My hometown is in Ipoh in the state of Perak. I was born in a family of four boys, of which I was the eldest. My father was just a clerk which means that we did not grow up with many luxuries at that time, as my father could only afford a motorcycle up until his retirement.

I did not value my hometown very much until I left Ipoh for my further studies and different ministry locations. It was later on in life that I began to realise that it was God who had given me a school and also a local church where I could learn and grow. As I look back, it was in my school days in ACS Ipoh and in the Methodist Youth Fellowship that God planted seeds of leadership within me.

Moreover, I can also see how God used various persons in my hometown to mentor me and guide me spiritually. This is important for me as I find that coming back to my hometown is always times of resting and looking back at God’s goodness over my life.

Catching up with friends and family while enjoying the Curry Mee and other goodies that Ipoh has to offer have become foremost reasons why I love to return whenever time permits, especially during Christmas. As my wife is also from Ipoh, my three daughters also consider Ipoh their de facto hometown, although they have been raised in towns and schools all over the Peninsular.

If I had one piece of advice to the younger generation about how God can shape them through their background, I would say that it is important for all of us to remember where and how God works by using different persons and places in our life to help us become who He wants us to be.