It has been a while since I last spoke to a tissue auntie. As much as I can say that I've not seen one in recent times, I can't help noticing 2 tissue-selling uncles near my workplace. But it's just noticing; no action taken.
One can't help noticing the 2 uncles selling tissues and snacks like Pocky sticks in an area where you will pass by for lunch almost everyday. So here I whizz by, pass by, walk by, stride by; nothing happens. I figure Jesus could have used my name in place of the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). There were also times when I told himself, “I’m not in the ‘mood’” or “I’m tired”; excuses that were far too easy to make. But I would have cringed if Jesus were to tell blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46-52) that he was not “in the mood” to heal him; especially when Bartimaeus was shouting and crying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
So I think enough is enough. Let's talk. Let's be a good neighbour. The 1st uncle sells his ware on a motorised wheelchair. He came all the way down from Woodlands because business was poor in that area. He is a nice, quiet man who is bilingual and the most striking phrase from him was, "What to do? I need to earn a living." Selling tissue and Pocky sticks was certainly not below his dignity. But it must have been tough.
The 2nd uncle stations himself along a walkway to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. And you can't miss him. He has a plastic tubing attached near his chest and he keeps crying out, “Brothers, Sisters, please help me. I need to go for kidney dialysis. Please help me.”* His story is more heart-wrenching, and I believe that he is not alone in Singapore.
Besides having to go for kidney dialysis, he has heart problems and diabetes. NKF would not take him because of his heart problem so he had to go for dialysis at a private centre (Novena Medical Centre) as his condition requires a doctor to be around. When asked if there were help from the government, he said they would only help if he is willing to sell his 3-room flat and rent from HDB. It will be easy for us to say, “Sell the flat”, but few would understand that having your own roof over your head is a matter of security and dignity. Few would opt to sell unless it’s a life-and-death matter.
He has 2 young children, 12 and 14 years old, and his wife is currently hospitalised at TTSH after going through surgery for breast cancer. He is semi-blind because of diabetes and currently earns his living through selling tissues.
Yes, we may ask ourselves if his story is true. But how many of us would bother to first, get to know him as a friend, and second, to verify his account over the course of knowing him as a friend. Few of us would dare do this. Why? Because by then, you cannot say, “I don’t know.”
If there is any lesson to take home besides the sobering wake-up call of not loving my neighbour, it is the closing phrase of the tissue uncle. His parting words to me as I bid him goodbye was “谢谢你。 感恩，感恩。”** I wonder if I would say “感恩” too if I were in his situation.
May we be a grateful people, and good neighbours bearing the good news of Jesus Christ.
* Not exact quote. Paraphrased.
** Xie Xie Ni. Gan En. Gan En. translated as "Thank you. I give thanks. (I'm grateful)" (note: I do not know if he is a Christian although "Gan En" is often used by Christians.)
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A little human touch
A granny sat on the floor beside the walkways of Junction 8 and beckoned onlookers to buy the packets of tissue in her hand.
*"Hello Auntie. How are you?" She kept smiling at me. I bought some tissue from her and continued making small talk.
"Are you here everyday?" She chuckle and said, 'No la. I come here once or twice a week."
"Do you live near Bishan?" She shakes her shake and replied, "Marine Parade."
"Oh. Marine Parade ah. Do you live alone?" She replied, "I live with my daughter."
I decided the small talk was enough as I would be disturbing her tissue sales if I carried on. "See you another time Auntie. Jesus loves you. Take care." She nodded her head and gave me a wide smile.
A short chit chat, a dollar and a smile is enough to make my day and her day. Yes, the one dollar you and I gave to buy the packets of tissue could contribute to her finances, but it is the little human touch that makes a whole lot of difference. It made her smile, it made me smile and it gets a lot more meaningful than helping her out with just money.
Singapore is a country where it is thought to have no poor citizens; or rather, citizens without a roof and 3 meals a day. Of course we know that is not exactly true because there are needy people who struggle from time to time for a meal and to pay their utility bills. I've met and befriended one such family and mine you, there are many more. Just ask the various(and numerous) VWO(Voluntary Welfare Organizations) and you'll hear many similar stories from social workers.
However, beneath the dire financial needs of the poor, there is a greater need. The need for a human touch. Singapore has no shortage of VWOs who will help a person in genuine financial need. The government has the Public Assistance Scheme in place to help those who are unable support themselves (http://www.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_E_PA.html). (Note: the rigid structure and inflexible benchmarking of who qualifies for help and who does not, does make successful application difficult sometimes) But it is true that getting 3 meals a day is not difficult in Singapore. An old man will certainly draw some sympathy from the public with a certain degree of success if he goes about begging for food at a food centre.
The stark reality is that while we have all these VWOs, financial schemes, grants and assistance in place, the quality of life does not get any better for the poor. I must add here that the poor in Singapore is very different from the poor in say, Cambodia. In Cambodia, the poor may live in a house with a broken roof and eat just tapioca daily. In Singapore, the poor may be living in a 3 room flat with 3 children still in school and both or one parent is unable to work due to disability or mental illness. It is a different kind of poor but nonetheless in great need. And especially in Singapore, I feel the quality of life is the main problem. And it's a problem bigger than the finances.
I will not be surprised if a tissue aunty or granny is able to eke out a living by selling tissue packets and feel quite good that they are not living on handouts. But when you talk to them, you will hear their many sad stories and the lonely lives they are living. There are of course exceptions(i've met one in Tampines) but in general, these folks yearn for a little more than that one dollar you gave. They want a human touch, they want love and concern, they want friends, they want to be listened to, they want budding relationships that add colours to their lives.
Your one dollar is helpful, but it stops at just the surface. The next time you get some tissue from these aunties and grannies, say hello to them and find out for yourself how long a human touch can go. That was why Jesus say hello to the uncared for in his days - the tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the destitute. Most people maintained the status quo and bypassed them as if they were invisible. But Jesus would not. He knew they needed a human touch that is real. He knew they needed love, friendship and relationships more than anything else.
So how about a "How are you?" the next time you give that one dollar? Smile and watch that smile.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~ Mother Teresa
*Conversation with granny is in mandarin. Translated to English for readability
*"Hello Auntie. How are you?" She kept smiling at me. I bought some tissue from her and continued making small talk.
"Are you here everyday?" She chuckle and said, 'No la. I come here once or twice a week."
"Do you live near Bishan?" She shakes her shake and replied, "Marine Parade."
"Oh. Marine Parade ah. Do you live alone?" She replied, "I live with my daughter."
I decided the small talk was enough as I would be disturbing her tissue sales if I carried on. "See you another time Auntie. Jesus loves you. Take care." She nodded her head and gave me a wide smile.
A short chit chat, a dollar and a smile is enough to make my day and her day. Yes, the one dollar you and I gave to buy the packets of tissue could contribute to her finances, but it is the little human touch that makes a whole lot of difference. It made her smile, it made me smile and it gets a lot more meaningful than helping her out with just money.
Singapore is a country where it is thought to have no poor citizens; or rather, citizens without a roof and 3 meals a day. Of course we know that is not exactly true because there are needy people who struggle from time to time for a meal and to pay their utility bills. I've met and befriended one such family and mine you, there are many more. Just ask the various(and numerous) VWO(Voluntary Welfare Organizations) and you'll hear many similar stories from social workers.
However, beneath the dire financial needs of the poor, there is a greater need. The need for a human touch. Singapore has no shortage of VWOs who will help a person in genuine financial need. The government has the Public Assistance Scheme in place to help those who are unable support themselves (http://www.mcys.gov.sg/web/serv_E_PA.html). (Note: the rigid structure and inflexible benchmarking of who qualifies for help and who does not, does make successful application difficult sometimes) But it is true that getting 3 meals a day is not difficult in Singapore. An old man will certainly draw some sympathy from the public with a certain degree of success if he goes about begging for food at a food centre.
The stark reality is that while we have all these VWOs, financial schemes, grants and assistance in place, the quality of life does not get any better for the poor. I must add here that the poor in Singapore is very different from the poor in say, Cambodia. In Cambodia, the poor may live in a house with a broken roof and eat just tapioca daily. In Singapore, the poor may be living in a 3 room flat with 3 children still in school and both or one parent is unable to work due to disability or mental illness. It is a different kind of poor but nonetheless in great need. And especially in Singapore, I feel the quality of life is the main problem. And it's a problem bigger than the finances.
I will not be surprised if a tissue aunty or granny is able to eke out a living by selling tissue packets and feel quite good that they are not living on handouts. But when you talk to them, you will hear their many sad stories and the lonely lives they are living. There are of course exceptions(i've met one in Tampines) but in general, these folks yearn for a little more than that one dollar you gave. They want a human touch, they want love and concern, they want friends, they want to be listened to, they want budding relationships that add colours to their lives.
Your one dollar is helpful, but it stops at just the surface. The next time you get some tissue from these aunties and grannies, say hello to them and find out for yourself how long a human touch can go. That was why Jesus say hello to the uncared for in his days - the tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the destitute. Most people maintained the status quo and bypassed them as if they were invisible. But Jesus would not. He knew they needed a human touch that is real. He knew they needed love, friendship and relationships more than anything else.
So how about a "How are you?" the next time you give that one dollar? Smile and watch that smile.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~ Mother Teresa
*Conversation with granny is in mandarin. Translated to English for readability
Monday, August 04, 2008
Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart
Excerpt from an Urbana 87 article by Roberta Hestenes
"Many years ago there was a blind beggar who sat by the side of the road, and as the traffic went by no one paid much attention to him. But one day he heard the noise of a crowd, and he knew that something was happening. Someone important was passing by. He asked, "What's happening? What's going on?" The bystanders replied, "It's Jesus of Nazareth. He's coming. He's on his way with his disciples to Jerusalem." Then the beggar cried out, "Jesus, son of David have mercy on me." Luke tells us that the leaders, the ones who preceded Jesus, probably meaning the disciples, said to this beggar, "Shut up. Be quiet. Don't disturb the status quo."
All too often I sense that we are afraid to feel the hurt, the pain and the suffering of this world. We anesthetize ourselves. We keep ourselves inundated with sensations and with noise and with activities so we won't see the pain of this world. Jesus' disciples were walking down the road, and Jesus had important things to do. They were important people because they were with Jesus, and who's got time for blind beggars? But the blind man would not shut up. He cried out even louder, 'Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me." And Jesus did something astonishing. He stopped, and everyone with him had to stop - why go if Jesus isn't going with you? Then Jesus called to the man. In the midst of the press of the multitude and the dust and the noise of the crowd, Jesus had time for one person's hurts." (Click here for full reading)
Are you afraid to feel the hurt, the pain and suffering of this world? Are you one of those that will say, "Shut up. Be quiet. Don't disturb the status quo" in expense of those who are poor, hurting and suffering?
Bob Pierce, World Vision's founder had this to say,"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart .....
"Many years ago there was a blind beggar who sat by the side of the road, and as the traffic went by no one paid much attention to him. But one day he heard the noise of a crowd, and he knew that something was happening. Someone important was passing by. He asked, "What's happening? What's going on?" The bystanders replied, "It's Jesus of Nazareth. He's coming. He's on his way with his disciples to Jerusalem." Then the beggar cried out, "Jesus, son of David have mercy on me." Luke tells us that the leaders, the ones who preceded Jesus, probably meaning the disciples, said to this beggar, "Shut up. Be quiet. Don't disturb the status quo."
All too often I sense that we are afraid to feel the hurt, the pain and the suffering of this world. We anesthetize ourselves. We keep ourselves inundated with sensations and with noise and with activities so we won't see the pain of this world. Jesus' disciples were walking down the road, and Jesus had important things to do. They were important people because they were with Jesus, and who's got time for blind beggars? But the blind man would not shut up. He cried out even louder, 'Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me." And Jesus did something astonishing. He stopped, and everyone with him had to stop - why go if Jesus isn't going with you? Then Jesus called to the man. In the midst of the press of the multitude and the dust and the noise of the crowd, Jesus had time for one person's hurts." (Click here for full reading)
Are you afraid to feel the hurt, the pain and suffering of this world? Are you one of those that will say, "Shut up. Be quiet. Don't disturb the status quo" in expense of those who are poor, hurting and suffering?
Bob Pierce, World Vision's founder had this to say,"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart"
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart .....
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Inconvenience is a good thing
The great thing about being God's child is that you never stop learning(unless you arrogantly chose to), and sometimes even to re-learn something which you thought you already know. As creatures of comfort, we generally dislike being inconvenienced and we are always capable of coming up with seemingly valid excuses.
My friend had invited me for an event on a day where I had some time but because I prefer to go somewhere else, I politely decline with a vague excuse such as "I might not be free". Internally, I knew that I had time but would rather go somewhere else and hence, I felt that the excuse was justifiable. Sounds valid doesn't it? Of course it does and no one will see any problem with that - Except that this person who invited me is someone I am trying to reach out to.
Aha. That makes a world of difference, doesn't it? As I reflected on my instant decision, I realised how self-serving I was. The truth is that I would rather enjoy myself than to inconvenience myself to go for an event that I was not particularly interested in so that I could reach out to the person. I had intentions to invite this person for a Christmas service and wanted him to come. But what gives me the right to invite the person(and expect him to come) at all when I don't even want to accept his invitation in the first place? That was indeed very selfish. It's as if I'm telling the person, "Hey, come for for this event. Nevermind if you have never step into a church before and may feel awkward. Never mind the inconvenience of finding the place and having to use up your precious holiday time for this event. Nevermind if I didn't accept your invitation. This is more important. It will change your life. You got to come!" Sounds hypocritical, doesn't it?
It's a great lesson to be learn and I thank God for His exposure of my self-service. I've since accepted my friend's invitation and looking forward to building a stronger friendship which will enabled me to speak into his life as God directs me. Every moment is an opportunity. If you expect your friends to inconvenience themselves to come for your church's service and to listen to some "speech", then you better be ready to inconvenience yourself and respond to your friend first.
After all, Jesus did more than just inconvenience Himself to save us. Our inconvenience is nothing really. So don't let your own comfort deprive someone of hearing Christ. Make the right inconvenient choice today.
My friend had invited me for an event on a day where I had some time but because I prefer to go somewhere else, I politely decline with a vague excuse such as "I might not be free". Internally, I knew that I had time but would rather go somewhere else and hence, I felt that the excuse was justifiable. Sounds valid doesn't it? Of course it does and no one will see any problem with that - Except that this person who invited me is someone I am trying to reach out to.
Aha. That makes a world of difference, doesn't it? As I reflected on my instant decision, I realised how self-serving I was. The truth is that I would rather enjoy myself than to inconvenience myself to go for an event that I was not particularly interested in so that I could reach out to the person. I had intentions to invite this person for a Christmas service and wanted him to come. But what gives me the right to invite the person(and expect him to come) at all when I don't even want to accept his invitation in the first place? That was indeed very selfish. It's as if I'm telling the person, "Hey, come for for this event. Nevermind if you have never step into a church before and may feel awkward. Never mind the inconvenience of finding the place and having to use up your precious holiday time for this event. Nevermind if I didn't accept your invitation. This is more important. It will change your life. You got to come!" Sounds hypocritical, doesn't it?
It's a great lesson to be learn and I thank God for His exposure of my self-service. I've since accepted my friend's invitation and looking forward to building a stronger friendship which will enabled me to speak into his life as God directs me. Every moment is an opportunity. If you expect your friends to inconvenience themselves to come for your church's service and to listen to some "speech", then you better be ready to inconvenience yourself and respond to your friend first.
After all, Jesus did more than just inconvenience Himself to save us. Our inconvenience is nothing really. So don't let your own comfort deprive someone of hearing Christ. Make the right inconvenient choice today.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Your small acts of kindness matters
It has been a while since I last stopped to talk to a new tissue aunty. I occasionally talk to this aunty that I've mention in my blog last year but I haven't really stop to talk to other tissue sellers in recent times. Apathy and rushing for appointments are 2 main excuses I use to squirm my way out of blessing these people which many of us come across. What a shame, isn't it?
So there I was on my way back that I met this new tissue aunty on a wheelchair. Business must have been tough because she was so grateful when I bought her tissue. So as I converse with her, she spoke about why she is selling tissue. "I stay alone and I have to earn some money to buy "pampers" when there is not enough. No choice. Otherwise I will soil myself" said the auntie. That must have been a tough statement to say - imagine telling a stranger that you are in a health condition where you can't control your bowels, and you had to stay alone AND earn money yourself.
I decided to help out a little and pass her some money discreetly. "This is for you aunty. You can use it to buy food or to buy drinks or to use it in whatever ways you want..." I tried my best to water down the money giving act so that she will not feel she is some kind of beggar. (Not further damaging the dignity of a poor person is something that we must be highly sensitive of)
When she received the money, she started tearing and thanking me. I was shocked(by the fact that this little act had meant so much to her) I then told her that Jesus loves her and I was glad to find out that she believes in Jesus too. I will never forget those tears of joy and gratefulness on her face. Perhaps she thought everyone had forgotten about her, but God did not. Perhaps it was an answer to her prayer for provision from God. Perhaps it was an affirmation of God's promise that He will take care of her. Nevertheless, God met her that day. I was just a passer-by that God used.
There are just too many broken hearts out in the world today. If only we will slow down, pause, and listen to them. To talk to them and share with them. Our life can make so much a difference to another person's life more than we think it can. Our small acts of kindness matters. To them, and to Jesus.
"For i was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply,' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:35-40
So there I was on my way back that I met this new tissue aunty on a wheelchair. Business must have been tough because she was so grateful when I bought her tissue. So as I converse with her, she spoke about why she is selling tissue. "I stay alone and I have to earn some money to buy "pampers" when there is not enough. No choice. Otherwise I will soil myself" said the auntie. That must have been a tough statement to say - imagine telling a stranger that you are in a health condition where you can't control your bowels, and you had to stay alone AND earn money yourself.
I decided to help out a little and pass her some money discreetly. "This is for you aunty. You can use it to buy food or to buy drinks or to use it in whatever ways you want..." I tried my best to water down the money giving act so that she will not feel she is some kind of beggar. (Not further damaging the dignity of a poor person is something that we must be highly sensitive of)
When she received the money, she started tearing and thanking me. I was shocked(by the fact that this little act had meant so much to her) I then told her that Jesus loves her and I was glad to find out that she believes in Jesus too. I will never forget those tears of joy and gratefulness on her face. Perhaps she thought everyone had forgotten about her, but God did not. Perhaps it was an answer to her prayer for provision from God. Perhaps it was an affirmation of God's promise that He will take care of her. Nevertheless, God met her that day. I was just a passer-by that God used.
There are just too many broken hearts out in the world today. If only we will slow down, pause, and listen to them. To talk to them and share with them. Our life can make so much a difference to another person's life more than we think it can. Our small acts of kindness matters. To them, and to Jesus.
"For i was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply,' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:35-40
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Are you losing Jesus's compassion?
On one morning devotion, my friend in bible school shared on Luke 7:12-15 about the compassion of Jesus - how Jesus had compassion on the widow and raised her dead son to life. So often we approached praying for healings and miracles with bravado and thoughts of "will i fail or succeed?", and forgot that compassion should be the factor that drives us to pray for miracles. It was a timely reminder for me. Am I losing my compassion for the lost? Am I connected to Jesus's compassion for those who are hurting in this world? I think I have left His compassion somewhere. It is a wake up call.
As I watched the video about the plight of prostitutes in Cambodia, how young girls were sold or tricked into the sex trade, at one point i couldn't help but wept. I felt so overwhelmed when hearing their stories about their past, their rescue and their present hope. These are the 'lucky' ones that have been rescued. But there are many more out on the streets who do not have this hope. They are living in darkness everyday and they are captives to this trade. Isaiah 61:1-2 rang out loud - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." Who will go? Who will rescue them? Who will set them free? Who will bind their broken hearts?
...what can I do? I could only cry out to the Lord. "Father God, save them. Let all who have heard you respond to your call to rescue these helpless children of yours. Yes Lord, your precious children who are created in your own image with value, with dignity, with a purpose and a destiny in their lives. May You rescue them O Lord."
As I watched the video about the plight of prostitutes in Cambodia, how young girls were sold or tricked into the sex trade, at one point i couldn't help but wept. I felt so overwhelmed when hearing their stories about their past, their rescue and their present hope. These are the 'lucky' ones that have been rescued. But there are many more out on the streets who do not have this hope. They are living in darkness everyday and they are captives to this trade. Isaiah 61:1-2 rang out loud - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." Who will go? Who will rescue them? Who will set them free? Who will bind their broken hearts?
...what can I do? I could only cry out to the Lord. "Father God, save them. Let all who have heard you respond to your call to rescue these helpless children of yours. Yes Lord, your precious children who are created in your own image with value, with dignity, with a purpose and a destiny in their lives. May You rescue them O Lord."
Thursday, October 26, 2006
How about her?
On my way to the Bishan Mrt every morning, I will pass by this old lady selling tissue. I've never spoken to her before because I was in a rush everytime and God spoke to me one day, "How about her?" Ouch.
So i met this lady today and bought a pack of tissue from her and talk to her. She spoke to me in Mandarin and then(I don't know why), she talked to me in cantonese which makes it even easier to 'click'. She already had 2 operations because of her cancer and now she had to raise money for a third one. That is why she's selling tissue.
"What to do?", she said. "The amount of money I received from the welfare organisation is only enough for my flat rental and everyday usage. Cancer medication is not cheap and nowdays, if you do not have money, it's bye bye Singapore." I also found out that she's a Christian, but sadly, a disappointed one.
She was saved because a pastor had mercy on her and paid for her medical debts and led her to Christ. She was then about to commit suicide when her friend refrained her and introduce her to the pastor. Sadly, she is now fending for herself. "Ya. They pray for me but when it comes to money, no one will help", she replied when I asked whether her friends have prayed for her for healing. Is this the church today?
Look around you and ask yourself. When is the last time you have treated a poorer friend or stranger to a meal? When is the last time you have given money to a more needy person in church or in your circle of friends? We have missed out a lot. We forgot that there are poor ppl in Singapore. We fail to see that the person sitting next to you in church is a poor person who needed help. We hoard our money and find out what is the best investment and fixed deposit interest when our treasures are actually in heaven and the best 'investment' are to the poor.
As we all know, different churches have different approaches when it comes to welfare and sometimes, certain ppl don't "qualify" for help. But how about on a personal level? Surely as an individual, we can do a lot. The church comprises of ppl, you and me, who can help the needy. Please, don't take on the mindset of "Oh, I pay tithe you know. The church should be the one paying for this person's welfare wat", "The church have a welfare system right? Let the person 'settle' with the church on his case" and with these excuses, we avoid our responsibility to the poor. Let's take away the mindset of always depending on the church(as an organisation) to do every single thing. We don't have to wait for another evangelistic service or program to evangelise, and we don't need to wait for another 'love campaign' to give to the poor. Let's do what we ought to do as an individual - preaching the good news, giving to the poor, loving each other. After all, is not the church us?
Coming back to the lady. "Do you attend church nowadays?" I asked. "Not really. I don't feel like going these days", she replied. We chatted a while more and before I left, I gave her some money and tell her it's for her to "buy food"(It's the polite cantonese way of giving someone money) And she said,"Oh. Thank you so much. God bless you" and I replied, "God bless you too". Jesus is still in her heart, but I pray that she can experience the fullness of Him through our acts of kindness. My friends, Jesus is speaking to you today, "How about her, how about him?"
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
How could I pass her by?
"Excuse me, can you give me one dollar? I am hungry and I don't have money to buy food", the unkempt lady looked at me with wide, dazed eyes.
This is not the first time I have encountered ppl on the streets asking for money and my response these days is to offer them food instead of money. I would not want someone to take the money and buy themselves cigarettes or alcoholic drinks.
She replied,"Oh, I want to go somewhere there to buy rice." to which I replied, "It's okay. I will follow you there to buy you the food". And she pleaded again, "Please, I just need one dollar. Can you give me one dollar?" I knew then that she's not going to use the money to buy food and I said sorry and moved on.
As I was praying back home, I thought about the lady and realised how indifferent I was to her situation. Why didn't I spend a little more time talking to her? Yes, she is smelly and dirty and kept asking for that dollar but was not I like this once? Did not God pick me up and wash me and cleanse me when I was dirty and stinking with sin in my life? How could I let this person walked on in life without a saviour, without a friend and without hope?
My heart broke and I burst out in tears. This lady does not need another dollar!!! She needs the gospel and I failed to give her what she rightfully deserves. It is only a dollar! If my one dollar can be used as a means to spark a conversation that enables her to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, isn't that dollar worth it all? Even if she were to reject accepting Christ later and used that dollar for a puff, could not the seed that was planted in her heart bloom one day? Oh, how narrow I was and how shallow I am!!! I thought I had made the right choice by not giving her the dollar, but I did not make the best choice to give her the treasures in heaven.
How could I pass her by? How could I when Christ did not pass me by? May the Lord have mercy on me and help me to stretch out my hands beyond my own comfort to a world of poor, dirty, smelly and dying souls.
"Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!!!" 1 Cor 9:16
This is not the first time I have encountered ppl on the streets asking for money and my response these days is to offer them food instead of money. I would not want someone to take the money and buy themselves cigarettes or alcoholic drinks.
She replied,"Oh, I want to go somewhere there to buy rice." to which I replied, "It's okay. I will follow you there to buy you the food". And she pleaded again, "Please, I just need one dollar. Can you give me one dollar?" I knew then that she's not going to use the money to buy food and I said sorry and moved on.
As I was praying back home, I thought about the lady and realised how indifferent I was to her situation. Why didn't I spend a little more time talking to her? Yes, she is smelly and dirty and kept asking for that dollar but was not I like this once? Did not God pick me up and wash me and cleanse me when I was dirty and stinking with sin in my life? How could I let this person walked on in life without a saviour, without a friend and without hope?
My heart broke and I burst out in tears. This lady does not need another dollar!!! She needs the gospel and I failed to give her what she rightfully deserves. It is only a dollar! If my one dollar can be used as a means to spark a conversation that enables her to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, isn't that dollar worth it all? Even if she were to reject accepting Christ later and used that dollar for a puff, could not the seed that was planted in her heart bloom one day? Oh, how narrow I was and how shallow I am!!! I thought I had made the right choice by not giving her the dollar, but I did not make the best choice to give her the treasures in heaven.
How could I pass her by? How could I when Christ did not pass me by? May the Lord have mercy on me and help me to stretch out my hands beyond my own comfort to a world of poor, dirty, smelly and dying souls.
"Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!!!" 1 Cor 9:16
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Have Mercy!!!
I meet the tissue auntie at Bishan Bus Interchange quite often and recently had a longer chat with her. After some persuasion, I finally manage to get her to accept the biscuits I bought from Ipoh and then we drifted to the topic of her present livelihood now. She then told me something that pierced my heart.
*blah blah blah blah.....*
Auntie: Sometimes when I don't work, I go to the temple to have my meals.
Me: Oh, where is it?
Auntie: It's at Kong Ming Shan*. Many people, hundreds of people go there to have their meals. They provide 5 free vegetarian meals a day. Anyone can go. They will not ask anything. Last time before I work, I used to go there everyday to have my meals because I was too poor to buy any. I felt very bad that I ate the free meals there so sometimes I will help them to sweep the floor. Before, I was not a Buddhist. But at that time, I felt guilty if I don't become one because I had all my meals there and they have not asked me for anything in return. So I decide to become a Buddhist and found that it is good. The medidation and teachings are good and give me peace of mind.
Strangely, she continued with my religion in mind, knowing that I am a Christian.
Auntie: I cannot turn my back against Buddhism..(*I did not mention anything about Jesus to her at that time. It's as if she assumes I'm evangelising*)..it'll make me feel bad. You know, last time I have been to a church before. But NOBODY BOTHERS ABOUT ME (*emphasis mine*)
Me: ....
We soon drifted to another topic but those words ring so loud in my ears that I will never forget them. *Nobody(in church) bothers about me...nobody bothers about me...* I walked away feeling dejected. I asked myself what in the world are some of us doing today, especially with regards to the poor. I feel very sad that the church is handicapped, that it cannot reach out it's hands to the poor because those hands were shriveled by an inward-looking self and indifference. Not all churches are, but there are enough to make me feel sad. Even the world knows how to take care of the poor. If this does not shame us into noticing & loving the poor pro-actively, then I wonder what will.
"O God! Have mercy on us! Help us show mercy to the poor and needy! Help us to have compassion and love our neighbours with acts of kindness! Revive us Lord!!! Revive your church Lord!!! Have mercy!!!"
*blah blah blah blah.....*
Auntie: Sometimes when I don't work, I go to the temple to have my meals.
Me: Oh, where is it?
Auntie: It's at Kong Ming Shan*. Many people, hundreds of people go there to have their meals. They provide 5 free vegetarian meals a day. Anyone can go. They will not ask anything. Last time before I work, I used to go there everyday to have my meals because I was too poor to buy any. I felt very bad that I ate the free meals there so sometimes I will help them to sweep the floor. Before, I was not a Buddhist. But at that time, I felt guilty if I don't become one because I had all my meals there and they have not asked me for anything in return. So I decide to become a Buddhist and found that it is good. The medidation and teachings are good and give me peace of mind.
Strangely, she continued with my religion in mind, knowing that I am a Christian.
Auntie: I cannot turn my back against Buddhism..(*I did not mention anything about Jesus to her at that time. It's as if she assumes I'm evangelising*)..it'll make me feel bad. You know, last time I have been to a church before. But NOBODY BOTHERS ABOUT ME (*emphasis mine*)
Me: ....
We soon drifted to another topic but those words ring so loud in my ears that I will never forget them. *Nobody(in church) bothers about me...nobody bothers about me...* I walked away feeling dejected. I asked myself what in the world are some of us doing today, especially with regards to the poor. I feel very sad that the church is handicapped, that it cannot reach out it's hands to the poor because those hands were shriveled by an inward-looking self and indifference. Not all churches are, but there are enough to make me feel sad. Even the world knows how to take care of the poor. If this does not shame us into noticing & loving the poor pro-actively, then I wonder what will.
"O God! Have mercy on us! Help us show mercy to the poor and needy! Help us to have compassion and love our neighbours with acts of kindness! Revive us Lord!!! Revive your church Lord!!! Have mercy!!!"
Sunday, July 02, 2006
The Tissue Aunty - "Ye sou oi ngo"
"Auntie, lei hou ma*?" , I greeted the 'tissue auntie' in cantonese at the bishan bus interchange. She smiled and replied she is doing fine and we started having a small chat. It was not so long ago that I met this elderly lady selling tissue paper at the bishan bus interchange for a living.
About 8 months ago, before I left for East Timor, I had a chance encounter with her. The first time I bought tissue from her, I did not say anything but smiled at her. Then I kept buying tissues from her everytime I see her and soon, I became her regular customer(and tissue collector) and got to know her better through her native tongue, cantonese. She is a lonely old woman who had lost her husband a few years ago, had no children nor relatives in singapore to depend on. Very soon, she started opening her life to me and teared on a few occasions when she shared her past and current struggles in life. On one occasion, she said, "Life is so meaningless now. I wonder why I kept telling myself to go on in life. I felt dying is better but everytime I think about it, I told myself that I must be strong and live on." I comforted her and told her about Jesus's love in the easiest, comprehensible cantonese I could managed. She had few friends and a listening ear and some companionship is what she really needed. I thank God I was used to meet her needs, simple as it is, it meant so much to her to have a total stranger that would bother about her at all.
I asked God how i can reach out to her - I really don't know. She's a pretty devout buddhist and quite a shy person so it was not easy trying to share Jesus with her(plus my cantonese is not exactly fantastic). I've tried inviting her to church but she politely declined. The best I've manage so far is to repeat the phrase "Ye Sou oi lei" - "Jesus loves you" in cantonese. She nodded in acknowledgement of the phrase and smiled, as if telling me that she understood what that really means. 8 months have pass and I'm back in Singapore, and I met her again. Before I left after our small chat, she smiled and said, "Thank you for coming and your concern for me...." and then she said something that tells me she really did understood it all, "...Ngo ji dou Ye Sou oi ngo*", she smiled and said again, "Ye Sou oi ngo*". I floated all the way home. Thank you Jesus. You have made a difference.
* Cantonese translation
Lei hou ma? = How are you?
Ngo ji dou = I know (that)
Ye Sou oi ngo = Jesus loves me
P.S. If you see a person like this on the street, ask God what He wants you to do. He can do a lot through you and make a difference in that person's life. Begin to bother.
Nowadays, aunty is smiling more and more optimistic. I'm hoping for the day when she will give her life to Jesus.
About 8 months ago, before I left for East Timor, I had a chance encounter with her. The first time I bought tissue from her, I did not say anything but smiled at her. Then I kept buying tissues from her everytime I see her and soon, I became her regular customer(and tissue collector) and got to know her better through her native tongue, cantonese. She is a lonely old woman who had lost her husband a few years ago, had no children nor relatives in singapore to depend on. Very soon, she started opening her life to me and teared on a few occasions when she shared her past and current struggles in life. On one occasion, she said, "Life is so meaningless now. I wonder why I kept telling myself to go on in life. I felt dying is better but everytime I think about it, I told myself that I must be strong and live on." I comforted her and told her about Jesus's love in the easiest, comprehensible cantonese I could managed. She had few friends and a listening ear and some companionship is what she really needed. I thank God I was used to meet her needs, simple as it is, it meant so much to her to have a total stranger that would bother about her at all.
I asked God how i can reach out to her - I really don't know. She's a pretty devout buddhist and quite a shy person so it was not easy trying to share Jesus with her(plus my cantonese is not exactly fantastic). I've tried inviting her to church but she politely declined. The best I've manage so far is to repeat the phrase "Ye Sou oi lei" - "Jesus loves you" in cantonese. She nodded in acknowledgement of the phrase and smiled, as if telling me that she understood what that really means. 8 months have pass and I'm back in Singapore, and I met her again. Before I left after our small chat, she smiled and said, "Thank you for coming and your concern for me...." and then she said something that tells me she really did understood it all, "...Ngo ji dou Ye Sou oi ngo*", she smiled and said again, "Ye Sou oi ngo*". I floated all the way home. Thank you Jesus. You have made a difference.
* Cantonese translation
Lei hou ma? = How are you?
Ngo ji dou = I know (that)
Ye Sou oi ngo = Jesus loves me
P.S. If you see a person like this on the street, ask God what He wants you to do. He can do a lot through you and make a difference in that person's life. Begin to bother.
Nowadays, aunty is smiling more and more optimistic. I'm hoping for the day when she will give her life to Jesus.
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