Page 13 - Malayan Story
P. 13
MALAYAN STORY
Book of Isaiah of His blessing on the children of those who serve and obey Him. (See endnote)
It was God’s Word to me and it brought comfort and assurance. In the years which lay ahead our
children faced many problems and we were often anxious about them, but the word given me as I set
out for Malaya remained as an anchor for my soul, and reassured me over and over again as we
prayed for them.
So I found peace, and as we slowly moved in to Singapore harbour and I went up on deck to look for
Percy’s familiar face and figure, I knew that my Shepherd had led me into green pastures and into
quiet waters, and had restored my soul.
***
Meanwhile in Singapore, Percy’s uncle George Findlay Andrew (GFA), who himself had been a
missionary with the CIM in China for many years (See my story, “Three Score Years and Ten –
Missionary Work in China” the story of three generations of the Andrew/Moore family in China
1881 – 1950) was living at this time in Singapore and working in the Education Department. So
occasionally when Percy could get away from his own busy programme, he visited his uncle in his
flat. One night, when having dinner with him, a Chinese couple, Mr and Mrs Li, had been invited
too. Percy was interested to find they had been in China during the War and Mr Li had been in the
Air Force. “After a few minutes conversation, I found him looking closely at me and he asked if I
had been a chaplain to the American Air Force in Hanzhong during the War. When I said I had, he
said he had been with the Chinese Fighter Squadron stationed at Hanzhong. I remember them well
because a number of the Chinese boys used to come to our evening service, and helped a lot with the
singing, even forming a choir. Li said he never came because he went instead to the Roman Catholic
Church where he could have a game of cards and get a drink of wine! He remembered seeing me
many times on the street and at the airfield. It was great to talk with him and it gave me a good
opportunity to talk to him about the Lord.”
On 23 June he was writing, “I am a free man now and can get on with my own job properly.” He
went on to describe the arrival of the Headquarters staff from Hongkong. “The Morris car was the
first to arrive. Then Arnold Lea arrived by plane, after which came big crates of office furniture.
Eleven members of HQ staff arrived by ship with over 100 boxes containing all the office files. We
had a few hectic days alright. You should have seen us, pouring with perspiration, prying open
boxes and moving beds and office furniture. Then everyone had to get properly registered and
identified by the police. Two or three had to get Singapore driving licences, but as soon as this was
done my responsibilities were over. The whole takeover has been without a hitch. Right to the day
all the previous boarders moved out and we took over all the crockery and bedding etc, etc, without
any trouble. I have felt it a real privilege to have had a share in the moving of Mission Headquarters
to Singapore. Once again the Lord has worked for us and given us a suitable place from which to do
His work.”
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13
Book of Isaiah of His blessing on the children of those who serve and obey Him. (See endnote)
It was God’s Word to me and it brought comfort and assurance. In the years which lay ahead our
children faced many problems and we were often anxious about them, but the word given me as I set
out for Malaya remained as an anchor for my soul, and reassured me over and over again as we
prayed for them.
So I found peace, and as we slowly moved in to Singapore harbour and I went up on deck to look for
Percy’s familiar face and figure, I knew that my Shepherd had led me into green pastures and into
quiet waters, and had restored my soul.
***
Meanwhile in Singapore, Percy’s uncle George Findlay Andrew (GFA), who himself had been a
missionary with the CIM in China for many years (See my story, “Three Score Years and Ten –
Missionary Work in China” the story of three generations of the Andrew/Moore family in China
1881 – 1950) was living at this time in Singapore and working in the Education Department. So
occasionally when Percy could get away from his own busy programme, he visited his uncle in his
flat. One night, when having dinner with him, a Chinese couple, Mr and Mrs Li, had been invited
too. Percy was interested to find they had been in China during the War and Mr Li had been in the
Air Force. “After a few minutes conversation, I found him looking closely at me and he asked if I
had been a chaplain to the American Air Force in Hanzhong during the War. When I said I had, he
said he had been with the Chinese Fighter Squadron stationed at Hanzhong. I remember them well
because a number of the Chinese boys used to come to our evening service, and helped a lot with the
singing, even forming a choir. Li said he never came because he went instead to the Roman Catholic
Church where he could have a game of cards and get a drink of wine! He remembered seeing me
many times on the street and at the airfield. It was great to talk with him and it gave me a good
opportunity to talk to him about the Lord.”
On 23 June he was writing, “I am a free man now and can get on with my own job properly.” He
went on to describe the arrival of the Headquarters staff from Hongkong. “The Morris car was the
first to arrive. Then Arnold Lea arrived by plane, after which came big crates of office furniture.
Eleven members of HQ staff arrived by ship with over 100 boxes containing all the office files. We
had a few hectic days alright. You should have seen us, pouring with perspiration, prying open
boxes and moving beds and office furniture. Then everyone had to get properly registered and
identified by the police. Two or three had to get Singapore driving licences, but as soon as this was
done my responsibilities were over. The whole takeover has been without a hitch. Right to the day
all the previous boarders moved out and we took over all the crockery and bedding etc, etc, without
any trouble. I have felt it a real privilege to have had a share in the moving of Mission Headquarters
to Singapore. Once again the Lord has worked for us and given us a suitable place from which to do
His work.”
Return to Table of Contents
13
