Page 57 - Malayan Story
P. 57
MALAYAN STORY
Austin van, and with God’s man to look after it, it was not long before the little dark red van with
its bright yellow lettering in Chinese and English became well known all over the Federation.
Before the Prices retired, another keen young Chinese Christian man with business ability became
available to help them, and by the time they retired, he was ready to take over the management,
which meant that the shop was now completely under Asian control.
The Evangel Book Centre had become a part of our lives, so it was a shock when in late 1958 the
Prices were told that they must vacate the premises b the end of January 1959. In the two months
following the notice to quit, Ken looked at over 40 possible locations with “key money” ranging
from $30,000 to $60,000, and one man even told him that he might as well save his energy as he
would get nothing without key money. We prayed about it, but when we met for our Friday night
prayer meeting just a week before the deadline, there was still nothing in view. Saturday came and
the Prices were within 5 minutes of closing the shop for the weekend when they were told of
another possible place. It was as near the centre of the city as their present shop, but the owners
were asking no key money and the rent they were asking was reasonable. So, only a few days
before the move had to be made, everything was settled and the agreement was signed. God was not
only teaching us missionaries lessons of faith and trust, but He was also showing the infant church
in Malaya how to trust Him too.
In 1956 we had a visit from Cecil Johnstone, the team leader of Scripture Union in India. He held a
big public meeting in Kuala Lumpur and visited a number of schools. Up to this time the Scripture
Union Bible readings had been used by various individuals and some groups, but after this,
Scripture Union classes were held in many churches in the South Malayan villages.
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57
Austin van, and with God’s man to look after it, it was not long before the little dark red van with
its bright yellow lettering in Chinese and English became well known all over the Federation.
Before the Prices retired, another keen young Chinese Christian man with business ability became
available to help them, and by the time they retired, he was ready to take over the management,
which meant that the shop was now completely under Asian control.
The Evangel Book Centre had become a part of our lives, so it was a shock when in late 1958 the
Prices were told that they must vacate the premises b the end of January 1959. In the two months
following the notice to quit, Ken looked at over 40 possible locations with “key money” ranging
from $30,000 to $60,000, and one man even told him that he might as well save his energy as he
would get nothing without key money. We prayed about it, but when we met for our Friday night
prayer meeting just a week before the deadline, there was still nothing in view. Saturday came and
the Prices were within 5 minutes of closing the shop for the weekend when they were told of
another possible place. It was as near the centre of the city as their present shop, but the owners
were asking no key money and the rent they were asking was reasonable. So, only a few days
before the move had to be made, everything was settled and the agreement was signed. God was not
only teaching us missionaries lessons of faith and trust, but He was also showing the infant church
in Malaya how to trust Him too.
In 1956 we had a visit from Cecil Johnstone, the team leader of Scripture Union in India. He held a
big public meeting in Kuala Lumpur and visited a number of schools. Up to this time the Scripture
Union Bible readings had been used by various individuals and some groups, but after this,
Scripture Union classes were held in many churches in the South Malayan villages.
Return to Table of Contents
57
