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I have learnt over the years that when you are involved in a church ministry like I am, you learnt a lot about people and what makes them tick in their element. Like I said, I am always intrigue and fascinated with people and their very essence of their character. I must say that I am glad and blessed working with a group of dedicated individuals who doubled up as teachers in the Children Ministry of our church. I must honestly admit that sometimes it is hard for me to juggle between work, family and ministry but one thing I’ve learn very preciously is that there is a whole lot of satisfaction at the end of a good Bible lesson teaching to children. I just can’t describe it to you but it is like you have this enormous gladness in your heart that the children had had a time of learning and fun with you. Sure, you’ll be extremely exhausted after teaching the children but I guess, the awaiting reward from above outstripped the physical body tiredness. Hey, I am not that good in what I am doing for there are far better people in the field but at least, I will try to do my best. That’s what I can do, at least.  

To me, I guess, the enormous responsibility of not leading these children astray or to teach something which is not right in our faith seemed to weigh heavily on my shoulders each time. I believe, as teachers to the young children and of the Word, we are to be correct, caring, giving and fun. Honestly, the children can be a handful at times with their own antics, likes and dislikes but come to think of it, we are all like that, isn’t it? The only difference is that adults tend to be “diplomatic” in their criticism and “accommodating” in their ways while children are more fervently blunt, straightforward and honestly crude at times but honestly, that’s how I like it. At least , they are brave and not timid or else the bullies are gonna have a field day with them! That’s why these children’s lives are so important at this stage and to walk them through the right path of life in the early years of their lives are so crucial and important. I am blessed being able to work with talented and good hearted people like  Dinesh, Suk Vooi, Joo Li, Loreen, SLing, Sharon, Stephanie, Abby and so many others in the Children Ministry. They are really wonderful, full of enthusiasm and energetic. However , it can be tiresome days but nevertheless a rewarding one when the children remember you as their Sunday School teacher when they grow up. 

The other thing I learnt getting involved in this ministry is the work we need to put in prior to teaching the children. I have learnt that when it is my turn to teach the children, I learn a whole lot more about the Word in the Bible and the greater understanding of the Word. I guess, it is God’s way to teach this old fool fella! It is really very enriching, engaging and poignant when one engages the Word and seeking the Lord’s understanding of the Word. I find it especially satisfying when I learn a new perspective of the Word or a new angle of how to teach the Word and so on. I guess, to people of the Christian faith, things can be pretty enriching indeed.

This week’s lesson is on “The Good Samaritan”, one of the most popular parables and story in the Bible. This parable is a very well-known parable for those in the Christian faith and one of the most talked about parable defining the most faith challenging provocation of heart and mind on the topic, “Who is my neighbour?”. There is so much to learn from this parable and while we do have our own constricted and views of what it meant to each individuals, I beg of you to allow yourself to explore the surroundings to the situation, indepth thought of the condition of the heart and a time of great reflection of who we really at this time as we go through the verses from Luke 10: 29-37. Needless to say, for a person like me, I ran through every piece of information I could get my hands on and I read a lot of Bible commentaries verse by verse, sifting through the very scrap of information from Bible scholars on each verse but I found that yielding to the Lord to enlighten your spiritual vision of what was to unveil was surely the best. I must say, each one to their own personal walk with God, each individual experience is different but the core essence of truth, honesty and the indepth message remained the same. For me, it is always, what do I bring to myself and to others after reading through this portion of the Scripture. This is my end goal.

Primarily speaking for myself, I tend to paint a picture, rather, a full scene of cinematic colours and spectrum in my imagination as I read the Scripture or the Word. I can’t digress or digest when I just read the Word. I needed that pictorial view of the Word or the “scenes” as I called it.  In that way, I could imagine myself standing at the side and watching the entire Word of the Bible being laid out before me in a dramatic fashion for me to envision the scene. To me, I feel the full embrace of the impact of the Word. In that way, my understanding of the Word is embedded in my heart and mind. Along the way in my own world, I would have lots of questions and embraced the full emotions of watching a scene unfold. In my inquisitive ways, I would pour myself into research and learning the intrinsic value of the Word rather than just the head knowledge. To me, the head knowledge is less important than the heart knowledge. To me, the heart knowledge invoked the very compassion and realness of you. What’s the use to have all the head knowledge in the world but no heart knowledge, right? In a way, we need a good balance la, really. I guess, I learnt the Word better that way and with the Lord’s guidance along the way. Honestly, there are no hard and fast rule on reading and understanding of the Word. Like I said, each to their own style, perception and ways of understanding the Word. The important part is that the Word impacts you and made a change in you simply because it is you that matters. When you start the change, you will affect lives closest to you, around you and the greater circle in others. That’s for sure!

So, in this period of MCO, clear the dust off your good ol’ Bible and take a good and hard peek into those Scriptures and start to enjoy the “movie” in your head and mind. From the mysteries and answers to be sought and there are jewels of life to be unearthed. Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, there are stories to be told. There are technicolors of the spectrum of life to be experienced and the quantum solace of emotions and heartfelt feeling all bundled up in an experience of a lifetime. Sound like some vacation brochure, right? Well, I find it to be that way for me. So, let’s go for an enjoyable “vacation of life”, shall we? 

A Chai tea journey.....

Foraging in the old mind of mine, I am reminded of how things were in my days at work and as I sipped my Chai tea last night after a long day in the office ( even during MCO period! ) I really had a good working environment those days. Sure, there were workloads, deadline and enquiries but everything was done in the great spirit of mutual respect and great understanding. I am very respectful in saying this because I did have a good working environment in those years. Everyone was helping out every one in every possible way and never thinking of being selfish or who was greater and so on. Individuality and personal glory comes second while the team needs and yearly team production matters. I must say that there was much respect even in the hierarchy of things. Over the years, I have grown fond and had good wonderful working relationships with colleagues whom I have regarded as close friends and family in a sense. Helping out one another was something that was often done and without hesitation. Nowadays, we have grown cynically apart and selfish because of the indoctrination and emphasis of the personal production and branch production for the egoistic, couldn’t care less and fatten bloodhounds.  

As years go by, the old made way for the younger group of people to take over and this was done smoothly without upsetting the great balance of working relationship and expectations. I must admit with much chagrin that when you have young, ambitious and blood hounds wanting to pounce on the tower of climb and doesn’t mind bringing down others or letting others to fall to die, somehow the dynamics of that working relationship changed. People tend to stand back and watch the blood hounds tearing at the leaders first; to take over by hook or by crook. Then, equipped with promises of better production, increase in intensity of work and spewing the word of more production and more money for the organization, these blood hounds get the attention of the Management who always welcome more money into their pockets in whatever ways or means possible. Hence, starts the downfall or the ecological good balance of the office dynamics. Young blood hounds always felt that they are far superior from the older ones in terms of motivation, drive, expertise and all that.  Well and good ,actually but not on other people's heads and backs, for Christ sake!  There is no doubt that these young blood hounds have all these “qualities” but they forget a couple of things along the way, actually. They forget that many others extended their help to them when they were younger in the office. They forget too that everyone has a limit in patience, work stress and temperament. They forget too that we all have a shelf life with GOD and they forget that they will one day be old too. 

Life is really a bitch when it comes to vicious cycles. There are just too many to see in our lifetime. That’s why I am laid back when I see young bloodhounds claw their way by means of  devices & plans for takeover or to push out the older leaders and so on. I am concern of their unscrupulous tactics of intimidation, verbal assault and even belittling tactics all in the name of putting more money in the pockets of the directors; their own pockets actually. As they go two or triple jumps in the hierarchy, their own coffers grow and they enjoy such benefits and perks while the actual genuine workers languished steadfastly at the bottom rung. I have learnt over the years that good  leaders are the ones who work alongside their staff and out of the sight of limelight. I am a very firm believer that you do not need to blow your trumpet as others will do it for you eventually as they do know who is helping and who is not helping.

I have heard meaningless phrases like, “You are the pillar of this company” shaking your hand profusely and aggressively but in the same breath a week later, “ You did not hit your target.” “ You should be working more or even”, “You are not a team player, are you?” “You are so experience, you should not be making such mistakes.” “I don’t care how you do it, you need to get this done by this week.” ect.etc.  You get an insincere accolade and then in the same breath you get chided for your work performance.

You busted both your nuts and ass working in the office when no one is looking or even in a catastrophic conditions and then the very same blood hounds tells you that you did not hit your target and hence, a lower bonus or worst still, no increment in your salary adjustment. Then, they confused you even further by paying your remunerations half here and then the other half later and then you totally forgot whether you are paid or not in the first place as letters of remuneration are not issued. A very normal situation nowadays but you worked on because you just needed to put food on the table for your kids and your family at home. Sounds familiar? Well, this has been the story of many many good employees over the years. Such hypocrisy of the highest level! To be honest, so-called praises and accolades doesn't move me one inch at all at where I am standing, baby! I am deeply rooted and that's on the ground. Just a load of insincere crap and a load of bullshit, actually.

It is a crying shame for good workers to then deteriorate into just a zombie like worker with no mind of its own, without motivation and without the ability to do what is right any more as everything is dictated by these bloodhounds who are only out to get rid of you or to put you under their thumb of control. Worst still, their way or the highway threat is very real indeed. 

How many of these young blood hound even speak to or speak off  staff who had worked hard and goes back home at 9.00pm or even 11.00pm at night? That is how pressured some staff are nowadays. I believe, staff like these really care for the work they do. They are conscious of their responsibilities or maybe they are saddled with their own problems. No matter what, they needed that space and time to sort out what they go through. Don’t need to bite on their neck or breath down their neck each day. 

Anyway, these are what young blood hounds do each day. Chasing their dreams by pressing others to achieve that dream for them. My question is simply, “When are you going to be satisfied?” There can never be the word “Enough” for these bloodhounds because there is always more to take, more to conquer and more to lust after. The heart is deceitful and lusty which will only lead to destruction. I have learnt a long time ago that feeding the dreams of these young blood hounds are a dangerous journey and eventually, there will be a revolt in the body,mind and soul.

Maybe, I am already at the last leg of my life and the bullshit that I am still young is just another play ploy to feed another adrenaline rush for the wicked blood hounds. To me, count your blessings and take a good look at the people below you; away and past the sides of these young blood hounds. Look at those who had been tapping on their computers faithfully and suffering in silence. Look at those who drag their weary, bruised and battered physical bodies back to see their awaiting family only to slump on the sofa without a word being said. Look at those who are so abused by words and demeaning words throughout the day. Look out at those who remain quiet and suffer in silence every time someone else gets the credit for the works done. Look out for the ones who would just do their work responsibly without muttering or murmurings as they suffer in silence while the boisterous blood hounds reaped the glory and accolades.

These are truly the everyday heroes that I get to see in this little office of ours. These are the heroes that trudged on despite losing their bonuses and wronged in the first place. These are the heroes who still continued working despite being told that they are fools, old and useless. This is the world we live in today. This is what is happening despite your abhorrent denial or refusal to accept such facts. Why? Simply because these things are hidden from the knowledge and sight of the upper crust of the goons too. It doesn’t take one hand to clap but it takes many hands of these young selfish blood hounds to clap together to deafen the cries of help from the bottom section.

Me? I am part of that old, fool and useless category, actually. Ahhh! The Chai tea does smell and taste good……..somehow……

A Walk.....

Today, I want to own up and take care of what had happened to me over the past few weeks. For most of the people who had known me, they would have never thought of me of what could have befallen me. For many days, I have contemplate whether should I write this or not but I guess, the human side of me gets the better of me and the most important thing is that I want to thank God for helping me through while the “morning session theraphy” with my good friend/family, Errol had helped me stay sane. I used to have a very good confidante and friend to whom I could share my thoughts, frustrations and aspirations very much but I guess, we all have limitations to ourselves. I still treasure that good friend a lot, though.

Anyway, I just wanted to share what I really feel inside and I meant no malice to anyone lest you wield the axe, knives and spear me to death. I always am honest with my own feelings inside of me and I realized that it is getting harder and harder to speak the truth nowadays but truth must be spoken as that. I realised too that in this fallen world of ours, we get trampled along, get used by people in all sorts of ways and even been taken as a fool sometimes. For me, I’ve been through those days and I have never ever let those things get to me but I guess, like all people who inhabits this funny world, I do get hurt, angry, mystified and even disappointed at times. Usually, I would be able to shrug it off as His mercy & grace are new each day for me but somehow, this particular day was just different as the impact was just too great for me as far as I was concerned. 

To me, getting called names, spit on, received harsh words, received harm threats, intimidation, induced fear and all that crap doesn’t flinch me one bit but when the heart is bruised, it makes you stop for a while. That is what happened to me. 

To begin, I must say that for once in my life, I was depressed beyond words. At the moment of lowness in my life, I finally understood what it really meant to have the spirit of the Lord in us. No one could help me that day except GOD. I was beyond grief, hurt, anger and sadness. It was sorta unimaginable pain.

It all started on the days before the eve of CNY where I was still working. All of the Chinese staff were awaiting for news of what we had encountered in our bank accounts. For those who are working, head of the household or sole provider for the family, a bonus is an important part of your working career especially for CNY celebrations. A bonus is a pinnacle reward for any working individual from the top down to the workers. It would be the same for our other colleagues too who would be celebrating Hari Raya, Deepavali or even Christmas celebrations. I guess, everyone is fully aware that a bonus is prerogative of the company and we would have to abide by that. It is understandably all good that there is no bonus if the company is not doing well. Yes, no qualms of this if the company is not doing well. But if it is because of some  finance goons who had been poor in collecting the hard earned monies or some financial blunders or some financial scams or simply stingy of giving out bonuses, then, to me, that is unforgivable. Truly unforgivable.    

Anyway, the day before the eve of CNY celebrations, the Chinese staff noted with joy that there was some banking in of money into our accounts. So, naturally, most of us were happy thinking that it was the banking in of our bonus while I was very wary. Excuse me for my being cautious and wary of what had happened because it had happened to me before  (so many many times ) when I thought it was a bonus when it is actually the salary. Hence, after giving out the so-called “bonus”, I was caught not being able to pay for the installments, utilities bills and so on because I had thought it was the “bonus” when it is not. That two months were the hardest for me but luckily, SLing was able to support us at that time. It was an experience which would help stay on the ground when it comes to things like this. 

So, this time around, I probed, asked around and checked about this – still in my very wary state but mild wild celebrations in the office were on-going with the thinking that it was a good change for once that we are going to get our bonus despite no declaration of bonus for the past two years. “Hold on to your horses” is what I said to my colleagues and I even asked them to be wise in their spending so that they would not be in the situation I was in a few years ago. It was certainly frustrating and disheartening when somehow, we got the news that it was just “advanced salary” instead of bonus. It was heart wrenching and downright pissed as I realized that the guys in the office had already made plans to get this and that for their family. You could see it in the faces of the staff that there was so much frustrations, heartache and disappointment. It was crushingly cruel, thoughtless and painful move by the Management of the company. Yes, I do accept that nothing is fair in this world and these are hard times but to play this sort of games with your employees are just imperilously cruel and evil in many ways. 

For me, it is that small still voice in me that had held me back to be cautious and I am thankful for that. What hit me hard inside was what had happened to my colleagues. What if they did not know it was advance salary and had spent the money by putting into angpows for their parents and family members or even spent the money to buy clothes for their family? How would they pay their house installments, car installments, utilities and other bills when they have used up their advanced salary? Believe me when I say to you that I know exactly how it feels not being able to pay for those bills! What a tragic situation indeed! 

The saddening part for me was that the explanation for advanced salary instead of bonus came out later which was one day prior to the eve of CNY celebrations. By this time, some of the staff had gone on leave and did not know the news until our boss announced it to us that day. It was a big letdown after the announcement but I guess, I was already ready for it so it did not had much of an impact. It was when I looked at my junior staffs and fellow colleagues that I felt for them a lot. That hit me hard inside and I really felt for the older and new staff. The look on their faces – the disappointment, the hurt, the anger and the pain. That says it all for me. I just tried consoling the staff as much as I could while I vented out my frustration too as I have been through that road before. I guess, I have seen it all before. It was déjà vu all over again and again and again.

Why did you set a target for the branch only to raise it up all the time during the quarterly meeting? Every time our bosses are back from Management meeting, a different target is set and becomes unachievable. You hit us with talks like we are to work harder, our attitude , our work standards, our commitment and lower our expenses while work gets piled up with no incentive in front of us to work on. With the unachievable target, you used this excuse to say you did not achieve the budget and hence, your bonus will be lower. Then you make scapegoats out of staff so that they do not get or lose their bonus simply because you want to instill fear for the Management. I have seen these games all my life. It was all just too much for me. I started to develop a depressed feeling and hopeless feeling inside of me that day. I went home mentally drained, tired and angry. This burning anger consumed my thoughts and heart. I guess, it was so sickening feeling inside that the poorer folks like us are like mere pawns on some bloody chessboard of power play.     

On the eve of CNY, I was still at work and when I came in to work in the morning, the atmosphere was a somber atmosphere. It was hard for me and when a young staff came by to offer his CNY greeting to me before proceeding home for CNY eve celebration;  he thanked me for informing and advising him on the advance salary fiasco. Though I was depressed by this time, I sensed his genuine gratitude which moved me to tears inside my heart. I haven’t even told him of the days we had to wait at the bank on CNY eve night to get our bonus or salary in those days. I just could not imagine how we could buy anything on CNY eve evening or night time. Somebody, please enlighten me. I just gave him a smile and told him to be wise in his spending. Soon, the other staff came by to offer the CNY greetings before leaving home. I said the same thing to them. I don’t know if they would appreciate that or not but at least, I have done my best to help them in whatever small way I could. 

When I was in my car that day, I felt very down and depressed by what had happened. All sorts of questions came to my head and the arrows from the evil one never ceased. For many years now, all the staff had to endure and suffer in silence over such wicked, sadistic and inhumane ways and treatment by rats at the top who only knows how to abuse their power and status. They don’t care a two hoots of staff or their families. All the talk of “we are family” is a big lie and a farce to begin with when the only family known are rats and money diggers. That enraged my heart and my mind.   

Sadness soon turned to clenched fist and soon escalated to burning anger, curses and hatred. For a moment, I just lost it and engulfed with this bursting hatred at what had happened. Somehow, for a moment thereafter, I felt as though I was doused with water. It was like someone had poured cold water over me. I composed myself as the goodness and the provision of the Lord over my life all these years flashed before me. I am also reminded of those dark days, years and how the Lord had brought me out of it. Like what Errol had said to me this morning, there is a song in the dark as in the Book of Job. Yunno, the funny thing was that in spite of me being overwhelmed by the sadness and deep anger, there was a certain hand of comfort upon my heart. I really felt His hands upon my heart that day and I was comforted. I am still trying grasp what had happened that day.   

Slowly but surely, I overcame that depressed feeling and hopelessness as I looked on the goodness of the Lord to me.  Today, I want to say that God had asked, sorry, commanded us to love of our neighbour including our enemies, you know that?  I’ll be downright honest, I don’t know if I can do that as it is a damn difficult task, don’t you think so? BUT, that is His second commandment, right? I’ll take it slow as usual …..one step at a time , one fight at a time, one journey at a time …. one forgiveness at a time…. 

Covid-19 - Lighter side

Every morning since CNY 2020 and then towards mid-March, 2020, the printed news and the electronic media are constantly bombarded with news of Covid-19 pandemic. It’s cold, depressing, gloomy and sad news of what is happening around us but it didn’t really hit you until it hit your shores, isn’t it? While Wuhan and other parts of China were fighting tooth and nail over the sudden burst of COVID -19 pandemic situation, we could only watch, pray and hope it doesn’t hit us that bad, right? Well, it did and here we are in our MCO and still there are people who would defy the ban on the MCO. I can’t think of a more barbaric word to describe such people but I am constantly reminded to “mind my language” and be civil. Bah! Not that I have to mimic Doraemon voice or wear make up or even to giggle like some school girl to catch any attention, RIGHT? So, I believe, I am alright staying at home. Hey,hey,hey, I am trying to get the 6 packs, 8 packs or 12 packs or whatever but hey, Round is a shape, okay? By the way, I thought 6 packs was for beers or apple ciders ,man. Round is the BESTEST!

To me, it is kinda ironic that in every day work, I wished I could have days like that and when it actually came to pass, I often wonder how will I cope with it. Well, I survived not kicking my better half out of the house. ( I’m joking! I can’t. It’s MCO period, remember?) All the “sweet” chattering, instructions, commands and so-call advices are so subtle to the ears but deafening to the soul, man. You can get “deaf” occasionally but not very long. Somehow, you get the feeling that you are “not wanted” in the house feeling, you get that too? Good for you. Welcome to the club of hubbies getting clobbered physically, socially and mentally. However, I must say that all these are taken in with great humour and a very open mind. (Damn! Those pesticides shops ain’t opened yet, isn’t it?)

Anyway, when I actually need to get in to work, I felt like it’s different. With the masks and the restricted distancing and so on, I often wonder if it is just dollars and sens that matters or it is just another excuse to make us work during this MCO lockdown. I often ask this question in my heart and mind, “ Don’t our lives matter to anyone?” Of course, I have a lot of respect and admiration for the real frontliners out there like the nurses, doctors, bread man, police personnel, grocery stores, departmental stores people and all that. I also have a lot of respect and admiration for the work we do but I do hate pencil pushers or rather lip servicers. Try watching “Undercover Boss” sometime and learn some things or two of what it means to be at the bottom ladder rather than the top rung!  Sure, bottom line of the company matters and the other excuses just made it simplier and more “convenient” to our brains to get to work. I dunno if its to cover some high paying people’s ass paycheck or what but it does not make sense to risk people’s lives like that. I guess, every one has a sanity line at times. 

Anyway, let’s get to some good parts, shall we? Well, during the MCO, I have had the opportunity to watch some pretty good K-Drama like Kingdom 2 ( I love the history serials or drama! Watched most of the historical K-drama already ), Live, Warm & Cosy, Crash Landing On You, The Fiery Priest, Dr Romantic, most of the doctors dramas, Designated Survivor , Live and  movies like Dunkirk, The Darkest Hour, USS Indianapolis , Overcomer, Courageous , All Saints , Miracle at Cell No.7 ( a moving and heartfelt Turkish movie. Believe me, it is a good movie! ) and other movies of interest. Anything for  good entertainment and relaxation, actually. NETFLIX can be quite interesting too especially with the movie fares and the dramas. I guess, I have put some discoloration and dent bump onto the 2 seater cushion that I sat while watching the movies/dramas. With a cup of cooled drink like iced tea or coffee or even cold chilled plain water plus some crackers or snacks, this is the rare luxury of life, people. For me, watching a drama or a movie can be intense as you must get absorbed with the main characters of the drama/movie or movie plan as it does show you the human side of people. We can learn a lot from these human side drama or not to repeat the mistakes made by these people. I have also learned in reality that sometimes, people just needed one break in their lives to be successful like AGT, BGT, XFactor, The Voice or even Australia Got Talent shows.  I have also watched Undercover Boss, Secret Millionaire, Undercover Billionaire or Acts of Kindness ( Youtube clips ) which to me ; helped me see a lot of things in perspective and in reality. Yeah, take some time during the MCO to get on the Youtube to see these clips or better still , try helping others who are in need during the MCO like buying groceries or getting meals for the elderly.

The other lighter side of the MCO is I get to hone my cooking skills. Yup, all those hidden and dead buried cooking skills were “unearthed” ( meaning wife gently elevated some form of pressure and coaxed diligently with some veiled threats! ) for the better good of the family. Sure, I can cook but I don’t really know if the two women ( my wife and daughter ) in my house can eat it! Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa……… Yeah, I tried my best to cook up a storm of variety of food I know how. Thank God! Both of the women had NOT been to the hospital! Been cooking mee goreng pedas, Mamee mee goreng, ABC soup and BBQ pork & onions filling for wraps thus far. They were a hit ( Yes, the women folk in my family says so! ) and I am trying to end on that winning note so far. Hopefully, I won’t get to do much more cooking.

The other thing I wanna mention is the time when I do get to go to the supermarket to get some groceries. It was really a happening day for me. I would fill the cart with what I believe SLing would be able to cook and what we would all enjoy. I know, we got to keep our distance and it was all done very well. I guess, Malaccans are more discipline in that matter but I was jokingly chided by SLing for spending  1½ hours at the supermarket – my excuse was that, well, I had many things to consider and many things to get and it’s like I am trying to jam all the information in my head on what to buy and so on. I don’t want to slip up and it would be a long time before I get to go out! Yeah, they are right. Men can be quite hopeless in getting the marketing list done because they are mainly “shot” at the main entrance of the supermarket with a temperature gun and poof! They forget the groceries list already! ( Cilakak! Mak Kiah also can’t help already! ) I was like trying to remember as much as I could and I could have sworn that the security guard was looking at me intently as though knowing that I have been in the supermarket for such a long time!

Then there’s this Zoom thing we did with our cell group members ( Hey, cell group members doesn’t mean we are some terrorist group, okay? Lest you have some funny ideas! Good Christian group meeting  la! ) Though it can be quite chaotic at first but to get to see each other after some time of not meeting up can be a really wonderful experience. We got to sing worship songs, learn the Word, gave our own testimony of what we did and we prayed for one another. I believe, it is important for us to stay “sane” by being in “contact” with people. It helps for us to feel together and united in a way in our fight against Covid 19 pandemic.  It is also a way for us to help one another in times of need such as delivery groceries , helping to purchase groceries or even help in any way with one another. That support system is so important during this time of lockdown. I am so grateful for the initiative of Dinesh, our leader and also our church, City Community Church (CCC)  to get us all connected in that way and to help each other out in any way we could. 

The other point I want to say is that I get myself hydrated more often and it is something that I enjoyed the most. Drinking plain water more often has helped me get hydrated and refreshed in a way. It has been very hot weeks but drinking water helped a lot. I guess, we, Malaccans, are unfortunate in a sense that with the MCO in force, we also had water rationing which could be quite uncomfortable to us. Thank God, good discipline and good sense prevailed amongst the Malaccans and we are going through it rather smoothly. So, do take in more plain water and get hydrated well in these blistering hot weather,ok?

My thoughts are really for the frontliners out there. Their sacrifices and dedication are truly commendable and a thankless job indeed. I wish more people would heed to the MCO instead of screaming their heads off at the police or at people enforcing the MCO. Don’t blame them. They are just carrying out their orders and if you want to blame anyone, blame the Minister in charge for not giving clear instructions or conflicting instructions. Yeah , I find the instructions given to be ambiguous, conflicting and confusing at times. Everyone had to get a grip of things and put in instructions clearly and precise. 

To the doctors and nurses, you are the frontline  heroes indeed. Your services and dedication are always in our hearts and mind. To the other Good Samaritans like Pastor Jit Pang in Kluang, NGO food providers everywhere ,  Food Panda Ipoh ( well done & thank you ! ) and many other organisations helping out the people, A BIG THANK YOU and God bless each and every one of you! You people are the “unseen” heroes each day and may many more MALAYSIANS wake up to help you rather than be racist and revel in putting down others in this time of difficulties for the nation. Afterall, we are MALAYSIAN, together forever!