Sunday, September 8, 2013

Carnival at Whampoa -Balestier Corps.

What a wonderful weekend, certainly not a dull moment at all. Normally we would have lunch with our son and family on a Saturday. But the whole family have gone to Penang to join in the 75th anniversary of Penang Corps. Coincidentally it was the 75 anniversary of the work of The Salvation Army in Malaysia, for it was to Penang that Adjutant & Mrs. Frederick W Harvey were appointed to pioneer the work 75 years ago.

The Central Corps band was invited to participate in the celebrations led by Colonels Lyndon and Bronwyn Buckingham our Territorial Leaders. Our grandson David is the bandmaster. His sister is one of the trombone players.

Our youngest grandson Andrew remained home. In the afternoon he and the maid joined us at Whanpoa Estate for the Balestier Corps Carnival. Whampoa is the area I grew up till I left for the Salvation Training College. Our family lived in a small Singapore Improvement Trust flat at Lorong Limau part of the Whanpao area.

The aim of the carnival was twofold - to raise funds for The Army's work at Kallang and also to publicise The Salvation Army. Balestier Corps is in the vicinity of Whampoa.

The Member of Parliament was the guest of honour. The Residents' Committee gave full support by providing the facilities and personnel. The organiser was our Corps Treasurer Judy Chun. More than ten thousands dollars were raised to support our work in Kallang.

We were greatly encouraged and inspired to see the comrades of the Corps (church) working together supported by many friends of The Salvation Army. Brother Tommy one of our salvationists got his sons and friends, a team of musicians to provide music for the afternoon. The show went on the whole day from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

The Salvation Army is very much alive active at Balestier! Thanks to God and Captain Hary and his wonderful team of helpers. What a great time we had. We came back tired physically, but spiritually uplifted and inspired because of the enthusiasm of the comrades.

What a work the Lord has done by His saving grace!

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