Updated : 21/08/2001

There Is Hope In Jesus Christ
By Kenny Foo

Before I became a Christian in February 1993, I was a man in pursuit of the riches in the world - seeking "gold & glory". I would position my life and career so that recognition would come in the form of titles, positions and wealth that are valued by men. But today my life’s goals and perspectives have changed. 

I was brought up in a traditional Chinese family that practiced ancestral and idol worship. As a little boy, my mother frequently consulted the mediums for help so that I could perform well in my school examinations. In addition, it was my mother’s desire and wish that I would become someone outstanding in society one day. For protection, she would usually bring home bags of talismans for the entire family members.

Later my mother had cancer of the pancreas and passed away when I was 17 years old. I was saddened by her demise for she was very caring, benevolent to the poor and a fervent follower of her gods. I was angry with her gods and wondered why they could not heal her. I completely forsook these gods after her death but continued to carry those talismans with me for comfort and security, hoping to be somebody one day.

After my graduation as a mechanical engineer, I worked for a multi-national company. I became the Head of Department at the young age of 26 – a position that was usually held by expatriates. With my talismans, I was confident of succeeding in the corporate world. Many people were envious of me because of the position I held. I was after all soaring high in my career. However, the multi-national company that I depended on to finance my retirement went bust in 1981 and I became jobless overnight. By then, I was already married with two daughters (a 3-year old girl and a one-month old infant). Although disappointed by this sudden turn of events, I was quickly headhunted by a human resource consultancy to work as a Director of Manufacturing in another multi-national company. I was under the impression that it was the supernatural power of the talismans I was carrying and I started to treasure them even more. My diligence and perseverance in my job paid off handsomely. More responsibilities were given to me to develop the company's business. Most of my time was spent in and out of airports and hotels. My desire to chase after "gold and glory" soon strained my family life. As work pressures began to pile up and I lost my sense of direction in life, I felt no peace.

During the early 1980's economic recession, my career took a twist again. Disillusioned with my company, I resigned and was jobless again. As a consequence I began to doubt the power of my talismans.

I went on to start my own business using my 3P concept - assembling a team of right People to sell reliable Products and to make good Profits. With my management skills and perseverance, soon my company became a success. "It must be my personal strength and not the power of my talismans," I thought to myself. Very confidently I decided to discard the talismans and began to live as a free thinker. Before long, I had made it to the top of the corporate world - making exceptional profits and enjoying life. Being very ambitious, more business branches were set up in various states of the country.

In 1989, my wife and I decided to have another baby after a 8-year break. One morning when she was six months pregnant, she began bleeding profusely and I immediately admitted her to the hospital. The doctor said she might have to save the mother by removing the unborn baby if the bleeding continued -- in short, an abortion. During this time of emergency and trouble, my wife knelt down to utter a desperate prayer asking Jesus to save our baby. She knew about Jesus in her earlier school days but had never really come into a relationship with Him because of my disapproval. She felt complete relief after that short prayer. Later, the doctor came to check on my wife and was surprised to see that the bleeding had miraculously stopped. She was discharged a few days later.

My wife knew that it was "Doctor" Jesus who had healed her. With great joy, the following Sunday, she brought my two daughters to a church and since then they have been attending church service regularly. Resulting from this, Sundays became a time for arguments between my wife and I over attending church because I insisted that they stop immediately. 

At this time, I had become very successful in my business and had attained high social standing as a community leader of charitable and social work organisations.

However as I progressed in business and advanced socially, I did not have peace and happiness. Business pressures and problems weighed down my life. My goals and perspectives of life then started to change. Strangely, I began to acknowledge that one's life did not necessarily consist in the abundance of things or titles or positions one possesses.

In February 1993, just one week before my wife's birthday, she told me that she wanted to enrol for water-baptism. She asked for my opinion and approval. As I was unsure of myself and was still searching for meaning of life I gave my approval without hesitation and even asked whether I could join her. The following Sunday morning, the whole family went to church and there the church elder led me to pray to receive Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord. That same evening, I was water-baptised.

My walk with the Lord was lukewarm for the first 3 years with no real life transformation. I went through various trials and tribulations in my business and relationships. One day I came to the Lord in prayer and let Him have the things that held me. The Lord was gracious, descended upon my life, enfolded me and filled my heart. He said to me, " … do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2)". It brought tremendous comfort to me and I acted on it. Slowly and surely, my life began to be transformed, not by my own efforts but by the grace and strength given to me by God..

Having accepted Jesus Christ for 7 years, my life is filled with Peace, Joy and Happiness. I am thankful to God who has blessed me with a wonderful and supportive wife and partner, three beautiful, intelligent, healthy and loving children. I am also blessed with a team of dedicated, sincere, hardworking and honest employees who have given their utmost which has brought considerable success and prosperity to our business.

To God Be The Glory!

Before I came to know Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, my life was in a shambles. I was a compulsive drinker, gambler, womanizer and caused much pain and grief to members of my own family. I had no time or patience to hear or entertain any preacher of the gospel. You could say I was in fact anti Christ and anti Christians.

My life took a turn (not for the better though) in 1993 when I was informed by my doctors that I was suffering from nose cancer which had spread and affected my brain, throat and particularly my eyes very badly. Out of desperation I sought the help of many medical specialists, Chinese herbalists and even prayed for healing to many gods but to no avail. The many medical tests that I had undergone appeared to confirm my worst fear – that my life was slowly ebbing away and I had only 3 months to live. My wife, when being informed of my illness and impending death, was all choked up and could hardly be comforted or consoled. I was equally emotional and cried not because I was afraid to die but because my children then were still young (aged 3, 6 and 9).

I had taking 36 chemotherapy treatments and 35 doses of radiotherapy. I suffered terribly and was affected by all sorts of side effects. My hair began to drop and I was constantly vomiting. The doctors finally gave up on me and told me that the medical treatments could not heal or in any way help me anymore. The doctors discharged me, not expecting to see me alive again.

Even though the situation looked bleak and hopeless yet I continued to reject all attempts by my Christian relatives to share the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ with me.

God was however merciful even though I was hard hearted and stubborn. For a short time thereafter, even as I was resting at home one evening, I could feel and sense in my heart that God was telling me not to be so hard hearted and that I ought to open my heart to receive Him so that He could heal me.

After so speaking to me, God sent a lady, my neighbour, to visit and challenge me receive and consult the most powerful and important doctor that I had yet to see or call upon – that is Doctor Jesus. This time I did not decline and reject the offer. I prayed the sinner’s prayer together with my neighbour and received Jesus Christ into my heart as my personal Lord and Saviour.

He is not just my Lord and Saviour for He is also my healer for within 4 ½ months thereafter I was totally and wonderfully healed. When I was being prayed for on 2 occasions I was able to sense the tangible presence and touch of God and able to see the vision of the blood of Jesus Christ overflowing and cleansing me.

The medical tests and results which confirmed my healing was a testimony in itself to the doctors who were treating me. Careful as they were, the doctors cautioned me that I needed to monitor my health and continue to pray, for such sickness may reappear after 5 years. It has been 7 years now and I am still in excellent health. God not only healed me physically, He cleansed me out spiritually and morally. Halleluyah and Praise be to God!