Growing Closer - Seow Hui

As we approach the end of the year, we catch up with sis Seow Hui, a mother of 3 kids who busies herself with doing the Lord’s work. Read on to find out more about her Christian journey, and her continued contribution in different areas of the church while balancing family and work. 

Michelle:

For a start, could you tell me more about yourself? 

Seow Hui:

To be honest, it's hard for me to describe a typical day as there have been many changes in our lives recently, especially with the passing of my mum-in-law back in July and the fractures in my left ankle and leg where I had to undergo surgery. 

I was previously working full-time as an accountancy lecturer with Singapore Polytechnic, but resigned in early November 2024 to focus on my family. In the end, I continued working as an adjunct lecturer as my Reporting Officer asked if I could help teach a module which they had difficulty getting lecturers to teach. Since then, I found that working as an adjunct lecturer, focusing only on teaching, allows me the flexibility and energy to focus on my family and serving in the church, hence I continued with this role.  

I'm quite thankful that I was able to have the time and energy to support my mum in-law. In late-Nov 2024, soon after I resigned, she suffered a stroke. Ben's siblings' families and my mum-in-law's siblings all rallied around to support my mum-in-law during her time of need, and we are really grateful that I could support her and be there for her. 

Right now, a typical day would involve us leaving the house as a family at 6.30am, when Ben drops the kids and I off to go to school. I'm usually teaching in the morning, and back home in the afternoon to help the kids with their schoolwork and other household matters. With small pockets of time here and there, I try to catch up on something church-related. For example, preparing for bible class, liaising with Cynthia as ICs for the Sunday nursery class, or catching up on my scripture writing. 

Saturdays are usually when we do grocery shopping, prepare bible class, go for my physiotherapy, and we try to rest on Sundays after the worship service and bible class.

Michelle:

What would you say is one little known fact about yourself?

Seow Hui:

One little known fact about myself is that I used to enjoy doing cross stitch as a teen and young adult. I made a few pieces, one of which is framed up at home and a couple as gifts. After I started working, it was quite hard to find time to pick up this hobby again. Maybe when I retire and my eyes are still good enough, I might pick it up again!

Michelle:

I am curious... What does the cross stitch piece in your house look like? 

Seow Hui:

Michelle:

On your earlier response regarding your typical day, quick check, did you mean scripture reading rather than scripture writing?

Seow Hui:

I meant scripture writing 😊 it's something I started doing back in 2021 when a sister-in-Christ from the US posted about how she created a scripture writing book for her mum as a gift, with only a few verses to be written daily for a whole year. She freely shared this book in pdf with others who were interested. I got interested as it felt like a very easy way to get into studying the Bible daily. But the cost of printing the book was too expensive for my liking, so I created a checklist of all the scriptures for the year, and used my own notebook to write the scripture. I have to admit I haven't been very consistent with it though, hence I try to catch up on weekends or less busy periods when I can.

Michelle:

Oh!! That's the first time I have heard of scripture writing. What is it?

Seow Hui:

Scripture writing is more like doing a book study but going through it very slowly by only focusing on a few verses daily. So writing it down allows you to really slow down and focus on a few verses a day, and you can do as in-depth a study as you want, or a briefer one if you're short on time. This article by the sister in Christ who started this daily scripture writing will help you understand it better! (https://walkingwherejesuswalked.com/2024/11/15/another-year-to-write-gods-word-on-our-hearts/)

Michelle:

Thanks Seow Hui for sharing this - I learnt something new today! This is a good segway into your Christian journey. How did you come to know of God?

Seow Hui:

I'm from a taoist-buddhist family, and a core memory growing up was folding incense paper with my cousins at my grandma's house, and burning them for my grandpa's death anniversary, offering joss sticks at the altar, and enjoying the delicious food prepared by my grandma afterwards. 

Though I had friends in secondary school who invited me for church activities, I wasn't keen as I was quite turned off by the message that only Christians would go to heaven. After I started dating Ben (we were JC classmates), he invited me to a gospel meeting but I wasn't interested after attending. I do appreciate that he never pressured me into becoming a Christian back then. 

A couple of years later, he had a conversation with me about who I thought God was, and whether the rituals I did with my family were out of obligation or belief. It caused me to challenge my own religious beliefs, and at the next gospel meeting I attended, I was convicted by the message preached on how all of us had sinned. 

My curiosity also led me to attend services. The Bible study I had with bro Peter Kwan and sis Juek Tiang using the Jules Miller DVD series helped me have a greater understanding of God and the Bible. Not long after, I decided to be baptised, as I was troubled by not being in the right relationship with God. It's been around 20 years since I was baptised!

Michelle:

Thanks for sharing your journey to become a Christian! 20 years is a long time. What areas of church are you helping in and what would you say keeps you going through the years?

Seow Hui:

The first area I began helping with is the church accounts. I am thankful that the late brother Hong Leng trusted me enough to rope me in to help with the church accounts as a young Christian. I remember being inspired by sis Wai Kheng, who willingly learnt and helped with the bookkeeping even though she was not accounting-trained. Currently, sis Sharyl is the one who does most of the accounting of the church treasury, and I only help with reviewing the accounts and assist her in liaising with the auditors. I also assist bro Andy with the yearly budgeting. 

Another area is being the Sunday nursery class IC. I also remember feeling quite apprehensive when sis Geok Eng approached me to take over as nursery class IC. At that time, she was one of the 30 members who bravely agreed to be part of the church planting work, to form a new congregation in the East (Eastside Church of Christ). Although I did not think I was the best person for the job, I also felt that I couldn't say no. During this time, we had a big group of active members who would be leaving to start a new congregation, and I had to do my part to support this good work. 

The last area is in teaching bible classes for Thursday children's class, ladies class and visitors. 

What keeps me going is knowing that there are brethren who love God and love the church. Some members are always ready and willing to teach bible classes, willing to help step in when someone is sick, even if they may already have a lot on their plate. They remind me of Isaiah who said to the Lord "Here am I, send me" (Isa 6:8). 

There are also various brethren serving or leading various areas, and it's not easy to organise programs like VBS, June camp, Kids fellowship, or be a bible class IC, so I try to support them to the best of my ability, so that they don't burn out. 

I also know that if I'm not busy serving, I may end up spending that time on leisure activities. So keeping myself busy is also a way for me to ensure my time is spent meaningfully and productively. 

Lastly, I always try to attend funerals, as it reminds me that life is short and unpredictable. This helps me to keep my focus on things above and not things of this earth.

Michelle:

Indeed, supporting the various work in the church is important. After all, more hands make light work! And if you don't start, there's no opportunity for you to grow. What advice would you have for someone who is not sure where they can start helping out in the church?

Seow Hui:

I think one way is to try to join as many different activities that are organised during the year as you can. For example, homezone gatherings, fellowship activities, June camp, gospel meeting, area cleaning, tracting, Thanksgiving, etc.

Just by participating and attending these activities, we are helping to encourage and support those who have spent time and effort to plan those activities. It also allows us to get to know our brethren better, build stronger relationships and bonds within the church. As we get to know members better, it also allows us opportunities to find out more about different areas so we can consider serving. Others can also get to know us better and may suggest certain areas which suit our strengths or personality. 

Alternatively, there is a member involvement form which details different areas that members can volunteer to serve in - the preachers would be more than happy to share the different areas and who's in charge of which area, if anyone is interested :)

Michelle:

These are great tips for getting started and expanding our involvement! Last question from me: What is the Bible passage/verse(s) that inspire you the most?

Seow Hui:

Isaiah 53:1-12 inspires me the most as it vividly describes how Jesus suffered and bore the punishment for our sins, reminding me of God's great love for us. This helps me to remember the price that was paid for my salvation, and motivates me to make time and effort to serve, as it cannot compare to the sacrifice made by Christ in giving up his life for us.

Michelle:

Is there anything else you would like to share by way of a concluding statement?

Seow Hui:

I'm eternally grateful to God for blessing me with my husband, Ben, and my children, Jonas, Tobias and Katelyn. It's hard for me to imagine sacrificing one of my children, like what God did, and how Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. However, that is the kind of obedience and trust that Abraham and Christ demonstrated towards God. It is my prayer and hope that my children, and all the children we teach in bible class, will grow in their faith, and humbly submit to God in obedience like Abraham and Christ did.