On the early morning of Monday, 23 Mar 2015, I awoke to the saddening news of the passing of the nation's first prime minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was 91.
The Prime Minister's Office first broke the news with an official announcement of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing at 3.18am. All the local media were broadcasting his death to the nation--the morning news programmes across all channels were interrupted with the breaking news, all local radio stations were playing sobering music as a mark of respect, and social media gradually saw the rapid change to a mourning status. Facebook posts were beginning to flood with the news, updates, and local companies and individuals changed their social icons to a monochrome colour.
And at 8.00am that very same nation, Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong personally announced Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing through a live telecast. It was a moment of anguish and grief. The nation was shaken by Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing.
What followed after that were brief but detailed reports of the wake and funeral arrangements. The nation will begin with a seven-day mourning and end with a state funeral on Sunday, 29 Mar 2015. From Monday to Tuesday, Mr Lee's casket will be at Sri Temasek for a private wake which was to be followed by a public wake at the Parliment House from Wednesday onwards.
Never have we seen an incident in Singapore that unites and brings together the entire nation to its knees and tears, and this was definitely one. When the casket carrying Mr Lee's coffin arrived at the Istana, crowds were shouting out his name and with public applauding. Singaporeans were coming to terms to Mr Lee's death, even as the PMO was beginning to update the public a week earlier following the deteriorating health of the elder Mr Lee.
The national television began to cease its normal programmes across most channels, and documentaries of Mr Lee's political story began appearing on our mostly flat screens (no longer boxes). Singaporeans seemingly began to understood how great this man was to his nation, from the beginning of his political career to his incredible vision of what Singapore could be.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew may no doubt appeared as a dictator and a pragmatic democratic leader to some. Yet many of the pioneer generations, generations who had been around when Singapore was separated by the then-Malaya on 9 Aug 1965. Some viewed Mr Lee as a persuasive politician with much arrogance and gust, challenging his opponents to build a credible and uncorrupted government for the people of Singapore.
Facebook subsequently began to be the main vehicle of voice among the dissent and the anti-PAP. International reports of his passing came to be, in which some journalists and editors chose to portray the dictatorship image of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. But measure a man not by his words or actions, but by his achievements and his character.
From a third world country, Mr Lee built this nation to a first-world country within a span of 31 years as a prime minister, and his political party see to this establishment until Singapore turns 50 this year. An incredible feat indeed.
With surmounting problems when the nation first became a Republic in 1965, Mr Lee Kuan Yew began tackling each problem with facts and steel.
When people wrote off Singapore because it lacked the natural resources, Mr Lee began envisioning the nation building its economy with investments. Now Singapore is a major hub where foreign countries and companies chose to put their investments because of a stable and uncorrupted government where security was ensured.
When it was needed to make Singapore an attractive place for investments, Mr Lee decided that Singapore would be a clean and green country. Only then would investments and the economy grow, and indeed the nation grew. Singapore is now known as the Garden City to many countries.
Where smell and pollution was a problem, Mr Lee tackled the problem with the same vision of a clean and green nation. The rivers were removed of its rubbish and fishes returned, and roadsides were planted with trees and scrubs that bring about the birds and the butterflies.
Where water was an issue and crucial to survival, Mr Lee demanded the enduring supply of water from Malaysia until 2062 and explored other options to Singaporean's basic survival needs: water from natural resources such as rain and the sea (and most recently the creation of the marina barrage as a water retention solution) and recycled water (through osmosis).
When the nation was heading to a housing crisis, Mr Lee took the courage to build public housing blocks for its people by building upwards. Today, 85% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats and majority of us own them whereas in many developed countries, people don't own them.
Where the nation had different races and religions, Mr Lee believed in a multi-racial and multi-religious society and harmony. This was essential to the nation's continuous growth without the interruption of an unnecessary civil war, and yet at the same time we retain our cultural and racial identities.
Where the nation had different languages and dialects, Mr Lee decided that English would be the common language while we retain our mother tongues so we preserve our cultural identity. It was tough, but now we reap the benefits of knowing at least two languages of the present world--English, where much of the nations work by it, and Chinese, where the country of China is ever becoming more influential.
Where the sovereignty of the nation is at stake, Mr Lee took to it that every Singaporean son would serve in the nation's defence, a contrary policy at that time. However, now Singapore boosts one of the most feared national defence in the world and with every men trained in national defense, any nation or war-makers would think twice on threatening this tiny nation.
Where a nation cannot survive on its own, Mr Lee ensured that Singapore would make good friends with its neighbouring country Indonesian and Malaysia in particular, while Singapore became good friends with China and India. A strategic and essential move for a nation's survival.
So where can you find a prime minister who has achieved and contributed so much for his nation? We found none except in Mr Lee Kuan Yew. As his son, Mr Lee Hsien Loong said at the announcement of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing, "We won't see another man like him."
As Mr Lee Kuan Yew has once commented, "I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There's nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life."
Mr Lee Kuan Yew has undoubtedly built this nation with his sheer tenacity, courage and hard work. This is what has shaped Singapore.
On reflection, Mr Lee Kuan Yew could not have shaped very much of the society and its people of Singapore, even with policies. Yet he would be very proud of how the nation responded to his passing.
Men and women poured to his wake, even if it meant waiting in the queue up to 10 hours under the hot scotching son, with much gracious and no-complaints.
Mr Lee was applauded and his name loudly shouted as his casket was driven passed the commoners on the streets.
Even earlier, as his casket paraded on the Singapore roads from the Parliament House to the NUS Cultural Centre in the heavy downpour, Singaporean sons and daughters lined up along the streets to bid him a final goodbye.
Such was how much Singapore has appreciated and loved its first prime minister. No words, no tears, and certainly no eulogies could sum and express the country's gratitude to Mr Lee Kuan Yew for his contributions to shape the modern Singapore.
We are forever grateful, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Marriage Breakthrough Weekend
Iris and I had just returned from the marriage breakthrough weekend at the Renaissance Hotel JB from 13 to 15 March 2015. It was our first breakthrough weekend ever since we've moved to Covenant EFC since March 2013. We had initially wanted to attend the one-and-only marriage breakthrough weekend last year but we had other commitments and priorities to attend to, and through the encouraging testimonies, we signed up for the marriage breakthrough weekend as early as the registration was opened.
I must admit I had no clue and expectations of what this marriage breakthrough weekend might be. Now, after the 3-day-2-night sessions I could safely say it was more than a conference, a camp or a workshop that we were all familiar with. Sure, there were testimonies, there were messages, and there were group discussions and even a separate forum catered to the men and the women. Food and accommodation aside (which was fantastic, especially the hotel rooms), our unexpected hearts were perhaps the most ideal to encounter and experience God for ourselves.
We were treated to a thoroughly thought through organized weekend by the committee who went the extra mile to give a personal touch to every one of the participants. Upon arrival, we were treated to an applauding walk-in and a customized prayer by our group leaders. Soon enough, we found out that the committee went the extra mile to add to the hotel's decorations of a origami swan towel a splatter of rose petals and a personal welcome card in our hotel rooms. Surprises were abound and we were treated to a really special night with a candle light dinner (with a table just for us two!) and a colour sand activity that added to the special night.
The sessions and testimonies during the day brought about God's faithfulness and grace upon every marriage. We heard testimonies of couples returning to their marriage even after separation, after big fights and deep hurts. The sessions in themselves helped us orientate ourselves back to God's intended purpose and direction for marriage itself. Group sessions were also helpful, where we shared our struggles and experiences and lessons we learned from the messages. The men's forum, in particular, brought about many golden nuggets of truth and 'ah-hah' moments. There were head knowledge and there was also practical moments.
We were given a crash course lesson on Waltz dancing and we were thrown onto the dance floor on the special night with our other half. It was fun to some, while it was memories to others, including to Iris and myself. We had never danced before as a couple (saved for a welcome dance in at our wedding banquet dinner but that was it!) so that was one of the many firsts for us both.
The last session this morning was more than what we had expected in view of practical activities as a couple. The previous night, we were given time to share the communion together in the mist of the many opportunities for us to pray together as a couple. However, this morning's activity was an experience that would be imprinted onto my memory for a long time. We were given a basin, two towels and two bottles of water to wash each other's feet. More to that, we were to acknowledge our wrong and seek the forgiveness of the other party, which as a couple I admitted that we had not often done that (i.e. seek a proper closure to any quarrels, arguments or fights). As Iris and I did that separately to each other, tears fell down our cheeks as we came to a realization that we had often failed each other and had not lived up to each other's expectations.
The three main sessions were on the topic of control, alternate and delete, which was a theme for the year of Jubilee. However, what I took away was more than that and I am thankful that the pastors, elders and leaders were more authentic and wise than I had thought them to be. For example, Elder Sebastian, even though he appeared to be a clown whenever he was on the stage, had very wise words for the men at the forum. He shared on how we need to inspire and lead our wives instead of simply dishing out instructions. Remove and replace was the principle needed to change any bad habit and attitude, he taught. And he reminded that there is nothing more important than trust in a relationship. And his last principle was an honest truth to us, that we need to learn to validate the feelings of our wives.
Pastor Kai meanwhile gave wonderful reminders for us men to aware of our wive's feelings, given that as men we are more often very task oriented and focused in the head while women are more often emotions driven and feelings oriented. Hence, all the more we are to appreciate our wives for who they are, and not what they had done (i.e. not so much of the accomplished tasks) and all the more we are to help them feel accepted for it builds up their security and identity in themselves and in their spouse. Last, we must learn to take time to admire our wives--admire their beauty, their taste and their capabilities.
I must say there is a lot for me to learn, and likewise there are a lot for me to adjust my life and centre it around my beautiful wife in order to build a Christ-centred family. The trap for me is to be constantly centred on my own life and my own space, which could lead to an unhappy marriage. I must began working on it as soon as today is still considered day.
I must admit I had no clue and expectations of what this marriage breakthrough weekend might be. Now, after the 3-day-2-night sessions I could safely say it was more than a conference, a camp or a workshop that we were all familiar with. Sure, there were testimonies, there were messages, and there were group discussions and even a separate forum catered to the men and the women. Food and accommodation aside (which was fantastic, especially the hotel rooms), our unexpected hearts were perhaps the most ideal to encounter and experience God for ourselves.
We were treated to a thoroughly thought through organized weekend by the committee who went the extra mile to give a personal touch to every one of the participants. Upon arrival, we were treated to an applauding walk-in and a customized prayer by our group leaders. Soon enough, we found out that the committee went the extra mile to add to the hotel's decorations of a origami swan towel a splatter of rose petals and a personal welcome card in our hotel rooms. Surprises were abound and we were treated to a really special night with a candle light dinner (with a table just for us two!) and a colour sand activity that added to the special night.
The sessions and testimonies during the day brought about God's faithfulness and grace upon every marriage. We heard testimonies of couples returning to their marriage even after separation, after big fights and deep hurts. The sessions in themselves helped us orientate ourselves back to God's intended purpose and direction for marriage itself. Group sessions were also helpful, where we shared our struggles and experiences and lessons we learned from the messages. The men's forum, in particular, brought about many golden nuggets of truth and 'ah-hah' moments. There were head knowledge and there was also practical moments.
We were given a crash course lesson on Waltz dancing and we were thrown onto the dance floor on the special night with our other half. It was fun to some, while it was memories to others, including to Iris and myself. We had never danced before as a couple (saved for a welcome dance in at our wedding banquet dinner but that was it!) so that was one of the many firsts for us both.
The last session this morning was more than what we had expected in view of practical activities as a couple. The previous night, we were given time to share the communion together in the mist of the many opportunities for us to pray together as a couple. However, this morning's activity was an experience that would be imprinted onto my memory for a long time. We were given a basin, two towels and two bottles of water to wash each other's feet. More to that, we were to acknowledge our wrong and seek the forgiveness of the other party, which as a couple I admitted that we had not often done that (i.e. seek a proper closure to any quarrels, arguments or fights). As Iris and I did that separately to each other, tears fell down our cheeks as we came to a realization that we had often failed each other and had not lived up to each other's expectations.
The three main sessions were on the topic of control, alternate and delete, which was a theme for the year of Jubilee. However, what I took away was more than that and I am thankful that the pastors, elders and leaders were more authentic and wise than I had thought them to be. For example, Elder Sebastian, even though he appeared to be a clown whenever he was on the stage, had very wise words for the men at the forum. He shared on how we need to inspire and lead our wives instead of simply dishing out instructions. Remove and replace was the principle needed to change any bad habit and attitude, he taught. And he reminded that there is nothing more important than trust in a relationship. And his last principle was an honest truth to us, that we need to learn to validate the feelings of our wives.
Pastor Kai meanwhile gave wonderful reminders for us men to aware of our wive's feelings, given that as men we are more often very task oriented and focused in the head while women are more often emotions driven and feelings oriented. Hence, all the more we are to appreciate our wives for who they are, and not what they had done (i.e. not so much of the accomplished tasks) and all the more we are to help them feel accepted for it builds up their security and identity in themselves and in their spouse. Last, we must learn to take time to admire our wives--admire their beauty, their taste and their capabilities.
I must say there is a lot for me to learn, and likewise there are a lot for me to adjust my life and centre it around my beautiful wife in order to build a Christ-centred family. The trap for me is to be constantly centred on my own life and my own space, which could lead to an unhappy marriage. I must began working on it as soon as today is still considered day.
Reflections on the Home Going of Dr Chua How Chuang
Yesterday I read an unexpected Facebook post on the home going of a Bartley missionary, Dr Chua How Chuang. It took me by surprised and I learned from a full time staff that Uncle How Chuang, whom we taught our youths to address him as, was cancer stricken and was taken home to be with the Lord at 4am on 5 March 2015.
I had not known Uncle How Chuang personally, and neither do I know his wife Kaori and their adopted Japanese girl, Airi. But I had heard him speak at both English and youth services, and as well as during staff devotions and other similar gatherings. Uncle How Chuang stood out amongst the many missionaries. He was also a scholar and from a post I read this morning from Sabbath Walk, Uncle How Chuang was a teaching assistant of the J. I. Packer and had excelled in "research quality and academic excellence."
It was a great loss to the Christian academic community in Singapore. More to that, Bartley lost yet another scholar amist its already-stricken academic leaders within the church. Uncle How Chuang's most impacting and memorable pulpit message was to me a message that spoke of God's graciousness and kindness to the Japanese during the worst tsunami in 2011. Dr Chua's ability and academic insightful to correlate biblical principles and the world's happenings were what was essentially missed in Bartley's pulpits in the recent decades.
Yet last night, I could not have imagined that Uncle How Chuang had just left us, at least to me. It got me thinking of how our lives can be that short, and what really counts was the quality of how we had lived it, and not how eventful or lavish our lives had been. It also made me thinking of a will, or a last instructions to my dear wife in the event that a critical situation happens to me. Perhaps this is what they call it a rainy day plan, or a worst case scenario planing.
And I should get down to that, soon.
I had not known Uncle How Chuang personally, and neither do I know his wife Kaori and their adopted Japanese girl, Airi. But I had heard him speak at both English and youth services, and as well as during staff devotions and other similar gatherings. Uncle How Chuang stood out amongst the many missionaries. He was also a scholar and from a post I read this morning from Sabbath Walk, Uncle How Chuang was a teaching assistant of the J. I. Packer and had excelled in "research quality and academic excellence."
It was a great loss to the Christian academic community in Singapore. More to that, Bartley lost yet another scholar amist its already-stricken academic leaders within the church. Uncle How Chuang's most impacting and memorable pulpit message was to me a message that spoke of God's graciousness and kindness to the Japanese during the worst tsunami in 2011. Dr Chua's ability and academic insightful to correlate biblical principles and the world's happenings were what was essentially missed in Bartley's pulpits in the recent decades.
Yet last night, I could not have imagined that Uncle How Chuang had just left us, at least to me. It got me thinking of how our lives can be that short, and what really counts was the quality of how we had lived it, and not how eventful or lavish our lives had been. It also made me thinking of a will, or a last instructions to my dear wife in the event that a critical situation happens to me. Perhaps this is what they call it a rainy day plan, or a worst case scenario planing.
And I should get down to that, soon.
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