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City Community Church, Melaka - Y-Me Youth Ministry

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General Hospital......

There are times, I asked myself what is my level of endurance, patience and tenacity to stay on track. I never seemed to be able to get the full answer but I always knew that when I am faced with difficulties or hard times , I will endure it and get through it. I know deep in my heart that somehow, I could not have done it alone but with the love from the One above.

Early Friday morning at about 3.30am, my deep slumber was distracted by the rasp sound of door knock and a voice at the other end, SYuen, telling me and SLing that she had abdominal pains. Thinking that it was one of usual conditions, we took her downtown to our regular medical practitioner for some medical attention. All was fine for a while but in the evening the pain persisted and it was time to get to the Melaka GH. I could only come by after work and meeting SLing at the ER Dept was a relief but not on the face of SLing. She had told me what had transpired at the ER and SYuen was now in the Red Section (Critical) and blood pressure had decreased tremendously and doctors are working furiously to know what was happening. 

I didn't know, it was the start of some very long nights and some anxious moments too. I sighed in relief in what had happened. I really appreciate the words of comfort, encouragement, friends and family that had stopped by to pray and comfort us. Though SYuen eventually went through an operation because of appendicitis, it was more of an experience for all of us as a family. SYuen went through test after test, waiting after waiting before finally at 7.30pm on Saturday night, she was prepped and  wheeled into the operation room for the operation. When she came out at about 11.30pm, still in her groggy state, I was the most relieved person. 

I remembered the young doctor explaining to me and SLing in regards to the procedure and all the forms of consent I had to sign plus the lengthy medical explanation. In my mind, I was saying to myself " GOD, be merciful to SYuen and please......be merciful to me! " I signed the papers without hesitation and that prompted SLing to ask how I could be that calm when making a decision such as this. I told her, I trusted a tried and tested GOD more than anything else. Like any father at the sideline, I too felt so much emotions for my family but I have to be strong for the family. A time I am accustomed to for many occasions. I remembered praying for her and the doctors before she was wheeled into the operation room.

Being in Melaka GH made me realised just how fortunate we are to have specialist , doctors, medical officers and nurses who had worked hard unnoticed. I am particularly impressed by two young Malay doctors who were attending to the ward. ( Ward 4-1 - Hospital Besar Melaka ) I could remember these young doctors staying back to do their work dedicatedly. I remembered this young man who was in the ward by 8.00am and when I left the hospital at 12.30midnight, he was still in the ward attending to the patients. The following morning, when I came to the ward, he was already there. I was impressed by his dedication and you could see by the way he treats his patients. Just an honest dude doing his best for his patients. Then there is this young Malay lady doctor ( Dr. Nur Diana, I think ) who speaks flawless English and she is as dedicated as her colleagues in the ward. These young men and women were the real epitome of what civil servants are all about - serving the people regardless of color , race or creed and with great concern and dedication. I really want to thank the specialist, Dr. Zaini ( I think ), Dr Lai, Dr.Raymond ( Yup! Everybody "loves" Raymond !) and all the doctors & nurses at Ward 4-1 for the tremendous care given to my daughter. Yeah, it changed my perspective completely of GH staff. Sure, they don't get things done as fast as the private hospitals but at least, they gave their best and they are really genuinely doing the best. I really appreciate that a lot. 

I would be the first to attest to that because when SYuen was in the Red Section of ER Dept, I saw how an Indian doctor practically squated on the bed and did CPR on this man who was lying on the bed and he really did his best to revive the man but to no avail. He really tried and I could see it in his face when he lost that patient. That forlorn expression of "I could have done more to save this man" thing. This was the same expression when I saw this young Indian lady doctor administering to a 2 year old kid with high fever. She was about to insert in some medication to the child when the child shook violently and within minutes, the child was motionless. It was a sad sight and you could see the young doctor's facial expression. It was a heartbreaking expression. I then left the ER Critical Room section ( I don't want to be the jinx! ) and returned to my seat only to play that two scenes in my head over and over again. What a sight indeed!

When I was in the ward where SYuen was warded, I made sure I knew the people in SYuen's ward and also the rest of the patients in Ward 4-1. We talked, we laughed and we made fun of each other. Somehow, our room seemed livelier. Makcik Rahmah, big in size, speech and appetite too, is the livewire and I had a great time talking to her. Makcik Maimun is the incoherent patient  who called out to dead relatives. When she is not asleep, nobody sleeps!  Then there is Aunty Elizabeth who had her third stroke - been taken care by her son. Then there's this Chinese lady , Mdm Yap from Merlimau who is an asthmatic patient and coughs monstrously. She is the newspaper of the ward because she is always walking around the ward until she got lost. Some nurse had to bring her back to the ward after some time.  Lastly there is Makcik Maimunah ( I think) who was suffering from diabetes and was very sickly. There are 38 patients the last time I counted in the entire ward.  There were 5 deaths of old women during our entire stay at that ward. I guess, these were really old people who were already with numerous diseases and sicknesses when they were admitted in. I guess, the medical staff just did what they could to make the end days a little easier for the patient , I guess. It was always painful to see the man from the Mortuary Dept come by the ward with the metal casement trolley and cover. We all knew that another elderly had bit the dust or kicked the bucket! That's the reality of life, I guess. It was also heartbreaking for me to see relatives of these sick ones sleeping at the corridors of the hospitals especially on Level 2 and Level 4 as there were no place for these people to rest while waiting for the sick loved ones. I had the opportunity to speak to these relatives and I found out that some had slept at the corridor for about 3 to 4 days now while awaiting for the fate of their loved ones. During the night or prior to visitation hours , it is like Woodstock carnival at these walkways/shielded corridors. It is such a sad sight and that's why the car seat of my car seemed a far better choice than the cold tiled flooring of the corridors during one of the nights.

Yeah, I want to thank friends and family for taking the trouble to stop by despite us not informing anyone about SYuen's condition. We just did not want to trouble anyone about this. I must admit, I learnt a lot during the short stint at GH Melaka. I am thankful and felt blessed by the treatment given to SYuen. I am also thankful for the fact that she is recovering nicely. I am enriched by the experience I go through at Melaka GH. What an experience!            

Gut feeling....

Two nights ago, I feel refreshed and inspired after coming home from a meeting with the youth leaders of my church. I feel so much inspired simply because I have seen a good change in these leaders. I see their hearts , their commitment and their passion in inspiring young people in our church today. I am glad that this passion in them burned bright and strong and I see so much hope in this youth ministry with leaders like that. 

Though they have different talents, giftings, likes and dislikes, they make a good strong team. Sure, we are all flawed in certain ways but the drive to do their best for the ministry did not falter at all. Honestly, I am more blessed seeing them pouring their heart out for the young people. As we planned for the coming Christmas party, mission trip and plans for the next year, I am proud to say that they have learned well indeed. 

People like Kenneth, Jessica, Jenny, Jui Shan, David Lee and Jonathan Lim really inspired me a lot. Throughout the planning of the Christmas party, I could see their vigor in ensuring that this will be a great party for the young people. It really brightened up my heart and perspective as I hear them speak of what they want to do at the party. I thank God that they worked as a team and a coherent one too. Many a times, you feel blessed when you are working with one purposeful and united team of leaders. There are times I often wonder "what have I got myself into" feeling and sometimes, it tends to get frustrating.

However, over the months, I was really encouraged by friends and also good supporters to give it my best. They convinced me that it is never easy serving in a ministry because the work is hard and the outward rewards are small but the unseen rewards are big enough to warm one's heart. I am never the one for outward reward but always the smile and the warmth of hearts. Maybe I am a little too hard to myself or as my friends used to say " too hot a pace" for others to follow. I guess, I must learn to be patient, practise more listening skills or even impart better skills to the leaders and youths as a whole.

Generally , as the church is a small one, generally everyone is involved in everything, from singing to dancing to ushering to teaching and so on. Basically, it is everyone to everything , every one is involved in one way or another. The good part is that it is such a warm and vibrant atmosphere plus the friendships made are fantastic. However, the work is endless and I try to steer the leaders away from getting "burnt out". - the number one reason why people quit in ministry! I am thankful and ever thankful that I have been entrusted to lead such a team. I know my work ahead of me is much harder as our nemesis would not be happy in any way but it is the Lord that enables us. Is it not? Sure, we will get whacked physically, mentally and socially at times but what the heck, we stand strong and weather through it all with an open heart. what could be worst that the Lord's nailing to the cross, right? Every time, I think of this, I am really strengthened in my spirit.

I just hope that people would see what I can do and what I can't do. I am just human all the time; only my heart is superhuman because He enabled me. Cheers and good day ahead!
     

18thNov....

There is a saying that behind every successful man lies the support of a great woman. I tend to agree with this statement lest I spend time sleeping in the bathtub or the cold hard tiles flooring. Seriously, I am all in support of this statement. I guess, in my life that woman is SLing. Last Monday, the children and I celebrated SLing's birthday privately. Earlier, we had a joint anniversary and birthday celebrations at Nubacha Restaurant, a small yet cosy restaurant in town. 

A woman of great faith and great tenacity is how I would describe SLing. For years now, she had been the driving force in getting this family together and running the family with her own little loving regime. Sure, she can be bossy at times but which woman wouldn't be bossy, right? However, she had been very supportive of me and the children over the years and her encouragement are the source of my joy many times. Of course, just like an other woman, her tempers flare whenever it warrants her fiesty way or even works that needed to be done. Despite her aloof disposition appearance, she could be humorous, funny and crazy at times when you have come to know her. 

Direct, sharp and sometimes tongue lashing are never far from her when one gets into the wrong path with her. Many times, I bear the brunt of her tongue lashing when I do get into trouble and mischief. However, everything is done in a loving way. Honestly, I could never imagine a life without her. She is such a part of me which I will cherish for the rest of my life. Rightly so because not only she took care of me, my children and my household, she practically sacrificed a lot for this family despite her regimented tough ways at times. 

I remembered the days I started out in the private sector which was volatile at that time. She gave me words of encouragement and helped me adjust the work ethics from the private sector perspective. She also helped me get through of not worrying for the children while she takes care of them as I built my career then. She is a great and wonderful mother to my children and I felt blessed indeed.

I am appreciative of SLing simply because of her simple ways. She is one that is never to crave of anything that we couldn't afford or simply make do with what we have. She is also a very simple person and that was what that attracted me the most to her in those days. She is just wonderful beyond explanation though. One thing we made a promise to one another was to grow old together - I intend to keep that promise with her and it would be my greatest honour to fulfill that dream with her. It would be a real honour to do that with her.

So, Happy Birthday , dear SLing and may the Lord bless you abundantly with love, peace and joy always! 

24

This month of November will always be a month of wonderful memories. Even though this November months signalled the coming of closing of another chapter of memories, it is also a month of significance to me.

On 15th November, SLing and I celebrated our 24th year of our union in marriage. Yup! That was the day 24 years ago, we scribbled our signatures down the dotted line of the marriage certificate and that started our journey together in life. I most certainly would like to say that it had been a great 24 years of marriage but not without it's ups and downs. There are days I have often wondered how we made it thus far and I am serious about it. As I looked back at the years that had gone by, I can only say that the sacredness, the love and the care we had for one another brought us through. There had been tough days and there had been trying days indeed but what made us stronger was the fact that we genuinely love one another and truly weather through the storms in life with much patience, kindness and positive outlook. I am thankful that over the years, we did not have any serious disagreements nor unrealistic trying times but we certainly weather through  those difficult times with the love from God. I have God to thank for enabling me to have a woman in SLing. She is not only patient, kind, grounded and realistic; she is passionate about the family, loving and a very good hearted woman. 

There are days we do argue like cats and dogs over even the simplest of matters but the love passion we have for one another usually make us patch up easily and move on in our lives. I guess, I can only say for myself that she has been a wonderful confidante, friend, a wife , a mother and a great partner in life. I wouldn't trade her for anything else in this world. That's simple honest truth from me. I know that there are times, I seemed aloof and afar at times , but she is never a word of encouragement away. I've also realised that as the years goes by, our fragile relationship gets stronger each day despite the temptations, the trials and the tribulations that comes our way. Let us not be clouded by the fact that temptations are just round the corner and we need to be vigilant all the time lest we fall into such temptations which will not only harm our relationship but also the harmony of the family. I stand convinced that the well-being of the family rest on the truth and transparency of a loving husband -wife-family relationship. Without these, chaos and havoc would have wrecked our family. I am thankful that SLing has been good in keeping this family of ours together. So, today, I salute SLing for being that woman in my life and keeping me sane or insanely in love with one another all these years! 

So, thanks, dear for being just that loving wife that helped make me sane and purely insanely in love with you! Happy anniversary and may the Lord's peace and love shower our relationship and may His love keep us alive in His name. Here's to SLing! We've got many more years to go, dearie!

Lesson Learnt from Church Camp 2013

Thanks and credit to Fook Meng for the inspiring summing up of the lesson learnt over the church camp!

Thanks to Soon Ling for her photography skill in making this art piece looked good.

The Word, Starbucks & La la Camp..... What a great camp !

SLing and me ...our room

Last weekend, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend at Selesa Beach Resort, P.Dickson, the very venue for our church camp. I must confessed though that I am not a fan of church camp due to some experiences in the past and they say that if your first experience is not that nice, you'll tend not to attend any more. That's what I did for many years until my family and I joined our present church, City Community Church (CCC) Melaka church camp. I must also confessed that this is only our second church camp in our entire life and I must admit that my family and I truly enjoyed the experience. All we were missing as family was the presence of our son, JWee who is in Penang finishing up his studies. 

Dinesh,Kelvin, On Tin, SLing, Caitlyn, Abby, SYuen & Xin Yi

I remembered the time I asked SLing if we want to sign up for the camp. We deliberated for such a long time and when our friends, Dinesh & Abby plus BLing & On Tin signed up, that clinched the deal for us. I mean, you've gotta have familiar faces to be with to feel at ease or else, it can be quite a time to adjust with new people around. You don't want to slip up, say something wrong or even be too outstanding lest you'll be made to look like a fool or even make anyone uncomfortable for that matter. I must admit that I am like that in new surroundings and I really don't want to be awkward or be a fool for that matter. So, it was really nice to speak and share great time of fellowship with FM & Joo Li, DL & Siew, Alvin & Annie, Terence & Michelle, Sharon, Auntie Andeline, Thomas & Annie, Vincent, John, Kelvin , Sullivan and a great host of new and familiar people. 

Vincent, Dave , Caleb, Terence & John....

Actually, SLing and I really looked forward to spending some much needed time together and also, to receive a touch from the Lord through the Word. I guess, in many ways, SLing and I felt so privileged over about a year or so now that CCC Melaka had indeed been a real welcome to our spiritual, mental and social needs. The genuine care and warm friendship really made SLing and I felt at home. I may not be the most holy person ever walked on this earth nor a man devoid of any humanistic sin but I have come to appreciate life in a more meaningful manner despite my whole load of anger, shame and pain. I must also confessed that if you have hit rock bottom with hurt and basically your heart  is bleeding profusely  as  I was , this place, CCC Melaka is a great place to get your bleeding heart mend up, stitched up, allow it to heal and attended to by some really good "doctors" of the Lord. The most important thing is to come to this place with an open heart, an ever-willing will to serve and do good. 

Alvin, FM and me...enjoying the coffee & fellowship

This is not an advertisement for sheep stealing or even to get anyone across from any churches but a fact is a fact and this opinion of mine is entirely mine lest you people will "brand" people like me all over again. Like I have said so many times before, you first have to have life before you can revive a life or else you'll drown no matter how good a swimmer you are. My family and I found a sense of purpose and what meaningful works could be done. It is not a popularity nor fame seeking contest. It is always about the lives of our community and we are part of that community. When we serve the community, we serve the Lord effectively even though people make a "transit" stop at our place or "touch and go" for that matter. The important part is we play a part in blessing these precious lives with our love and goodness as God would have wanted it. I think, that is important and I believe CCC Melaka is doing just that! Praise God for that!

With SLing for the night sermon...

Anyway, the message from Pastor Leroy as as usual - full , meaningful and definitely a challenge to all of us. I used to listen to Pastor Leroy's sermons before and I would laughed - probably fall off my chair with laughter as it was always filled with humorous quips and ideas. This time, humour is still there but the impact of the message packed a knockout punch indeed. Simple story about David & Goliath but the principle of David and the Son of David significantly left people like me simply in awe of the greatness of the Lord and the message.The expounding of the Word and what an impact it made. However, I truly enjoyed the summing up by Elder Wong FM during the morning devotion. Truly was blessed by FM morning devotion who not only summed up the Word aptly but with great understanding. I am truly blessed by all the messages

Alan, DL Tan and me! 

I think, the one thing I will always remember about this camp is the time spent at Starbucks Coffee outlet at PD Waterfront. I love the ambience and the decor of the place but it's the company you have that made it all special. Well, the company we had on those nights were truly awesome group of people. As we share freely of our thoughts , ideas, truths and a knocker of jokes plus monstrous laughters, it was the most enjoyable evening as always. Now, I must confess that it would be quite difficult to revert to Aik Cheong, Cap Tupai or even Cap Budak Sekolah coffee after this. Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Seriously, this is a rare treat, actually but it was nice while it lasted. Drinking coffee like that each day will koyak my wallet and my mind , most definitely! I really treasure those moments as the spontaneous ways, truthful and open conversation helped a long way indeed.

The Blue Team fun people.......

The games and banters between the groups during team building games were also awesome. Thanks to Dennis Kok, Terence and the team, we all had a great time at the beach. The level of competition was high but casual, loads of fun and a great dose of laughter. Of course, the banters between the group were never far away and what fun it was especially our group huddle and inspiring "prayers" before our dodgeball competition! Of course, being in the Blue Team, our team members prevailed and won the competition albeit plenty of sweat, sand, fun and prayers of mercy and grace!! Many thanks to all the wonderful Blue Team members who made the competition such a fun thing indeed. To me, there weren't any losers except winners coz' everyone won that day.

The estasy of winning the Dodgeball game!

Then it was off to the beach to get to my next favourite thing to do - digging up for baby lala or bivalves. We learnt this from the Chinese congregation pastor, Pastor Chung. SLing and I caught quite a fair bit of lala that day. I have had the experience of digging up for them when I was younger and it brought a load of memories to me when I started digging up for them. The trick was to pile up the sand at the edge of the waves and let the waves do the "clearing up " for you and viola! The lala are ripe for pickings! SLing learnt this fast enough and soon, we were picking up quite a bit. The smaller ones were thrown back for them to grow to a better size and that's sustainability for the lala stock.

Picking out the lala with the help of the waves.

Anyway, we picked about 2 bottles of mineral water worth of  lala and they brew nicely in the pot after coming back from PD. The way to keep them alive is to soak them in the sea water and change the sea water each day to keep them fresh. They should live for 3 days and by then, they would have been ready for the pot. I am already thinking of  Lala clam chowder with mushroom and herb infused croutons and probably, kum heong lala dish! OK! OK! Don't salivate!  

Joyful me, Siew, DL Tan, FM and On Tin

As I drove away from the resort, I took away wonderful and cherished memories from this church camp. Time spent here was priceless not just the Word that was preached/shared but the wonderful bond we made as a family and sharing moments with friends - familiar and new ones. It is always about the lives that were impacted whether through the Word or that palm of hands that was extended in friendship and in fellowship. I am thankful, I truly am......................