Fred’s account (15June2007)
I first landed in Sydney in the beginning of 1977, and was presently surprised to have the blessed hospitality of OCF welcome freshies from (Dr) James Ku and Choon Lin, subsequently was staying in Colman/ Pam’s house for a week before Chris Lee (anyone remember hi,? Know of his where about?) and me were finally settled down in a hostel in Dulwish Hill while finishing my study- year 12.
I come to know Christ while attending the Friday nights OCF public meeting @ Baptist Church (CBC) – if I remember correctly, it was Rev Alfred Chee sharing that Friday night, I prayed the sinner’s prayer quietly and at the end of the meeting, I bought myself a copy of the Good News Bible !!
When I shared this decision with the CDG meeting on Saturday night, I remembered Mark Goh prayed for me, and explained to me later about the spiritual matters etc I had been joining CDG group Saturday nights fellowship ever since. (Meetings in Moore College’s students’ quarter - Jun and Anita and their daughter, subsequently I can only remember the meetings were held in no 21 the Boulevard in Dulwish Hill)
(oh, all these were so many years ago, I suppose I could only bring to mind some of the mile stone of events/people?)
I took the encouragement to read the Bible seriously – I remembered reading quite aloud the gospel passages everyday after school – also as a means to polish up my English usages – because of my education back ground - basically from a Chinese school. There are much blessings in His Word.
Come to think about it, the years where I did architecture @ UNSW, there were NOT so much highlights as the lights/colours from OCF gatherings/activities……my course mate, Luke Wong has also become a pastor (CCC with Chris Chua?) - this news has been a great encouragement to me – yet to be in touch with him again – or to meet up during this occasion of 50th celebration meeting?
My house mates – (Dr) Raymond Lee, (Dr) Albert Ko, Martin Kristiaman are still some where in Sydney – and that would be wonderful to meet up for old time sake too… we were together in Coogee, then Hillsdale, then moved into the Boulevard (CDG1) after Khoo Teng Siong, Ann Tan moved out (moved on) from there… this is really where the actions’ taking place….
(Subsequently, (Dr) Chye Jun Kin, Edward Yew, Khoo Leong Yew were also the “resident” in the house)
We attend the St Barnabus church services which was the very good nurturing ground for my Christian walk, the weekly Saturday bible studies @ CDG1, lunch time BS with Philip Jensen in UNSW, Dr Dumbbell’s special lectures (Genesis 1 -1 11 ?), yes there was also FF Bruce’s Moore college public lectures….these were just wonderful moments.
I can also remember the Macquarie Uni convention – Bishop Hwa Yong reminded me 2 years back that at that conference, he was urging OCFers to return home after their studies – I suppose this message sank in quite well to me, as I was already back home to Msia middle of 1982.
Upon returning home, I worked in the professional capacity for almost 20 years, looking back, many of the houses built in and around JB were the fruits of the handiworks… but there seems to be NO significant LIFE in the spiritual dimension….of cause, there were addition to the family, as Samuel and Eunice were born while we were in JB…..
In between, we had OCF visitors, Albert Ko, Ivy Lau, Luke and Sandy Wong visited us – but beyond that, we were like totally cut off from any OCF connections/ matters….
Working in another job, I did have the occasion of visiting Tuk Su in Sandakan, James/Choon Lin in Tawau.
In contrast, my present ministry phase gives me much more interesting and challenging times – together with many of the blessings which we count as from above. I landed in this audio Bible ministry somewhat by divine arrangement – (Dr) Yu Swee Yan (ex OCFer NDG) introduced me to this US based ministry body who has a large collection of recording of audio Bibles in Asian languages. I have learnt that they have a great heart for God’s Kingdom business and they have been very encouraging in providing many of the audio Bible resources to me - whereby I process them and made them into mp3 Bible CDs for local promotion/distribution. That’s the core factor underlining the ministry of Seraphim for the past 7 years.
When I worked on a particular language, I learnt now it is NOT by the might of man, but by the grace of our LORD Jesus that many Kingdom’s work would be accomplished….and this has taught me well, that I have to wait upon the LORD, in much prayer and humility, and He will bring things to pass, according to His own time.
The local Malaysian languages (besides BM, this itself is another storey!!) : Iban, Dusun, LunBawang, Biatah, Kenyah, Kayan, Penan etc have opened my eyes to becoming more aware of these people groups right here in Malaysia where evangelical efforts are in so much needs, and when such efforts are accordingly spent, life changing testimonies are abound.
The shining example would be the LunBawang people: where “Drunk before Dawn” (OMF book) has so much testimonies for our digestion and be thankful of. But I have learnt that God’s blessing has continued to pour out even to this very days….
Our respond: few of our homefellowship(cell group) members are going to visit Mt Murud, the prayer mountain of Sarawak in July for the Celebration convention. God has been confirming his blessing to us on this trip: 16 of us were successfully log into AirAsia “zero” fare trip (KL – Miri), as well as the connecting flight in a twin Otter: all 16 seats were secured recently. We are truly overjoyed and we are looking forward to the great worship experience in Mt Murud. (so my reporting may have a Part 2…later?)
And then there were the stories of God’s servant who ministered to the Dusuns- missionary Asang (Trevor White) in Sabah etc
I would be most happy to have feedback from OCFers if you are also familiar with these great missionaries fore fathers nor the indigenous people of Malaysia?
On the bigger picture, the releases of Asean languages have given rise to openings for me to visit Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia etc and gaining first hand experience of God’s love and His salvation plan for these countries and the people….I am truly humbled. These traveling is again very much blessed by the fact that AirAsia is connecting to these capitals. Every now and then, the “zero” fare windows are opened, and I can testify that God is blessing His servant who seeks to do His work…
Can you agree with me that there is much more LIFE in these few years of ministry ? as Jeffery Woo famous song : “Where he leads, I will follow….” I am living the true essence of this song right now…
God blessing in my life is also very real – he has kept me healthy, family members are supportive and happy, many impossibilities are also breaking thru’ which convince us that God’s hand is in our lives and watching over us : my mother has just stepped forward to the alter call and accepted Jesus as her saviour – during the baptism service (in FGA) of our daughter last month. She is 68 now and beginning to “listen” to the gospels (audio Bible) and she is very happy too. I believe and claim the promise that when Jesus is manifested, salvation would come to the whole family… so we are praying that my brother, sister and other relatives will soon be counted as His soon…
I might be writing a bit out of context by now… and the family is urging me to stop and join them in Father’s Day celebration now… perhaps if it is deemed appropriate, I would continue Part 2 of this Seraphim’s account in the next few days, and detail the current 50 Merdeka Jubilee gift to the nation project which we are perusing at the moment….
Shalom
(enlaced our most recent photo taken in Macau for sharing)
