Hello from Beijing

I marked all my tests up till the very last minute before I was driven to the airport. At the last minute, dad also told me his cab was not able to take me there. I was a little more stressed then. But thankfully, my colleague was willing to wake up early to fetch me there. Eventually, Victor got to send me off. He drove all the way from Bukit Panjang to get me. I am deeply touched by this gesture because it was an early morning flight.

The boys looked tired too when I reached the airport. And some actually cried silently as they parted with the family. When they board the plane, they became excited again. I must say God is good because throughout the flight, the boys were seated and now rowdy. But towards the landing at Beijing, the plane was flying right into an intense pocket of cloud, causing the plane to go up and down. At each roller coaster ride, the boys go "Oh!" and "Oh!" When we landed, the boys all clapped. I am surprised they are so well behaved.

We all checked into the rooms and then everything started with the welcome dinner. It was good. Food has been good. Last night we were invited by the principal for dinner. We ate too full.

My legs are in pain again. Even after the foot massage, they are not getting any better. Today I am going to Tian Tan. A lot of walking today so I am wondering how best to keep my legs comfortable and not over walk them.

Returning to Beijing after mum's passing is a different feeling. I am reminded of God's providence again and his faithfulness in this land I first came. I may be staying in a different place now but the heart is heavy. I want to look forward to what I will do here but I also remember how I had a great time with my mum. I will make my way to the air force hospital sometime this week to visit the doctors and the nurses. It will be difficult to walk into the hospital again.

Work has been super busy. On top of that I am fighting a cold and flu. So doubly hard with my weak legs. So pray for me.

My colleagues, Rosalind and Vincent have been fun to be with. We are laughing at how we can be so unprepared but then we made it the first day. We work from 645 to 5pm everyday and then return to the hostel after dinner. By the time we reach the hostel, we are all tired. We managed to rest early around 11pm or so and get up at 5am to check on the boys by 615 to get them ready for school by 645. Yesterday was their first day and they were all tired. They told me the school hours are long. Yes they are, from 0730 to 1700 everyday with an hour and a half lunch break.

The weather is better now, today is a high of 13 and the sun is shining.

May God keep us.

Valentine's Day and PTG

This week has been a very busy week for me. I am exhausted by the end of the week. Valentine's day was really busy and quiet. No roses for me. But I had a dinner appointment to meet this new friend from church.

The dinner was at the foodcourt. But I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Helen. When I first met her, I just found her to be so approachable and godly. I never asked if she was single or married because really it didn't matter. Through bible distribution, IBC now had a group of members who believe in reaching out to China. We have since started a ministry and sponsored pastors from China to learn at the bible college in Singapore. Helen is key to this formation. That night she shared about her life. I can only say this...she is really remarkable. Her faith in God is just unspeakable. Her life is a testimony of God's faithfulness no matter how tough life is. Her love for God is so great. She was not born into a Christian home. In fact, her strict buddhist father forbade anyone from believing in the foreign God. But through some life experience, Helen realized that only God satisfies and God will heal all the hurts. She accepted Jesus as her savior and met the widow who brought her to Christ. Soon they fell in love, and was married, much against her parent's wishes. The marriage was strained from the many long separation and finally the straw broke the camel's back for her husband. He left, now not knowing where he could be found. She is still waiting for him to show up.

I never knew how stressful parents feel about meeting teachers. Well, on Friday, I met these very anxious parents. Some came to enquire if their sons were hardworking. Many came to complain about their sons sleeping less than three hours a day. Many of their sons are leaders, busy with their extra curricular activities as well as staying on top of their studies. I understand how these parents feel. Lucky for me, I attended a sharing session about future schools on the very same morning before the PTG. And the specialist said that we should imagine what it would be like for all our students in the next 25 years.

Yes, what would it be like? Which one is more important, the heart or the head? Do you know that in the US, a boy aged seven right now will in his lifetime, make 7 career changes. Imagine that. Not only will they find it hard to hold a job down, there are fewer jobs, they got to work harder. If the stress I now feel is already bad, wait till 25 years later. So I decided to ask the parents the same question, what would it be like in the next 25 years. If we continue to excuse the stress and not deal with it, what will it be like for them?

A few of my HP students want to quit the programme because they couldn't cope. I challenged them to think about learning how to survive. In the future, they must pass on these skills to their own children. There are those boys who think that everything is served on the platter and playing all life long is the way to go. Well, they will soon realize it is about constantly working hard to be somewhere. But then...is this enough? Going somewhere, be somebody is great but what about the heart of the matter.

The last parent was a mother who insisted on waiting for me. When there was no one in the room, she poured her heart out. When she told me who her son was, I told her that her son is spunky. He is a very intelligent boy, with very keen eyes and sharp ears. He asks excellent questions all the time and is not disruptive in class. The poor mum went to a few of his teachers and all told her not so positive feedback. But none of the teachers knew about his medical condition. I didn't know too but I am usually more tolerant with discussive noise in class. As she shared more about her son, she brought down and cried. She had to call her son to find out who he wants her to see because so far, none of his teachers were really positive. He mentioned my name because he wanted me to be his mentor. When I heard that, I was stunned. I could do little to mentor but I could walk along side with him. She told me that the feed back that she got from her son's teachers were not encouraging. At one point, she got so discouraged, she did not want to come. Later, upon discussion with her husband she decided to come because she is proud of her son. Wow. I never knew the parents take coming to see us so seriously.

In about a week's time, I will fly to Beijing. My aquarium will be taken over by my students. I have started noticing the boys are bringing the biscuits for my basket. I am very touched that they did it without me planning a roster. I hope they will learn to have a heart for each other.

I am going to leave my room to my boys and pray they will take care of it until I return in May. I hope to come back to a room full of thinking gentlemen.

Who will take the son?

This morning's sermon is still fresh on my mind. In it was a great story. Here it goes. A father and his son love the fine arts and with the money the father amassed, he bought many art works of famous artists around the world so that he could enjoy with his son. This man was very rich to be able to afford these great works of art. Each evening the father and son would sit down and bring out the art works and admire the work of those great painters. Before the long, the son was drafted into the Vietnam war. You would have guessed that the son didn't make it and died saving many lives. Well the story continues to go on. The old man was heart broken and left alone because his son was the only treasure he had. He was gone.

One day a young man knocked on the door. He told the old man how he was so grateful to his son for saving his life. The old man's son was shot in the chest while trying to bring him to safety. Before he left, he gave the old man a painting. One in which he drew of the old man's son during those free hours while fighting vietcongs. The old man removed the main art work from the mantle and hung this painting of his son. The old man stared into the eyes of the portrait of his son. He could almost see his son. Each night he would sit and stare at the painting. A few months later, the old man died. Soon an auction was held to sell his paintings. The first painting to be sold that day by the auctioneer was the painting of the SON. The auctioneer shouted :Who will take the SON?" The impatient buyers shouted at the auctioneer to hasten him to sell the great works of art. But the auctioneer went on "Who will take the son for $100. Did I hear $100 once? Did I hear higher." But the noise in the room was getting louder. They were voices asking for the great works to be sold. Suddenly a hand shot from the back of the room. It was the old man's gardener. Togethe with his young son, he bid "$10". The auctioneer shouted "$10 once, any one higher than $10? $10 going once, $10 going twice, $10 going three times. Slam!! Sold!" The impatient buyers appluaded the sale because the moment they were waiting for had come. The actual sale would begin.

The auctioneer turned his back from the buyers and walked down the stage. Every buyer in the room froze. Then voices of protest could be heard. The auctioneer went up the stage again and spoke. "I am instructed to sell that one piece. Anyone who buys the SON, will inherit all the rest of the paintings and the entire estate. "

This is the meaning of salvation rich and free. Our salvation is even better. It is free, we don't need to do anything to deserve it. Such is the love of our God.

I left the church overwhelmed by God's love for us. Very undeserving of us but He gave. I also thought about the wealth I have in heaven and on earth as His child. What can I do with this riches? Keep it or share it? Tell it or hide it. A lot on my mind today.

Another new year!

The Chinese New Year is finally here. Dad and I were busy shopping for the food for the reunion dinner. This year is rather tough for me because I really miss my mum. But I was glad to be on my feet cooking a storm away. I was so busy on the eve and on the first day that now my back and my legs hurt. I had to be honest, although I want to save sharks, I think I cannot save them on the eve of Chinese New Year. But I announced to my family that from now on, I am not serving shark fins' soup. I am grateful that my brother loan me his maid so she can help clean up after I messed up the kitchen. And I got a Drama TV series to kill time, not that I have lots of it. I got two drama series and almost finished one already. I got my nephews and nieces all glued to the TV the first day of the new year and we all chased after the drama until we are almost finished. Today I am at Richard's, trying to finish the drama with the same bunch that started with me. It was fun to watch them watch a cantonese drama serial.

On the first day of the new year. I cooked mum's signature dish. It is a vegetarian dish in which there is gluten added. I have to make the gluten and I washed about 2kg of flour and then fried the gluten to get them ready to be added to the mixed veggies. This dish is taught to us by mum. So all three of us know this dish. There is one dish that I think only I can do and I did it for Richard's dinner party tonight. It is a typical Hakka dish with yam and pork. I discussed with my older cousins last night and they had different suggestions. Well, I cooked it my style. I hope the friends like it. Dad's friends came on the first day and are going to be here tonight to feast again. I am having a terrible headache.

Recently there is quite a scare about avandia, a drug for diabetic patients. I was on it for a year and it was only when I was in Calgary that Bonita told me the drug is not good for me at all. It took me a long time until last week that I managed to see my doctor. He was shocked that I was on many different drugs and all so tip top. He was more shocked that I was not tested for the last three years. When he checked my blood pressure a few days ago, he was more surprised that my bp actually dropped even though I was upset about a matter. He told me to cut back on my medication. I will have to try out one new drug before buying more medicines. I will also have to get tested before leaving because Bonita doesn't want me to suffer when I get to Beijing.

I am terrible. I know but I am still alive by God's mercy. Because I will be away for three months in Beijing, I have also made provisions for my finances to be taken care of. I don't wish my assets to be taken over by the government because I think I have worked very hard for this money. I want my nephews and nieces to enjoy the fruits of my labour. I have also made provisions for some of my close friends in the event of my death. As I set out to sort out my finances, I am thankful to God for blessing me. When I needed money most, He readily supply. Truly GOD can supply all our needs. What do you need today? I need to send my laptop to be fixed. It crashed on me!

In my comment box was a lady who has a need. I believe she won't mind me sharing a prayer. Please pray for her father in law who is battling the 4th stage of lung cancer. Pray that God will keep her husband and her husband's brother strong as they create memories for the children. Pray that her father in law who has been singing christian hymns and reading scriptures will find strength to live for the Lord each day. Pray for the right decisions to be made regarding treatment. Pray for clear minds and peace as the family make all these major decisions together. Pray for the little children in the family that they will come together and pray with their grandfather to encourage him and to grant him joy to know he is not alone. Please keep Cheryl's family in prayer. She need this most.

There are new additions to my home room. I bought 6 neon tetras and put in a small plant. I realized that the fishes are really troublesome. I get worried they may not be fed and might chew on each other when I am not around. I have to get my boys to look after them. I told them that if one dies, they have to replace. Hopefully the fishes multiply.

The classes I am having have been good to teach. They challenged my thinking and encouraged me to be more professional. But the marking is tough. I hate marking. Can we teach and not mark! I always admire those who can mark the next day return kind of super markers. One colleague told me that he loves to mark. But he teaches history, not geography, so I cannot give him my load.

There are major complaints about Taxi fares today. I really cannot understand why the government must raise it. Do you? Did they do the right thing? Did they do market research? Did they check the economic indices or the inflation rates before raising the fares? Did they give me the 35% increase in pay to make sure I offset all the high costs? Did they research???

Do you know something shocking? Well, Switzerland is not that great a country afterall. Two friends visiting told me that racism exists in Switzerland although it may not be so obvious in Geneva but in other cantons, definitely. And I heard the Swiss are very democratic people. But whose expense is democracy exercised? I wonder often how many young people will return from overseas education only to shout bloody murder about the autocratic society in Singapore. I remember how my friend complained that there is no freedom of speech in Singapore. I challenged her to think about what she said. I asked if she could not speak against the government publicly. Well we have Hong Lim gardens and though we must give our IC number and the contents of our speech, we are still able to speak. Can democracy be without responsibility? Can we not think of who we will offend if we speak with that freedom? What is the intention of this freedom? I wonder if freedom can be without responsibility. We are afterall a small country. We have the freedom to be who we want to be. But have we considered what we will become with this freedom?

I returned from Calgary in 1996, arrogant and full of displeasure for Singapore. But it is still home and over the years, I realized that Singapore government has done a remarkable job to plan ahead. We don't have many things. The little we have we make the best of it. That is why I think even if Singapore has many demerit points, the one redeeming grace is that the government tries very hard to make things work for a small nation. I don't support the government all the time. But this new surge in patriotism came about because of some weird form of democracy. Look at the democratic countries today. Where are they morally? So somethings got to give and what are you giving in exchange for democracy? Is it necessarily better? Is it going to be exercised at all times? Can there be varied forms of democracy?

We live in an imperfect world. Whatever idealogies we have are all crafted on a selfish basis. It is always about us. If only we can look beyond the I and the ME. And pursue the WE, then we are closer to God. But in anything we do, when we remove GOD, there is really no reason for any success or happiness. Only when GOD is in the things we do and believe will we have peace. The storm will come, then it will blow over and then another will come but still GOD remains faithful. What new trends we don't already know? What new ideas we don't already hear? All are nothing new under the sun. Fashion comes and go. Ideology surge and wane. But God abides faithful.

I need a rest now. I am tired from all the cooking and thinking. I just felt like blogging today.

Happy new year to all of you.

Will meet up my buddies before I fly. That means, Leng and Shin Miin, I will be calling.

Food Samaritan Distribution Tomorrow

The day has finally come for all of us to share the Chinese New Year joy with the single senior elderly. We are distributing the collection tomorrow morning around 10am. To date, we have sold 950 food packages and about 800 Non food packages. We will be able to make at least 620 single elderly happy tomorrow.

We have come a long ways. Without the help of my students from the high school and junior college, this journey would not be possible. My 7 team members laboured without complaints and I watched them grow from strenght to strength. Tomorrow's breakfast will be provided by Jeremy. He asked his grandmother to cook bee hoon for 80 people. I am just so touched. Then there is Chun Meng. He is the leader of the team. He is excellent in adminstration. Without Chun Meng working on the details, I don't think we will mover very far. Then there are 5 lovely, thinking and extremely efficient girls. There is Evelyn, Shu Hwee, Sarah, Shermaine and Jessica. They made it possible because of their patience too.

Most of all I thank God. Do you know that this morning (Saturday) I got up and read my SMS message that there was a funeral going on last night. The place was not booked and poor Chun Meng was shocked that the Community Development Centre did not book it. Instead, he was scolded. Of course we panicked and he immediately found alternatives. But then we found out that the funeral was over.

I suspect the funeral was for a single elderly. I pondered about this for a while. If you are single and old and sickly, what will be the end? So I set my finances in order. I realized I will be leaving for Beijing soon. I cannot wait to go. I was very honest to my deam about the need to go to church. She told me I can go as long as the church is not an underground church. I told her, all the churches I know are above ground. Amongst the group of students going with 4 teachers in Beijing is a group of students who were there for three months already. In this group of students was a student I noticed who's life has changed. I noticed his face was brighter and he was smiling more and he does shine. I asked him if he was a Christian. He told me he is because he came to know the Lord in Beijing when two of his friends studied the bible with him. I am so glad for this student. With God all things are possible.