I was born in Johor, Malaysia, grew up in Ipoh. During my childhood day, my dad was captured by the Japanese army; we did not know whether he was alive or dead. My mum was very sickly and had a lot of sickness. Life was very hard on us, my siblings had no choice but to separate and begged along the streets for our meals.
When I was 8 years old, I met a young man by the name of Mr Liew Chong Ming, Who pitied me and brought me home to help in domestic chores. From then on, I lost contact with my family. When I was 15 years old, Mr Liew came to Singapore to venture into a partnership business. He brought me along and I studied in Nanyang Primary School for 1 ½ years.
In 1950, Mr Liew’s business failed and he switched to teach in Chinese High Secondary School. Meanwhile I returned to Ipoh to help in the domestic chores and came back to Singapore for 3 yrs to study in Chinese High Girls' School.
In 1955, Mr Liew ‘s mother suggested both Mr Liew and me to get married and we stayed in the school’s hostel to raise up our children and I became a full time housewife.
In 1958, I came to know this lady by the name of Sister Teo Giak Kuan and we started to serve in the ministry together.
I thank God for His help though I had difficulty both in speaking and writing English and with my low education, I began to venture into real estate business. Eventually, I managed to own a house and a car. Whenever Sister Teo led me to areas of needs to give my offerings, I would give without much consideration of the amount. I was willing and obedient to give and I was blessed greatly with God’s grace and mercy.
In 1974 to 1998, due to changes of rules & regulations governing foreigners’ ownership of property in Singapore, I went into piano trading business. Although I had no musical background and knowledge about piano, I thank God for His wisdom to manage the piano business. By God’s grace, business was very good.
My children had good education and they loved God and had married to build their own family, they led a good life and served in their own respective ministry in church. I thank God that my eldest son is a pastor.
In 1990, I followed Sister Teoto Glory Church and join their fellowship. Both my husband and I continued with the piano business to support ourselves. However later we ran into debts due to poor business. Whenever creditors came after us for the debts, I was filled with anxiety and fear. My whole brain was like fire burning. I would always kneel under the feet of Jesus and prayed for Him to open doors and ways for us to clear our debts.
In 1996, my husband went home with the Lord.
In 1998, the debts piled up and I had no choice but to close down my business and sold my car and house. Even after selling all these, I was still full of debts. I did not want to burden my children and not to rely on others for help. I sought and relied only on God’s help, firmly believing in Him and submitting to His will.
I humbled myself from being a lady boss wearing nice “cheong sam” to a toilet cleaner, domestic cleaner and other cleaning jobs. I even worked as domestic cleaner for a few families per week.
When my creditors or people whom I knew saw me in that plight, they did not dare to approach me to repay the debts. Some even stopped me from giving offerings. As I relied on God’s grace, His financial blessings never stop flowing to me. I led a thrifty life but never stop giving tithes and offerings.
As time passes by, some of my creditors moved their homes to other places and became uncontactable. Nevertheless I would try all ways and means to locate them and go to their homes to pay my debts. Some people mocked at me and said I was foolish, but eventually I still repaid all my debts. I did not want to tarnish the name of God. No matter how difficult the situation was, I would find all ways to repay my debts and not rely on anyone but only relied on God’s grace which was sufficient for me. Although I was old, I felt obliged to return the hard earned money of those kind hearted people who loaned me. I did not want people to look down on me as a Christian. I wanted to glorify God.
Thank God for His presence with me. I worked daily with joy and no complain.
Time had passed so fast that 10 years was like 1 day. Our God had given me a healthy body. I had never been sick, worked daily to pay off my debts for the last 10 years.
In January 2009, I had cleared all my debts.
I am 76 years old now, I am still healthy other than leg pain that stopped me from working as a cleaner. I am healed now.
I know that in all things God has His will and His timing. I really thank God for His mercy and grace though I was very busy working in the past, I continued to attend weekly fellowship and Sunday services.
Although I am old now, I want to maximize the rest of my life on earth to worship and serve God. Thanking God for His Grace and Mercy.
Madam Liew Lay Keng
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