My dear readers,
1. Our “Graying Population”
My dear readers,
Living longer carries a price: the care of the “Golden Years Community.” While Singapore’s eastern tradition coupled with our Christian emphasis on the Fifth Commandment (“Honour thy father and thy mother”) has eased the social burden of caring for the aged and infirm, nevertheless the need for specialized services for those with geriatric problems increases by the day. My own stepmother spent her last eight years at the Lentor Residence (after eighteen years with us). When senile dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease) caught up with her, we had no choice but to seek institutional care.
My attention is drawn to ST article (July 19, 2007) “MM: The elderly need help to stay healthy, self-reliant.” This call from our nation’s “premier senior couple” demands our serious attention. Reader, pray for a realistic insight into the matter, asking the Lord to show us how we can help bear part of the social burden, as our Christian witness.
2. Our Golden Years’ 3rd Anniversary
(Report by Preacher Lek Aik Wee)
Forty Golden Years Group members and helpers gathered for a two day Thanksgiving Retreat at Garden Hotel at Balmoral Road to reflect on the goodness of God in sustaining this ministry over the past three years. The gathering enabled our elderlies, who could not travel outside Singapore for the Annual Church Camp, to have their own “minicamp.” The environment was ideal for quiet fellowship and reflection.
Our first meeting followed after dinner. Dr Tow spoke on “Teach us to Number our Days” from Psalm 90:8-10 . Our oldest members were Mr Tan Koh Thiam 86 years, and Mr Peter Cheong who celebrated his 78th birthday. During testimony time, members testified of the goodness of God in their lives. A gift was presented to sister Lillian Chin for her services to our old folks. Mr Michael Lim and his wife Rena helped much in organizing this event.
On Saturday morning, at the second thanksgiving service Dr Tow spoke from Revelation 21:1-8 on “What is heaven like?” Precious lessons were learned. More testimonies told of God’s goodness in leading our members through the past year, some involving hospital treatment for various physical ailments. After lunch a group photo was taken. Some members expressed interest in a return gathering during Christmas. However, The Garden Hotel will be closed by 31st August 2007 “for re-development.” This made the retreat more memorable. We praise the Lord for the blessed fellowship. (End of Preacher Lek’s report)
3. Testimonial to Elder Lim Kim Hee, New Life BPC
(We had prayed for Elder Lim the last few years at Tuesday Prayer Meeting)
Elder Lim Kim Hee was a devoted father and grandfather, and a wonderful husband in his own unique way. He was faithful, hardworking, thrifty and full of wisdom and humour. In his healthy years he was full of life and vigour, always serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Every Sunday without fail, rain or shine, he would drive the whole family to Church to worship God. Apart from his other duties as Church Elder, his greatest joy was to teach the Word of God in the Sunday School. He spent many hours studying God’s Word and taking down notes to equip himself to teach effectively.
Our Heavenly Father knew all his early struggles and hardship. On his retirement, he became involved in the Boys’ Brigade 58th Company. I fully supported him and our aim was to win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very active in the Boys’ Brigade movement until end of 2003 when he was struck down with lung cancer. The doctors pronounced that he had only six months to live. I was too stunned for words as he appeared healthy and well. Trusting in the Lord, I requested for prayers that he could live on. When he went for his first chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital I trembled and held his hands tightly in mine as I prayed God for mercy that He would spare his life.
Thank God for extending his life for another three and a half years. In spite of the drastic medical treatment he never once complained and he suffered silently and valiantly.
4. His last night
At bedtime Elder Lim insisted on sitting up in an armchair with his legs crossed and resting on the edge of his hospital bed. Our daughter Suzanne phoned to comfort Daddy and to let him know that she prayed for him during family worship in her home. Before sleeping I also prayed for him and at the end of my prayer he said “Amen.” I slept near him and was comforted to know that the nurses came in every one and a half hours to check his pulse. At 5am the nurses checked his pulse and found it normal. At 6.20am I awoke and saw him sitting upright in his armchair fast asleep. I called but he was silent so I touched his face and hands and found them cold as ice. I was in great shock and called for the nurses. My dearest husband had died peacefully in his sleep. Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd had led him safe through the valley of the shadow of death into his eternal home in God’s Celestial City early in the morning on the Lord’s Day 8/7/07.
After the funeral I returned home and found a copy of Psalm 127 placed on top of his recent reading materials in his car boot. On his bedroom table where he read God’s Word before retiring at night were his recent notes written on Psalm 131 A Song of Degrees of David taken from the Treasury of David by C.H.Spurgeon. This Psalm is one of the shortest to read but one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child weaned and disciplined, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ. With meekness and humility he submits himself to God with a sanctified heart.
At last, my beloved husband found peace and joy, safe in the arms of Jesus. Lamentations 3:25 has been a great source of comfort and inspiration to me all these difficult years. Thanks Be To God. - Mrs Lim Siew Yong 18/07/07
Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Senior Pastor