I've noticed this particular person, who will wander around Junction 8 and the MRT station with this plastic bag with a few newspapers every night, he never fails to appear. Whenever I walk from the station to my home, I will definitely see him loitering around J8 area. Everytime when I see him, it aches my heart, people walk past him, not knowing he even existed, more often than not, ignoring him. I discerned something amiss with him and have always wanted to speak to him and get to know him more, but didn't know how or where to start. The more I see him, the more I want to speak to him, maybe a chat.
Every night, he'll just sit there, at the line of entrance of Life Bookshop, reading a particular book off the nearest shelf, he looked inconfident with low self-esteem, always looking everywhere else, at a first glance, you might think he's a suspicious person.
Everytime, he will just quietly read the book until the shop closes, he seems very harmless and non-agressive. I've heard from my colleagues that they always see him, it's like a "ritual" to him, to hang around shops, especially a christian bookshop. In my mind, I wondered, "why did he choose a Christian bookshop and chose to read that particular Christian book? There must be a reason to it."
Just tonight when I was the only one on shift, he came again, doing the same "ritual". I thought I wasn't very ready to talk to him yet... hours passed and the shop is about to close. I switched off the music and he got the hint that we're closing, he stood up and asked me in a very polite, gentle and soft voice whether are we closing. I said yes and he smiled at me.
His smile warmed my heart and I decided to pick up my courage to start off a conversation. I begin to ask him why did he frequent the bookshop all the time...
Minutes passed and I realise that he's name is Richard, 40+ years old staying in Serangoon, and I noticed he had some speech problem and the way he express himself, but his english was correct. He told me a little bit about himself, in a very polite
and soft way, his words were jerky and slow, and he stutters. I came to know that he know this Jesus, our Jesus, in fact he's a believer. And that Jesus has helped him alot in his life because he was a loner; no friends, no job. He's staying with his
grandmother as his parents had passed away. I felt sympathetic and tried to relate with him, putting myself in his shoes.
I asked whether he's connected to any church, he said he's not because he claimed that the churches he went to wasn't really friendly to him, because of his appearance and speech problem, putting him aside, I guessed the people didn't really accept
him the way he is. At that point of time, I felt ashamed. I thought to myself, am i willing to accept him if people like him comes to my church? Will I be shameful when walking next to him and seen talking to him?
Suddenly, he picked up this small book entitled "Why am i here on earth for?" and he asked if it's useful, I wanted to buy it for him cause I guess financially, he might be having difficulty as he has no job. I really wanted to bless him with the book but he declined politely, explaining that he read books at a slow pace and was worried that he couldn't finish the books at home. I was touched by his humility and his learning-heart for Jesus despite his current situation. He said he'll come again another day and we ended the conversation with a warm smile and a wave goodbye.
I really want him to know about Christ more, in my mind, I wanted to invite him to my church, but I guess I need to know him even more first. I really hope to see him again and hope his life have a greater change for the better.
I learnt that we have to accept anyone who comes along our path despite of their inner and outer appearance and to be observant about our surrounding people, especially people who needs help and a friend or someone to talk to. I think I've a heart for these people and my heart aches when I see someone left alone, as if not in existence...
Hope to see him again...
hey it is really true. Jesus came on earth for the low in status ins ociety, who does not fell self-sufficient and this meek eprson belongs to the kingdom of God. No need to wait!! Hurry, get a Hope person to contact this guy....btw he's similar to Kok Keong hor....Kok Keong can relate to him..alright man!! Let's accept any1 fro this nation.
it's a pity how we can sometimes blindly ignore those ppl less-than-fortunate to us.
in e same way, my heart & prayers goes all out frm them; silently.
wat wld u say to those bros & sistas in Church who, reacts the same blindly way, towards another follwer in Christ?
By 
JaiRachelle, at
1:31 AM
