By Daniel Pua
It was a day we deliver the donated furnitures to the
refugees households. Graced with a glorious day of 24 Deg C, it was the perfect
weather for the event.
As we fully loaded 2 trucks (with one sponsored by 'Man with
a Van') we embarked on the mission with purpose, it was perhaps like, in a
articulated sense, a bridge of light leading to the illumination of each
household.
We were warmly welcomed by the occupants of the households,
many of whom not having much in the home as they have only recently resettled
in Australia. One can only imagine the ordeal most of them had to undergo,
after an perilous journey & settling in a foreign land with nothing, except
clothes. I read somewhere previously; "The human spirit is the strongest
force there is. As long as the spirit remains unbroken, there is no defeat. The
deeper the dark, the closer the dawn. However profound the suffering that
envelops, never forget the inner spark of hope and courage. Never lose the
capacity to wait with patient enduring" - I felt a sense of realization
that I'm in the company of such.
Following the first few trips, we were concerned that there
may be insufficient furnitures to give to the remaining households. In what
seemed like the work of Him, a phonecall from a household in the vicinity
offered to give out furnitures as they were vacating their premises. The
furnitures were good quality, IKEA make & had a good variety, fit for an
empty household.
Picking up our new load, we headed to the next stop, where
we were greeted with warm hearts by 2 gentlemen. As we loaded the furnitures
into the house, I noticed there were no other furnitures in the house except a
4 seater dining table with no chairs. Perfect fit for the furnitures we
brought, I thought. Also, the table had been laid with plates, glasses, 2
bottles of soft drinks, 2 bunch of grapes & a large plate of chicken Nasi
Biryani (fried rice).
I recalled one of the Stay members had previously visited the
home a week earlier & in the midst of conversations with the occupants, had
casually touched on the topic of Nasi Biryani, one of which both our cultures
shared in common. The occupants said they will cook us some when we return.
The table was mindfully laid out, each plate came with a
spoon which were deliberately wrapped in a fashion that clearly exhuberate
thoughtfulness & care. They have been looking forward to our visit!
I love grapes. Being a student many years back, I recall how
I usually buy cheaper grapes, in a bid to be frugal, I have learnt to
differentiate good quality grapes. Here we have been offered very good quality
grapes, such generosity!
"You should each give, then, as you have decided not
with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly
(2 Corinthians 9:7)" A touching sight & true testament of giving all
when there is none.
This 23rd day of February, 2014 was truly a day of
friendship, & the reflection of the Australian people in general, reaching
out to the refugees-no-more whom have come to call this vast, beautiful, land
of Australia, Home.
It was indeed a blessing to have been involved in this event
organised by Stay, a strong reminder that "Thou shall love thy neighbour
as thyself (Mark 12:31)" that sometimes the simplest acts of love goes a
long way in uplifting the human spirit & transcends culture, language &
differences.
Signing off, a little request that you could say a prayer to
lift up our new neighbours whom have resettled here in Australia; may the Lord
grant them the peace, strength & reconciliation.
May peace be with you; God Bless.
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