The long-awaited event returns after two years.
by Adrian Low
The Banquet of Love (BOL) is an event which was started in 2014 and is held each year by CCMC and Sembawang Family Service Centre (SFSC). The aim is to spread cheer and bless families living in rental properties in the Sembawang area with a fun filled event for the day including food, entertainment and lucky draws.
The BOL for this year was held at Sembawang Community Centre and we were very glad to have the opportunity to welcome 26 families (comprising in total 126 adults and children) after a hiatus of two years due to Covid restrictions. 24 CCMC members volunteered as table hosts and food servers alongside many SFSC staff.
The event started with opening speeches by Leslie Wong, CCMC’s Outreach and Social Concerns Chairman, speaking in English (and Malay!) and SFSC Executive Director, Ms Brenda Khong. After which there was an icebreaker quiz before we invited Pastor Terence Yeo to say Grace before we had the buffet lunch. We also had a popcorn stall and balloon sculptor which were enjoyed by the many young children in attendance.
After lunch, we had entertainment provided by two groups of CCMC members as well as two of the Sembawang residents – there was even a rendition of a Hokkien song (“Ai Pia Cia Eh Yia”) by the Malay father of one of the families! We also saw a live magic performance who amazed and delighted everyone with his illusions and close-range sleight of hand tricks. This culminated in a lucky draw where we were able to bless the guests with daily home appliances, electronics gadgets and
gift vouchers for every family who came.
All in all, it was great to be able to meet the families and to have the opportunity to interact with them face to face after such a long time. In God’s eyes, we all have intrinsic value and Christians are called by Christ to be “Salt and Light” and to make a difference in this world. We are glad to be able to play a small part each year for the families in Sembawang and are looking forward to next year’s event already - To God be the Glory!