Hokkien Testimony #90
A little grass, a little dew. God will take care of you. Rely on him, avoid troubles. There is always a way out.
Today we welcome you to the 90th testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Each week we have different people from different churches share their stories with us. Everyone has their own special story of how God has changed their life. Today Pastor James Lim interviews Brother Si Chheng Hai who will be sharing about God’s work in his life. Let’s listen to his story as he shares with us. An English summary is also provided below.
Brother Si Chheng Hai’s Testimony:
I have lived in Singapore since my childhood. I was lazy and didn’t have much interest in school. I would rather go out and play, swim or play ball. You could say that I was definitely influenced by those around me. I didn’t live in a good environment, and many times the parents in our neighborhood had free time they were involved in things like gambling. As children we saw what the adults were doing and followed in their footsteps. So even young children were involved in gambling.
As young as ten or eleven my father and grandfather both had radios. I would sneak in and get some of their cigarettes and smoke them. I would also use money that my mother gave me for school to buy my own radio. A few years after that I began drinking alcohol. Actually my father started drinking when he was just eight or nine and he would let me taste some for myself when I was young too.
Of course drinking and smoking also led to fighting as well. By the time I was thirteen or fourteen I had no desire to go to school. My family’s living situation at this time was really tough, and I was the oldest child. My father worked hard outside the home, and my mom was a stay at home mother and at this time my father became ill. He had rheumatism in his feet and was unable to walk. So I felt that I just needed to leave school and go get a job to earn some money.
At that time there were a lot of bad influences around me. On the one hand I was working to earn some money; however, on the other hand I was getting into trouble and influenced by people around me. I even earned a bad name for myself and was respected by those around me. So in a tough group like that we took care of each other. If someone had a problem they would let us know and we would take care of it. Not a good life.
When I was seventeen I ran away from what I was doing and got a job on a ship. I did this for a number of years. During this time England was in control of Singapore. So if a person was involved in trouble in Singapore and ran from it, they didn’t want to get into any more trouble when they returned to Singapore. Even though I had done a lot and knew a lot of people, the truth is that I felt empty and alone. Also since I had been in trouble before, there was always the feeling that someone was out to get me. So I really lived in fear. At night when I began to think about all these things I would really be afraid. After I married, things were a little better, but I carried my past with me. I also continued to gamble, and not just a little. I was gambling all the time and my relationships were just superficial.
In 1986 my health was not good. My youngest daughter suggested that I go see a doctor, but I told her that there was nothing going on and I didn’t need to see a physician. However, she insisted and took me to a doctor. The doctor told me that my liver was inflamed (sclerosis) and he told me that I could not longer drink alcohol. He wanted to see me again in a couple of weeks. My daughter told me that she would pray for me. When I went back to see the doctor, he said that they couldn’t even find my report; however, I was better. I began to think that this Jesus may be the real thing. My daughter and my wife were praying for me. Once again when I went to see the doctor, he told me that my liver was fine and I had no problem at all. My daughter told me that they had been praying for me for twelve years . . . praying and fasting.
When they suggested that I go to church with them, I was ashamed because of all that I had done in my life. My wife told people at the church that I was opposed to going to church, but they wanted to come and visit and eat with us. I told my wife that they were welcome to come and eat, but I didn’t want to hear anything about Jesus. Well they came and shared, but I had no desire to hear this. That night I had trouble sleeping. Actually I could go three or four days without sleeping. I also saw a brilliant star. I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn’t. I talked to God and told him that if Jesus is real, then I needed proof and asked him to help me sleep. And you know what, I went to sleep and slept like a baby the rest of the night. I was rested and got up and went to work. That night I had a dream about a very beautiful mountain. It was like going to Israel and seeing things there.Then I saw a man who spoke to me and told me that I didn’t have a lot of time left. I wondered why I would dream something like this. It seemed like a story that a westerner would share. It was so strange. On Saturday I asked my wife if she was going to attend church the next day, and she said of course she would. I told her that I might go check it out. Her response was like she just half believed me.
Sunday morning we went to church. As we arrived at the front door, the pastor greeted me and said “Oh there’s that stubborn person coming along day.” I just laughed it off. When we went inside, the worship service began with singing and I just slept through it. My whole body felt uncomfortable and I stepped outside. However, following that experience I went to church every week. The songs were so beautiful and little by little I studied and better understood the Bible. I completed all the lessons and then was baptized during the Christmas season. So over time I became more clear on the Bible’s teachings, and I especially loved the songs. Usually after hearing the songs just two or three times I am able to sing them. After so many years I have not returned to my life that I had before. Now if I see my former friends we just give a quick laugh to each other and that’s it. Prior to this I could drink all night with my friends. I am not like that now.
As we close out our program today I would encourage any of you who are trapped in a life with organized crime and living a life that is really tough, to accept Jesus as your personal Savior. To live a life that involves gangs and the syndicate is so hurtful and damaging to our family, and Jesus can free us from that kind of life. Some people have run away from their family and some are even homeless. If we don’t change our ways, we will forever live in this hopeless criminal community doing things that will not bring us peace. So I hope at this time in your life that you will believe in Jesus and trust him. Only Jesus has a way to help you leave this kind of lifestyle, live a good life and find freedom. This will also influence the next generation. In our society we see that each year is different. So this is an opportunity to make a difference and affect this generation to live a better life and solve the issues we deal with. I certainly hope that you will make this decision to follow Jesus. I hope that the people whom I know will carefully listen and make a decision to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.
Pastor Lim:
Today our program has come to an end. However, as our listeners have heard this moving testimony, we hope that you will make the decision to accept Jesus and his peace. If you have the desire to believe in Jesus, then follow me as I pray.
Lord Jesus, I thank you. You want to save me. I am a sinner, please forgive me of my sin. Use your precious blood to cleanse me of my wrong doing. At this time, I invite you to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior and give me a new life and transform me. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.