The Old Year 2015

Today is the last day of 2015. When we were about to retire, I made a wish that the Lord would allow me five years of retirement to enjoy myself. But the Lord has other plans, I have lived to see the end of 2015 and hopefully will wake up tomorrow to greet the New Year.

My wife and I have no complaints - God has been good to us and has blessed abundantly. Let me share a poem written by Commissioner Harry Read, retired officer living in England.

THE OLD YEAR

I look with gratitude  on this old year,
I have good cause to show that gratitude.
So many times I've seen God's loving care
A problem turn into beatitude.
Though ill wind seems at times to blow,
And difficult indeed the course to hold;
All needful grace has then begun to flow,
With mercy rich. and mercies manifold.

It's true, I've sometimes worked below my best;
Have failed to work to my capacity,
Yet God has always love to me expressed.
Encouraged, strengthened and established me.

His goodness has  o'er shadowed all these days.
And I look backward, with a heart of praise.  _Harry Read.

Blessings from family and friends.

The year is coming to and end and soon we will celebrating the New Year 2016. We have been counting our blessings - spiritual and material and our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude.

God has wonderfully blessed us with children and grandchildren and many friends. Older friends have left us for the Home above, but God has added new ones.

The last few days we have been wonderfully blessed by the visits of friends. Yes, just to sit and chat, recall the days that are past, sharing fellowship and parting with prayer.

We are so glad we are part of the family of God.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.

You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God  - William J Gaither

I'm So Glad I'm a Part of the Family of God

Christmas - by John Coutts

     God the Father, Spirit, Son,
May Your broken world be mended,
Pain relieved, and foes befriended
     By a Christmas well begun.
Make us glad in word and deed,
Welcome, Jesus, child in need.  by John Coutts

Singing carols and sharing the message

There is never a dull  moment here in Changi. We live in our own apartment on the 4th level, quite private really. Next door to us are our pastors - a young energetic couple full of enthusiasm for the Lord.

Last night we were invited to their home to celebrate her birthday. The Indonesian nurses not on duty were there and we had a wonderful time, singing carols and enjoying our fellowship.

Today my wife and I visited our daughter Dora Poh Chin as we normaly do, but this time I took my piano accordion with me and we sang carols to her and the residents in the living area. Then we went round singing and playing carols at four other areas. This was just before lunch. Delighted to see the smiles from the residents and their relatives who were there to visit them.

What opportunities there are for us to share the Christmas message to all and sunday.

Christmas celebrations

Peacehaven Nursing Home has 401 residents living in the Home plus many who come daily to the Day Care at Hope Centre. You can just imagine the number of parties that are being held during this Christmas season.

Each  RLA (Residents' Living Area) had its own Christmas party and we have been invited to all of them. So the last couple of days, it meant going from one party to the next! Good to have THQ officers - Majors Garth and Patti Niemand joining us for the occasion.

God has been good to us. We moved to Changi to be near our daughter Poh Chin who is a resident in the Home. We have benefited far more. We give thanks to God who has so wonderfully provided for us.

Pleasant surprises

Last Friday a group of our former young people of Central Corps were visiting one of the residents of  Peacehaven Nursing Home. We received a surprised visit from them, one of them we had not seen for at least the last 25 years. I conducted her wedding way back in 1975. I was able to show her the photograph taken all those years ago.

Then the next day Saturday another group turned up with our son and daughter- in- law who normally visit us on a Saturday. They normally bring food to share. This time the group brought a lot of food and we had a wonderful time of fellowship and feasting!

It is wonderful that friendship formed all those years ago when we were the Corps Officers (pastors) of Singapore Central Corps from 1970-1974 still remain intact. God has blessed us with many friends.

As age catches up with us, we are inclined to stay home most of the time. We do appreciate the visit of these old friends - former songsters, bandsmen/women, youth group members etc. God bless these our former young people now in their middle age.