We had the loan of the THQ car and I drove to Changi Corps this morning. We had not visited this Corps for more than a year. What a joy it was to visit the folk there.
Lovely to meet old friends like Johnny and Emelie Wee formerly of Balestier Corps. Emelie and family were my neighbours in Lorong Limau in the 1940's and 1950's! What a delight to meet Charles and Helen Lim and their lovely family also former Balestier folk. Charles' father Norman Lim was my Sunday School teacher before the war!
During the meeting I conducted the 'reaffirmation of marriage vows' by Patrick and Diana. They were married some years back in the registry but now they are Christians they wanted God to bless their marriage.
At the moment the Corps Officer (pastor) Lieut. Colonel Prema Rajan is on homeland furlough, so the Corps folk are managing on their own under the leadership of Corps Sergeant Major Low Mul Lan who is also the Executive Director of Peacehaven Nursing Home. The Corps is blessed to have Captain Hary, the Territorial Youth Secretary as one of the soldiers, He has been doing a lot of preaching during this period at this Corps.
Let us all pray for Changi Corps. It has gone through a very difficult time, but we have a nucleus of very devout soldiers who keep the old Army flag flying. We thank God for the privilege of ministering to the folk at Changi.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The human touch
It's the human touch in this world that counts
The touch of your hand and mind.
That means far more to the fainting soul
Than shelter or bread of wine.
For shelter is o'er when the night is gone
And bread lasts only a day,
But the touch of a hand, and the sound of a voice
Live in the soul alway (Anon)
The touch of your hand and mind.
That means far more to the fainting soul
Than shelter or bread of wine.
For shelter is o'er when the night is gone
And bread lasts only a day,
But the touch of a hand, and the sound of a voice
Live in the soul alway (Anon)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Keeping CNY traditions alive
Goh Sui Noi, senior writer of Straits Times wrote a very interesting article in yesterday's paper. She tells of her neighbours - Stewart an Australian and his Singaporean wife. She describes Stewart's interest and enthusiasm in observing our Chinese customs. She adds, "It is an irony that Stewart is enthusiastic about traditions that Singaporeans are caring less about these days, discarding them like so much excess baggage." How true and I agree with her. I am saddened when I hear our own people speaking so disparagingly about our own customs and traditions.
True some customs are mere superstitions, but there are customs that have deep significance, for example the reunion dinner. The writer calls this 'the social glue that binds families."
As mentioned in my blog earlier, we had many visitors, friends and relatives, during the Chinese New Year period. And the most touching was to welcome the Central Corps youth. They are under no obligation to visit us, but they came to pay their respects just the same. We didn't invite them either for they know on CNY Chinese families maintain open house. They certainly have thoughtful leaders who still keep our Chinese customs alive.
One day an English lady remarked that she did not visit her Chinese friends during Chinese New Year because no invitation was ever given to her. She has been living in this country for donkey's years, sadly still do not know our culture of open house during this period.
The last seven years of our active service (1990-1997) were spent in Philippines and England. Of course, no public holidays during CNY in these countries. We could not celebrate in the same way as we do now. We had to work but we did invite some friends to have reunion dinner with us.
If you do not have a copy of the Straits Times (24th Febr) try and get one. It's worth reading.
True some customs are mere superstitions, but there are customs that have deep significance, for example the reunion dinner. The writer calls this 'the social glue that binds families."
As mentioned in my blog earlier, we had many visitors, friends and relatives, during the Chinese New Year period. And the most touching was to welcome the Central Corps youth. They are under no obligation to visit us, but they came to pay their respects just the same. We didn't invite them either for they know on CNY Chinese families maintain open house. They certainly have thoughtful leaders who still keep our Chinese customs alive.
One day an English lady remarked that she did not visit her Chinese friends during Chinese New Year because no invitation was ever given to her. She has been living in this country for donkey's years, sadly still do not know our culture of open house during this period.
The last seven years of our active service (1990-1997) were spent in Philippines and England. Of course, no public holidays during CNY in these countries. We could not celebrate in the same way as we do now. We had to work but we did invite some friends to have reunion dinner with us.
If you do not have a copy of the Straits Times (24th Febr) try and get one. It's worth reading.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Message at Men's Fellowship
Last night my wife and I had a good time at the Men's Fellowship at Central Corps. I was the speaker. I had spent hours preparing my power points to illustrate my talk, but Vincent Wong could not get the the thumb drive to work on his lap top. It's a mystery to me that only the IT experts can explain. In the end I had to speak without my power points. I just rambled on for more than an hour on "Reflections, Rejoicings and Regrets of an old soldier." And the folk were very patient listening to my ramblings! God bless them.
I came to know The Salvation Army before the war when I was only five years old. What a lot has happened in those 70 plus years. People have come and gone and here am I among the very few remnants in 'God's waiting room' (heard this expression for retirement over BBC just before we left home) The summons may come any time, and I am in a reflecting mood. I rejoice in the victories of the past, and regret the wrong choices I made.
Choices are the switch tracks of life. What I am and do today is the product of all the choices I have made through the years. The freedom to make choices is one of life's privileges. I've made rotten choices, bad choices and good choices.
I hope and pray during this time spent in 'God's waiting room,' (perhaps I should change the metaphor to 'last lap of my journey') I be given the wisdom and grace to to seek what is best. I've been conducting a series of Bible studies on the letter to the Philippians and one verse keeps coming to my mind this week - Phil.1: 10 (NASB) "to approve the things that are excellent" meaning "put excellence to the test." In other words I am challenged to go beyond the average or good and to choose what I consider the best or excellent. Life is made up of the choices we make each day. It is my daily prayer that I be given the wisdom to make right choices everyday.
We are urged to choose excellence because the Lord is coming soon.
Excellence means purity, productivity and sense of purpose. I still keep trying by the grace of God to be the person He wants me to be.
I came to know The Salvation Army before the war when I was only five years old. What a lot has happened in those 70 plus years. People have come and gone and here am I among the very few remnants in 'God's waiting room' (heard this expression for retirement over BBC just before we left home) The summons may come any time, and I am in a reflecting mood. I rejoice in the victories of the past, and regret the wrong choices I made.
Choices are the switch tracks of life. What I am and do today is the product of all the choices I have made through the years. The freedom to make choices is one of life's privileges. I've made rotten choices, bad choices and good choices.
I hope and pray during this time spent in 'God's waiting room,' (perhaps I should change the metaphor to 'last lap of my journey') I be given the wisdom and grace to to seek what is best. I've been conducting a series of Bible studies on the letter to the Philippians and one verse keeps coming to my mind this week - Phil.1: 10 (NASB) "to approve the things that are excellent" meaning "put excellence to the test." In other words I am challenged to go beyond the average or good and to choose what I consider the best or excellent. Life is made up of the choices we make each day. It is my daily prayer that I be given the wisdom to make right choices everyday.
We are urged to choose excellence because the Lord is coming soon.
Excellence means purity, productivity and sense of purpose. I still keep trying by the grace of God to be the person He wants me to be.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday at Central Corps
It is always a joy to visit Singapore Central Corps. It's my wife's home Corps and also we were the pastors twice - once during active service for four years and the second time holding on for three months when we first retired.
Today we had another wonderful day. Our grandchildren fetched us there. I used to drive them to church and now they drive me!
The band was great - they played so beautifully. Of course, I might be biased as two of our grandchildren are in the band! Really it's a good band and today there was a bandsman from Chicago Staff band playing with them. We are an international Army.
I am looking forward to visit Central again on Tuesday for the Men's Fellowship. I am now preparing my power points for this talk - "Reflections, Rejoicings and Regrets of an old soldier."
Thank God for another great day - Sunday spent in God's house with fellow believers.
Age is catching up with me, but "praise God I'm not weary yet," as the song writer says. To God be the glory.
Today we had another wonderful day. Our grandchildren fetched us there. I used to drive them to church and now they drive me!
The band was great - they played so beautifully. Of course, I might be biased as two of our grandchildren are in the band! Really it's a good band and today there was a bandsman from Chicago Staff band playing with them. We are an international Army.
I am looking forward to visit Central again on Tuesday for the Men's Fellowship. I am now preparing my power points for this talk - "Reflections, Rejoicings and Regrets of an old soldier."
Thank God for another great day - Sunday spent in God's house with fellow believers.
Age is catching up with me, but "praise God I'm not weary yet," as the song writer says. To God be the glory.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
This is my story - 18
18 – Pioneering Batang Melaka
British authorities ruling Malaya after the war in 1945 had to fight the communists most of them of Chinese descent who formed the backbone of the communist guerrilla support. Some were sympathisers who actively supported the communists; others were threatened by the communists into doing so. Many innocent people were killed in the fighting.
Sir Henry Gurney, the British High Commissioner was ambushed and killed by the communists in 1951. His successor Sir Gerald Templar took tough measures and ordered the building of new villages to resettle the Chinese forcibly moved away from the communist infested areas. This was to stop the villagers from communist influence. He imposed strict curfews and tight control of food supplies to fight them. Crops grown by the communists were sprayed with herbicide. Areas freed from communist control were declared white areas and given more freedom.
About 500,000 people (roughly ten percent of Malaya’s population) were eventually moved from their homes and placed in guarded camps called New Villages. By isolating this population in the new areas, the British were able to stem the critical flow of material, information, and recruits from the people to the guerrillas. The British government also tried to win the hearts of the new settlers by providing them with education, health services and homes with water and electricity.
The Salvation Army and other churches, notably the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (formerly China Inland Mission) were invited to start work in these new villages. The Salvation Army was offered two areas – new villages near Butterworth in the north and in the state of Malacca.
In one of my visits to Singapore, Lieut. Colonel Harvey unveiled his plan to open a clinic and Corps (church) in one of the new villages near Malacca. I was tasked to make investigations.
Back in Malacca, I contacted the pastor of the Chinese Methodist Church, Rev. Lim Kiam Sam. (I often attended his church services to listen to Hokkien sermons). As the majority of people in these new villages were Chinese educated or illiterate, work had to be done in Chinese. Rev. Lim gave some very good advice, suggestions and type of ministry. I made it plain that The Salvation Army would not want to duplicate the work of other Christian churches or organizations.
The day came when Lieut. Colonel Harvey drove up to Malacca and together with Rev. Lim Kiam Sam, the three of us toured the state of Malacca and identified a few places. Representations were then made to the Resident of Malacca, Mr. Bennett. We then contacted the Chief Medical Officer of Malacca Dr. McMahon who gave us the assurance of free medical supplies to the Army.
Lieut. Colonel Harvey, at the recommendation of Rev. Lim wanted to start work in Machap Baru, but the District Officer suggested we should instead take on Batang Melaka on the Malacca/Negri Sembilan border for the need here was greater. It was more multiracial for there were Indians and Malays who also needed help although the majority were Chinese. The Army could also serve other villages in the area.
The District Officer of Jasin made arrangements for a wooden kampong Malay house on the main road available to the Army to accommodate the officers. The principal of the local Chinese school gave us a classroom to be used as a clinic.
I was instructed to get the place ready for the opening of work in Batang Melaka. I enlisted the help of a young salvationist Ng Kim Loh. We both journeyed to Batang Melaka by bus a distance of 27 miles through terrorist infested areas. We spent two days there, scrubbing, cleaning and painting the quarters. At the instruction of Headquarters two folding camp beds were purchased, the rest of the furnishings would be provided from the jumble store in Singapore. Lieut. Colonel Grey the Social Secretary felt was not necessary to buy new furniture or utensils. She herself lived a simple life. In Singapore she did not even have a kitchen. She had kerosene stove under the eaves near the back door of Command Headquarters. No cooking was done when it rained.
Lieutenant Irene Holden a nurse cum midwife and Lieutenant Norina Staples both from UK were appointed in mid 1955 to start the work in Batang Melaka. They shared one small room. In the day time the camp beds were folded up to provide space for sitting room. Near the kitchen, we got the local carpenter to put up a screen for a bathroom. The budget did not allow the construction of a door as well and to quote Lieut. Colonel Grey, “Why do they need a door when both of them are ladies? Anyway, if they don’t like to use the bathroom they can wear sarongs and have their bath at the village well down the road.” Well, the toilet – it was a little hut built on the slope of a hill and a bucket was all they had which had to be emptied daily. There was no electricity so they had to use just a kerosene lamp. I learned for the first time how to draw water from the well!
I visited Batang Melaka once a week to translate for them and also conduct YP meeting. The rest of the time, they had to depend on whoever they could get to interpret for them. Later Evelyn Tan a girl from the Singapore Girls’ Home was appointed to assist the two Lieutenants in the Corps and clinic.
Batang Melaka was designated as a ‘black area.’ That meant curfew was imposed from 7.00 p.m. till the next morning. However, our officer nurse was given exemption to go out as babies often defied emergency regulations and came during curfew hours.
The work grew despite limitations. Later when the next door tenant moved out, this section was given to the Army to be used as a clinic. We received much support from the authorities and the villagers. The Government leased land to us and the Army was able to put up a modern building.
The emergency was over in 1960, but the Army continued with medical, social and church work. The Army does not run a clinic now, but continues with Day Care centre for children and of course our church work. Nowadays it is easy for folk to go to the big towns like Malacca for medical treatment.
I thank God for the privilege of contributing my share in the pioneering work of the Army in Batang Melaka.
British authorities ruling Malaya after the war in 1945 had to fight the communists most of them of Chinese descent who formed the backbone of the communist guerrilla support. Some were sympathisers who actively supported the communists; others were threatened by the communists into doing so. Many innocent people were killed in the fighting.
Sir Henry Gurney, the British High Commissioner was ambushed and killed by the communists in 1951. His successor Sir Gerald Templar took tough measures and ordered the building of new villages to resettle the Chinese forcibly moved away from the communist infested areas. This was to stop the villagers from communist influence. He imposed strict curfews and tight control of food supplies to fight them. Crops grown by the communists were sprayed with herbicide. Areas freed from communist control were declared white areas and given more freedom.
About 500,000 people (roughly ten percent of Malaya’s population) were eventually moved from their homes and placed in guarded camps called New Villages. By isolating this population in the new areas, the British were able to stem the critical flow of material, information, and recruits from the people to the guerrillas. The British government also tried to win the hearts of the new settlers by providing them with education, health services and homes with water and electricity.
The Salvation Army and other churches, notably the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (formerly China Inland Mission) were invited to start work in these new villages. The Salvation Army was offered two areas – new villages near Butterworth in the north and in the state of Malacca.
In one of my visits to Singapore, Lieut. Colonel Harvey unveiled his plan to open a clinic and Corps (church) in one of the new villages near Malacca. I was tasked to make investigations.
Back in Malacca, I contacted the pastor of the Chinese Methodist Church, Rev. Lim Kiam Sam. (I often attended his church services to listen to Hokkien sermons). As the majority of people in these new villages were Chinese educated or illiterate, work had to be done in Chinese. Rev. Lim gave some very good advice, suggestions and type of ministry. I made it plain that The Salvation Army would not want to duplicate the work of other Christian churches or organizations.
The day came when Lieut. Colonel Harvey drove up to Malacca and together with Rev. Lim Kiam Sam, the three of us toured the state of Malacca and identified a few places. Representations were then made to the Resident of Malacca, Mr. Bennett. We then contacted the Chief Medical Officer of Malacca Dr. McMahon who gave us the assurance of free medical supplies to the Army.
Lieut. Colonel Harvey, at the recommendation of Rev. Lim wanted to start work in Machap Baru, but the District Officer suggested we should instead take on Batang Melaka on the Malacca/Negri Sembilan border for the need here was greater. It was more multiracial for there were Indians and Malays who also needed help although the majority were Chinese. The Army could also serve other villages in the area.
The District Officer of Jasin made arrangements for a wooden kampong Malay house on the main road available to the Army to accommodate the officers. The principal of the local Chinese school gave us a classroom to be used as a clinic.
I was instructed to get the place ready for the opening of work in Batang Melaka. I enlisted the help of a young salvationist Ng Kim Loh. We both journeyed to Batang Melaka by bus a distance of 27 miles through terrorist infested areas. We spent two days there, scrubbing, cleaning and painting the quarters. At the instruction of Headquarters two folding camp beds were purchased, the rest of the furnishings would be provided from the jumble store in Singapore. Lieut. Colonel Grey the Social Secretary felt was not necessary to buy new furniture or utensils. She herself lived a simple life. In Singapore she did not even have a kitchen. She had kerosene stove under the eaves near the back door of Command Headquarters. No cooking was done when it rained.
Lieutenant Irene Holden a nurse cum midwife and Lieutenant Norina Staples both from UK were appointed in mid 1955 to start the work in Batang Melaka. They shared one small room. In the day time the camp beds were folded up to provide space for sitting room. Near the kitchen, we got the local carpenter to put up a screen for a bathroom. The budget did not allow the construction of a door as well and to quote Lieut. Colonel Grey, “Why do they need a door when both of them are ladies? Anyway, if they don’t like to use the bathroom they can wear sarongs and have their bath at the village well down the road.” Well, the toilet – it was a little hut built on the slope of a hill and a bucket was all they had which had to be emptied daily. There was no electricity so they had to use just a kerosene lamp. I learned for the first time how to draw water from the well!
I visited Batang Melaka once a week to translate for them and also conduct YP meeting. The rest of the time, they had to depend on whoever they could get to interpret for them. Later Evelyn Tan a girl from the Singapore Girls’ Home was appointed to assist the two Lieutenants in the Corps and clinic.
Batang Melaka was designated as a ‘black area.’ That meant curfew was imposed from 7.00 p.m. till the next morning. However, our officer nurse was given exemption to go out as babies often defied emergency regulations and came during curfew hours.
The work grew despite limitations. Later when the next door tenant moved out, this section was given to the Army to be used as a clinic. We received much support from the authorities and the villagers. The Government leased land to us and the Army was able to put up a modern building.
The emergency was over in 1960, but the Army continued with medical, social and church work. The Army does not run a clinic now, but continues with Day Care centre for children and of course our church work. Nowadays it is easy for folk to go to the big towns like Malacca for medical treatment.
I thank God for the privilege of contributing my share in the pioneering work of the Army in Batang Melaka.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
2nd Day Chinese New Year
On Monday, second day of Chinese New Year we got out of bed the usual time then went for our morning walk at 6.00 a.m. It was all so quiet. Good time to meditate on the goodness and greatness of God.Then after breakfast as usual 7.00 a.m. I had my devotions.
I swept and mopped the floor. something superstitious people don't do for fear of sweeping luck away. We have no 'luck' only blessings from God Almighty and His blessings fill the whole house and our being. They cannot be swept away by the broom.
Then visitors started coming to pay respects. We had about 40 visitors today. It was an endless stream of visitors. We were quite touched when the Youth of Central Corps (church) came as a group in three vehicles. Two of our grandchildren, David and Rachel were among the group. We thank God these two grandchildren are very active in the youth group, the band, worship team and other church activities.
This custom of visiting friends and relatives particularly our seniors is a lovely tradition which the majority of Chinese still keep. We are pleased our Indian, Malay and Caucasian friends join in the celebrations. Our Salvation Army reinforcement officers in the past used to go round visiting during Chinese New Year. Our Corps Officer (pastor) Major Pascoe still keeps the tradition. God bless her.
The giving of mandarin oranges during this time is basically a southern Chinese custom. The word 'kum' for mandarin oranges rhymes with the Chinese word for gold in Cantonese. So it is customary when we go visiting to bring along two or four mandarins as gifts. The Chinese believe that even numbers signify happiness and odd numbers are used only for unhappy occasions.
As a sign of respect these oranges are offered with both hands. It is also the done thing for the recipient to reciprocate before the visitor leaves the house.
As Chinese we should seek to understand, appreciate and maintain certain aspects of our culture and traditions. I am sure our Lord does not intend us to cease to be Chinese or Indian or any other race when we become Christians. Christianity is not a western religion, neither is it eastern. Christianity is our relationship with Christ who died for the whole world.
I swept and mopped the floor. something superstitious people don't do for fear of sweeping luck away. We have no 'luck' only blessings from God Almighty and His blessings fill the whole house and our being. They cannot be swept away by the broom.
Then visitors started coming to pay respects. We had about 40 visitors today. It was an endless stream of visitors. We were quite touched when the Youth of Central Corps (church) came as a group in three vehicles. Two of our grandchildren, David and Rachel were among the group. We thank God these two grandchildren are very active in the youth group, the band, worship team and other church activities.
This custom of visiting friends and relatives particularly our seniors is a lovely tradition which the majority of Chinese still keep. We are pleased our Indian, Malay and Caucasian friends join in the celebrations. Our Salvation Army reinforcement officers in the past used to go round visiting during Chinese New Year. Our Corps Officer (pastor) Major Pascoe still keeps the tradition. God bless her.
The giving of mandarin oranges during this time is basically a southern Chinese custom. The word 'kum' for mandarin oranges rhymes with the Chinese word for gold in Cantonese. So it is customary when we go visiting to bring along two or four mandarins as gifts. The Chinese believe that even numbers signify happiness and odd numbers are used only for unhappy occasions.
As a sign of respect these oranges are offered with both hands. It is also the done thing for the recipient to reciprocate before the visitor leaves the house.
As Chinese we should seek to understand, appreciate and maintain certain aspects of our culture and traditions. I am sure our Lord does not intend us to cease to be Chinese or Indian or any other race when we become Christians. Christianity is not a western religion, neither is it eastern. Christianity is our relationship with Christ who died for the whole world.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
First Day Chinese New Year
Visitors, visitors and more visitors! Pleased to have visitors. They came to pay their respects on the first day of Chinese New Year.
I remember as a child in the 1930’s celebrating Chinese New Year. We were not Christians then. The first day of New Year was the climax of a pre-New Year celebration programme which started with the ‘sending off the kitchen god’ on the night of the 23rd day of the twelfth moon. We believed the kitchen god would report on us to the God of Heaven. On that night, we prayed to this god with food offerings, pastries and of course the sweet ‘ti kway’ (sweet cake)
Then there would be the spring cleaning. We all had to do our share to make sure the house was absolutely clean using brooms, brushes, old rags, soap and detergents.
We children had to do our part in making cakes. I still remember the names – kueh lapis, kueh belanda (love letters), kueh bangkit and kueh bolu etc. We would give some to our neighbours and in turn received theirs. And we would share with our Malay and Indian neighbours and when it came to Hari Raya or Deepavali they would do the same to us. We had a lovely neighbourhood in Lorong Limau - all races lived in harmony.
On New Year’s Eve mother would light the kerosene lamp and it must not be extinguished for at least the first three days! The lamp must be kept burning throughout the New Year Period. We had no electricity then!
We made sure our round table in the sitting room would have a nice table cloth used only once a year. We decorated the house, had nice curtains on the windows.
On the first day of Chinese New Year, my two brothers and I put on ties the whole day! We all wore new clothes and new shoes.
What I like most were the ‘ang pows’ (red packets) We collected lots of red packets and when the visitors were gone we had to hand them to mother. For she had to give out red packets too! When the celebrations were over, she would then decide how much she would give each one of us.
We were not allowed to sweep the floor during the New Year period for fear of sweeping the good luck away. The broom was kept out of sight.
Thank God when we came to know the Lord, we received the light of Christ and did away with all the superstitions. We keep the traditions that do not conflict with Scripture. In some ways we are quite westernised, but deep down we are still very Chinese.
Today Sunday, we had only one meeting. All other activities were cancelled. And our Major kept the meeting short - one hour five minutes!
So we had a great day - time for worship and fellowship with God and our fellowmen. We prayed with every visitor who came to see us today.
I remember as a child in the 1930’s celebrating Chinese New Year. We were not Christians then. The first day of New Year was the climax of a pre-New Year celebration programme which started with the ‘sending off the kitchen god’ on the night of the 23rd day of the twelfth moon. We believed the kitchen god would report on us to the God of Heaven. On that night, we prayed to this god with food offerings, pastries and of course the sweet ‘ti kway’ (sweet cake)
Then there would be the spring cleaning. We all had to do our share to make sure the house was absolutely clean using brooms, brushes, old rags, soap and detergents.
We children had to do our part in making cakes. I still remember the names – kueh lapis, kueh belanda (love letters), kueh bangkit and kueh bolu etc. We would give some to our neighbours and in turn received theirs. And we would share with our Malay and Indian neighbours and when it came to Hari Raya or Deepavali they would do the same to us. We had a lovely neighbourhood in Lorong Limau - all races lived in harmony.
On New Year’s Eve mother would light the kerosene lamp and it must not be extinguished for at least the first three days! The lamp must be kept burning throughout the New Year Period. We had no electricity then!
We made sure our round table in the sitting room would have a nice table cloth used only once a year. We decorated the house, had nice curtains on the windows.
On the first day of Chinese New Year, my two brothers and I put on ties the whole day! We all wore new clothes and new shoes.
What I like most were the ‘ang pows’ (red packets) We collected lots of red packets and when the visitors were gone we had to hand them to mother. For she had to give out red packets too! When the celebrations were over, she would then decide how much she would give each one of us.
We were not allowed to sweep the floor during the New Year period for fear of sweeping the good luck away. The broom was kept out of sight.
Thank God when we came to know the Lord, we received the light of Christ and did away with all the superstitions. We keep the traditions that do not conflict with Scripture. In some ways we are quite westernised, but deep down we are still very Chinese.
Today Sunday, we had only one meeting. All other activities were cancelled. And our Major kept the meeting short - one hour five minutes!
So we had a great day - time for worship and fellowship with God and our fellowmen. We prayed with every visitor who came to see us today.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Chinese New Year
Today is Chinese New Year's Eve and it is a time for family reunion. This evening my wife and I shall be joining our son and his family for the reunion dinner. For us it is more practical this way as they have a bigger house and maid to help. Age is catching up on us and we simply cannot manage to do all the cooking and the washing up afterwards.
The reunion dinner symbolises renewal and reaffirmation of family ties. Tradition demands that all members sit down together as a sign of lasting peace and harmony. The meal often takes hours if not days of preparation.
The reunion dinner menu comprises a host of special dishes believed to bring good fortune and health. Of course as Christians we do not believe in such things as luck or fortune. All we want is a time and fellowship and of course to enjoy a good meal together.
I recall my childhood days, my parents made sure we had duck braised in soya sauce, duck with salted vegetables cooked in soup, and roast chicken or chicken curry.
Family members try not to break anything from New Year’s Eve onwards for the New Year period. In ancient China this festival lasted fifteen days closing with the Lantern festival which originated during the Han dynasty. This 15th Day is also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. This year Valentine's day falls on the first day of the New Year. In olden times, this was the only day when young ladies could leave their homes accompanied by their mothers to the temples where they would take the opportunity to steal shy glances at young male worshippers!
In the evenings crowds gathered to watch colourful parades and such glances were exchanged more openly. The matchmakers would have a busy time looking for business. How blessed our young people are these days when they are permitted to choose their own partners and go dating any time with or without parental consent! Wise children bring their boy or girl friends home to meet their parents (and don’t forget grandparents are interested to meet them too!)
The first day of Chinese New Year is the time to visit our seniors. Older people stay home and younger ones go visiting to pay respects. It is common practice for younger ones to offer two or four Mandarin oranges in both hands when wishing their elders during the New Year. It is a sign of respect to one’s elders the oranges should be presented with both hands. It is also customary for the recipient to return two oranges before the visitor leaves.
It is traditional to give ‘ang pows’ (red packets with money inside). In Hong Kong this is called ‘lai se.’ Red is an important colour to the Chinese because it symbolises life, happiness and good luck or blessing.
In Singapore the first two days are gazetted as public holidays and the third day people are back at work. This year the first day of Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, so Monday and Tuesday are holidays.
The third day is believed to be ‘unlucky day’ as the visits might end in quarrels! I think the real reason is after days of preparation, dinners, partying and late nights, people are generally tired. When we are tired we tend to be more sensitve or touchy! We take offence more easily.
We maintain open house during the New Year period. However tomorrow, first day of New Year being on a Sunday we shall be worshipping at our church from 11.00 am to 12.30 p.m. Preachers please keep your sermons short to-morrow.
New Year is a time for thanksgiving and rejoicing. Let us make use of the festival to encourage and bless each other in the Lord.
Xin Nian Ping An to the readers of this blog.
The reunion dinner symbolises renewal and reaffirmation of family ties. Tradition demands that all members sit down together as a sign of lasting peace and harmony. The meal often takes hours if not days of preparation.
The reunion dinner menu comprises a host of special dishes believed to bring good fortune and health. Of course as Christians we do not believe in such things as luck or fortune. All we want is a time and fellowship and of course to enjoy a good meal together.
I recall my childhood days, my parents made sure we had duck braised in soya sauce, duck with salted vegetables cooked in soup, and roast chicken or chicken curry.
Family members try not to break anything from New Year’s Eve onwards for the New Year period. In ancient China this festival lasted fifteen days closing with the Lantern festival which originated during the Han dynasty. This 15th Day is also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. This year Valentine's day falls on the first day of the New Year. In olden times, this was the only day when young ladies could leave their homes accompanied by their mothers to the temples where they would take the opportunity to steal shy glances at young male worshippers!
In the evenings crowds gathered to watch colourful parades and such glances were exchanged more openly. The matchmakers would have a busy time looking for business. How blessed our young people are these days when they are permitted to choose their own partners and go dating any time with or without parental consent! Wise children bring their boy or girl friends home to meet their parents (and don’t forget grandparents are interested to meet them too!)
The first day of Chinese New Year is the time to visit our seniors. Older people stay home and younger ones go visiting to pay respects. It is common practice for younger ones to offer two or four Mandarin oranges in both hands when wishing their elders during the New Year. It is a sign of respect to one’s elders the oranges should be presented with both hands. It is also customary for the recipient to return two oranges before the visitor leaves.
It is traditional to give ‘ang pows’ (red packets with money inside). In Hong Kong this is called ‘lai se.’ Red is an important colour to the Chinese because it symbolises life, happiness and good luck or blessing.
In Singapore the first two days are gazetted as public holidays and the third day people are back at work. This year the first day of Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, so Monday and Tuesday are holidays.
The third day is believed to be ‘unlucky day’ as the visits might end in quarrels! I think the real reason is after days of preparation, dinners, partying and late nights, people are generally tired. When we are tired we tend to be more sensitve or touchy! We take offence more easily.
We maintain open house during the New Year period. However tomorrow, first day of New Year being on a Sunday we shall be worshipping at our church from 11.00 am to 12.30 p.m. Preachers please keep your sermons short to-morrow.
New Year is a time for thanksgiving and rejoicing. Let us make use of the festival to encourage and bless each other in the Lord.
Xin Nian Ping An to the readers of this blog.
Friday, February 12, 2010
God educates us
This morning we had our cell group and the discussion was about the presence of God. We pondered over the question "How do we tend to respond to God when we are truly seeking His presence, but He seems elusive?
Samuel Brengle in his book "Heart Talks on Holiness" has this to say.
"Today our pulse is full and we feel strong to chase a thousand; tomorrow we are feeble and broken and life is a burden. Today we pray and God hears us before we call and answers while we are yet speaking; tomorrow we plead and weep and moan and the heavens seem shut, and the mocking tempter whispers, "Where is thy God now?' What means all this uncertainty and mystery of pleasure and pain. of hope and despair. of favour and disfavour? It means that He sees there is something in us worth His while to educate, and He is educating us."
We have been privileged to host the cell group in our home. We've been truly blessed.
Samuel Brengle in his book "Heart Talks on Holiness" has this to say.
"Today our pulse is full and we feel strong to chase a thousand; tomorrow we are feeble and broken and life is a burden. Today we pray and God hears us before we call and answers while we are yet speaking; tomorrow we plead and weep and moan and the heavens seem shut, and the mocking tempter whispers, "Where is thy God now?' What means all this uncertainty and mystery of pleasure and pain. of hope and despair. of favour and disfavour? It means that He sees there is something in us worth His while to educate, and He is educating us."
We have been privileged to host the cell group in our home. We've been truly blessed.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
This is my story - 17
17 – Cupid used the Concertina
Time came for me to take my annual furlough and in those days all Lieutenants were entitled to two weeks in a year! I carefully worked out my Church programme and arranged for Rev. C Y Chang our very good Methodist friend to cover the two Sundays. Although a Methodist, I would say he was a Salvationist at heart. He spent his last days in England and attended The Salvation Army at Berkhamstead near where he lived with his married daughter and son-in-law. The last time I spoke with him was in England in 1997 prior to our return to Singapore for retirement. He was in his nineties and making plans to travel to China to share the gospel with his relatives!
In response to my furlough application, Lieut. Colonel Harvey changed my dates and offered me a new set of dates. He also requested that I should take my concertina with me as he would like to give me more lessons. I was very happy to accede to his suggestion. Then I found out the dates were the same as another Lieutenant - my session mate.
On my arrival in Singapore, I went to Headquarters to see him and Mrs. Harvey. To cut the long story short, after giving more tips on how to play the concertina, he made a request that I should teach Lieutenant Fong Pui Chan the instrument. There was no arm twisting or command from the Officer Commanding, but a gentle suggestion which I readily complied.
Lieutenant Fong had been given a concertina by the New Zealand Territory. In those days it was quite a norm to have pen friends. One of her pen friends was Dorothy Rusher the daughter of Brigadier Leslie Rusher, the Editor of the New Zealand War Cry. In their correspondences Pui Chan had mentioned her desire to play a concertina if given the opportunity. Well, Dorothy mentioned this to her father who quickly set the wheels in motion and an appeal was made in the Army paper – the War Cry. The Kiwis are generous people and not long after enough money was raised and the concertina arrived for her but there was no one to teach her.
So Lieut. Colonel Harvey arranged for us to have furlough together so that I could impart my newly acquired skill to my session mate. We had no place for our practice and the Colonel came with a suggestion “Use my office after 5.30 p.m. and when you finish just close the door and the caretaker will lock it afterwards” So we met at Headquarters in the office of the Officer Commanding and sometimes sat outside his office on the lawn.
She learned the scales then progressed to learning a couple of tunes in the keys of C and F. At the end of each session we would walk home together to her aunt’s place at Cairnhill Road. It was a wonderful two weeks - the most memorable furlough for me. It was a whole period of happiness and harmony. We had known each other for many years since we were teen agers. We belonged to different Corps, but met during Youth councils and other combined meetings. And of course we were session mates during training days.
Our friendship deepened and somehow I had the feeling that the Lord wanted us to be more than friends. This was confirmed during the short time spent together. Things moved very quickly. Although we had been corresponding regularly since we left Training College, we both sought permission to “officially correspond” (in Salvation Army terminology for dating) – that’s the first stage in courtship.
In 1956 after the Command anniversary meetings, Pui Chan came to Malacca for her furlough and billeted with Mr. and Mrs. Tan Khia Fatt, Salvationists who gave me their concertina. We spent more time together. It was then that we decided to take our relationship one step further. We sought permission from our leaders to be engaged. And each time the answers in the affirmative came very quickly!
Our leaders then decided we should be brought closer, so she farewelled from Kuching Corps and was appointed as assistant to Malacca Corps. I received farewell orders to move to Balestier Corps my home Corps. We were bought much closer – only 150 miles apart and permission was given for us to meet once in six weeks. In those days before there were expressways, the journey by bus took six hours – the bus had to cross two ferries, one at Batu Pahat and one at Muar.
Scripture is replete with assurances of divine guidance. “The Lord will guide you always.” Isaiah 58: 11. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3: 6. God has a perfect plan for our lives and all we need is to trust and obey Him each step of the way.
Time came for me to take my annual furlough and in those days all Lieutenants were entitled to two weeks in a year! I carefully worked out my Church programme and arranged for Rev. C Y Chang our very good Methodist friend to cover the two Sundays. Although a Methodist, I would say he was a Salvationist at heart. He spent his last days in England and attended The Salvation Army at Berkhamstead near where he lived with his married daughter and son-in-law. The last time I spoke with him was in England in 1997 prior to our return to Singapore for retirement. He was in his nineties and making plans to travel to China to share the gospel with his relatives!
In response to my furlough application, Lieut. Colonel Harvey changed my dates and offered me a new set of dates. He also requested that I should take my concertina with me as he would like to give me more lessons. I was very happy to accede to his suggestion. Then I found out the dates were the same as another Lieutenant - my session mate.
On my arrival in Singapore, I went to Headquarters to see him and Mrs. Harvey. To cut the long story short, after giving more tips on how to play the concertina, he made a request that I should teach Lieutenant Fong Pui Chan the instrument. There was no arm twisting or command from the Officer Commanding, but a gentle suggestion which I readily complied.
Lieutenant Fong had been given a concertina by the New Zealand Territory. In those days it was quite a norm to have pen friends. One of her pen friends was Dorothy Rusher the daughter of Brigadier Leslie Rusher, the Editor of the New Zealand War Cry. In their correspondences Pui Chan had mentioned her desire to play a concertina if given the opportunity. Well, Dorothy mentioned this to her father who quickly set the wheels in motion and an appeal was made in the Army paper – the War Cry. The Kiwis are generous people and not long after enough money was raised and the concertina arrived for her but there was no one to teach her.
So Lieut. Colonel Harvey arranged for us to have furlough together so that I could impart my newly acquired skill to my session mate. We had no place for our practice and the Colonel came with a suggestion “Use my office after 5.30 p.m. and when you finish just close the door and the caretaker will lock it afterwards” So we met at Headquarters in the office of the Officer Commanding and sometimes sat outside his office on the lawn.
She learned the scales then progressed to learning a couple of tunes in the keys of C and F. At the end of each session we would walk home together to her aunt’s place at Cairnhill Road. It was a wonderful two weeks - the most memorable furlough for me. It was a whole period of happiness and harmony. We had known each other for many years since we were teen agers. We belonged to different Corps, but met during Youth councils and other combined meetings. And of course we were session mates during training days.
Our friendship deepened and somehow I had the feeling that the Lord wanted us to be more than friends. This was confirmed during the short time spent together. Things moved very quickly. Although we had been corresponding regularly since we left Training College, we both sought permission to “officially correspond” (in Salvation Army terminology for dating) – that’s the first stage in courtship.
In 1956 after the Command anniversary meetings, Pui Chan came to Malacca for her furlough and billeted with Mr. and Mrs. Tan Khia Fatt, Salvationists who gave me their concertina. We spent more time together. It was then that we decided to take our relationship one step further. We sought permission from our leaders to be engaged. And each time the answers in the affirmative came very quickly!
Our leaders then decided we should be brought closer, so she farewelled from Kuching Corps and was appointed as assistant to Malacca Corps. I received farewell orders to move to Balestier Corps my home Corps. We were bought much closer – only 150 miles apart and permission was given for us to meet once in six weeks. In those days before there were expressways, the journey by bus took six hours – the bus had to cross two ferries, one at Batu Pahat and one at Muar.
Scripture is replete with assurances of divine guidance. “The Lord will guide you always.” Isaiah 58: 11. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3: 6. God has a perfect plan for our lives and all we need is to trust and obey Him each step of the way.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Chinese New Year greetings
Yesterday we conducted chapel services at Peacehaven Nursing Home. Seeing Chinese New Year will be here soon, we wished them God's blessings for the New Year. We used the greeting normally spoken by Christians. One elderly lady shouted out "Kong Hee Fatt Choy." She remonstrated with us for not using the traditionally "Kong Hee Fatt Choy." "How can you be happy if you don't have plenty of money?" she yelled out! She insisted on saying, "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" the Cantonese greeting meaning, "Wishing you a prosperous New Year."
The most common greeting to day is "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" in Cantonese - "Wishing you a prosperous New Year." Business people love that greeting. The Mandarin version is "Gong Xi Fa Cai."
There are many people, particularly Christians who prefer "Sin Ni Kuai Lok" in Hokkien and Teochew meaning "Wishing you a joyful New Year." The Mandarin version renders this "Xin Nian Kuai Le"
Popular among Christians is the greeting, "Sin Ni Peng An" in Hokkien and Teochew;
"Sun Neen Peng On" in Cantonese and "Xin Nian Ping An" in Mandarin. It is equivalent to "Shalom" - New Year Peace." It is a greeting I use for I like the idea of wishing each other God's gift of peace - Peace with God and peace with our families and fellowmen.
Among Christians there is another greeting "Sin Ni Bong Un" in Hokkien and Teochew, or "Sun Neen Mong Yan" in Cantonese or ""Xin Nian Meng En" in Mandarin. It is the expression meaning "May you be highly favoured with God's blessings."
Well take your pick. Personally I refrain from using "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" or "Keong Hi Huat Chai" in Hokkien and Teochew or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" in Mandarin. I don't wish anyone material prosperity. But I wish you God's richest blessings of Joy and Peace. If God prospers us materially, let us thank Him, pay our tithe and share our material blessings with others.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in life is to think that more is better and that money and the things it can buy happiness.The desire for more is such a dangerous and destructive trap. When getting more money and things becomes our chief aim in life, then we are heading for trouble.
That kind of mindset will stop at nothing to get as much of it as we can. We then compromise our beliefs, and stop serving the Lord. There is danger and destruction in covetousness and greed.
Paul advises us to seek godliness and contentment.That means we must focus on the spiritual, and learn to be content with the material.“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (I Tim. 6:7-8)
May God grant you Joy and Peace for the New Year.
The most common greeting to day is "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" in Cantonese - "Wishing you a prosperous New Year." Business people love that greeting. The Mandarin version is "Gong Xi Fa Cai."
There are many people, particularly Christians who prefer "Sin Ni Kuai Lok" in Hokkien and Teochew meaning "Wishing you a joyful New Year." The Mandarin version renders this "Xin Nian Kuai Le"
Popular among Christians is the greeting, "Sin Ni Peng An" in Hokkien and Teochew;
"Sun Neen Peng On" in Cantonese and "Xin Nian Ping An" in Mandarin. It is equivalent to "Shalom" - New Year Peace." It is a greeting I use for I like the idea of wishing each other God's gift of peace - Peace with God and peace with our families and fellowmen.
Among Christians there is another greeting "Sin Ni Bong Un" in Hokkien and Teochew, or "Sun Neen Mong Yan" in Cantonese or ""Xin Nian Meng En" in Mandarin. It is the expression meaning "May you be highly favoured with God's blessings."
Well take your pick. Personally I refrain from using "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" or "Keong Hi Huat Chai" in Hokkien and Teochew or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" in Mandarin. I don't wish anyone material prosperity. But I wish you God's richest blessings of Joy and Peace. If God prospers us materially, let us thank Him, pay our tithe and share our material blessings with others.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in life is to think that more is better and that money and the things it can buy happiness.The desire for more is such a dangerous and destructive trap. When getting more money and things becomes our chief aim in life, then we are heading for trouble.
That kind of mindset will stop at nothing to get as much of it as we can. We then compromise our beliefs, and stop serving the Lord. There is danger and destruction in covetousness and greed.
Paul advises us to seek godliness and contentment.That means we must focus on the spiritual, and learn to be content with the material.“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (I Tim. 6:7-8)
May God grant you Joy and Peace for the New Year.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Chinese Zodiac
Culture, superstition and religious background are easily intertwined. Culture has to do with beliefs and behaviour patterns passed down from generation to generation. It is our way of life and we cannot separate it from religion. The Africans dance up the aisle to the altar with their offering. This is their culture, perfectly all right for them. To do that here would not be acceptable and perhaps even frowned upon by our society. It is not our culture. Conversion to Christianity does not mean we should abandon our own culture and embrace another culture.
We live in a fallen world, tainted with sin so cultures can be good or bad. Each culture must be measured by the tenets of the Word of God. The Lausanne Covenant states “Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture.” Some cultures are rich in beauty and goodness, others not quite. We need to seek God’s wisdom to know the difference.
Let’s take for example the belief in the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. We may or may not share the beliefs of our friends and neighbours. As Christians we should see it as a simple way to determine one’s age and not go beyond that. If someone tells you he was born in the year of a certain animal then we can guess that person's age.
There are those who believe that one’s character and disposition are determined by the natal animal. A person inherits certain traits of that particular animal. If this were true then all those born in the year of that particular animal would behave like that creature. I would be a mischievous monkey! This belief tend to make one resign to the weaknesses in one’s character or take pride in one’s strength because one was born in the year of a certain animal. The result is people become fatalistic in their outlook. Superstition can place a stranglehold on our lives. Belief in the Zodiac or astrology conflicts with our belief in the Scriptures.
When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Saviour, we receive new life in Him. When we are truly committed to Him, He determines our future and His Spirit guides us in life’s journey till we reach our eternal Home.
Let us ‘guo nien’ (cross over to the New Year) with the determination that we will always trust in the Lord and seek His wisdom everyday of our lives.
We live in a fallen world, tainted with sin so cultures can be good or bad. Each culture must be measured by the tenets of the Word of God. The Lausanne Covenant states “Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture.” Some cultures are rich in beauty and goodness, others not quite. We need to seek God’s wisdom to know the difference.
Let’s take for example the belief in the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. We may or may not share the beliefs of our friends and neighbours. As Christians we should see it as a simple way to determine one’s age and not go beyond that. If someone tells you he was born in the year of a certain animal then we can guess that person's age.
There are those who believe that one’s character and disposition are determined by the natal animal. A person inherits certain traits of that particular animal. If this were true then all those born in the year of that particular animal would behave like that creature. I would be a mischievous monkey! This belief tend to make one resign to the weaknesses in one’s character or take pride in one’s strength because one was born in the year of a certain animal. The result is people become fatalistic in their outlook. Superstition can place a stranglehold on our lives. Belief in the Zodiac or astrology conflicts with our belief in the Scriptures.
When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Saviour, we receive new life in Him. When we are truly committed to Him, He determines our future and His Spirit guides us in life’s journey till we reach our eternal Home.
Let us ‘guo nien’ (cross over to the New Year) with the determination that we will always trust in the Lord and seek His wisdom everyday of our lives.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
This is my story - 16
16 – My constant companion – the concertina
Lieut. Colonel Harvey was a wizard on the concertina and when he and Mrs. Harvey visited us our open air meeting drew big crowds to listen to the message. Major Stanley Gordon the Public Relations Secretary was a regular visitor for he had to go from town to town all over Peninsular Malaya collecting donations. In those days, these officers really had to work extremely hard to raise money. In his tours he always included a weekend at our corps to conduct meetings. And without fail, he would have his concertina with him to provide music for the meetings. Major and Mrs. Hall were also concertina players and what a delight to have these officers visit the corps.
My predecessor, Lieutenant Douglas Kiff was an efficient musician. In my opinion he was the most proficient musician who ever served in the Command. He used his piano accordion to accompany the singing.
O how I longed to be able to play a concertina. But it seemed only a dream. I could not afford to buy one. Up to that time I could only play two instruments – the mouth organ and the cornet. I didn’t own a cornet. It would be difficult leading a meeting using a mouth organ!
Before I became an officer I had an accordion (not piano accordion) which I had learned to play, but sold it as I needed the money to enter Training College. I prayed hard for the Lord to open the way to have music at the Corps, especially for the open air meeting. Quite often I would have three or four people supporting me – Mrs. Ng, her son Kim Loh, Joy Goh and her cousin Edward Yeo. It was hard work conducting an open air meeting at the park in Malacca. We were not allowed to cancel meetings without the approval of the Officer Commanding.
Among the Salvationists of the Malacca Corps were Mr. and Mrs. Tan Khia Fatt. He was the Branch manager of American International Assurance Company in Malacca. They were originally from Singapore Central Corps; in fact both of them were among the team of delegates to the International Youth Congress held in London in 1950.
Khia Fatt and Soo Lan were good supporters of Malacca Corps. They also took a great interest in me, their pastor a young bachelor in the early twenties. Once a week, I would go to their home for dinner and if they had to go out in the evening, they would put a pile of records for me to listen. It was there that I really learned to appreciate classical music. Soo Lan was really like a big sister to me.
One evening after dinner, we sat in the lounge when their children – Harold and Carol were playing with an old concertina. Khia Fatt turned to me and asked, “Would you like to have this concertina? We were given this instrument when we were at the International Youth Congress, but we have not learned to play. Actually it was meant for the work of The Salvation Army, but our children treat it as a toy. We’d rather you have it.” I was delighted; it was an answer to prayer. But I wondered how I could learn to play a concertina with no one around to teach me.
Anyway I took it home that evening then wrote to the Officer Commanding Lieut. Colonel Fred Harvey, one of God’s great saints who really cared for his people. Knowing the rule that officers were not allowed to receive gifts of any kind, I sought his permission to accept this concertina. He responded giving his permission and told me he would be coming to visit me in the following week end to conduct Corps meetings.
Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. Harvey came and he took a good look at the concertina then taught me to play the C scale. It was out of tune and he suggested that the reeds be changed. He wrote to England, got a new set of reeds and fixed up the concertina. He also bought me a tutorial book –“How to play the concertina.” That was his gift to me. I insisted that I would pay for the reeds and the postage. He graciously accepted my offer then gave me a lesson on how to play the instrument. He wrote me the chords for C and F. When they left, I spent my every available minute learning to play the concertina and by the end of the week, I had mastered one tune, “What can wash away my sin?” in the key of F major! I took it to the open meeting and we started with “What can wash away my sin? The second song was the same, so was the closing song.
For the Sunday night salvation meeting, we sang my favourite song, “What can wash away my sin?” I closed the meeting with the same song! The simple folk didn’t mind and no one complained! By the following Sunday, I could play two songs, the second was “Only trust Him.” Each week I added more to my repertoire.
This concertina was my constant companion until it got quite worn out. One day Lieutenant Irene Holden, nurse in Batang Melaka who had a concertina given her before she left U.K. offered her concertina to me in exchange for a medical book that she needed. She accepted $30.00 from me the price of the book! She had tried very hard to learn to play, but just could not master the concertina. I sold my old worn out concertina for a token sum to a girl called Betsy at Balestier Corps. Betsy later emigrated to Australia and we have lost contact with her
The Lord has been wonderful in providing for my needs. Each time I needed a new concertina, someone would come with one to replace it. If we do God’s will, we will never to in need of supplies.
Jeremiah 33: 3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Lieut. Colonel Harvey was a wizard on the concertina and when he and Mrs. Harvey visited us our open air meeting drew big crowds to listen to the message. Major Stanley Gordon the Public Relations Secretary was a regular visitor for he had to go from town to town all over Peninsular Malaya collecting donations. In those days, these officers really had to work extremely hard to raise money. In his tours he always included a weekend at our corps to conduct meetings. And without fail, he would have his concertina with him to provide music for the meetings. Major and Mrs. Hall were also concertina players and what a delight to have these officers visit the corps.
My predecessor, Lieutenant Douglas Kiff was an efficient musician. In my opinion he was the most proficient musician who ever served in the Command. He used his piano accordion to accompany the singing.
O how I longed to be able to play a concertina. But it seemed only a dream. I could not afford to buy one. Up to that time I could only play two instruments – the mouth organ and the cornet. I didn’t own a cornet. It would be difficult leading a meeting using a mouth organ!
Before I became an officer I had an accordion (not piano accordion) which I had learned to play, but sold it as I needed the money to enter Training College. I prayed hard for the Lord to open the way to have music at the Corps, especially for the open air meeting. Quite often I would have three or four people supporting me – Mrs. Ng, her son Kim Loh, Joy Goh and her cousin Edward Yeo. It was hard work conducting an open air meeting at the park in Malacca. We were not allowed to cancel meetings without the approval of the Officer Commanding.
Among the Salvationists of the Malacca Corps were Mr. and Mrs. Tan Khia Fatt. He was the Branch manager of American International Assurance Company in Malacca. They were originally from Singapore Central Corps; in fact both of them were among the team of delegates to the International Youth Congress held in London in 1950.
Khia Fatt and Soo Lan were good supporters of Malacca Corps. They also took a great interest in me, their pastor a young bachelor in the early twenties. Once a week, I would go to their home for dinner and if they had to go out in the evening, they would put a pile of records for me to listen. It was there that I really learned to appreciate classical music. Soo Lan was really like a big sister to me.
One evening after dinner, we sat in the lounge when their children – Harold and Carol were playing with an old concertina. Khia Fatt turned to me and asked, “Would you like to have this concertina? We were given this instrument when we were at the International Youth Congress, but we have not learned to play. Actually it was meant for the work of The Salvation Army, but our children treat it as a toy. We’d rather you have it.” I was delighted; it was an answer to prayer. But I wondered how I could learn to play a concertina with no one around to teach me.
Anyway I took it home that evening then wrote to the Officer Commanding Lieut. Colonel Fred Harvey, one of God’s great saints who really cared for his people. Knowing the rule that officers were not allowed to receive gifts of any kind, I sought his permission to accept this concertina. He responded giving his permission and told me he would be coming to visit me in the following week end to conduct Corps meetings.
Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. Harvey came and he took a good look at the concertina then taught me to play the C scale. It was out of tune and he suggested that the reeds be changed. He wrote to England, got a new set of reeds and fixed up the concertina. He also bought me a tutorial book –“How to play the concertina.” That was his gift to me. I insisted that I would pay for the reeds and the postage. He graciously accepted my offer then gave me a lesson on how to play the instrument. He wrote me the chords for C and F. When they left, I spent my every available minute learning to play the concertina and by the end of the week, I had mastered one tune, “What can wash away my sin?” in the key of F major! I took it to the open meeting and we started with “What can wash away my sin? The second song was the same, so was the closing song.
For the Sunday night salvation meeting, we sang my favourite song, “What can wash away my sin?” I closed the meeting with the same song! The simple folk didn’t mind and no one complained! By the following Sunday, I could play two songs, the second was “Only trust Him.” Each week I added more to my repertoire.
This concertina was my constant companion until it got quite worn out. One day Lieutenant Irene Holden, nurse in Batang Melaka who had a concertina given her before she left U.K. offered her concertina to me in exchange for a medical book that she needed. She accepted $30.00 from me the price of the book! She had tried very hard to learn to play, but just could not master the concertina. I sold my old worn out concertina for a token sum to a girl called Betsy at Balestier Corps. Betsy later emigrated to Australia and we have lost contact with her
The Lord has been wonderful in providing for my needs. Each time I needed a new concertina, someone would come with one to replace it. If we do God’s will, we will never to in need of supplies.
Jeremiah 33: 3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Being Blessed -what does it mean?
This article appears in February's War Cry - Singapore. I put this in for those who do not get our War Cry.
Being blessed – what does it mean?
It’s always a joy to hear someone testify, “I’ve been blessed.” What does the word “blessed” mean? It is common usage in all places of worship. It is used in everyday conversation quite often spoken without much thought.
Paul, writing to the Ephesians exclaims “How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is.” Ephesians 1: 3. Blessing flows from the Almighty God to all mankind. He is the source, we are the recipients.
Many people tend to equate blessing with material prosperity. It is true to an extent, for God does bless his servants with material blessings. During Lunar New Year, the most common form of greeting is Gong Xi Fa Cai - wishing someone a prosperous New Year. It is evidence of the materialistic thinking of many in our society. But material prosperity itself is not necessarily the sign of divine blessing. Some of God’s greatest blessings come out of pain, suffering and poverty as the lives of many saints testify.
Christians wish one another – New Year Peace – Xin Nian Ping An. Being spiritually blessed is having our relationship with God put right. It is peace with God resulting in peace with each other. And this is the peace the world needs.
Chinese families place much emphasis on the traditional reunion dinner normally held on New Year Eve. In our modern society the day for the banquet has become more flexible as long as this is held within the New Year period. It has to fit in with the schedule of the participants and the availability of bookings at restaurants. The timing is not as important as the spirit for the observation – the reaffirmation of family and kinship ties.
The reunion dinner brings the family members together for a meal and fellowship. During the year there might have been misunderstandings or quarrels and this is the opportunity for family members to meet for reconciliation, restoration and enhancement of relationship. Peace is something that should be ongoing and progressively maintained in our daily living.
“Anyone who claims to be in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him 1 John 2:9-11 (NIV)
So let us all gou nien (cross over to the New Year) with a new attitude of loving one other. It is our Christian duty to set aside resentment or bitterness that mars our relationship with God, our families and our fellowmen. Make the New Year a time of reconciliation and renewal of relationships with God and others. When that happens we are truly blessed.
Being blessed – what does it mean?
It’s always a joy to hear someone testify, “I’ve been blessed.” What does the word “blessed” mean? It is common usage in all places of worship. It is used in everyday conversation quite often spoken without much thought.
Paul, writing to the Ephesians exclaims “How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is.” Ephesians 1: 3. Blessing flows from the Almighty God to all mankind. He is the source, we are the recipients.
Many people tend to equate blessing with material prosperity. It is true to an extent, for God does bless his servants with material blessings. During Lunar New Year, the most common form of greeting is Gong Xi Fa Cai - wishing someone a prosperous New Year. It is evidence of the materialistic thinking of many in our society. But material prosperity itself is not necessarily the sign of divine blessing. Some of God’s greatest blessings come out of pain, suffering and poverty as the lives of many saints testify.
Christians wish one another – New Year Peace – Xin Nian Ping An. Being spiritually blessed is having our relationship with God put right. It is peace with God resulting in peace with each other. And this is the peace the world needs.
Chinese families place much emphasis on the traditional reunion dinner normally held on New Year Eve. In our modern society the day for the banquet has become more flexible as long as this is held within the New Year period. It has to fit in with the schedule of the participants and the availability of bookings at restaurants. The timing is not as important as the spirit for the observation – the reaffirmation of family and kinship ties.
The reunion dinner brings the family members together for a meal and fellowship. During the year there might have been misunderstandings or quarrels and this is the opportunity for family members to meet for reconciliation, restoration and enhancement of relationship. Peace is something that should be ongoing and progressively maintained in our daily living.
“Anyone who claims to be in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him 1 John 2:9-11 (NIV)
So let us all gou nien (cross over to the New Year) with a new attitude of loving one other. It is our Christian duty to set aside resentment or bitterness that mars our relationship with God, our families and our fellowmen. Make the New Year a time of reconciliation and renewal of relationships with God and others. When that happens we are truly blessed.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Facebook and blogging
Many times friends have tried to get me to join Facebook, but I always declined. Last Thursday evening I attended the Men's Fellowship and someone twisted my arm into joining Facebook and I yielded. Well I had my first lesson last Sunday from Vincent Wong.
Today our Yurong and our grandson David came as usual on a Tuesday to take us shopping. Then they helped to bring the groceries home. They stayed on and gave me a second lesson on Facebook and even put in a picture in for me!
Some time back they, Yurong and David were the ones who persuaded me to set up a blog. I declined at first, but agreed in the end and I must confess, I do enjoy blogging.
We never stop learning do we? When my wife and I retired in 1997,yes, 13 years ago, we thought we would bid good bye to computers, e-mail etc. and enjoy a quiet peaceful life. Well things have not worked out that way. We are as busy as ever, the only difference we can choose to do the things we like doing.
Getting older each day, but still learning.
"It is not how old are you, but how you are old."
"The old believe everything, the middle age suspect everything, the young know everything" Oscar Wilde
Today our Yurong and our grandson David came as usual on a Tuesday to take us shopping. Then they helped to bring the groceries home. They stayed on and gave me a second lesson on Facebook and even put in a picture in for me!
Some time back they, Yurong and David were the ones who persuaded me to set up a blog. I declined at first, but agreed in the end and I must confess, I do enjoy blogging.
We never stop learning do we? When my wife and I retired in 1997,yes, 13 years ago, we thought we would bid good bye to computers, e-mail etc. and enjoy a quiet peaceful life. Well things have not worked out that way. We are as busy as ever, the only difference we can choose to do the things we like doing.
Getting older each day, but still learning.
"It is not how old are you, but how you are old."
"The old believe everything, the middle age suspect everything, the young know everything" Oscar Wilde
Monday, February 1, 2010
Balestier Corps (church)
We began the day by attending the Adult Bible class at William Booth Corps (church). Mrs. Lim Li-Ching led the Bible studies. She used the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac found in Genesis 22 and Hebrews 11: 17-19. She started the lesson by stating the text in Hebrews "He received him in a figure" pointing out that the word 'figure' is the same word used of parables in the gospels. Thus she classified this incident as one of the Old Testament parables. She has been doing a series on parables, first of the New Testament and now the Old Testament. Whenever we are away conducting meetings elsewhere or when I am busy she takes over the class for me. As we had time in the morning, we decided to join them.
We had a quick lunch then then made our way to Bishan by bus.It was good to be able to visit my home Corps (church) once again and to minister to the folk there. The pastors were on leave in Cambodia and so we did the meeting in their absence. Balestier is still using the THQ chapel as their temporary home. The Salvation Army has already purchased the former Eye Hospital at Balestier Road, but they still have to wait for approval for the renovations. I understand it may take another 18 months.
There were about close 35 people present and we had a good time together. After the meeting we adjourned to the multipurpose hall for fellowship and food together. We are glad of the opportunity to go round to encourage, inspire and challenge our people.
I've been with The Salvation Army for 72 years and one of the saddest moments of my life was to learn that the Army had sold the hall at Martaban Road. To me it was a foolish decision made by the previous Territorial Commander. However, the Lord allowed it, so there must be a purpose in it. I believe in all things "God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose" Romans 8: 28.
We thank God for the salvationists and adherents of Balestier Corps who still remain faithful despite the trauma they went through. God bless the Balestier folk.
We had a quick lunch then then made our way to Bishan by bus.It was good to be able to visit my home Corps (church) once again and to minister to the folk there. The pastors were on leave in Cambodia and so we did the meeting in their absence. Balestier is still using the THQ chapel as their temporary home. The Salvation Army has already purchased the former Eye Hospital at Balestier Road, but they still have to wait for approval for the renovations. I understand it may take another 18 months.
There were about close 35 people present and we had a good time together. After the meeting we adjourned to the multipurpose hall for fellowship and food together. We are glad of the opportunity to go round to encourage, inspire and challenge our people.
I've been with The Salvation Army for 72 years and one of the saddest moments of my life was to learn that the Army had sold the hall at Martaban Road. To me it was a foolish decision made by the previous Territorial Commander. However, the Lord allowed it, so there must be a purpose in it. I believe in all things "God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose" Romans 8: 28.
We thank God for the salvationists and adherents of Balestier Corps who still remain faithful despite the trauma they went through. God bless the Balestier folk.
Wedding at a hotel
On Saturday, my wife and I attended our niece's wedding held at Carlton Hotel. We were caught in the massive traffic jam because it was Thaipusam. Anyway we got there just in time to witness the exchange of vows and signing of the register conducted by a JP.
Later in the evening we had the dinner. We sat next a an uncle of the groom who was asked to say grace. He took his stand to declare he was a Christian and asked God's blessing on the people and the food. He and his wife belong to the Assemblies of God.
We continue to pray for the bride and groom as they start their new life together.
Later in the evening we had the dinner. We sat next a an uncle of the groom who was asked to say grace. He took his stand to declare he was a Christian and asked God's blessing on the people and the food. He and his wife belong to the Assemblies of God.
We continue to pray for the bride and groom as they start their new life together.
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