65 – Weddings of our children in Singapore
In Singapore our two older children, Gladys and Stephen were very much involved in Salvation Army activities particularly in the musical sections. Stephen had transferred to the Pasir Panjang Corps (church) as it was nearer home and his camp where he was posted. He was doing his national service. He fulfilled the role of Corps pianist at this new Corps and played in the newly formed band.
Gladys continued worshipping in Central Corps. She was the Corps pianist and Songster organist and also took part in other sections as well. She had also joined the Continental Singers, a non-profit interdenominational ministry seeking to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of young Christians and develop the missionary spirit. They train the youth in music, in Christian witnessing and sharing the gospel through musical programmes. Gladys had gone for audition and was selected as the pianist.
It was here that she met Aw Kum Pui a young man from the Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. They decided to get married and the date was fixed to coincide with our return trip from Europe after the International Leaders’ Conference.
We arrived in Singapore a couple of days before the wedding on 19th May 1984. The marriage ceremony was held at the Presbyterian Church and the ceremony was conducted by Captain Roy Bungay, the Corps Officer (pastor) of Central Corps. Captain Bungay a Canadian was at one time the Youth Secretary and had great influence on the youth of the Command. He was one of the most enthusiastic and hard working Youth Secretaries I’ve ever met. The Central Corps Songsters, Presbyterian Choir and Continental Singers provided items for the wedding. It was the first time we had witnessed a wedding where the bridal couple sang a duet!
We stayed for the Sunday to conduct the meeting at Central Corps and left early Monday morning for Hong Kong. The next day, Gladys and Kum Pui came to Hong Kong to spend their honeymoon.
Soon they moved into their own Housing Board flat at Jurong East where they still are today.
This meant Stephen was left alone in our Clementi Housing Board flat with three bedrooms. He was already dating Dolly Quah who was renting a unit elsewhere. So they made the decision to get married on 25th May 1985. In this way Stephen could then take over from Gladys the servicing of the loan till its completion. So financially everything worked out well for the family. When we do God’s will, we need not worry about our own needs. He arranges everything for us and His timing is always perfect. This we have found to be true in every stage of our journey of life.
It so happened we received word from International Headquarters that a new ruling had just been implemented. Officers working overseas were allowed to take a mid-term furlough in the four year term. The rule was changed again later to a term of three years. So the timing was just right for us to take our mid-term furlough to attend our son’s wedding! Captain Ruth Pascoe conducted the ceremony at the Pasir Panjang Corps.
Stephen was working with Singapore Computer Systems. The company could not release him for vacation, so he and Dolly had to postpone their honeymoon till 1986. They arrived on 1st February and spent their honeymoon as well as Chinese New Year with us. Great to have them for the New Eve reunion dinner with us and Major Moira Wright the General Secretary who had been a tremendous support to us.
The time they spent in Hong Kong suited us better as in 1985, SPEACO (South Pacific and East Asia College for Officers) was held in Hong Kong and I was appointed Principal. This involved a lot of preparation and work. Good thing, I was involved in the first SPEACO held in Singapore in 1980 so had some experience working with Major Peter Chang of IHQ and Captain Lance Rive of New Zealand.
As we were working outside Singapore, both our children had to organise and planned their own weddings. They matured fast and rose to the occasion. I must add they had very good support from the officers, particularly Captains Roy and Joy Bungay, Captain Ruth Pascoe and comrades of the corps they were attending. God plans for every detail of our lives for which we thank and praise Him everyday. To God be the glory.
Dear Sir, it was such a coincident that I came across your blog, as I was searching for my piano teacher’s contact, whom I have stop my lessons with her since 1990. Yes, that will be Miss Gladys. I am not sure if you are able to relay this message to her. Do let her know that her ex-student, name Jason How formerly from Nan Hua Secondary school, and I used to attend piano lesson at her house at Blk 340, Jurong East Avenue 1(that has 2 levels in one unit) would like to catch up with her ^_^ and I am contactable at HP91765776. Thank you and God Bless.
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