OUT OF UK, GOD CALLS


Dr Voon Choon Khing
Leader – Rumah Harapan (1980 – 1984)
Board Member (1995 – 1998, 2007- present)

My history with Malaysian CARE began with a conversation with the late Rev. Peter Young in London, UK back in 1978. Then in June 1979, he followed up with an invitation for an interview with Malaysian CARE to pioneer a residential home for the mentally sick women, but with no assurance of being employed! It meant burning my bridges in UK and relinquishing my PR after over 9 years of sojourning. That step of faith turned out to be 34 years of involvement or association with CARE ministry in varying capacities as: staff leader of Rumah Harapan (RH) (1980-84), committee member of RH, and now a board member. It has been a very enriching experience for me.

God’s favour on Malaysian CARE has been evident since the inception of her prophetic role to spearhead a Christian social ministry in our nation. Malaysian CARE has been staying true to the Gospel mandate as a faith NGO by God’s grace. We are grateful to the early visionaries on its Board for their selfless, sacrificial giving in service and in gifts out of their passion for God. They were open to the unfolding of God’ plans in and through them, prayerful in discerning God’s ways in organizational management, financial policy with transparency and accountability, while being sensitive to the contemporary cultural changes. Their godly legacy has laid a firm foundation for generations of Board members and staff till today. We testify to God’s faithful providence in two key areas without which Malaysian CARE cannot function effectively: dedicated staff and volunteers; and generous donors. Therefore, we give thanks to our Lord for each of them.

I rejoice that Malaysian CARE is mindful of our ongoing staff development, not only in terms of professional qualifications, but also their spiritual formation. We recognize that the effectiveness of our holistic social ministry does not depend on knowledge and skills alone. We can only be as effective as we are in authentic Christian character by growing in the virtues of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:5-9), failing which we easily fall prey to the pitfalls of ministry such as burnt out, seduction of money, sex and power.

May our Father keep us in the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of wisdom! As we stay rooted in the fear of the Lord, our God who is faithful will continue to watch over Malaysian CARE for His Glory!

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