This morning, Albert P telephoned.
"William has passed away..."
There were two Calvarites whom I knew by this same name. Because of the caller, I immediately knew it was the one who had served as a guardian at Calvary Care Home (CCH) last year. At first I guessed this young man, being only in his early twenties, must have met with an accident with his motorbike. When I listened carefully, I understood the scenario better: He never woke up after he had gone to bed last night.
"So unexpected. This is life..." Albert added.
I remember last year while William was still a full-time worker at CCH, I went there to supervise the children's homework a Tuesday afternoon. When Albert and I were about to leave, he asked us, "When you go to Heaven, who is the first person you'd like to see?" Then he jokingly continued, "I'll want to meet Adam to scold him. Because he ate the forbidden fruit, we're suffering so much in this world!"
In less than six months, the Lord already arranged his encounter with Adam.
During the tea break of the meeting at my working place this afternoon, Jagan said to me, "My husband couldn't believe that William had died. He was so young..."
I was forming some ideas on his sudden passing. I also remembered Ps James' previous sermon about David. Only five days ago, when I was helping to make two tanks of drinks for the CCH anniversary celebration, William, who was a CCH committee member, smilingly said to me a few times, "Thank God you're here." Now I thank God for letting that scene be my strongest memory of this brother in Christ. To me, William had served God's purpose, especially at CCH.
Thanks, William. Thank God you were there to repeat those kind words to me that day, which, when I think back, is comforting my soul which has been sorrowful since two weeks ago.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Train Track And Children
On 22nd Feb morning, I meditated on the following article:
---------------------------------------------------------------
The story given here is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into decision making. A group of children were playing near two railway tracks on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the tract interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the children. However that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make...
Analyse the situation...
Think and reflect...
Decided your answer!!!
Now... go ahead.
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics especially in a democratic society. The minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train because the children playing in the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in our attempt to save a few children by sacrificing one child, we might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few children.
While we are all aware that life is full of touch decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
Everybody makes mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils.
---------------------------------------------------------------
On 21st Feb afternoon, I was already weeping for the lone child victim.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The story given here is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into decision making. A group of children were playing near two railway tracks on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the tract interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the children. However that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make...
Analyse the situation...
Think and reflect...
Decided your answer!!!
Now... go ahead.
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics especially in a democratic society. The minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train because the children playing in the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in our attempt to save a few children by sacrificing one child, we might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few children.
While we are all aware that life is full of touch decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
Everybody makes mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils.
---------------------------------------------------------------
On 21st Feb afternoon, I was already weeping for the lone child victim.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Luke At My Place
Among the younger Calvary Care Home children, Luke was the only one who had not yet been to my place. He was away when other boys came for the first time. During this Chinese New Year break, I planned to pay his older brother Mark a visit and return his money which he had asked me to keep. Since I did not know where exactly they were living, Luke automatically became my guide to their grandmother's house at Rembia and then my guest at Paya Rumput.
I also invited Daniel along. Then I suddenly assumed that he might prefer to put up at his mother's house which was also at Paya Rumput, instead of mine that night. My thought was confirmed by Daniel and approved by his mother. After we dropped him, we went to Luke's relatives' house. Mark and his other family members had just left with their van five minutes earlier. Thank God Luke's uncle managed to arrange us to meet at a corner at Rembia.
Not as attached to his mother as Mark, Luke happily followed me after we said goodbye to his family members. As soon as he reached my place, he continued to play a CD which he had started in my car.
While I was preparing his favorite soup noodles in the kitchen, Luke adjusted the volumn to the maximum. Living between two Indian houses, I never heard any Tamil pop songs from my neighbours. In this Chinese New Year season, my house was the one who bombarded them with Tamil songs!
Unlike Paul and David, this boy did not ask for any computer games. While the television was showing evening news, I told him the importance of knowing what was happening in the world. Later I let him watch "The Chronicles of Narnia" on DVD.
The next morning, Luke who usually took a long time to wake up and get up at the Care Home surprisingly came out from his bedroom soon after I knocked on the door and called him. We prayed for everybody at the Care Home before we took our breakfast. Then we got ready to leave the house
to fetch Daniel, Uncle Seelan and Matthew from three different places to church. Tamils songs were being played one after another in my car while we were conversing in English. There was a strange combination of ethnics, generations and languages. Thanks to our cheerful boy Luke, I began to appreciate one of the songs and asked him to write down the phonetic transcription so that I could sing along in future.
If you hear loud Tamil music from my house next time, I might be the one who is playing it!
I also invited Daniel along. Then I suddenly assumed that he might prefer to put up at his mother's house which was also at Paya Rumput, instead of mine that night. My thought was confirmed by Daniel and approved by his mother. After we dropped him, we went to Luke's relatives' house. Mark and his other family members had just left with their van five minutes earlier. Thank God Luke's uncle managed to arrange us to meet at a corner at Rembia.
Not as attached to his mother as Mark, Luke happily followed me after we said goodbye to his family members. As soon as he reached my place, he continued to play a CD which he had started in my car.
While I was preparing his favorite soup noodles in the kitchen, Luke adjusted the volumn to the maximum. Living between two Indian houses, I never heard any Tamil pop songs from my neighbours. In this Chinese New Year season, my house was the one who bombarded them with Tamil songs!
Unlike Paul and David, this boy did not ask for any computer games. While the television was showing evening news, I told him the importance of knowing what was happening in the world. Later I let him watch "The Chronicles of Narnia" on DVD.
The next morning, Luke who usually took a long time to wake up and get up at the Care Home surprisingly came out from his bedroom soon after I knocked on the door and called him. We prayed for everybody at the Care Home before we took our breakfast. Then we got ready to leave the house
to fetch Daniel, Uncle Seelan and Matthew from three different places to church. Tamils songs were being played one after another in my car while we were conversing in English. There was a strange combination of ethnics, generations and languages. Thanks to our cheerful boy Luke, I began to appreciate one of the songs and asked him to write down the phonetic transcription so that I could sing along in future.
If you hear loud Tamil music from my house next time, I might be the one who is playing it!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Chinese New Year Outing With Care Home Boys
After I was back to Melaka with Paul and David, I spent at least two whole days staying at my house to rest.
Friday morning, Albert P telephoned me. He would not be free to bring the Calvary Care Home boys out Saturday afternoon. So he suggested that we organized a cinema-and-dinner outing for them that Friday afternoon. I immediately recalled the horrible experience with the traffic jam, especially during this festive season. I was not expecting that kind of outing to be so soon. Nonetheless, since my "battery" had been recharged and it was always a pleasure to be with these children, I agreed without hesitation.
I could not be more relieved when knowing that Melaka Mall, which was less than 5km from the Care Home, was the place we were going. I had almost forgotten this shopping complex which was also housing a cineplex.
Since the CCH boys were not interested in Hong Kong Chinese New Year movies, we picked "Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief". As usual, my mind became blurred during the first ten minutes. When I followed the plot better, I began to join others, Albert being the loudest among the audience, who were laughing at certain funny scenes.
I was not a fan of fantasy stories, so my mind easily idled again. That was when I thought of Paul who urgently needed a pair of spectacles due to his high degree of astimagtism, which I had found out during his stay in Batu Pahat. When the movie was over, it was still early for dinner. I made a suggestion to Albert so that we would drive all the children to Chan optometrist which was a bit further up Ayer Keroh express way.
This organisation which dealt with people's eyes especially care for the marginalised communities. Not only they merely charged a small amount officially, they were willing to redirect the money to the CCH general fund to support this ministry. Moreover, the person in charge Mr Murphy C blessed every CCH boy with an angpow. Albert and I had a nice conversation with this kind man who shared the same insight into the correct way to help the underpriviledged people.
Now the children had extra budget for dinner. So we all decided to sit comfortably at "Johnny's" in Jaya Jusco shopping mall. I remembered my very first outing with the CCH children. That time, we were only six to occupy the table. This time, we were ten!
Paul requested me to sit beside him and opposite David. During the meal, three of us shared among us a little of our different dishes and ice-cream. Three months ago, David seldom talked to me and Paul seemed to always live in his own world. I had never thought of being so close to these two siblings but God marvellously entrusted them to me in a progressive way.
We would have sat there a bit longer if not for some gaz released from one of the CCH boys' bowel. We were bounced from our seats, which attracted our neighbours' attention. As long as the CCH boys were around, it was almost impossible for us to go everywhere unnoticed...
Friday morning, Albert P telephoned me. He would not be free to bring the Calvary Care Home boys out Saturday afternoon. So he suggested that we organized a cinema-and-dinner outing for them that Friday afternoon. I immediately recalled the horrible experience with the traffic jam, especially during this festive season. I was not expecting that kind of outing to be so soon. Nonetheless, since my "battery" had been recharged and it was always a pleasure to be with these children, I agreed without hesitation.
I could not be more relieved when knowing that Melaka Mall, which was less than 5km from the Care Home, was the place we were going. I had almost forgotten this shopping complex which was also housing a cineplex.
Since the CCH boys were not interested in Hong Kong Chinese New Year movies, we picked "Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief". As usual, my mind became blurred during the first ten minutes. When I followed the plot better, I began to join others, Albert being the loudest among the audience, who were laughing at certain funny scenes.
I was not a fan of fantasy stories, so my mind easily idled again. That was when I thought of Paul who urgently needed a pair of spectacles due to his high degree of astimagtism, which I had found out during his stay in Batu Pahat. When the movie was over, it was still early for dinner. I made a suggestion to Albert so that we would drive all the children to Chan optometrist which was a bit further up Ayer Keroh express way.
This organisation which dealt with people's eyes especially care for the marginalised communities. Not only they merely charged a small amount officially, they were willing to redirect the money to the CCH general fund to support this ministry. Moreover, the person in charge Mr Murphy C blessed every CCH boy with an angpow. Albert and I had a nice conversation with this kind man who shared the same insight into the correct way to help the underpriviledged people.
Now the children had extra budget for dinner. So we all decided to sit comfortably at "Johnny's" in Jaya Jusco shopping mall. I remembered my very first outing with the CCH children. That time, we were only six to occupy the table. This time, we were ten!
Paul requested me to sit beside him and opposite David. During the meal, three of us shared among us a little of our different dishes and ice-cream. Three months ago, David seldom talked to me and Paul seemed to always live in his own world. I had never thought of being so close to these two siblings but God marvellously entrusted them to me in a progressive way.
We would have sat there a bit longer if not for some gaz released from one of the CCH boys' bowel. We were bounced from our seats, which attracted our neighbours' attention. As long as the CCH boys were around, it was almost impossible for us to go everywhere unnoticed...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Chinese New Year Feasts With Paul And David
Two days before the Chinese New Year, David was in my car heading for my hometown again.
This time, I also invited Paul.
Both of them were much more excited than I to celebrate this annual event as they knew they were going to spend their holidays in Batu Pahat playing computer games which I allowed with limits.
They were curious to witness my non-Christian family members kneeling down and praying with joss sticks in front of my ancestors' altar. I reassured them that Mum had kindly set aside for us dishes which were not sacrificed to idols. Because of their presence, my family removed some of the stereotypes from their mind. They realized that Indians were not necessarily Hindus. And these two Calvary Care Home (CCH) boys who were brought up by Fei Gin preferred soy sauce stewed pork to curry mutton!
At the reunion lunch, they were given soup plates to eat rice. Paul requested a pair of chopsticks. David also wanted to try to pick up pieces of meat with the Chinese ustensils.
Even though we ate the leftover dishes during the following meals, these two CCH children must be enjoying the taste, variety and quantity of the food that after every meal, they needed toothpicks to dig out detritus from their teeth...
In the first evening of the Chinese New Year, my former secondary school friends asked me out for a gathering. Some of them were at Ah Mark's house which was near the Malay stall where we would have tea later. When I arrived there with my two "sons", a few of them were gambling with pokers, which I would not like the two teenagers to watch, let alone participate.
Ah Mark's brother and sister-in-law were just going to have their dinner. After I had introduced my two "sons", they generously invited us to join them for the steamboat buffet. Despite the fact that we had just had our dinner an hour earlier, these two boys happily accepted the treat and sat at the dining table filled with abundant ingredients. I only took a bowl of dessert next to my "sons" who were busy choosing their favorite items to send to the simmering pot and then to their mouth.
Now you know who were actually having Chinese New Year feasts in Batu Pahat!
This time, I also invited Paul.
Both of them were much more excited than I to celebrate this annual event as they knew they were going to spend their holidays in Batu Pahat playing computer games which I allowed with limits.
They were curious to witness my non-Christian family members kneeling down and praying with joss sticks in front of my ancestors' altar. I reassured them that Mum had kindly set aside for us dishes which were not sacrificed to idols. Because of their presence, my family removed some of the stereotypes from their mind. They realized that Indians were not necessarily Hindus. And these two Calvary Care Home (CCH) boys who were brought up by Fei Gin preferred soy sauce stewed pork to curry mutton!
At the reunion lunch, they were given soup plates to eat rice. Paul requested a pair of chopsticks. David also wanted to try to pick up pieces of meat with the Chinese ustensils.
Even though we ate the leftover dishes during the following meals, these two CCH children must be enjoying the taste, variety and quantity of the food that after every meal, they needed toothpicks to dig out detritus from their teeth...
In the first evening of the Chinese New Year, my former secondary school friends asked me out for a gathering. Some of them were at Ah Mark's house which was near the Malay stall where we would have tea later. When I arrived there with my two "sons", a few of them were gambling with pokers, which I would not like the two teenagers to watch, let alone participate.
Ah Mark's brother and sister-in-law were just going to have their dinner. After I had introduced my two "sons", they generously invited us to join them for the steamboat buffet. Despite the fact that we had just had our dinner an hour earlier, these two boys happily accepted the treat and sat at the dining table filled with abundant ingredients. I only took a bowl of dessert next to my "sons" who were busy choosing their favorite items to send to the simmering pot and then to their mouth.
Now you know who were actually having Chinese New Year feasts in Batu Pahat!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
From The Heart Of The Calvary Care Home Administrator
Below is the main article in the Calvary Care Home (CCH) 10th anniversary newsletter:
---------------------------------------------------------------
It has been almost one year and 4 months since I started serving in the Calvary Care Home. Starting from a part-time volunteer, I then became a full-time volunteer, and finally in view of urgent need accepted the job of home administrator. As a volunteer, I had several roles – that of caregiver, tuition teacher, an outing driver and first responder to emergencies. Now as Home Administrator, the tasks have additionally included regular meetings with CCH workers, volunteer caregivers and the CCH boys.
The Care Calvary Home has had some interesting success stories in 2009, just as with other years since its birth and continued existence. No matter how difficult the challenges, with God nothing is impossible. One of the joys for celebration was the success of the study programme. Three of the boys who sat for the UPSR exam and who were closely tutored achieved extraordinary results. Matthew Lee, who was in the second last class of his school was most outstanding, scoring 2As (Mathematics and English), 3Bs (Malay writing, Comprehension and Science). He certainly surprised his teachers at the SRJK© Kek Seng, having been a below average student since Standard One. David Rajoo scored 2As (English and Malay writing, 1B (Science) and 2Cs (Mathematics and Malay comprehension). Luke obtained 2Bs and 3Cs.
A tremendous blessing in 2009 was the wonderful response and continuing effort of several faithful volunteers. Sis. Lim Lee Sah, Bro. Joseph Lim, Sis. Jothy Bai and Sis. Annie Choo (and daughter Adrienne) invested much time and energy helping with the character-building of the boys, as well as blessing them with food, recreational outings and free tuition. Their commitment and devotion towards care-giving certainly contributed greatly to the wellbeing and happiness of the CCH kids.
In combining the tasks of a part-time administrator of the Calvary Care Home and a full-time secondary school teacher, I realized the limitations and constraints of doing so. This led to much prayer over several months and finally God blessed us with a suitable candidate for a full-time administrator. Our prayers were answered with Bro. Mohan Nanoo‘s arrival. His previous experience at care-giving and supervision of the boys of the Salvation Army Home presented credentials appropriate for managing CCH. He is an affable person to work with and it is most encouraging to note that he shares the same sense of aspiration for the betterment of the CCH boys, and places mercy above discipline. For a start, he has been assigned the job of assistant administrator. With the present complement of befitting CCH helpers and devoted “full-time” volunteers under the leadership of Reverend James Krishnan, we are confident of greater realization of our vision for Calvary Care Home.
I firmly believe that mentoring each and every youngster at the Calvary Care Home would greatly benefit their emotional and intellectual development. It is my prayer and desire for 2010 that we would be able to assign a responsible and spiritually-mature mentor for every one of the Calvary Care kids. Children need the personal attention of a loving and caring “parent”. Significant improvements in behaviour and attitude are clearly evident in those boys who received personal mentoring. There is an apparent need to be creative and address the unique personality of each child. We need also to recognize that each child is different and requires a different approach in character-building.
2009 has certainly been a year of tremendous blessings for CCH! We now have a fair complement of CCH helpers and extremely dedicated volunteer caregivers. We are inspired and ready to face the challenges of 2010 with the influx of new ideas. We wish to express out most grateful and sincere thanks to each and every individual and organization, as well as Calvawrites, for your continual support of Calvary Care Home through donations, sponsorships and other forms of contribution. May God bless you abundantly for your deep sense of compassion and caring for these underprivileged children.
By Albert P
---------------------------------------------------------------
(The administrator with his one shoe missing at CCH)
(The administrator was wearing a slipper to temporarily replace the missing shoe at CCH)
---------------------------------------------------------------
It has been almost one year and 4 months since I started serving in the Calvary Care Home. Starting from a part-time volunteer, I then became a full-time volunteer, and finally in view of urgent need accepted the job of home administrator. As a volunteer, I had several roles – that of caregiver, tuition teacher, an outing driver and first responder to emergencies. Now as Home Administrator, the tasks have additionally included regular meetings with CCH workers, volunteer caregivers and the CCH boys.
The Care Calvary Home has had some interesting success stories in 2009, just as with other years since its birth and continued existence. No matter how difficult the challenges, with God nothing is impossible. One of the joys for celebration was the success of the study programme. Three of the boys who sat for the UPSR exam and who were closely tutored achieved extraordinary results. Matthew Lee, who was in the second last class of his school was most outstanding, scoring 2As (Mathematics and English), 3Bs (Malay writing, Comprehension and Science). He certainly surprised his teachers at the SRJK© Kek Seng, having been a below average student since Standard One. David Rajoo scored 2As (English and Malay writing, 1B (Science) and 2Cs (Mathematics and Malay comprehension). Luke obtained 2Bs and 3Cs.
A tremendous blessing in 2009 was the wonderful response and continuing effort of several faithful volunteers. Sis. Lim Lee Sah, Bro. Joseph Lim, Sis. Jothy Bai and Sis. Annie Choo (and daughter Adrienne) invested much time and energy helping with the character-building of the boys, as well as blessing them with food, recreational outings and free tuition. Their commitment and devotion towards care-giving certainly contributed greatly to the wellbeing and happiness of the CCH kids.
In combining the tasks of a part-time administrator of the Calvary Care Home and a full-time secondary school teacher, I realized the limitations and constraints of doing so. This led to much prayer over several months and finally God blessed us with a suitable candidate for a full-time administrator. Our prayers were answered with Bro. Mohan Nanoo‘s arrival. His previous experience at care-giving and supervision of the boys of the Salvation Army Home presented credentials appropriate for managing CCH. He is an affable person to work with and it is most encouraging to note that he shares the same sense of aspiration for the betterment of the CCH boys, and places mercy above discipline. For a start, he has been assigned the job of assistant administrator. With the present complement of befitting CCH helpers and devoted “full-time” volunteers under the leadership of Reverend James Krishnan, we are confident of greater realization of our vision for Calvary Care Home.
I firmly believe that mentoring each and every youngster at the Calvary Care Home would greatly benefit their emotional and intellectual development. It is my prayer and desire for 2010 that we would be able to assign a responsible and spiritually-mature mentor for every one of the Calvary Care kids. Children need the personal attention of a loving and caring “parent”. Significant improvements in behaviour and attitude are clearly evident in those boys who received personal mentoring. There is an apparent need to be creative and address the unique personality of each child. We need also to recognize that each child is different and requires a different approach in character-building.
2009 has certainly been a year of tremendous blessings for CCH! We now have a fair complement of CCH helpers and extremely dedicated volunteer caregivers. We are inspired and ready to face the challenges of 2010 with the influx of new ideas. We wish to express out most grateful and sincere thanks to each and every individual and organization, as well as Calvawrites, for your continual support of Calvary Care Home through donations, sponsorships and other forms of contribution. May God bless you abundantly for your deep sense of compassion and caring for these underprivileged children.
By Albert P
---------------------------------------------------------------
(The administrator with his one shoe missing at CCH)
(The administrator was wearing a slipper to temporarily replace the missing shoe at CCH)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Joseph's Breakthrough In Cooking
When Joseph was on Christmas holiday at Calvary Care Home (CCH) last December, the new cook Matha had not yet come in. So I sometimes volunteered to cook. One day I noticed an overripe pineapple in the kitchen. I decided to use it, capsicum, tomatoes and a whole chicken cut into pieces to cook a sweet sour dish for lunch and delegated Joseph who was offering a helping hand. The result turned out so successful that the CCH boys could not wait until dinner to have the second round of the meat. They finished all the leftover chicken for snacks while watching a movie on DVD in the afternoon!
At Montfort Youth Centre where he was under a vocational programme and residential care, he was trained to help in preparations of meals. This month, Joseph was around for another three-week break. Knowing that I would come to CCH the following Tuesday, he was happy to be in charge of the dinner that night so that I had a chance to taste his cooking again.
When I arrived that afternoon, he was planning to cook a better version of the sweet sour chicken. He needed chili sauce but the new bottle was kept in the store room. Only the worker Mohan was holding the key. Joseph and Isaac asked me if I could telephone him to come over to open the room. Not wanting to either disturb Mohan or disappoint Joseph, I said to this youngster, "You just take whatever you can find in the kitchen. A real good chef is one who can survive in any situations and use any ingredients around him to cook something delicious. I'm sure you can do it."
He was willing to take the challenge, so I went to the dining room to help other boys with their homework. When it was over seven o'clock, Joseph proudly presented his cuisine
and his sous-chefs Luke and Daniel.
Not only the dishes, nicely decorated on top, were appetizing visually, the taste was also very good. Since the portion was just enough to be shared by all of us for a single meal, we could only look forward to his next cooking with the secret recipe again. At the table, I kept giving compliments to Joseph. He was glad to have tried something different after my encouragement earlier.
I hope that this breakthrough in cooking was just the beginning. When Joseph experiences more breakthroughs in other aspects of life, he will be able to achieve his potential better.
At Montfort Youth Centre where he was under a vocational programme and residential care, he was trained to help in preparations of meals. This month, Joseph was around for another three-week break. Knowing that I would come to CCH the following Tuesday, he was happy to be in charge of the dinner that night so that I had a chance to taste his cooking again.
When I arrived that afternoon, he was planning to cook a better version of the sweet sour chicken. He needed chili sauce but the new bottle was kept in the store room. Only the worker Mohan was holding the key. Joseph and Isaac asked me if I could telephone him to come over to open the room. Not wanting to either disturb Mohan or disappoint Joseph, I said to this youngster, "You just take whatever you can find in the kitchen. A real good chef is one who can survive in any situations and use any ingredients around him to cook something delicious. I'm sure you can do it."
He was willing to take the challenge, so I went to the dining room to help other boys with their homework. When it was over seven o'clock, Joseph proudly presented his cuisine
and his sous-chefs Luke and Daniel.
Not only the dishes, nicely decorated on top, were appetizing visually, the taste was also very good. Since the portion was just enough to be shared by all of us for a single meal, we could only look forward to his next cooking with the secret recipe again. At the table, I kept giving compliments to Joseph. He was glad to have tried something different after my encouragement earlier.
I hope that this breakthrough in cooking was just the beginning. When Joseph experiences more breakthroughs in other aspects of life, he will be able to achieve his potential better.
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