Monthly Archives: January 2019

As early as 1973/74 when I was attending the Jesus Saves Mission in Kuala Lumpur I heard amazing news.

I heard from early batch of SOMers that some traveled to Malaysia by faith with no money just as the Apostles did

^“7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

⁸ And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

⁹ But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.^{1 (Mark 6: 7 – 9)}

This was unheard of. I only read about the faith of George Mueller. But that was in the 19th Century.

But hearing their glowing testimonies how they went forth with no money. But Almighty God supplied all their needs & for some they went out with no money but returned with some money!

In Year 1974 there was a Christian Camp held on Penang Island. The speaker was missionary Dr. John C. Mincy, graduate of Bob Jones University.

After the Christian Camp I had Rm40. And I bought Rm39 worth of books from the Baptist Book Store in Pulau Tikus. To be given to KL JSM Library.

Then I took a ferry across Penang Island to Butterworth. The ferry fare was 35 sen out of my last 40 sen. So I only have 5 sen left.

There is no going back now. And in front of me lies 300 km.

346.1 Km is the distance between Butterworth to K.L.

I told God, “If you want me to serve You then please touch people to give me lifts as I hitchhike to KL”. Do not let me be stranded anywhere but bring me safe to my home in KL, 300 km away”

And so at the age of 18 without fares in my pocket with 300 km ahead I hitchhiked. It was an eventful journey. 2 motor bikes, 4 cars and one lorry

God provided 7 different types of transport

As the journey began I got a car bringing me to the next nearest town. I was glad for anyone who will respond. After dropping me I hike again and got a bike. Then another car for a considerable distance. But like what George Whitefield said that he cannot neglect to talk to any fellow traveller in the coach for only 20 minutes & must give out the gospel.

So I preached the gospel. The subject of sin, death, Jesus dying for their sins and to repent on the spot is just too much they could take.

One being offended aborted my trip & dropped me off at no man’s land.

Picking up my courage I thumbed again. Another motor bike picked me up. On the bike the rider could hardly hear me so no offensive gospel. The journey reached another town. Then I got into another car. And at the offense of the gospel the incensed driver suddenly stopped the car. Told me he is going elsewhere instead. So he told me to get off before reaching the intended town.

“Why God?” I questioned, “How come I got off before the intended destination” Why?” God said, “Be ye wise as serpent but harmless as dove”

If you know just don’t be pushy. Let them hear the gospel message without being overbearing. “Ok God” now I continued with a more pleasant journey

So Butterworth, Sungai Jawi, Nibong Tebal, Bagan Serai, Taiping, Kampar & finally I arrived in Ipoh (about half the journey)

As I walked south of Ipoh City towards the Highway for KL the sun is already past noonday but still blazing hot. Looking at my watch it was already 3pm in the afternoon.

A water fountain at Ipoh Roundabout (Ipoh, Capital of Perak,  is about half way between Butterworth & KL)

With sweat on my brow I took a sip of water from the water fountain at a roundabout. Too weary now to hold up my right hand.

So I held up my left hand with the support of my right hand and watched the cars sped by.

After 20 minutes a lorry stopped.

“Where are you headed”, he asked. “To KL”, I replied.

Hop in. And so my last and final trip to KL

Now I wanted to preach the gospel but again I was apprehensive less he get offended and drop me in Bidor or Rawang or anywhere along the road?

Then I saw him dozing off at the wheel & the lorry veered to the right at the on coming traffic.

I immediately spoke to him in a raised voice. He wakened up in time and swerved back to the left. This continued a few more times to my horror. Till he got fully awake and responsive to the gospel.

At Bidor we stopped. He drove into a farm. Collected bags of tapioca flour. I was glad to help out. Then it was afternoon tea time. And he treated me to tea & pows (Chinese type buns). See God provided my food

Arriving near KL night has fallen.

He is going to Sungai Besi.

He has to pass by Loke Yew Road. How I thanked Almighty God

He could have dropped me anywhere along Kepong, Sentul, Gombak, Damansara or Cheras.

I only have 5 sen left. No money to take taxi or even bus. And to hitchhike in KL City at night is unthinkable.

Having thanked the lorry driver I alighted at the Block of Flats in Loke Yew Road nearest my home in Jalan Kenanga. A 3 minutes short walk brought me safely home just after 7pm. Just in time for dinner!

One of the many evangelistic ministries of JSM/SOM was the SOM Van Evangelistic Tours to Malaysia. In this Van we traveled up Malaysia visiting many places and evangelizing as far as Alor Star. At night we would stay in Mission Stations or any available accommodation. And when there is none then we remembered the words of our dear Lord, “Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nest but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head”.

One night we stayed in an open garden somewhere in Taiping. The sisters would sleep in the van while the brothers would sleep in the open air.

There is a huge ground sheet spread out as bedding. ( Note: This groundsheet was also carried on strong shoulders up Mt Faber during our All Night Prayers every Friday in Singapore.)

I remember the biting cold waking me up one morning while sleeping out in the open under the sky in Malaysia. Thank God. Other times it even rained. But the training was memorable. It fortified us for the battles yet ahead.

Next year in 1976 we didn’t go up in a Van. We went up two by two or one by one – spanning to all parts of Malaysia.

With a letter from Dr. Peter Ng I visited Melaka Gospel Hall & stayed in the home of Elder Mr. Wong Non Chin. I discovered that the Brethren frowned upon ordained titles for Reverends. The ladies in Church also wore veils.

A blessed time every morning as I tried to speak to anyone who will listen. Several listened. A few accepted Christ.

Then I crossed over to the other side of West Malaysia to a God forsaken town called Sungai Lembing. Arriving in Kuantan it was already getting dark. I managed to hitch a ride to Sungai Lembing. The road was very narrow. So narrow and dark that cars have to turn on the right signal lights on seeing on-coming cars on the 2 lanes road (or track). The opposite oncoming cars also did the same by turning on their right signal lights. This is to give some guidance or indication less both cars collide head on

On reaching Sg Lembing I met brother John Goh. How glad was I.

Next day I saw the pristine river and stream of Sg Lembing town. Indeed it is called the Switzerland of Malaysia. Here I am happy to see the conversion of an invalid. Months later his faith still strong as I mailed him a New Testament.

All the travelings were done by faith. And how Almighty God provided for all our needs. His Presence, Protection & Provision never fails.

To be continued….

From Singapore National Library Board

“Jesus Saves Mission” House in Tanjong Pagar, before 1982. This is a general view of the entrance to “Jesus Saves Mission” House in a shophouse at Tanjong Pagar. The mission house was founded by Reverend Peter Ng Eng Hoe, run by Christian volunteers, and provides free medical, social and educational aid to the poor.

The above is the historic description of Jesus Saves Mission, Craig Road, Tg Pagar

Now let’s go back in history with me back to the 1974, 75 & 76 years

On a narrow lane called Craig Road are PreWar Shophouses. Somewhere in the center is “Jesus Saves Mission. Now as we enter there is a wooden flight of stairs leading to the 1st Floor. As we enter we see a Good Sized Hall with wooden floor boards. Towards the right in the middle we pass one room which has a phone. Then another room of similar size. And finally we are at the back where there is an airwell. Right at the very end is a bath & then the toilet. The toilet has no modern flush system.

Many a night I lived here alone. Oh, yet not alone. This is none other what Jacob said,

“Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

¹⁷ And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Gen. 28:16 -17)”

In this lowly humble place God showed me a revelation

Jesus was born in a borrowed manger. He has no where to lay his head as earth has no room for Him; Jesus borrowed a coin to illustrate a message (he owns nothing, not even a penny; he enters Jerusalem by borrowing a young ass for he owns no possession. He borrowed “the upper room” for his final supper with his disciples for he has no place of permanent abode. His tomb was borrowed – and that for only 3 days.

Who is Jesus? What has he done? He left His ivory palaces in heaven for a lowly crib. He left heaven where the street is paved with gold. And yet on earth he is so poor that he doesn’t even own a coin? He created the great whales & the cattle on a thousand hills and yet he has to borrow a lowly colt. “In My Father’s House are many mansions”, Jesus said and yet he has to borrow a room for he has no permanent abode. And in death his tomb was borrowed – just for 3 days.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinth 8:9)

Christ became poor. Poor for our sakes. What has he got then? Ah, he has a Cross! He lifted up his heavy cross and moved towards Calvary. They gave him a crown of thorns. Thorns? Thorns were the result of man’s sins. And so he bore our curse. And the nails?

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus was wounded in his head, his hands, his side and his feet by nails.

Jesus gave His very life for us. His lifeblood was poured out for us in love

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

See how he loved

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isa. 63:9)

As R. A. Torrey says, “When the crown of thorns presses against the brow of Jesus it presses into the heart of God. As the nail pierces into the hands of Jesus it pierces into the heart of God. As the spear plunges into the side of Jesus it plunges into the heart of God.

“in all my afflictions Jesus was afflicted. Jesus was stricken, smitten, afflicted & crucified for me”.

All Glory Be To Christ Jesus! Amen & Amen!

As you can see from the above are 2 Photos

1. Photo of First Jesus Saves Mission, Craig Road
2. Photo of Class 1976 School of Missions, Jln Belang

In Year 1976 I was a Student Mission for Craig Road JSM. This was once a haunted house. 2 people were hanged here during the Japanese Occupation.

During Service someone would cry, “Hanging Devils” and everyone would run out helter-skelter for fear. But God Almighty raised up His Church here.

Let me tell you. There is no holier place in Singapore than this Old PreWar Shophouse. In year 1976 I lived here from months when I was a Student Missioner. Where God has moved in there is the Strong Peaceful Presence of God Almighty.

The 2nd Photo showed a detached house rented for use as SOM(School of Missions). Surprisingly, this place was haunted. Some nights evil spirits would come and disturb us. But we fought them off. There is a constant battle until this place too turned into God’s Holy School

Fast forward more than 40 years now. Many things have changed in modern day Singapore. But the Battle continues. This world is not a play ground. It is a battle ground against the unseen power of darkness. Amen