I'M WEAK ENOUGH TO SERVE

Tina Yap
Leader – Services for People with Special Needs (2003 – present)

At the age of 20, I was exhausted and at the verge of giving up coping with my parents’ conditions – father with schizophrenia and mother with different learning abilities. Receiving Christ in a youth group gave me new hope in this broken world. I then joined Malaysian Care, driven by a longing for acceptance among my new found friends.

Of course, my situation did not change overnight. I was filled with anger and my desire for healing and reconciliation seemed elusive. I might have appeared bubbly at work but I often locked myself in the room or hang out late outside to avoid my father’s aggressive behaviour. By the third year, I was certain that God led me to Malaysian Care “for such a time like this” and I trusted Him for my family wellbeing, financial providence, education pursuit and even a life-partner. I was able to show love and compassion to others especially families of children with disabilities and street people when I surrendered my own mourning and brokenness to God.

The best thing in Malaysian Care is the opportunity to mingle with people of diverse personalities and backgrounds. It is a place of creativity and humour! Relating to people is challenging yet I look forward to coming to work everyday when I recognise them as God’s creation who are here to add flavour to my life! I’m thankful for the opportunity to pursue a degree while working, the freedom to design projects and accessible leaders. My exposure to special needs work in North Bangkok in 2011 left a deep impression on me. I was placed to care for 70 people with severe intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders in a ward where human dignity was often compromised. I then determined to make a difference for this special people through Malaysian Care. In addition, going through the flood crisis reminded me to value life and listen to God.

I believe that I am able to last long here because I see my work as a calling, accepting every small task (from throwing rubbish to removing staples) obediently and performing it diligently. Now, my desire for healing, reconciliation and forgiveness for people in the communities is resurrected because I choose to say, “It’s ok that I’m weak. I’m weak enough to serve”.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness… For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV).

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I'M WEAK ENOUGH TO SERVE