Monday, March 26, 2007

Blessed Birthday to Roy

Today is Roy's 30th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Roy!
Happy Birthday to you!

Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!

{
Followed by 30 gun shots -
Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!
Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!
Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!
}

With love,
From GG members and all at BUC.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Blessed Birthday to Uncle Lim

If Uncle Lim is still in this earthly life, he would be 88 years old today.

Happy Birthday to Uncle Lim!

A Compilation of Eulogies in Memory of Uncle Lim

As one of the senior member of our GG, I have known Mr Lim Kwan Hooi for nearly 8 years. We were quite closely acquainted with each other and I have found him to be a very simple unpresumptuous person, very friendly and kind and helpful. He was always humble and ever ready to lend a helping hand and a listening ear.

He was also very devotional and religious in his outlook and taking in an active part in our singing songs of praise to the Lord and in our study and discussions on the Word of God.

Uncle Chan

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Uncle Lim is proud of his children and grand children by the way he talked about them – their lives and achievements. I believe God has placed Uncle Lim in our Growth Group so that we can learn to take care of the elderly. At times when he was unwell he still wants to come to our Sunday gatherings. In the past few years, he did what he can do best, that is to be faithful in attendance. We are humbled. Our GG will miss him.

Wing Cheong

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Uncle Lim was a man of few words. When asked during many of our growth group meetings, “Uncle Lim, anything to say?” His reply most of the time was “I have nothing to say.” For me, his presence in our Growth Group and Church said it all… His desire to listen and to know God and to be with God’s family. To see his presence week after week brought joy to us all.

Uncle Lim, your presence will be truly missed.

Sue Ling

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Uncle Lim is someone who enjoy being in the company of people. If given a choice, I believe he would go all his way out to join us in whatever events we organize. In some ways he is an adventurous person. He always liked to share with me and my wife about his younger days of traveling to different countries.

I still remember once we had a GG outing at the Lake Garden. We were at first a bit concerned if we should bring Uncle Lim along. On one hand, we tried not to exclude him but on the other hand we were very concerned about his mobility and health condition. Nevertheless, since he insisted to come along, we brought him along. That itself spoke clearly how much he desired to be in fellowship with all of us in the GG and we were greatly encouraged by his determination and enthusiasm. Although the outing ended abruptly half way with a little bit of drama, we were glad to have organized that short and 'adventurous' outing as a GG, more so especially with Uncle Lim around. Later we found out that actually Uncle Lim was not feeling too well that morning but he didn't want us to know so that he could still come along with us.

I guess Heaven would be such a wonderful place for Uncle Lim. Not only he gets to meet our Lord Jesus who will ultimately satisfy the deepest desire of his heart, I believe there would be plenty of 'going places' there as well to mesmerize such an adventurous heart of Uncle Lim. More so especially when Uncle Lim is no longer to be bound by his previous physical limitation any more.

We will see you soon again Uncle Lim, in the "Ultimate Garden of Eden"!

Nai Kyn

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I will always remember Uncle Lim as someone who is kind, warm-hearted, generous and thoughtful. Whenever he sees me, he will ask me in Hokkien "Did you go back to Sitiawan or not?" He will ask me about my hometown, my family and chats with me about the places he visits during his younger days.

His presence in coming faithfully to church and Growth Group meetings encourages me and I'm so glad to have known him as my friend and GG member always and forever.

Goodbye, Uncle Lim. I will miss you.

Yoke Teen

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Uncle Lim
A good man
A simple man
A faithful man

After every Sunday celebration service in Antioch Centre, Uncle Lim would sit by the table near the entrance to wait for Soon Thye to pick him up. I would normally approach him to strike a conversation with him. During one of our conversations, he asked me where I was from and I told him that I was from Malacca. We talked about my family, Peranakan food and Malacca. From that day onwards, whenever he sees me, he starts talking to me in Bahasa Malaysia. I was impressed with his command of the language.

Uncle Lim, sampai kita berjumpa lagi.

Roy

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This is my story, this is my song
Praising my saviour all the day long.

On 4.3.2007, when we ended the family memorial service with this song, I thought how appropriate it was. Uncle Lim loved to sing songs of praise and worship unto the Lord. He would stand, clap and even raise his hands in worship. I remember a time during worship at our GG meeting when he was moved to tears by the presence of GOD. I can picture him in heaven singing praises to his Saviour all day long.

When Roy and I visited him at Pantai Hospital on 24.2.2007, 1 week before he passed away, it pained me to see him cough..there was so much liquid in his lung. His desire was just to go back home to be with Aunty Lim. While chatting, I held his left hand and he did not let go. I know that when Wing Cheong and Sue Ling visited him later in the day, he also held on to their hands. His simple gesture touched our hearts.

Uncle Lim you were a gift from God to us all in BUC, especially to our GG.

I will miss you.

Selvi

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Whenever we picked up Uncle Lim for GG meeting or congregational worship, he would always ask about how we are doing. He even asked about our family members as well who are in Penang and Sabah. We rembemer him having this desire to visit his daughter in Kota Kinabalu, where Christine is from. We even thought of taking him with us few years ago when we went back to visit Christine’s parents. But because of his health, we were advised not too. We nearly booked the ticket for him!

My most vivid memory of Uncle Lim is feeding him with durian cake. He really enjoyed it. It was a joy to serve him.

Seng Chor

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To me, Uncle Lim is a relational person. He always wants to be among people and talks to people. I was surprised when he eagerly joined one of our GG outings to Lake Garden. Though he didn’t participate much in the activities, his presence speaks louder than words. I heard that he sang quite loudly that day. It was a joy to see him at the outing. He was such a ‘gung-ho’ person.

I’m amazed that he does remember things and he tries to remember them. He remembers that I am a lecturer. He even remembers that I studied in Australia. I couldn’t even remember that I have told him that. He remembers that I’m from Kota Kinabalu and Seng Chor from Penang. He often makes effort to recall things by asking us to confirm. It shows that he is a caring person. He always wanted to get to know more about other people.

Uncle Lim, I will miss you.

Christine

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Even in his senior years he faithfully came for fellowship. He loved to converse during those times we had the opportunity to fetch him to church. We enjoyed chatting with him and we will dearly miss him. We know that Uncle Lim is now with our Lord.

Chris & Linda Wong

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Uncle Lim was a person of few words but showed quiet understanding of the Word. He was a strong and resilient person and a devoted husband to Aunty Lim. Uncle Lim greatly encouraged us by his faithful attendance at GG meetings.

Grace Seow

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Uncle Lim was a man who was young at heart. He would often talk about his young life full of experience and fun. As he comes to GG he always greets people with respect and would ask how they are. He is with the Lord but he remains in our memories forever.

Rachelle Wong

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I remember Uncle Lim at our first BUC Family Camp in Fraser's Hill (1997). He was really sporting - played all our team-building games including linking hands in a circle and walking, stepping over obstacles, etc. There was one obstacle race where we were all blind-folded & had to walk in between a ladder, under pillars, etc. (and were we concerned for Uncle Lim - apparently he was more game than any of us!!)

Then there was this particular birthday of his that we celebrated at Prayer Retreat (in de Palma, Sepang) - and he was so touched...

Indeed Uncle Lim is a very generous man (There was one GG meeting in his house where he had his daughter prepare really "ho liu" for the curry mee for us).

Uncle Lim, Thank you for all the sweet memories. We shall miss your stately presence at our Worship services.

Dolly

My Surrogate Grandfather

Who is He?

He’s looking cool,
Walking out of his home
Clutching his sunglasses
All groomed and combed.
Who is he?
My surrogate grandfather.

A man who lived a life
Full of experience and adventure
Broadening his mind
Through his travels of splendour.
Who is he?
My surrogate grandfather.

Surrounded by his family
Was what he loved most,
Then came his food and drink
Now that, he liked to boast.
Who is he?
My surrogate grandfather.

Week after week he came to Church and GG
Worshipping God in his own way
Placing his hope and trust
In the Lord without too much to say.
Who is he?
My surrogate grandfather.

Longevity and wealth
Was one of his last few wishes,
He got more than that:
Eternal life and riches.
Who is he?
My surrogate grandfather.

“Her surrogate grandfather?”
You may ask.
Yes, that’s right!
Uncle Lim.
My surrogate grandfather.


~ By Michelle Wong ~

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Uncle Lim

As a Growth Group (GG) we have been truly blessed by Uncle Lim. Shortly after he started his dialysis treatment, as a GG we had communion with him and Aunty Lim every 2nd and 4th Sundays after our GG meetings. Initially, we had decided to go in small groups and take turns to have communion with them. In the end, after every GG meeting, all of us went to his home to have fellowship with both Uncle and Aunty Lim. We would have a short time of praise and worship followed by the holy communion, exhortation and prayer.

We tried everything and everyway to minister to both Uncle and Aunty Lim. We came to minister to them but each time we left their home being blessed They both opened their home and hearts to us. We saw Aunty Lim growing stronger with a desire to walk and to sing praises and listen from the Word. We saw the strain of the dialysis treatment on Uncle Lim, but not once did he say no to our coming for fellowship and communion. He was faithful to the very end.

As a GG, we have had many special memories of Uncle Lim. His best friend was Uncle Chan. Uncle Lim always greeted Uncle Chan as ‘Lo Chan’. At every GG meeting they reserved seats for each other and always sat next to each other.

One Sunday, after our GG had fellowship and communion with him and Aunty lim, as we were saying our goodbyes, Uncle Lim wanted to follow us to the coffee shop in Taman Tun for lunch. We promised him that we would eat together with him, so the next time we came for fellowship and communion, we bought food for everyone from the coffee shop in Taman Tun and ate together with him and Aunty Lim.

At our GG fellowship and communion with him on 28.1.2007, we celebrated Wing Cheong and Sue Ling’s wedding anniversary with a durian cake. Seng Chor fed Uncle Lim a piece of the durian cake and he enjoyed it. Aunty Lim remembered this meeting and she shared it with Seng Chor when a few of us visited her on the Sunday afternoon to pay our respects.

Uncle Lim we will miss you.

Seng Chor’s GG

Home Calling of Uncle Lim

Our eldest and beloved growth group member Mr Lim Kwan Hooi aka Uncle Lim was called home to the Lord on Saturday, 3rd March 2007 at 8:45 pm, 7 days before his 88th birthday which falls on 10th March 2007. He was born in 1919.

We shall dearly miss his presence at our Worship services.

Friday, March 2, 2007

You're Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.


Matthew 5:1-12
(The Message)