Many people are curious as to why I chose to come to Curtin Sarawak when there are many other universities in West Malaysia. I believe many West Malaysian students will reply the same thing:
“We've been 'cheated' by agents to come!”
Indeed I am one of the 'victims',
considering that I have been rejected by every university I have applied to
after high school. Since I do not want to enter a public university, upon
consulting my education agent, I flew across the sea to this 'dismal' place. But
due to this as well, I am given the treasured opportunity to befriend my dear
Senadin Methodist Campus Gospel Center brothers-and-sisters. Before coming
here, I do not have a clear belief, just an occasional incense worship. As my
parents have no objection that I attend church, as long as I do not mix around
with delinquents. I confidently told them that they don't have to worry,
because SMCGC is filled with good people!
I remember my first day in Miri
vividly. Due to my naivety, I did not call up my landlord in advance, hence I
was forced to spend a night in the hotel. On the morrow, I tried to enter my
rented house but no avail. It so happened that my neighbor at that time, came
out and asked if there's anything he could help. And my neighbor was Pastor
Jabez Tiong, a total stranger to me at the time and the first person I got to
know in Miri. He suggested that I put my luggages at his place. As he was busy
then, he told me he was bringing me to another person's house. I don't know
about most people, but I was a little scared then, because back in my hometown,
if there were ever someone who offered to bring you to another's home, it will
be best not to follow. Because that person may end up a kidnapper, or from some
form of cult. However I had no choice then. This was indeed God's plan, to
provide an opportunity for me to learn more about Christianity. Pastor brought
me to a brother-in-Christ's home then left. I still remembered receiving an
invitation card to SMCGC from this brother. Due to both of us being strangers,
we lacked conversation topics amongst us, so we just looked at each other and
smiled awkwardly for an hour. Thank goodness it was nearing lunch time then, or
else we had to be like socially awkward penguins for even longer! The brother
brought me to meet more church brothers and sisters. After lunch we even went
down Miri town together. I was thinking to myself:
“Why are these people so different from my hometown's folks?
The people here are so friendly, so keen to help, so caring, whereas back home
people tend to be the exact opposite.”
Later on they brought me to
fellowship. At that time I brought along a curious mind, to see whether the
people in church are as warm and helpful as they are. To my surprise, it is
true! This is also the starting point of knowing Christ for me. The first
fellowship made me felt the warmth and care of my brothers and sisters in
SMCGC. SMCGC also became my second home in Miri. I remembered during a
fellowship once, a sister asked me whether I wanted to join a TOP course. She
told me that this course would help me to understand Christ better. I thought
at that time the course would resemble some sort of lecture series. I also saw
on the bulletin board the registration form for TOP 2: some sort of a
next-level course to TOP 1. Overall both sounded like fun, so I signed up.
Alas, I discovered later that, not only I had to attend the course every week,
but I also had coursework to do! However I told myself that since I had
participated, I would try my best to complete it. After the first course, some
brothers and sisters even approached me to help me with understanding the
contents of the course, and even asked me if I would trust in the Lord. It was
then I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. Through God's guidance and
blessing, I successfully completed the TOP program.
Through TOP, I got to know Christ
and church more. Moreover, faith in Christ has also changed my life. Where
previously I was very quiet; I am starting to be active and involved now. Where
previously I love my family; I love and treasure them even more now.
