Mary Tan, also known as Aunty Mary Kok, is a priceless gem. When she heard of Amara’s homecall, she came at once to our home for the wake and she told me that she had come to stay with me. Mary stayed till the funeral was over. When she heard about my fall, she came again and looked after me for 10 days. All glory to God for such a true friend. She read the Bible to me, prayed for me and comforted me.

My children, Shirani, Ashok and Jane were also wonderfully helpful. Shirani applied for a maid for me as I really needed assistance badly. The Canning Gardens Methodist Church where Ashok is Senior Pastor was kindness itself. When they heard that I had broken my right humerus, they graciously told Ashok to stay on with me and assured him they would hold the fort in his absence. When I heard a creak in my right hand, I went to Ipoh and came under the competent medical care of one of the church members, Dr Tai. Both he and his wife, Elaine, were gracious and generous to me. I thank God for this lovely couple. During my stay in Ipoh I had the company of my niece, Evangeline, from Sitiawan. While my arm was in a sling, I could not wear a sari and declined invitations from caring friends who invited me for meals or to do a spot of window shopping. Thank you, everyone, for your love and concern.

I also thank God for our pastor and his wife, June, our cell group members and relatives. They came every night for a month to visit us. My eldest brother, Louis Paul, who lives in Washington, noted this and he said that this was something they miss in the western culture. My youngest brother, Lionel Paul, also came from Bintulu to be with us.

Shirani was capably handling all the matters related to the funeral and the finances. She was also my teacher and advisor – telling me what programmes to watch, how to do the banking, etc. Amara had handled all these things. I had not wanted to go for our church family camp. But Bina assured Shirani she would room with me and take care of me. I am so thankful I went for the messages really ministered to me. Thank you, church family, for the love you showered upon me.

I then went to Bintulu with my second brother, Wilfred Paul and his lovely wife, Prem to visit my youngest brother, Lionel Paul, and his lovely wife, Meena. It was here in Bintulu that God continued to minister His love and healing. The days were filled with enjoyable company, delicious food, refreshing rest and long walks. Each day, for five days, Meena would put on the Calcutta Keswick tapes. Pastor Arun Andrews of the Emmanuel Methodist Church in Bangalore was the speaker. As I listened I took notes and now I am sharing these messages at a cell group in Petaling Jaya in the lovely home of 94-year-old Aunty Ruth Navaratnam.

It was Shirani who first mooted the idea of a cell group for Aunty Ruth. Praise God we’ve had eight sessions so far and again, the Lord has provided wonderful people. I thank God for a dear friend, staff nurse Kim Looi, who gives rides to me and anyone else who needs them. I am the self-appointed leader of this lovely cell group and we have had the most wonderful times together.

I could date my total healing to when I returned from Bintulu. Yes, life has been so exciting and I wait upon the Lord every morning. When I wait upon the Lord, I jot down the things He wants me to do for the day: who to visit, to take some food to, to ring and encourage. I do not drive and Amara did all the driving. Now the Lord has raised up so many angels to drive me to different places. I am careful not to overstretch them. They come to help me once a week and so it has worked out very well. Lydia Wong drives me to visit 86-year-old Grace Shantha. We give her all the news, I play the piano and we sing. Lydia has a compassionate heart and will drive miles to transport visually and hearing impaired people to wherever they need to go. Evelyn Kheng and Kim Looi have also taken me to visit Grace. I thank the Lord for each one of them.

The Lord continues to give me open doors for ministry. Having gone through depression myself, I am now able to minister to the depressed. I continue my ministry to Seelan Richards who lives in Gombak. Seelan had suffered a stroke in 1998. I have taught him about 400 choruses and he has picked them up very well because he is very musical. Every Monday morning I am on the phone with him for an hour or more. Praise God he is a committed Christian. I thank the Lord for opportunities to minister to Bhavari Samuel every Friday and also for the opportunity to be part of the intercessory group that meets in Malath Das’ home.

I truly praise the Lord for the way He fills my days with joy and excitement. My beloved Amara used to say that all who go ahead to be with the Lord will be cheering the rest of us on. "If you fall" he said, "just pick yourself up and continue to run the race." The important thing is to keep running till we reach the finishing tape. Even if we are the last to reach the tape, we will get a standing ovation from those who are in the arena cheering us on. Yes, I am holding the torch and running on.

My daughter, Shirani, has a heart for the poor and so both of us are involved in the ministry to the squatter children who live near our church. We teach them English on Saturday afternoons. Praise God for each one who helps in these English classes: my niece, Shenara Ponniah, Doris and her daughter Felicia, Kun Yeap and her son Anthony and her daughter, Alice Lee, Joana, Bina, Lalitha, Ting Leng and our Pastor Cho Hui who is solidly behind the ministry. I also wish to acknowledge Yeoh Beng Keat and his wife Kam Fong. They are great supporters and enouragers.

I praise God with all my heart for His love and grace and for all the wonderful family members and brothers and sisters in the family of God. Praise the Lord again and again!