Just minutes ago, I read a very long email from one of my closest friends, IC.
A little background: we have known each other since 1986. There was a period when we lost touch but then we managed to keep in touch again when we worked in AIA.
What happened to IC: well, she has been pressurized by a friend (ST) previously to buy goods from another friend (ML) because ML was facing financial difficulties. ST assured IC that she could buy the goods on her behalf first and take IC's time to repay her the money. However, IC was very reluntant as she was helping her brother to pay his credit card bills + her own bills + her new home expenses. ST kept pressurizing her further until IC consented. However, now, ST pressurized IC to repay the outstanding amount of goods to her because her husband was quarrelling with her about this now. IC felt very ridiculous about this and reasoned with her. What made matters worse was that she had borrowed money from her boss to pay for the renovation and home expenses for her new house. So with her marginal pay, she was finding it so hard to settle anything.
I wish I could help her but all I can do right now is to lend her my ears. I sure hope that our circle of friends can be with her and support her financially. What I found it funny was that she had to pay the credit bills of her brother when her brother is working.
God, please send some Samaritians to help IC. Let her stay sound. I know what it is like to have such a burden. Keep her in Your arms Lord, even though she does not know You. I pray for Your protection to be over her. Let ST be responsible for her own actions instead of blaming others for her plight. God, please help IC. In Jesus' name I commit her to, Amen.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Opening of centre
Yesterday was the opening of our centre. After weeks of preparations, it was finally over!
Though there was rain, the program started with many elderly. Some tried to gatecrash too and one elderly even asked whether there was ang bao to take. Though it was a bit messy, we managed to have fun ourselves.
First of all, my colleague told the volunteers to put the tables and chairs very closely to the stage. I told them otherwise and she was not happy. Reason for my action: the tentage was so long and if we put all tables and chairs near the stage, then what's the point of having a long tentage? We might as well save money and asked for a shorter one.
Then, when one colleague saw that most of the seats were taken up, she was frustrated and questioned why I did not bother to let her have the table settings for her to arrange the VIPs and management committee members to sit. I told her that one table was already reserved but I did not know why 3 persons were sitted there. She then told me to shift the elderly who were performing to sit behind but I told her otherwise. Later, I told my reporting boss about it and he agreed that she should be the one to let us know the number of seats we should reserve not the other way round.
After that, during lunch, most of the Malay elderly were asking whether the food was halal. At first, I could not understand why they were asking until I was having my lunch, I saw that the food seemed to suggest that it was a Chinese-cooked food.
Then one of the RC people was so rude. She demanded that I took 2 bags of goodie bags and not asked so many questions. Then when one elderly came to ask for the goodie bag, she gave it to her without asking anyone. Thank God I saw it. I told this elderly that before I gave her the bag, she was to let me see her new medication and medication box. She tends to forget her medication and all staff in the centre are worried that she would get a stroke. She dutifully followed my instructions.
Though everything seemed to be a mess at first, the staff at the centre were just glad that everything went smoothly and ended well. Now, I have to get feedback from the elderly and volunteers. Some volunteers are just not ready and sensitive to the needs of the volunteers except for Dawn. She was so mad with the volunteers eating at the buffet tables and not helping out when I gave signals that she scolded them with vulgarities. I told my reporting boss about this so that if any of the volunteers complain later, he will know what happened.
Thank God for letting the event run as planned. Though there are hipcups, I'm just glad that there are volunteers around to help us do the cleaning up. Thank You Lord.
Though there was rain, the program started with many elderly. Some tried to gatecrash too and one elderly even asked whether there was ang bao to take. Though it was a bit messy, we managed to have fun ourselves.
First of all, my colleague told the volunteers to put the tables and chairs very closely to the stage. I told them otherwise and she was not happy. Reason for my action: the tentage was so long and if we put all tables and chairs near the stage, then what's the point of having a long tentage? We might as well save money and asked for a shorter one.
Then, when one colleague saw that most of the seats were taken up, she was frustrated and questioned why I did not bother to let her have the table settings for her to arrange the VIPs and management committee members to sit. I told her that one table was already reserved but I did not know why 3 persons were sitted there. She then told me to shift the elderly who were performing to sit behind but I told her otherwise. Later, I told my reporting boss about it and he agreed that she should be the one to let us know the number of seats we should reserve not the other way round.
After that, during lunch, most of the Malay elderly were asking whether the food was halal. At first, I could not understand why they were asking until I was having my lunch, I saw that the food seemed to suggest that it was a Chinese-cooked food.
Then one of the RC people was so rude. She demanded that I took 2 bags of goodie bags and not asked so many questions. Then when one elderly came to ask for the goodie bag, she gave it to her without asking anyone. Thank God I saw it. I told this elderly that before I gave her the bag, she was to let me see her new medication and medication box. She tends to forget her medication and all staff in the centre are worried that she would get a stroke. She dutifully followed my instructions.
Though everything seemed to be a mess at first, the staff at the centre were just glad that everything went smoothly and ended well. Now, I have to get feedback from the elderly and volunteers. Some volunteers are just not ready and sensitive to the needs of the volunteers except for Dawn. She was so mad with the volunteers eating at the buffet tables and not helping out when I gave signals that she scolded them with vulgarities. I told my reporting boss about this so that if any of the volunteers complain later, he will know what happened.
Thank God for letting the event run as planned. Though there are hipcups, I'm just glad that there are volunteers around to help us do the cleaning up. Thank You Lord.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Jack Neo's scandal
These few days, whenever I opened the newspapers or go to Yahoo, the first thing that I saw was Jack Neo's scandal.
So many people have been blaming Jack Neo for committing adultery and conning young women to have sex with him. Some even claimed that they nearly fell into his schemes some years back. It is interesting to find that the internet forum has so many discussions about him and his family, including his works. I noticed that one internet user even claimed that it was the devil's work and we should not blamed Jack for his actions.
Well, my point of view is this: whatever has happened, Jack must take the responsibility to shoulder the consequences, even if it means his wife and children are leaving him. The consequences may not be so dire, given that the wife mentioned that she loved him, this marriage and this family. We should not blamed entirely on the devil too. No doubt that the devil will try to tempt us whenever he has the chance to, we should not forget our carnal nature that is at work as well. The devil can tempt us, but if our focus is on God thereby reducing more of our carnal nature, then chances of us making mistakes will be reduced. What makes me more curious is that after being a Christian, who come he commits adultery without feeling guilt or can sleep so well each night? What went wrong with his Christian walk with God?
Whatever it is, we should not keep focusing on Jack and his family during this time of crisis. The family has suffered much through the media focus. Let us keep them in prayer that as they go through this together, God will show them a way to resolve it.
Lord, I pray for Jack and his family right now. In Jesus' name, I pray for healing to take place. Let the hatred, guilt and shame be removed and instead let Your Spirit be with them, giving them comfort and strength. Lord, I pray for forgiveness to take place in this family that as they go through this, they will see Your goodness and grace and be blessed by You. Though they may be accused of many things now, I pray that these accusations will not stand. Lord, every one errs as we are still work-in-progress. But let us not take this for granted. Let Your spirit continue to lead them during this time. Let Your presence be felt even more strongly now. I also pray for the media and friends of Jack and his family that they will not put pressure on them anymore but rather, they will give their support and time to leave them alone to settle whatever that needs to be settled. Even for their relatives, I pray that they will be a source of strength for them. I commit this family into Your hands. You know best and You love us more than anyone else in this world. Let Your love and mercy be with them. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
So many people have been blaming Jack Neo for committing adultery and conning young women to have sex with him. Some even claimed that they nearly fell into his schemes some years back. It is interesting to find that the internet forum has so many discussions about him and his family, including his works. I noticed that one internet user even claimed that it was the devil's work and we should not blamed Jack for his actions.
Well, my point of view is this: whatever has happened, Jack must take the responsibility to shoulder the consequences, even if it means his wife and children are leaving him. The consequences may not be so dire, given that the wife mentioned that she loved him, this marriage and this family. We should not blamed entirely on the devil too. No doubt that the devil will try to tempt us whenever he has the chance to, we should not forget our carnal nature that is at work as well. The devil can tempt us, but if our focus is on God thereby reducing more of our carnal nature, then chances of us making mistakes will be reduced. What makes me more curious is that after being a Christian, who come he commits adultery without feeling guilt or can sleep so well each night? What went wrong with his Christian walk with God?
Whatever it is, we should not keep focusing on Jack and his family during this time of crisis. The family has suffered much through the media focus. Let us keep them in prayer that as they go through this together, God will show them a way to resolve it.
Lord, I pray for Jack and his family right now. In Jesus' name, I pray for healing to take place. Let the hatred, guilt and shame be removed and instead let Your Spirit be with them, giving them comfort and strength. Lord, I pray for forgiveness to take place in this family that as they go through this, they will see Your goodness and grace and be blessed by You. Though they may be accused of many things now, I pray that these accusations will not stand. Lord, every one errs as we are still work-in-progress. But let us not take this for granted. Let Your spirit continue to lead them during this time. Let Your presence be felt even more strongly now. I also pray for the media and friends of Jack and his family that they will not put pressure on them anymore but rather, they will give their support and time to leave them alone to settle whatever that needs to be settled. Even for their relatives, I pray that they will be a source of strength for them. I commit this family into Your hands. You know best and You love us more than anyone else in this world. Let Your love and mercy be with them. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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