As a child in primary school, he would be drawing comics at his desk while the teacher was teaching. But the days of inattentiveness in class stopped after he entered secondary school. He began to cultivate a hobby of collecting Japanese comic books, and even began to learn drawing from others. Then while at Teachers’ Training College, he started to write. To this day, he is a guest contributor for the children’s section of CMM (Chinese Methodist Message) – “Children’s World”. He is a local author of children’s literature – James Wong Ching Ping.
“My father loved buying children’s books for us to read. My siblings and I enjoyed books like “Children’s Paradise “, “World of Children”, and “Old Master Q”. They had the biggest influence on me as I was growing up.”
the seeds of literature
James Wong is a primary school teacher. He was born in Sibu, Sarawak in 1966. His father was a headmaster. Even though his father passed away when he was in primary 3, the seeds of literature had already been sown in his heart, taking root and sprouting. Through the comics of “Children’s Paradise”, he read the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West” as well as other classic tales such as “The Little Mermaid” and “The Little Match Girl”. They left an indelible impression on him.
“From personal experience, I realize that reading really needs to be cultivated from an early age. The things you read as a child have a huge impact.”
In 1987, he began to write. At that time, he was at a Teacher’s Training College. In the beginning, he submitted articles to the “Bamboo Garden” of the Miri Daily Newspaper. He continued submitting articles, and in 1996 he suggested starting a children’s section “Children’s World” in CMM. In 1997 when the children’s section was added to CMM, he naturally became responsible for it.
At that time, the contents of “Children’s World” included his comics and little stories he wrote about faith and character. Later, as “Children’s World” became a separate edition, an editor was put in charge of it. He then became the guest illustrator.
He believes that there are too few children’s works published by the church, especially by the Chinese church. Those children’s books about Bible stories have been republished constantly, with very few new works produced, leading to a general lack of reading materials for children.
“I would go regularly to the local bookshop, and I would see a lot of children’s books for other religions. But Christian children books are scarce. It makes me wonder, if our next generation reads these books, would it influence their thinking? We should reflect on this issue.”
Of course, children’s books from the English church are plentiful, so he would often buy them. Unfortunately, because these books are usually imported from overseas, the prices are also quite high, so not every family can afford them.
children literature
Not only does he enjoy children literature, it is also an interest and passion. As a primary school teacher who spends more time with children, he understands the thinking and needs of children. And so, these experiences become the source of inspiration for his works.
Furthermore, the works of Taiwanese writers Hsing Lin Tsi and Chang Hsiao-feng have influenced him deeply such that his own works are neither lengthy nor wordy. They are often based on real life.
“People today are all about speed. They don’t like to read articles that are too long. Short articles in blogs and social sites are more acceptable to young people today. So my works tend also to be short.”
Currently, his other creative work is writing songs. He puts the words of a textbook into song, teaching the children to remember through singing helping them to learn more efficiently.
James strongly believes that reading is the best investment that parents can make for their children. Reading will never be out of fashion and is a worthwhile investment. Children who begin reading from young are less likely to go astray. “Parents can buy books for their children, and even bring them to the library to read. This is a most economical activity.”
Wong also exhorts Christians to use the written word wisely to glorify God. The church also needs to train more writers to work for God. If the church does not begin doing this, it won’t be able to catch up with others.
Indigenous
ministry
He is also passionate for church ministry. As one of the leaders of the BM ministry at Logos Methodist Church, his concern for the gospel among the indigenous peoples is another important passion in his life.
In 2001, Sibu East district social concern board started a BM Sunday School in the Dorcas Center at Tong Sang Road, coordinating with the Logos Church Sunday School. At the time, he was the secretary at Dorcas, and was also involved in BM ministry.
In 2003, he started BM Sunday School in SJK Uk Daik. Then after stepping down from his role as Sunday School superintendent, he continued evangelical visitations among the indigenous people around Tong Sang Road and Bukit Assek. On 27th August 2014, the BM fellowship at Logos was formed. In 2015, a BM ministry board was formed, and he became chairman of the board.
obstacles
Since space is limited on Sundays, BM fellowship in Logos takes place on Wednesday nights at 7.15pm. At first, the BM fellowship faced many obstacles. Many of the indigenous people would be noisy during meetings, even smoking, arguing, fighting, and sniffing glue in the church. Upon seeing this situation, he decided to make discipline a priority. Now the fellowship is more orderly, and some of them are growing spiritually.
“The turnover rate of indigenous people in this area is very high. Their spiritual growth is very slow; we patiently keep repeating and teaching them before we see a little effect. But even this little effect gives me great encouragement.”
“I’ve scolded them, lectured them, loved them. But discipline cannot be lax, because as new people come in, we need to maintain the current attitude. We cannot be inconsistent.”
full commitment
He emphasizes that the ministry among indigenous peoples is a ministry that requires full commitment and sacrifice, because they need people who can accompany them over a long period of time. Once they acknowledge you, they will not be easily lost, but if you cannot stay with them for long, they will not be able to get to know you, and might even leave because of your leaving.
Indigenous people ministry is not just leading fellowships or BM Sunday School, but it is befriending the indigenous people and understanding their family problems. Usually in a family, one of the children may join the fellowship. If family visitation happens through the child, the gospel may be brought to other family members.
worthwhile sacrifice
“So once you commit to indigenous people ministry, please don’t take it lightly. It needs long-term commitment. Even though this can be more tiring, any sacrifice made for the glory of God is worthwhile.”
Though the Methodist church has had many years of experience in the indigenous people ministry, he believes it is not enough, because he can see that others are working even harder than the Methodist church.
“In order to live, indigenous people are coming to cities in great numbers. We cannot catch up with their population growth, so we need more people to commit. Today this door is open, we need to hurry up and enter through it. Once this door closes, it will be hard to open it again.”
In fact, it is not hard to carry out indigenous people ministry, especially in the city. With some ability to speak Malay, one can make contact with them, build a relationship, and then eventually share the gospel with them.
Interviewer: Menglei
Interviewee: James Wong Ching Ping
Recorder: April
Translator: Joy Tie