Later, Jagan showed me a local news article on Ps Edmund, his family and his ministry. I was further touched by his courage to reveal his identity to the public and share his early struggles. Two months ago, Sis Christine approached me with tickets of Thanksgiving Fundraising Dinner (TFD) organized by RLM which she was helping to sell. Since the Lisbon Chamber Choir, I had learned to support Christian ministries. So this time I did not hesitate too long to get myself a seat.
From the ticket, I got to know their website. Ps Edmund Smith's own testimony led me to understand why he has a heart for the ex-homosexual, the deaf and the street people. Since, I became a regular follower of their blog. I would love to attend their sign language class on Monday evenings but I already had a commitment with Agape Care Centre (ACC).
A few weeks before the TFD, Siew Hong telephoned me to invite me to the same TFD under ACC as their chairlady Carol had sponsored a table to bless those who were involved in the single mothers' support group. Now I had two seats. SR who was interested in the dinner had not given me any reply. VC told me he would not be around. As the programme would be conducted in English and sign language, Mum would not be keen. One week after I talked to PG who was willing to travel from Batu Pahat to Melaka to attend this dinner, he was sorry to turn down my offer because of an anniversary.
People around me seemed to be busy with other charity events or their own activities. During the last Sunday service at CLA before the TFD, sis Christine, knowing that I had an extra ticket, asked me if I would like to bless a church member. Without hesitation, I let go the ticket.
On Friday evening, I received a call from Albert P.
"This Saturday, you're invited to join us for Ps Edmund Smith's dinner. Ps James has bought two tables. Previous years, the staff would attend but this year, they have decided to let the Calvary Care Home (CCH) boys, staff and volunteers to go."
"I already knew about this dinner and I'm going. But you'll have to cut me into two pieces."
He was puzzled. So I explained my situation briefly.
"But I think it would be nice if you could sit with the care home children."
Since I was a Calvarite and I started to serve CCH earlier than ACC, I thought it was quite reasonable to "immigrate" back.
"OK then, I'm transfered to your table. I'll inform my friend from Agape. If there is any problem, I'll call you back."
I knew Siew Hong was still having a headache in contacting people to arrange seats and transports, especially after ACC was given more sponsored tables. The latest change was that VC would be in Melaka on 31 Oct and he agreed to go for the TFD. So he would represent me to sit at ACC table while I would be at CCH table. I planned to travel often between the two tables to chat with people during the dinner if necessary. Moreover, I would be still fetching a few persons from ACC as promised. The problems had been solved even before they existed!
Last Saturday early evening, when I reached Ping Ming School with my passengers, Ps Edmund Smith and his team members were welcoming us at the reception on the second floor.
Other ministries for the marginalized communities and community services in Melaka were having an exhibition and selling items to raise fund.
Ps James' daughter Cathy was also in charge of one of the booths. Siew Hong's two little angles Nathanael and Nadine who came with my car were running everywhere among the crowd. I had to keep an eye on them
while waiting for Siew Hong who arrived later with her eldest son Johanan and others who needed a lift from her. Auntie Gek had been on duty for ACC booth since 5pm.
I was given the tickets of two tables to pass to the ACC diners.
But I could not enter the dining hall myself since I was no longer with ACC, but CCH. Albert was the one holding my ticket. As VC was about to go in first, he noticed the care home boys were already seated near the entrance with their "principal".
I immediately waved at Albert from outside who passed my ticket to me. Before the dinner started, I had talked half an hour with my friends of all ages from CCH and ACC. It was not a surprise to see some Calvarites and my MLM classmates there to support this annual event.
About seventy tables were almost occupied when the first dish of the seven-course dinner was served.
I was sitting with other CCH staff and volunteers next to the boys' table. When we could not finish a dish, I would pass the plate to the boys who helped to clear it within little time.
While we were savouring the Chinese halal food, we were also enjoying the performances and listening to testimonies from RLM members on the stage. A sign language translator would always make sure that the deaf diners at the reserved front tables knew what was going on and understood the message.
The special guest was our famous local artist Francissca Peter who presented praise and secular songs in English, Malay and Mandarin.
The TFD was also a time to appreciate the RLM key servants whose lives had been transformed by our loving Saviour Jesus Christ and whose turn it was to bring other lost souls to know our Lord.
As the dinner lasted much longer than scheduled, many guests did not wait until the blessed draw. Albert had to bring the boys back to the home early, so he left all their tokens with me. God blessed CCH with two quantum necklaces at around RM500 each, sponsored by a company which gave away its profit to help the poor. When I walked on the stage to receive one of the prizes on behalf of CCH, I was excited as if I had won the prize.
Are you looking for real love? Now you know where to find it.
2 comments:
I enjoyed reading your writing. Keep it up.
Shalom!
Ps Edmund Smith
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