I grew up in the sterile, comfortable and chirpy part of Singapore. I don’t remember messy rooms, dirty floors or dark corridors. Today is my first visit to 1-room flats near Owen Road and I was greeted with sights of many old folks standing by their gates waiting for food to be distributed to their homes. Many of these folks live alone and unemployed, everyday they sit by the corridor watching the world pass by… It is a quiet corridor.
Initially, I felt socially awkward as I handed out rice, bee hoon and other staples to the folks. However, a short conversion with an ah-poh (who reminded me alot of my grandmother) melted all the pent up anxiety. The first thing she said to me was, ‘Look at my teeth, it’s all rotten. I can’t bite. Eating is a difficulty.’ I just smiled because it brought back memories of my grandmother. We chatted for a while and I realise that folks are quick to open up to strangers like us because a local community group, Tanglin Women Association, has been working with these same families for 5 years! It was what they have laboured and established over the past few years that gave me 5 minutes of air time with the old folks. This makes me wonder if the project we are planning to establish for the boys will be meaningful and beneficial for the needy eventually.
Very often, the snazzy and glittery cityscape of Orchard and Shenton overshadows the dingy dark corners of Poverty. It is very easy to forget the needy and poor in our society, especially Singapore, because our environment does not actively engage these people. To say the least, not many Singaporean churches are actively engaging the lowest stratum of the socio-economic group. I often feel ashamed that being a child of the Most High, I (or my people) have badly portrayed and misrepresented Him to the rest of the world. There are countless others who are extremely passionate and zealous to do good unto all men, regardless if Christ is real or not. What kind of Christianity are we believing if all we ever know is preparing for great bible studies (oh yes they are important!), leading heartfelt worship sessions or serving many hours in church?! Hyperbole aside, the point is love for Him must express itself in deeds too.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. ~1 John 3:18
I agree. My pastor spoke on that too. That Jesus came to seek and save the lost, yes, but also that all His days He went about doing good. So we must do good.
Check out Chicken A La Carte on Youtube. P showed us and I almost teared.
I can’t find the youtube video… !! Send me the site link