunate, the marriage we celebrated during that trip did not last and ended in divorce a few years later.

This time, I had the pleasure of accompanying my wife to an Appreciation Dinner held in honor of Christian educators and teachers serving in the Sandakan District. The event recognized the dedication of those teaching across a wide spectrum of institutions - from kindergartens and primary schools to secondary schools, tertiary institutions (both public and private), and tuition centers. Organized by BCCM Sandakan, the dinner took place at a restaurant in Bandar Kim Fung. For convenience and comfort, we chose to stay at the nearby Livingston Hotel, which offered both comfort and accessibility.

My wife, a committee member of the Interdenominational Education Committee Sabah, was asked to step in for the Committee Chairman and represent him at the function. 

We would have loved to extend our stay and explore more of Sandakan’s well-known culinary offerings. Unfortunately, due to prior commitments on Sunday, we had to cut the trip short and flew back to Kota Kinabalu the following day, Saturday, 19 July 2025.

Welcome speech by the Organizing Committee Chairman, Voon 

Shun Chong  who is also the Chairman of the Sabah 

Theological Seminary.

Bishop of BCCM, Bishop Wong Fui Kong.

Guests at our table.
From left: Grace, Alfred (Grace's hubby), Vun Shun Chong,
Bishop Wong Fui Kong, Rev.Hendrik Linggi Allo (Archdeacon of
Anglican Sandakan), My wife, Me, Rev. Voo Yun Tung and
BCCM Sandakan Parish Council Chairman.

The new Education Secretary of BCCM Central Council, Grace (Middle), a member of BCCM Petagas. She succeeds Yap Pak Shun, a retiree who once served as the school principal of SM Lok Yuk Likas.

Sharing the same dinner table, I got to know Rev. Voo Yun Tung, the Parish Pastor of BCCM Sandakan District. He has been serving as the pastor for BCCM Sandakan (Chinese) for the last twelve years. 

Performance by teachers from the Roman Catholic Church.

Passing of an Unsung Hero

When I received the news of Ho Chee Seong's passing on 5 July 2025, a flood of memories came rushing back. I first came to know Chee Seong in the 1980s, during my involvement with the School Management Board of SM Lok Yuk, SRK Lok Yuk, and SRK (C) Lok Yuk. I was then in my thirties, and he was in his forties, serving as the principal of SRK (C) Lok Yuk.

Despite our professional responsibilities, we found a common ground - table tennis. Before I eventually switched to playing badminton, we would often gather to play table tennis together, joined by another teacher, the late Lu Kah Hin. Our games took place in a simple old wooden store erected on a plot beside Jalan Penampang, not far from where the current Merdeka Supermarket now stands.

The wooden store was generously offered by its owner for use by BCCM Kota Kinabalu (BCCM KK), and it held special significance - it served as the initial premises for BCCM Penampang’s regular Sunday worship services. In time, BCCM Penampang acquired a nearby plot of land and built a proper church building, which stands today as the current church premises.

Sadly, Chee Seong and I had not seen each other since the days we stopped playing table tennis. Life took us on different paths, and time slipped quietly by. It was only at the funeral parlour on 6 July 2025, where I came to pay my final respects to the late Chee Seong, that I learned more about his later years. His son, William, shared with me that Chee Seong had been living alone since the passing of his wife in 2016 - nine long years of solitude. He passed away at a remarkable age of 90.

When I mentioned to William that his father, Kah Hin, and I used to play table tennis together back in the 1980s, he was very surprised. He hadn’t known that his father had once been active in this game. Curious, he turned to his sister-in-law - who worships in the same church as his father at BCCM Penampang - and she confirmed that, indeed, Chee Seong had played table tennis in his younger days.

Chee Seong’s quiet strength, dedication to education, and his appreciation for life’s simple pleasures - like a friendly game of table tennis - left a deep and lasting impression on me. His passing is a poignant reminder of the many unsung heroes who devoted their lives to shaping our schools, churches, and communities - not through grand gestures, but through quiet service, steady presence, and enduring commitment.

At the funeral parlour with William - a friend and a brother-in-Christ in BCCM KK (E). William is an Architect and an Elder of BCCM KK (E).

Exploring Urumqi

After visiting Wuerhe Ghost City, our bus then traveled approximately 10Km to our accommodation for the night, Begonia Hotel in Karamay. With that final excursion, our guided tour of Xian and Northern Xinjiang effectively came to an end.

The next morning on 04.06.2025 (Day 13), we checked out from the hotel and embarked on a 410Km drive to Urumqi. We arrived in the late afternoon and checked into Hoi Tak Hotel, marking the start of the free-and-easy segment of our trip. From that point onward, we were free to explore Urumqi at our own pace, until our scheduled departure for home on 06.06.2025.

Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a sprawling and modern metropolis with a population of around 4 million - accounting for a significant portion of Xinjiang’s total population of 25 million. Approximately 75% of Urumqi’s residents are Han Chinese, while Uygurs make up about 12 - 15%. The remainder comprises various minority ethnic groups, including Kazakhs, Hui, Kyrgyz, and Mongols.

Directly in front of our hotel, lies the expansive People’s Square - an energetic and bustling public space at the heart of the city. We passed through the square a couple of times during our stay, but it was in the evenings that the place truly came alive. Locals gathered in large numbers to take part in synchronized group dancing, their graceful and coordinated movements creating a lively, festive atmosphere. It was a display of community spirit and a vivid reflection of Urumqi’s dynamic urban culture.

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We had a full day on Day 14 (05.06.2025) to explore Urumqi at our own leisure. We began the day by visiting several nearby shopping malls, accompanying the ladies in browsing through the ladies' casual wear sections. 

After that, we wandered through the city streets in search of local eateries eager to sample some of Urumqi's culinary specialties.

Trying out the tandoor oven baked bum.

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Hand-pulled noodle.

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But the real highlight of our evening outings was a visit to the famous Urumqi International Grand Bazaar (乌鲁木齐国际大巴扎). Known as one of the largest bazaars in the world, the Urumqi Grand Bazaar is a major cultural and commercial landmark in Xinjiang. Located in the heart of the city, it is a vibrant showcase of the region’s ethnic diversity - especially the rich cultural heritage of the Uygur people. The bazaar features Islamic-style architecture, with intricately designed facades, domes, and minarets.

Inside the bazaar, we were greeted by a dizzying variety of goods - a vibrant showcase of local culture and craftsmanship. Traditional Uyghur handicrafts filled the stalls: hand-forged knives, intricately painted pottery, souvenirs and richly woven carpets. The air was thick with the aroma of exotic spices, while tables overflowed with dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and walnuts. Vivid textiles and beautifully embroidered fabrics added splashes of color to every corner.

The bazaar is also a paradise for food lovers, offering a tantalizing array of authentic Uyghur and Central Asian dishes. We saw stalls selling grilled lamb kebabs, freshly baked naan from tandoor ovens, fragrant rice pilaf with lamb and carrots, and hand-pulled noodles served with sauces.

As is common in traditional markets, bargaining is part of the shopping ritual - though, for me, it was more of a nuisance than a novelty!

While strolling further, we discovered a hidden basement level within the bazaar. The number of stalls there was significantly fewer. Most visitors, it seemed, never ventured that far down. Interestingly, we found that the stall owners on this lower level were more straightforward, often offering noticeably lower prices without much need for bargaining. It felt like an overlooked corner of the bazaar - quieter, less chaotic, and refreshingly honest.

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As I passed this station, my attention was immediately drawn to two soldiers standing perfectly still inside a box. At first glance, I assumed they were simply sculptures on display. However, Jenny insisted they were real people. I was skeptical - until, after what seemed like an eternity of absolute stillness, both suddenly moved, proving her right. Their discipline and composure were truly impressive.

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Barbequed fish and chicken for lunch.

The Urumqi Grand Bazaar is far more than just a marketplace; it is a living, breathing cultural mosaic that offers a window into the lives, traditions, and artistry of Xinjiang’s ethnic communities. For visitors to Urumqi, it is an unforgettable experience - and a must-see destination.