There was some confusion in Singapore as the contact man had not topped up his cell phone putting it out of order. We had expected to be in the student hostel but instead have been accommodated in a very comfortable apartment, the kindness of a Singapore Christian lady. The Conference of the International Council for Higher Education began on Thursday evening through until Sat evening. Delegates came from Germany one from USA the balance form Asia – India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal principals and leaders of Bible Colleges many of whom we know and have even taught in some of their institutions. The emphasis was on developing curriculum relevant to Asian situations replacing the stereotyped Western style approach which has been the legacy of the missionary era. An even bigger challenge is more creative learning methods appropriate to changing Asia to replace the rote learning of the past.

The apartment we have been placed in is very similar to the one we rented in Hong Kong in 2003 about the same size around 800 sq ft with two bedrooms. It all felt quite friendly and familiar. There was a shuttle bus which connects with the local commuter train into the city. It took a little time to learn the ropes but we were soon well on the way.

A special surprise was to meet up again with Sandy. Sandy and Tee wanted to know what kind of food we preferred so I told them that Malaccan/Chinese mix that is special to these parts. Special as it is not available most other places outside this region. We ended up in a somewhat dingy old fashioned upstairs room which had its own special ambiance; different from the shining plastic decor of the more familiar upmarket places. Sandy was first met in 1984 when she came to Hong Kong on a one week assignment with a Youth for Christ team from Singapore. Her daughter Francesca is now 19 and en route to Glasgow University to begin medical studies at Janette’s Alma Mata. Janette’s links and connections in Glasgow may help to connect her up with a church and friends for her planned 5 years there.

Wednesday we ventured down town to the Bethany International University which is a couple of rented rooms in the Golden Mile complex on Beach Road. Their computers are obvious free bees being of rather ancient genre but we did manage to get off the needed. Some of the crowd then begun to gather. Some very old friends! Bruce Nichols with links back to the 1950s in NZ for Colin. Bruce is looking a little older somewhat more stooped as osteoporosis takes hold. His wife Kathleen is more troubled with weak knees that has forced her to use a walker. But otherwise they are well and very happy in a retirement complex there in NZ. Bruce is the same as ever promoting some other scheme relating to University and theological education around Asia. He is a well known personality in these parts!

The Bethany International University ( BIE) has a wide range of students many of them from Indonesia but with a few others from Africa, Myanmar and Nepal. The program is an ambitious one to send these people back to train others in basic evangelism along similar lines to that of Prof Vijayam in Hyderabad. The testimony of the institution is that, since their inception through a year of prayer and preparation in 1994, they have seen 150 training institutions begun in many countries through the ministry of their Trainer students. The students are offered free tuition and board only being required to be sponsored by their organizations and Churches. The programs range from a one year Certificate, a two year diploma and then more advanced M A and Ph D studies.

The conference was held at the Paramount Hotel. It began with a traditional Chinese banquet attended by many Church leaders of Singapore. In all about 50 tables of 10 each so around 500 seated for the 6 course meal offered. This was followed by the usual greetings and welcome from the local people then a jazz band brought in from a Chinese church in Jakarta gave a very strong rendition of that genre of music. The ambiance rekindled the background of Ken Gnanakan, the leader of the group who began his life as a night club singer. So he was up there singing some old songs as well as later Christian presentations. Jazz has its own rhythm which brought a few of the African delegates to their feet to be joined by some Singaporians and then Janette drew on her Scottish heritage and joined them much to the delight of the other delegates.

The sessions were lively with presentations from many capable people presenting new and often challenging ideas on communication. We enjoyed the fellowship in our apartment of Sharon an Indian lady linked professionally with a MBA school in Bangalore. Of interest to Colin was her background in similar connections to those he had made in his early days in the Continent.

As normal many resolutions were passed and potential programs drawn up for future usage. It is encouraging to see this current spreading seeking greater effectiveness in communication. Also to hear of the many being trained in evangelism and outreach.

Sunday saw us at the Bedok Methodist Church with Kathleen, our host. The service was traditional to be followed at 11.00 by a more lively praise and worship program geared to the younger generation. Of interest was the Church budget this being this annual Pledge Sunday. 22% dedicated to their 10 supported missionaries as well as money for Short Term mission into Cambodia, Thailand and Philippines. It demonstrated a real spirit of outreach and desire to make the Gospel known in the city and region.

A visit downtown to catch up on E Mail found us at the Bethany location using their computers. Unlike India, Cyber Cafes are not in evidence as too many have their own home computers as in Canada. Without a home connection finding the link is a challenge. We updated with our connections on Facebook as well as personal interchanges. Then came lunch at 14.30 rice with chicken and fish curry Indian/Malay style. Alongside me a man from Naga background in India, students from Indonesia who had come in for the morning session, the leadership Dr Sudhir Isaiah his wife and Dr. Tan Tok Ben of Chinese background the President. There was great interest and much enjoyment in the story of our courtship which began in Singapore Easter 1989 to be followed by another link due to Janette’s Cyprus location in Rome in August when we made the final decision which lead to the wedding in Glasgow Easter 1990.

We found our way back home by the MRT, Singapore’s mass transit system. The apartment was reached in time to meet our next guest L T Jeyachandran an Indian brother connected with the Ravi Zacharias ministry in apologetics. Connections with him extend back to Delhi days as well as ministry opportunities throughout South Asia the last being a mutual sharing in Sri Lanka some years ago.

Another old contact was Tom Chandler of Partners International. He is a keen biker so his home has a big Harley Davidson parked outside the gift from his old bikie friends in the USA. He has developed a fellowship of these kind of people here in Singapore! A chat with him brought to light many common interests and old friends particularly in India.