“Have you packed your bags?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t find my haversack!”
“Look into the drawers. By the way, can you please bring along my field service cap, as well?”
Similar conversations have been around with the five boys who are preparing for BB parade every Saturday since 2003.
Known as the Tham brothers, I am the eldest among the five. I joined BB in January 2003 together with all other Form One boys from MBS, who were so fascinated by the BB display during their recruitment.
Three months later, I brought two of my younger brothers, Benny and Johnny, to the same parade. They joined the Junior Section then. They both were also excited about the weekly activities held in 1st K.L.: brass band, singspiration, bible studies, badgework, and games. We especially love the special outings that were held several times in a year.
Soon, my parents thought that my youngest twin’s brothers, Alvin and Kelvin, should join the fun! There you go, two faithful parents taking turns to send their five boys to Wesley Methodist Church ground week in and out.
Have you ever wondered what are some of the “challenges” faced by siblings in the Brigade? Let me share my two cents with you. First, your friends will sometimes address you by your brother’s name. Especially when you have so many brothers in the same section, it is a norm to find people mix up our names. Second, when two of my youngest brothers were in the Pre-junior Section, the other two in the Junior and I in the Senior Section, we all have to come to a consensus about the time to arrive for parade due to the different timing of weekly roll-call in the sections. Nonetheless, we had no trouble agreeing on the time of arrival. During the first year, my poor youngest brothers have had to wait three hours in the church premise before they could fall-in with their section.
Furthermore, I also find it especially challenging to teach my brothers drill as I rise to the ranks. It was somehow embarrassing because we had never spoken to one another in English when we’re home. Teaching them sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. However, I overcame this situation when I learned to see the overall picture.
I consider joining the Boys’ Brigade as one great turning point in my life – I came to know Jesus Christ personally. Coming from an old fogey Buddhist family, my brothers and I were always taught that Christianity is basically brain-washing. I was taught that the tides and offerings taken during church services were ways pastor earn their living. My grandparents have set in me that Christianity is almost like a form of business.
Yet, my brothers and I learned the true Christian values through the weekly bible study classes and sharing sessions from the Officers. I committed my life to God and was baptized in August 2007. My brothers too have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and are attending church services regularly.
Just this year, my two other cousins joined the Junior Section. I can already see God working through the Tham brothers, making us the Christian forerunners in our families.
Having blood-brothers in the brigade mean something difference to me. Besides having known that we share the same interest with the brigade, I am thrilled that my brothers and I are a part of this greatest movement in the world.
Article | Berita Anchor
Boys' Brigade Malaysia
