Building an ark
to save lives
The wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6: 5), and God said: “the earth is filled with violence through them; and, I will destroy them with the earth” (Gen 6:13). However, God was merciful and compassionate and He commanded Noah to build an ark to save lives! (Gen 6: 20-21). God had given 120 years for the people of that time to repent (Gen 6: 3). Unfortunately only Noah and his family chose to build the ark and got into the ark while all other people were drowned in the flood!
In the days of Noah, God told the people that the flood would come after 120 years. But today no one knows when the second coming of Christ will be, they only continue “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” like the people of Noah’s time. (Matthew 24: 36 -39) However the Son of Man may come at any time. Therefore, we need to be ready at any time. We should build the ark, get into the ark and wait for the second coming of the Lord.
Peter said, “Don’t forget this fact, dear friends: With the Lord a single day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3: 8-9)
While waiting for the second coming of Christ, we are seeing that evil and sins are spreading and at the same time people are in more need. So we need to build an ark not only for our need but also to call others into the ark so as to save lives. Methodist Church has built a number of “arks”: churches, children’s homes, care centre for the disadvantaged, kidney dialysis centre etc.
Building an ark
for drug addicts
The Sarawak Chinese Methodist Church began the prison gospel ministry in 1991 and found that many prisoners committed crimes because of their drug abuse. So the church planned to start the drug rehabilitation gospel ministry so as to help these drug addicts to recovery and to live a normal life.
In 1997, a piece of land of over 6 acres located along 10th mile Oya Road was bought for building the rehab centre. The building plan was approved by SPA and the ground breaking ceremony was held thereafter. Due to the lack of dedicated persons for the ministry, the construction of “the ark” was delayed.
Today drug abuse is becoming a bigger problem! The drug addicts are involved in some social problems such as robbery, snatch theft and violence. There have even been tragedies whereby drug addicts killed their parents or loved ones. Upholding the teachings of Jesus Christ on the “good Samaritan” i.e. saving the drug addicts and their families, the Methodist Church thus started the drug rehabilitation gospel ministry in 2013. The parsonage and Youth Centre of Sing Fu Methodist Church, Ah Poh, Sibu, was rented at a token rental as the rehab centre. This centre, Victory Home, is the first rehab centre run by the church in East Malaysia. For the four years since inauguration more than a hundred drug addicts were helped and got back to the family.
Today, this centre which can accommodate only 32 inmates is getting too small to meet the need. The Board of Social Concerns and SCAC have approved the proposal of the Working Committee to resume the Oya Road rehab centre project. The SPA has also approved the slight modification of the plan. The project cost is estimated to be around RM4.5 million (SCAC allocated fund will be RM 1 million). The site will be fenced. Half the site will be for building and recreation purposes while the other half will remain as a camp site. The earth filling has been completed. The invitation for tender for the construction of the project will begin upon approval of the plan by the Land & Survey Department and the SMC. For the prompt construction and completion of this “ark project” so that lives of more drug addicts could be preserved and saved, we wish that all brothers and sisters will not only pray for this project but also donate generously toward the construction cost.
Your participation
1. You can adopt the priced units and specify the naming of the unit.
2. You can also donate any amount as you wish.
3. Your contribution can be settled one-off or by installments. (Please specify)
4. Please bank-in your contribution to “Construction Committee of Victory Home” account:
Bank: Am Bank (M) Berhad
A/C name: VICTORY HOME
BUILDING FUND
A /C NO: 888-101-6004350
A photocopy of the bank in slip should be sent to the Construction Committee Chairman: Ting Diu Kiong 0168892930 or Treasurer Ling Ming Kiu (Fax: 084-327972).