I was born as the seventh baby in my family. My siblings and I grew up in a Teochew and Cantonese speaking home in Singapore in the 1960s. 

My parents could not afford to send us to kindergarten and so my giant leap into school and education began at Primary 1 when I was seven years old. 

It was bewildering as that was the first day that I heard my name in English and Mandarin being called out. That day, I was launched into two new languages and was quite lost. I could not tell the difference between “b” and “d”, not to mention “p” and “q”.  

The teacher wanted to keep me in class during the recess break till I wrote all the letters of the alphabet correctly. It was only when she saw my mother waiting outside the classroom that she released me.    

I was greatly comforted when my mother sat with me over a hearty serving of chicken porridge that she had cooked. And she spoke to me in Cantonese, unlike the teachers who gave me instructions in English or Mandarin.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”. (A quote attributed to Nelson Mandela.)

Heart to heart

I was reminded of my bewilderment on that first day of school when I read the book of Daniel.

Think of a word that you use often – you can probably think of several. Now, think of a word that you used only once and not again. This will be much harder.

counsel  מְלַךְ

break off  פְּרַק

thy sins חֲטָי

righteousness צִדְקָה

thine iniquities עִוְיָא

to the poor  עֲנָה

thy tranquility שְׁלֵוָה

shewing mercies חֲנַן. (2 times in Daniel 6:11)

lengthening אַרְכָּה –  (2 times in Daniel 7:12)

Of the 16 Hebrew words used in Daniel 4:27, six words are hapax legomenon, that is, they are used only once in the text, in this case, the Bible.

Furthermore, two words are used only twice, and both times by Daniel.

Additionally, the word “acceptable” שְׁפַר is used three times and all three times by Daniel. 

Why did Daniel use so many “uncommon” words, as compared to the rest of the Old Testament?

Most likely, the main reason is that the book of Daniel was written in two languages.

Some portions were written in Hebrew and some, as is Daniel 4:27, were written in Aramaic.  

Although it was a commonly used language in those days, Aramaic words are uncommon as far as the written Bible is concerned.

A whole new world

Daniel and his companions were forced into exile – taken from their homeland and transported to Babylon. 

In human migration, there is the constant juggle to adapt and to adopt. What parts of the old to keep and what parts of the new to embrace? Will I be laughed at if I take on too much of my host culture? Will my roots and loyalties change?

So many new words. So many new gods.

And so many new happenings in Nebuchadnezzar’s court!

Other than being in a new land, perhaps Daniel had to dig deep into vocabulary because he was trying to communicate with the king in a new language when persuading King Nebuchadnezzar in Aramaic that God beckons him to repentance. 

The languages may change but the heartbeat is the same. 

Daniel, though slave and servant, communicated with the king heart-to-heart. The hapax legomenons flow ceaselessly – not to demonstrate his linguistic eloquence, but to introduce and inject God’s words into the king’s heart and mind.  

Perhaps the many new words also tell of the struggles in Daniel’s own heart.

Communicating God’s values

Social media has thrown me into a world of many new words and phrases: “LOL”, “TLDR”, “wats 4 dnr”.  What should I do?  How much should I adapt and how much to reject? Should I insist on proper spelling and grammar?

Perhaps, like Daniel, I should go through the framework of wanting to communicate God’s values – the hard work of highlighting sin and unrighteousness, pleading for repentance and advocacy to care for the marginalised.  

These are the hard issues – topics such as “sin” are often seen as private matters (or basically – “who are you to judge?”).  Through his many hapax, Daniel speaks to the heart. 

Back in my Primary 1 classroom, my teachers propelled me into a whole new world. 

I enjoyed most of the classes, but always looked forward to the recess break when my mother would come with the hot porridge. Often, she would tell me to obey the teachers – in Cantonese – as I ate.

Over the past few years, Dr Tan Lai Yong has done “a very little work among displaced people/refugees”. He found ministry among refugees emotionally challenging. Even in the days when working with leprosy or the HIV affected, outcomes could be managed and and plans made accordingly, he said.

“But in refugee work – while school and other meaningful programmes are run – it is still many years of waiting and waiting,” he added. “I struggle with this stagnation and ask: Where does the Good News come in?

“I still do not have concrete answers but penned three simple devotional essays as the Lord teaches me that He is Sovereign and He knows.”

This is the first of Dr Tan’s devotions in his series on The Language of Hearts and Minds. Watch this space for more devotions.

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The rare neurological disorder causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

Nancy and her team were there to bring Amelia the gift she had put on her wishlist. “She was so excited that she opened her eyes,” said Catherine Lee, who leads The Blessing Project. 

“As they prayed for her, she blinked her eyes and swallowed her saliva – signs that her mother, Wendy explained were Amelia’s way of communicating.”

That was an especially meaningful visit for the team, as Amelia passed away just two months later on February 6, 2024.

Celebrating the little ones

The Blessing Project began in 2021 as a simple idea to bring birthday celebrations to children who have never or rarely celebrated their birthdays.

Some of these children come from difficult or underprivileged backgrounds, others have special needs.

Catherine, a pastoral supervisor with City Harvest Church runs the project with volunteers from the church. The Blessing Project is part of CHC’s Church Without Walls initiative, a church-wide effort to bring the love of Jesus to people and places who may never step into a church.

For Catherine, helming The Blessing Project holds special meaning. 

She told Salt&Light: “I was very excited to take on this project because I was adopted at birth, and my adoptive parents never celebrated my birthday. When I first attended CHC in 1995, my cell group members celebrated my birthday for the very first time. I was deeply touched by the love they showed me.

“To me, special dates and occasions hold significant importance and remembering them is a powerful way to connect and build genuine relationships with one another.

“Some people may have never had their birthday celebrated before, while others may not have the means to do so. The Blessing Project aims to show love and care to children and individuals with special needs from low-income and needy families by celebrating their birthdays with a cake and a gift. We want to let them know that they are special and valued.”

Catherine (in glasses) with her husband Adam visiting a child with the gift she wished for. Photo courtesy of Catherine Lee.

The Blessing Project has engaged over 200 volunteers from CHC in the last three years. 

“Currently, we have around 50 core volunteers who serve faithfully in this ministry: Some drive and pick up the cakes; others buy gifts and conduct the celebrations,” Catherine told Salt&Light.

Since the inception of The Blessing Project, all birthday cakes have been sponsored by The Cake Shop. To date, around 2,000 birthday cakes have been gifted.

The Blessing Project – Christmas Edition

On top of ongoing birthday celebrations, doors have opened the last few years for The Blessing Project to expand their reach through working with organisations like HCA Hospice and up to 2023, Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home (CSLMCH).

Since December 2022, The Blessing Project volunteers have been visiting children with life-limiting illnesses under HCA’s care aduring the Christmas season. They call it The Blessing Project – Christmas Edition.

“In this ‘special edition’, we work with the HCA team to gather wish lists from the children. With love and care, we purchase these gifts and visit each child, during which we create moments of connection and warmth. During our visits, we not only deliver the presents but also share prayers and blessings with those who are open. We want to impart to them a sense of love and community,” Catherine described.

Kimberly Chan, Senior Medical Social Worker from HCA told Salt&Light: “As part of The Blessing Project, CHC not only shares gifts with HCA Hospice’s patients, but also their siblings. Including the 100 children who are part of this year’s project, a total of 160 children – patients and siblings – have been part of TBP.” 

This Christmas specifically, The Blessing Project has brought gifts to visit 54 patients and 43 of their siblings.

“Our goal is to bring a little light into their lives, reminding them that they are cherished and never alone,” Catherine told Salt&Light. 

The gifts that the children wish for range from pillows and dresses to ukuleles and popular character toys like Baby Shark and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Thomas Tay, a facilities executive, took part in the Christmas Edition with his cell group. It was his first time volunteering with The Blessing Project.

“We visited on the child on December 10. The family had requested for a simple T-shirt for their child, and we brought them two shirts and NTUC vouchers,” he told Salt&Light.

It was an eye-opener for Thomas. The family had another child with the same condition that had passed away in July this year. “To be honest, I went there to make a difference to the child but then, he can’t respond to us. So we sat and talked to the parents and family and gave them our encouragement and support.”

Uplifting spirits, bringing compassion

“Through The Blessing Project, we strive to create lasting memories that uplift spirits and bring compassion,” said Catherine. “We want to make each moment together truly meaningful.”

As these are children in palliative care, it is not uncommon for circumstances to change. Sometimes a visit has been scheduled but the child suddenly needs to go to the hospital. 

There have been occasions where The Blessing Project has come in as part of an outreach to a family in need.

“A couple of years ago, Harvest Kidz, our church’s children’s ministry, went to one- to two-room flats (rental flats for the very low income) and knocked on doors. They encountered two siblings who were home alone. Their father was incarcerated. Their mother came from Vietnam and was in the midst of divorcing her husband. The family was in a challenging financial situation and in great need.

“The Harvest Kidz staff member began extending help to the family. They invited the family to church, and the boys became active participants in the Smartkids tuition class (a free tutoring service run by CHC). 

“The Blessing Project celebrated both boys’ birthdays. Their mother works odd jobs including working as a Grab driver. But she recently suffered an injury that prevented her from working. During our recent celebrations, she was deeply moved that we could celebrate her children’s birthdays with a cake and a present each.”

It may seem a small gesture but the “extravagance” of cutting a birthday cake and opening a birthday present can do wonders for a child who doesn’t have much, Catherine points out.

“Every child is a precious gift from God who deserves to be gifted with love and gifts!”

This month, the Christmas Edition has been in full swing for the third year in a row, and counting. To Catherine, it is rewarding on many levels.

“I always look forward to witnessing the joy on their faces. There is something incredibly heartwarming about seeing the immediate impact of our efforts.

“Also it’s heartening to see strengthened connections within our community and with partner organisations. These collaborations not only enhance our ability to make a difference but also foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.”

Kimberly said: “In the first year that TBP came on board, we were grateful to have the support of several charity groups and organisations in bringing Christmas blessings to our patients and their siblings. Over the years, TBP has remained our steadfast partner. We deeply appreciate their ongoing dedication to bringing festive cheer to our young patients and their families.”

Being a blessing to others also blesses the blesser, Catherine added. “I also look forward to the personal growth and reflection that comes this season. Each outreach activity serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and the power of community. It’s a time we reflect on our blessings and are inspired by the resilience and spirit of those we support.”

Catherine hopes to start new “special editions” in 2025. “We aspire to expand our efforts beyond birthday celebrations and create more impactful blessing projects, to extend our reach and bring joy to even more individuals.”

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Hospitality is one of the most important graces of the Christian life. The Greek word for hospitality is a combination of two words: philo, which mean love, and xena, which means stranger. 

Hospitality, therefore, is basically a love for the stranger. Although the Greek word that is translated as hospitality appears only about six times in the New Testament, the idea permeates the Scriptures.

Showing and seeking hospitality

In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul urges his readers to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality”. (Romans 12:13) 

The writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jewish-Christian community with these words: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

When these two passages are juxtaposed in this way, several important truths about hospitality emerge.

Firstly, showing hospitality is not an optional extra for Christians, something they do when they have time to spare. It is part and parcel of the Christian life.

Secondly, the Christian must not only extend hospitality to members of the Christian community, but to strangers also.

The theme of hospitality is not only found in the New Testament.

God’s ancient people were also commanded to practise hospitality. In Leviticus, God instructed Israel to “treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

Transformative love

Jesus is the example par excellence of generous hospitality.

The One who “has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) received children, fed the multitude, ate with sinners, and prepared breakfast for His disciples.

In practising hospitality, the Christian is simply following his Lord and obeying His command to love his neighbour (Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18).

Agapic love is the motivation behind Christian hospitality, the energy that drives it; agape is that uncommon love which sets no conditions and which does not discriminate.

The practice of hospitality is truly transformative. It enables us to see others in the way that we have never seen them before.

The practice of hospitality can therefore cure our spiritual astigmatism and open our eyes to see the other for who he truly is – as the bearer of God’s image, as the person for whom the Son of God died on the Cross, and as someone whom God loves unconditionally.

Seeing ourselves truthfully

But the practice of hospitality is also transformative in another sense. 

It also enables us to see ourselves more truthfully. It forces us to be honest with ourselves. It reveals our lamentable disinterest in our neighbours, our reluctance to reach out to them, and our unwillingness to serve our fellow human beings.

It reveals our chronic fear of becoming too exposed to the world. It brings us out of our comfort zone, and makes us feel insecure and vulnerable. In practising hospitality, we often risk putting our lives and our hearts on display. 

But it is precisely because it forces us to confront the truth about ourselves that the practice of hospitality presents an opportunity for us to grow spiritually.

By making manifest our carefully-camouflaged selfishness, ambition and pride, it brings us to the place where self-awareness can lead to repentance, renewal and maturity.

In this way, the practice of hospitality becomes the means of grace by which the Christian can be incrementally transformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:28)

Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, You welcomed all who came to You into Your presence.

Grant me that grace to welcome others – my brother and sister-in-Christ, my family and friends, the stranger – with the love that does not set conditions and which does not discriminate. Amen.

Ponder

1. Why should the Christian practise hospitality?

2. What are some obstacles that you personally face in practising hospitality?

3. What are some practical ways in which you can begin to exercise the ministry of hospitality?

This devotion was first published in “Dwell: An Invitation to Rest, Reflect and Renew” by Blue Mountain Kelong (www.bluemountainkelong.com), and is republished with permission. 

The devotional book, which includes 25 reflections on Creation, Hospitality, Rest and Mission by such Christian leaders as Dr Tan Lai Yong, Leow Wen Pin and Rev Dr Keith Lai, goes towards the mission of Blue Mountain Kelong Social Enterprise, which strives to awaken hope and transform lives through community development.

Books can be purchased at $12 here.

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Dr Ng was going to be a missionary doctor while Belinda would be doing missions work with the womenfolk. They were the first missionaries from Singapore to Africa sent by the SIM Australia office and would spend the next 12 years there.

“When the plane landed in the capital of Niger, my first thought was: ‘We are finally here in Niger, Africa where God has called us to be.’

“Stepping out of the plane, it was a big culture shock. It was at least 45ºC,” Belinda, now 75, told Salt&Light.

It would take another flight by a light aircraft to get them to the village.

“The aerial view of the area was barren, no trees. There was no control tower, just a landing strip made of dirt.”

Galmi Hospital where Dr Andrew worked.

Her husband was whisked away to Galmi Hospital the moment they landed. He was the only qualified surgeon and there was a surgery awaiting him. Dr Ng would go on to bless countless with his surgical skills throughout his time in Niger. His ties to the country were so deep that when he passed away in 2019, his ashes were buried in Galmi.

Dr Andrew (right) was the only surgeon in the hospital when he first arrived in Galmi. It would be months before another surgeon joined the team.

Said Belinda of that first night: “I was left alone. Every sound from the roof made me scared. When I heard scratching, I remembered the story of a nurse in Galmi who was listening to the transistor radio and found the sound getting fainter and fainter because a thief was stealing the radio. 

“I thought I might have a thief on the roof. My son Nat was so innocent. He was fine but I was scared.”

The Ng family in front of their house at Galmi village.

In time, Belinda would become familiar with the groans and creaks from the house. The scratching she had heard that first night had merely been the branches of trees swaying against the zinc roof of the house. Missionaries before them had planted trees around the house and the hospital to provide shade from the punishing African heat. 

The call to Africa

Belinda became a Christian when she was 15 through Youth for Christ (YFC). Five years later at a Navigators’ Discipleship Conference, she heard God ask: “Are you willing to go to Africa?”

“Before the conference, I had prayed, ‘Lord, teach me a fresh lesson today.’ Now my question to God was, ‘Are You really calling me to be a missionary?’”

At the time, Belinda was actively involved in both YFC and The Navigators Singapore, and was attending Bartley Christian Church. Although she had been reading stories about missionaries, she knew nothing of locals being sent to mission fields.

“I thought maybe God was just testing my faith, like Abraham.”

Throughout the ride home on the bus, she debated with herself. Maybe God only wanted to see if she would go but did not really mean for her to go, much like how He wanted to see if Abraham could give up Isaac but did not mean for him to actually sacrifice his son.

She was an ordinary Christian who had not expected to become one to begin with, much less a missionary. She was still a young believer and had just started working. Besides, how would she be able to break the news to her parents?

“But I realised that I needed to say ‘yes’ because I love the Lord. There was no skirting around the question.

“My prayer was, ‘I will obey You but I will place everything into Your hands.’”

The next morning, during her quiet time, Hebrews 13:20-21 caught her attention.

“It assured me that God would equip me with everything good to do His will. My life is in God’s hands. He is going to do it. I don’t have to do anything. I held on to that verse.”

At church that day, she met Andrew who was just an acquaintance then. He handed her a few copies of a magazine called Africa Now which had been published by SIM. He himself had heard the call to go to Africa.

“At the time, he was interested in me and felt that the Lord was giving him the green light to start a relationship with me. His first attempt was to give me those magazines.”

Then during the service, the visiting speaker, an American who was passing through Liberia, West Africa, talked about how the “harvest in Africa is ripe” and to “ask the God of Harvest to supply the labourers”.

It was confirmation after confirmation of the call to Africa.

The long wait

God did indeed map things out for Belinda as she had asked. He led her to a man – Dr Andrew Ng – who had also been called to Africa. They got married in 1973 after about four years of courtship. At their wedding, Rev EN Poulson, who was then the Dean of Singapore Bible College and who officiated the ceremony, commissioned the couple to be missionaries in Africa.

Dr Andrew and Belinda being commissioned to be missionaries in Africa by Rev EN Poulson at their wedding ceremony.

But it would be another four years before they could set foot on the continent. During that time, they waited to see which part of Africa would open up for them and learnt French in preparation to be in French-speaking parts of Africa.

Belinda with Nathaniel and Dr Andrew when they were in a French school in Albertville, France in preparation for missions work in Africa.

“The waiting was the hardest. Not knowing what was ahead. But I had made a commitment and Andrew was very resolute. Ours was a joint calling,” she told Salt&Light.

“In the uncertainty, the verse that resonated with me was the call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1). When God called him out of Ur, he didn’t know where to go. God was leading him to an unknown place. But we have a God we can trust.”

That trust was put to the test from the get go. Shortly after arriving at Galmi, Belinda discovered she was pregnant. Everyone had been on anti-malaria prophylaxis to protect them from the life-threatening mosquito-borne disease. Now they had a decision to make.

“Should I take the pills to keep malaria, which is endemic in the country, away but is harmful to the foetus? Or not take it and maybe come down with malaria which will also affect the foetus,” said Belinda.

Belinda with Nathaniel while pregnant with Joel.

A missionary’s young child had contracted blackwater fever, the severest type of malaria and, though he survived, had been in a coma for six weeks. The risks were real.

“We decided that I would not take the pills. We just had to keep away from the mosquitoes the best we can. But at night, it was bad. Mosquitoes everywhere.”

Belinda remained malaria-free throughout her pregnancy. In April 1979, baby Joel was born.

The work in Africa

While her husband was thrust into the thick of action as a missionary doctor at Galmi Hospital, a “bush hospital” owned and administered by SIM International, Belinda busied herself with reaching out to the women and children.

She noticed that when the nomads came to the area to attend discipleship programmes, their wives and children were just “hanging around”. So she started literacy classes for them to teach them to read in their native language, Hausas. She also opened her home to the children.

Belinda (with umbrella) walking through the airstrip with the nomadic women on their way to the local church.

Conducting literacy classes with the nomadic Fulani women.

Enjoying singing and storytelling with the children of the nomads at her veranda

“Part of my ministry was to look for ways to reach out to the local people. I had to think of ways to connect with them.”

With another missionary wife, Belinda would go to the surrounding villages with a cassette tape to play Bible stories. They would start at the homes of hospital staff who would then introduce them to more people.

At the local church in which they worship, Belinda would get to know people and, through the relationships, meet others who had yet to hear the Gospel.

“It wasn’t structured. For example, I would hear of someone’s domestic helper who wanted to learn to read. And I would read the Bible with her.”

A small gardening project Belinda started became another source of connections for Christ.

The little garden that provided fresh vegetables that were hard to get in Galmi.

Joel with some of the lush produce from Belinda’s garden.

“We don’t get vegetables there. It’s a desert. So I grew vegetables. We have the theory and we hired locals to help with the labour,” she said.

What she grew, she would freeze in large quantities to share with fellow missionaries. In return, they shared their spoils with her. This became the start of what would be a food cooperative.

Belinda ran Galmi Cooperative twice a week for the missionaries.

“When Andrew went for field council, I would travel with him to buy groceries that were not easy to get where we were – canned food, cooking oil, jam, milk powder, oats.

“I connected with a local trader who would buy things in Nigeria. That’s how I found soya sauce and frozen chicken – because the chicken in Galmi were very scrawny, feathers and all they weighed only 1kg. Then I would set up a shop twice a week.”

Galmi Cooperative was thus born.

The life of a missionary family

The work in Africa did not come without personal sacrifices. There were no international schools where they were so the Ngs had to send their sons to a boarding school 900km or a two-day drive away from Galmi. Nathaniel was eight when he went away. Joel joined him three years later when he started Grade 1.

Dr Andrew and Belinda sending their sons Joel and Nathaniel off to boarding school.

“I prayed Jesus would come again so I didn’t have to send them away. But I was reminded of Isaiah 49:15, the strength of a mother’s love.

“I could get a picture of God’s love. If a mother can love so much, His love surpasses that. The depth of God’s love was something I learnt deeply,” said Belinda.

“Leaving Nat was very hard. There were no phones at the time, no internet. We didn’t even have snail mail. Instead, we had to depend on our plane to convey messages.

“We wrote every week. The kids were encouraged to write to their parents and we wrote also. I have a stack of their letters with me to this day.

“And I would stay up to make cookies for them so that when the plane came, I could send it to them and they could trade with other kids. I would bake into the night.”

The Ng family spent 12 years in Africa. Joel (baby in Belinda’s arms), who was born there, continues to have a heart for the continent.

The family returned to Singapore in 1989, having spent 12 years in Africa. It was Belinda’s experience in the field with her family that gave her a heart for caring for missionaries.

Today, she is based in the SIM East Asia office in Singapore, involved in member care and consulting on the care of missionary kids. She also does pre-field training for missionaries and mentors new missionaries in this region, visiting them in the field to ensure they are cared for even as they serve.

“We visit them so we can pray for them more specifically and share their stories so people know their needs,” she told Salt&Light.

“We also give them moral support, to recognise what they do and not just be interested in how many turn to Jesus. If you serve in a hard place, you can’t count (just the numbers saved).”

Belinda also works with sending churches to prepare not just missionaries but their families for cross-cultural missions.  

“When we go, we want to serve, we want to bless the people in whatever capacity we have.

“But instead, God does a deeper work in us than what He does through us. We are more blessed than us blessing others. We come to know God deeper and to walk in faith.”

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He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder in which muscles in the body are progressively lost over time. They include muscles in the limbs, heart and lungs. 

“I felt sad when I was told that I would one day not be able to walk,” said Nicholas, recalling how his mother broke the news to him when he was seven. He is now 21.

Nicholas, around age four, before he was diagnosed with DMD.

Symptoms of DMD can show up as early as the age of two. With improved care, more people with Duchenne are living into their early 30s and beyond. The disorder is estimated to affect one out of every 3,000 male children.

Growing up with DMD

Nicholas gradually lost his ability to walk and, eventually, to stand when he was 12. 

“At first I could still run, but very slowly because my muscles were very weak. My running speed was other people’s jogging speed,” Nicholas recalled.

As the condition progressed, Nicholas noticed his muscle strength deteriorating.

“When I walk, I’d fall,” he explained.  

When he started Primary Three, Nicholas needed a wheelchair to move around school.

He remembered feeling bored every Physical Education (PE) lesson as he would sit in a corner and watch his classmates play sports. When curious friends asked why he could not participate, Nicholas remained silent, not knowing how to explain his condition.

However, the gradual degeneration gave him time to accept his loss.

“I felt less sad after I got used to it.” 

In Primary Three, Nicholas also discovered his passion and talent for drawing. It was during an art class when his teacher complimented his drawing. 

Nicholas proudly shows off a sketch he made in his favourite style – doodle art.

It gave him the confidence that he could do something well in spite of his physical limitations. 

Home away from home 

When he was eight, Nicholas, together with his sister, was placed in a children’s home due to the lack of suitable caregivers.

Nicholas and his sister with their grandmother and aunt, both now deceased, who were their main caregivers.

Not knowing how to cope with his anger and sadness, Nicholas was frequently in tears.

Yet amid the series of painful events, Nicholas experienced safety and stability at the children’s home. 

Through chapel services there, Nicholas learnt about Jesus. 

Subsequently, a few friends from the home invited him to join their weekly Bible study group and services at their church. 

There, he learnt to pray – a habit that helps him cope whenever he feels sad or angry. The group was also a safe space for him to share about his struggles.

Nicholas developed a close relationship with one of the caregivers at the home. When his money was stolen by so-called friends in secondary school, Nicholas confided in this caregiver who sought justice for him. 

More bad news

Nicholas was 15 when he discovered a lump on his body while showering. 

It grew larger in the following weeks, and Nicholas’ caregiver took him for a medical examination. 

Nicholas underwent surgery to remove the lump.

Afterwards, doctors broke the bad news that he had cancer. It was unrelated to DMD. 

He underwent chemotherapy in the hospital, and could not attend school. During this period, he was placed on home study. 

Nicholas with friends who visited him in the hospital while he was undergoing chemotherapy.

He also had difficulty sleeping as he often felt uncomfortable and anxious throughout his treatment – until one momentous encounter. 

“One day at the hospital, I saw a sun (bright light) in the room. 

“Even though the room was usually cold, I felt warm. I also felt peaceful and comfortable.

“After that, I could finally sleep well without discomfort,” he said.

Nicholas believes he had a personal encounter with God. He also believes that God was the One who healed him of cancer through the one-year treatment.

Round-the-clock care

When Nicholas was 18, the muscles in his heart and lungs had weakened to the point that he needed round-the-clock medical attention.

He was transferred to Singapore Christian Home (SCH), the only home in Singapore that provides round-the-clock care of children and young persons with chronic medical conditions.

Nicholas was 20 when he had a near-death experience.

“It was very scary. I tried to breathe but I felt there wasn’t enough oxygen,” he recalled. 

In his semi-conscious state, he vaguely registered being rushed to hospital where he was given an oxygen mask and an injection. 

“At that time I didn’t think much of the pain even though I am usually scared of needles,” he said, recalling his struggle to survive.

Nicholas was resuscitated in the nick of time.

This close call prompted Nicholas to consider the matter of death more seriously. 

Having spoken to other sufferers of muscular dystrophy, Nicholas is well aware that his disorder would eventually progress to a terminal stage.

When asked how he feels about having to face the inevitable, Nicholas paused thoughtfully before answering: “I’m more afraid of the process of dying – becoming bed-bound.

“I have seen other patients at this stage. They are unable to move and require help for all their daily activities.” 

Nicholas’ admits he fears being trapped in a paralysed body while fully conscious. 

Focusing on what he can control

Instead of dwelling on his worries, Nicholas is learning to focus on what he can control. This includes tasks and activities like drawing and playing games that he enjoys.

As for what he is unable to control, Nicholas commits it all to God. He prays, usually before bedtime, for God to sustain his health and to heal him from DMD. 

Nicholas admits that he sometimes doubts whether God will answer his prayer for physical healing. 

He also finds himself going to God with many “whys” concerning his circumstances: “Why do some people suffer more on this side of earth but everyone gets the same treatment after death? Do those who suffer more on earth get a greater reward in heaven?”

But amid these questions, Nicholas acknowledges that God has caused him to grow through his pain.

“I have learnt to cope with my emotions and become a braver person,” he said.

Even if he does not receive physical healing here on earth, Nicholas finds comfort in knowing that one day he will have a new body in heaven.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’,” said Nicholas, reading from John 14:6,  a Bible verse that gives him hope. 

His personal experience with God during his teens helped him to have faith, and an answered prayer strengthened his trust in God.

He said: “My loved one used to be addicted to drugs. During their second time in prison, I prayed to God to help them to stop taking drugs. God answered my prayer.”  

Nicholas’ loved one has been drug-free ever since.

A new community

Nicholas did not have the opportunity to return to church after moving to Singapore Christian Home. But he heard that Tung Ling Bible School – located a stone’s throw away from the home – holds morning chapel sessions during term time.

He received special permission to attend. 

On Monday mornings, Nicholas makes his way to Tung Ling on his motorised wheelchair, with minimal assistance from SCH staff.

He enjoys the worship and the warm interaction with the students and faculty there. 

Moses Lim, an SCH staff member who interacts frequently with Nicholas, said: “Nicholas used to be very reserved and would not talk to anyone. 

“He has become a lot more open and jovial since going to Tung Ling, which is like going to church for him.

Nicholas celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this year with friends from Tung Ling. Photo by Moses Lim.

“Going to Tung Ling has also given Nicholas – who has lived in a home for 13 years – an opportunity to make friends with peers in the wider community. He enjoys being part of conversations with other adults,” said Moses, who is head of community engagement and development at SCH. 

Nicholas with young friends at Tung Ling. Photo by Moses Lim.

During his free time, Nicholas reads the Bible guided by Moses and volunteers.

He is encouraged by Bible verses that remind him that he needs God. 

He treasures John 15:5,“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Gifted to give

Since learning about Nicholas’ passion for drawing, SCH has been brainstorming ways to help Nicholas turn his artwork into merchandise for sale.

During a conversation Moses had with a volunteer who is passionate about helping Nicholas, a similar topic surfaced. 

“This was a confirmation of the SCH care team’s idea for a collaborative project. The conversation gave us the final push,” he related.

“We hope that this project will give Nicholas a sense of dignity and financial independence, as he transits into adulthood,” said Moses, who is spearheading the project.

It is SCH’s first attempt raising funds through the sale of merchandise: 30% of the proceeds will go to Nicholas to help pay his bills at the home and to support his family. 

Since March 2024, Nicholas has been working on an illustration for the first product which is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2025. He is now halfway to completing it.

Nicholas draws using his tablet which enables him to sketch with less effort. It was one of the first things he bought with his own money on his 21st birthday and is a symbol of his independence.

“I kept getting sick and have not been able to finish the work,” said Nicholas, who attended a three-month graphic design course in early 2024, and now goes for practice sessions at an adult learning institution.

However, as DMD progresses, Nicholas is gradually losing muscle strength in his hands and feels easily tired when he draws. 

When asked how he copes, Nicholas replied calmly: “I slowly take my time.”

He takes a break every 15 minutes. 

“Sometimes I just continue even though I am tired. It is one of the few things I like to do,” he said, adding that he hopes to make the most out of each moment while he is still able to do what he likes. 

He is unfazed by his pace, steadily returning to drawing whenever he feels better, motivated by his passion for art and his desire to make a positive contribution to the home. 

Nicholas, working on his project with SCH. He uses traditional paper and pencil to draw as he is still learning to master the technique of sketching with the tablet.

Empowered by this opportunity to contribute, Nicholas hopes that his work can encourage others with disabilities to discover their gifts and potential to give. 

Nicholas, 21, is the oldest person in his ward. He teaches the younger ones to play Nintendo switch games. Photo courtesy of Singapore Christian Home.

“Don’t focus on something you cannot do, but do something you can do,” Nicholas said, quoting Nick Vujicic, the Australian-American motivational speaker and evangelist who grew up without arms and legs.

A version of this story first appeared on Stories of Hope.

About Singapore Christian Home

Singapore Christian Home (SCH) is a 240-bed nursing home that has been serving chronically ill patients from all races, religions and social economic status since 1960. Known for accepting difficult and challenging cases that are generally refused by other institutions, SCH is also the only nursing home in Singapore with a dedicated ward for medically-fragile children and young persons. 

Click here if you would like to find out more, donate or volunteer with SCH.

Or give here towards the care of Nicholas and other SCH residents with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Singapore Christian Home is an Institution of a Public Character (IPC). All qualifying donations (above $20) are eligible for a 250% tax deduction.

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The post Born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, this young artist’s muscles are weak but his faith is strong appeared first on Salt&Light.

Since 2013, the 44-year-old has sponsored children from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Vietnam and the West Bank. For S$45 a month per child, he contributes to their education, health and safety.

Yet, despite being World Vision Singapore’s biggest child sponsor, Kah Seng stressed that it is not by his own merit: “It’s not me, it’s God. It’s my walk of faith.”

A goal of financial freedom

Kah Seng’s decision to sponsor his first World Vision child in 2013 had stemmed from a simple desire to do good, he told Salt&Light.

At the time, Kah Seng was exploring the Christian faith and felt that it was important to do his part to help others. He went on to support eight more children in the next eight years.

Nevertheless, what he was giving was a small amount compared to the wealth he had set his mind to amass. Like many of his peers, he was fixated on one goal: To reach financial freedom early and retire young.

“I was trying to make all the right and smart decisions about money. I’d also look into every investment opportunity when I was younger,” he said.

In particular, the real estate agent believed that investing in property and becoming a landlord was the smartest way to grow one’s wealth.

“For example, if you rent out the space to a food stall, the hawker will wake up very early and work very hard. They may fail or they may succeed, but at the end of the day the landlord will always collect rent,” he explained.

But a humanitarian trip to Yangon, Myanmar in 2019 would challenge that belief.

When “foolishness” brought joy

His wife had urged him to take that trip, organised by another non-profit organisation. In Myanmar, Kah Seng saw how the Christians there took in and cared for orphans even though their homes were small and they had little to share.

“Nobody would do that in Singapore. I live in a three-bedroom flat, but would I bring in five orphans from the street and tell my wife and children we are now going to share this house?” said Kah Seng, who has a daughter, 14, and a 10-year-old son.

Sharing what they have means giving up certain luxuries, but Kah Seng and his wife Adele take it as an opportunity to disciple their children, Zephyr and Corrine. Photo courtesy of Lim Kah Seng.

It seemed like a foolish thing to do, he thought, and yet these Christians had a kind of joy and peace that he had not seen in anyone before.

“That left a seed in my heart. I was just so touched by how all these Christians were behaving. They had nothing, but their worship was so pure.”

A bad break-up

A few years later in 2021, this seed found itself watered after Kah Seng, who by this time had become a Christian, read the book The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearns.

The book details the journey of Stearns, a former corporate CEO in one of America’s most prestigious corporations who, upon hearing God’s call, gave it all up to serve the poor as the president of World Vision US.

“He was doing all the things that would make him a good Christian, yet when God asked him to downgrade his house, downgrade his car, downgrade his lifestyle, downgrade his career to go to World Vision, he was struggling. He cried about it,” said Kah Seng, who is a real estate agent.

Stearn’s struggle reminded Kah Seng of the rich young ruler in the Gospels whom Jesus had asked to sell everything before following Him. The man, too, had struggled to part with his possessions and gone away sad.

This struggle deeply resonated with Kah Seng He was moved to tears by what he now describes as a compelling call by the Holy Spirit: “The feeling was like going through a bad breakup. The thought of breaking up with Jesus Christ over money, it just didn’t feel worth it.”

Despite the tears, he felt peace and joy. “Like there was a fountain of living waters in my heart,” he described.

A bold response

After that encounter with the Holy Spirit, Kah Seng knew he needed to respond.

With the support of his wife, he pledged to sponsor 100 children from World Vision. He gave the sponsorship three years in advance, which amounted to some S$150,000.

When he heard of another campaign to sponsor 50 children, he took it up as well.

“I feel that if God calls me and I have the resources, I will take it as, ‘Go’,” said Kah Seng, who plans to keep supporting these children until he hears from God to direct his resources elsewhere. 

Kah Seng and his family, including his niece and nephew (first row, right) taking part in World Vision’s Chosen, a programme that flips the sponsorship script and allows children to choose their sponsors. Photo courtesy of World Vision Singapore.

In 2022, his daughter Corinne also stepped up to sponsor a child for a year, after being moved by a video by World Vision and seeing that her parents were doing something about the plight of children around the world.

The 14-year-old set aside a portion of her Chinese New Year angpow (red packet) money to support a seven-year-old girl from Bangladesh.

Even though she has since stopped sponsoring the child, Corinne continues to write letters to the girl. “My sponsored child feels like a younger penpal to me,” she told Salt&Light.

“I would say that sponsoring a child is definitely worth it. The child has a bright future ahead of them, and I believe that, with a little support, they can accomplish great things in the future.”

Small sacrifices

Nevertheless, the family’s giving is not without sacrifice: They choose not to go for pricey vacations. They opted for a second-hand car instead of a new one. They remain content with their three-bedroom flat in an executive condominium instead of upgrading their home.

Yet to Kah Seng, these are but small sacrifices.

In July 2023, he made a 10-day visit to some of his sponsored children in Ende, Indonesia and was struck by the efforts of the World Vision staff on the ground. 

What struck Kah Seng the most during a trip to his sponsored children in July 2023 was the hard work put in by the World Vision staff on the ground.

“They are the ones who are working so hard to reach out to the children and to show the love of Christ physically. I’m only the one who is taking God’s money and using it. It’s a very simple process (compared to what the staff have to do). You just click a button,” he said.

While he was in Ende, Kah Seng also realised that he did not experience any “feel-good feelings” about seeing the fruits of his giving.

“I just felt that God wanted me to know that it’s not for my own glory. I just obey and trust in the Lord, and pray,” he said.

Discovering the real treasure

While it sometimes still is a struggle to part with money that could be used for his own comfort, Kah Seng is grateful to God for changing his desires and for breaking his heart for the things that break His.

“Outside the Singapore bubble, children are suffering out of our sight. It could be starvation, abuse, slavery, sickness and many other things that we don’t see in our city,” he said. “My prayer is for our hearts to continue to be broken for these things.”

Given all that Jesus says in Scripture, the real question to ask is not “Should Christians give to the poor?” but “Why aren’t Christians giving to the poor?” says Kah Seng, pictured here with his sponsored children in Ende, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of World Vision Singapore.

While he noted that the Bible is clear that we should steward our resources for God’s Kingdom and be careful about loving wealth, he also acknowledged that it is difficult to do so.

“It is only by God’s grace,” he said, stressing that his own transformation was not by his own efforts or moral superiority. Instead, it was through having a deeper relationship with Christ.

“Closeness to Jesus is so dear. Like what Jesus said, no one can serve both God and money. Our hearts can only contain one Master,” he said.

“Now I know that there is no freedom in financial freedom. There’s only freedom in Jesus Christ alone. Nothing can compare to knowing Jesus, the real treasure in our lives.”

If you’d like to learn more about the work of World Vision Singapore, or to sponsor a child, click here.

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The post He gave up his goal of financial freedom to sponsor 159 children through World Vision appeared first on Salt&Light.

Little did Tay Wei Lien, then in Secondary Four, realise that this new car would kickstart his passion for singing for Christ, a passion that has lasted well into his 70s (and counting).

One day, Wei Lien accompanied his father to the car showroom to service the Opel, and got to talking to the car salesman.

The car salesman recruited Wei Lien (pictured) into the 7.30am Dawnbreakers choir in 1964.

The salesman turned out to be the lead tenor at Dawnbreakers. (Fun fact: Dawnbreakers was the choir heard singing the National Anthem that played at the start and end of television transmission when television was introduced to Singapore in the early 1960s.)

Wei Lien’s father was Dr Tay Teck Eng, a pioneer in dental education. Dr Tay was 92 when he passed away in 2006.

Shortly after that conversation, the young Wei Lien found himself waking up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to make it for choir practice half an hour before the 7.30am service at Wesley Methodist Church.

Now, more than 60 years later, he continues to do the same.

Said Wei Lien: “I don’t know why he invited me to join the choir. Maybe from talking to me, he heard the resonance in my voice and thought, ‘This fellow probably can sing’.

“But I suspect it was because the choir was short of men, especially tenors,” he quipped. Wei Lien’s whose only musical experience prior to that was playing the piano as a “horrible student – lazy to practise”.

“But at Dawnbreakers, I discovered my knack and love for singing,” he said, thanking God for gifted conductors who developed his talent and skill. 

Nearly sidetracked

When Wei Lien was in Pre-University, his vocals were noticed by another group, a religious order.

“They discovered, ‘Eh, this fellow can sing. He will be a good temple chanter.’”

The brother of his then-girlfriend (subsequently wife) Tan Poh Imm, had introduced him to the group.

Wei Lien and Poh Imm, with their grandchildren, daughters and son-in-law. Poh Imm and Wei Lien were neighbours and pre-university schoolmates; he gave her a ride to Anglo-Chinese School every day.

“The chanter needs to hold the right tone for the right amount of time, at the right volume – and then transcend to the next tone – in order to ‘get the right connection with the spirit you are trying to connect with.’

“It was quite a complicated series of ‘ooms’ and ‘ahhs’,” Wei Lien related.

Then, he did not see the spiritual danger.

“I thought it was just a religious practice. It didn’t occur to me that I was calling down some spirit.

“I also did not see the danger in the out-of-body experiences.”

While Wei Lien was most grateful that Christ had died on the cross for him, he was drawn to a key tenet of that religious order: That all paths led to God – and each way had its particular spiritual beliefs.

“It was all very fascinating stuff to me,” said Wei Lien, who would have probably have pursued it further had God not intervened to sever his connection with the religious order, physically and spiritually.

Touched by God in Australia

Wei Lien was a cadet quantity surveyor, when his employer posted him to their Australian office in the early 1970s to gain working experience while concurrently studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

It changed the course of his life.

In Melbourne, Wei Lien accompanied a colleague to an evangelistic meeting at the CrossCulture Church of Christ on Swanston Street. There, his “heart was strangely moved” in a sweep of the Holy Spirit that Singapore also experienced around the same time in 1972.

“When the preacher made the call to come forward, I remained seated as I was too shy. Then the preacher said something strange: That shyness is just pride turned upside down.”

It struck a chord within Wei Lien, who had earlier been “profoundly moved by the scene of Jesus hanging on the cross” in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

“I found myself getting up and going forward, weeping buckets in gratitude for what the Lord had done for me on the Cross.

“Later back in my apartment room, I felt such a sense of peace flowing over me. It was literally the peace that passes all understanding.

“It was so meaningful to be touched by God, especially with the song ‘Amazing Grace’ that happened to be playing on a neighbour’s radio.

“That night was the first time I could truly say ‘I am a Christian’,” he said.

Hungry to learn more about the faith, Wei Lien dug deeper into the Bible and listened to teachings by preachers such as Derek Prince. But he was still troubled by his personal view that all paths lead to God.

Then early one morning during his quiet time with the Lord, Wei Lien asked Him about this.

“I opened my Bible and it landed on Acts 4:12: ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’

“I know people say you shouldn’t just open the Bible to get a verse like a lottery. But this was too much of a coincidence for me. God had answered my prayer immediately.”

The road to Spirit-led worship

Wei Lien started looking to worship with groups that moved in the Spirit.

On his return to Singapore in 1974, he returned to Wesley where he met other like-minded members. 

“It was the time of the movement of the Holy Spirit among Singapore churches, especially among the lay people.”

The fire of God had started in his alma mater, Anglo-Chinese School in 1972, in what was known as the ACS Clock Tower Revival.

One of those filled with the Spirit – Melvin Huang, not yet a Reverend – became a close friend and co-worker after Wei Lien joined the church as a staff member.

“As interest in the Charismatic Movement increased, Melvin and I felt that there needed to be an expression of prayer and praise at Wesley, in addition to the traditional service. 

“Decisions like introducing a new service needed the pastor’s permission. If the pastor was not for it, we quietly went underground and prayed for him,” said Wei Lien.

At that time, Pastor-in-Charge Rev Dr Tony Chi was handing over the reins to Rev Dr Isaac Lim, who later launched the Prayer & Praise Service at Wesley in 1985. 

The Prayer and Praise service at Wesley Hall circa 1980s.

Subsequently, the pastors “had their own discovery of the power of the reality of the Spirit of God”.

“It was more God’s movement on the pastors’ hearts than anything that we did. But we hope that our prayers also moved God to move them,” said Wei Lien, who was the first Prayer and Praise (P&P) worship leader at Wesley, and built up a team of such leaders.

Unlike the traditional service that followed a more prescribed order of songs and service, P&P was contemporary in approach and choice of music, with opportunities to worship in tongues as and when led by the Spirit.

“However, with P&P, there is the danger that the physical (the lights, drama or excitable worship leader) rather than the spiritual (the presence of the Lord) becomes the focus.

“My constant prayer was that I would be hidden behind the Cross. So that people will not see me as the worship leader, but they would see Christ on the Cross instead.”

From Dawnbreaker to doorkeeper

Wei Lien joined Wesley full-time in 1986 as Church Project Coordinator to look after all the back-end logistics and free up the pastor for the work of shepherding and nurturing.

He preferred the term “doorkeeper”.

“I was convinced that God had called me to be His doorkeeper,” he said, referencing Psalm 82:10.

Wei Lien’s responsibilities were diverse. He applied his professional expertise as a qualified quantity surveyor (QS) to supervise renovations to the sanctuary.

The ceilings at Wesley were painted red (“to remind us of the covering of the blood of Christ”) when Wei Lien was the in-house quantity surveyor during works to expand the original sanctuary in the late 1970s,

“I was also the consultant-on-loan to other churches and Christian organisations, providing QS services pro-bono.

“Church facilities and maintenance were also included in my portfolio, as well as being the church bus driver.”

Working full-time at church meant that Wei Lien had to leave Dawnbreakers as he could no longer attend choir practices.

Working at the Wesley church office.

“I was the first person in church and the last one out every day. The first duty of each day was to get the different areas in church ready for each activity, ensuring the chairs, the sound, the OHP (overhead projector) screen, the water flasks and cups were in place.

“Every Sunday, I manned the soundboard. And with my knowledge of music and choir anthems, hopefully I made our choirs sound good,” said Wei Lien.

Not only was he involved in the day-to-day logistics of the church, he also orchestrated the development of musical talent at Wesley.

“God probably saw that I was a reasonably skilled coordinator. I can persuade people to do things, such as get the ‘real’ guitar players like Gordon Wong and Leslie Quahe to teach members to play the instrument, raising a generation of worship leaders who could play at cell level,” said Wei Lien.

He also organised the evangelistic musical Victory Meetings with the help of an army of “enthusiastic volunteers who were on fire for God”.

Wei Lien’s younger daughter Evangelin painted her father worshipping God on his guitar in the mornings on the hotel room balcony whenever the family went to Malaysia.

To train worship leaders and the music team to enhance worship at the Prayer and Praise service, Wesley worked with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) to conduct the inaugural School of Music Ministries workshops in Singapore.

Wei Lien coordinated all that was necessary to bring in Grammy-nominated American song-writing and writer team, Jimmy and Carol Owens and their band of musicians (including a soundman) whom they believed could train up Asian teams. The workshop was held at Wesley, but was open to members of all churches.

After serving a decade with Wesley, Wei Lien left in 1993 to work full-time at another church for a year before returning to the private sector as a quantity surveyor. 

Coming full circle

After being a church worker, Wei Lien returned as a “pew sitter, a Sunday worshipper”.

He served as a soloist singer, where he was rostered to sing during collection at Prayer and Praise only once in two months.

Wei Lien also once played the taiko drums for the Rhythm and Praise ministry which features percussion and stringed instruments. “These days, I only use my voice and play a shaker,” he said.

“At that time, I saw no pressing need to rejoin Dawnbreakers, especially since we now attended a later service. I didn’t think we would be able to make it on time for the 7.30am service,” he said.

But God had His way with Wei Lien when COVID struck.

“COVID was one of God’s ways of making you change,” he said.

“Stuck at home, I saw that the choir was singing on Zoom. I found out that we could record our parts at home at any hour of the day. We would submit it, and someone would piece it together. They would technically improve the sound to make us sound good,” he said. 

These days, Wei Lien finds comfort in talking to God as he puts in his 10,000 steps a day.

And so Wei Lien rejoined Dawnbreakers – 10 years after he had left the choir. 

Since then, Dawnbreakers – including Wei Lien – have been back to singing in-person. (His wife Poh Imm, who joined the choir as a soprano after they got married also came back to Dawnbreakers during this time.)

“Now I have to wake up at 5.30am on Sundays or we will be late for service,” Wei Lien revealed.

“You could say I have come full circle back to my ‘first love’: Singing in the choir where I started when I first came to Wesley.”

Extracted and adapted with permission from Our Stories, His Glory 2, by Wesley Methodist Church. Read the full-story here.

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Obedience to that command would lead the Australian deep into the jungles of Borneo and into the greatest adventure of his life.

He and his wife Kay are the founders of Living Waters Village (LWV), an over 300-hectare space that is home to some 900 abandoned children from the Dayak tribe, a native group in Borneo.

An aerial view of Living Waters Village (LWV). Over the years, the jungle area has been transformed into a village that sustains more than 1,000 people and contributes to the economy of the area by providing work to the community.

Apart from houses, there are schools for 2,000 students, staff accommodation, visitor’s quarters, sewing rooms, a training centre, Bible college, and Praise and Worship centre, as well as a clinic, bakery, administration building and nursery for babies.

They are even building their own air strip.

The massive project has its own full-time staff, and countless other visiting volunteers who come to help out for anywhere from three days to a year.

Ps Ronny (centre in white) with the teachers of LWV. All 62 of them are former residents of LWV who have chosen to come back to serve.

But the work to get here took eight years, and countless roadblocks.

A heart for neglected children  

When Ps Ronny, 66, first answered God’s call in 1995, he started out as a missionary in Kuching, the Malaysian part of Borneo. Two years later, he moved to Sanggau, West Kalimantan, which is in the Indonesian part of Borneo.

While in Sanggau, Ps Ronny found his church-planting ministry expanding to the care of neglected children.

The children and staff of LWV. Ps Ronny started rescuing children while he was serving in Sanggau.

“Some of the kids were kicked out because their parents divorced and remarried, and the new wife or new husband didn’t want the kids. So they end up living in the jungles,” said Ps Ronny.

“If you are a strong kid, you will survive because there is plenty of food. If not, you die. Nobody cares.”

Fun and games at LWV.

Many of them had been so exposed to violence that they looked at “life and death as if it was nothing”, said Ps Ronny.

The girls faced a more grim fate. Once they reached puberty, they would be married off to older men who already had multiple wives.

“When you meet these girls by the time they are 20, they just stare into space. There is no spark, no joy left in them,” said Ps Ronny.

“I used to go home crying because there were so many of these children. I would cry and tell God, ‘Surely this is not Your plan for them.’”

There are some 900 rescued children currently living in LWV.

One day, God told him: “Bring the kids home.”

Ps Ronny was already raising three of his own kids on a missionary’s allowance. “I couldn’t make ends meet. But God said, ‘You bring them in and I will take care of them.’”

Ps Ronny baptising one of the children from LWV. When he became a Christian in Australia, he never expected he would become a missionary in the jungles of Asia.

So he started by sheltering seven little girls. At the end of the first month when he and Kay had to pay the bills, they found that they had just enough. Support had somehow come in.

God challenged him again: “If you can support seven, you can support 30.”

Morning assembly at the school in LWV.

So they took in more children. At the end of each month, the same thing happened. They found they had just enough to pay the bills: “Not too much, not too little. God was stretching our faith.”

So they started taking in boys too.

A place for 1,000 kids

After five years of this, Ps Ronny and Kay moved to Sintang, a city in another part of West Kalimantan in Borneo, Indonesia.

They rented a huge building to house their own three children and the 30 local children they had taken in by then.

Soon, word of their work spread and more children came to them, underfed, ill or simply homeless. Before long, they had 100 rescued children under their roof.

LWV gives the children a home, an education and a foundation in God’s Word so that they can go back to their villages and share the Gospel.

It was then that God gave Ps Ronny his biggest assignment. “God put in our hearts to prepare a place for 1,000 kids.”

There was no way they could get that kind of space in the city. Even if they could, they would not be able to afford it. So they began to search for land in the rural areas.

“We wanted a minimum of 25 hectares, roads that led to it, electricity, a river and springs in it, high enough so that it never floods, and it has got to be dirt cheap,” recalled Ps Ronny.

There was plenty of land for sale, but none that they could afford. After 10 months, Ps Ronny found himself getting impatient.

“Then I read Psalm 37:34 before bed and it said, ‘Hope in the Lord and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.’”

It was both the rebuke and encouragement that Ps Ronny needed.

A strange mix-up

That same week, he received a call from a man who said that he had a piece of land to sell. The land, he told Ps Ronny, was near a telephone tower. Could they meet at 11am on Monday?

When Ps Ronny went to the café at the appointed time, a man jumped into his car and told him to drive to the land.

As they drove, Ps Ronny realised they were going in the opposite direction of the telephone tower. But the man insisted they were headed the right way.

“I asked the man, ‘Where is the telephone tower?’ He said, ‘There are no telephone towers here. They are all the other way.’

“So I said, ‘Aren’t you the one who rang me?’ He said he never rang me. He had recognised my car and knew I was the man looking for land.”

Ps Ronny had at this point been driving for a whole hour with the wrong man. He wanted to turn back, but the man begged him to carry on. His land was another 15 minutes’ drive away, he promised.

“After 15 minutes, we were really there. It was all jungles and hills. Then he told me, ‘Now, we have to walk awhile.’”

Over 20 years of construction has transformed the jungles of West Kalimantan into a village with schools, homes and healthcare facilities. Photo courtesy of Rudy Taslim.

The pair travelled a good distance, trekking up and down hills till they reached one of the highest hills. In order to see past the dense vegetation, Ps Ronny had to climb a tree.

“There in the tree, God said, ‘Ronny, this is what I want to give you.’

“I didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh.”

The land had everything he needed: roads leading to it, a river, a creek. He had no idea how vast the land was, but he agreed to take it all.

“It didn’t matter how many hectares there were or how much it cost because I didn’t have a cent. But I didn’t tell the man that.”

Oddly, the man who had first called Ps Ronny never called again.

Dayak children worshiping God.

“I knew God made it this way because I wouldn’t have gone so far. God had a way to get me there.”

They sent word that they needed money for the purchase. A week before they had to pay for the land, the money came. As usual, it was just enough.

Threats and thefts

Getting the land was but the first challenge. They had no money and no workers to develop the land. They also faced hostility from the local community.

When the children were helping to clear the borders of their new property, a group of men with hatchets came to threaten them.

“They told us to get out of there or they would come back and lob off our heads. They didn’t care if there were women and children,” said Ps Ronny.

Those were no empty threats. Land disputes in that area have often been known to end in gruesome violence. The children ran to warn Ps Ronny, begging him to hide in Kuching or Pontianak. He refused.  

“I don’t run. I never run. God is the One who brought us here. God will be the One to tell us to leave.”

A little over a week later, the men returned.

“One of my boys said to them, ‘You can come. There are more on our side than there are on yours!’

“All of a sudden, fear struck the men, and they took off and never came back.”

Ps Ronny never found out why the men were so frightened.

There was also a local religious leader who paid people to destroy the property on Ps Ronny’s land. Unperturbed, Ps Ronny encouraged the children to pray for him.

The children of LWV praying for one another. Photo courtesy of Rudy Taslim.

When the man had a stroke and was hospitalised, some of the boys went to pray for him. They even held his hand.

After a month, he was discharged although he never fully recovered. They have had no trouble with him since. In fact, they now have a cordial relationship.

Ps Ronny said: “People ask if we have a fence around our property. I say we do, you just have to look with spiritual eyes. The angels of the Lord encamp around us. If not, I wouldn’t be able to sleep every night.”

Entering a Miracle Zone

Twenty years since they first moved into the land, the tangle of trees has been transformed into a sophisticated settlement complete with miles of paved roads and an air strip in the making.

Right at the front of the property is a sign marking the place as “A Miracle Zone”, attesting to how they have seen God’s hand in the place and over the lives of those in it.

The sign at the entrance of LWV. Photo courtesy of Rudy Taslim.

Despite having received multiple death threats, Ps Ronny remains unharmed. Funding has always come in, often inexplicably and always just enough.

Beyond the daily expenses needed to run a place for over 1,000 people, many of the children have serious illnesses including cancer that require costly medical care.

There was a girl with a massive tumour in her mouth which required part of her jaw to be removed. They brought her to Kuching for treatment. The estimated bill came up to between US$30,000 and US$40,000.

“I just told them to start the treatment. I will go talk to my Father about it. She had five operations. In the end, the money was in the account. Not too much, not too little, enough to pay for all the operations,” said Ps Ronny.

No turning back

The love that Ps Ronny, Kay and the volunteers have shown the children have inspired many of them to give back to LWV.

When they have reached adulthood, some choose to stay and serve as house parents. Each set of house parents takes care of about 12 children. “They know best how the kids are feeling and are able to minister to them,” said Ps Ronny.

Ps Ronny (centre in white) with the house leaders of LWV.

While others leave to work outside of LWV, some choose to work within the compound. All 62 of the teachers at LWV are children who have come through the Village.

There are also former children who come back to work as doctors, nurses, pastors, church planters, accountants, lawyers, board members and mechanics.

The children of LWV dressed in traditional costumes.

“It’s not a job. It’s a ministry to them,” said Ps Ronny.

Still, more children stream in all the time. At the time of this interview with Salt&Light, about 140 children had just joined LWV. Ps Ronny does not turn any away.

Every year, new children come to LWV.

The children are also taught the Word of God so they can be spiritually nourished. Ps Ronny’s hope is that every child will be equipped to return to their own villages and other unreached ones with the gospel.

Already they have seen the impact of God’s love on the community they are in. About 40 members of the community (not within LWV) are under their payroll, and this has helped to deepen the Village’s ties with the community.

“We have prayer meetings for them. They come for coffee. One of the guys once came to us and said, ‘Last week, you prayed for the grandmother of the other guy and she got healed. Would Jesus like to heal my grandmother, too?’

“We prayed for her and from there, the guy came to the Lord.”

Ps Ronny celebrating his birthday at LWV.

Ps Ronny has spent nearly a third of his life at LWV. His biological children have all returned to Australia. But for him, there is no turning back.

”God called us here. I’ll be in Borneo till I die.”

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“It was not even an official dormitory,” recalled Ps Johann, adding that there were unlikely to have been proper beds or any facilities for them to clean up. 

“That was the first inkling that I got that they have needs we don’t know much about.”

When the COVID pandemic landed, the situation became much more acute. Over 90% of the early COVID cases were migrant workers. The lockdown to stem the rise of cases meant that the workers were not permitted to leave their dormitories except to work.

Finding needs to meet

In 2021, CHC restarted its Church Without Walls (CWW) initiative in which members of the church are encouraged to “find a hurt and heal it, find a need and meet it”. The original CWW began in 1996 and reached out to children, the elderly, those with special needs, the deaf, among others.

Today, CWW extends to cancer patients, underprivileged families that need home renovation, foster care, migrant workers and more.

“When our senior pastor Kong Hee encouraged us to look for more needs to meet in society, we started to look at those people on the margin,” Ps Johann told Salt&Light.

“One of our pastors told us about Pastor Sam Gift Stephen from the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach, who was looking for help from churches.”

Smiling faces among the migrant workers at one of My Fellow Workers’ events held at South Tuas Recreation Centre.

AGWO, headed by Ps Sam Gift, is a movement of the Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA), that partners with various churches, religious organisations, voluntary welfare organisations, civil society organisations, corporations, professional bodies, guest worker dormitories and government agencies.

“To ensure maximum efficiency in sharing resources, AGWO offers both direct and indirect opportunities of involvement for partners—as administrators of services, and facilitators in providing assistance to guest workers, respectively,” Ps Sam told Salt&Light.

Ps Johann, together with his colleagues Ian Chong and Ee Zhen Ying, both pastoral supervisors in the church, connected with Ps Sam and participated in a food distribution drive at Tuas South Recreation Centre.

“Everyone was wearing masks, sitting apart in single seats,” he recalled. “That was the start. We began to ask ourselves, ‘What else can we do for them?’”

Loving the stranger in the land

Ps Johann and his team began to have conversations with the workers when opportunity arose, so that they could find out more and identify needs.

“We heard their stories, the sort of conditions they worked under, what they paid to come to Singapore, how much money they earned – it was eye-opening,” he said.

“We always thank them and appreciate them,” says Ps Eileen Toh (second from left) who helms CHC’s Church Without Walls programme.

When he brought his findings back to the Church Without Walls team, headed by his wife, Ps Eileen Toh, it was clear that there was need for a ministry to the migrant workers.

They were reminded of Leviticus 19:33-34, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

“We named our ministry My Fellow Workers (MFW) to bring out a sense of identifying with low-wage workers who help to build our nation. Without them, it would not be possible. And these workers include domestic helpers to those in construction, maritime and electronic industries,” Ps Johann explained.

The blessing draw at MFW’s events is an attraction, but Ps Johann Sim (in red), who leads the ministry, says it is the personal engagement with individuals that makes the biggest difference.

MFW began with supporting Ps Sam’s efforts to bring food to the workers and befriending the heads of the dormitories.

“Then we thought of doing an event at the South Tuas Recreation Centre to bless them during Deepavali,” said Ps Eileen.

In November 2021, the MFW team gathered volunteers, including two interpreters who spoke Tamil and Telugu, and ran a carnival for the migrant workers.

The MFW team brainstormed and came up with a host of thoughtful booths, such as free haircuts and a photo booth that offered instant-print photos that the workers could keep. 

One of the best-loved carnival booths in past events was the letter-writing booth, where migrant workers could pen letters home.

There was also a letter-writing booth where letter paper, envelopes and pens were made available for the workers to write letters home. The ministry undertook the cost and logistics of mailing out the letters. 

This simple idea drew a crowd. Some workers were in tears as they wrote to their loved ones.

“The first event was successful,” Ps Eileen recalled. “We engaged between 800 and 1,000 workers through the games. We also gave out food, and the day ended with a short sharing.”

The carnival proved a hit, leading to MFW planning large scale events at least twice a year – usually in May coinciding with Labour Day, and near Deepavali – with smaller outings and meet-ups in between. The ministry has a core team of around 30, and each event draws about 150 volunteers who are members of CHC.

Each event attracts up to 150 volunteers who are church members.

Secondary school teacher Matthias Wan has been volunteering with MFW since it started. “It was during the reboot of CWW in 2021 that God reminded me of His calling to serve migrant workers, a commitment I felt deeply in my youth,” he told Salt&Light, adding that he had previously considered joining other VWOs that serve this demographic.

The first carnival “felt like a mission trip, but in Singapore,” he said, describing the Tuas venue as one that was industrial and hot. Development has been going on in the area since the end of the pandemic.

Meeting needs at MFW events has included practical needs such as haircuts.

Matthias added: “One would expect emotions to run high one were to stay there for prolonged periods of time, but despite having to work in sites and stay in these dorms every day, the migrant workers whom I have met have surprised me as one of the most polite and gentle groups of people you can find in Singapore. They speak softly and laugh gently.”

This Deepavali, he will be serving the workers again at MFW’s upcoming event. The father of four – he was father of one when he started volunteering – keeps coming back to serve because his biggest rewards is “seeing the smiles on their faces, and expressions of hope. We often hear from them that MFW is the event that they would be waiting for all year.”

Deepavali is the festival of lights: The events end with a time of sharing and ministry for those who ask for prayer.

A Feast Of Love

This is the fourth year MFW has been serving the migrant worker community. 

“We believe our project works,” Ps Eileen said to Salt&Light. “They feel loved and appreciated. We always thank them and appreciate them for all they do. We set out to acknowledge their presence.”

She adds: “We are thinking what’s next: Perhaps to equip and empower them through English classes or computer classes, to help them upskill.”

Some of the workers who have been blessed by MFW’s efforts have asked to volunteer to serve their fellow workers. 

The carnivals and other MFW events are created to uplift the workers and bring them a time to relax and have fun.

“I find that so encouraging,” said Ps Eileen. “They know we’re in this together.”

Building genuine relationships with migrant workers is a key element of MFW’s ministry, and Jesus provides the inspiration.

One New Year’s Day, Ps Johann took the head of the dormitory and a few of workers out for a meal at Changi Village, eating and fellowshipping.

“We do both big and small things,” he explained. “Eating together lets us befriend them one at a time.”

Ps Johann (left, foreground) says while big events are great, small group meal fellowships build relationships with the workers.

It is this move to engage more meaningfully with the workers that gave rise to A Feast Of Love, MFW’s Deepavali 2024 event which happens this Sunday (November 3, 2024).

The ministry will hold a sit-down feast with 1,500 migrant workers at South Tuas Recreation Centre, over three sittings. Volunteers will serve the workers and engage them in conversation as they dine on biryani together. There is also a space for those who ask for prayer to be ministered to.

Although the language barrier is real, Ps Johann is confident that, as has been the case, the volunteers will be able to connect with the workers through simple English, sign language and kindness.

“We are learning to be that listening ear for them,” said Ps Johann. “Most of the time, they want to share all about their family and home. 

“Sometimes when they tell us that they have health issues or problems, we offer to say a prayer for them.”

Ps Sam told Salt&Light, “City Harvest has been our major partner in blessing the guest workers through carnivals and events. This Sunday, CHC in partnership with AGWO is organising A Feast of Love, a sumptuous dinner with games and blessing draw.”

This Sunday, the team and volunteers of MFW are looking forward to speaking the universal language of love, said Ps Johann.

“We may be of different cultures and speak different languages but when we communicate love, it is felt,” he said.

CHC is one of the churches that support AGWO’s efforts toward migrant workers. There are many opportunities to serve: Churches can partner AGWO by emailing Ps Sam Gift Stephen at sam.gift@hia.sg

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They had noticed a lack of creation care resources in Singapore, and wanted to use social media to inspire Christians to love their Creator and His creation.

They named their page Creation Care SG. 

“We saw a lot of growth in follower numbers, but very quickly realised that in order to really reach people, we needed to be physically present in the life of the church,” co-founder Dennis Tan, now 26, told Salt&Light.

“Little did we imagine how God would blow our efforts out of the water,” said Dennis, who was at the time a first–year undergraduate studying Environmental Studies at the National University of Singapore. 

Through talks, workshops and consultations, the team has gone on to inspire, develop and equip some 50 (and counting) churches and Christian organisations to better steward their resources in ministry and missions.

“The fact that we’re all from different denominations shows that creation care transcends denominational differences,” said Dennis of the pioneering Creation Care SG team. “God really provided by bringing us together.” Illustration by the Thirst Collective.

They also run activities like guided reflective walks in parks to help individuals better appreciate and therefore care for God’s creation.  

Twice a year, they hold what they call Community of Practice gatherings – a platform for those in creation care ministries to cross-pollinate ideas, encourage, equip and support each other.

OFW board member Isabel Low ran a workshop on carbon emissions at the recent Community of Practice gathering.

Expanding the vision

As they grew, God’s call for them grew too.

On August 30, 2024, Creation Care SG took on a new name: Our Father’s World (OFW).

Liaw Ann Shin (front; one of the founding members of Creation Care SG) with participants at the most recent Community of Practice gathering. Findings from their study of carbon emissions from 15 churches and Christian organisations where shared, and practical tips were also provided.

The new name, which removes the geographical label “SG”, references their bigger dream to make an impact beyond Singapore’s shores. 

“Moving forward, we want to adopt a regional lens and missional posture in our ministry, as our neighbours in the region are often disproportionately affected by the ecological crisis,” said Dennis.

He explained that Southeast Asia suffers from a triple threat of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. It is one of the regions hardest hit by climate change due to rising temperatures, sea levels and the severity of natural disasters.

OFW rents out “toolkits” for churches organising beach clean ups – these also include reflection materials and training of church members to facilitate the activity. OFW is also able to organise the clean up and send their own personnel down to run it, for an additional fee. Photo from Chen Li Presbyterian Church’s Facebook‘s page.

Pollution cuts the life expectancy of many. Drastic declines in the region’s wildlife populations have been linked with food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases.

“Such problems are often the result of a lack of sustainable alternatives – or in the case of climate change, the actions of others. The ecological crisis has become the ‘hole in the bucket’ that makes the dire situations of those living in poverty, worse,” said Dennis.

“As a blessed nation shielded from the worst of the crisis, we must consider the importance and urgency of our care in the context of a region that is suffering.”

The seed of a vision

Our Father’s World had started as a mustard seed of an idea in 2017.

While serving his National Service, God showed Dennis a vision of “Christians coming together to care for creation” when he was at a young leaders conference for Methodist youths.

“I cared for the environment, but I had never heard of creation care or knew what it meant,” admitted Dennis.

His mentor advised him to pray about it.

Kezia Khoo of OFW shared how students can do their part for God’s earth at Fairfield Methodist Secondary School’s chapel assembly.

As he pondered on the vision, Dennis realised that “there was clearly a biblical basis for stewarding the resources God has given us”.

“Colossians 1:16 says, ‘Christ made everything in the heavens and on the earth … everything that is seen and things that are not seen … Everything was made by Him and for Him.’

“So everything on earth belongs to Christ. We are just stewarding it. It is not made to serve our purpose. When you house-sit for someone, you don’t trash their property.”

Dennis also pointed out that caring for God’s world is one of the Social Principles of The Methodist Church.

“The Sphere of Creation Care (page 16 in link) mentions that all creation – ‘from the minerals to animal life to outer space’ – is the Lord’s, and we are called to be responsible stewards of them.

“But how come I never learnt about this at church? How come no one was talking about it?” asked Dennis.

Doing something

So he set out to find out what he could about creation care.

He started championing good stewardship at his church, Sengkang Methodist Church, with simple steps like providing a recycling box for bulletins after service. 

Dennis at Sengkang Methodist Church sharing how members can get involved in serving with the creation care ministry and how other ministries can also care for God’s earth.

When he entered university, he shared “with every Christian I knew” the need to take care of God’s earth. 

With more time on his hands during the pandemic, he co-founded the Creation Care SG social media page, which he used to share practical tips to reduce one’s carbon footprint.

When COVID restrictions eased, the team started reaching out to fellow believers via ad-hoc events like art and creation care workshops. The intention was for participants to, in turn, reach out to their own churches.

“Initially, it was discouraging as their church leaders were not receptive to creation care,” said Dennis. Subsequently, however, doors opened for the team to give talks at churches. “It was God’s timing,” said Dennis.

At the 2019 National Day Rally, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about the need to prepare for the impact of climate change on Singapore, and announced the Government’s efforts to understand, mitigate and adapt to it.

“This led to a wider understanding among church leaders that this was an issue that the church needed to respond to,” said Dennis.

In 2022, the team organised their first large-scale Christian conference with 12 workshops over two days. It attracted some 130 attendees – “some who cared about creation, and others who didn’t but were curious to find out more”, said Dennis.

“The community and exchange of ideas felt like the vision that God had shown me in 2017.”

Rachel Yeo (standing, second from left), head of educational initiatives at OFW, at a creation care and missions walk co-organised by OMF Singapore.

He was especially amazed that the workshop had attracted participants from the region, including a representative from a Methodist agency in Malaysia which provides relief work during crises and disasters.

“Making the connection between climate change and natural disasters, they started running events to raise awareness for caring for God’s earth, and provide training for pastors,” said Dennis.

A youth-led push

OFW’s core team of five is currently made up of both staff and volunteers – all in their 20s.

“Their relative youth comes with a keen understanding of the ecological crisis, godly wisdom, a heart for the Church, and a finger on the pulse of their generation,” said Dennis.

OFW curates programmes for various age groups. This one for TRAC Youth Ministries included self-guided activities at Botanic Gardens for participants to see how God reveals Himself through creation.

“Most of the team are trained in environmental studies and have practical experience starting initiatives in their churches – which they have gone on to use in advising other fledgling creation care movements in other churches.”

OFW, which is in the process of registering to become a non-profit and charity, is also supported by volunteers in various fields, from research and writing to leading guided reflection walks.

Equipping churches to be better stewards

With an expanded vision from God, Dennis believes there is more work for OFW to do.

As part of their efforts to engage with churches, OFW took a baseline inventory of the greenhouse gas emissions from 17 churches and are now working with them to reduce their emissions.

At the afternoon talk for TRAC Youth Ministries, OFW’s Kezia Khoo explained the biblical foundation for creation care and suggested practical steps to live it out.

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat from the sun. Such gases are usually regulated by natural cycles, but human activity (for example, from the burning of fossil fuels) has released such a huge volume in such a short time that these cycles are disrupted.

This results in increasingly unpredictable and severe weather patterns, rising sea levels from the melting of polar ice, and changing temperatures.

At Sengkang Methodist Church, the creation care ministry worked with the hospitality ministry to reduce the use of disposable plates and cutlery at their welcome cafe.

“To reverse this, we must rapidly reduce emissions globally. It could take the form of using energy-saving appliances like LED lights, reduced aircon use, and turning to renewable energy like solar panels, which in turn translate to long-term savings for the church” said Dennis.

For example, the creation care ministry at his church works with the hospitality ministry to reduce the use of disposable plates and cutlery at their welcome cafe. The two ministries also figured out an efficient and cost-saving process of washing reusable dishes and cups.

For those concerned that water is wasted when using reusable plates and cutlery, Dennis points out that the process to manufacture and dispose of one-time use plates involves copious amounts of water to cool the machines.

“Rather than seeing each ministry as separate and in their own silo, creation care is something that churches can integrate into their ministries. It is not a dichotomy,” he points out.

“Creation care isn’t another thing for the church to do.”

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Myriad ways to care for creation: Video series

As part of their rebranding, Our Father’s World has released a five-part video series featuring stories of eight people on how they have grown through caring for creation in various ways – through church, missions, guiding, teaching and ministry.

They include a conversation with Rev Leow Wen Pin (founder and chairman of disability mission organisation KIN) and his son, Matthew. (Click here for the video). Wen Pin is also an Associate Pastor at Bethany Evangelical Free Church.

(From left to right): Dennis Tan, Ps Lam Kuo Yung of Katong Presbyterian Church and Ps Leow Wen Pin who authored Creation Care and the Gospel, an introductory primer on how creation care is a necessary part of Christian discipleship.

Missionary Lawrence Ko also shares how caring for creation allowed him to reach different communities over the past 26 years. He shares why he thinks the Church needs to radically transform the way we think about missions and how caring for creation is vital in that change. (Click here for the video). Lawrence is the former National Director of the Singapore Centre for Global Missions. 

In addition, community gardener Alicia Lim shares how her mother’s and her own experiences with gardening have grown her understanding of God. She and her husband teach children and adults the importance of seemingly unloveable insects to foster a love for the natural environment. (Click here for the video).

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If you would like to collaborate with or support Our Father’s World, email them at hello@ofw.sg.

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The post “When you house-sit for someone, you don’t trash their property”: Advocacy group Our Father’s World on being good stewards of God’s earth appeared first on Salt&Light.