NOV 11, MIRI – As the second semester examinations draw near, Senadin Methodist Preaching Centre (SMPC) members took ownership to cook Love Soup (chicken soup) to a delighted group of more than 160 Curtin undergraduates and guests last evening.
Pastor-in-charge Rev. Jabez Tiong welcomed everyone in the packed centre. In his opening message, the good shepherd thanked the pioneering batch of church volunteers and praised them for their love toward the students.”Tonight is rather special. I am indeed blessed to say that we now have more members from SMPC than the pioneer volunteers cooking the chicken soup for this event. This is a significant breakthrough for us and I thank God.”
Initiated eight years ago by a Small Group from Grace Methodist Church, the Love Soup is served twice a year before every semester examination. Chicken Soup is traditionally served in Asian families and is known to enhance mental alertness and energy for students in preparation for examinations.
For SCAC Methodist missionary Karen Goh, it was an eye-opener as she volunteered to serve the Love Soup for the first time. Based in Japan for the past four years, Goh praised SMPC in her short message of encouragement. “Most churches organize in-house fellowship gatherings for their own members but this evening, I could see there are also non-Christian friends present. This is a very good way to conduct outreach to our unchurched friends. Rev Jabez, you have done a great job,” Goh voiced.
“I was very touched tonight. The feeling is the same when Mum cooked chicken soup for me at home in Sekinchan. Though home is far away, I can still have a bowl of love soup that makes me warm. I appreciate it much. This also shows I am not lonely in my university life with everyone in the church caring and loving me. Thanks for sending this love to me,” said Lim Jin En, who is in Year One Accounting.
Roland Soh, a Year One undergraduate taking Bachelor of Technology, was thankful and appreciative of the heartwarming soup. “Unlike the soup sold in the Kopi Tiam, the soup provided is less salty, thus nutritionally good for us. Thanks for the lovely soup and thanks to those who spent time for cooking!”
In closing, a group photo was taken after the end of the dinner to remember the happy event.