Keep on learning

I have been going through my Bible study for tomorrow. We shall be focusing our thoughts on Hannah's Song, a lesson I prepared weeks ago. As I reflected on this study, new thoughts came to my mind.

We never stop learning. Henry Ford said this, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."

The body may age and go weary, and I feel it, but I need to keep going and not let the mind deteriorate.

Dora Poh Chin's birthday

Forty four years ago, 26th April 1969, God gave us our third child and we named her Dora, Gift of God. We were pioneering the work of The Salvation Army in Kuala Lumpur. The location, an area called Petaling, five miles from the city of Kuala Lumpur and not too far from Petaling Jaya was where we were based.

The political situation was tense and on 13th May racial riots broke out in Kualu Lumpur. This led to the declaration of national emergency. A 24 hour curfew was imposed and we were all confined to the house. The atmosphere was tense, food was scarce, Poh Chin kept vomiting and cried most of the time. From our bedroom window we could see armed men carrying sticks, changkul and whatever weapon they could get hold of parading our area. We witnessed a group of men smashing vehicles followed by riot squad and police. When the police were not around, I sneaked out to try to get some food and milk powder for Poh Chin.

A lot of things have happened during the period of 44 years. One thing is certain, God never changes and we believe He has sent us many friends who have given us support throughout the years. They have blessed Poh Chin and in turn have been blessed. She is well cared for by a team of devoted nurses and caregivers.

Yesterday at Prayer meeting, we met Major Lim Chee Kwee who told us that  he and his wife Annie visited Poh Chin. They sang to her and prayed with her. We appreciate the pastoral care given by them and the chaplain of the Nursing Home, Mr. Jimi Tan. Poh Chin may or may not understand, but I believe she can feel the warmth of these caring visitors. Poh Chin belongs to Changi Corps. The monthly pocket money we give her goes straight to the church. She tithes 100% of her income!  We do this for her!

Pope Francis has called on the world's priests to bring the healing power of God's grace to everyone in need, to stay close to the marginalised and to be "shepherd living with the smell of sheep."

We believe in  priesthood of all believers - this means we are to care and pray for each others.

Prayer - our relationship with God

As usual we were at the Prayer meeting at Territorial Headquarters this morning. We were blessed as we shared fellowship with like minded believers to pray.

“When all the trimmings are peeled away, prayer must be seen basically as a relationship. It is our individual personal relationship with God the Father. The way for this to happen was provided by Jesus Christ on the Cross. He shed His blood for the remission of sin, the sin that separates us from God. Through Jesus, our sin is forgiven and our fellowship with God restored. Then, and only then, does prayer take its true form. We now love God because He first loved us and paid the price to bring us to Himself.
Prayer is the chief way we express our love to God and the chief way we receive God’s love for us. It is the most exquisite expression of our personal relationship.
If we can understand that through prayer our divine love affair with the Father is cultivated, we can more accurately assess the value of time in prayer. All we know about human love relationships tells us that clock time together is essential if the relationship is to grow.
Every day? If we feel we cannot schedule a daily time with God, we need to admit that our relationship with God is not one of our personal priorities. If this is true, spiritual disaster could be right around the corner.” Peter Wagner

Our spiritual relationship with God is cultivated and nurtured the very same way human relationship grow towards intimacy.
When we master prayer in the private place, we then go on to unite in prayer with others. Be challenged by Jesus’ example and don’t cheat yourself out of God’s strength and direction in your life and ministry.

Poh Chin's birthday celebration.

We were at Peacehaven this morning to visit the residents and conduct chapel service at HOPE centre. We had a good time, chatting with the residents, staff and nurses offering words of encouragement.

Most people think we have two children and six grandchildren all living not far from were we live.

But not many are aware or perhaps have forgotten that we have a third child Dora Poh Chin who will be 44 years old on Friday 26th April. She was born in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia at a time when the country was going through political turmoil which later led to the racial riots. We were caught in the storm raging in the country.

Then we received a change of appointment to Ipoh where things were very difficult. The area called Tambum where the Home was situated was under curfew. Besides there was trouble among the staff and boys.

Somehow we noticed Poh Chin was different from her older siblings but we consoled ourselves that each child was different. It was in 1970 when we were appointed to Singapore that we saw the paediatrician who made that statement that shook us "You child is mentally retarded."

To cut the long story short, she is now a resident in Peacehaven Nursing Home, very well cared for by the staff and nurses. She is in good and capable hands. We see her every Tuesday. The chaplain Jimi Tan visits her regularly to pray with her for which we are grateful.

To day was a special day for us. Majors Susan and Amaro Pereira, Regional Commanders of Myanmar came to Peacehaven and requested to see Poh Chin! So after lunch we took them to see her who by that time was in bed. She seemed happy and I saw her smile. She must have sensed the warmth of these Majors.

Earlier on a 10.30 a.m. we had celebrated her birthday in advance. The nurses surrounded her and we all sang Happy birthday to her.

Well, we have prayed for healing, but for some reason, God has allowed her to remain in this condition where she needs full time care. I believe He has a purpose, for Poh Chin touches lives and as I have often said,  she brings a new note into our ministry. Everyday we thank God for our children and grand children, Poh Chin included even if others have forgotten. God does not forget her.

You know, we all offend God, but not Poh Chin for she is eternal innocence. So one day we shall meet her in heaven and hear for the first time, "Mummy, Daddy, I love you." And we will hug her and reply, "We love you too as we have always done on earth, but you could not respond."  There in heaven she will sing with the holy angels praises unto God.

Thank you Majors Susan and Amaro for taking the time to visit our Precious Treasure. Thanks Pastor Jimi for so faithfully visiting and praying with her. Thanks to those who make the effort to visit and pray for Poh Chin even if she does not respond to you.

Dora means "Gift of God" and Poh Chin means "Precious Truth"

O the wonder of it all

Here is another one of my favourite songs written by George Beverly Shea.


There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

Refrain
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

Verse 2
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's only begun.

I look up at night and see the stars and I still have that sense of wonder.I hope I never lose that sense of wonder at God's creation. It is a broken world we live in, but there are still beautiful things for us to wonder at.

And above all, with all my faults and failings, doubts and fears, the Lord still loves me and keeps me going. O the wonder of it all!

George Beverly Shea - Home with the Lord

One of my favourite gospel singers is George Beverly Shea. I read that he has gone to be with the Lord in Heaven on 16th April. I love to listen to his solos. I quite often sing the song written by Rhea Millar and Bev Shea wrote the tune.

1. I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
   I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
   I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
   I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
   
   • Refrain:
     Than to be the king of a vast domain
     And be held in sin’s dread sway;
     I’d rather have Jesus than anything
     This world affords today.
2. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
   I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
   I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
   I’d rather be true to His holy name
3. He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
   He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
   He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
   I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Farewell - Colonel Gillian Downer

It was the last Sunday with William Booth Corps comrades for Colonel Gillian Downer before she leaves Singapore for her new appointment as the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia on 16th May 2013 with the rank of Commissioner. This was the appointment I took up 20 years ago at International Headquarters and we were there for four years. My wife was the Zonal Secretary for Women's Ministries for SPEA. This was our last appointment before we entered retirement in 1997.

How the Salvation Army wheel turns. She came to work with us as a young captain when we were the Territorial Leaders for the Philippines. She was appointed as the Social Secretary.

She was a wonderful missionary and tremendously hard worker. She was  always ready to jump into a jeepney, ride in a banca, cross the waters in an overcrowded ferry, braving rough seas and facing dangers to reach the most remote area to oversee emergency operations. Of challenges there were many and we really valued her loyal support throughout the term of our leadership in Philippines. We cherished her wise discernment and contribution in our board and council meetings.

Then she came to our Territory of Singapore,Malaysia and Myanmar. We shall always remember her visits to our home especially during Chinese New Year.

We shall join others in the final farewell on 13th May at Bishan when General Linda Bond will be here.