Our First Meeting

Today, we had our 1^st info session, introducing our international school to the public! This was a realization of my dream, of establishing a holistic school that focuses not only on academic performance, but more importantly, in bringing out the best in every child. Just the mere thought that this day had dawn, was a reminder to me that with God, nothing is impossible!

I could still vividly recall that starting an international school in Kampar was a crazy idea. Afterall, Kampar is not the place to even begin if we were to make money (between you and me: this is not meant to be a profit driven project). To pour more cold water to the already bad idea, getting teachers is a challenge. Just over one month ago, our principal (I know, we have a principal onboard, and a very well qualified one too!) shared, “Team, we may have to start thinking about advertising for teachers as I am not getting any application from anyone I know! To make matter worse, schools in the Klang Valley are pinching teachers from one another; some had even gone as far as India and Sri Lanka to recruit!”

As the author of this crazy idea wasn’t me (although I would be very tempted to take the credit for it), but God, He had impressed upon me that He had already prepared the teachers for us. “How is that possible Lord?” I kept asking myself when the meeting ended, too timid to even share my conviction with the team then. In the weeks that follow, people whom I know started to come to me, asking for teaching positions in the school. To add icing to the cake, they even recommend their friends from Kuala Lumpur to join us! I could almost hear our Father in Heaven chuckled “See, didn’t I tell you so! Have faith!” The picture of Noah’s ark came to my mind: when the ark was completed, God just called the animals by pairs to enter the ark, predestined, pre-prepared and the best part was: no human intervention required!

Today, we had expected about 20 pax to attend our briefing, but almost 30 turned up. After the session, R came up to me and inspired me with this “Fee, 2 years ago when you shared about starting a school in Kampar, I thought it was a crazy idea. Now, when I tell my friends that I am moving to Kampar because my wife will be teaching there, they are calling me crazy! Now, the thing that strikes me is this: Your craze has brought crazy people like us to come to Kampar! Don’t you feel blessed?!”

My engine of worry in whether we could bring in enough students died that very instant! “Yes, I do feel immensely blessed!” He, who could bring in the teachers, would also bring in the students. :)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

PS: To date, we have a principal, one curriculum director and one student affair & admin director onboard. These are all very highly qualified individuals who gave up their high-flying career to settle with their families in hilly Kampar. In addition, two extremely talented and sought after teachers will be joining us here. When I asked the husband of one of the teachers how he felt about relocating, his reply was most unexpected "Whereever my wife is happy, I am happy!"This could only be possible, when God called His people. Glory to Him.