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"Ring! Ring!"
Hand searching the phone in the dark, approaching towards the ringing sound. Once grabbed the phone, I looked at the time. It was 6AM in the morning. Hmm...
That day was 10 August 2010 - our first anniversary (Amanda and me)
Time flies too fast! What do you do for these few months? Have you done anything which is worth doing in life? Without hesitation, I got up on the bed, brushing teeth and preparing to find my dear.
Few days ago, when I was hugging her from back. She asked me, "Dear, what are we going to do on that day?" Slowly, I took out the tickets and she viewed it, saying, "To Manukan Island?"
Yeah! To Manukan Island. Most of the couples may go out doing romantic stuffs in city such as movies, dinner, shopping. This time, I wanna be one of those romantic people trying their anniversary on the beach.
At 7:30AM, m dear was waiting for me at her house. She was so excited running towards my car. Hopping into the car, I immediately said to her, "Now let us enjoy our breakfast in McDonald's. She was overjoyed.
At 8:30AM, we went to take ferry at Jesselton Point. There were so many tourists such as Koreans, Westerners, Eurasians... I felt that we were also one of the tourists in that crowd. Many people were queuing to enter the jet boat.
Regarding to this wonderful trip, I would like to give special thanks to our tour guide, George Wong. Though he was not there with us, he arranged everything nicely and in order. Hence, we would not waste any seconds when we reached the island.
First, we went to try Undersea walking. My dear was extremely excited. She will really happy when she entered into the undersea to watch the real live marine swimming around her.
Then we tried the parasailing. That was so awesome! We went into the air and we felt the breeze and viewed the entire Sutera Harbour and other islands. Of course at the same time, we were splashing on water. That was lots of laughters! To speak the truth, I will try parasailing again!
After those activities, the time was around 3PM. We could feel that we were exhausted. However, I could see the smile on her face. That was what I made this anniversary trip for. In the end, I bought her a beautiful hat, and she loves it! We did went to take some pictures before we left. However, what surprised us was the people speaking Korean to us. I guess maybe because of my dear, she was wearing the hat which made people misunderstood that we were the Koreans.
Alright, it was 4PM - time to go back home. My dear missed this wonderful moments. And I was right about one thing. Life is worth having memories of fun.
Two days ago, I went to Keningau to shoot video for wedding. The bride is a Kadazan, and the groom is a Chinese. George followed me to gain experience real photography session. Along our way, we enjoyed lots of conversation and laughter.
When we reached there, we unpacked our things in Queen Hotel. We then received a call from the bride. She said we needed to be there to shoot video at 4PM. She sounded so excited. Of course at that same time, we took a short nap to restore our strength and energy.
At 4PM, we heard a phone call. "Jack, are you ready? I am coming to fetch you now."
We headed to Hotel Juta and followed the bride to the room. As we prepared our equipments, and the bride was preparing for a makeup, where was the bridegroom? When the door was opened, I was surprised to see the bridgegroom was in the room waiting for the bride. I was thinking, "So is this how you celebrate your wedding by waiting your bride in the room?"
As I was shooting video during the makeup, the bridegroom was sleeping on the bed. I felt weird, thinking, "He is not serious about his wedding, as if he just wanna marry for the sake of marriage."
After the makeup, we headed to the kampung where all the people were waiting to celebrate the wedding. I was quite amazed by the groom. He brought a live band to sing on that night. With all amplifiers and sound systems, microphones, msical instruments... Wow! This could be a some big amount of money.
I was finding pretty interesting because the two different races learning each other's culture. On one side of the dinner, it was Halal; on the other side, it was not Halal. On one side of the banquet, it was the Chinese culture. On the other side of it, there were many "Da Bai" (Kadazan original rice wine) placing where all the people could enjoy. Each of the "Da Bai" had a straw, everyone shared the straw together regardless of Chinese or Kadazan. Whether it was hygienic, there was the culture of Kadazan.
When I was shooting video on "Yam Seng", I heard many Kadazans asking the meaning of "Yam Seng". Many Chinese and Kadazan were there, enjoying the atmosphere, dancing, talking, sharing, I began to learn the culture more.
However, what troubled in my heart is the bridegroom. He left his bride aside and enjoyed the drinking with his Chinese friends. Normally, I shot a wedding video, the wedding couple would always stay together to entertain their friends. At that time, George came to me and ask whether we could have dinner. I understood he was extremely hungry. Hence, I made sure every highlight was shot before we went for dinner.
When we were having our dinner, George accidentally heard something when the groom was talking among the Chinese. He whispered, "Jack, guess what? The bridegroom has an intention in marrying a Kadazan. They were talking about using the Bumiputra to buy a cheaper and start something in dark. I even heard that the groom said, 'Now I had married her, we could start our plan as soon as possible.'"
I was shocked when I heard this. No wonder he always left his bride alone in the wedding. The bride just sat there and eat alone, as we also could see her smile on her face. I was thinking maybe she was really satisfied in this situation and marrying a guy like this.
I was more astonished when I heard one of the groom's friends asking him, "Hey! Did your "BIG ONE" knows about this?"
The groom answered, "Of course not! If she knows about this, I will be living in a suffering life. I am a smart man. Of course I will not let her know about this marriage."
Proverbs 6:32
"But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself."
Few days ago, I encountered a trouble in Facebook.
Whenever I wrote any kind of status on my Facebook, a guy would write something sarcastic or "like" it. I was wondering why he would do that to me. Though he did not directly point me, yet I understand he was writing those particular messages to me where no one will know what happened.
It is time to think whether I had wronged him or anything. Seriously speaking, I did not do anything wrong to him. However, why would he write such things like those?
Maybe he heard some gossips about me from outsiders? I do understand there is no way to have NO ENEMY in life. Whenever you live a good and peaceful life for a certain period, someone will want to attack you emotionally by words. From there, you will start to live a life which you will always think of those criticism and insulation. You will start to worry who has made this gossip around you. Your heart will start to depress where you cannot even have the strength to move on. You will feel like escaping to a comfort zone and hide yourself in peace.
BUT... when you think it back, YOU DID NOTHING WRONG! Why do you need to hide yourself from the light? If you can understand what I am trying to describe, this was the situation which most people will encounter.
To speak the truth, I do not hate that guy. Of course, I must admit I did have anger in me. Asking those question, "Why did he have to do that to me?" Still, I have to give compliment to that fellow. He is a smart guy who has his own talents and ideas. But why would such a smart person attack me in the first place?
I was angry in heart. I wanted to rebuke him, and I wanted to scold him. When I was about to write back those unkind words to him, Holy Spirit rebuked me by saying, "Jack, do not do that. You are not supposed to make wars with people."
At that time, you may understand I was struggling/wrestling with my beloved God. A situation where you wanted to take revenge, and your loved ones told you not to do it. And you got to force yourself to extinguish the fire in you. That was terrible.
For God's sake, I do not write unkind words. It is not because I wanted to protect myself, but to protect the name of Jesus Christ. His name should not be disgraced.
In my mind, I started to set plots of how to deal with him when we meet face-to-face in public. I was thinking of how to shame him in public and many other ways to satisfy my vengeance. Suddenly, Holy Spirit said again, "No! You are not supposed to hate him. You should not do that to please your own vengeance. You must love your enemies! You should not make war. You have to be a peacemaker. You have to FORGIVE him as how I had forgiven you."
I struggled! I said, "But God, why did he have to do this to me?"
God answered, "Let it go as how I (Jesus Christ) let them go. I even died on the cross to prove that I do not hate. I love all."
"God, I am sorry. How am I supposed to love?"
"Jack, I died for him too. You have to forgive as I have forgiven you."
I was totally frustrated but I have to obey God. In the end, I deleted him from my Facebook because I knew I would do something foolish if this continues. God is right, I deleted him not because I hate him but to protect the name of Jesus Christ.
Today, as I went to the car workshop to change the car tyres, God touched my heart, saying, "Jack, I am pleased for you do not make war with him. Indeed, you make the right choice for not hating him."
Then I started to pray, "God, I listened to You for You are my God. I should not hate. Guide me. I will love him. In fact, God, help me and him to be good friends again. I really hope there will be no trouble or misunderstanding between me and him. I commit my friendship and him into Your mighty hand. I pray that You will bless his business. And I will forgive him as You have forgiven me."
Right now, even if he continued to gossip and criticize about me, let it be. For I know one day God will be the judge and reign in peace. From here, I did learn something - a lesson which God reminds me not to be too proud when you succeed in life. Humility always comes first even though you are stronger than many people. Always keep my mind in focus, knowing that God is the one who loves and bless me.
Lastly, God said, "Why focus on a person's unkind attitude? Look at your surroundings, Jack. There are many people who will continue to support you and your artwork. Instead of the small dot, focus on the bright side."
Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Continued from Chapter 142: The Suicide
A beam of light came across my eyes. Argh...!
Opening eyes, and found myself lying on bed. The light shone through the window and I began to realize it was the morning.
Looking at the clock, it was 7:00AM in the morning. Going to the toilet and wash my face, turning back to search for Ah Bii. Heard a snoring sound from another room, heading towards the voice, pushing over the door.
Ah...
Ah Bii was hugging his mama Catherine on bed. Both of them were sleeping soundly. When I looked at Catherine sleeping, I could not believe what actually happened during the past four hours.
During lunch, Catherine was still upset about her husband. She kept groaning and complaining why her life was unfair. "Jack, now if you were me, what will you do? "Seriously I have been exhausted for a marriage like this. I want to divorce."
"Aunt, I know I am not experienced like you. However, I believe that is one thing I could share with you. A person whom you can truly believe and depend."
"Who?"
"That is God, Jesus Christ. He will take care of your life and Ah Bii's."
Ah Bii, whom I used to bring to church before the incident, exclaimed, "YES, mama! Only God can take care of us now. I listened to what pastors had shared in church, saying Jesus changes our lives from bad to good. Mama, look at me. I used to be a bad boy, but I have changed."
Catherine smiled and touched Ah Bii's head gently. I continued, "Aunt. It is true. God can help you and your family. Believe in Jesus Christ and He will guide you through."
"What about divorce, Jack?"
"Hmm... I believe divorce is not the right way. However, since your husband ill-treated you, that will be your decision to make."
"Jack, if what you say is true. If Jesus can help us in life, I am willing to believe in Him. You can be sure of this?"
I nodded my head, and she asked, "So what do I need to do in order to believe in Jesus."
"First, you must agree that everyone has sins..." Preaching continued.
During that hour, she followed my prayer and she received Christ as her personal savior. I could see the joy in her eyes, hugging Ah Bii saying, "I am sorry that I have done something foolish. From now on, we will move on life and get a better future."
At the end of story, she divorced. She, together with Ah Bii returned back to Singapore when I was nineteen years old. At that time, that was no email, no cellphone. I did not get their Singapore contact number or address.
I was wondering how Ah Bii is doing right now. God, guide our path into Your way.
