Age had left its deep marks on Mei Lian’s (pseudonym) face, besides causing many inconveniences to her physical body - she was helpless in organising the recycled items that were piling up and scattered everywhere in her rented house. She became a widow at a young age. Now, at the age of 60 plus, she is living with her learning disability son. 

In Mei Lian’s younger days, she made a living by collecting and recycling cartons, aluminium cans, etc., and she managed to raise her son to adulthood. As she ages, her body becomes weaker; she is no longer capable of collecting and organising recycled items like before. Compared to the past, with the present higher living costs, her earnings from recycled items could hardly cover their household expenses. On the other hand, her son works at a motorcycle workshop; the hours are long and the workload is heavy. Besides this, he was also being ill-treated by his employer, receiving only a very minimal salary of RM1000 per month.               

The meagre income of the mother and son combined left almost nothing after they paid their house rental of about RM500 plus. Mei Lian only takes dinner for the whole day. It was already insufficient for her, yet she would still leave some for the next day. She had been living in such conditions for decades, with hardly three meals a day. Her son’s condition is better; at least he has a meal during work.

A friend of hers, who was an aid recipient of Manna Food Bank, noticed Mei Lian’s long-term predicament, so she introduced her to the 7979 Holistic Care Station of Kuantan Presbyterian Glorious Grace. When the volunteers visited her and learned more about her conditions, they decided to apply for the “7979 Manna Food Bank”. Since then, Mei Lian’s overwhelming life started to have some breathing space. The 5kg rice, rice vermicelli, dried noodles and flour enabled her to cook three simple meals a day for two months.              

Besides giving the Manna Food Bags, the volunteers also helped her by clearing the recycled items, which were piling up and making it difficult to walk around. The recycling centre collected and paid her at her house. Although what she received is much less this way, it could still pay off some of her expenses. They also reminded her not to pile things in her home, as it may affect her health. Thankfully, day after day of caring had indeed calmed her worried heart. Today, with the companionship of the volunteers and Manna Food Bank’s support, her life has more room for relaxing and happy moments.             

​

​（For English please scroll down）

In a shabby wooden house in Alor Setar lived an 84-year-old elderly couple, Grandpa Zhang (pseudonym) and his wife. They lived mainly on picking and selling recycled cartons, and occasionally, their relatives and friends would give them some money. The money they had was insufficient for them to enjoy proper meals; it was merely enough to survive.

The 7979 Holistic Care Station of Full Gospel Church (AOG) Alor Setar, established in 2022, assisted this couple through the “7979 Manna Food Bank Program.” Besides the Manna Food Bag, the volunteers would also deliver some collected cartons for them to sell.

The volunteers also noticed that this elderly couple was often hungry. They were uneasy about this discovery and decided to prepare breakfast for them. The volunteers would pack noodles or give them bread or biscuits to eat. This elderly couple felt the volunteers’ genuine care and warmth after a long period of consistent care and companionship.

In 2024, Grandpa Zhang was admitted to the hospital after feeling discomfort, and the result of the diagnosis showed that he had cancer and was already at the final stage. His wife was downhearted when she heard the news. When the volunteers visited them, she would pull the volunteers aside and ask whether he would die. The volunteers could only console and encourage her.

The volunteers insisted on accompanying Grandpa Zhang as he became weaker due to deteriorating health. Not long after, Grandpa Zhang became critical and passed away, leaving his wife behind alone. The volunteers continued to care for and accompany her. They managed to contact a nursing home with an adoption plan, which accepts financially challenged elderly people to live in the centre. Through this method, Granny was successfully admitted into the nursing home to enjoy her golden years. Granny treated the volunteers who visited her at the nursing home as her family members.
​
This ageing, childless couple never felt lonely with the company of committed volunteers. They were always surrounded by people and listening ears, even when coping with illness or death.

​

“辘辘……辘辘……辘辘……”

有两辆车, 经过在一排排的屋子, 然后在一间不起眼的屋子前停了下来。
信义会红坭山仁爱堂​7979全人关怀站（以下简称“关怀站”）的牧师和志工来到门口。

“叮咚。。。。。， 叮咚。。。。。”
“ 阿凤，在家吗？”

牧师和两位志工每两个月都会来到这里，载着吗哪物资来探望阿凤。
阿凤每次就会很紧张的跑出来，迎接牧师和志工的到来。接着，就一起把吗哪的物资拿进家中，摆好点算。然后聊聊天，关心阿凤的生活。

今天阿凤像平常很紧张的跑出来的时候，“Aunty, 我来拿” ，一句稚气的声音传到牧师和志工的耳中。一个孩子随着妈妈跑了出来，一起帮忙把吗哪物资搬进家中。

“阿凤，这是你的大儿子吗？”
“没有啦， 这是小的，就是上次你看到的那一个啊。”
“ 哇，这么高了, 真的好像哥哥这么高了 。”

原来这个小孩很少见到牧师和志工，因为平时星期一至五，孩子在学校上课。今天正逢学校假期，碰上了他们带吗哪物资来探访。

之后他们就继续的聊天， 彼此关心。
聊着聊着, 牧师和志工眼睛渐渐的就湿润了，泪水也静悄悄的落了下来，他们被一股欣慰，一股感动，逐渐的充满了心里。

回想起2年前,  那时还是MCO期间, 阿凤的丈夫因为癌症,刚刚过世, 家里的存款,也已经花光在丈夫的治病上了, 剩下阿凤独自一人带着两个孩子, 非常的彷徨和无助。  那时还是小学生的小儿子，个子矮矮的，因为失去了爸爸，看了让人心碎。见阿凤一家遇到的困境，关怀站便为他们向7979申请“吗哪食物银行方案”援助，使他们每两个月可获得由志工派送的吗哪包。吗哪包的内容丰富，除了粮食（白米、食油），亦涵盖日常用品和卫浴用品。有了这些食物和用品，阿凤一家暂时不必担忧缺乏食物或基本所需用品，大大减轻家庭生活负担。

不知不觉，牧师透过吗哪食物银行支持了这个家庭两年，阿凤的家庭情况得到改善，孩子也正在长大。生活难免遇到困境，这有时会让人感到痛苦、无助或迷茫。当爱和关怀及时出现，便可以阻止这些感受让我们的生活失去平衡。阿凤的丈夫病逝，孩子失去父亲，这样的冲击如同乌云笼罩在阿凤一家头上。然而，牧师和志工的出现，慢慢拨开了他们心头的阴霾，给予他们一些继续前行的勇气。​

There were sounds of water splashing as the cars ran over the water puddles.
Two cars passed by rows of houses and then stopped in front of a simple house.

Pastor and volunteers from Bukit Merah Lutheran Church 7979 Holistic Care Station (Hereafter, refer as “Care Station”) reached the door.

“Ding dong ……， Ding dong……”
“ Ah Feng, are you at home？”
 
Every two months, the pastor and two volunteers would visit the family and pass them a Manna Food Bag.
​
Each time she would welcome them eagerly. Then, they would take all the items out of the bag and count it together. When all were done, they would chitchat, showing care and concern towards her.

Today, everything was as usual, Ah Feng rushed out to welcome them. A child’s voice said: “Aunty, let me take it.” The pastor and volunteers could hear it. Then, a small boy appeared before them with his mum and helped to take the Manna Bag.

“Is this your eldest son, Ah Feng?”

“No, this is my younger son, the one you saw last time.”
“Wow, he has grown so tall, just like his brother.”

Usually, they can hardly see this child, as he would be in school. Today is a school holiday, so they get to meet him. They chatted happily, catching up with the aid recipient’s latest condition.

As they chatted, the pastor and the volunteers' eyes gradually became moist, and tears rolled down quietly. They were gradually filled with a sense of relief and emotion.

Looking back two years ago, when MCO was still enforced, Ah Feng's husband had just passed away due to cancer. The family's savings had been used up on her husband's medical treatment, leaving Ah Feng alone with two children, feeling very confused and helpless. The youngest son, who was still a primary school student at that time, was so short and heartbroken because he had lost his father. Seeing the difficulties Ah Feng's family encountered, the Care Station applied for the "Manna Food Bank Aid" from 7979 on their behalf; so they could receive Manna Food bags delivered by volunteers every two months. The contents of the manna bags were abundant, in addition to food (rice and cooking oil), it also had daily necessities and bathroom supplies. With these foods and supplies, Ah Feng's family did not have to worry about food or necessities for a while, for those supplies had greatly reduced their household’s burden.

Unconsciously, the pastor has supported this family through the Manna Food Bank program for two years. Ah Feng's family situation has improved and her children are growing up. We will inevitably encounter difficulties in life, which could be painful, and sometimes cause us to be helpless or confused. When love and care appear in time, we can prevent these feelings from making our lives imbalanced. The shocking incident such as Ah Feng's husband's sudden death and her children's sudden loss of their father was like a dark cloud hanging over their family. However, the existence of the pastor and volunteers slowly lifted the haze in their hearts and gave them some courage to move forward.

阿瀚，29岁，患有二型糖尿病，从事回收二手物品买；平日与妈妈云姐相依为命，家庭收入偏低。母子俩住在临近教会，经会友介绍，成为甲洞神召会颂恩堂吗哪食物包的受惠案家之一。

云姐母子，虽然每天为生计打拼，所幸身边有妹妹和甲洞神召会颂恩堂扶持他们。志工携带吗哪食物包给他们，同时为他们测量血压和血糖，希望疾病不影响他们一家的生活。

自从教会介入案家，云姐母子感受来自教会的关心，不断向教会道谢。每次志工就会引导她将感恩归给神，志工只是祝福他们的管道。云姐也是基督徒，虽然收入不多且不稳定，但她会把奉献款项交给志工，由志工帮她交给教会。

阿瀚也会载云姐出席教会小组，受到云姐的鼓励，他偶尔到教会参加聚会。为了生计，云姐晚上在商店外摆卖蔬果。
不论前方日子如何，阿瀚病情如何。只要有家人和教会的陪伴，云姐母子不孤单。

Ah Han, 29 years old, suffering from type 2 diabetes, dealing in recycling business. He lives with his mother, Ah Yun and the family income is low. They live near the church. Through recommendation of church member, they became one of the beneficiaries of Manna Food Bag for Abundant Grace Assembly of God.

Although Ah Yun and her son struggle to make ends meet every day, they are fortunate to have their sister and Abundant Grace Assembly of God Church to support them. Each time as volunteers brought them Manna Bag, they will also measure their blood pressure and blood sugar, hoping that the disease would not affect the life of their family.
 
Since the church intervened in the case, Ah Yun and son felt the care from the church and kept thanking the church. Volunteers would guide her to give thanks to God every time. Volunteers are just a channel to bless them. Ah Yun is also a Christian. Although her income is small and unstable, she will give the offering to the volunteers, and the volunteers will help her hand it over to the church.

Ah Han would also drive Ah Yun to church groups and was encouraged by her to attend church meetings occasionally. To make ends meet, Sister Yun sells vegetables and fruits outside the shop in the evenings.
 
No matter what the days ahead may be, or how Ah Han's condition may be. Ah Yun and her children are not alone as long as they are accompanied by their family and the Church.

“哈喽，陈大哥…我们来咯…“ 巴色会实邦嘉堂的志工叫喊着屋子里的人。话音刚落，孩子们就兴奋地从家里跑出来。孩子们热情打招呼，笑得见牙不见眼。志工们放下吗哪食物包后，取出袋中的食品来准备点算时，孩子们的父亲陈大哥就推着轮椅出来。
 
身上的一个小伤口，因患糖尿病恶化，面临截肢的风险。陈大哥原是家庭经济支柱，但因中风失去工作，加上伤口恶化，让他更是雪上加霜。不久后，又有一位老太太缓缓走出来，志工上前搀扶，让老太太坐在椅子上。老太太开口问：“你们是从教堂来的吗？”，志工回应：“是的，婆婆。”老太太握着志工的手说：“哎呦......真的谢谢你们，你们真的很好！很有心来送东西给我们。”又接着说：“去教堂好，我也是去教堂的。。。”虽然志工拜访她很多次了，但是婆婆总是像第一次见面那样不断的感谢志工们送上的关心和食物包。
 
看着陈家的人接二连三出来，让第一次到访的志工小雨心里疑惑，这小小的房子怎么能住下这么多人？陈大哥和外籍太太一共有十一名孩子，加上老母亲，家中共十四人住在同个屋檐下。面对目前的生活环境条件，家里住着多人，让我们内心莫名沉重。但让人更担忧的是这些孩子都没有身份证件，导致失去公民权。
 
其实，陈大哥也曾为孩子申请身份证件，但多次遭到工作人员拒绝。说到此事，陈大哥露出失望和忧愁的表情，并说着：“孩子不断长大，我也希望他们能够上学。”此时，小雨志工想到7979有与巴色会实邦嘉堂合作，为弱势家庭提供免费的法律咨询服务。故，向陈大哥建议并询问他申请的意愿。陈大哥听后眼睛犹如看见金子般发亮，就好像寻到了救命稻草，看见了一丝的希望。原本忧愁的脸孔瞬间转变，犹如绝望中看到盼望，黑暗中出现亮光；虽然只是一点光，却足以照亮案家失望已久的心。

“Halo, Bro Tan … Here we come …”the volunteers from Basel Christian Church Of Malaysia, Sepangarcalled out to the people in the house. Immediately after he said that, children were running out excitedly from the house. The children greeted us warmly, smiling from ear to ear. Their father, Bro Tan came out with his wheelchair as the volunteers put down the Manna Bag and took out the food from the bag to cross checked.
 
A small wound on the body, which was exacerbated by diabetes and was at risk of amputation. Bro Tan who has been the breadwinner of the family, but loss his job due to stroke. Now, the worsen wound added to his woes. Shortly afterward, an elderly lady walked out to the living room slowly. The volunteer moved forward to help and seated her on a chair.The elderly lady asked, “Are you from the church?” The volunteer responded, “Yes, granny.”She held the hands of the volunteers and said: “Aiyo … thank you so much, you all are really nice! So kind to come and send us something.” Then she continued, “It is a good thing to go to church, I go to church too …” Although the volunteers had visited her many times, granny still kept on thanking the volunteers for the care and food bags as if they were meeting her for the first time.
 
Watching the Tan family members walked into the living room one-by-one, our first-time volunteer, Xiao Yu wondered how come so many people can stay in such a small house. Bro Tan and his foreign wife have eleven children, plus their elderly mother, making a total of fourteen members of their family living under the same roof. Looking at their current living condition with so many people living under one roof, our hearts were inexplicably heavy. But what makes it even more worrying is that none of these children have identity documents, resulting in the loss of citizenship.
 
In fact, Bro Tan had applied for identity documents for his child, but was repeatedly rejected by the staff. Speaking of this, Bro Tan showed a disappointed and sad expression, and said: "The children are growing up, and I also hope that they can go to school." At this point, Xiao Yu thought of 7979's partnership with BCCM Sepangar to provide free legal advice to under privilege families. Therefore, we suggested to Bro Tan and asked him if he would like to have one. After hearing this, Bro Tan's eyes glowed as if he had seen gold, as if he had found a life saving straw and seen a glimmer of hope. A sad face was transformed in an instant, like hope in the midst of despair, a light in the darkness; although it was only a dim light, but it is enough to brighten the hearts of those who had been in despair for so long.

每两个月，平安浸信会7979全人关怀站的志工亲自把吗哪包送到小慧的家中，减轻他们一家人的负担。小慧一家因为丈夫在2021年出差公干期间，突然晕倒去世。自始，这个家庭失去家庭里唯一的经济来源。由于小慧需要照顾三位还在就学的孩子与年迈的家婆，以至无法外出工作，她们只能依靠社会保险和之前储蓄的钱生活，背负庞大的经济压力。
 
一位教会姐妹是小慧丈夫的同事，她把小慧的情况告知教会。志工开始探访小慧一家，并且服务他们。每次志工和小慧约定时间后，小慧都会告诉她的小儿子，小儿子很期待志工的到来。志工不仅每两个月亲自将食物包送到这家庭，平时也会以信息关心小慧一家，了解她的需要。
 
每次志工赠送吗哪包时，小儿子兴高采烈地跑出来迎接他们。他总是围绕在志工身边，很开心地看着志工点算吗哪物资。志工们也很喜欢这个可爱的孩子，常常与他互动。教会的服务成为这个家庭的一部分。教会的服务让这个家庭对生活看到一线曙光，知道在这个艰难的时期，他们并不孤单。志工送上的吗哪包不仅给这个家庭带来了实际的帮助，也让他们感到社区的关心和爱。

Every two months, volunteers from Shalom Baptist Church 7979 Holistic Care Station would personally deliver Manna Bag to Xiao Hui at her house, helping to ease their family’s burden. In 2021, her husband suddenly fainted and passed away during a business trip, since then, the family lost their only financial source. With three school going children and an aging mother-in-law to take care, she was unable to go out to work. They could only rely on SOCSO and her savings for living, the financial burden is very huge. 
 
One of her husband’s colleagues who is the church’s member, told the church about Xiao Hui’s situation. The volunteers began to visit and ministered to this family. Whenever the volunteer set an appointment with Xiao Hui, she would inform her youngest son, because he always looks forward to their visitation. The volunteers did not only deliver Manna Bag personally every two months, they would also send messages to Xiao Hui regularly, showing care and concern to the family and to understand their needs.
 
Each time, when the volunteer delivered the Manna Bag, the little boy would run out to the gate and welcomed them happily. He would circle around the volunteers and watched them as they tallied the supplies. The volunteers also love this little boy and always interact with him. The church's caring service became an important part of this family, it gave the family a ray of hope, knowing that they were not alone in this difficult time. The Manna Bag delivered not only met the need of the family, but also enabled them to feel the tangible care and concerns from the community. 

不少刚加入7979全人关怀救助网络的教会都有同一个疑惑， “个案要去哪里找？” 其实即使默默行善，好人好事终究会被传开，坊间必然口传口告知，就如这期的主人翁阿良（化名）。
 
阿良正值壮年期，是名手机售货员，与妻子育有一对子女，日子简单平淡。两年前，医生告知他血压高，须当保持良好生活作息并按时服药，但他不当一回事，多次劝诫都不放在心上。
 
也因此，阿良并未察觉血管变得越来越脆弱。直到中风晕倒后醒来，右边肢体僵硬不再如从前行动自如，甚至无法清楚咬字的那一刻，阿良后悔了。现实不是童话故事，倒下的阿良无法再从事手机售货，于是，妻子带着孩子离开了。从此，三室一厅的组屋，只剩下阿良，所幸住附近的妈妈和哥哥过来照料起居饮食，偶尔给点零用钱买日常用品。毕竟哥哥成家后生活也不容易，阿良也是有一餐没一餐地过日子。
 
甲洞神召会颂恩堂7979全人关怀站就在阿良住家不远处，教会每周四天开设7979陪读班，让孩子可以在教会享用午餐，有志工老师教导功课还有故事可以听。街坊们对教会的陪读服务称赞有加。某个陪读班家长告知教会志工有关阿良遭遇的事情。
 
由于阿良的病情导致讲话含糊不清，所以从开始，教会志工就透过阿良的妈妈表达愿意持续陪伴、关心和提供吗哪食物包的支援服务。除了每两个月一次的吗哪食物包亲送服务，教会还常常打电话关心阿良的妈妈，也上门指导母子俩做中风复健，邀请阿良和妈妈来参与教会聚会和活动。
 
阿良虽然无法说话表达，不过他会在领取吗哪食物包后，一直点头以示谢谢。阿良妈妈感谢教会志工不但关心他们，还特地把食物送来家里，希望教会志工多来探访。
 
目前，阿良妈妈会应邀参与教会聚会和活动；不过，阿良则需要时间重新走出家门，积极面对生活。甲洞神召会颂恩堂会继续陪伴他们。期盼有那么一天，阿良不但勇敢踏出家门，甚至带教会志工去支援另一个家庭的需要。凡事都有可能，你说是不是？

Many churches who just joined us as 7979 Holistic Care Station will ask the same question: “Where to find the cases?” In fact, when you are doing good, even if do it silently, it will spread through the word of mouth to many, just like Ah Liang (pseudonym).
 
Ah Liang is in his prime, working as a mobile phone salesperson, and living a very simple life with his wife and 2 kids. Two years ago, his doctor told him that his blood pressure was high and that he had to maintain a good lifestyle and take his medication on time, but he didn't take it seriously and didn't take his repeated admonition to heart.
 
As a result, Ah Liang did not notice that his blood vessels were becoming weaker and weaker. It was only when he woke up after the collapse due to a stroke and his right limb became stiff and he could no longer move as well as before, and he could not even speak words clearly, that he regretted it. The reality is not a fairy tale. The collapsed Ah Liang could no longer sell mobile phones, so his wife left with the child. From then on, only Ah Liang remained in the three-bedroom flat. Fortunately, his mother and elder brother who lived nearby came to take care of his daily life and occasionally gave him some pocket money to buy daily necessities. After all, life is not easy for the elder brother after he got married, and A Liang lived from hand to mouth, never knowing where the next meal was coming from.
 
Abundant Grace Assembly of God, 7979 Holistic Care Station in Kepong, located a short distance from Ah Liang’s house. They run their companionship class 4 days a week. The children will have lunch at church and a teacher will guide them on homework and share stories with them. The neighborhood was well pleased with this, and one of the parents told the volunteer about Ah Liang’s situation.
 
As Ah Liang’s speech was slurred due to his condition, the church volunteers expressed their willingness to accompany, care for and support him with Manna food packs through his mother right from the beginning. In addition to the bi-monthly Manna food pack delivery service, the volunteers call and show concern for his mum, visit her and her son for stroke rehabilitation, and invite them to church meetings and activities.
 
Although Ah Liang could not speak, he nodded his head to show his gratitude after receiving the Manna food packs. Ah Liang's mother thanked the church volunteers for not only caring about them, but also for bringing food to their home, and hoped that the church volunteers would visit more often.
 
At present, Ah Liang's mother will join church meetings and activities whenever she was invited; however, Ah Liang needs time to get out of the house again and face life positively. The church will continue to be there for them. We look forward to the day when Ah Liang will not only be bold enough to step out of the house but will even take a church volunteer to support another family's needs. All things are possible, don't you think so?

9月份发放，正逢中秋佳节，关丹基督教会7979全人关怀站志工兴高采烈带着吗哪包到案家府上去派发。这期的吗哪包有月饼，本想着给案家带来一丝温暖，不料却揭开了一丝心酸……

阿豪（化名）本是一家之主，与太太育有两名儿子。但多年前患上糖尿病，无法工作。太太为了养家，必须打两份工才能维持家计。而在疫情期间，太太失去其中一份兼职，进而少了一份收入。阿豪家顿时又陷入了经济困难。吗哪包的到来大大减轻了阿豪家的负担。

“来，吗哪包的物资都点算一下，有米、油、饼干……还有，这期我们有月饼！诶，阿豪你有糖尿病，不能吃月饼吧？”

 “对啊，但我有吃。因为有时没有食物吃没办法，有人捐赠月饼，为了填饱肚子我也得吃。”

“这怎么行呢？你有糖尿病，不能乱吃食物。”

“我也没办法，太太不在家，很晚才回家。有时邻近的地方有派送免费食物，我也是会去领来吃。”

因为太太外出工作，无法为阿豪准备食物，阿豪便有什么吃什么。渐渐阿豪的病情每况愈下，脚板日渐溃烂，也开始有视网膜病变的迹象。加上两个孩子尚在求学，不能好好地兼顾父亲的病情，阿豪生活上开始有诸多的不便。太太因为工作忙碌，薪水以时薪计算，便希望能多做增加收入。

派发吗哪包看似简单，但阿豪生活中真正的困难与挑战，又有多少人愿意耐心地去倾听与了解？志工定时的探访与关怀，虽不一定能解决他们的难题，但有人可以述说，他们就不孤单。若再次遇见他人不健康的饮食习惯，不妨让我们试着去理解背后原因，关心与慰问他们，有时候他们并不是不自爱或不节制，仅仅只是因为没有选择。

September’s Distribution, just in time for Mid-Autumn Festival, volunteers from Kuantan Christian Church 7979 Holistic Care Station delivered Manna food bags happily to all the aid recipients. We had mooncakes for this batch of delivery, intended to create some warmth to the aid recipients, instead we uncovered a sad story... 
 
Hao (pseudonym) was the bread winner of his family of two sons and a wife. Few years ago, he was incapacitated due to diabetes, thus unable to work. His wife has to work two jobs to make ends meet. During the pandemic, the wife lost one of her part-time job, and thus lost an income. The Hao family immediately fell into financial difficulties again. The arrival of Manna food bag has greatly lightened the burden of the Hao family. 

"Come, please cross check the supplies in the manna food bag, we have rice, oil, biscuits... And, for this batch we have moon cakes! Hey, Hao, you have diabetes, can you take moon cakes?" 
 
"Yeah! Actually, I can’t take it, but I still eat it. Because when there is no other food left, but only mooncakes given by others, I have to eat it to fill up my stomach." 

"This shouldn’t be the way, you have diabetes and should follow strict diet." 
 
"I can't help it. My wife is not at home and when she comes home it’ll too late. Sometimes when there is free packed food distribution in the neighbourhood, I will also go and collect it." 

Due to the fact that Hao’s wife had to leave the house to work outside and thus couldn't prepare food for him, he ended up had to eat whatever food that is available. Henceforth, Hao's illness gradually deteriorated, his feet festered day by day, and he also began to show signs of retinopathy. His two still schooling sons are unable to take care of him as well. Hao’s life began to have many inconveniences. His wife is also very busy with her work as her salary is hourly based, so she hopes to work longer hours to increase her income. 

Distributing manna bags may seem simple, but how many people are willing to listen patiently and understand the real difficulties and challenges in Hao's life? Though the regular visits and care of volunteers may not solve their problems, but when there is someone to talk to, they no longer feel so lonely. If we ever come across other's unhealthy eating habits, let us try to understand the reasons behind, try to care for them and comfort them instead. Often, it’s not that they do not love themselves or being indulgence, it is just because they don’t have any other option.

年过70，还需要工作维持家计的老人有几位？老赵（化名）就是其中一位。

受到疫情打击，儿子失业，家中还有三名孙子。虽然大孙子已经开始工作，然而面对家里的需要，老赵无法独善其身。年迈的他如今还需要工作，为的就是确保家人三餐温饱。老赵在树桐厂工作已经逾20年，老板依然信任他。虽然老板也希望老赵退休，但深知他需要这份工作来维持家庭开销，所以心生怜悯并不辞退他。

麦片，是他们一家每天生活的开始。吗哪包的供应来得贴切，他们每一天需要喝麦片，也是孙子们的早餐。而照顾一家三餐的赵太太，最开心能得到吗哪包里的食油，因为每天煮食都要用到。老赵夫妇因年事已高，但他们非常照顾自己的健康，特意喝奶粉来补充营养。然而能力有限只能买到比较便宜的奶粉。赵太太买的是散装奶粉，需要多少分量，老板就称重多少分量售卖。“我还是第一次听过散装奶粉。赵太太用三块多钱就可以买到了。”柔佛彼咯长老会7979全人关怀站的志工诧异说到。

当志工把吗哪包送上府时，老赵看到那么多粮食和Ensure奶粉，无比激动与开心。在离开之前，志工为他们祷告，并告诉他：“耶稣非常爱你，而且是无条件地爱你。”老赵一瞬间就红了眼眶，眼泪在他眼眶里默默打转。

老赵一家在彼咯这个小镇生活多年，日子平静却充斥着酸甜苦辣。三代同堂，想必就是老赵夫妇最大的幸福。得到教会以行动来关爱，想必就是他们最深的感动。

How many people still need to work in their seventies? Uncle Zhou (pseudonym) is one of them.

Uncle Zhou’s son lost his job due to the pandemic. They have three grandchildren in the family and the eldest has started working. To meet the needs of the family, Uncle Zhou could not stop working even at this old age. He has been working in the timber factory for more than 20 years, and is grateful that he can still gain the trust of his boss. Although Uncle Zhou has way past his retirement age, his boss continue to hire him knowing he needs the job to support the family.

Oatmeal is how they begin their daily life and our supply of Manna food bag (with oatmeal inside) is most welcomed by the family. As for uncle Zhou’s wife, she is happy to receive the cooking oil which is essential in her preparation of daily meals for the family. . Both Uncle Zhou and his wife are health conscious and would drink milk to get the nutritional support. However, due to financial constraints, they can only afford to buy cheap milk powder in loose packaging sold by the shop based on amount she needs. “This is the first time I heard of milk powder been sold in such manner. Zhou’s  wife can buy milk powder for just RM3” , said a volunteer from the Bekok Presbyterian Church 7979 Holistic Care Station.

When the 7979 volunteer delivered the Manna Food Bag to his house, Uncle Zhou was very excited and happy to find so many  essential food items and Ensure milk powder in the Manna bag. Before leaving, the volunteer prayed for them and told them, "Jesus loves you, and He loves you unconditionally." Uncle Zhou’s eyes welled up in tears.

Uncle Zhou’s family has lived in Bekok for many years. Despite some hardships, 3 generations living together brings great joy to Uncle Zhou and his wife, and the loving care of the 7979 church, brings much warmth to their hearts.