Eulogy to LKY

 

国人尊敬的建国总理李光耀先生，

想了三天，不知怎样表达对新加坡国父，建国总理李光耀先生，感谢，有人用钥匙，国父打了一把建国钥匙给新加坡，有人用新加坡护照，感谢国父，拿新加坡护照出国感到很光荣。我要感谢国父，他写了两本书： 'The Singapore Story'和 'From Third World to First'。我用这两本书恶补我的英文不足。对一个人的尊敬，尤其是作家，读他的书是最高的尊敬。我每天除了读圣经，我也读国父的两本大著作。

这两本大著作帮助了我搞好英文，也深深的看到国父建国的路不易走。在此衷心感谢新加坡国父，建国总理李光耀先生。

 

Dear Founding Father of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew,

Pondered for 3 days, how to pen down my sincere gratitude to Mr Lee, who had led our country, Singapore, 'From Third World to First'. One said that Mr Lee had  moulded a key of nation building for Singapore, another said that the Singapore Passport he carried to overseas business has got high prestige from people who knew about Mr Lee. And I would like to say, the two books - 'The Singapore Story' and 'From Third World to First', written by Mr Lee, helped me understand how tough the road Mr Lee had led us. The two books also were the text books to brush up my English. 

Respect for a person, especially for a writer, read his book is the highest form of respect. In addition to reading the Bible every day,  I read  Mr Lee's two great books.

This is my heartfelt thank to you, Sir, the Founding Father of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

The briefcase

 

The Founding Father of Singapore Late Mr Lee Kuan Yew carried a Red Box to work everyday. I realised that me too, carried a briefcase, to all my overseas assignment, accidentally it captured in many of my photos. This briefcase was given to me by SWO Lim Seng Wah, thank you, Sir, Lime Seng Wah. 

What I carried in the briefcase? There was a Bible, a Scientific calculator, a Sharp PC 1600 (with program of the type of weapon used for the assignment), a 120 mm Illum range table. Protractor, Scale ruler, pencil box with red, blue, black pens).........etc.

Let take a look at my briefcase, before visit Late Mr Lee Red Box at the National Museum.

Huang feihong

(华文原文在英文翻译之后)

Enjoy a new life (5)

Thank the Lord, September 11, 2013, at the 'Fisherman of Christ' Fellowship, the third night Evangelistic Meeting, I got the teachings of the gospel.

And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."( Deuteronomy 6:25)

The gospel is true, it is important, we must accept the teachings of the gospel.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. (1 Timothy 1:13)

My childhood was before Television had been launched, I went to cinema movies with an adult without the requirement of having to buy a ticket, for an adult could bring a child in free of charge. I was cute, so that a woman who worked as house maid often took me to movies. Watching Hong Kong Cantonese films 'Kungfu master Huang feihong'. The stories of Huang feihong defeated the bullies Shijian nurtured my little mind. The teachings of these films were Shijian's repentance and turned righteous.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Accept God's discipline is righteousness. Amen.

12 Sep 2013

享受新生命（5）

感谢主，2013年9月11日，在基督渔人团契第3晚布道聚会上，得着以下信息。

申命记第 6章25节，我们若照耶和华我们神所吩咐的一切诫命谨守遵行，这就是我们的义了。

福音是真实的，重要的是，应该要接受福音所有教导。

提摩太前书 1章13节，我从前是亵渎神的，逼迫人的，侮慢人的。然而我还蒙了怜悯，因我是不信不明白的时候而作的。

我在电视机面世前度过童年，可喜的是当年大人看戏买一张票可以免票携带一小童进场。因为我长的可爱，有一妈姐戏迷常带我去曼舞罗戏院看粤语片。黄飞鸿打恶霸石坚的剧情熏陶了我小小的心灵。剧终黄飞鸿管教了恶霸石坚，石坚认罪悔改成为义人。

提摩太前书 1章15节，基督耶稣降世，为要拯救罪人。这话是可信的，是十分可佩服的。在罪人中我是个罪魁。

接受神的管教就是义了。阿们。

2013年9月12日

The theft case

(华文原文在英文翻译之后)

Enjoy a new life (4)

Thank the Lord, September 10, 2013, at the 'Fisherman of Christ' Fellowship, the second night Evangelistic Meeting, I got the teachings of God's Word. The Scriptures of Psalm 32.

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:1)

I had served many years in the army, in charge of teaching and training national service soldiers. Once, a soldier reported to me that in his wallet a $10 was stolen. I assembled the soldiers and made an announcement of the theft case. I said that I cannot find the thief, I hope that whoever took the money to surrender himself.

About an hour after the dismissal, a soldier saw me in my office to admit that he had taken  the money when he saw a wallet on a bed.

At the last parade, I declared that someone had surrendered himself and returned the money. I urge everyone not to pursue the matter further.

I did not punish him because he had surrendered himself.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD", and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

Thank God, me too, have been forgiven, how pleasure to enjoy a new life.

11 Sep 2013

享受新生命（4）

感谢主，2013年9月10日，在基督渔人团契第2晚布道聚会，我认罪得到赦免。

诗篇 32篇 1节，得赦免其过，遮盖其罪的，这人是有福的。

我在军队服役多年，负责教导和训练国民服役兵士。有一回，一名兵士来报告，他钱包里10元不翼而飞。我集合兵士，宣布排里有人偷窃，但是我没法找出偷窃者，希望偷窃者自己出来投案。

解散后，隔了一段时间，有一兵士来自首，说钱是他偷的。

傍晚，训练过后，集合时，我宣布有人自首拿了放在床位的钱包里的一张10元, 我把10元物归原主。我恳请大家不要再追究此事。

来认罪的兵士，我没有处罚他，因为他知过能改。

诗篇 32篇5节，我向你陈明我的罪，不隐瞒我的恶。我说，我要向耶和华承认我的过犯，你就赦免我的罪恶。

感谢主，我认罪得到赦免，是多麽的幸福。

2013年9月11日

Staff Movement Chart

Enjoy a new life (3)

Thank the Lord, September 9, 2013, at the 'Fisherman of Christ' Fellowship, the first night Evangelistic Meeting, I was touched by the following the teachings of the Scriptures of Chapter 4 Genesis.

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. (Genesis 4: 3 - 5)

Abel's sacrifice was sincere from the heart, and the best thing offer to the Lord. Therefore the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but Cain just do the formality ceremony, not sincere, the LORD did not look with favor on Abel and his offering.

The attitude of worship must be sincere from the heart, not just a formality ceremony.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4: 8 -9)

'Am I my brother's keeper ? 'It is a familiar talking manner from higher post staff to lower post.

At workplace or offices, staffs have to indicate his/her moment on the Staff Movement Chart before leaving the offices, leaving time and where go to.

Someone did not fill the Staff Movement Chart, when a junior worker come looking for him/her, the junior person asked a senior officer, seniors always replied, 'Am I the Staff Movement Chart? ' (Senior staffs usually rude in response.)

Cain did not honestly say he killed his brother, and also rudely answered God, 'Am I my brother's keeper?'.

Thank the Lord, Genesis Chapter 4, I learned not only how to worship God. But also learned the manner in response to someone's inquiry with respectful language. Amen.

10 Sep 2013

享受新生命（3）

感谢主，2013年9月9日，基督渔人团契第一晚布道会，对以下圣经经文的教导有很深的感动。

创世记第4章3 – 5节，该隐拿地里的出产为供物献给耶和华。亚伯也将他羊群中头生的和羊的脂油献上。耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物，只是看不中该隐和他的供物。

亚伯的奉献是从内心发出，全心全意，把最好的献给耶和华。所以耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物，而耶和华察觉到该隐只是做仪式。

敬拜的态度，敬拜和奉献要从内心发出，要全心全意，不要只是做仪式。

创世记第4章8 – 9节，该隐起来打他兄弟亚伯，把他杀了。耶和华对该隐说，你兄弟亚伯在哪里？他说，我不知道，我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？

‘我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？’一种很熟悉的不礼貌说话态度。

工作场所或办公室有职员出入布告板（Staff Movement Chart），员工离开办公室前必需在布告板上填写离开的时间和往何处去。

某人没有填写，低级人员要找某人时，随口向一位高级人员询问，高级回答：‘我是布告板吗？’（高级人员很没有礼貌的回应。）

该隐是杀人凶手。该隐不但不老实说杀了兄弟，还对神没有礼貌的说：‘我岂是看守我兄弟的吗?’。

感谢主，创世记第4章的教导，学到敬拜和奉献要从内心发出，要全心全意，把最好的奉献，不要只是做仪式。同时，对人的态度要和蔼，不可以用不敬的语言回应别人的询问。阿们。

2013年9月10日

爸爸吃饭

Enjoy a new life (2)

Thank the Lord, on August 16, 2013, Seniors fellowship (Area West) held at a sister-in-Christ residence, my spiritual growth further and enhanced.

I believe in Jesus and become son of God, my body is worthless pottery, but the Holy Spirit  lives in me - my treasure.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4: 7 -9)

I did not use my treasure in me often, instead use my way of living, do not know to enjoy a new life.

Since my childhood, family and tradition moral teaching by my mother who had no formal education, at the table of family meals, be sure to parents, I said, "Dad eat, mom eat," then to start eating.  After believe in the Lord, renew day by day and spiritual growth, I say grace before every meal,  "Heavenly Father I thank you, give me food for life, ....."

Holy Spirit  in me help me, everything trust in the Lord, and enjoy a new life, and now, every day pray to the Lord, give me health. dialogue with Father every day, give thanks to God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

I see my spiritual growth, 'renew day by day' and enjoy a new life, thank the Lord.

16 Aug 2013

享受新生命（2）

感谢主，2013年8月16日，年长者（西区）在一主内姐妹府上团契，增进了我属灵的成长。

我因信耶稣而成为神的儿女，我的身体是个一文不值的瓦器，圣灵却住进我这瓦器里，成为我的宝贝。

哥林多后书 4章7 - 9节：我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力，是出于神，不是出于我们。我们四面受敌，却不被困住。心里作难，却不至失望。遭逼迫，却不被丢弃。打倒了，却不至死亡。

很多时我却没有使用这瓦器中的宝贝，还是用自己的方法生活，不会享受新生命。

我自幼受先母家教的熏陶，在餐桌前，一家人用餐，一定要先向爸妈说：“爸爸吃饭，妈妈吃饭”才能开动。信主后‘一天新似一天’ 属灵的成长，现在我用餐前向天父祷告：“感谢天父的恩赐，赐我生命食粮，求主为我洁净我的食物。”之后才开动。

我瓦器中的宝贝帮助我，一切信靠主，享受新生命，如今，天天祷告，求主恩赐，给我健康。天天和天父对话，祷告，感谢这位创造天地万物的神。

我‘一天新似一天’，享受新生命，感谢主。

2013年8月16日

新生命

Enjoy a new life (1)

Today I have a new life .......... Thank the Lord, on this day, June 6, 2013 at the 'Fisherman of Christ' Fellowship (FCF), Meeting Room 3A, had a two hours lengthy talks with 4 sisters, my spiritual growth enhanced and some misconceptions had also been cleared.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2: 8 - 9)

Because we believe in Jesus and become the children of God. From the Word of God, not because of a person's behavior, salvation is the gift of God - our Heavenly Father.

I  will pray every day to the Lord and have dialogue with Heavenly Father, thank God, the Creator of all things, give me new life, thanks also for daily provision and keep me safe.

I wanted to buy a Bible (lighter one), the Lord already know that, after the meeting, I got it, I was presented a Bible (lighter one), by the FCF, thank the Lord.

06 Jun 2013

享受新生命（1）

今天我有了一个新生命..........感谢主，2013年6月6日在基督渔人团契会议厅3A，与4位姐妹会谈两小时，增进了我属灵的成长，纠正了一些误解。

以弗所书 2章8 – 9 节：你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信，这并不是出于自己，乃是神所赐的。也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸。

我们是因为信耶稣而成为神的儿女。从神的话语，得救不是因为个人的行为，是神  我们的天父，的恩赐。

我要天天祷告求主耶稣帮助我，时时和天父对话，感谢这位创造天地万物的神，赐我新生命，赐我每天的生命食粮和保守我的平安。

一直想买一本比较轻便的圣经，想不到主早就知我心意，会谈过后，使我得偿所愿，基督渔人团契赠送我一本比较轻便的圣经，感谢主。

2013年6月6日

2nd batch TASA

37 years served in Singapore Artillery

Chapter 9

27 of us had successfully completed the 6 weeks basic artillery course, and immediately started the Technical Assistants' and Surveyors' Course (TA & SVY). 14 weeks from 14 Oct 1968 to 15 Jan 1969.

We were the 2nd batch TASA, the officer in charge was Lta Ng Seng Chan. There were another eight instructors, 4 officers and 4 NCOs. The 4 officers were: Lta Mukhtiar Singh, Lta Govinda Rasu, Lta Ng Jui Ping, and Lta Tan Boon Hock. The 4 NCOs were: Cpl Low Lip Kian, Cpl Lee Bak Hong, Cpl Tan Kok Tai, and Cpl Moi Weng Kam. The  officers were regulars and the NCOs were national servicemen.

Maj Mancharan Singh Gill was CO 20 SAB, Maj Kwek Boon Yong was OC Sch of Arty, 9 instructors and 27 trianees, had a course group photo taken during the course and it was the first course photograph I had taken in my 37 years served in the Singapore Artillery. It was a precious photograph I had ever taken because in this photo there were a Chief of Defence Force (CDF) LG Ng Ng Jui Ping, and the 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 5th Chief of Artillery.

Lta Ng Seng Chan, about 1.85 meters tall, did not wear a smile on his face, always in well-pressed smart uniform, a very serious personality and with a frightening appearance.

In 1980, when I was RSM 21 SA, Maj (then) Ng Seng Chan was Commander Div Arty. Someone had complained about me and I was called up by him. Maj (then) Ng Seng Chan advised me, 'As a RSM, you do not smile in front of your subordinates, all you have to do is just to bite the upper and lower teeth together, in order to maintain serious look.'

Although I was a WO2, but I was so naive and sincere did not know how to hide my true self and true feeling.

In the 2 hours  interview, the Commander Div Arty sincerely taught me to wear a mask when dealing with my fellow SNCOs, make them felt fear at me, the RSM. 

（深藏不露, 不怒而威, 喜怒不形于色, Commander Div Arty诚心传授我，装备自己，调整与别人相处的方式。）

In 1973, Cpt (then) Ng Jui Ping was CO School of Artillery.

I had a bad impact at the early stage of my army career, because during BMT, I had an interview with 2Lt Lee, my platoon commander, who said that I had not shown leadership skills.

In 1973, I was a Sgt, my CO Cpt (then) Ng Jui Ping recommended me to go for Officer Cadets’ Course, he encouraged me, he wanted to make me an officer. However, I did not make it for the course, I did not know and did not ask for the reason.

After Cpt (then) Ng Jui Ping’s recommendation, although I did not make it for the course, that had built up my confidence, I was not as what my platoon commander said no  leadership.

I had worked together with Cpt (then) Ng Jui Ping to produce the TFT (Tabulate Firing Tables for M114 gun), calculating the distances and elevations by interpolation for firing data in the interval of every 100m.

I felt very honored to have worked with CO and I remembered,  during at work, from time to time, Cpt (then) Ng Jui Ping would summon his clerk cum runner by pressing a bell under his desk, to send in two cups of hot coffee, then we break for 10 minutes.

Compared to the basic artillery course, the TA & SVY was very much comfortable in the classroom. Everyday lectures, plotting on Arty Board, computing firing data.

I was delighted most was that everyday at 1200hrs and 1730hrs, no need to fall-in as whole course, in two, we marched to the cookhouse, to enjoy the comfort of dinning hall and delicious hot meals. I also could remember at 1000hrs and 1500hrs, the cookhouse also provided 15 - 30 minutes of tea-break for us, although only biscuits and tea or coffee.

Dined with messtins

37 years served in Singapore Artillery

Chapter 8

Those 6 blocks of 3 storey HDB flats for 20 SAB were block nos 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 - were no longer exists at Taman Jurong. The spot where 20 SAB was in 1968,  is a garden today (2011).  In contrast, the ground within the compass of Corporation Drive, Yuan Ching Road, Kang Ching Road, and Tah Ching Road was an open area provided for our training ground in 1968, and today had built up with many HDB blocks.

Taman Jurong Camp consisted upper and lower camp, across the road - Corporation Drive -  at lower camp we had our parade square, soccer field, small arms ammunition dump, obstacle course, and mortar garage.

The mortar garage was the place where lessons were conducted everyday by the  NCO Instructors, after which we manhandled the 4 x 120mm light mortars to the abovementioned open area to practice mortar drill. We stayed there whole day long to carry out training. Lunch and dinner were sent  to us. Unlike today, during field training, soldiers get lunch boxes packed in isolation bags to keep food warm,  and then we were dined with messtins.

Night lessons were conducted at the mortar garage, there were a lot of mosquitoes, we had  experienced that the  mosquitoes could penetrate our temasek green uniforms to sting us.

Outside the Mortar Garage, there was a hawker center and a wet market.  Some of our officers and NCOs lived in the block nos 90 and 91 HDB flats. They were WO1 Said Sali, WO2 Wan Chin Hup (senior medic) and Lta Charlie Kumaran.

From the aforesaid Officer and WOs residents at block 90 and 91, from the kitchen veranda, could overlooking the Mortar Garage. So whenever we performed guard duty, doing  sentry at the Mortar Garage gate, even after midnight, we had to be alert at all time. Nonetheless, until we had completed the basic artillery course and the technical assistants’ and surveyors’ course, we were not assigned to do guard duty.

We lived at block 80, opposite block 79 was the YWCA hostel, housed a number of factories' female workers, young girls, most of them came from Malaysia (Federation of Malay, as we were referred in the 1970s, 联邦). It could have been a good opportunity to find a girlfriend, but they were our senior by 5 - 8 years, seem did not fit us in any case. Still, we often went to YWCA hostel canteen to make friend with them.

There was an open-air theater for $0.50 ticket admission, we often went there to watch film show and later an air-conditioned cinema – Jurong Theater, the admission ticket was still at $0.50. By 1972, there came the Jurong Drive-in.

Most importantly, there was only one laundry shop. After training, our dirty uniforms were sent there. Washing, pressed with starch and the long sleeves pleated into a short-sleeved, with four fingers width, cost only cost $0.70 a suit of shirt and trousers.  

I could remember the Spring Time Lake where boat rowing we had carried out accompanied by girl friends from block 79. And the most delicious was the fish ball noodle stall at Yung An Road, near the entrance of the YWCA hostel. I must eat before I booked-in.