A Cup of Cold Water Which is Not Ready Yet

7979 LET LOVES MOVE AROUND . WORD / CHUA SING GEE

“This time, will it be my turn?” Yu Ting (pseudonym) wondering worriedly as she was waited alone at the quarantine hotel.
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Yesterday, when she learned that she had close contact with diagnosed patient, she was feeling scared but she still remained calm. She called her parent after she did her PCR test which was tested negative, she arranged to be quarantined in a hotel. She had been staying in her friend’s house for sometimes, but with this latest incident, it’ll be better for her not to return to the house, she couldn’t quarantine at her own house too, as she has an aging father at home. Even though she was tested negative, but what if she did bring the virus home?

Entering into second day of quarantine, she received a phone call from her uncle, who is the chairman of BCCM Menggatal (C). Just recently, the church decided to heed the call of Basel Church Chinese section in setting up “Basel · Love · Safe Quarantine House” project. Although, it was not formally open yet, nevertheless, the church still immediately allowed Yu Ting to quarantine at the premise, because the hotel that Yu Ting stayed was located at suburbs, which was not too safe for a young lady to stay.  

So, after five days of quarantine, Yu Ting was arranged to be quarantined at the church’s quarantine house.  

A few days ago, BCCM Menggatal (C) had a meeting and decided to set up a quarantine house, and immediately began to work on it. When Yu Ting’s uncle received a call from Yu Ting, the quarantine house was still in progress.   After understanding her situation, he discussed the matter with his church for Yu Ting to stay at the quarantine house.  

Even though, the quarantine house was still under preparation, but thankfully, the one that was set up as quarantine house was the parsonage, which already has bedrooms and basic facilities. After some basic toiletries were added in, Yu Ting’s uncle fetched her to stay at the quarantine house.

So, this was what happened, when the quarantine house set up by Sabah Basel Church was still not ready, they already took in one occupant, and the only occupant at that time.    

| The beginning of establishment of quarantine house
The number of confirmed cases in Sabah still remain high, the virus was like a wind blowing into every house, and more and more people were diagnosed.

When Sabah Basel Church was puzzling don’t know what to do, they received a call from HISTEAM 7979 encouraged their church to attend a vision sharing meeting of “7979 Love Quarantine” project. Responses from churches were very fast, some churches instantly agreed to participate in this project, and set off to work on establishing quarantine house in their respective area immediately. These areas were Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Sandakan, 3 areas with 11 quarantine rooms. Among these were Sunday School rooms that had been vacant for long time, they turned it into 5 isolated quarantine rooms; there were also vacant shop lots that being turned into quarantine house. Some churches also opened up their parsonages to host those who needed to be quarantined.     

The Chief Person in Charge, Rev Rosemary Chong shared: “It was the church’s deacons who really made the decision. They were willing to open up the vacant buildings that enable the establishment of quarantine house.” The fulfilment of a ministry depends not only on physical equipment, but also on people willing to serve together. When the church decided to set up quarantine house, they split 8 individuals into 2 teams. One team was the executing team which in charge of all labour works regarding quarantine house, the other group was the management team, they were in charge of all administration matters regarding quarantine house, such as finance. Whether it is purchasing, cleaning, disinfection and meals, we did it together and contribute our strength. Just like the body of Christ, everyone does their part to accomplish God’s work. Quarantine houses, too, cannot be built by one person alone, but when we worked together, in just 3 days, 9 quarantine rooms were set up. 
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Yu Ting said: “I’m very thankful to the church for they had helped me when I’m in difficulty.” When she realised that she needed to be quarantine, she was very scared, knowing that there were people around her who had been diagnosed, she was worried that she might had contracted the virus. “Aside from fear, the first thing that came to my mind was, no matter what the situation is,  I must self-quarantine at the soonest possible, I don’t want my family to be contracted.” Initially she was assigned to a hotel at suburb area, later on she moved to the church’s quarantine house. “I was so happy; I think that it is safer to stay at the church.” When she was at the church, she received many caring phone calls from church brothers and sisters. So coincident, her birthday fell on those few days of quarantine, so the church gave her a birthday cake to celebrate.

| A cup of cold water which is not ready yet? 
​Sabah Basel Church spent much efforts to set up quarantine houses, but God miraculously brought a little girl in need of quarantine into their midst before they were ready. If they had turn down the young lady with the excuse of “We are still not ready.” Will they miss the reward of serving this little one? The ministry that God wants us to do, many times it started before we are even ready. When the church finally completed everything, surprisingly God did not send anyone else *. Do you think that it is a waste? I don’t think so, I believe that God’s plan is always the best, just like the Bible’s verse, God does remember and will rewards those who had extended assistance to this little one.   
  
In the future, this quarantine house project will eventually come to an end. However, there are still  various needs in the community, the church still has to be ready to go beyond the four walls into the community, and give every little one a cup of cold water.

(*Later in October, after our interview, the church took in another 3 individuals.)