Sunday, March 29, 2009

Tribute to A Dear Uncle & Brother

Uncle Ronnie, thank you for all the love that you have showered upon my family. You were that selfless uncle, who, at the ring of your mobile, will speed down to any hospital in Singapore, to visit anyone, strangers or friends alike, to comfort, encourage, pray and minister to them. My dad was no exception. You were there daily for him in his two weeks of hospitalisation, initially cheering him with jokes, praying, keeping him company and cheering him on. Despite that short period, you have not only impacted his life but that of my mom, my siblings and my relatives. My siblings remembered you to this day and when I told them you had gone home to be with the Lord, their initial reaction was that of unbelief and shock as you were one of the most amazing person they had ever met and will probably ever meet. As a result of your selfless genuine love, care and concern for others, they have been touched by you and they were there on the first night of your wake to pay their respect and honour to you - Uncle Ronnie, the one man whose life baffles and amazes them, who spent his life caring for others, never put himself before others and would often go out of his way to reach those who were in need. Thank you Uncle Ronnie for being there for us and most of all for being that Christ-like example to my unsaved siblings.

We have always known you as humble as you always were; cheerful and always displaying an invigorating presence. You were often a counsellor when the times called for it and anyone regardless of age, sex, language or religion can come to you no matter what the reason or circumstance was and you will be there to comfort, to encourage and to love them.

We have all lost a friend, a brother, an uncle and a champion and we are gonna take some time to adjust to that. Above all, we love you Uncle Ronnie for what you represented – a determination to love, care, encourage, comfort spreading that joy and cheer and having a tremendous sense of service to the church, the community and at home.

We thank God for you and for your life that has achieved so much. Your extraordinary life has been an inspiration to us and to the many whose lives whom you have touched here and beyond. Your love is strong, they are timeless and yes they will endure. You will be one beacon of example for us and we are thankful to God today for a life that has achieved so much for His Kingdom.

We love you Uncle Ronnie and we will truly miss you.

Love,
Michelle Cheong & family

Ghostbuster


In 1990 I was saved and was thirsting after God. I was then placed in a life group to be nurtured.

This Teochew uncle with slick-comb-back black hairs visited us often. He spoke little English yet he could quoted scriptures while praying. How he did it ???

He would drive me home after meeting and shared testimonies of casting out of evil spirit in homes. I concluded that he was a true-blue Ghostbuster.

Ronnie, I will remember your black hairs.

Betrina
During the wake services, we gave an account of how Uncle Ronnie passed away. This was to bring closure to his family and comfort to us who have lost a very dear loved one and brother.......

During our regional prayer meeting on 25 Mar 09, Bro John felt led to ask Ronnie to share a testimony that he had heard from him prior. The first part of the testimony was very typical of Ronnie's ministry; a brother has asked him to minister to his father who was in coma in hospital. When Ronnie arrived at the hospital, the man woke up from his coma giving Ronnie a chance to share Christ and lead him in the sinner's prayer. Shortly after, the man went home to be with the Lord. Ronnie has always jokingly mentioned that in his ministry, there is no need for follow-up nor is there backsliding - he gets people saved and most goes back to the Lord immediately : ) The second part of his testimony was on God's goodness on his family. Coming from a large family, he has 14 siblings. How through Ronnie, the Lord brought salvation to his brothers and sisters especially before some of them passed on to be with the Lord. He concluded that it was his heart's desire to see and believe for the remaining siblings to be saved.

Shortly returning to his usual seat, we heard a loud grasp for air from Ronnie before he collapsed (about 2040H). CPR was administered to him within 5 minutes till the ambulance arrived almost 20 to 25 minutes later. During this time, the congregation interceded. Some medic from Jalan Besar Stadium assisted but to no avail. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

After thought................
Ronnie has always confided with his close friends that if he has to die, he wants to do it in the house and presence of the Lord, and, after sharing a testimony to glorify God. He also wants it to be quick and painless. From our observation, Ronnie never recovered after he breathed his last breath. It was indeed quick and painless. He died in the house of the Lord amongst dear brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Although we are saddened, we felt it was time for this faithful servant to return to the Lord. Ronnie has a heart condition and has been unwell for the past months. Only God knows when is the best time.......

Hian Koon



Our Brother in Christ, Uncle Ronnie of a Thousand Smiles. About 20 years ago,when my father in law was sick in the hospital,he went to share the gospel to him. Praise God that my father in law accepted Jesus as his
personal saviour and attended Church services. I think his hospital ministry would have started more than 25 years ago. I pray and encourage members of VFC to take up hospital ministry. God bless. From Tony and Joo Lian
My first encounter with Uncle Ronnie would take me back to 1991 when I was still a youth. Uncle Ronnie's outreach to the youths had always been sincere, without boundaries, loving just like a Father to his son / daughter and one that challenged us to lead a righteous life for God.

Until today, still I remember one Saturday afternoon back in the Nissi Hall of CCC when the Lord broke me of my struggles; Uncle Ronnie prayed over me and I cried with the Joy of the Lord. I felt set free! Uncle Ronnie regarded every individual as unique child of God and after over 12 long years not having been in contact with Uncle Ronnie, I never forgot his "... have you been good? God and sins don't go together..." fatherly reminder - one that keeps me rooted until this day.

I thank God for Uncle Ronnie, a man of God who's inculcated much Christian values in me.

Alan, CCC Region F Youth Ministry, 1990 - 1992

Uncle Ronnie, Our Barnabas

There is a good man named Barnabas found in the Bible (Acts 4:36, 37; 9:26, 27; 11:22-26; 13:1-3). It seemed impossible to find someone like Barnabas in our contemporary world. Notwithstanding, we found Uncle Ronnie.

“Joseph (original name of Barnabas)… whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement …” (Acts 4:36-37). Uncle Ronnie is such a great model of an encourager and encouragement to many. Anyone who comes into contact with will be encouraged. And in turn many had also been influenced to be an encourager to many others.

“He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord “(Acts 11:24). This is so evident of Uncle Ronnie’s ministry – he brought many to the Lord through his persistent hospital and home visitations.

Barnabas was a man with a "Big-Heart" or Magnanimous (Acts 9:26-30; 11:22-26). Speaking of this, Uncle Ronnie always had room in his heart for anyone who comes to him. Not only that, his “big-heart” allows him to serve freely. He is not conscious about title. He served with such humility and servanthood. He is a true example of servant-leader. Each time someone praises him, his typical sincere reply will be, “Praise be to God”, “All glory goes to Jesus”.

In Acts 15:36-40, we could see that Barnabas was a man full of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. One of Uncle Ronnie’s favourite Bible verse is 1 Jn. 1:9. He believes in God’s boundless love and forgiveness that no one can be exempted from God’s great love and forgiveness and be accepted into the family of God. Regardless of age and social-economic status, many had been touched by this. Some who are even outcast of society, he is able to love them into God’s family.

“People-Centeredness” was evident in Barnabas’ ministry (Acts 4:36, 37). From the amount of people who packed up the ICU of the hospital some years ago when he was hospitalized and the recent two nights of memorial services, we know that Uncle Ronnie’s ministry is one that is “people-centered”. He not only loved people, people loved him dearly too.

The very mention of the name Barnabas, brought back to memories of all the good and great things he had done. Similarly, the same can be said whenever we mention of Uncle Ronnie – countless good and great things he had accomplished for God through his life. Uncle Ronnie had indeed touched and impacted many lives for the kingdom of God. Some may miss his support and encouragement, others may miss his warm smile and affirming handshake, while others his love.

We all missed our Barnabas, Uncle Ronnie, in different ways. Instead, of missing and waiting for “Barnabas” to come to our aid, why not, let us rise up to be someone else’s “Barnabas”. The best way to remember our Uncle Ronnie is to be a “Barnabas” to someone who needs encouragement, love and acceptance. Let us remember Uncle Ronnie by being a “Barnabas” to others who are hurting and missed out by society (Matt 25:31-46).

I dearly miss my friend, comrade, and mentor - Richard Ong

Friday, March 27, 2009

A lit lamp

Uncle Ronnie,

You were a lit lamp placed on a lampstand. You have let your light so shine before men that they saw your good works and glorified your Father in heaven.. Matt 5:15-16

Thank you for shining into the lives of my family. My nieces remembered your hugs on Sunday mornings. My mom and I remembered your firm handshakes and warm smiles. My mom especially remembered how you made her feel welcome during her first church camp with the Chinese congregation. We will definitely miss you.

Working together with you in usher ministry and wheelchair ministry have been fun. Your love for people and your zeal in life have often spur me forward. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Till we meet again

Catherine

The things he has done..

1. When my dad was in hospital, he visited him several times to share with him about Christ. He did the same when my eldest uncle was warded. He knew my "inability" in reaching out to my dad..my uncle.. he took time to plant the seed.

2. When we were in R7(the 1997 to... xxxx era's Region 7), we were a part of the pastoral care ministry "led" by Bro Richard Ong. We had such good times serving together.

3. During one of the camp, i was seated at hotel lobby all alone waiting for time to pass. Uncle Ronnie saw me, came over, sat with me and chat with me till it was time for camp orientation/briefing.

4. He never fails to encourage me with things he said to me whenever we meet in church.

God.. thank you for "lending" him to us. Quoting and "combining" what ppl said - we each have "small story" to tell. It is like a jigsaw puzzle, when we "pieced" what he has done for each of us, he has done so much while he was here with us. it is like a picture of a "BIG SHOE" - so big.. who could fit.

Bao
We all have our little stories to tell about Uncle Ronnie and his involvement in our lives. Here's mine...

Got to know him since pastoral care ministry many years back in Region 8 church office at Jalan Gelenggang. Those times we go for hospital visitations, funeral services together every now and then in the church van or Brother Wendel's car. Then some years down the road, my father was ill with cancer and it was Uncle Ronnie who visited my father almost every day talking and singing songs to him. The seed of salvation was sowed as my father and Uncle Ronnie developed a short-lived but trusted friendship between them. They spoke as if they were old friends and my father really liked the company of Uncle Ronnie. My father got saved gloriously and Uncle Ronnie continued visiting him in the hospital whether it was rain or shine. Even during my father's last moments, Uncle Ronnie was there with my family in the Assisi Hospice in the wee hours of the morning. His love touched my heart and that of my family.

When my husband was down with dengue fever, Uncle Ronnie and Johnson came by again in the wee hours of morning and stayed with me....words are not enough to express the gratitude I have for him.

I think I will miss Uncle for a long time..miss seeing him at AMK hub waiting for the church bus to hokkien service, miss hearing his testimonies at hokkien service, miss seeing him at his usual corner seat near the door at Futsing prayer meeting hall, miss him taking offering on stage, miss him doing headcounting at hokkien service, miss him in his cheerfully bright floral shirts...

Uncle Ronnie, you are dearly missed...

A Heart For People

Uncle Ronnie was a person who truly had a heart for people.

It's very rare that one of such people come by and when they do, we are truly blessed; for Uncle Ronnie was all about love, kindness, cheer and that million dollar smile that greets you at the entrance of the church and lingers all the way till the end of the service.

Every week after service, whenever I see him, without fail, I'll be greeted with one of the warmest hugs before plunging deep into how the week had been and how things were at home. The beautiful thing was, it wasn't one of those small little talks that you make to collect social graces but he really had a genuine concern for me, as a person.

I forget how we met but if my memory doesn't fail me, it was through my brother Jonathan, that we began to talk. Every week as my brother hangs out behind the auditorium, Uncle Ronnie will be at the back as well keeping my brother busy and pacifying him whenever he started throwing his tantrums. And every morning when my brother comes into the auditorium, he too will be greeted with a hug. Very soon, my entire family got acquainted with him and we were blessed.

As time went by and my family and I moved on. When I go back to visit for evening service or at different functions, he'll be one of the few people that I'll be on the lookout for, and even if I miss him, he'll always manage to find me. And as everyone can testify, meeting with him and talking with him is probably one of the most cathartic and rejuvenating experiences. His perspectives are also down-to-earth, unassuming, simple and pragmatic which I'm sure blessed so many people who just really needed a listening ear.

So in conclusion, thank you Uncle Ronnie, for blessing and inspiring us with your heart, your spirit and finally, your legacy.


Timothy

thank you uncle ronnie

uncle ronnie,
your life has been an inspiration to me.
a role model..

the compassion you showed to others,the patience you had
is indeed somthing we all can learn from,especially me.
as i start my nursing course, your life will constantly be somthing
i'd want to live up too, thank you unlce ronnie

i will miss your smile, your firm hand shake and your prayers.
ill miss seeing you at the entraence of our church doors with that big smile,
you collecting offering on stage,these memories we will cherish
but we know that your in a better place heaven

we love you uncle ronnie...

melody

Uncle Ronnie -Our unsung hero

It was painful to see you go. All of us are still in the state of shock, but deep down in our hearts we know that you are in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will defintely miss the faithful greeter at our Sunday service, the ever-smiling usher on the stage and the pastoral worker in the hospital.

Your living testimony has been a great encouragement to many of us and you have left a spiritual legacy to the younger generations to follow. Thank you for being there for us during our times of difficulties. We love you dearly.

Darren & Hannah

Uncle Ronnie,


You have fight the good fight, you have run a good race!

What a good example for all of us. Especially to me.

I will always remember you!

I love you Uncle Ronnie!


Jennifer Kok

You will always still be with us

Uncle Ronnie

You had been a great brother in Christ, friend, role model and many more to all of us. Your smiles humility and love had definitely impacted many of us. It had been a privilege for all of us to have known you. Although you may not be with us physically, your influence will always stay in the all our hearts. We know you will be greeting us again in heaven where we will see your warm and loving smiles again.

Love

Kok Lin

Thursday, March 26, 2009


Daddy,

All these happened too suddenly... I still can't accept the fact that you've gone back to be with the Lord. There are still things that we wanted to share with each others while I was supposed to send you home after prayer meeting on that faithful night. But you left for the heaven before that...

You have been a great support and spiritual father who have been there to encourage and pray for me endlessly. It has became a routine that we'll talk to each others through the phone, almost every night and you are always there to lecture me, whenever I was rebellious towards our heavenly Father.

I really miss you and your care and concern. You have set an excellent example for me. You may have gone but I know that we'll see each others again. What you've left behind is a legacy that I'll always remember.

I'm so proud of you, daddy. You are always so humble that you never try to hide your true emotions from me. You've done well and finished the race. You've shown me how to be a Christian and live a worthy life for God.

Thank you, daddy. May you rest in peace...

Your godson,
Johnson

A Smile, 1 Firm Handshake & Some Kind Words

Uncle Ronnie never fails to greet me at the door of Futsing(1st or 2nd floor alike). 1st with his warm smile. 2nd with a firm handshake. 3rd with these words 神祝福你,神恩膏你。
He has not only blessed me but my dad and my uncles. He visited them while they were in hospital and till today, they remembered him.

Tribute to the BEST uncle

A Demonstration of Christ's love is seldom so vividly displayed nowadays but i thank God for allowing me to meet someone who did...

Uncle Ronnie! I love you so much!! This uncle I'm talking about touches my life so much. Maybe I'm soft hearted by nature but he's such a loving man of god who never fails to show me love by his actions. Without fail at every Sunday morning service, when i stepped into the sanctuary, Uncle Ronnie is there to give me a BIG smile and a WARM hug! Felt so loved... How many actually do that these days? He always say I'm a good boy, made me feel like a small boy with a proud dad praising him. :) His little action really encourages me and made my Sunday so much more meaningful. Sometimes you just need someone to give you a hug after a long n tiring wk, He is there.

So unconditional, so sincere,touched and loved, i am.

God sent, it must be. forever grateful and appreciated fully.

God, i thank you so much for allowing uncle Ronnie to enter my life. I'll never forget him and I'm so grateful to have known him. Lord, i pray we'll learn to be more like you and may his testimony and example be passed down from generation to generation.Amen.

All For Love,

Marcus Thng