Chapter 7: On the Dark Street

During that night, it was raining gently. Looking at raindrops rolling down the glass, leaning my head back the chair, looking at my watch, it was already 12am midnight. All I could hear was the sound of bus engine.

I was extremely tired, and without any notice, I felt asleep during the journey back to Penampang. Suddenly, the bus stopped, I woke up. I turned my head around, and I saw a Chinese man besides me, and a Kadazan old couple behind me. On that bus, there were only five persons left including me and the bus driver.

The Chinese man was a muscular man. He was bald headed. He looked scary, or should I say he looked dangerous? I was actually terrified, because I was only sixteen years old. He turned his head back and look at the Kadazans sternly. Then he went towards the Kadazans and said fiercely, "Return back his things!"

The Kadazans were very afraid as the Chinese man was a tough and rough guy. Immediately, the Kadazan man took out the takeaway box and returned back to me. He apologized, "I am sorry." 

Then I realized that my takeaway box was stolen during my sleep! The food in the box would be my breakfast for the very next day. The Chinese man then sat down and look at me, "Hi, young man. Be careful with these people. They are not good people. You need to be alert. I will be leaving at the next stop. So, take care." 

The Chinese man left the bus after the next bus stop. Hence, only the Kadazan couple and I were the passengers in the bus. I was so afraid during that time. Looking at the watch, it showed 12:30am. I needed to endure for two more bus stops then it would be my destination. I was trying to stay calm, and make myself more relaxed by singing songs softly. After two bus stops, I immediately left the bus and started to walk as fast as possible. There were no street lamps, no light to show the front. All I could do was to move forward.

Though I heard nothing except the raindrops hitting on the ground, I kept imagining there was someone else walking behind me. I needed to go home as fast as possible. That walk to my house was to take 30 minutes at least without LIGHT! I was not a Christian during that time. But I PRAYED! Though I did not know what prayer is all about. In my mind, I prayed, "God! God! God!"

I kept imagining all the good things such as happiness, funny matters, video games... All of these thoughts were to replace my fear. I even sang songs to continue my walk. If readers know where KDCA is, that was the road I stopped my bus. From there, I walked to Supertanker without street lamps. I knew I was extremely tired but I still needed to move on.

When I reached Supertanker, I found the street lamps! From Supertanker to Jalan Shantung, another 15 minutes walk. Along the way to Jalan Shantung, strayed dogs were hanging around that area. The dogs were fierce and they barked at me. Their bodies moved forward towards my legs as if they wanted to bite my legs. I picked up the stones and the dogs quickly moved backwards. They continued to surround me with all sorts of annoying barks. Then I found out I was actually standing there for 5 minutes. At this time, I ran back. At last, I reached home and feel so warm. Looking at the house environment, though I was living alone during that time, I felt so secured and warm staying in the house.

Readers, this is our life. We always have fear to move on. However, if we are daring enough to think positively and act on our goal and dream. We will eventually reach our destination. No light, no safety and no security, if you were me, will you move on? Or would you rather stay on the same spot and complain, "Why is my life unfair?" Would you let the dogs bite you and say, "This is life. We cannot do anything."?

We do have many obstacles in life. As I have mentioned in Chapter 3: Road Block, will we overcome every bit of the problems and move on till we reached our goal? Now I believe most people who do not succeed in life are facing this factor - fear.

Proverbs 29:25
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."

Chapter 6: Credit Card

"Hello. I am calling from HSBC Bank. Is this Mr Wong?"
"Yes. I am. Anything I can do for you?"


"We would like to offer you a credit card -Visa card. These few days, we will send a letter to your home address and you can come and verify yourself after you have received the letter."

For the first time in my whole lifetime, I never have a credit card. I do not know what to do about it. Therefore, I called many people for their advice.

Some said, "Actually, credit card is quite good for some situations. However, do not always use the credit cards for purchasing items. Or else you will be in full of unnecessary debts. Having a credit card is not a bad choice. Keep it for future purposes. It will be very handy sometimes."

Some said, "Well, when you need it, then use it. When you do not need it, never use it."

Some said, "Once you got credit card, you will need to pay annual fee and some sort of payment for the continuing of credit card usage or duration.You may need to find out how to waive the payment and try to get it as low cost as possible. Hence you will not be in trouble of having all sorts of ridiculous payments. Credit cards are quite useful nowadays. You must use it in a right way."

Lastly, I called my brother Gary for advice. He said, "Never apply for any credit card. Never accept the offer from any bank regarding to credit card. Credit card is "debt" card with high interest. If you do not pay by this month, they will continue to add high interest every month unless you manage to pay off every bill."

"People said it could be handy in doing some situations." I replied.

"The banks nowadays are having a strong competition in demanding the customers to apply credit cards. They will definitely offer every customer for applying credit card. During our grandfathers' time, the banks only offer the wealthy men to have credit cards. Right now in this generation, it is different. They offer everyone including the poor. Rich men use more, they pay more interest; poor men use less, the banks still earn their interest. You know what? One of the successful men in this world teaches us one thing - never apply any credit card. He is a millionaire, yet he has no single credit card. He says credit cards only collect debts for you. Credit cards never earn money for you. When time moves on, you will collect whole piles of unwanted debts which most of them are INTERESTS."

I was stunned. He continued, "Only by investments, you can succeed. This is what that millionaire says. Therefore, I also do the same thing. I used to have two credit cards. And it is true. I always have all sorts of unwanted payments to continue the usage. I seldom use. I remember I used once or twice for my transactions. Guess what? I pay 16% of interest for purchasing some items only. 16% interest! This is ridiculously HIGH! Why let the bank earn your hard-earned money? In the end, I cancel both my credit card. What we can do right now is Debit card. Debit card is so much better. You can manage your own money. It is because Debit cards depend on the amount of saving you have. Do you have one?"

"Yes, I got Maybank Debit Visa Card."
"Then that is good enough. Listen to me. Never apply for Credit card. Even when you succeed in life, getting richer and richer, no credit card. Then you will always live in wealth and not debt."

At night, my dear had dinner with me. I also shared with her about the Credit card. She answered, "Never apply for Credit card, because it is a "debt" card with high interest."   

Proverbs 13:10
"Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."  

Chapter 5: Six Years

After shooting banquet video, I immediately rushed to a friend's house at 11pm. At that moment of time, I was feeling exhausted. Actually I supposed to have supper with Sim, my good friend who is a photographer too. This friend of mine suddenly called me during the banquet and ask me for help. That matter had to be sorted out before midnight.

When I had arrived to her house, she was very excited to meet me. She said, "So, let's finish this business as fast as possible." She could not wait any longer, because she had hit her target at the last day of May! As her leader, I had promised her mother S that I will definitely take care of her daughter's business.

Therefore, S was there. I was rushing all the way to complete all the business thingy in no time. When I looked at the clock, it showed 11:15pm. Then S asked me, "Is it possible to complete the matter as the postal company has closed at this hour? How do we send out the documents?"


"Do not worry, aunt. I got an idea! In this situation, we only got one solution left - Multimedia."

She looked at me with a surprising expression, and ask, "Multimedia?"

I took out my SONY camcorder and took photos of the documents. One page by one page, snapping every single piece to make sure none was missed. Connecting the cable to my laptop, and using the smart phone to become the USB tethering. Internet connected! Taking out the photos, "cut and paste" into my desktop. Compressing the photos and immediately send email with photo attachments to the company address. S was impressed. She laughed and said in amaze, "So this is the solution you are talking about?"

"Yes, aunt. That is the only way. We did it on time. Look! Exactly 12am midnight."
I smiled.

My friend was so joyful and said, "We did it!"

"Hey! You know what? I am very hungry." My stomach was groaning.

Then she went into the kitchen to make some food. S was sitting at the dining table and continue her own business. I was helping my friend to rearrange the whole business issue. Then she said, "Thanks Jack, you have been very helpful. I can see that you are very responsible." 


"My pleasure. I will guide her for sure since she says she wanna be wealthy in finance and health."

"You know what? Since young, when 15 fifteen, I had already cultivated a habit of reading about success. I always read about successful men stories. They are the one who really encountered all sort of hardship and they overcame them. That is why I have no reason to fail in my own business."


"Aunt, to speak frankly, you are indeed a strong mother. You got a great business to manage, and you have three children to look after. I really admire your responsibility."

"What can I do if I give up? Leaving the children gone astray?" She smiled. I remained silent. then she continued, "Jack, where did you study when you are young?"


"Primary and Secondary in Singapore; University in New Zealand."
"Since childhood, you did not stay with parents in Singapore?" 


"No. We were already being trained to be independent. We took care of our own problems. We searched for our own resources. Even in New Zealand, I worked as a part time, studying at the same time. The job was to feed my daily need."

"This is impressive. I really hope my children can be like you. They always need my help. Sometimes I really want them to grow up and understand my burdens. Hence they will start their own career and live a better future. Then after University, where did you work?"


"I served the Lord for six years. Last year, then it was the first time I entered the society. 2011 is my second year."

She looked at me with surprise. "Serving full time in the church for six years?"
I nodded my head.

"So what do you gain while serving in the church?" She was curious.

"Aunt, I praise the Lord for I spent my youth time serving in the church. I really learn a lot of things in the church. Every minor thing which we learn in the church, sometimes we do not get the knowledge from society. The Lord really bless me. I thank Him for He looks after my need. Last year, in overall, I should be considered as one of the successful beginners as compared to others who just enter the society. It is not because I am very talented. It is because of the Lord who bless me till today, and it shall be forever. The Lord gave me opportunities to manage church ministries. From there, I know how to handle issues."

S laughed for a moment, and she continued, "I, too believe so. From what I can see just now, how you handle my daughter's business matter, I believe you learn those little knowledge from the church."

My friend came out and served me with her homemade food, and said cheerfully, "Jack, since you help me out, here is the reward. You MUST finish it."

When I turned my head at the clock, it was already 1am in the late night.

1 Samuel 18:14
"In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him."