By Mr Simon Lai

Mr Simon Lai, a Physics teacher, shares with us his experiences during his ailment last year when he
had to undergo a major operation. Mr Lai has since recovered and has returned to teaching this year.

Life is so unpredictable. When you are well, have you ever thought about what you are going to do when you are sick? I have. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, I have passed through my furnace of fire, seven times hotter than usual (read Book of Daniel 3:19-26). For that short and intense duration in the furnace, I realised that I am not alone. Not only have I experienced the personal touch of Jesus, I have found friends in ACS (Independent), my school! As Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Friends don't flee when times get tough, but offer to carry the burden you feel. True friends bear each other's burdens.

At 0100hrs on 31 July 2010, I woke up with extreme stomach pain and intense pulling sensation and vomiting. Thinking that I might have severe food poisoning, I rushed to the nearest hospital. After a review of the x-ray, the surgeon scheduled me for an emergency surgery as my colon was blocked by tumours. I just could not believe my ears! I was just too shocked to respond and I asked God, “Why me, Lord?”

What was supposed to be a three-hour surgery took six hours. Thereafter I was fully immobilised with four tubes running through my body. I could not move and I felt so close to death. For the next 2 days everything was so surreal. The only thing I could do was to ask God for a miracle and to reveal Himself to me.

God is good, and He still has His last say! Jesus gave me my first miracle when I was given a switch to press for the release of painkillers into my body but I was very much relieved that only very little of the medication was used. The doctor even commended me for using so little of the painkillers.

For a whole week after surgery, I was immobilized on the bed like facing a death sentence. All I could do was to claim God’s Word as medicine to the flesh. Then God gave me the second miracle when a friend advised me to change my medicine. This friend did not know that I was claiming God’s Word for healing. My tears started to flow when I received the new medicine, “the sun of righteousness shall arise...” (Malachi 4:2). Based on His Word, I called the nurse to get out me out of the hospital bed. Despite the four tubes still hanging on me, God gave me the strength to walk.

The third miracle came from a pastor friend who anointed my head with oil. I was immediately filled with the spirit and started crying. I felt that Jesus was so real and so close! At that point, I knew that I will be healed!

My fourth miracle actually sprung forth from a decision I made many years ago-- when I obeyed God’s calling to give up my accountant job to be a teacher at ACS (Independent). Hence, I was so touched that a mere teacher like me could receive so many well wishes, flowers and get-well-soon hampers from my colleagues in School, members of the Boys’ Brigade and friends from the Church. The sms from the Senior Admin was the first to reach me. I was moved to tears when Dr and Mrs Ong visited me on behalf of the school. Rev Malcolm Tan, Rev Paul Nga and Rev Loretta Lim—all came down to pray for me. Mr Tye Yew Meng, our 12th Boys Brigade Group Chairman even brought me to see Dr Ang Peng Tiam for a second opinion. He kindly waived his consultation charges simply because I was part of the ACS family. Colleagues from Year 1, Science Department and Boys’ Brigade visited me too. At one stage, there was just so many of the BB visitors that there was only standing space in my room. I even got to know old boys such as Prof Aw Tar Choon, Dr Jimmy Lim. Indeed, we are truly an institution that produced great people! The people at the hospital must be thinking that I was the most important person in school!

During my three-week hospitalisation, I was by myself but never alone. I felt so loved. Hardly a day would pass by without concerned colleagues’, parents’ and students’ calls and sms-es of encouragement.

Everyone in ACS family has shown me love and friendship. I was really very touched by all! I realised that I am not just a teacher of ACS (Independent), but I am treated like a family member! Yes, ACS (Independent) is my home! Indeed, Jesus has shown His love to me through all of you and that has sped up my recovery. Thank you everyone!

 Simon Lai