Wednesday, October 03, 2012
The lamentations, Lord!
"How can I ever forget the one who gave me 99 roses on my 50th bday?.. I can't bring myself to re-set the alarm he set to get up each day! There's a huge vacuum in my life now.." - widow (60)
"I don't hate him for leaving us behind but i was so let down he went so soon & so suddenly that I threw away all our wedding photos!" - widow (40)
"Life tastes so bitter now .. that I don't get to see the waving hand fr the block where we stay fr where I park my motorbike.. No more warm rice & hot soup waiting for me at home... I feel so lonesome returning to an empty 5-room flat..." - widower (64)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
WHEN GOD CALLS
When God calls,
sometimes it begins with a nudge, and then more nudges;
almost always it means moving from comfort to discomfort zone.
But certainly He will pave the way; He will open door(s),
and He will always make His presence known.
When God calls,
It may begin with a call to brighten up someone's life;
to instil hope & confidence, and to facilitate positive changes.
And certainly He will continue to pave the way, long after the doors have been closed, to make His presence known.
The First Nudge
A gentle knock on the door was heard seconds before it swung open. Two men in uniform entered one after another. The first was a prison inmate in handcuffs, the other was a policeman. For the first time in my attachment with the court as a mediator I had an inmate in the session. He sat down next to his spouse entered moments before him. Cold and impassively, he maintained his position that he had nothing to offer her & their brood, financially. I sensed the despair of a man in dire straits. In this bleak situation, is there anything I can do to help raise his hope; how can I cheer them up? I wondered. I felt a tug at my heartstrings.
The Second Nudge
I was taken by surprise when another was brought in within the same month. With hands secured in cuffs the second inmate was not at all 'present' in the session. He was listless and unfocused, ignoring his spouse and showing not the slightest interest in the negotiation. Time and again he turned to peer through the blinds at the windows to take in the sights perhaps he had missed for years. I noticed the forlorn look and noted his covetousness for freedom. I wished I could read all there was in his mind. Another tug at my heartstrings was felt.
Visit to the Prison
The desire to volunteer at the Singapore Prison Service began to brew. I got my sister Mitra interested in the Yellow Ribbon Project. Together we went to the Changi Prison Complex during one of its Open House. It was certainly an eye-opening experience for all present. The guide who took us on the prison tour spoke near-perfect English & carried himself very professionally. We came to know later that he was incarcerated upon conviction of a white collar crime. Before we left SPS I indicated my desire to volunteer as a counsellor.
sometimes it begins with a nudge, and then more nudges;
almost always it means moving from comfort to discomfort zone.
But certainly He will pave the way; He will open door(s),
and He will always make His presence known.
When God calls,
It may begin with a call to brighten up someone's life;
to instil hope & confidence, and to facilitate positive changes.
And certainly He will continue to pave the way, long after the doors have been closed, to make His presence known.
The First Nudge
A gentle knock on the door was heard seconds before it swung open. Two men in uniform entered one after another. The first was a prison inmate in handcuffs, the other was a policeman. For the first time in my attachment with the court as a mediator I had an inmate in the session. He sat down next to his spouse entered moments before him. Cold and impassively, he maintained his position that he had nothing to offer her & their brood, financially. I sensed the despair of a man in dire straits. In this bleak situation, is there anything I can do to help raise his hope; how can I cheer them up? I wondered. I felt a tug at my heartstrings.
The Second Nudge
I was taken by surprise when another was brought in within the same month. With hands secured in cuffs the second inmate was not at all 'present' in the session. He was listless and unfocused, ignoring his spouse and showing not the slightest interest in the negotiation. Time and again he turned to peer through the blinds at the windows to take in the sights perhaps he had missed for years. I noticed the forlorn look and noted his covetousness for freedom. I wished I could read all there was in his mind. Another tug at my heartstrings was felt.
Visit to the Prison
The desire to volunteer at the Singapore Prison Service began to brew. I got my sister Mitra interested in the Yellow Ribbon Project. Together we went to the Changi Prison Complex during one of its Open House. It was certainly an eye-opening experience for all present. The guide who took us on the prison tour spoke near-perfect English & carried himself very professionally. We came to know later that he was incarcerated upon conviction of a white collar crime. Before we left SPS I indicated my desire to volunteer as a counsellor.
Being equipped
For reasons unknown to me, I waited in vain for a reply from SPS. Along the way an organization offered me to join their ministry to render support to families of the inmates. I had to decline as I felt the calling was specifically to minister to the inmates directly. The following year I undertook a Certification in Choice Theory Reality Therapy. My heart missed a beat when the instructor revealed to us that she was a regular at the prison to run CTRT program to help equip inmates in making effective choices in life. The desire to work with the inmates was immediately re-fuelled. I was excited when the instructor urged me to assist her in running the program at the prison. I sensed God paving the way and opening prison door(s).
‘Watering and being watered’
For reasons unknown to me, I waited in vain for a reply from SPS. Along the way an organization offered me to join their ministry to render support to families of the inmates. I had to decline as I felt the calling was specifically to minister to the inmates directly. The following year I undertook a Certification in Choice Theory Reality Therapy. My heart missed a beat when the instructor revealed to us that she was a regular at the prison to run CTRT program to help equip inmates in making effective choices in life. The desire to work with the inmates was immediately re-fuelled. I was excited when the instructor urged me to assist her in running the program at the prison. I sensed God paving the way and opening prison door(s).
‘Watering and being watered’
Much as I want to share in greater details our work at the male institution, I am bound by the need to keep in confidence matters concerning prison and inmates. Nevertheless, what impressed and encouraged me the most was the ‘hardcore’ inmates' enthusiasm to be part of the equipping program. They were engaging, soul-searching, eager to learn & apply what they learnt. As I endeavoured to refresh [‘water’] them, I found myself being refreshed and gladden. In my effort to be useful, I discovered in myself latent talents and hidden strength for labour. In the words of Spurgeon, “We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, and soothe the orphan’s grief.” It is in the attempt to teach others that we gain instruction for ourselves.
We witnessed the inmates’ heightened sense of hope as reflected in their commitment to change. The positive report we received from their supervisors about their new attitude towards work and interaction with their fellow inmates encouraged us greatly. Despite it being a short-term call and a long wait for it, I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be His instrument of peace and hope. All glory to Him, my Master and Lord.
Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Provs 11:25b
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