UNEXPECTED FRIENDS

By Lim Siew Gek

Kampung Siglap is a heart-warming project our church embarked on, a faith journey in partnership with New Hope Community Service (NHCS) to help less privileged families break out from the poverty cycle. I applaud our church’s decision and effort and give thanks to God for His provision, the many willing hearts that give and serve in paving the way to build up KampUng Siglap. I remembered how when the church leaders asked for more volunteers to serve, I procrastinated and found reasons not to respond. Time, family commitments, that someone else was better suited and even my service in KSS seemed good reasons to hold back.

John 21:17 “Jesus said to him the third time…do you love me?”

Three times, Peter answered, “Yes Lord” and Jesus replied “Feed my sheep”. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus repeatedly asked him.

How would I respond if Jesus asked me “Do you truly love me?” Would I say, “Yes Lord, here I am.” Or would I say “Yes Lord, BUT wait…”

It is not about bringing the community into the church building but being the church in the community.

It is one thing to say I love Jesus, but the real test comes when He prompts me to step out in faith from my comfort zone to serve. How ready and willing am I to do so? Do I hold back because of the fear and worry of not being capable or even of not having enough?

“Making Prata - Making Friends” held on 19 December 2020 was the first event I signed up for as a befriender from BFEC to reach out to the New Hope community. It was not what I thought it would be. The prata making was not for real. There was no learning recipe or piping hot curry to feast on after the prata making. Yet, amazingly, I had a good time with new friends, kneading (or should I say, playing) with prata dough. It was a humbling experience for me, as I got to know a young couple and their adorable child, as well as Uncle P from New Hope.

The little girl was smiling and laughing all the way as she tried kneading the dough with us. They were very enthusiastic and fun-loving people, especially Uncle P who tried to make the “best and roundest prata”. When we went to the garden to have a picnic, Uncle P made the effort to decorate the garden with Christmas decorations so we could take beautiful pictures. His positive attitude towards life and wanting to help others warmed my heart. As we sat on the picnic mat sharing food together, we shared our life stories and our struggles. As a befriender, I was happy to be able to share my experiences as a working mother with three young children with Madam H; how I struggled to work and care for them at the same time. That sharing helped us become friends.

Recently, Madam H sent me a short New Year’s greeting, wishing me well. She remembers me!

I reflected on that experience and asked myself what I have learnt. It is the building of friendships with others different from my race, culture and family background. It is not about bringing the community into the church building but being the church in the community. The sharing through the interactive activities enabled me to somehow have a better feel for the needs in our society.

I have a small home garden and it requires hard labour of land ploughing, seeds sowing, daily watering and watchful days of cultivation to reap the harvest. I am often intimidated by the process of how to start a garden and care for it diligently. After all, there is a lot involved to learn and know, to transform a small piece of bare land into a garden of your dream. I do not have green fingers, nor do I have a vast knowledge of gardening tips but I am thankful to God that every step I take in faith, God enables me to enjoy the fruits of the harvest. In Kampung Siglap, God planted a seed of faith, so all we need to do is to water it with prayer, fertilise it with words and cultivate it with lots of love. God is the ultimate giver of all growth. I should not worry about not having enough to give. Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

As Mother Teresa said, “Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light into the hearts of others.” Let us not be weary in sowing the seed of love into Kampung Siglap and the New Hope community we serve. Sometimes our little encouragement, love or service can brighten their days.