Tribute to Kaijian Lin

He was my ex-student some years back when I was teaching in a private high school. I didn't teach him any "serious subjects", so our communication was mainly an exchange of words during the times I met him in school foyer or when I got them rounded up for Youth Alpha.

A smart, A-star student, with excellent behaviour and humility. I was proud of his achievements and his big dream. Our last conversation was a few Facebook comments during his birthday and he mentioned his desire to study overseas one day. It isn't easy to find out that he's no longer in this world and the cause of death remains unknown. Many people who didn't know him took it at face value when news reported his case as being categorised as suicide by police. We who knew him know he's not that kind of person who'd seek death to deal with issues in life. I do hope that the police and forensics would find the truth and not brush it off just like that.

Kaijian, thanks for the encouragement you gave me on your birthday earlier this year. I pray that your soul will be at rest with God now and your family would be given a closure by the findings of your cause of death. May Jesus shine His light upon your soul and lead you home. Amen.

Paper, Rock and Scissors

This is written on 1 January 2013 on Tity's blog...

Six months later, she returned to the Lord.

A photo of Tity having a meal at my place a few years back in KK.

This is a tribute to a dear friend who passed away earlier this month which I wrote on Facebook:

On 3rd June 2013, 10.50 am (GMT+8), I lost a great friend.

She fought a good fight all the years I knew her.

My first few years of serving in ministry, she was there with me.

We worshipped, we prayed, we laughed, we cried.

She showed me how living life could be so precious.

She laughed out loud always.

A wise and witty girl she was.

I remembered one night in Sacred Heart Parish Center,

I saw her arm with a needle sticking in it.

She said she sneaked out from the hospital for the night.

Tomorrow morning she had to go back.

I remembered laughing and singing along in her Kelisa,

while she and Egn drove me home.

That was when Kambing Kicik and Kambing Besar came into picture.

How could I forget her supportive sisterly love,

when she accompanied me to confront the someone who hurt me a lot?

And the wise advice she'd give me?

Nothing deterred her from living life to the fullest.

She was an example I gave my students when I was a teacher.

We briefly chatted on WhatsApp ages ago.

The next time I go back to KK,

we would go "jalan-jalan cari makan".

This summer, she will not be there.

But I know she's with Daddy God.

All healed and complete.

No more overnight transfusion.

No more hospitalization.

Now she's with her mom.

Maybe she met my dad too.

In the place where Jesus has prepared for us all.

Till we meet again, my dear sister in Christ,

I will be strong.

I will live my life to the fullest.

I will tell others your story.

A story of faith, hope and love.

You have run and finished the race first.

Say hi to Daddy God and Jesus.

I miss you, Tity.

Safe trip to heaven, sis.

Bye for now. — with Charlene Dawn Toyong.