In life, many of us face ups and downs. For some, their obstacles can be debilitating. 18-year old Agnes*, who currently resides at MWS Girls’ Residence, suffered horrific abuse by her stepfather as a child. Without adequate parental care and support, she ran into trouble with the law.
Another of our beneficiaries, Mr Lai, was a former tower crane operator who suffered impaired speech and paralysis resulting from a stroke. Reduced to expressing his needs and emotions through non-verbal gestures, he often felt frustrated and helpless.
Many of our beneficiaries are mired in such dire predicament. Across a spectrum of ages, illness, loneliness, abuse and family distresses are just some of the battles they grapple with. As the prophet Ezekiel was asked, “Can these bones live?” (Eze 37:3, NIV), scepticism can sometimes creep in, becoming a crippling stronghold.
Thankfully, God gives us “more grace” (James 4:6, NIV), and hope amidst trials. At Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), our commitment is to enable the disadvantaged and distressed to have life to the full. Through programmes and services at our 19 centres where we serve five impact areas, we are thankful to have enriched the quality of life of many, including more than 10,900 people last year.
The ever-evolving needs of our beneficiaries spur us to enhance our services and deepen our impact. We pioneered the MWS Family Development Programme, a debt-and-savings matching programme to help financially distressed families. The integration of our eldercare services enables us to better support our seniors’ social and emotional needs.
With such help, we are heartened by the many stories of possibilities and hope.
With weekly counselling and art therapy sessions, life has turned around for Agnes. The N-levels holder now aspires to be a barista. MWS has placed her on a training course, and she is currently on a work placement stint.
As for Mr Lai, intensive rehabilitation at MWS Bethany Nursing Home–Choa Chu Kang has helped him regain enough function to get work as a packer. A communication booklet also serves as a tool for him to converse with those around him, and his disposition has improved greatly.
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16, ESV). Christmas is a story of God’s everlasting love for his people, as he sent his Son to redeem a broken world. Just as each of us has experienced His grace, we pray that you will consider making a donation and support our work in making a sustainable impact on the poor and in-need.
On behalf of all we serve, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team
If you would like to give a donation to bless our beneficiaries, please scan the QR code with your phone to give online, or visit
giving.sg/methodist-welfare-services/grace-upon-grace
Thank you on behalf of those we serve!
*Name has been changed to protect her identity.
Photos courtesy of the Methodist Welfare Services