Display of testimony that burns within my heart

After 3 months of absence, I have finally returned to Blog. Why? I mean, there’s so much that has happened in these 3 months & tons catch-up! But Rebecca reminded me that that if I didn’t decide to start one day… then I wouldn’t start at all. So here I am, back again...

My main reason for typing today’s Blog is because I was inspired by one person. He is Rebecca’s Dad – Uncle John Seow. This guy has this peculiar ways, but underneath, he still has a heart for people, especially lost souls. What’s amazing is that despite his quiet spirit, he is able to impact the lives of those around.

I was invited to Rebecca’s niece’s 1st year birthday celebration at Aunty Daisy’s house at Pungol. Personally, I don’t really like that location because it seems rather undeveloped & ‘ulu’ (i.e. deserted). Given a choice, I would prefer places like Sengkang, where there are more facilities & heartland atmosphere.

After a short T-Net discussion meeting, Uncle John, Aunty Molly, Rebecca & I took a taxi there from church. It was a hot & sunny mid-afternoon & I was beginning to sweat quite a bit due to the scorching sun. I have also noticed that recently many tree branches have been trimmed off from the surrounding greenery. I don’t understand why the authorities have to do this in the middle of the year, when it’s at its hottest. I mean, isn’t trees supposed to provide shade as well as oxygen? By doing this, they have reduced A LOT of shade & cut back on the amount of oxygen being released into the air…

A short while into the journey, Uncle John began to strike up a conversation with the taxi driver. If I can remember correctly, I think his name is Jeremy. You see, Jeremy was playing slow English oldies on his CD player. Uncle John mistook it as a cassette player & asked, “Is this from a cassette tape?” Jeremy laughed & said that it’s a CD player… & he copied these MP3 songs into a CD to play in his taxi. Jeremy also offered to play other songs, if we weren’t comfortable with oldies. Uncle John replied that it is okay with him, but he wasn’t sure about Rebecca & me. I said that it is okay with me, just that these slow, relaxing oldies would be very soothing when driving at night. Aunty Molly commented that listening to these slow oldies make her feel like the weather is not as hot as it really is.

Out of the blue, Uncle John just said that we came from this church nearby, called Covenant House. Then he continued by asking if Jeremy is a Christian. I was shocked! Wah… you mean Uncle John just suddenly jumped into witnessing to the taxi driver just like that? No warning, just like that ask? Jeremy replied that he’s not a Christian. Uncle John then followed up by asking if he is a Buddhist or free thinker. Thankfully, we were pleasantly surprised that Jeremy began to slowly open to Uncle John.

Jeremy began to think & said he’s more of a Buddhist than free thinker. Thinking back now, it apparently showed that he himself doesn’t know what he believes in. Uncle John began to ask Jeremy if he has ever visited a church before. Jeremy said yes… it was somewhere near Pasir Ris, but can’t remember the name of the church that he visited. We came up with a few names of churches near Pasir Ris, but Jeremy couldn’t remember… until Rebecca mentioned Shalom Bible Presbyterian Church & Jeremy began to nod, indicating some recall.

Uncle John started to share that he used to be a Taoist & pray to Duo3 Pek4 Gong1 (whoever this is, I really don’t know). Then Uncle John shared that later he came to become a Christian, because a friend invited him to church. He also remarked that it is interesting that there are a lot of Christians try to invite people to church, but no non-Christian has ever invited him to a temple. That was an astounding thought that streaked into my mind! Never have I ever thought about this before! Revelation! Thank God!

Uncle John then said, “But you agree that religion is important in a person’s life & work, right?” Jeremy agreed & suddenly launched into this question about what Uncle John thinks about City Harvest Church. Uncle John replied that he doesn’t know much about this church, except that the pastor’s name is Kong Hee & his wife is a singer. Jeremy then said that the church is very glamorous, always spending money to build a nice expensive building, etc.

Seeing the opportunity that Jeremy has opened up, Uncle John began to share more about life & Christianity. Rebecca was thinking quietly to herself & Aunty Molly was silent & listening. For me, I was just amazed at how Uncle John could just strike up such a conversation that led to this current situation!

Uncle John asked if he is married & Jeremy shared that he is married with two children. Sadly, he is divorced. Uncle John asked about the custody of the children & Jeremy shared that they meet up & stay with each parent for a few days each week. At that moment, I felt a sense of sadness overwhelm me, as I reflected on how sad it is, torn between two parents & in such a state of legal custody.

Jeremy began to share that he kept asking himself why must this happen to me & what did he do to deserve this outcome. He said that he loves his children very much & didn’t know why things turned out like that. But he is glad to overcome this obstacle & get on with life. Yet, I didn’t know if he really got over it. Is it through forgetting about it, or by true forgiveness?

Both men continued sharing & at the end of the journey, Uncle John took out a Covenant flyer, wrote his name & contact number on the card & passed it to Jeremy, asking him to come by CPC anytime. Seeing Uncle John use the flyer reminded me of how I used to bring a few of these in my bag, when I was a temp staff under Uncle John. Apparently, I have quite lost the heart for the lost, being so caught up & stressed about work & almost completely forgotten the times when I went visitation with Uncle John.

This experience reminded me of the importance of seizing the opportunity to share with someone whom we meet along the way of our lives. When I messaged Uncle John to share & encourage him, he replied, reminding me that we can make use of any given opportunity to share our faith… that it’s just like breathing. Natural. Uncle John also shared that this may be the only time that we get to speak to this person. That’s why it’s so important.

I still find it very amazing, how Uncle John managed to relate to this taxi driver. I hope to pick up this skill & prayed that God grant me the joy, love & hope within me, so that I can radiate these when I witness to others around me.

Just like what Pastor Andrew shared in the seminar on helping people – He shared that to love others, you must first learn to love yourself. To care for others, you must first learn to care for yourself. Likewise, if we want to bring hope to others, we need to catch a glimpse of this hope from Jesus Himself. That is why I prayed. May God use us for His purposes & that we may bring glory unto Him. Amen.