The Year of the Rooster had my family visiting Mom in Kuching.
On Reunion Dinner night (Jan 27), I was delighted to receive a WhatsApp message from the BB Sarawak State Commissioner, Hon. Capt. Lo Hoi Fook. He graciously extended an Open House invitation to my family for the first day of the Lunar Year.
We arrived at Commissioner’s house around 6:30 pm. The rain arrived too. In my heart, I was silently encouraged by Deuteronomy 28.12, “The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands…” Yes, raining is a blessing!
Armed with an umbrella and a big smile, Commissioner warmly welcomed us and brought us in one-by-one from our car that was parked at the gate. One lady Officer Lt. Chris Han and her family had earlier arrived before us. Within an hour, more guests came.
Hannah, the Commissioner’s wife, was equally welcoming and hospitable. Stepping into their house makes one feel like stepping into a mini BB depot! I was awed by the BB commemorative and award badges, and other paraphernalia adorning the walls and in the cabinets.
We had a wonderful meal with our fellow Officers, their spouses and children. The few hours just flew by in a blink of an eye because we enjoyed every moment. We learned from Commissioner that he had been inviting the BB Officers and their families to his house every Chinese New Year for the past many years. “I can still recall some of the Officers were single then and now they are married with kids! It’s a pleasure for Hannah and I to see our Officers grow and progress through the years,” the good Commissioner commented.
“This is our yearly activity for the first day of Chinese New Year. And it is the best gathering of all,” declared Lt. Desmond Chan of 2nd Kuching.
Lt. Michael Hung also of 2nd Kuching expressed his thoughts with fondness. “I was a young Officer then when I was first invited to Commissioner’s Open House. It’s so heartwarming. We chat at the same level, we laugh, we enjoy the good food and most importantly, we have special bonding time,” he said.
“It’s wonderful to be reunited with fellow BB members and their families. It’s like a big family coming home from a hectic year of work and school. To see all the familiar faces gives me a wonderful sense of nostalgia and reminds me of the fun times with our BB family,” added Lavender Bong of 9th Kuching Coy Girls’ Wing.
In the car on our way home, my eldest son proclaimed he had such an awesome evening and in future his children will be enrolled in The Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia! This is, indeed, a “BBlessed” family we have, all praises to God!
By James Wong
Agape Grace Methodist Preaching
Centre, Miri.
(The writer serves as a Warrant Officer in 4th Miri Coy, The Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia. His wife is the Captain of the mentioned Coy. The story was first published at jameswong.wordpress.com.)