'Rambo' turns to God

by Richard Koh

 

Can you imagine that I have to rush home, take my family out for dinner, go back and pack my stuff and touch base with my wife and children and pray with them before setting off for Bangkok on Aug 23, 2005? But before I could leave my office, one of my businessmen friends called and asked me to go over to his office.

 

I thought, maybe Mr Lim has some durians or rambutans or even duku from his farm that he wants to bless me with. So I popped by his office while Agnes and the kids waited for me at home (older son Joseph tagged along).

 

As I walked into the office, I saw an Indian guy sitting with my friend. Mr Lim told me that the guy, Bala, also known as Rambo, needed Jesus.

 

Bala had just been released from prison five months ago. He joined my friend's company with the intention of stealing a lorry from him. But in his own words, Bala said, "When I saw my boss, I thought I saw God. I dared not steal from him any more. After working with him for two months, I decided to change my ways and earn a living through hard work and not rob and cheat again."

 

Bala was a notorious Indian tai kor who had been in and out of jail. But he noticed God's love in this friend of mine and was attracted to him.

 

That night, in my friend's office, he was ready to receive Christ. I just shared briefly with him and he was ready to say, "Lord Jesus, I need you. I open the door of my life and invite Christ to come in and be my Savior and the Lord of my life."

 

When I returned from Bangkok on the night of Aug 27, the first thing on my mind was to find out what happened to Rambo.

 

He had an assault case that was to be heard in court on Aug 26. Some years ago, he and a gang member had assaulted the personal assistant of a former mentri besar of Negri Sembilan. Because of his previous offences and criminal record, if found guilty, he could be jailed for four years.

 

I told Bala that he had to face the consequence of his foolishness and to let the law take its course. I added that this was temporary and that if he didn't repent before God, he would face eternal punishment. Bala was remorseful. He told me that it was okay for him to go to jail but what he was struggling with was the fate of his wife and two kids. Mr Lim, my businessman friend, and I prayed with him, asking for God's mercy.

 

Sunday morning, I asked Mr Lim what happened to Bala. He replied, "Buang kes," which means the prosecutors decided not to proceed with the case.

 

Bala is now being followed up by an Indian pastor from Calvary Church. Pray for Bala's "brothers". Before I met this ex-gangster and led him to Christ, he was already telling his "brothers in crime" about his experience with Mr Lim, "I mau percaya itu Tuhan father saya (referring to Mr Lim). Kamu mesti percaya juga." That would be another challenge: to bring them to the Lord. Pray for opportunity to talk to them and clarity in presenting the Gospel.