Looking Outward in Isolating Times Daniel Tham
— The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Singapore, affecting many livelihoods and almost everyone’s lifestyles. Much adjustment has also been needed in the local church: the Anglican Diocese of Singapore suspended all onsite worship services and gatherings beginning 19 March 2020—two weeks before the nationwide Circuit Breaker measures kicked in. In SJSM, as in other churches in Singapore, many would agree that spiritual and community life has not been the same since.
In times like these, what is God saying to us as His church, and how is He shaping us through these circumstances? In pondering these questions, my attention was drawn to the outlook and outreach of one SJSMer, Leo June Kit; his journey
is one that I have found inspiring in these isolating times, and his outwardlooking perspective offers one possible answer.
Finding Strength and Direction Over the past two years, June Kit has been battling a condition marked by extreme fatigue and dizziness. To date, this has yet to be clearly diagnosed. For one and a half years, June Kit was so weak that he was effectively homebound, having to spend most of the day lying down. Eating, breathing, and even walking within the house was exhausting. Thankfully, his condition started improving since November 2019, and he has been able to resume teaching on a reduced workload, as he still fatigues easily. When COVID-19 struck, June Kit's thoughts were with his Bangladeshi friend Ashik (name changed to protect his privacy). Ashik first voluntarily stepped into SJSM in 2013, where he was befriended by several SJSMers including June Kit who subsequently walked with him on his journey towards baptism in 2015. Just before Circuit Breaker, June Kit managed to visit Ashik at his dormitory to see how he was doing. During the visit, June Kit discovered that the residents were scared—some even suicidal—over the situation
