The Land of My Ancestors’ Sepulchers

What is it like to be born into an extended Peranakan family that has seen better days? Besides poverty, there’s strife when some don’t pull together. However, I had a wise Grandma, Dad, and Aunt. Reading transported me into a world of joy, and soon I loved learning for its own sake. The Scriptures challenged me to seek the kingdom of heaven when I was at university. Why should I teach in Selangor rather than my beloved hometown, Penang? Could I rely on God? On several occasions, I realized that God blessed me just on time! I tried to influence my students to be intrinsically motivated. I tried to nurture a passion for knowledge. Besides teaching, I researched to facilitate the learning of my students. How could I manage caring for an aging aunt, but by God’s mercy? How would I cope with my health issues, uncertain if healing would come? Would all the events, and my responses to them, show that I worship an all-powerful, merciful God in whom I can trust?