By Pastor Juat
The sun blazed like a dragon’s breath, but that didn’t melt the spirit of the 46 seniors who joined the day outing to Tanjong Sepat on June 12 organised by JOY Ministry. Armed with hats, umbrella, sunscreen, and a cheery spirit, the spritely seniors traded the concrete jungle of Petaling Jaya for the endless miles of green fields and dragon fruit farms. The greenery was certainly an eye balm for aging eyes, a perk-up to praise God for his lush creation.
The journey in the cool, comfy bus was a treat. As it neared the town, the seniors were welcomed by vast dragon fruit farms that stretched out like a green tract of welcome mat. And they could smell the saltiness of the seaside air (or at least imagined it) through the thick, tightly shut windows.
First stop: free samples at the chips shop. Who needs a proper breakfast when you can feast on tapioca, banana, and pumpkin chips at the chips shop? (Pro tip: Seniors are experts at turning free samples into a full meal.) Pleased with their “breakfast”, the seniors then carted bags of chips to the cashier counter, and waited patiently for the lone cashier to check out their purchase.
Soon after, they indulged in a proper late breakfast – steaming pau and coffee/tea at a cosy coffeeshop. Again, the buying of the pau was frenetic.
Next up, a visit to a mushroom store, where they learned how fungi grow. But even as the store’s staff was explaining the mushroom cultivation process, over at a corner, a group of seniors were busy snapping up mangoes and dragon fruit brought in by a local farm owner. The prices were so good that you could hear the seniors singing.
Lunch by the seaside was a much-needed reprieve from the heat, with a cool breeze and even cooler company. Stomachs full, the group made a final pit stop at a fish ball factory, where the mad dash for the fresh fish balls, fish cakes and what-have-you could rival a Black Friday or 10-10 sale. Seniors don’t play around when it comes to good deals.
The 2-hour bus ride to and from Tanjong Sepat was filled with bingo, laughter, William Tan’s stories, and a good snooze for some. All in, it was a wonderful outing – a visible testimony that God made us for community and relationships. And in our senior years, we need one another all the more for spiritual and emotional support.
Get Involved
🧓A senior looking for a community beyond the family? Consider JOY. Reach out to Pastor Juat to find out more.