Pastor Michael: A night Ruth Education Centre refugee choir sang before an august 500 pax audience of royalty, a knighted Malaysian, politicians, Datos and Datins, the business-community, professionals, and fellow Malaysians. At the VVIP table were the King and Queen of Negri Sembilan; Tan Sri Sir Francis Yeoh, Dato Kathleen Chew and the YTL Yeoh family. The performance was held to celebrate YTL Foundation's 25th Anniversary, the CSR arm of the group.
Our students were dressed in their best traditional clothes and sang their best: Rasa Sayang, Hallelujah Chorus and The Heart Song (YTL Foundation theme song). Ngaih Ta, one of our students, introduced the songs. SY Mung Pi choreographed the dance. Music and choir are an integral part of REC's curriculum.
Before the performance, I told the choir that we need to sing well before the royalty or I will have to be a refugee to Myanmar. After the performance, I told the team that I don't need to be a refugee! One cleverly replied, "But sir, you need to go to Myanmar to reform the junta." I couldn't argue with her logic.
Thank you for praying. The Lord had granted us favour. This is our 5th time singing in the presence of royalty and politicians, and innumerable occasions with churches and corporations. Many friends commented that the refugee choir was amazing last night. I think so too. May our Lord bless all the refugees in Malaysia. Keep them safe, Lord especially with our government's plan to track all refugees with TRIS.
Soli Deo Gloria!