Sandakan is a place full with the milk of human kindness. Throughout the years, we’ve met many Caring Angels and our relationship is stronger than brothers and sisters. Those who always caring, paying attention on our tour are Rita, Betty, Winston, Kian Chai, Janet and so on, of course, not leaving behind elderly sister Wong. Because of their love, our serving felt so solid. And because of their support, the tour in Sandakan is not tiring. Their love is so practical, apart from the word of encouragement, they are giving their strength and money so that we will not suffer loss, hahaha. So touching and grateful to the Lord’s grace!
Specially excited for Raymond had a chance to visit the well-respected elderly sister Wong. Perhaps you are not familiar with her, Raymond would like you to know her story with us. That day, we went to her stall but did not find her in proper stall. After some walk and only found her and her grandson on the floor selling the own planted vegetables and herbs. My heart was stirred! That is because two stories in the Bible kept repeating in my head. When Jesus was thirsty, the Samaritan woman gave him water at the well and the widow who gave 2 coins whom Jesus complimented greatly, the humble heart, the heart of loving the Lord, a simple heart! Wherever Raymond goes, this woman is praised, her selfless giving testimony is an encouragement for rich believers.
This day, we went into wet market and presented 《Caring Angel Certificate》 to her in front of people around her. She was overjoyed when she met Raymond, holding my hand tight, saying, “Thank you for visiting me, you are so thoughtful!” She also said that she would come to support us on Sunday night then.
Sunday night has come and she indeed showed up. Taking bus to the venue and the first who sit in the front row. Smiling when saw Raymond, then taking out offering from her old carry-on bag to support us again. “Your life is not easy, keep it for your own please.”, Raymond replied. Every penny from her is earned from the small profit she get from selling the vegetables and saved from her simple living, how can we young people take from her? Full of faith to the Lord, she replied, “No no, God gives me joy, and I ought to support His ministry as payback!” How simple faith she had, so real blessing, encouraging and powerful words! Raymond realized in a sudden, how valuable is peace and joy, it is grace and not taking for granted.
She used the least on her own and give the best to bless the Lord’s servant (including those servant who come to visit her church, this beauty is testified by many). We felt so bad in heart knowing this and believe you too will feel the same. We live comfortably, eating good food, having good career, lack of nothing… giving ourselves the best; as for ministry, church and the Lord’s servant… it seems does not appear in our sights, indifferent or does not have the touch of God as excuse. We always think that we only pay back to the Lord when we receive the financial blessings, even Raymond thought so. After getting to know sister Wong, I found that i am so unworthy and small. As what Raymond read recently on a report analyzed that only 5% are matured Christians (brothers and sisters who are loving God and man, willing to contribute in finance and effort, not gossiping, working hard) in the church. May what have been done by this woman who keeps her faith, walking out the words of the Lord be our example. One day, when we back to our home in heaven, may we receive the reward from the Lord!
Special thanks to churches, pastors and elders who love God and man. In this Sandakan Tour, Raymond and the team felt warm and touching because we experienced the selfless love! The open-minded heart of pastors and elders has blessed us and pushed forward the Gospel work. Besides receiving, we had learned the truth of “blessed is to give than to receive”. A willing heart to bless plus word of encouragement gave us a good help not just in finance but also fed our spirit. As for all brothers and sisters, they gave their full support, buying products to push the ministry forward. The inferiors imitate the superiors, because of the example and teaching of pastor and elders, brothers and sisters are not stingy in helping God’s ministry and the successors. Their generosity puts our worries away and saving more beloved souls of the Lord for the Gospel. Grateful.
Pastors asked Raymond in these few Gospel concerts, “What do you think about the motivation of brothers and sisters in Gospel work?” From here, we can see that the new generation of pastors are striving to turn on the Gospel’s engine again. Raymond also discovered that some brothers and sisters felt so bad because their friends were unable to attend the Gospel concerts especially on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day or during other Chinese festivals, they are facing the same difficulty. Raymond pondered on this problem and discovered that many brothers and sisters putting their focus on non-believer friends who are well, comfortable and lack of nothing. When festival is around the corner, friends will naturally asked by their children to dine and celebrate. In fact, we always neglect those who need our care, lonely and even longing for change in life, family relationship restored or get rid of bitterness in life.
As the saying goes “Birds of a feather flock together”. We are fortunate one and will always gather with friends alike. However, the mission of the Gospel is rather opposite. We need to walk out of the fortunate group and walk into the needy field and initiate our care for them. Then we will find out that those who are in suffering are more than those who are in comfort. As what the Bible recorded the parable of Jesus in Luke 14:16-24 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” As we can see, human nature is the same from the beginning. Therefore, every Gospel banquet (any evangelistic meeting) can be full house anytime, those who are needy will be fed in the Lord and we may glorify God and serving man, shouting Hallelujah!
Anyhow, this Parents’ Day Tour still is a success because none of the churches are indifferent to share the Gospel together with us. Their full support encouraged Raymond and the team so much. Thank you once again from the bottom of our heart for all who love us. Sabah, I love you!
Let’s move on and covering one another in prayer!
See you again!
The Lord’s servant,
Raymond and the team
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