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| View of the Coovum River that cuts across Chennai, India |
A week later, he called again
to talk about CMCT and told me the purpose of his call. He described this ministry as “in the league
of the work of Mother Teresa” and while many books were written about her work,
nothing has been put on record for CMCT.
He wanted my help with writing the biography of Dr Colleen Mavis Redit, the
founder of the ministry of CMCT and my spontaneous response was to laugh at my
own inadequacies. But Ernest was serious
and as thoughts of his suggestion sank in, I was simply overwhelmed at the
prospect of embarking on a book project.
I mulled over this over the next few weeks, shared it with
my family and prayer partners and prayerfully considered the tremendous task of
researching, compiling and writing the biography of Dr Colleen.
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| Another view of the filthy Coovum River fringed by urban slums |
It will be a daunting challenge but I was assured through scripture, godly people and circumstances that He will be with me at each stage of the project and I only need to be willing to do the job and leave the success in His hands. Then the Lord opened the way for me to make a trip to meet Dr Colleen in India and for a first-hand experience of the ministry.
I remember, when I was leaving for India, I had my luggage checked at Singapore’s Changi Airport. An Indian lady security guard looked at my flight ticket and when she saw that I was travelling to Chennai alone – she was so shocked that she asked me again, “You going alone?”
After a delayed flight, I arrived well past midnight local Chennai time and was welcomed by Philip Seth of CMCT’s External Affairs department, who patiently waited for my arrival and escorted me to my hotel.
I remember, when I was leaving for India, I had my luggage checked at Singapore’s Changi Airport. An Indian lady security guard looked at my flight ticket and when she saw that I was travelling to Chennai alone – she was so shocked that she asked me again, “You going alone?”
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| Sign outside CMCT in Chennai, India |
Whilst I am familiar with the sights, sounds
and smells of India, the dark silhouettes of women and children lying asleep
outside their shacks that lined dim and dusty streets, still hit me with the
stark reality that this is a nation in dire need.
Dr Colleen recognized this need many years
ago and by God’s faithful leading, has been meeting this and many needs of
downtrodden people, especially women and children, through the expanding ministries
of CMCT in the past 49 years.
Monday, 29 May 2006, was an extraordinary day. It was the start of my Indian adventure and I was excited about going into the heart of CMCT and meeting Dr Colleen for the very first time.
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| Morning Devotions in CMCT |
Yet the peace of God rested in my heart as I anticipated the adventure that was about to unfold. A driver was coming to pick me so as I put on my footwear, I sang to myself, “To God be the glory great things He has done, so loved He the world that He gave us His son…” and the chorus: “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice…”
The peak of the hottest season in Chennai is between May and June and that morning drive through the city to CMCT [in a non air-conditioned vehicle!] was simply a chaotic crush of people and honking impatient vehicles.
The peak of the hottest season in Chennai is between May and June and that morning drive through the city to CMCT [in a non air-conditioned vehicle!] was simply a chaotic crush of people and honking impatient vehicles.
I was about to wilt in the oppressive heat
when we arrived at the gates of the CMCT building. A crowd of people with hands clutching empty
bags was jammed across the entrance, blocking the driveway. Sensing my curiosity about the crowds, the
driver explained that they were waiting to collect regular food rations,
typically made up of rice, lentils, curry powder, vermicelli and cooking oil.
I alighted at the side entrance and was directed to the elevator that should take me upstairs to the Beracha Chapel. The tiny elevator was an ancient contraption
with a collapsible gate in front and the elevator operator was smartly dressed
in uniform and beret, with the letters “CMCT” proudly emblazoned on his
shoulder epaulets.
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| Colleen Mavis Redit [Right] |
When I stepped out of
the elevator, some ladies directed me inside the chapel where a group of ladies
were already seated on the floor in the front, singing songs of praise in
Tamil. Accompanied by amplified music
from a synthesizer, the Chapel was filled with melodious and enthusiastic
singing.
I met a smiling Dr Colleen, a distinguished figure neatly dressed in a traditional sari, who greeted me warmly. Fondly known as “Amma”, an affectionate name for ‘Mother’ to the CMCT family, she loves, teaches and admonishes just as any good mother intends for her dear children.
When the song leader selected the next hymn, Philip Seth handed me a hymnal printed with English lyrics, pointing to the selected song: No.18.
I met a smiling Dr Colleen, a distinguished figure neatly dressed in a traditional sari, who greeted me warmly. Fondly known as “Amma”, an affectionate name for ‘Mother’ to the CMCT family, she loves, teaches and admonishes just as any good mother intends for her dear children.
When the song leader selected the next hymn, Philip Seth handed me a hymnal printed with English lyrics, pointing to the selected song: No.18.
When I heard the familiar opening chords I
smiled because it was the very hymn I was singing to myself that morning, “To
God be the glory great things He has done, so loved He the world that He gave
us His son…” As I sang along, my heart warmed to the assurance that indeed, all
glory goes to the Lord alone and the success of this book project
belongs to Him!
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| Colleen with her pet dog in Bangalore, India |
Every morning in CMCT begins with Devotions from 9.30am to
10.30am. The sharing of God’s Word is central to daily operations and many
admit that they have grown spiritually and benefited from the practical
application of Biblical truths.
At the
close of the message, Rachel Darby, a student-nurse from the UK on 2 months’
internship with CMCT’s Hospital and I, were formally introduced. We were given a typical Indian welcome by each
being presented with a huge (and heavy!) fragrant flower garland!
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| Colleen leaving for India, 1964 |
Dr Colleen had prepared two thick folders, full of the
ministry’s old newsletters since the 1960’s, including archive documents that
she wrote on her calling to the mission field, for my reference. I was to use this Dining Room to meet with a
list of people who were organized into a schedule to talk to me over the next 2
weeks. For taking on the challenge to do
this book project, Dr Colleen smiled and told me, “You are very brave…” This echoed the sentiments of that Indian
lady security guard at Changi Airport, when she checked my flight ticket and
saw that I was travelling to Chennai – alone!
In the tour of the facilities in the 5-storey building, I saw how offices and departments for different ministries and projects are organized under one roof.
In the tour of the facilities in the 5-storey building, I saw how offices and departments for different ministries and projects are organized under one roof.
These included
the Distribution Centre for rations, Haven of Hope Handicraft Centre and the
Handicraft QC section, Bethany Primary School – Classes from Lower Kindergarten
to Primary level, Hostel for Women and Girls, Hospital, Laboratory, Operation
Theatre, Post-op room, Labour room and Wards, Mechanical training section,
Screen-printing section, Tutorial section, Social Services Caring Unit and
Sponsorship Ministry Offices, the kitchen and a crèche for staff’s children.
There was something going on in every part of the building and every available space was used. Even the lift lobby and the end of a corridor were used to conduct classes for young children. This is because Dr Colleen firmly believes that by educating at least one member of the family, hardship for the whole family could be alleviated through better employment opportunities for one educated child.
When it was finally my turn to see Dr Colleen in her office,
work hours were over and lights in the Reception area were already off but a
few people were still standing around, waiting to see her.
There was something going on in every part of the building and every available space was used. Even the lift lobby and the end of a corridor were used to conduct classes for young children. This is because Dr Colleen firmly believes that by educating at least one member of the family, hardship for the whole family could be alleviated through better employment opportunities for one educated child.
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| Girls in the hostel in CMCT |
This was a typical situation where a stream of
people waited in line to appeal for her help. Dr Colleen, who reads and speaks fluent Tamil,
always tried to give them her full attention with a compassionate heart so it
was some time before it was my turn to see her.
Inside her office, my eyes were riveted to a wooden plaque on the wall
engraved with a verse: “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” the
motto by which Dr Colleen lives and works.
In the following days, I saw for myself, the scope of work that Dr Colleen is involved in. I visited the urban slums in Kellys where Dr Colleen first started to meet the dire needs of women in Chennai.
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| Girls working in the Haven of Hope Handicraft Centre |
I also went to CMCT’s own retreat center named
Mt Carmel Camp Site at Padappai, the fishing village in Chinnakuppam that was
being rehabilitated after the tsunami calamity, a Children’s Rally in the
Gospel Hall at Choolaimedu, the Alapakkam leper colony and a soup kitchen at
Mackies Garden, another urban slum.
Mackies Garden is a typical slum village with homes built right up to the edge of the filthy Coovum River. This river cuts through the city and is literally an open sewer, stilted, polluted and full of flotsam.
Mackies Garden is a typical slum village with homes built right up to the edge of the filthy Coovum River. This river cuts through the city and is literally an open sewer, stilted, polluted and full of flotsam.
As we walked through the narrow footpaths to
reach the soup kitchen, we passed heaps of rubbish and open doors to homes with
hard packed mud floors. Our movement
caused small dark clouds to rise from debris and ambling goats, and I soon
realized that these ‘dark clouds’ were actually swarms of thousands of
disgusting black flies!
From personal interviews with Dr Colleen and some 40
individuals whose lives were touched by Dr Colleen and the ministry of CMCT, I
walked down Memory Lane with them to discover the happenings of the early
years, her ministry since 1964 and the Lord’s faithfulness in expanding the
ministry to date.
Dr Colleen shared candidly about her background and home life back in New Zealand with details on her family, youth and how she was called to serve in India.
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| CMCT focuses on looking after the welfare of women and children |
Dr Colleen shared candidly about her background and home life back in New Zealand with details on her family, youth and how she was called to serve in India.
As I listened
to her struggles as a single Brethren lady missionary in a foreign land, I
could relate to the challenges she had to face as she tried to go forward with
her passion and commitment to do the Lord’s work in a foreign land.
I also met with a list of interviewees who spoke frankly about the impact of CMCT and Dr Colleen on their lives. Most could speak English [albeit with a heavy
Indian accent!] while only a handful needed the translator.
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| Women have a daily rice meal at a slum Soup Kitchens |
Speaking about Dr Colleen came very naturally
because she had touched their lives in very personal ways. Some grown men spoke so frankly that tears
flowed un-self-consciously.
In several
such situations, we had to pause until composure was restored before I could
elicit any answers from them but it also gave me a few moments to swallow that
lump in my throat and blink back my own tears!
The ministry of CMCT had its beginnings with one young lady who opened her garage to take in girls to teach them sewing and typing skills. Today, young girls are given education and employment opportunities and the Haven of Hope Handicraft Centre continues to produce finely stitched quality cross-stitch, embroidery and quilted handicrafts.
The ministry of CMCT had its beginnings with one young lady who opened her garage to take in girls to teach them sewing and typing skills. Today, young girls are given education and employment opportunities and the Haven of Hope Handicraft Centre continues to produce finely stitched quality cross-stitch, embroidery and quilted handicrafts.
The demand for these
products in the global market goes a long way to improve the lives of the women
who have put their sewing skills to good use. Very often they are the sole breadwinners of
their families and the sale of such items actually puts food on the table in
their humble homes.
In April 2013, Ernest returned from CMCT’s annual Board of Trustees meeting with something for me – a signed copy of “Realising a Vision through Faith,” the autobiography of Dr Colleen!
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| Realising a Vision through Faith, the Autobiography of Colleen M Redit |
As I learnt more about Dr Colleen’s life and ministry among abandoned, neglected and needy people, I was humbled and filled with awe at the tremendous impact of her work, on so many lives.
Who would have thought that a young lady who
started her ministry from a rented garage would now operate from a 5-storey
building and run some 24 ministries for the needy simultaneously?
In April 2013, Ernest returned from CMCT’s annual Board of Trustees meeting with something for me – a signed copy of “Realising a Vision through Faith,” the autobiography of Dr Colleen!
He said this book will be distributed
worldwide through the International Board of Trustees and the shipment to
Malaysia should be arriving very soon. All
proceeds from book sales, priced at only RM30 per hardcover book, will be
channeled back to CMCT for their ministry needs.
As I flipped through the pages of this publication,
my thoughts fly back to that fine day in 2006 when Ernest first broached the
subject with me and I just give praise to God for helping me complete this to
His glory!
N. Sinnappan in Sungai Nibong said:
Hello dear sister! My elder introduced your
book on Dr. Colleen today (21 July 2013) and the sale has been launched first
in Penang. You have done a great job! I was one of the students in HBI who studied in Dr.
Colleen's Child Education and Evangelism class. My wife, Leela, was in the hostel where Amma
was warden in 1971.
Cheong Swee Gim in Kuala Lumpur said:
Cheong Swee Gim in Kuala Lumpur said:
Hi Peggy
Congrats on the successful publication of the book!!! It was promoted in SSGC last Sun and we bought a copy right away. Wow, so proud of you!! [Photo enclosed!]
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| Swee Gim [Left] with friends at SS Gospel Centre and the books on 21 July 2013! |
no words to express my exclamation...i could see the hand of the Lord working with her.
ReplyDeleteMadam hatsoff.