Memoirs of Aberdeen

The moment we touched Aberdeen, we were greeted by our very excited host. But to top that up, I met someone that I have not seen for more than 20 years. I don’t think it was a coincident. It was a walk down memory lane while talking to him and his wife over the dinner table. I was elated by what God could do in a person’s life when you allow God to take His course.
The next few weeks were meeting new friends in the church, teaching and preaching. I decided to write a short journal of the summary of our visit.

Week #1
We had a seminar, a Sunday Service, seminar, ladies and men meetings. It was so exciting to see so many friends from China who wanted to learn God’s word. We felt such privilege to be able to just be there and to listen to their talk.

We realized that our friends from China loved to express themselves and they just have a gala time talking and relating daily issues with one another. I find it interesting because I have never heard so many people talking all at the same time and yet able to understand one another. I was amused altogether.

The second interesting thing was house hunting. Two of my Malaysian friends had decided to move out from their present homes and we went house hunting. It was interesting looking into different houses because each house has its own character. It did speak aloud of the owner or the previous tenants and how they had lived before moving out. It was fun!

Week #2
The house hunting continued and so was shopping down Union Street. Everywhere was sales or closing down signs. Economy was bad and people are losing jobs. I was told that there was at least 2 million people who are without jobs. It was difficult time. I saw such opportunity to reach out in times like this. When we lost all hope, may God be our lifeline; when all other fails, God remains faithful! Amen!!

We continued with church meetings and by now we got closer to the people. One interesting meeting was with the youths of 12-16 years. Young as they are, they are excited and full of questions. I have never seen a youth meetings with so many questions asked. I mean, loads and loads of questions. Pause! With so many questions, I didn’t have the opportunity to answer at all. (laugh) So we began the meeting with a tiny whiny question from me and ended with loads of unanswered questions. I closed with just sharing on how great is our God! (next week, they came and said, all their questions were answered. Strange! How did that happen?)

Week #3
Our visit was coming to an end. Our host took us to the highlands in hope to see some snow. One observation: wherever we go (I mean since we realize of this fact a long time ago), somehow that place will get warmer. And it happened this time round. Before we came, there was snow and relevantly cold. Then when we came, it warmed up and when we leave, the snow and cold came in again. So, next time if you want a warmer climate, do send a ticket to us. We will bring the heat wave to you.

The last weekend was amazing. We were invited to dinners and we felt so much love from our friends in the church. We thank God for Steven, Mary, Sharon and Susan and not forgetting Deacon, who had been such a good host to us especially to our children. Ian and Sue Anne (especially Sue Anne) wanted to stay and talked of coming back to study. Hmmm, I wonder how it’s going to work. O well, pray!

Conclusion
I thank God for a fruitful ministry; for meeting up with Michael, May and Mikayla Tayok; for all our new friends in Aberdeen; for the very special youths in the Chinese church; most of all to our host and their hospitality. All these shall be kept in our hearts for a long long time ... :-) Amen!

Shattered dreams and Broken hearts

I couldn’t sleep last night. My mind swirled around like a whirlpool, churning and turning over events that happened today.

The picture of the broken lenses kept on appearing and haunting me. I scolded myself for being so careless and foolish. This afternoon, we were so happy, looking forward to the beach. So after lunch we wanted to take some photos but the wind was so strong, and the rain splattered all around us. Just for a split moment, the camera dropped. I took the camera and saw the broken lenses, my heart felt a pinch.

My heart was shattered at that point but I remained calm, but for the rest of the day, the picture of the broken lenses just wouldn’t leave me.

That evening, a lady came and we had a conversation. She has never heard about Jesus or God before. So I took the liberty sharing Christ with her and I was amazed at her openness and my compassion.

Just at that moment, I saw my broken lenses again. Now I saw Jesus, mending broken hearts and shattered dreams. The pain in my heart grew lesser but none the less intense.
As the night grew, I couldn’t close my eyes. My thoughts ran forward to the last few days. Daniel had an accident in the bathroom and had a deep cut on his forehead. We took him to the hospital and they “gummed” the wound and he was discharged. I was thinking, I was not even worried when that happened and no tinge of anxiety. I just relieved that he’s alright. But why was I feeling such pain when a camera fell on the ground and broke the lenses.

I actually questioned myself for being too “calm” with Daniel’s incident and too “overcome” with the camera. Who and what was more important? But it was not who or what. It’s what you think pinch you at that moment and I guess what pinched me then was the camera because I knew that nothing too serious will come out of the head injury whereas, I was worries if I could get my lenses back.

Sometimes we worry and anxious for the minor and take what is important lightly in our lives. I guess it is the question of priority. I thank God that the pain left when I let go of the broken lenses and allow it to take its cause. When I turn to face Daniel, love and compassion fill my heart.

We often forget how important some people are in our lives; our spouses, children, friends and relatives. We take them lightly; forget to soothe their pain or even notice their agony; ignore their inner cry for attention; oblivious of their loneliness in facing life trials and crisis. Maybe we could take a moment, stop your work and close your eyes. Someone, somewhere needs a shoulder to cry, an ear to hear or maybe a helping hand.

I do hope that I will learn to listen to shattered dreams and broken hearts and be that ear or hand,for there are too many around us who has “lonely voices” waiting to be heard.