Permai Snapshot
Issue 46 October 2021
About the Author: Alvin Wong and his wife, Erna Liew are blessed with a daughter and a son. He runs a business in the glass and aluminium industry and serves in the church’s Christian Fellowship Ministry. He enjoys marathon and always finds joy amidst hardship in life.
I
By: Alvin Wong | Translated by: Chloe Woo
was talking to my mother the
hanging out with the wrong peers, other day and we talked about my he exhorted me countless times, father. While gently stroking my face, “Son, don’t walk on a slippery path.” she said heartily, "Son, If you had Stubborn and self-willed, I always listened to your father, you wouldn't answered him arrogantly, "Dad! If I have gone through so much walk carefully, I’ll be fine." Yet, in the suffering now." I held my mother's end, I slipped and fell heavily. If it hand and said, "It's worth it. At least weren't for God's grace, it would be I’ve learned how to cherish and love.” impossible for me to get back on my When my father found out that I was feet.
From obedient to rebellion I grew up being an obedient child and a book lover. When my nephew, who was a year older than me, went to the primary school, I cried in secret out of envy. My father felt sorry for me, so he ended up sending me to a kindergarten. I was overjoyed, and I reciprocated with gratitude by obtaining first place in my grade. After that, my primary school grades had always been among the best, and my teachers were very fond of me. At that time, my female BM teacher would give me a new pencil case every year. So, I always had the most beautiful
pencil case in my class. When I received the new textbooks at the beginning of the academic year, I would ask my second elder sister to tutor me at night so I could finish reading all the books in the shortest time. I was a quick learner when young, so the exams were never difficult for me. Every night, I would share with my parents about what I had learnt in school that day and make up funny stories to tell them about my life in school. My clearest and most profound memory is during my childhood.
I went to church frequently during my primary school days. The stories at the Sunday School such as Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel and King David were deeply imprinted in my mind. However, when I went to high school and entered the rebellious period, my sense of justice was used at the wrong places. I mixed with the wrong peers, engaged in conflicts, and I turned into a nuisance to my teachers. In Form Four, at the advice of the principal, my father sent me to my uncle's house in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, I spent two years in the Catholic High School. After leaving my high school, I joined the mob and committed crimes. Although there were times when I wanted to change, I failed. In 1990, I was wanted by the police and went into hiding. I was arrested in 1993. The police invoked the Emergency Act and detained me for 60 days. I didn't need to go to the court but I went directly to the detention centre for two years. We called it the underworld elite club. It was full of criminal geniuses, and I was the only fool there.
Tearful farewell to parents, life taught me a lesson After losing my freedom, there was no regret but only unwillingness in my heart. I was planning on how to be more cautious in the future and only retire after making a fortune. When my parents came to visit me and I saw their tears rolling down, my heart ached for the first time and I knew very well that their hearts were bleeding. Pretending to be strong and persuasive, I assured them that I was fine and that they shouldn’t worry about me. Before leaving, my dad told me, "Repent, son!" I burst into tears at his words, and I nodded convulsively. At that moment, I made a decision as I wiped away my tears and saw my parents off. I swore to myself that I would not act recklessly and break my parents’ hearts ever again. I grew up instantly. I picked up the Bible that my sister had given me, knelt before God to confess my sins and repented. I humbled myself in prayer and asked God to give me peace so that I could uphold myself in this wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Every day, I would wake up early in the morning to read the Bible, pray and work hard. In the afternoon, I would worship and exercise vigorously to exhaust myself so that I could sleep soundly until dawn. At night, I would read and cultivate my mind with a grateful heart. Unexpectedly, two years were added onto my sentence, but I remained calm without any complaints. I was determined to receive my punishment once and for all. Four years later, another year was added onto my sentence, but I was clear that I was counting down to my freedom. On a morning a few days later, the number 265-93 was called and I was freed! My friends cheered happily for me. I bade
farewell and thanked each one of them. After finishing the formal procedures, the officer advised me to repent and to never return again, just like how he had previously told the other released detainees. The loud clang of the iron gate as it closed heavily reminded me that this freedom was hard-earned and should therefore be cherished. They warned me to not look back after stepping out of the gate as this was a taboo that would result in my future return to the detention centre. I didn’t believe in it, so I looked back to remind myself to not let my suffering and tears in there be in vain. Then, I strode away towards the beautiful land of Canaan that God had promised.
God accepted and changed me over and over again In these few years, I had never stopped reading the Bible and praying. I held onto God’s promise and believed that He would definitely make a way for me as His promise never fails. Indeed, He gave me a beautiful and lovely wife. He also blessed my career and gave me two children. I thought that my life would be smooth sailing from then on. But because of my pride and ignorance, I served both God and mammon, as I went to church and practised Feng Shui at the same time. I even had an extramarital affair, started bad habits of drinking excessive alcohol, abusing ecstasy, and engaging in sport betting. I quarrelled with my wife so often that she ended up having severe depression, and my
having severe depression, and my career plummeted too. I tried to commit suicide, but I survived. I went to the pastor so often that he would be afraid at the sight of my call. Later on, the pastor introduced me to a Gospel Transformation Centre. At the centre, I fell to my knees once again to confess my sins and repented to God. I prayed that He would change me so that I could testify for Him, and God indeed answered my prayer and changed me again. There was a period of time when I was haunted by my past. For a long time, I isolated myself, had no social interactions, and did not wish to talk to others. Even after the
church service, I would rush downstairs to wash the dishes. But I kept praying to God, “Oh God! Please give me strength, give me confidence, help me to stand up bravely, and stop living a life of avoidance and self-abasement. Help me to be cheerful and optimistic again.” God answered my prayer, and He healed my weaknesses. Today, I am willing to share about my past to glorify the miracles that God had performed on me. I also hope that my experience can be a blessing to others to exalt the name of God, and I hope that the transformation in my life would bring more people to know and trust in Him.
Looking at the past,
I have experienced miraculous grace. Looking at the future,
I have my trust in God's abundant promises. Looking at the present,
I enjoy God's overflowing blessings.
Now, I want to say to my father who had rested in God’s embrace,
"Dad! Don't worry, your child will no longer walk on the slippery road. Your child is now walking in the ways of the Lord." Editor: Ocean Chan ▪ Proofreaders: Deborah Chow, Choo Ting Hou ▪ Designer: Josaphine Tiong Please send articles & feedback to: permaisnapshot@gmail.com Interested to join the editorial team? Scan the ministry QR code or speak to us at 016-3374560
