19 March 2013 by Adeline Lum CM –
Dignitaries, businessmen, bankers, pastors and friends gathered in Luther House in Petaling Jaya on 10th March to witness the launch of Dr Peggy Wong’s book called, ‘Living a Balanced Life’ by Dr Chew Weng Chee, Senior Pastor of SIB KL.
Indeed, Dr Peggy lives a balanced life as introduced by brother Erik Lai. She owed her enriched experience as a former banker with an international bank, founder of her own group of companies in Malaysia and Singapore, Charter President of the Kiwanis Club of Bukit Bandaraya, former Panel Advisor of the Women’s Institute of Management on the board of Harvard Alumni. She is also currently a member of Corporate Malaysia Roundtable, a private sector think tank. Not to mention, she is a Former Owner President Management Harvard University graduate, wife, and mother of two sons.
How was she inspired to write this book? In 16th July 2007, she was touched and moved by God to build Living Hope, a non-profit organization that reaches out to the many poor, needy and marginalized children in Malaysia and internationally. And many of these children became her ‘teachers’ in learning the real essence of living.
“At the end, it is not about me. In Chinese, talent is ‘tin choi’ which meant abilities given from Heaven,” said Dr Peggy. “And I know that the Father loves children irrespective of their race, creed, and tongue.”
“There are about 1.5 million children needing a meal but we don’t know. No child asked to be poor,” she added. Living Hope aspires to be the voice of the unheard cries of the poor, needy and marginalized children.
The programs include ‘One Egg One Child’ Feeding Program, ‘Educate-A-Child’ Program, Education Resource Centre, Channel of Hope’ Distribution Program, Toy and Book Library, Festivities-on-Wheels and Special Events.
Dr Peggy recalled the long but worthy delivery of books to the rural areas, first through the ‘sampan’ and then an ox to carry the books up the mountainous area of Sabah and Sarawak.
In the beginning, she was not keen to start Living Hope because she was doing well and comfortable at her corporate ivory tower. But her spiritual mentor, Dr Chew Weng Chee of SIB KL encouraged her to go ahead.
“He told me that I can’t go wrong with children because the heart of the Father is with children,” said Dr Peggy.
Rural areas were a challenge to manage and she was also hilariously negotiating with God not to fulfill her calling. From her willingness to drop from five-stars to three star hotels, she asked God to not send her to an all-star hotel, which was really camping out under the stars! But upon graciousness of the pastors, they hosted her at their homes when there were no hotels in the village. And slowly, God changed her heart.
“Now, I know why I ended up in SIB because my work was in line with the rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak,” said Dr Peggy who thanked her non-Christian friends and supporters, bankers Alex and Alvin who faithfully committed to the one-egg-one-child program with their colleagues for three years! God also sent her many young people who had a heart of sympathy for these children.
“My passion is for children from 3 to 12 years old. I tell the children, Auntie Peggy can give you food and money now, but I can’t help you study. Everywhere I go, I tell them that when they finish (studying) and earn money, come back and look after their family,” said Dr Peggy.
Indeed, the children were her biggest source of satisfaction. Owing a recent touching incident to God, she recalled 450 delighted children shouted from afar, “Dr. Peggy, we love you!” after watching a Chinese New Year Lion Dance for the first time and receiving lots and lots of goodies and angpows.
So, the book ‘Living a Balanced Life’ was written based on biblical principles to raise money for the children and also share her experiences in precious nuggets. Instead of the 5 C’s we often hear about, Dr Peggy introduced 7 F’s instead to keep a balanced life- Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, Friends, Fun and Fruits. Isn’t that true? Without any of these areas in balance, our life would be in a shambles. Never mind the 5 C’s. She reminded us to be in the right race and not get caught by the rat race.
“Only with God, you are secure. If I don’t pray and praise to my Father in the morning, it will be hard to find strength and energy to go through the day. I will pray in the morning and surrender the day to Him although it’s so chaotic. He puts order in my life,” said Dr Peggy.
Next, Brother Erik ushered in the book launch by Pastor Chew Weng Chee.
“Many people talk but very few people walk the talk. Peggy is one of the few that walks her talk,” said Dr Chew. “Who suffers first during a famine, disease and war? It is the children.”
A wonderful pocket-sized book that anyone can learn and quickly apply into life, reading ‘Living a Balanced Life’ feels like sitting down and having a coffee with Dr Peggy who has many things to share! Yes, our life can be balanced with all these “F’s” on the Fulcrum of Jesus. May this book bless your heart!
For more information on Living Hope, please refer to http://www.livinghopemalaysia.com/
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