To deny ourselves and take up the cross daily

Feeling tired of evaxing in your school?HAHA,This testimony is from my neighbour's mother(sort of my ah ma) who accepted christ after more than 4 decades! :D

Our mother,Mdm Sng Soo Keng,is able to read Chinese and has very good knowledge of Chinese History (also well-versed with the Chinese legends) and culture.Because of her knowledge,it has taken us more than 40yrs to convince her to come and believe in the Lord.Another hindrance was that she said she was "adopted by her God".After the funeral of my second brother,Lee Ming,in October 2000,I told her that the Gospel had already been presented to her many times and the decision now lay with her.I told her we would not pester her again but to let us know when she was ready.I was surprised that she kept completely silent.She would normally reply in Teochew,"you walk your road and I'll walk mind."

Since 1995,she has been warded in the hospital for a number of surgeries.And each time,we were worried when she went for the operations.We prayed that the Lord would spare her and not take her away until she became a Christian.

In early February last year,she was diagnosed with kidney failure.This meant she required haemodialysis thrice a week.Knowing she would be going for such treatment soon,Pastor Heng visited her at home and prayed for her.But things did not appear good.She was admitted into hospital earlier than expected.I normally accompanied her to the hospital on Saturdays,and sometimes,my sister Li Cheng would be with me and we would bring up the matter on her decision to become a Christian.It was in the middle of last year while in the car that she said she was preparing herself to become a Christian and would let us know her decision.She told us not to mention this to anyone.But of course,we shared the good news among our family members.

We were hesitant and worried about our mum going for the coronary angiogram and angioplasty (ballooning of her heart arteries) because she still had not recieved Christ.But thank God,we did not delay the operation.Her doctor mentioned that she would suffer a heart attack had she been delayed a week or two.We were surprised she looked well even while in the high dependency unit after the angioplasty,followed by immediate heamodialysis.She usually felt weak after operations,but not this time.I read from my nephew Adrian's watch night service testimony that Joe Mok had gotten ten brethren to pray for her.I believe God's grace has sustained her.

One afternoon in October last year after the surgery, my aunt(my mum's youngest sister,a non-believer who frequents Chinese temples) came to vist her.When I came back from the office that day,I was very astonished to learn that my mum had asked her sister to check on the procedure to "send-off" her god and also to remove our grandparents' altar.She said that she wished to do it in a proper manner.She told me that during my brother's wake,her sister suggested to her to follow her children's faith to become a Christian.Within the next two days,my aunt came to report the procedure of "send-off" her God and removal of the altar of my grandparents during their death anniversaries.My mum,having been a dutiful daughter-in-law had prayed to them every festive season without fail.And most of the time,the food offered were separated for us.My mum then planned to "send-pff" her god before Chinses New Year in 2002.

So finallt on 15th November,she "sent-off" her god earlier than expected and removed mygrandfather's altar on 4th December and my grandmother's altar on 19th December 2001.Praise the Lord for her decision.She told me that by then,she could attend church service on Christmas Sunday and that Pastor Heng would be very happy to see her.She attended the combine church service for the third time last Sunday,20th January.After the service,she met PAstor Heng and told him about her decision to be baptized.Pastor Heng suggested next Sunday 27th January.She said it is not possible as her family members would be celebrating her birthday.Upon reaching home,I told her that her birthday dinner would be in the morning.So she agreed to be baptised.I informed my eldest brother Allan and also contacted my nephew Adrain,who was in the session metting to let pastor know about her baptism the following Sunday.

All her children and grandchildren rejoice and praise God as well as give thanks for her decision to come into God's family.

Now Mdm Sng Soo Keng,is in heaven with Jesus :D So lets not give up after our exams and continue to evax with faith :D

-Jillene koh :)