The hokkien saying, 'Gin Nah Boh Puat Toh Ah Chua Eh Tua Han,' is quite true even though it sounds a little bit sarcastic. Direct word-for-word translation: 'Child No Fall Down How to Grow Up.'

In other words, experiencing pain is vital for growing up.

And I have recently come to fully appreciate that pain is a blessing - pain prevents us from over exerting beyond our human limits and further injuring ourselves.

Leprosy is known to cause scaly skins and the loss of limbs. But not really known to me is that the loss of limbs, starting with fingers and toes, began because leprosy causes the lost of pain. Lepers often over exert themselves, cut themselves, burnt themselves - all of which are likely the main causes of their disfigurement.

So pain is important part of life. To feel pain is to be alive and stay alive.

As I watch Abigail wail in pain when she is hungry or when she has so much "wind" inside her, I feel sad but at the same time, I am thankful because God has given her the gift of life and the ability to 'grow up'.

And the most recent happenings in and around Malaysia is a very sad thing for all Malaysians. (I know of many people who couldn't care less of what's happening and I think that such people are either living a so-called "religious" life with a very self-centered view about everything.)

Malaysia is one big baby that is going through much pain as I am writing this and you are reading it.

The recent church firebombings, escalating racial tensions (threats from "religious" people), police brutality (un-solved cases of deaths in police lock-ups,) constant sodomy cases, and authorities' incompetencies are really making hardworking Malaysians afraid of the future of Malaysia as a peaceful and developing country. I would be if I am of sound mind. And I am sure many minorities Malaysians who are capable are already plotting an escape route to leave this country seeing that it is headed towards a lawless police state. The brain drain rate will climb, and Malaysia may soon find itself exporting maids to Singapore, Thailand or even Indonesia!

I am angry and I am sad. I am angry because I see so much (uncountable) corruption that go unpunished, and I am sad because many politicians voted by the people soon disintegrate into ineffective servant of the people. Politicians forgot that they are not suppose to be a master but a servant. The Prime Minister should be reminded that he is a Prime Servant and not a dictator. He has the obligation to serve the people of Malaysia, and not to be served. All this has been forgotten. Sudah lupa-lah! The people of Malaysia serve the people they vote into office. The definition of a great leader has been inverted in this country.

But let us remind ourselves of what Jesus says about being great:

"Foreign kings order their people around, and powerful rulers call themselves everyone's friends. But don't be like them. The most important one of you should be like the least important, and your leader should be like a servant. Who do people think is the greatest, a person who is served or one who serves? Isn't it the one who is served? But I have been with you as a servant. You have stayed with me in all my troubles. So I will give you the right to rule as kings, just as my Father has given me the right to rule as a king...."

The least shall be the greatest. This is what I need to remind myself each time I am called into a leadership role. I must learn to serve as Jesus came to serve. I must learn to live for Christ and not live for myself. And as painful as things get, I must know that the path to life is narrow and difficult. Pain is all about living.

As Malaysia struggles thru a painful period, I urge all Malaysians who love this land, regardless of race and faith, to stay and fight for the truth, to support the right cause, and to ensure that this land will not fall into the hands of crooked and corrupt people - people who serve with their lips but kill with their hands.

Nothing against those who have left or on the verge of leaving Malaysia. Just remember your family and friends who are still here - be the voice for us in your new found land.

We can fight against evil in this land by spreading the truth and ensuring there is a united stand against evil. Inaction and fear in confronting injustice is condoning evil. Speak out and speak against evil. Do not be afraid. Matthew 10:28 says this:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Easier said than done right?

So take it one step of faith at a time. If you have never publicly spoken against the political evil in this land for fear of being arrested, you can start now. Do not go and shout and look to be arrested - but be courageous to share your thoughts. If the government has taken captive of your thoughts and your freedom of speech by instilling fear, why do we still call this country a democratic country!? Think about it.

A friend of mine who is not at all rich, has started transferring his money to other countries, and he tells me that this country will eventually not be fit for the minorities, and he has advised me to do likewise, to be prepared for the "eventual". I have told him that I intend to stay and fight because I think pain is part of God's plan for Malaysia to grow into a greater country. He laughed when I said this. But he is quite afraid to speak against the political evil in Malaysia - he thinks like the majority of minorities - self centered and pessimistic view. I do not wish to write to condemn my good friend, but it makes me sad to know that he and millions of Malaysians are the answer to this question: "What is the problem with Malaysia?" (Answer: I am. - answer by millions of Malaysians)

Why do I say this?

I tested my friend with a scenario. This is what I told him. "You condemn the political leaders of this country for their corrupt and unjust ways. But assuming one day, a 'head' minister of this country hangs a million ringgit in front of you, drops his pants and ask you to kiss it (his ass). Would you do it for 1 million ringgit?" And he hesitated for the longest time! Sigh.

This is perhaps the ultimate test of integrity.

Don't judge him if you also hesitate. Maybe yours is ten million sterling pounds. Perhaps almost everyone has a price! The question is, how much money would you do it for? Remember that Jesus was tempted by the devil in similar fashion. (read Matthew Chapter 4)

So I told my friend. "Man, you cannot judge all the politicians in Gerakan, MCA, MIC, Makkal Sakthi, etc. because you are guilty of similar crime (sin). If you are voted by the people and the temptation come, you will just be like the rest of the cronies who work for mammon (money).

So the Bible is clear in saying this:
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Indeed the road to a great nation will be a long and painful one for Malaysia. It will not be easy to get to where we want to go, but without this journey, Malaysia will always be an infant. History has taught us that great nations rise from rubbles. Let's just hope that we are still here after the rubble.

Think about this: Pain is and will remain an integral part of life on earth. It is a growing thing.