Pioneering in - Far Eastern Bible College

had to be content with only two meals a day, for Mother could notgive him even a little cake-money. Should he sometimes spend acent or two on a bowl of sakok mai (sago broth), that would be atreat indeed. From early years he understood what Mother’sindigence was. Rarely did he dare to ask beyond Mother’s means,except as she would give him to buy some tit-bits.Once the East River flooded and merchants had to use sailboats. Their village suddenly became an anchorage. Seeing thatschool was closed by the flood, Mother realised here was a goodchance to make money. As the flood water overflowed the streets,and her eyes were bad, she could not freely move about. Thechildren being young and without understanding, Mother and sonmobilised themselves to go and find goods.They both set out, boy leading Mother through the flood,sometimes chest deep. What a bitter experience! They boughthome cakes and confectionery and the boy soon became a vendorfrom boat to boat. This little boy had got some business. But hewas struck by another thought, “Don’t I have the many cakes thatI carry in my hands before my eyes? Why should I send them upto other mouths while I could enjoy not a bit?” Many a time hismouth watered but he dared not eat any – for this was to makemoney with. The money earned, he knew, was intended for ahigher purpose than eating cake. So he had to exercise self-controlwhile his eyes gloated over these tasty things transferring intoother hands.Although the boy’s education in primary school was churchsubsidised,his mother had to pay his other expenses. There was atime when his shoes gaped like “an inverted sky-window.”Realising Mother’s difficulties he dared not ask for repair money,but salvaged some leather bits and nails and hammered themtogether. But then the sole-thread gave way which made it gapethe more like a hungry demon. Fearing discovery, he walked withan agonising gait. This attracted his teacher’s attention to inquire14