A good friend's mum passed away last friday. Her mum underwent an operation to remove a brain tumor a year ago and soon after, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This friend of mine has been undergoing a lot of stress carrying the weight of being the head of her household since her dad passed away when she was 20. She is 34 this year. Both her parents were born deaf. Her older sis started to suffer from schizophrenia when her dad passed away and her younger sis was deprived of her hearing at 1 year old because of an illness.
At the funeral, I got to communicate with quite a number of hearing impaired people mainly through simple handsigns and writing. It was a new experience as I hardly ever come in contact with hearing impaired people. I was surprised that many of them have a great sense of humour and were very outgoing and friendly. In fact, at the table where I sat, only the lady next to me and I were hearing people and the rest (about 8) of them were not. We who are so called normal felt a little handicapped as we were the minority while most of them went on having conversations around the table. It was also interesting to learn that handsigns had different varieties. Those from Singapore mostly used handsigns in English and there was a couple who signed in Chinese (from Taiwan). Apparently, certain gestures for the same words are different but through patience and some humour, communication is definitely still possible.
I also came away from the funeral amazed at how the cell group which my friend belonged to played such a major role in making the funeral arrangements, carrying out the wake service and how supportive they were to the bereaved. I saw the concept of a cell church in action. Most of all, I saw God's love at work. There are still a lot of needs in this bereaved family but I am certain that the Lord who has been seeing them through thus far will continue to show His care for them through the hands and feet and hearts of His children. In the meantime, I am helping to raise the shortfall of S$3000 for the funeral expenses for them. Please pray with me that my contacts who has read my emails will consider chipping in to help them. If you feel led to help this family through financial contribution, feel free to email me at eeyuing@yahoo.com and we can work out the details.
Meanwhile, if you are a Christian and you are reading this, at least say a prayer for my friend and her two sisters. Thanks!
Update on 28 Jan 08: S$4262 has been raised so far. Target of S$3000 has been exceeded. Praise the Lord! (Thanks to those of you all the way from Vancouver! Cousins from Hong Kong! Friends and family in Singapore & Malaysia! Xangans from Australia & USA! God bless your kind and generous hearts!)
