PMC Runner Focus: Stephanie Sim

Running - one sport that is usually last on my mind. I would choose swimming or even gym classes over running as i dislike the heat.

Last Jun, I embarked on a fitness regime as I was getting really unhealthy. I attended gym classes and made it a point to run for about 50 minutes (in the gym as its air-conditioned). In the beginning, even before the first 10 minutes I would be out of breath and walking the rest of the distance. I pushed myself and kept at 2 runs per week lasting 50 minutes each. After 4 weeks, I was able to keep pace and run for a longer duration without stopping to walk. I continued with my bi-weekly runs and added another day, making my runs a tri-weekly affair. I started to look forward to the runs as it helped me de-stress from work. I would concentrated on making the distance and keeping pace.

I decided to push myself further and signed up for my first 10km run in Dec'08. Weeks before the run, I was running daily for about an hour as I was really worried I wouldn't be able to complete the 10km race. This resulted in a knee injury. I had to see a doctor and trainer and they taught me how to stretch to prevent some muscle tightness that was causing the pain to my knee. I had to stop some of my gym classes to prevent further damage to my knee. The stretches they taught helped. I was able to compete in the 10km run. I ran and walk throughout the whole 10km. It was a wonderful experience and i did feel a sense of accomplishment after i cross the finishing line. I am looking forward to the coming runs lined up - Passion Run and also Street Wise Run where we'll be running for a cause and supporting the PCOSIIP Education Fund. Do join us as we run as a community.

I'm looking forward to running with you all. God Bless!

PMC Run: Vesak Day delight

The heavens opened in the early morning hours of May 9, with thunder, lightning and the full works. I wasn't sure if the run would proceed as planned, but the storm fizzled out before 7 am. And though we expected a poor turnout, there were 10 of us who gathered at the church car park.

I am not sure if you have done a run right after a heavy downpour. The air is clear and clean (no kidding), and there's just a freshness feel about it. On this morning, we were joined by Desmond, who is still in NS. The sky was overcast, and that provided an idea condition to run.

As we crossed the canal after Drive 3, we were delighted to see the gush of water (from the storm) gathering pace towards the river. Looked like a good spot for white water rafting.


We kept the same route, with a new twist. After emerging from the park along Drive 3, some headed back towards the park under the MRT tracks for an additional loop. That would be an additional 1.5 to 2 km.

We all agreed without a doubt that this was one of the most pleasant run we'd had.

PMC Angels run4COSI

The children of COSI have always held a special place in the hearts of many PMC youths, young adults and church members. Each COSI kid has a story to tell, and it is usually a sad and tragic story. We have seen them grown, from toddlers to teenagers. Through the years, we have journeyed with them, sharing their joys, achievements and concerns, supporting them with our prayers and showering them with our love.

For some of the older kids, the time of reckoning has come. Each child can only stay with the orphanage until the age of 18 (or grade 12). This is a growing source of anxiety for many.

The following video underscores their predicament.


PMC, together with Bedok Methodist Church and MMS, initiated the Post COSI Integration Program to prepare COSI graduates for reentry into their community of origin and society outside of COSI.

The main objective for the PCOSIIP is to empower every COSI graduate to become useful citizen in the Kingdom of God as well as in the Kingdom of Cambodia. A key element in PCOSIIP is to sponsor COSI youths through tertiary education under the PCOSIIP Education Fund. Two youths were admitted into a Phnom Penh university last year. Over the course of the next two years, an estimated 12 youths would be graduating from high school grade 12.

With the burgeoning number of COSI youths scheduled to graduate from COSI over the coming years, it is imperative that coordinated effort be directed toward raising funds for PCOSIIP Education Fund. Over the past years, the COSI Angel’s Program in PMC has raised substantial money to finance the trips undertaken by our youth teams to COSI.

This year, the COSI young adults team in conjunction with YMPACT youths and the PMC running community are launching the Angels run4COSI program. The Angels run4COSI will raise funds via outright donations and runner pledges. Every cent raised will be channeled towards the PCOSIIP Education Fund.

Yes, participants in the Angels run4COSI will be undertaking a run!

The designated event is the Streetwise Run scheduled for July 5, 2009 (Sunday). The non-competitive category open to the public is the 4 km run, with an estimated 3:30 pm flag off. Registration fee is by way of a donation (minimum of $10).

We would like you to join us in securing the future for the COSI kids by either making a donation (cheque made payable to "Pentecost Methodist Church", and noting "Angels run4COSI" at the back of the cheque) and/or participating as an Angel in the Streetwise Run. Each Angel undertakes a pledge to raise a minimum of $200 for the PCOSIIP education fund.

For more information, please contact Hongyee or Rachel.