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."
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