My Testimony

Blessing-in Disguise
Year 2000 marks the onset of a new millennium and a new beginning. I got into a top class, 3A, of which I was appointed the monitor. Everything seems perfect until I was diagnosed with Leukemia, cancer of the blood, on Jan 2000.
From then on, my life changed drastically. Due to my weak body immune system, I had to stop attending classes in school. Week after week, I had to undergo intense chemotherapy to eradicate the cancerous cells. This treatment had a physical strain on me as the lethal drugs administered kill healthy cells inevitably, thus causing tiredness, nausea, vomiting, etc. Despite the unpleasant side-effects, I managed to pull through because of God’s love working in my life, as well as the love and support from my family and friends. Two particular persons (apart from my parents) whom had seen me throughout the entire ordeal were Mr. Wee Tat Chuen, my former Captain of 33rd Boys’ Brigade Company, and Mr. David Chan, my former officer.
Apart from being the Captain of the company, Mr. Wee was also my A.Maths-cum-form teacher. Despite his hectic schedules, he would give me tuition classes on A.Maths every week. At times when I was worn-out by the treatment, he would lay those books aside and talk about interesting happenings in school, and jokes to brighten my day. Furthermore, he would bring along some classmates, whom I dearly missed. Once, he organized for 20 to 30 Company Boys to pay me a visit. We had a fun-filled singspiration and hearty chats that fateful night. It is through these times I spent with Mr. Wee that I found him to be really sweet and thoughtful.
Mr. David Chan, then an officer-in-charge of my batch, gave me bible studies every week. These bible studies were crucial to me as he often reassures me that “God is always here for me” when I was often overwhelmed by the pains and sufferings of the treatment. Through verses such as Philippians 4:13,”I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”, he encouraged me not only to persevere on, but to be an example to others that they may remain strong in times of misfortune too. Occasionally, Mr. Chan would also rent video tapes which depict real-life testimonies of how former cancer patients such as DJ Billy Wang, had overcome similar ordeals. This was a boost in morale to both my mother and me, on knowing that cancer patients can be fully-treated.
I am grateful for their presence. The unconditional love and support they had given me surpass the responsibilities of an officer in The Boys’ Brigade. Their actions have touched my family, so much so that my parents whom were Buddhists, allowed me to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. A Blessing in Disguise, indeed. Through this incident, I have been inspired and thus returned as an officer in 33J Boys’ Brigade Company, to bless my Boys just as others had for me.

Junhao Loh
Officer Cadet,
33J Boys’ Brigade Company