The quiet, secluded and beautiful Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Baru provided a wonderful venue for the Partnership Conference this year. Sadly, as one often finds in this country though, the place was underutilized and suffers somewhat from poor maintenance.

There were sixteen countries represented and we had a great time hearing the reports of the ministry throughout South Asia. As always, I most enjoyed the opportunity to get together with old friends and to make new ones and to do some planning for the upcoming year. Had a super roommate in my friend Blossom and enjoyed the chance to get caught up on their plans to return to Ontario in the near future. I know that I will miss having them with us here but am grateful that we will continue to work together through the Canadian office.

Enabled, Empowered and Encouraged was the theme for the conference and each morning started with a time of worship and a message by one of the country coordinators on each of these topics. There were some pretty practical workshops brought to us by some of the global staff who helped us prepare for the new strategic directions that the ministry is heading into. I never get tired of hearing the stories of individuals who happen to come across the broadcasts and how their lives were changed forever.
A big thanks to the organizing committee who did an amazing job of all the little but important details that came together to ensure a very fruitful time together. Lots of good food, fun and matching T-shirts helped to strengthen the bonds between ministry teams and we all headed back to Singapore together feeling enabled, empowered and encouraged by our time together.