A most memorable week

It was a great week for both of us - a trip down memory lane! We left Singapore by Air Asia on 13th July and spent the first few days in Penang.

On Saturday evening, about 70 people turned up to welcome us - former Home children now parents and grandparents bringing their families to introduce to us. Some of the Youth we knew in the 1950's and 1960's are grandparents! Two of the former Home Leaguers now in their eighties who normally do not go out in the evenings, made the long journey to meet us.

They brought special Penang food to share with the others. One of our former boys, now a bank manager gave a talk on "managing your assets." He was one of the small boys when we were in charge of the Home. Another brother an IT specialist spoke on the Internet. I gave a short devotional to close the meeting.

Sunday morning began with Prayer meeting, then Public worship. The hall was quite full and we had a glorious time singing praises to God and meditating on His word.

Our final meal was provided by Brother Neoh Ah How whom my wife first met when she went to Penang as a cadet to do her field training in 1954. He is now in an Old peoples' Home. When we were appointed as Corps Officers in 1959, he was one of those who welcomed us. He was a bandsmen, songster organist and Corps pianist. Lim Kim Ann and Jasinta who provided transport were with us to share this fellowship meal in a Restaurant. It was quite an emotional parting that day.

Jasinta's parents - Mr.& Mrs. Michael (already gone to Glory) opened their home at Bayan Lepas for me to conduct meetings for children every Saturday. This lovely couple opened with hearts and home to us and we spent many hours of fellowship with them during the period 1959-62. I used to cycle from Perak Road to Bayan Lepas every Saturday to conduct meetings.

In the afternoon, Mr and Mrs. Eddy Choong (Tong Yat Lan) took us to Ipoh where we visited the various centres. Lovely to see the Boys' Home where we were stationed in 1969 during the time of racial crisis in Malaysia. We recalled having to remain indoors because of the curfew.

We went to the village in Tambum and visited the RSI store. That quiet village is now a bustling town! Amazing changes.

We visited the Corps a beautiful building quite a contrast with the atap and wooden hut where we used to worship on Sundays at Kampong Simee.

Things have changed. We have better facilities, modern buildings and excellent equipment. Thank God for material blessings. The message we proclaim remains the same - the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

A real bonus, Tong Yat Lan and Eddy took us to visit Cameron Highlands. I wasn't too keen when I thought of winding road from Tapah Station. That's what we did in 1958 when we went there for our honeymoon. This time, Yat Lan drove along the new highway up the hill. What a contrast! But Cameron is not as cold as it used to be - climate change and more buildings!

Lieut. Andrew Loh drove us back to Penang where we boarded Air Asia again bound for Singapore. Glad to be away, glad to be home. The best part of the roaming is the homing!