Darkness at noon

I was in Taipei when the Sichuan earthquake struck, and I had no inkling of the severity of it until I flew back to Singapore. I had not seen any TV footage of the destruction, and even though there are so many video clips on youtube now, I am still at a loss as to how and where to start.

From what I could tell, those who saw the TV footage were very affected by it because many children died and there were many clips showing their bodies and grieving parents and grandparents, even nurses. And I read many accounts, which illuminated humankind at its best - heroes, charity concerts, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, soldiers, men in the street, rescuers going without sleep - and at its worst - looting.

I told my colleagues that I wanted to look at the TV news footage, and they asked me why I wanted to see things that would make me sad. I couldn't respond at that time. Now, after some thought, I think I want to see those video footage because I want to share in this collective grief, which makes me human.

Now every day, I'm reading online reports of the latest developments in the earthquake zone. As some have rightly said, charity doesn't just end at charity concerts and the here and now, but there is a need to ensure that the process of rebuilding, which could take years, is also well taken care of. As such, efforts by Chinese, HK and Taiwanese artistes have focused on not only just the immediate needs but the longer-term redevelopment of the devastated areas.

I remember someone saying that the saddest and hardest thing for parents to bear is that their child dies first. In the Sichuan earthquake, my sadness comes from thinking of the life a child could have lived if he hadn't died, and the many many things of this earth that he will never experience; however, this grief is cloaked in joy because I know that this earth will never match up to the wondrous place that is heaven.

My prayer is that God will send His love to those suffering through ways in which He knows will touch their hearts the most, and give them peace and closure.

Another fruit

Ever so often, one comes across a person, an event, a video that encapsulates God's love. I just watched a youtube video of a little Korean girl, Ye Eun, who was born blind and could play the piano by the age of 3 on her own. God must have deemed her really special to give her such a gift as perfect pitch and the ability to play the piano without any training at all.

I loved a Korean song about Jesus that she sang in the video. The lyrics go like this:

Thank you although I didn't quite understand
What an important being I am
From the beginning of the earth till now, Your (Jesus) love
Has been giving it to me
Thank you very much for teaching that love
That was approved from God
With Christ's love I'll serve you more
You are meant to be loved
and to pass that love
You have planted Christ's love
Wishing for another fruit
Wishing for another fruit

The video also featured Connie Talbot singing alongside Ee Yun. What's the measure of Connie? At the end of their performance, Connie kissed Ee Yun and also gave her encouraging rubs on her back. I was very impressed by Connie because such actions come from a kind and loving heart. A heart that reflects Christ.

When small things matter

On my flight back from a trip to Taipei, I was sitting next to this twenty-something girl who looked a tad pale and sick. I noticed tears flowing down her cheek at one stage. I tend to get very affected by such things. I tapped her shoulder and pushed a tissue paper into her hand and asked her if she needed a hot Milo drink. She said no and thanked me for the tissue paper. After that, she closed her eyes and was asleep for most of the journey.

When the plane landed at Changi Airport, she opened the overhead compartment and asked me in Mandarin if the bag of stuff was mine. I replied to say yes and told her not to worry about me and to take care of her own belongings. When the cabin door opened, she smiled at me and waved bye to me. I felt very happy just to be able to help a stranger in that small way.