We celebrated the 21st Anniversary at Thai Good News Centre on
12.09.2010.
Bishops from Lutheran Church of Finland, Norway and Thailand
came to Singapore and attended the Thanksgiving service.
Bishop of Singapore Lutheran Church Terry Kee gave the sermon.
When he said that we had to go and look for the lost sheep
instead of sitting in the office and waiting for them to come in,
what he said touched me very much.
I was with the Mission Committee and we planned to set up the
Thai Ministry in 1988. I became the first Singaporean volunteer
of Thai Good News Centre in 1989.
I left my managerial position with the computer company in 1990.
I then took up a one-year Grassroots Ministry Education with
Singapore Bible College (SBC) in mid 1990.
I was invited to be a Ministry Associate of Thai Good News Centre
in November 1990. When I completed my studies in SBC,
I was then appointed as the Office Manager with Thai Good News Centre at the
end of May 1991.
The position of 'Manager' was established by me. In order to work with
the Singapore Government Departments and the Royal Thai Embassy,
I set up the post of Manager for myself and the post of Director for
Sister Salli Lamponen.
Sister Salli was an experienced missionary. She worked in Taiwan and Thailand
for many years.
I resigned from the Centre at the end of 1992 and became a volunteer.
I was then appointed as the volunteer Supervisor in 1993.
In January 1994 when my son was two months old, my wife was admitted to
hospital for 19 days. I requested the then full-time worker Mary
to relieve me for two months. I wished she could take over my English
class once a week. My request was not fulfilled and I resigned from Thai
Good News Centre as a volunteer and Supervisor since then.
Time flied. It has been more than 16 years. I was back to Thai Good News
Centre to attend the prayer meeting after the Finnish Missionary Reverend Tapio
and his wife, from Thailand, were assigned to the Centre in March 2009.
Reverend Terry Kee used to visit us at the centre 20 years ago.
Whenever he visited us, we were always there.
During those days, either Sister Salli or myself would stay in the
Centre. Usually Sister Salli would go for the hospital
visitation with our female volunteers. If I have to visit any
Thai patient at hospital, Sister Salli would stay in the Centre.
We were a little bit workaholic. Although the Centre was opened
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., we would stay back whenever there was
any Thai people came and visit us even at the time we were closing the Centre.
We received the Thai people and talked to them until they had
a thankful and peaceful mind to go back.
I told Reverend Tapio that I remembered the Centre for all these years.
God hang me up in the air and released me when they came from Thailand
to the Centre. We prayed many times for Tapio and his wife as
they would be back to Finland for 6 months next year.
While praising the Lord with joyce, I kept thinking about what Terry Kee
said. Have we grown up after 21 years?
Thai dancers |
The musicians |
Dancing |
Singing |
The Good News |
The decision |
Birthday |
Blessing |
Many Thai people from the Complex and nearby neighbourhood
came to the Centre to celebrate with us at the Anniversary Gathering.
Reverend Visanukorn told the Thai friends about the Good News.
Hundred miles away from home, our friends had the opportunity
to learn about the Good News and found the true love.
They were joyful.
I worked with Visanukorn 20 years ago. He reminded to
carry out the follow-up. I said I only came to the prayer meeting.
Tapio, Kajia and a number of Thai Christians used to attend the prayer meeting.
God, take care of us your people!
Full of joy |
when meeting Christ |
in the foreign land |