Written by Joanna Tan • Jan 26, 2022
Connaught cell groups plough funds to furnish children’s home in Negeri Sembilan.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27
Ever since IMPACT was envisioned by Pastor Chris, the mandate to show Christ’s love to communities has been on the minds and hearts of the Connaught North and Connaught South cell groups in Kuala Lumpur, led by Godwin Supramaniam and Dr Lakana Kumar respectively. In August 2020, news arrived from Pastor John, a local pastor of a Tamil church, that an orphanage in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan needed furnishings for their new home. The orphanage was home to 15 orphaned and destitute children.
The cell groups sought the Lord in prayer if it was God’s heart for them to garner resources for this home in Negeri Sembilan. They had already shortlisted two Orang Asli villages in Tanjong Malim, Perak as part of their IMPACT projects.“How legitimate were the children’s needs in Bahau? Would the collected funds be used wisely? Could we, as a cell group, support this home amongst the other initiatives in the pipeline?” These were the honest questions they wrestled with as they prayed.
Moved by a desire to ‘turun padang’ and understand more of the community’s needs, Godwin and Jeffrey Tan, a member of Connaught South, set off in mid-August to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak Kanak Cerai in Bahau. Upon arrival, they got to know Pastor Sukumaran and his wife, who started the children’s home several years ago and faithfully oversee it till this day. “The children were either abandoned by their parents or given away to relatives. Some ended up in the home when the relative or caregiver abused [the children],” said Pastor Sukumaran. This meant that the home was a safe haven for these 15 children, who ranged from toddlers to teenagers.
It was not merely accommodation, but a place in which they were loved and cared for by Pastor Sukumaran and his wife. The children were well-provided for with daily meals, education, and recreational activities. However, as the children grew older, Pastor Sukumaran and his wife felt burdened for the boys and girls to live in separate houses. “In doing so, it not only allows [for] segregation but gives room to accept more children,” he said. By God’s grace, a second home was secured by Pastor Sukumaran at a peppercorn rate of RM10 per month!
By this time, the Connaught cell groups were single-minded in their purpose to help purchase new furnishings for the home. They were at peace and trusted in God as Jehovah Jireh – ‘The Lord who provides’. Philippians 4:19 aptly comes to mind: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” After hearing from Pastor Sukumaran and wife, Godwin and Jeffrey made their way to a furniture shop in the vicinity to purchase the necessary furnishings. On that very day, they bought a washing machine, refrigerator, five wall fans, five double-decker beds, and ten mattresses and pillows respectively. The home was also blessed with two rice cookers that were channelled to DUMC’s Social Concerns and Community Development ministry (SCCD).
Indeed, the children were overjoyed and their excitement visible as they received these brand-new furnishings for their home. “I could see a genuine sense of appreciation in [the children’s] eyes. Pastor Sukumaran and wife were so touched as many had come and gone, but we were able to help them to furnish their home”, said Godwin. After returning to KL and within a span of several weeks, the RM4,150 spent on furnishings was raised from the cell groups! To God be the glory. Godwin recounted stories of how the cell groups have been positively impacted by the initiative too. “Individually we may be in some sense ‘limited’, but collectively we realised that we could do so many amazing things for God,” said Godwin. He added: “Our members have also learnt the importance of reordering their budgets. Looking beyond ourselves, we see people struggling with basic necessities… As individuals, we can use our money more wisely to help others in need.”
What is next for the Connaught cell groups? Well, the work does not stop in Bahau, but “carries on until the Lord Jesus comes again!” said Godwin with a grin. In December 2021, they plan to carry out a community outreach program during Christmas time to a Myanmar community comprising Christians and non-Christians alike in Sungai Besi. “We are planning a children’s drawing contest and perhaps a Christmas gift distribution to bless the kids… Aside from that, we hope to set up a medical camp where Dr Kumar can do some eye tests and we can also provide some education around Covid”, he said.
As for the Orang Asli communities in Tanjong Malim, there are church planting efforts in the pipeline that will prayerfully lead to lives saved in His name. May the Church break ground in hard or unfamiliar places to ‘turun padang’ where God calls us to, saying ‘Yes!’ in loving kindness to meet our neighbours in need.
Article written by Joanna Tan for KL Zone