Some two years ago, in the morning of 1 September
2017, I had the privilege to lead a group of visiting young people from Kajang on a Johor Baru heritage walk in part of a youth retreat here.
Chong Jin Foong [Left] with his wife and family at the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum on Sept 1, 2017 |
The bright sunshine and sweltering heat did not deter
us from wandering around the heritage quarter to take in the sights and soak in
our city’s heritage charm.
Our visitors thoroughly enjoyed a glimpse of old JB even
though it was getting rather warm and when we stepped into the air-conditioned
comfort of the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum, everyone agreed that it was
a welcome reprieve.
On the ground level of the Museum, an entire wall is
designed with a poster that charted the Chronology of Events of the Chinese
community in Johor.
Helped by the events and visuals on this poster, I
shared with our visitors, a brief summary of how the Chinese started coming to
Johor at the invitation of the Johor ruler back in 1844…
Chan Tze Keat [Left], Jaya and his wife Su Mei [Right] met with Jin Foong and his family again, in JB! |
In fact, it was a quick history lesson that explained
the strong foundation in the relationship between Chinese immigrants and the
Johor sultanate.
Then I invited the young people to head upstairs to explore
the Museum on their own and reminded them not to miss the interesting exhibits
on the top level.
Among the visitors who lingered behind with me was
Jaya, his wife Su Mei and their little girl, Asya, along with Chan Tze Keat
better known as Zeke.
It happened that while Su Mei and Zeke were studying
in the university in Kuala Lumpur, they attended Life Chapel, a church in
Petaling Jaya.
And right there at the ground level of the JB Chinese
Heritage Museum, they met with a mutual friend, Chong Jin Foong and his family who
also went to Life Chapel!
Jin Foong's children feeding the camels in the Johor Zoo |
It turned out that Jin Foong was from the same church as Zeke and it was such a pleasant surprise to bump into each other here!
After exploring the heritage quarter, Jin Foong, his
wife Peng Chui and three kids were chilling out in the Museum lobby and when our group
came in, they could not help but listen in to my commentary on Chinese heritage
in Johor.
After introducing his family, Jin Foong explained that
his family moved from PJ to live in Johor because he was based in Pengerang for
work and during weekends, he and the family would explore JB and enjoy a city
stay.
They attended a nearby church in Pengerang but it was
in Chinese so they were in fact, seeking a suitable English-speaking church and
this meeting at the Museum, marked the start of our fellowship with this young
family.
Jin Foong and family capture a photo memento at their visit to the Desaru Fruit Farm |
More than two years has passed since that well-timed
moment when we connected with Jin Foong and his family and we have enjoyed warm
fellowship with them when they were in JB in the weekends or when we visited
them in Pengerang.
Their young children joined the Sunbeam Club, our
Children’s Ministry and this year, Jin Foong took the lead with the team in hosting
our Vacation Bible School for kids.
On one of their family visits back to PJ, Jin Foong
told me that his father showed him an old copy of Life & Times Travel with
a feature on Teochew Traditions in Johor.
When he looked closer, Jin Foong was pleasantly
surprised to discover my byline with that story!
Then he told his father about how we met in JB and that
we go to the same church here.
A photo memento of our meal together in Sungai Rengit |
As Desaru Coast was being developed, Jin Foong and I
would exchange notes about the latest happenings in his neighbourhood
(Pengerang is located nearby!).
When he and his team was at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru
Coast for a business meeting, he shared with me, a group photo captured at the
iconic hotel entrance – and when I was at the hotel for their Grand Opening
Party, I too shared my stories with him.
Since major industrial projects were established in Pengerang,
this rural area has vastly developed and Jin Foong’s children attended a good
school that has a population of only 100 students, with a teacher to student
ratio of 1:10.
Supported by her parents, Qi Hui, their eldest child
trained hard to take part in the school’s annual Storytelling Competitions and
she always performed with excellence.
Our food fellowship over a Japanese meal in JB |
I remember having conversations with her two younger
brothers, Zhi Yong and Zhi Aun, about our favourite Superheroes because these
active boys were often dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with Superman or Batman
motifs, complete with capes…
During a fellowship dinner in church, I sat with the
boys.
With our plates full of food from the buffet, I decided to eat with my hands – instead of using plastic cutlery – so I explained that we are Malaysians and eating with hands is the Malaysian way.
With our plates full of food from the buffet, I decided to eat with my hands – instead of using plastic cutlery – so I explained that we are Malaysians and eating with hands is the Malaysian way.
“Aunty Peggy, I’m Japanese,” Zhi Yong announced quite
seriously.
I hid my smile and politely agreed with him because he
was indeed born in Japan at that time while his father was based there for
work.
On a recent Sunday, my family and I visited this
family in Pengerang, and I had the opportunity to pick up the youngest boy, Zhi
Aun, from school because his class had the shortest hours.
A family photo at the children's school in Pengerang |
Even when he was accompanied by his father, Zhi Aun
was pleasantly surprised to see us waiting for him in my car.
Meanwhile, Peng Chui picked up their two older
children a little later and they joined us for lunch at a popular seafood place
in nearby Sungai Rengit.
My family and I also had the privilege of sharing more
food fellowship with Jin Foong and his family in JB.
And when I asked, “What is your choice of cuisine?” I
was not surprised when the unanimous choice was, Japanese!
Two whole years seemed to have whooshed pass and
suddenly it is time to bid farewell.
When the school term closes this year, the family will
relocate back to PJ where the children will continue their studies the following
year, just as Jin Foong’s work contract here will be completed.
We have made many memories with Jin Foong and his
family and I’m sure they too have their fair share of experiences with us in JB.
Till we meet again: Qi Hui [Right], Zhi Yong [Left] and Zhi Aun [second from Left] with my mum |
Even though their time with us in JB was brief, it was
an important chapter marked by incidents and occasions that were significant in
different ways.
For instance, on March 16, 2019, Jin Foong made his pulpit
speaking debut with an encouraging message based on the Beatitudes in The
Sermon on the Mount and challenged us to consider the code of conduct expected
from believers.
The presence of this family was indeed a blessing to
us as we witnessed how they were committed to travel from Pengerang to JB every
weekend to fellowship with us.
And leave JB at the crack of dawn on Sunday to ensure
that the children were on time for school in Pengerang that morning.
[The weekend in Johor is Friday and Saturday, with
Sunday a school/work day for Government schools and offices.]
Looking back to how it all started, we just marvel at
how wonderful it was for the uni-mates from PJ and Kajang to meet each other in
the JB Chinese Heritage Museum, which led to two years of warm fellowship with
Jin Foong and family.
The family may be leaving Johor, but for us this
farewell is certainly not goodbye. May God be with you till we meet again!
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