Easter, 2002

Hi Frenz,

Thanks for all your sms msgs, greeting cards, e-cards and even Easter Eggs ( yeah Gabe, think that was really sweet)... and yes, I'm feeling much better oredi after being struck by a viral fever that kept me in bed for 3 solid days...

Juz a while ago, Peter, Ah Chuan and Ted asked me out for a drink... it was to a place that we've not been to for a very very long time (in fact, I'm surprised that itz still ard)... itz called the Captain's Den near Sembawang Shipyards... though the place is rustic, old and run-down, it is still a great place to chill out... the beer there is cheap... $15.00 for a jug and the even have a band performing there... but the owner told us that he'll be giving up that place at the end of the month or maybe sooner... so sad...

Nonetheless, we had a good time catching up with each other... we've not seen each other for ages so it was really nice,... it was quite a good crowd they have on a Sunday afternoon... most of which were senior citizens, a handful of yuppies, some 'ang-mohs' and some college students... the band played very lively country music which suited the lazy Sunday afternoon fine... even the few elderly ang moh couples were doing some irish folk dancing... quite kool really...
Then there were these two ang moh men one very old and the other younger, who went on stage and asked if they cud jam and I heard the old man telling the drummer... "Amazing Grace????"... the drummer signalled ok but gotta give his keyboard player some time to switch to organ and tune first...

So while the band boys were getting ready, the old ang moh guy decided to entertain the crowd a little with some small talk... and I tell you, it turned out to be an earth- shattering speech instead...

He said, "Hello... Happy Easter everyone... today is a very memorable day of my life... 20 easters ago, I was out sea fishing on this boat with my son and his friend... then suddenly the boat rocked and both kids, who can't swim, fell into the river... I had only one life line with me then... whom shall I save??? my son's a christian, I thought, and if he dies, i know that he'll be in heaven with God... but not his friend... so my choice was obvious"... erm... at that point in time, I cud see a lot of restless faces in the crowd oredi... the table beside us was even saying, "wahlau!! this ang moh try to preach in a bar or wat?"...

then someone shouted rudely across the bar, "cut the bullshit... are you gonna sing or not???"... But the old man turned to that Indian guy and said... "bet you didn't believe that Jesus died on the cross for us did you"... he said that with a darting stare and all of us were concerned that a fight was about to break out soon... luckily the old man changed his tone and said "but I did.... I believed that Jesus died for us... and this, my friend"... he said as he placed his hand on the younger man's shoulders... "is THAT friend of my son's"...

They spoke no more and went on to sing the "Amazing Grace"... and not only that, everyone in the bar sang with them... and everyone sang with arms locked over shoulders... was really moving... Peter even had tears in his eyes...

Later, I found out that the two ang mohs are from the St Francis Mission and both of them were actually pastors... the younger one actually converted after what happened...

eh... itz a timely calling lor... maybe too much a coincidence... I mean after last Sunday's sermon on Palm Sunday... and even today when I pon-tang church and in a bar (of all places)... I'm still getting HIS msg... I'm not trying to turn righteous or what... I really dunno... I also dunno what the fuck am I going thru rite now... but i must admit the feeling of discovering spiritual security, especially when everything else (your entire world) is being taken away from you, it is indeed comforting...

Anyway, Pete, Ah Chuan & Ted, it was nice seeing you guys again and I'm sure all of you were as moved as I was... coz... Pete, I felt u squeezing my shoulders real hard when u sang the amazing grace... HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE...
(KPNN-Inspirations)