Hari Raya - Public holiday

Monday 21 September – Hari Raya, public holiday. We left home at 9.15 a.m. took Bus No. 67 for the long journey to Tampines Interchange where we waited for half an hour for the feeder bus No. 37 to arrive. We were on our way to see Mrs. Esther Foo at Lengkok Mariam, but we did not realise this bus does not pass her place; instead it went to the Factory areas. Eventually the bus took us back to the bus stop outside the Japanese school, next door to Peacehaven Nursing Home. While waiting for another bus, who should turn up? Majors Darrell and Katrina Thomas who stopped the car and gave us a lift to Mrs. Foo. This was much appreciated. It was so kind of them to do so and we enjoyed the short time of fellowship together. We were able to tell them something about Mrs. Foo.

Well, I believe the Lord’s hand was in this for we were able to introduce them to Mrs. Foo. As always, Mrs. Foo is very hospitable and bought out a cake to share with us. She also offered us moon-cakes for this is now the season. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and ended up with prayer together. Major Katrani Thomas will be seeing her from time to time to give her the War Cry. We do try to visit Mrs. Foo every now and again – like Chinese New Year, on her birthday and Mother’s Day, but distance makes it difficult for us to visit her as often as we would like to.

Towards the end of 1941, Esther Lau and Lim Kim Lui (blog on 28 May) were accepted as candidates for officership, but before they could enter Training College, war came and Lieut. Colonel Herbert Lord, Officer Commanding immediately commissioned these two ladies as Lieutenants even without training! Immediately they were given assignments to help war victims and other Salvation Army activities. The Army closed down soon after that. The reinforcement officers were arrested and imprisoned in Changi Prison for three and half years. Married women with children were sent to Australia.

These two ladies and others went through very hard times during the war. Esther married Lieutenant Foo Kia Pang and after the war in 1945 became officers for some time before they resigned. Foo Kia Pang joined the social welfare department as the superintendent of Government Home called Perak Boys' Home at Pasir Panjang. Mrs. Foo remained a housewife to bring up six lovely children, most of them now are engaged in Christian ministry. She gave volunteer service at this Home.

In retirement they first moved to Pasir Panjang where Mrs. Foo kept a lovely orchid garden and when it came to Mothers' Day, she would provide the Corps with flowers. She maintained an open house and showed hospitality to all her visitors, especially Salvation Army folk.

Four of their children and their families have emigrated to Australia, England and Canada. Two sons and their families remain in Singapore. Mr. Foo Kia Pang was promoted to Glory in 1997 and Mrs. Foo has been living alone since in this big house with a compound. She is now 91 years old, quite frail, but still very alert.

We give thanks to God for such saints and count it a privilege to share fellowship with them from time to time.