The 2010 Gathering

The Unplanned Gathering

Sometimes it's good not to plan too hard. When we plan hard, we expect the best to happen; otherwise we become upset. Yesterday , 01.01.2010 was a good day because it was the day of the Lord.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails ; Proverbs 19:21



This is my sister Ling with my grand nephew Jay. God says be fruitful and multiply...so obediently in God's provision, we got married and had children. But it's not easy to even gather everyone and have a decent meal together. Many are their plans indeed and many times they are not available; being away for work or studies. But yesterday was the best. We managed to gather 2 families together and shot down to Muar to meet up with the grandparents without frills. Wear anything and be free and easy. To Muar we went...and to an unplanned dinner.

That's Sara with the team.

That's Grace back from Singapore and Jay's parents and grandparents.

That's Esther with cousin Jinn...both will be leaving for the Down Under in 2010 for studies.

That's Shen back from Perth with grandad and Pam of Tinki Talks. Grand dad is most handsome. He shared with me that he was most touched by a pastor from Singapore the night before when the pastor testified that life is meaningless without us leaving a legacy behind. At 91, he coyly shared that when he goes, he can bring nothing along ; not even all his gliterring stuff but the legacy he leaves behind stays forever. So he labours even at this age to keep himself useful and gives...



And yet this was not an ordinary meal. It was an evening of love. See what the hearts mean? It was an evening of labour of love from the man at the pulpit...they address him as teacher Lim. Teacher Lim, a pensioner loves Jesus from the bottom of his heart. At 84, he has great plans to testify for the Lord. So on this auspicious day, he gathered family and friends to remember God's endless provisions and blessings to his life. He shared how the Lord healed him of a serious ailment and the many blessings upon his children and children's families. He indeed can stand tall and publicly declare :

I have been young and now am old;

Yet have I not seen

The righteous forsaken

Nor His seed begging bread

Psalm 37 : 25

Even at this ripe old age, he saw it his privilege to gather to spread the goodness of God to the saved and unsaved and hopes the seed of God's words be sown.

This is also no ordinary lady. Generous and gracious, she took this opportunity to throw 5 tables to gather her croonies around town ; many of whom are still unsaved. She may not be able to speak at the pulpit but her heart is big and generous. She was so delighted at our surprise call and so proudly 'exhibited' us to her friends. We met family friends whom we knew from young ; many are unsaved but have accepted my parents' conversion to the Christian faith and had cheerfully joined in the celebration. You know, we have got to learn to be brave in God. I casually asked dad how come it is so difficult for us to gather friends for an evening of such a nature when the simple folks in the town find it so unthreatening. It's good to be simple and trusting in God.
So mama is good. She is brave and gathers her friends in droves. They turned up to hear the testimony of teacher Lim. Man will plant the seed and God waters them.





I spotted the bespectacled man...he is Por's immediate neighbour in town, called Ah Hwa. A very hardworking man, we see his business grew and now his eldest girl is in the University of Sarawak. She grew up together with Ah Fong another neighbour's daughter studying in Taipei.

Another group who is really alien to us but the members are really nice ; they turned up for the evening...altogether I believe about 20 tables. It was so heart warming to see the older generation doing their part even in their golden years for God's Kingdom. They also put us to shame...we the more physically active ones ; yet not so fervent.

It was a meaningful evening for the old folks and for us too. Some of the younger members of the family will not be here for the Chinese New Year celebration and so this is substitute. But what a meaningful gathering...it is best to begin the year in the Lord.

God Bless my friends and family.