As Pastor Neville Tan walked into FTPSS, whispers of 'Iron Man' could be heard, especially from the lower secondary pupils. He was like a mini celebrity that day. After a week long of showing 'True Courage' to the pupils, many were anticipating his coming or rather, they couldn't wait to see Singapore's 10 most wanted. Even as I was setting up the booth for the sale of his books, one rather 'influential' upper Secondary school boy came up and was the first to thrust $10 to my face. I was pleasantly surprised. In a polite tone, he said, "Lao Shi, Wo Yao Mai". As he walked away with his autographed book in hand, followed by his entourage, I pray that the book would impact him and lead him to a real change just as Pastor Neville did.
As I entered the office to welcome him, what struck me about Pastor Neville was the humility and propriety with which he carried himself. To date, Neville Tan is 67 years old and he has had a heart attack recently and 3 bypasses. I am glad he could make it to our school that day. The students were quiet and attentive. Speaking to Neville Tan later, we could only attribute this attentiveness to the power of prayer, among the Christian teachers in FTPSS as well as Neville Tan's church members.
It was a really significant day for me - to realize that the role of an educator in outreaching to the lost in a public school is not limited...sometimes we are just to busy to notice and realize the many opportunities out there. There are many hungry hearts and they all need the Lord. As students came to visit the booth, some just wanted to shake Iron Man's hand, while others stood and loitered. Some were contemplating whether it was worth it to part with their money for a copy of the life of an ex convict. As for the many books that went out, let us pray in confidence that the word of God through a changed life would bring many to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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