What a joy it was to share in the 10th Anniversary celebrations of Peacehaven Nursing Home. The well attended fund raising dinner was held at the Keppel Club at Bukit Chermin.
The guest of honour was Mr. Matthias Yau, Deputy Speaker and Mayor of South East District of CDC and Member of Parliament. He gave an excellent speech giving high marks to The Salvation Army. I hope and pray that we in the Army live up to the high expectations of the public.
We have been involved in Peacehaven activities since our return to Singapore to retire thirteen years ago. My wife and I conduct chapel services every Tuesday. We go round to speak and sometimes pray with the residents and staff. We thank God for the privilege of this ministry.
Madam Low Mui Lan and her staff are doing an excellent job ministering to the residents. She is also the Corps Sergeant Major of Changi Corps. I do not think there is any other employee or even officer who works harder than this wonderful lady. I believe God has brought her to the Army for such a time as this. My wife and I pray for her and her staff everyday without fail.
We were pleased to see former Executive Directors of Peacehaven who came at their own expense to join in the celebrations. God bless them. Majors Grant and Lorainne Effer, the first officers appointed to Peacehaven worked hard to get the Home started. That was no easy task moving the Home for the Aged from Pasir Panjang to Changi and turned it into a Nursing Home. They were people for the hour!
We had Lieut. Colonels Ian and Mary Begley, retired officers from Australia. They came at the right time when Singapore was hit my the SARS epidemic in 2003 They were the God's people to be there at that particular time. They were people of great experience having worked in different appointments in The Salvation Army, including running Salvation Army hospitals and Homes for the elderly. The Colonel was born in India, grew up in China, served in South America and Australia and in retirement served in Hong Kong as the Financial Secretary.
Last night present at the celebrations were Ian and Isobel Robinson, American officers who contributed much to the running of Peacehaven during their time here. Due to the shortage of officers they had to wear several hats - responsible for Peacehaven, Changi Corps (church) and Programme Secretary for the territory. Now they are Corps officers of Sheringam Corps in England.
God has his man or woman for the hour. The words of Esther came to my mind as I type this message. You and I are called to serve Him for 'such a time as this.' Let us not fail in our duty to God and man.
I used to drive my grandchildren, but now it is the reverse. Last night David and Rachel, two of our grandchildren came for us and fetched us to the dinner and brought us home. We were pleased Yurong was able to join us for the occasion.
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