A few moments ago the telephone rang and we received news from Mrs. Mavis Tremain that her husband Keith had been promoted to glory on 5th October.
They were stationed in Singapore during the time when my wife and I were serving overseas. They were first appointed to the Haven and later transferred to the Salvation Army Home for the Aged at Upper Bukit Timah. Our daughter Dora Poh Chin was in the Home then and whenever we visited Singapore during furlough or on transit here, we would visit the Home. We came to know this lovely couple, very committed Salvationists who truly cared for the people they were sent to serve. They were also very active at the Corps and served as the Command Bandmaster.
When we were in the Philippines, once a week we received a letter from Mavis telling us about Poh Chin. Every morning she would visit our special daughter to pray with her. She did that to other residents too. What great love they had for the people under their care.
Keith could not speak Chinese. But he thought of an innovative way of getting vegetables and rice for the Home. He got someone to write on a placard in Chinese "Please donate to The Salvation Army" .
He in his Salvation Army uniform would walk round the wholesale market at Pasir Panjang. The wholesalers were very willing to donate their vegetables, rice and whatever they could spare. He received plenty and was able to share with other Homes. On days when Keith could not go to the market, these kind people would send their donated goods to the Home! The lesson for us - make friends, and keep in touch with people.
My younger brother Anthony used to be in charge of a Government Home for the Aged at Yew Tee not far from the Salvation Army Home. He used to visit Poh Chin regularly and became very good friends with the Tremains. This Yew Tee Home received a lot of donations in kind like rice, biscuits etc. The Home had a caterer who provided cooked food for the residents. So Anthony used to send the surplus donated goods to The Salvation Army Home for the Aged!
What happy memories we have of this lovely couple - so committed to God and the people they were sent to serve. We continue to pray for Mavis who lives alone in New Zealand.
Thank God for sending so many good people into our lives.
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