Major Margaret Jackson

In my last appointment in London as the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia zone, I had a very good secretary in the person of Major Margaret Jackson. We just received news that she was promoted to Glory last Saturday 11^th August. Since her retirement she had been living in Birmingham looking after her sick brother. Although she could hardly see, she kept up a correspondence with us by e-mail regularly.

We give thanks to God for her life. Certainly we were privileged to work with her so closely in London.

In 1 Corinthians 15:55 we as Christians are assured that “death has no sting.”  Jesus died on the cross to bring us eternal life. When we have to leave this world, we need not fear dying and death.We go to be with Jesus in heaven.

We will certainly meet Margaret again in Heaven.

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place. Refrain: When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory! While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky; But when trav’ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh. Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving every day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.

This is my story - 69 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)

69 – Painful parting with Poh Chin

One evening after office my wife went to one of the Corps (church) on Hong Kong Island to conduct a Home League meeting. Most Home League meetings were held in the evenings to cater for women who went out to work in the day time.

As usual on the way home from office I picked up Poh Chin from our Salvation Army Lai King Home where she received after-school care. I sat her on the front seat beside me, put the seat belt on her and drove off.  Half way on our journey she was sick and vomited in the car.  By the time we arrived home, she was fast asleep and I had a big struggle in lifting her up and taking her indoors. Eventually I managed to carry her to the bathroom, cleaned her, then to her room and put her to bed. I was exhausted.

Afterwards I spent considerable time cleaning up the mess in the car. By the time I finished it was about 11.00 p.m. I entrusted Poh Chin into God’s hands and walked down the hill to the main road to meet my wife. Our Alsatian dog, Rex accompanied me all the time at the foot of the hill till my wife returned home almost mid-night. She had to take public transport of course.

During the same week we visited the Home of Loving Faithfulness, a Home for mentally handicapped children, lovingly cared for by some very dedicated European missionaries. Before we first left Singapore for Hong Kong Major Moira Wright had tried to get a place for Poh Chin, but our application was rejected because the administration felt The Salvation Army should look after its own folk. However, Poh Chin did not qualify for the Army Lai King Home either!

Poh Chin was nearly 19 too old for the Day Care Centre, but too severely handicapped to function at a Sheltered Workshop. The committee was very kind to let her stay on till we could find her a place elsewhere. We had already been in Hong Kong five years and there were hints that we might get a change of appointment. I shared the news with our good friend Lieut. Colonel Moira Wright, who was then the Officer Commanding of the Singapore/Malaysia Command. I also happened to mention my traumatic episode with Poh Chin.

Soon after, she replied with the suggestion that we send Poh Chin to Singapore Lee Kuo Chuan Home for the Aged at Upper Bukit Timah. In her letter she mentioned that Poh Chin’s needs were similar to the elderly ladies needing full time care and attention. This was news that surprised us and after some discussion we decided to take up the offer. The idea was certainly the Lord’s given through Lieut. Colonel Moira Wright. (She was promoted to Glory on 7^th March 2012)

I was very busy preparing for the SPEACO (South Pacific and East Asia College for officers) having already been involved in two previous sessions – in Singapore and Hong Kong. The appointment came from International Headquarters - to be principal of the college at Jakarta.

Lieut. Colonel Wright suggested that we take Poh Chin to Singapore on my way to Jakarta. My wife could stay with the two older children but Poh Chin would go straight to the Home. During the time I was in Indonesia, my wife could visit Poh Chin daily. Then at the conclusion of the College, I would call at Singapore before returning to Hong Kong.

We sought confirmation of God’s will in this arrangement. First we sent the proposal to the International Secretary, Commissioner Robert Bath. The response was positive. Then we booked the tickets and there were three seats left on the plane! Obviously God had a hand in all the arrangements.

So on 3^rd May, the three of us left Hong Kong for Singapore. We put Poh Chin in the Home and my wife stayed with the two older children. I left the next morning for Jakarta and conducted SPEACO.  The Education Officer appointed to assist me was Major Graham Durstan a very godly man who carried a big load of responsibility in teaching the delegates. Major Roy Frans the Public Relations Secretary of Indonesia was excellent in seeing to the logistics. Among the delegates from Singapore were Mrs. Captain Grace Lim (wife of Lim Teck Fung) Mrs. Captain Esther Rengasamy, and Mrs. Captain Wendy Lee. From New Zealand was Mrs. Major Grace Bringans.

SPEACO ended on 28^th May and on arrival in Singapore my wife and I went to the Home to bid farewell to Poh Chin. It was a painful moment parting with her. We felt a sense of guilt leaving her behind but it was for the best interests of all.  She did not know how to protest neither could she wave us good bye. We had no way of understanding what went on in her mind.

Now for the first time, we were on our own without any children.  Empty-nest syndrome is the name given to the psychological condition that can affect parents when their children leave home. Naturally there was that pain and sadness, but this was something we had to accept. Our three children did not leave us. We left them – the two older ones in January 1983 when we took up our appointment in Hong Kong and now five years later we parted with the youngest child Poh Chin.

We thank God for the days when we had the children with us and now we learn to celebrate the empty nest! No worries, there was plenty to fill our days in busy Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Now our Poh Chin is in The Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home receiving tender loving care from the staff and nurses. The Lord is certainly the wonderful Provider and we are eternally grateful.  ^“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 19. To God be the glory.

Bible study and worship

In our Bible study this morning we focussed our thoughts on Jephthah in Judges 11. This is our 20th lesson on the Book of Judges.

Jephthah an illegitimate son of Gilead was chased out of the family by his half brothers. He suffered because of the greed, selfishness and materialism of others and not for any wrong that he had done. He lived the life of an outcast and became the leader of a group of adventurers or ‘vain men’ as the Bible describes them. I think they were like Robin Hood and his merry men, robbing the rich and helping the poor.

Jephthah could have taken this ostracism and rejection that his life was over. However when his family and nation were desperate for a leader they ate humble pie and asked for his return to save the nation. They had asked him to leave, but now in desperation they wanted him to return to be their leader. God used him in a mighty way to deliver his people from the enemy the Ammonites.

Often great potential is wasted because of prejudice and greed. Let us look at the potential Jephthahs around us. God loves them and can use them for His glory.

After Bible class we joined others in worship at the main hall. The theme was “Making room for Life’s greatest gift.” Major Ruth Pascoe based her message on the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10: 17-31. Nothing must come between us and the Lord. He deserves 100% commitment of our lives to him. She used a number of illustrations and one that many will remember is this story.

One day the cow, the hen and the pig as they walked along the road were discussing their contribution to the breakfast table. The cow said, “Think of it everyday I contribute nourishing milk for humans to drink.”

The hen added, “My contribution to keep humans alive – eggs. Think of the number of egg humans consume in a day. We chickens make a big contribution.”

The pig had the last word, “You merely made contribution, but I provide bacon. Yours is only a contribution, mine is total sacrifice.”

It is good to join fellow believers in God’s house to worship. Thank God for this freedom and privilege.

The need for self discipline

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
New International Version (NIV)

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.

God bless Singapore

Yesterday National Day was a quiet day rest day for us. As it was Thursday, we spent time going through the programme prepared by Major Ruth Pascoe in connection with The Salvation Army’s Global Prayer embracing the whole world. We prayed on the subjects given in the paper. We prayed for our nation’s leaders.

In the evening we watched the parade on television. What an event! It was heart warming to see the enthusiasm of our people. God bless our nation of Singapore.

“There was a time when people said
That Singapore won't make it
But we did
There was a time when troubles
Seemed too much for us to take
But we did
We built a nation
Strong and free
Reaching out together
For peace and harmony

This is my country, this is my flag
This is my future, this is my life
This is my family, these are my friends
We are Singapore, Singaporeans

Thank God for Singapore!

Pray for our nation

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in Your beloved Son, the King of all;
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to His just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and forever. (From the alternative Service Book 1980)

O God, King of kings and Lord of lords,
We pray today for statesmen, leaders and rulers,
May they be quiet in spirit, clear in judgement,
Able to understand the issues that face them,
May they think often of the common people on whose behalf
they must speak and act.
May they remember that in keeping your laws is man's only good and happiness.
Grant them patience, grant them courage,
Grant them foresight and great faith,
In their anxieties be their security,
In their opportunities be their inspiration,
By their plans and their actions may your kingdom come, your will be done. (Lilian Cox)

Lieut. Colonels Tan Thean Seng and Pat Loo-Tan

Lieut. Colonels Thean Seng and Pat Tan retired at the end of July, so this is the 8th day of their retirement.

We thought we could get all the six retired officers living in Singapore together for a fellowship meal. Unfortunately, Colonel Mrs. Alice Lau was not feeling well, so could not come. Major Janos Wasagan is far from well and had to decline our invitation.

Anyway the four of us had a great time at the ART (Assumption Restaurant for Training) for a lovely meal. This restaurant provides training for students to work in the hospitality sector. The food is good and price very reasonable.

We have known the Tans since 1959 when we were appointed to Penang Corps (church) They were quite young then and very active in the church. They both felt the call of God to be Salvation Army officers and entered training in 1966. They have served faithfully all these years - all over Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. They extended their service by two years the last appointment as pastors of the Chinsse Church. The church grew under their leadership.

We thank God for these faithful servants of God. We know in their retirement they will continue to do ministry.