Dear friend,

The National Director of Malaysia Youth for Christ made this comment recently during a Zoom meeting with some of our Project Servants that “it’s so good to see your office bursting with life! We miss this so much.” We felt the same way last year when every staff had to work from home and the offices were closed. Which is why when 2021 started and when the COVID-19 restrictions were more relaxed, we made arrangements for the staff to gather in their respective ministries and at different locations for our weekly staff meeting. Although it is not quite the same as before when we could have the whole staff team together, this is perhaps the next best alternative in the new normal.

Ministry in the new normal also means that some of our approaches had to be adjusted to meet the need of the hour. In the past, we met with students who visited the open houses. We also organised welcome teas to introduce what SYFC does and held talks for youth transiting from one institution to the next. Some of these approaches took on new forms now.

When the O-Level results were released in January, the Polytechnic Ministry took the opportunity to organise meetups for those who were considering to go to the polytechnic to meet with seniors over Zoom. The participants came with questions that ranged from “which course is suitable for me?” to “how life is like in the poly?” to “how much will I spend on clothes?” Some of them also raised concerns like “what if I can’t make any friends in poly?” and “what if I don’t do well?” The seniors shared their experiences and patiently helped to answer the burning questions on everyone’s mind.

For the first time, the parents were also invited for a separate online session. Interestingly, the parents had their own questions — “Which is the poly with the best IT programme?” “What are the bad influences in poly?” As a parent, I identify with their desires to provide the best opportunity for their child to excel in school and to protect them from harm. I am also very glad that our staff and volunteers could engage with the parents and organised a programme that catered to their needs. There will be another round of talk for the parents in April where they will get to hear how other parents cope with their child’s transition and how they can better support their child. Prayerfully, the parents will find these sessions helpful and see us as a good resource for them and their child.

Please pray for us as we continue to find innovative ways to engage the youth in the new normal. It has been a rather difficult journey so far, but I am confident that our faithful God will lead and guide us all the way.

All glory to God,