When Coincidence Becomes Providence

Around mid-August, many of the floor tiles in my dining area suddenly began to pop up. One possible explanation was the recent extreme heat experienced in Sabah and in many parts of the world. In some countries, extreme heat waves have pushed temperatures as high as 46°C (115°F), including parts of the southwestern and south-central United States. By comparison, the highest temperature recorded in Sabah during the first three weeks of August was around 34°C (93°F).

At first, my wife and I simply walked over the raised tiles. But as more tiles began to pop up, some started to crack under the pressure. To prevent further damage, we placed plywood and a thick rug over them to cushion the impact.

I immediately thought of contacting some contractors who had helped us with repair work in the past. I remembered one contractor who had repaired our floor tiles before, but somehow I just could not recall his name. Another contractor came to mind, but he is normally very busy, and I knew he would probably not be available for at least a month or two.

Just as I was wondering who else I could call, my phone rang on 20 August. It was Alan. I immediately remembered him, although I could hardly recall the last time he had called me - perhaps not once in the past 10 to 15 years. We are in the same chat group, where he regularly shares Christian messages and testimonies, but we had never actually contacted each other directly for many years.

Alan called to ask whether I could help him with some technical issues concerning an old house he was repairing. He normally consulted another consultant friend, Simon, but Simon was unreachable, so Alan thought of calling me instead.

I agreed to help. On 22 August, I accompanied Alan to the old house, where we met the owner and discussed the problems and possible solutions. During our conversation, I casually mentioned my own floor tile problem and said that I was looking for someone to repair it. Alan did not say much about it at the time.

He did, however, mention that he was currently handling a major repair contract at a college along Jalan Tuaran-Bypass. He had also taken on the house repair project because its owner was a member of the college's management committee and had sought his help to fix some leaking problems in the house.

Then on Monday, 24 August, to my great surprise, Alan called and said that he would set aside a day or two to repair my floor tiles. This was totally unexpected, and I was deeply touched by his gesture. Instead of merely helping me find someone else, he literally put aside his work on two ongoing projects and came to help me himself. In the end, he spent three and a half days, from 26 to 29 August, repairing my floor tiles. To me, it was nothing short of a God-sent miracle.

Later, Alan told me what had led him to call me in the first place. Being a man of faith, he often prays whenever he encounters difficulties. When he could not get hold of Simon, he prayed for someone who could help him. During his prayer, he had a vision of a white-haired man - and he immediately thought of me. That was how it all began.

Looking back, it is difficult for me to see this as merely a coincidence. At the very moment I was wondering who could help me with my floor tiles, Alan - someone I had hardly spoken to in 10 to 15 years - suddenly called me. And the reason he called was because he needed my help. Yet, in the end, it was he who ended up helping me.

Our paths crossed at precisely the right moment, and neither of us could have planned it. Perhaps this is how God sometimes works - not always through dramatic or spectacular miracles, but through ordinary events that come together at just the right time. And what initially appears to be coincidence begins to look more and more like divine providence.

For me, this was more than just getting my floor tiles repaired. It was a gentle reminder that God knows our needs even before we ask, and that He can bring the right person into our lives at exactly the right time. What began with a few floor tiles popping up ended with a reminder that, in God's hands, even the most ordinary circumstances can become extraordinary.

Buckets and buckets of sand were placed on the floor tiles after liquid adhesive was applied - a true “brute force” solution, as Paul aptly put it, to make sure the popped-up tiles were firmly glued back into place!

Durians Galore

On 14 August, our CG members went on an outing to a durian farm, with one very clear objective - to enjoy as many durians as our hearts desired!

The farm belongs to a friend who is passionate about durians and has devoted considerable time, effort and resources to promoting the fruit and developing durian-related eco-tourism. The farm is not simply a place to grow durians; it has been thoughtfully developed to allow visitors to experience the plantation and learn more about the different varieties of this much-loved tropical fruit.

One of the highlights of the farm is the trail leading from the base to the highest platform. Steps have been constructed along the route, with several resting stations where visitors can take a break and enjoy the surroundings. According to the owner, there are about 500 steps in total - a fairly challenging climb, especially for the seniors in our group!

We therefore split into two groups. Seven members decided to remain at the base, while the other 15 took up the challenge and climbed to the mid-level platform. The climb provided some welcome exercise, although the thought of the durians waiting for us at the top was undoubtedly an additional source of motivation!

The outing turned out to be both educational and enjoyable. We learned more about durian cultivation and the different varieties grown on the farm, while also having the opportunity to taste two types of durians - Musang King and the more traditional Kampong durians. Each had its own distinctive taste and character, giving us plenty to talk about and compare.

Of course, the real highlight was sitting together, enjoying the fresh durians and filling our tummies to our heart's delight. It was a wonderful combination of learning, exercise, good food and, most importantly, fellowship. For our CG group, it was a memorable outing that reminded us that sometimes the best way to spend a day is simply to enjoy good company over an abundance of good food!

Ascending from the base to the mid-platform.

The owner personally opened the durians for us!

An unusably huge Kampong durian.

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Besides durians, the farm is also home to a variety of other fruit trees. On our way down after the durian feast, the owner pointed out a yellowish fruit and introduced us to Gac fruit, which I saw for the first time. Native to Southeast Asia, Gac is related to bitter melon and is known for its distinctive spiky skin and bright red, jelly-like arils surrounding large black seeds. The arils are the edible part and are particularly rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, as well as vitamin E. Unlike many tropical fruits, Gac has a mild, slightly sweet and creamy taste.

The owner also gave us a bambangan picked from one of the trees. Seeing it immediately brought back memories of eating this fruit at my grandmother’s farm in Kampong Pulutan in the 1960s. Bambangan is a wild mango native to Borneo, with thick greenish-brown skin, yellow-orange flesh and a large seed. It has a strong, distinctive aroma and a unique sweet-sour, tangy flavour. A traditional favourite in Sabah, particularly among the Kadazan-Dusun community, bambangan remains one of Borneo’s distinctive seasonal fruits. For me, however, it was more than just a fruit - it was a delicious reminder of childhood memories.

Gac Fruit (Top) and Bambangan (Lower)

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From Praise Kid to Bridegroom: Celebrating Ian and Samantha

It was a fun-filled, joyful and humorous evening last weekend on 8 August as we gathered to celebrate the wedding of Ian and Samantha. The banquet was filled with laughter, warm fellowship and happy memories, making it a truly memorable occasion for everyone present.

I have known Ian since he was a little boy attending the Praise Kids in the early 2000s. It was therefore especially meaningful to see that little boy, whom I had watched grow up over the years, now standing as a grown young man and beginning a new chapter of his life as a husband.

Ian’s life story, as shared by his father, George, in his speech that evening, was nothing short of remarkable. His mother passed away in 2008, when Ian and his younger sister, Michelle, were still very young (Read here). It must have been an incredibly difficult and painful season for the family.

Yet, with the love, strength and perseverance of their father, George, together with the support and care of their grandparents, the two children were able to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment. Sadly, their grandfather passed away later, leaving their grandmother to continue playing an important role in caring for and supporting them.

Today, Michelle is married and settled in Philadelphia, USA, while Ian has also grown into a fine young man and has now begun a new chapter of his life with Samantha. Looking at how far both siblings have come despite the difficulties they faced in their childhood is truly heartwarming. Their journey is a wonderful testimony to the love of family, the resilience of the human spirit, and above all, God’s grace and faithfulness through the years.

For me, Ian holds another special place in my memories. I have been his “magician” ever since his Praise Kids days! When I was giving lessons, I would use magic as an additional tool to capture their attention and make the lessons more interesting and memorable (Read here). Ian was one of those young boys who watched with curiosity and excitement as I performed my little magic tricks.

How wonderful it was, after all these years, to see that same little boy now standing at his wedding banquet as a grown man, ready to embark on life's journey with Samantha. In some small way, I feel privileged to have witnessed a little part of his growing-up years.

It was indeed a privilege and a joy to be there - not just to attend a wedding, but to celebrate the remarkable journey of a young boy I once knew, who has now become a husband and is beginning a beautiful new chapter of his life.

That evening, I also had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Ian’s uncle, Vincent, who had travelled all the way from New Jersey in the United States to be present for his nephew’s wedding. His presence added another interesting connection to an already memorable evening.

What made our meeting particularly special was that Vincent had once been a student of my wife back in the late 1980s, when she moved to Kota Kinabalu after our marriage. At that time, she was teaching English at Sabah College, and Vincent was one of her students. Remarkably, even after so many decades, he could still vividly recall being taught English by her and some of his experiences as a student in those days. It was amusing and heartwarming to hear him recount those memories from so long ago.

Life has certainly taken Vincent a long way since his school days in Sabah. He eventually settled in the United States, where he built a life, raised three children who are now grown adults, and has himself become a grandfather. As we talked, I was reminded once again of how unpredictable and fascinating life's journey can be. From a young student sitting in an English classroom in Sabah to becoming a husband, father, grandfather and resident of the United States, Vincent's story is yet another remarkable example of how life can unfold in ways we could never have imagined when we were young.

It was a delightful reunion across generations and continents - two families coming together to celebrate a wedding, while unexpectedly reconnecting with memories that stretched back more than three decades. Sometimes, the most memorable moments at a wedding are not found in the formalities of the banquet, but in the unexpected encounters and stories that emerge along the way.

With some of the friends who were invited
to attend the banquet.

The Closed Snack Street and an Unexpected Find in Wangfujing

After spending nearly three hours exploring Prince Gong’s Mansion, we decided to head to Wangfujing Snack Street to continue our sightseeing and have dinner there.

However, when we arrived at the famous Wangfujing Snack Street, we were surprised to find that there was no sign of any food stalls or vendors. Curious about what had happened, we approached a nearby policeman, who informed us that the Snack Street had been permanently closed shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Undeterred, we continued walking toward the nearby shopping malls to explore the area and search for dinner. Fortunately, our efforts were not in vain. To our delight, we came across an eatery called Ding Wei Tai, which specializes in Cantonese roasted meats and dessert soups.

Prince Gong’s Mansion: Palace of Power, Lessons of Greed

After lunch on 21 May 2026, we decided to visit Prince Gong’s Mansion. This huge mansion, often referred to in English as “Prince Kung’s Palace,” is one of the finest and best-preserved examples of Qing dynasty aristocratic architecture in China. Located in Beijing’s Xicheng District near Shichahai, the vast complex offers a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of imperial princes and high-ranking officials during the late imperial era.

Originally built in the late 18th century, the palace first served as the residence of Emperor Qianlong’s daughter, Gurun Princess Hexiao, and the powerful court official Heshen, who later became infamous for corruption. Following Heshen’s downfall and execution in 1799, the estate was confiscated by the imperial court and granted to Prince Qing, Yonglin. In 1850, it was bestowed upon Yixin, better known as Prince Gong (Prince Kung), from whom the mansion derives its enduring name.

The man in this old photo on display taken in this mansion is Pujie (溥杰), the younger brother of the last emperor of Qing dynasty, Puyi.

Covering more than 62,000 square metres - roughly the size of nine soccer fields - the estate is divided into two main sections: the residence (over 33,000 square metres) and the garden (over 29,000 square metres). Designed in the traditional siheyuan layout, the mansion features symmetrical courtyards arranged along a central axis, reflecting Confucian principles of order and hierarchy. Formal halls and ceremonial spaces occupy the northern section, while the southern section served as private living quarters.

A highlight of the estate is its magnificent garden, regarded as one of Beijing’s finest surviving imperial gardens. Originally known as Langrun Garden and later renamed Cuijin Garden, it contains 44 scenic spots, including winding pathways, rockeries, ponds, bamboo groves, and elegant pavilions. Blending imperial grandeur with literati aesthetics, the garden stands as a masterpiece of Qing princely landscape design. Its Rear Building, Western-style Gate, Grand Theater, and the famed Fu Stele are collectively celebrated as the “Three Masterpieces and One Treasure” of Prince Gong’s Mansion.

Today, the mansion functions as a museum, showcasing restored interiors, Qing furniture, calligraphy, and historical artifacts that illuminate aristocratic life and court culture. Often described as a “mini Forbidden City,” it remains one of Beijing’s most valuable historical landmarks.

The palace’s history also offers a sobering reflection on human nature. Its most notorious early resident, Heshen, amassed immense wealth through corruption and paid with his life. Yet such severe punishment has done little to eliminate corruption across time. In December 2025, senior Chinese banker Bai Tianhui was executed after being convicted of accepting bribes totaling approximately US$155 million (Read here). Closer to home, a former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Isa Samad was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for corruption.

These cases, separated by centuries and geography, reveal a persistent truth: the allure of wealth, power, and privilege remains extraordinarily strong. Despite harsh penalties and public disgrace, corruption continues to thrive, suggesting that greed and the pursuit of power remain among humanity’s most enduring temptations.