Fifty-ton Miracle
By Datin Aw Kow
I WOULD like to share with you some of my experiences as a Christian, especially during the last two years. Since childhood, my late father had always taught me to believe in the power of prayer. In times of need, I have always turned to Him, for “nothing is impossible with God”; He has answered my prayers according to His will.
Two and a half years ago, my husband started the national daily newspaper, Eastern Sun. Our first issue was to be published on 17th July 1966. Our consignments of newsprint were to have arrived by June. But due to the London Dock Strikes, our newsprint did not arrive even by the 10th of July. How does one publish a newspaper without newsprint? We tried to buy, beg or borrow newsprint, but without success. We enlisted the aid of our friends in different parts of the world, the V.I.P.s, the foreign embassies. They did their very best, but all their efforts were in vain. In desperation, I turned to God and was brave enough to ask for a miracle. I asked a few close friends, sisters, and children to pray earnestly for newsprint. And God came up with a “fifty-ton miracle”! He provided 50 tons of newsprint and a ship to bring the newsprint to Singapore.
My husband made me the chairman of the newspaper and told me that I did not have to do anything. But just before the newspaper was published, the general manager had a severe heart attack, so I had to pitch in to help. I soon found that I was not only the chairman but general manager, assistant manager, part-time accountant and cashier, secretary, chief office boy and chairwoman. My husband could not give me all the help I needed, as he had four other Chinese newspapers to run. I felt God was being rather unfair. In the first place, why give me a newspaper that I did not want! And how am I to run a newspaper without any training in journalism? Without any idea of office administration even? But I had no choice, so I began by running around in huge circles, but thanks to God, with His Help and guidance, the circles gradually became smaller and smaller as time passed.
Thus, no task is too big or too impossible, for God is ever ready to lend a helping and guiding hand. We were faced with immense difficulties and problems, and we are still facing many, some of which I still do not comprehend. But I know God will see us through.
I feel that there is a place and a need for Christian news in our newspapers.
I would like your support of our Church page in Eastern Sun, with your prayers and contribution of articles. The aim of the Church page is for the purpose of evangelism, to make the Word of God available to everyone, and to show the love of God for mankind through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Note: This article is a reprint from the March 1969 edition of Asian Beacon, our first printed magazine.
