While with Doulos in 1996, Matthew Leong had hoped to witness to the S* people in their homeland. But the Lord would fulfil his desire on another shore.
When Doulos sailed into the S* harbour in 1996, Matthew Leong’s heart was full of anticipation for the seven short days there. He envisioned what the book of Habakkuk says: "The knowledge of the glory of the LORD will fill the earth as the waters fill the sea." When he was told to focus on cultural exchanges and building friendships, he wondered, in tears, if he had come in vain. He nevertheless learned to talk about life with the people and listened to the soft voices telling him their names amidst the noise of the busy city.
Six months later, Doulos sailed to another country. On Matthew’s second day there, he thought he had mistakenly seen some S* faces at the pier amidst the many local faces, but he just thought to himself “even if they are S* people, what does it have to do with me?” as he had lost his passion in the earlier disappointment.
However, his fellow ship mate who was on duty nearby, called out that the group opposite him were the people he was burdened for, and stirred his passion into flames again.
Matthew quickly built up a friendship with the 12 young S* fishermen, first acting as interpreters for them.
“The walls between us were soon torn down and a bridge was built between our hearts and theirs. These twelve people talked with me all night on their boat.
Two of the twelve were interested in the gospel and one even bought a Bible.
“I think the young man would have been surprised to find that in the black hardcover book was hidden the great mystery of the universe.
The time with his new friends was short, and Matthew knew they could sail at any time. On the third night after meeting them, Matthew could not sleep.
“The S* people were so far away from me before, and now I was faced with people who were so close to me. I asked the Lord to give me the courage to lead them to follow Jesus.
The next day was a working day for Matthew, and he was afraid he would miss his two friends before they sailed. But God allowed them to meet during his lunchbreak, half an hour before their boat would move off.
“I repeated the gospel message very simply, and then asked them if they were willing to entrust their lives to the One who could calm the winds and the waves and who was in charge of the universe. Their faith was indeed simple and free from many concerns, and in those last few minutes they offered their lives to a new Master with a simple prayer.”
His tears that now fell were now vastly different from his earlier ones. Matthew is now a pastor in Penang.