Xiao Ping (pseudonym) is a single mother of fifty of age, with 2 boys in Form 4 and Form 1 respectively. They are living in the house left by her late husband. She works in a factory as a production line operator, mainly in charge of inspection and categorising items. The whole family lives on her meagre salary of RM1500. Although life is still difficult, Xiao Ping is very grateful for the 7979 Holistic Care Station (hereinafter known as Care Station) of Butterworth Life Baptist Church, which extended assistance to her when she was deep in the pit of sorrow. She openly shared that she would not be hopeful without Care Station’s extended assistance.

FAMILY LIVES COLLAPSED

 IN A SUDDEN

Xiao Ping had a few jobs before she got married. After she got to know her late husband, she gradually quit those jobs and became a full-time wife. Her late husband, who worked at a Furniture shop became the sole breadwinner. She thought that she and her late husband could live happily ever after. However, with the demise of her late husband, her family’s dreams were utterly shattered. During that period, her late husband had a fever which lasted for days. He consulted many doctors, even traditional Chinese physicians, but none could diagnose the source of his illness. His family gave him many health products and supplements, hoping he would recuperate, however, their effort seemed to go down the drain. At that moment, Xiao Ping began to think that her late husband’s health issues could be related to his smoking habit. When her late husband’s condition was a little better, he immediately drove himself hard at work till he dropped, leaving behind Xiao Ping and two still ignorant boys, a house and a sum of RM1000 cash in hand. 

Xiao Ping seemed to lose her pillar of strength with her late husband’s demise. Being a single mother, she has to quickly accept the facts, swallow all her sorrow and emotions and take up the responsibility of being a breadwinner. The burden she carried on her shoulder worsened when dizziness due to high blood pressure hit her. Nevertheless, she stood boldly facing all the challenges before her because she knew her growing boys needed her. When Pr. Lim Lang Huang of Butterworth Life Baptist Church’s Care Station came to know of her late husband’s demise, she visited her during the funeral and sent her condolences while getting to know her more …      

Not long after they became acquainted, Pr. Lim helped her to apply for the 7979 Family Crisis Intervention Fund and Manna Food Bank’s aid to give them some financial relief. Pr. Lim’s kind actions comforted Xiao Ping. She is thankful that the 7979 Care Station extended assistance when she was helpless. Pr. Lim did not only assist in applying for Crisis Intervention Fund’s aid and Manna Food Bags, she also prayed for problems that Xiao Ping encountered. Pr. Lim’s prayers had somehow helped her to relieve a little and tone down the initially anxious, insecure and tense Xiao Ping.

TROUBLES KEEP

COMING ONE AFTER ANOTHER

Before Xiao Ping could fully recover from the passing of her spouse, her eldest son’s stomach was in sudden pain. The doctor diagnosed that it was appendicitis, which needed immediate surgery. Xiao Ping felt lonely and helpless again, so she called Pr. Lim for help. Pr. Lim comforted her and went to the hospital with lunch packed for Xiao Ping, this thoughtful act warmed her heart. Her worries did not stop even though her son’s surgery went smoothly; she still worried about their growth, educational expenses and household income.       
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Pr. Lim suggested that Xiao Ping to look for a job to get back on her feet. Actually she tried several jobs in the first year of her husband passing, however these jobs did not went well with her, so she could not stay on  those jobs for long. Up till 2024, through the recommendation of a sister at the Care Station, she finally found a job that she is happy with at a factory. With the addition of a monthly salary, their family’s condition gradually improved.   

Xiao Ping looked at the sturdy sofa made by her late husband, her heart filled with thanksgiving as she recalled the hard work he had done. At the same time, she is very grateful to the Care Station, which had extended assistance at her most vulnerable moment. Through the 7979 Family Crisis Intervention Fund and Manna Food Bank, she received much practical aid, besides spiritual support and encouragement. Xiao Ping is willing to overcome difficulties and move on for the good of her sons and herself.