A look at the winner of this year’s Courage award.
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| CN PHOTO: Desmond Tan |
At 80 years of age, Billy Lim is the oldest graduate to receive the Advanced Certificate in Theology from the School Of Theology. Besides being rewarded for his hard work, he is also the recipient of the Courage Award, an award that is given to one who has demonstrated courage and displayed tremendous resilience in the face of challenges, Uncle Billy, as he is affectionately called, is a living testimony to many of his team mates in Team 30.
Fresh off his memorable win, Lim is thankful for all the attention that has been showered on him. Sounding every bit cheerful on the telephone when City News spoke to him, he reiterated that he was but an “instrument of God to inspire His people.” Indeed, it is hardly comprehensible that a man of his age, who currently resides in a nursing home—Econ Medicare Centre, would aspire to inspire and influence those around him. Despite the passing of his wife in 2005, Uncle Billy remained positive and actively seized opportunities to testify of God’s goodness wherever he went.
For the past six months, Lim has been more than an attendee in his home church—City Harvest Church. Besides enrolling and studying in SOT since March, he also serves as an usher during worship services and in cell group settings to welcome new friends. When asked how he did it, Lim simply shared that it was “the fruit of joy” that kept him going. Even at a ripe old age, this man is a believer of learning and leading an active lifestyle. Many times after classes at SOT, he would head to the library to read, an activity he advocates as something that “broadens my mind.” Apart from his love for reading, Lim is thankful to God that his eyesight is still good over the years.
The hour-long journeys he takes to church daily has not been much of a deterrence either as he has found strength to do tai chi exercises. Commuting daily from east to west between CHC’s premises at Jurong West and his nursing home, has been made easy with the help of many such as Bobby Chaw, SOT’s dean of students, Jasmine Yen, Brioni Gotteburg—his SOT mates, among others.
Besides ensuring his safety when he goes up and down the buses, they have also bought him meals and driven him around. One of them even reminded him, “Call me, I want to know you have reached home safely.” Such dedication and love shown by his friends has touched his heart and brought tremendous blessing upon his life.
