Chapter 4: RM2.50

I was following my brother Gary's car, talking to him at the same time while his children were having fun, and my sister-in-law was listening to our conversation.

He was sharing many things to me, and our talk is always endless. Then my sister-in-law asked, "Where are we going to have our dinner?"
"I guess Fook Yuen in KK area is the best. I like the Dim Sum. Well, before that, I would like to fill up the car petrol. Where would be the nearest Shell Petrol Station?" Gary replied.

I showed him the way to Shell Petrol Station where it is nearby Cathy Cinema. Then Gary reminded me of our childhood. He asked me, "Hey! Jack, do you still remember the kopitiam where the economic rice cost only RM2.50?"

"Of course, how could I ever forget the kind Christian uncle who had compassion on us?"
"We added our rice for free, and refilled our soup without a single cent. That uncle indeed was a very kind man!" Gary told his wife in awe.

Both Gary and I used to be poor once. We had insufficient pocket money daily. We ought to eat less and save for our bus fares to get home. During that season, we only could spend less than RM6 a day including bus fares which already cost RM2. We could not spend much on food. All we could spend was fried pisang, and fried ubi. That was a hard time for both of us.

I met a guy who was studying the same college as mine, we were taking LCCI diploma. He too was a poor guy. Both of us seem to get along well with each other. Then he introduced me to a place for cheap food. He said, "I know a place where the economic rice was only RM2.50. Three varieties with free rice refill."

I was amazed by his saying. From that day onwards we always went there without fail. That was how exactly I know about that place. However, this is not the point. I wanna share about that uncle. He never mention his name to me. He did not share much of his things to me. I remember the most about one thing he said, "I never work on Sunday, because I always go to church on Sunday."

During that period, I was not yet a Christian, but I knew he is a Christian. The first impression which he gave to me is that Christians are kind and caring people. Whenever I asked for rice and soup refill (sometimes four times), he never charge me a single cent. I admit I did take him for granted - adding rice like nobody business. That was ridiculous act of mine. He never frown to me, he never show anger or irritated face to me, he NEVER. He always smiled to me and always make sure I had enough. I also remember that he said, "Young man, your parents were not here in KK. You seem to be a tough boy. You can live alone, and your house is so far away. That could be very dangerous. Do you cook at home?"

I shook my head. He continued, "Don't worry, young fellow. You can always fill your stomach full every time you come here. I will take care of you."   

One day, I was lacking of money. I could not buy anything for my dinner. I was so hungry during that time. I only got RM1 left with me. That RM1 is my bus fare. I doubted I got food to eat. As I walked and walked, without noticing it, I actually stood in front of that kopitiam. That uncle called me, "Hey! Young man! Come! The food is hot and good. What do you want for your choices today?"

I was extremely hungry. And I put down my face slowly and walked towards him in embarrassment. That uncle was looking at me with a smiley face. I said in humility, "Uncle, I got no money to eat."

That uncle was silent for a while. Then he called me to his side. "Young man. Come here. It is alright. You cannot make yourself hungry. Who is going to cook for you at home? Come. This time, let me treat you."

I was very surprised by his kindness. And of course, I ate that meal. Every spoonful of rice and food entered my mouth, I thanked God sincerely though I was not yet a Christian. I said in heart, "LAO TIAN YE (God in Heaven), thank you very much for this wonderful meal. I will do the same for what this uncle has done to me. I must do the same to those who are in need of help."

After a period, our family came to believe in Jesus Christ. As I read the scriptures, and I found Matthew 25: 35-40 and I began to understand why that uncle was so kind to those needy.


"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

That was true. That uncle did not do much to change the whole world, but he changed a heart of a young man. He influenced him. That uncle had showed the exact example as what Jesus has taught to do - love one another.

Job 29:16
"I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger."


  

Chapter 3: Road Block

"Jack, are you at home? What are you doing?"

"Transferring video data. Pretty Bored though. Let's go yamcha while the data transferring is in the process."

George fetched me from my house, and decided to go to Damai for a tea break. Then he asked me, "Do you know there is a road block nearby Beverly Hills?"
"Police checking?"


"No. There was a tourist bus accident. There is a restaurant near the round-about. The tourists were having their lunch over there. And there is a steep slope going up to the restaurant. I believe the accident occurred when the bus was trying to brake slowly down the slope."


"So how do you go to my house? Another way round from Supertanker?"
"Yes. Luckily I am not going through that blocked way."

As we were talking about the road block, we went to check out the road condition. Of course, the road which was blocked is to enter Beverly Hills. Our way is to going out to Bukit Pandang. Hence, our road is fine and smooth. To our astonishment, we saw a huge long pile of car queuing. And we saw a huge bus blocking both the fast and slow lane. The cars on both lanes were piling up till the end of the traffic road of Lintas! That was terrible! We saw every man in every single car was pointing the bus to show their frustration and anger. Some of them  behind thought there was police checking. Some of them were very annoyed with the block. Most of their mouths were talking. I believe nothing good came out from them at this situation.

Then I began to think about our life goal regarding to this road block. The question is "Who is our 'Road Block' in life?" When we are pursuing our big dream along our way to success. Something or someone will definitely get into your way to success. It is really discouraging to say sometimes this issue will bring us down. We may not wanna move on; we will stay there and complain about the situation. We only find excuses to cover up our failure. When the bus is removed, every car can move. If the road block is unsolved, forever the obstacles are there. The greatest problem of human beings is to complain and do nothing about it. When complaints are spread, no one really wanna do about it.

For example, some salesmen failed to achieve their sale target, they will complain, "It is because of the customers' rude attitude." Some students failed the papers, they will complain, "It is because of my studying environment. My parents always nag and annoy me." Some bosses failed to gain opportunities on big projects, they will complain, "It is because of my partners. They never find me and discuss with me."

The main problem is "Where is your action?" Once your actions begin, you will definitely overcome your "road block" one by one. Not only that, you will not drag others down keeping all the "cars" behind suffering of impatience. Others can gain benefits from it, and continue to move on their journey. We must think carefully regarding to our "road block". We can eventually harm others by creating burdens without knowing it. The greatest example is - when a student does not study hard; he failed his studies; he got no job. Naturally, he gives finance burden to his own family. He does not even have the ability to support himself. How can he be able to take care of his family? What about his own future family?

Definitely I say this to myself, "No, Jack. Never I allow this happens in my life. I want my wife to live happily and comfortably. I want to support my children who gain great education. I must at least have life insurance for my children and wife. I must take all these responsibility which God has given to me. I will take away all my 'road block' and complain no more"

Readers, there are reasons for being rich and poor, good and bad, healthy and unhealthy. From today onwards, we must find out all our "road block" and make our lives better and healthier.

2 Corinthians 11:9
"And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so."    

Chapter 2: From A Friend to A Stranger

"Hey! Brother!"
That fellow looked at me with a weird grin, and continued his things. I was surprised to see his expression like this. Then I moved forward and greet him, "How are you, V?"


He just nodded His head and ignored me. I was hurt.

We used to be good brothers in Christ, and now we are totally strangers. Sometimes, life happens to be like this, readers. Hence, I should say this is common in life. It is funny that those who are not so close to you, they really treat you with sincerity. Actually this was the true story between me and that fellow. I had a dispute with him regarding to the photography. He was a photographer for my precious day - Valentine's Day. I proposed to my dear and gave her a ring as a witness of love. Of course, in reality, who does not take this matter seriously?

There were three photographers during that special day. I hired them to shoot our proposal day. Indeed, who will not want to remember it especially girls? After the whole day of photography, we had a tea break in Starbucks Coffee, Warisan Square. I asked them to give me the photos as soon as possible. Three of them had agreed to give to me at the end of February.


As time passed by, I kept on contacting V for my Valentine's photos. "Hello, V. When can I have the photos as you promised me you will give at the end of this month? And also D's photos. Will he email to me?"
"Yes, I will contact D and tell him to email to you."


I added D as friend in Facebook. D uploaded our Valentine's photos and tagged me. In other words, D had completed his editing. Hence, by right, he should be ready to send the photos to me. Therefore, I posted on his wall asking, "Hey! Bro, when can you email us the photos? We are waiting. My email is...." 
D showed no reply. He ignored my wall post and continue to chat with other people who commented on his wall. I was feeling very unhappy. Again, I called V, "Hey! Bro, have you contacted D for the photos? We are waiting for more than a month. I posted on his Facebook wall, he did not even reply me."


"Maybe he is busy. He got no time to reply your wall post." V said.
"There is ridiculous. Why did he comment on others' wall post and ignore mine?"
"Ok, I will contact him again and tell him to email you."


Another week has passed. That was 10 March 2011. I continued to post on D's wall and he showed ignorance. I was truly frustrated and called V again. "V, have you contacted D? I did not receive his photos. I am still waiting. Is this how he treats his customer?"


V replied, "Ok, I will contact him again and tell him to email you."
This time, I asked, "Alright. Give me a specific time. When is it going to be done?"
"Friday."


Friday had arrived. We also had a DAP youth party in Menggatal. At that time, my dear called me and share her anger with me. "Why did D keep on dragging our time? We wanted the photos for so long."


Of course, I could not control my anger and immediately called V again. "V, we still have not received D's photos." (Still in a gentle voice)
"Oh! Is it? I will contact him again and tell him to email you." (SAME SENTENCE?!)
"Wait! V, what do you mean? During this period, you have not contacted D, have you?" (My voice turned into a stern tune)
"Actually Jack, I am busy too. That is why I do not have the time to contact D." He sounded annoyed.
My mind was thinking, "You got time to pick up my call and explain this stupidity. You do not have time to call D? Even a minute, you cannot even call?! This is nonsense! You got time to interact with him in Facebook, praising his photography and asking how to improve in photography. You got no time to ask him a simple question 'When you gonna email Jack the photos?'"

I scolded him, "V, I am very disappointed with you and D. As professional photographers, you should understand the quality and integrity of a profession. Right now, is it because I am your brother in Christ, then you can let me wait like nobody business? If you are busy, you can inform me and always find time to solve my problem. Why am I so persistent in asking about the photos? That is our Valentine's photo which show my proposal to my dear. Do you know that I called D? This fellow did not even pick up my call. You sure he is serving in quality? I guess not. I am very disappointed with you."


"Ahhh... He he... Ok ok.." V replied with an embarrassed smile.
"I have paid my service. Is this how you serve me? In fact, I am not satisfied with your photos at all. (Seriously, it is a waste of money since the photography is not good.) It is because you are a photographer. I wanted to support you and give you encouragement. I choose to hire you as my Valentine's photographer. And in the end, these are the quality of the photos. So disappointing!"
"Jack, we use our concept to shoot photos. To me, I think the photos are great."
"V, now who is speaking? My dear is a customer. Do you understand? Do you know the meaning of customer's satisfaction? Do you want me to shoot photos of you and your wife which you both will not be satisfied? Then I tell you 'This is a concept.' Do you get me?"


"Ok, Jack. What is your purpose of this calling?" V was frustrated.
"Purpose? You still do not get it? I am complaining. This is a complaint call, V. I called you to say that we do not want D's photos anymore. Never will I support your photography group. It makes me disappointing. Yes, you always tell us to hire you all for my wedding. Right now, do you think I will hire you all again? Seriously, I wanna give you all a chance to be my wedding photographers. Right now?"
"Jack. I..." V was feeling very embarrassed.
"We are still brothers. I just hope that you will improve your quality service towards the future customers. Customers are very important. I just do not want this to happen to the next customer."


After that, we did not keep in touch. Till yesterday in Cyber X, Damai, I saw him, and take the initiative to greet him. However, look at his expression. Feeling disappointed on this matter.
We are once friends, now strangers.


3 John 1:5
"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you."

Chapter 1: Let's Start Afresh Once Again.

"Jack, time to restart your blog." A blogger said.

This is pretty encouraging when people who actually read your blog tell you that they miss your updating blog. Unfortunately, my blogger had been hacked since August 2010. And of course due to the time of tightness, it is absolutely hard to find time for blogging.

During this time frame of August 2010 to May 2011, there are so many things happening in my life. So many things to blog about, so many things to share around on which we should take precaution on. Sad to say, I also forgot most of it. If I could remember, it will be good to start afresh with a whole series of great incidents supported by God's words.

I apologized for those who keep following my blog previously. I believe most of my supporters have lost contact with me. I won't be surprised to see none viewing my blog right now.

At the start of blogging, I actually just wanna share out what i see and know and feel in heart. I do not really matter who's looking at it. Hence, it is also the same to continue blogging without any viewer. All I do know, when I become successful one day, my blog chapters will turn into a real book.

Once again, I introduced myself again. I am Jack Wong, a Christian who is pursuing his dream goal and life. Life changing is his main focus. To bring great encouragement to people around, and to change the thoughts and mind of people into a better positivity. Personally, I prefer to write about other's instinct about the problem which we were facing daily. I do agree that we will shape one another when we share more of our life issues. Of course, the solutions of every issue as well. We will together mould one another with the experience of others and get to know how we can improve our lives into better.

God bless you, readers.

Proverbs 21:12
"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."