I met Dr S.H. Tow as he was walking into the John Sung sanctuary at Calvary Pandan yesterday minutes before service began at 1030hrs, and broke into a casual conversation with him.
It ended up with him saying, "I should treat you to a meal one day. Give me your number."
I did and this morning, he called me for lunch at the above mentioned restaurant.
Yum.
I found out a lil more about him. He carried gifts in a simple plastic bag. Chinese books - probably evangelical, and a church calendar for 2007. He must have been a regular customer at Summer Palace. The waitresses knew him, the captain knew him. He remembered their names, and tries to remember the new people he meets. He chats them up, in a jovial and warm way, finding out where they are from, what dialect, and speaks that dialect. He gave 2 of them a book, and a calendar each. I received a calendar from him.
I asked an open question, "What do you think of abortion? I have always been wondering" "Oh, we use it for birth control. But its bad." he said. "Are u speaking from a gynaecological point of view, or a Christian point of view?" i probed. "Both. Its bad." Seeing he didn't want to speak more about it, i diverted my attention to the sumptious tim-sum in front of me, and the other conversation around the table - his wife, his family member (don't know who) and a couple (his friends).
After he paid and as we were heading toward the lift, he asked me, "So Jeffrey, what do you do for recreation?" "I run." (first thing that could come to my mind) "Oh, me too! I just ran 4000m last week..... Around the swimming pool. 20 rounds." I raised my eyebrows, "Isn't that rather monotonous?" He replied promptly, "Oh, i run a few rounds, and then sit down to memorize Bible verses, and carry on."
Interesting.
Maybe i should do that, but memorize medical facts instead. He has retired in glory from his medical career, i am just starting mine.
Blessed afternoon. He will head off for Melbourne to do the hand-over of the church building for Ebenezer BP Church. It is an exciting time ahead for our church there.
