Lunch with an old friend.

Yesterday, we were invited out by an old friend from Hong Kong the Rev. Stephen Ng for lunch at the Marriot Hotel. He is a retired minister of the gospel, now in his eighties, but still physically and mentally fit. He is here on holiday to visit his son who is married to a Singaporean. Unfortunately his wife was not able to come with him due to health reasons.

He was at one time the General Secretary of The Salvation Army in Hong Kong, appointed about the same time as I got my appointment in the same capacity in Singapore 1973. For some reason, he left The Army, joined the Rhenish Church and went to England to pastor a church there. To me former salvationists are still brothers and sisters in Christ.

When we were appointed to Hong Kong in January 1983, he had already returned to the colony and was chaplain of Chung Chi College at College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Hong Kong. He invited me to speak at his chapel services from time to time. He supported The Salvation Army in whatever way he could, preached at some of our Salvation Army Corps (churches) when invited by the officers.

Later he joined the Church of Christ in China and was their General Secretary till he retired. He and his wife Esther gave us a farewell dinner before we left for the Philippines in 1990.

We have kept in contact all through the years and every time he comes to Singapore he invites us for a meal with him. Although we belong to different denominations, we love and serve the same God and engage in the same mission of saving souls, growing saints and caring for suffering humanity.

We thank God for friends both local and overseas. Now with the internet it is easy to keep in touch. Let us value our friends. Solomon wisely penned these words, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

I came across this thought recently - a 2.00 a.m. friend! A friend is the kind of person if you call him at 2:00 in the morning and tell him you need him he does not ask, “So what’s the problem” and then decide whether or not to come. He simply asks, “Where are you?” as he is getting dressed! Yes, we have a number of 2a.m. friends, but I won't mention their names in this blog. I know whom to call at 2.00 a.m. “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17: 17 (I use the pronoun his/him, but you know it includes she/her as well. The masculine embraces the feminine)

Another thought came to my mind, A real friend never stabs you in the back, he guards your back! He stands by you and gives you all the support you need, physical, emotional and spiritual.

The best friend I have - Jesus. What a friend we have in Jesus! He is there for me, any time - be it day or night. And for you too if you accept His love and friendship.