How an obscure,
rural boy like me moved to an urban setting, and how I picked up
trilingual qualifications through shabby, now-non-existent public
institutions, were due to God’s grace even though I did not know Him
then. Also, mysteriously, by His grace, I was led to join the MYF at
Wesley Methodist Church in Seremban just after I secured the Cambridge
Overseas School Certificate as a private candidate. I was employed by
the then Methodist Afternoon School as a temporary teacher for two
years. While being attached to this school and the church, I started to
do community work by helping the church to distribute milk powder,
sponsored by the US Peace Corp, to nearby rubber-estate labourers. I
attended church membership class and was baptised at the age of 20.
However, the first leg of my life journey ended with emotional
upheaval. The pastor who led me through membership class and baptised
me was also the person who sent me into spiritual wilderness for 30
years, soon after I accepted Christ. Satan provoked my personal grudge
against this pastor and eroded my trust in God just because this pastor
did not consider or recommend someone to stand as surety for my entry
into a Teacher Training College. I was an introvert who hardly knew
anybody who would have an income that qualifies him to sign the
document. Anyhow, God led me to a stranger from another church
denomination in town. Nevertheless, I now understand that it’s not easy
to be a pastor. I also realise that God had a purpose for my 30 years
of wandering in the wilderness – God was equipping me.
The second leg of my life journey comprised 30 years of struggles, adversities and failures. I told God that I would return to church only after I had cleared up all my mess myself. Satan ensured that I wouldn’t despite the many attempts by church friends, including a concerned pastor, Rev Dr Hermen Shastri. God let me loose on a long rope secured at His end. I ventured into operating a model-car racing entertainment business not knowing it was at a Malay reserved shop lot. I also initiated a Mini Market at my residential terrace house. Both had to shut down at different times due to violation of permit. Both cost me great financial losses. At the end of the 30 years, I finally surrendered to God and brought my whole family humbly back to TUMC, a branch of Wesley Methodist Seremban, with much tears and sincere confessions at the altar, seeking forgiveness. I was re-baptised soon after. My wife and children were all baptised in due course. One evening, Pastor Hua Jian, Sister Liow Lee Lin and Brother Cheah Lef Ngan paid a surprise visit to our home at Rahang. They brought news that a dozen anonymous selfless church members from TUMC would jointly help me pick up my mat and walk again without considering their own risks. It was similar to the paralytic who was healed not by his own faith but by the faith of his friends who took the risk to bring him to Jesus the hard way. I took seven years to fully repay these people. To these brothers and sisters in Christ at TUMC Seremban, I am short of words to express my gratitude. But I thank God for them that I was saved physically and spiritually through their faith in Jesus. May the Lord continue to bless them abundantly.
By His Grace I had the opportunity to go to the UK on two separate sponsored packages – to the University of Bradford and to Thornham Field Study Centre – to equip me for the third leg. Soon after I returned to church, at the age of 50, I opted out for earlier retirement from the post of a headmaster to join the international corporate world as master trainer for human resource personnel. I served an international corporate agency for 14 years and retired to become a freelancer. It was smooth-riding down the road but not without hiccups here and there that could be solved within my family under His showers of blessings.
We are blessed with four grandchildren – a pair from our son and a pair from our daughter. All 10 members of my family are Christians. That makes up 100%. Praise the Lord! Soon after our family moved to Pusat Bandar Puchong, we officially transferred our memberships from TUMC Seremban to CBC Puchong since it is the nearest church to our new home. We started serving the church and the community in our own little ways. My wife and I took up the Community Senior Citizens’ Ministry and my daughter-in-law started the Boys’ Brigade. We offer our home for weekly cell meetings. We are prepared to serve and offer more in waiting.
So, the fourth and last leg of my life, as I see it, is the upcoming ACE program entrusted to me by CBC Puchong. Without further doubt, for me, the last chapter of Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, “You were made for a Mission” matches that of the first chapter, “What on earth am I here for”. May the Lord grant me wisdom that I may overcome my weaknesses and build results on my strengths for the advancement of His Kingdom. I thank Him and praise Him for His guidance in my life, directly and indirectly. And to those whom God has used to help keep my nose above water as well as shepherding me through green pastures, I again thank God for you. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever” (Philippians 4: 19-20). And I pray God will make me a messenger of His Good News to others.
