give up . Only God could help . It took 10 long years of crying out to Him before He answered her prayers . “ I do not know what I would be now if not for God in my life ,” she confesses .
When things took a turn for the better on the home front , Mummy Chia shifted gear in her Christian journey . She was finally baptized at the age of 46 . She sent the children to Sunday School , prayed and read her Bible diligently . Precious to her to this day are Psalm 23 and Psalm 112 , by which she determined to live . “ I only began to serve the Lord when I was old ,” she shares with a tinge of regret . With an empty nest now , she became more active in the church and continues to go on mission trips .
TO SARAWAK , CAMBODIA WITH LOVE Matron Chia has rendered her skills on various trips when the church sent medical mission teams to Sarawak and Cambodia . She has a special soft spot for Cambodia , having visited and ministered at His Child International nine times , a record for anyone in the church . She is the unofficial leader of teams there . Even when her knees were weak , she continues to visit each year , bringing loads of precious cargo for the children at the homes . She also goes with her grandchildren , who have invariably caught her vision and mission . What a heritage ! Even a spinal operation on a pinched nerve did not stop her for long as she was soon up and about again .
Gifted with a passion for sewing from a young age , Mummy ’ s quilts are a sight to behold . Months before each mission outing , she would garner support in cash and kind , books , clothes , sandals and whatever could be donated for poor children .
Mummy Chia has raised a class of ladies , teaching them to knit , sew and craft . Friday afternoons see these ladies at her home happily learning new sewing skills . What a wonderful way to pass on a beautiful heritage to the next generation ! Together with the class , she would spend time sewing handicrafts for sale to raise support . Her finely crafted bags and dolls would be snapped up very quickly . Asked what inspires her to visit again and again , Mummy replies , “ Seeing these poor children in Cambodia reminds me of the times in health service when I had to visit local kampongs to render aid . It gives me great joy .”
NURSING THE AGED After her retirement from nursing , her husband William , fell ill and passed on several years later . It was during this time of nursing her sick husband and also during her stint of working in the geriatric ward in a private hospital that she saw her mission field in nursing the aged . This has become a staple ministry since . She has volunteered for many years now at nursing homes , where her skills and caring service are well-received .
It is this burning compassion for the weak and helpless that still sends her zipping
across the town in her little car , even at 85 , to volunteer twice a week at the geriatric home . “ It gives me joy to help the patients , some of whom lack family love even in their twilight years ,” says Mummy Chia . “ I even have to persuade them to eat their meals .”
She remembers a special moment when she was called to the bedside of a dying elder .
“ I was proud and privileged that I could pray a simple prayer to calm his restlessness just two hours before he passed on . He was the elder who interviewed me before my baptism ,” she muses .
OPEN HEART , OPEN HOUSE Mummy has such a big heart she even opens her house to people recuperating from operations or anything that invalidates them . Be it a major operation , or a broken arm , she lovingly nurses friends back to health .
Mummy ’ s house is regularly a hive of activities as she warmly hosts outstation speakers or missionaries . It is often the venue for meetings for the senior fellowship . A regular group of younger friends gather readily for meals at her home on the slightest excuse – a birthday , a festival , anything at all ! She is the ‘ hostess with the mostest ’ to many .
I remember the days before our mission trip . The floor of her living room and kitchen was strewn with boxes and boxes of books , clothing and whatever we were bringing to Cambodia . It was messy . But it did not seem to trouble her . Her active and hardworking lifestyle , even when not in the best of health , puts many of us to shame . She even has time to grow ( and give away ) her own vegetables and raise a bright and beautiful garden .
I tasted Aunty Chia ’ s caring and sharing
BY ALICE KOH
A WEEK AFTER MY HYSTERECTOMY OPERATION in July 2009 , I went to Batu Pahat to recuperate . A church sister , Susan Lau , introduced my husband , Aaron , and me to Aunty Chia . Though I was a stranger to her , she welcomed me with open arms and showered me with tender loving care . Together with Susan , she nursed me back to health . She personally went to the market and cooked nourishing ‘ confinement ’ food for me .
During my month-long stay , I found that she was indeed a very gifted lady . With sharp eyesight and nimble fingers at 79 , she was still doing all kinds of sewing and handicrafts . Some days she would just sit and chat , sharing all her life experiences . Indeed , her life story was more interesting than a Korean drama ! I felt really blessed and privileged to have come into fellowship with Aunty Chia . She is gentle , kind and very generous . She truly reflects the love of Jesus Christ , and genuinely loves and cares for the welfare of those in need .
In November 2013 , when I fractured my left clavicle , I again came “ home ” to recuperate . Aaron and I call her home the “ TLC Home ” – “ Tender Loving Care Home ”. I want to thank and praise God for this beautiful and wonderful lady , a true reflection of God ’ s love .
WHAT KEEPS HER GOING ? “ The joy of spreading God ’ s love and seeing people happy ,” was the simple answer of this grand old lady – a mummy indeed to many . Mummy ’ s full life is a shining example of simple faith with good works , an epitome of Christian womanhood . She is a blessing to all , and someone to emulate .
Alice and Aaron worship and serve in a Presbyterian church in Melaka . Goh Bee Lee finds joy in good books , true friends and the great outdoors . Much blessed by God with three children and six grandchildren ( and counting ) she glories in being a beloved of the Lord ’ s . First published in www . deargoldie . com March # 14 2016 . Used with permission .
ASIAN BEACON 48 # 1 December 2016 - January 2017 15