In January 2024 the Women Care and Counselling Centre (WCCC) farewelled Deaconess Elizabeth after 14 years of service and welcomed me, Ms Daphne Abraham, into the role of supervisor. I have been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) since birth. In the early days of the Women’s Care and Counselling Centre […]

In January 2024 the Women Care and Counselling Centre (WCCC) farewelled Deaconess Elizabeth after 14 years of service and welcomed me, Ms Daphne Abraham, into the role of supervisor. I have been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) since birth.

In the early days of the Women’s Care and Counselling Centre (WCCC), while it was still under the care of Deaconess Elizabeth, the Centre ran a three-day volunteer training programme, which I and my dad attended. Upon completion of the training, I felt passionate for this ministry. It was my intention to join the ministry and shadow Deaconess Elizabeth for a short period of time, but it was not God’s ordained time for me yet.

Thirteen years later I was discharged from my job at the bank on medical grounds after being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Anxiety. It was during this time of joblessness that I was offered the position at WCCC and accepted immediately. I already had a passion for this ministry, but now I also had three nieces who were similar ages to those who had unplanned pregnancies who we would care for at WCCC. Through the ministry offered by WCCC, women who are rich or poor, intelligent or are not highly educated, are offered the love and attention they require.

To prepare me to serve in WCCC, I was given some exposure from Deaconess Elizabeth, as well as some training with the local NGO to gain exposure about the administrative works in a Care Centre. I also attended the Diaconal Workshop two years in a row which is organised by the Lutheran World Federation. This workshop offered me Diakonia ministry exposure. I now have support from Rev. Easupillay, who is the current pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (the local church connected with WCCC).

My role with WCCC includes administrative duties, liaising with local governmental bodies (I am currently in communication with the Health Ministry, as well as the municipal counsel as part of the welfare licensing application), ensuring the home is always in a proper condition, providing guidance counselling for women who come for help and also for the clients in the home.

In March 2024, Bishop Steven Lawrence dedicated the ministry of WCCC through a soft launch, after a major clean-up and re-painting work with the help of the Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation Youth Fellowship. The home also received two medical beds as a donation from Mr Roy Thum, Managing Director of Mastersteel.

In the mid of March 2024, I received my first case, who also happened to be someone I went to school with, although I did not know her well when we were attending school. She came with her two children who were aged three and twelve. She claimed her husband was abusing her and she was going through depression. As it was my first case, I gave her my full effort to ensure she was comfortable and well cared for. In time, she became aggressive and started throwing false accusations on me and even tarring my name at church. I was stressed most of the time and asked her to leave at the end of the three-month trial period. This was not an easy time for me. I felt like I failed. I even wanted to give up, thinking perhaps this is not for me.

At the same time, I was approached by someone else who I went to school with but had lost all contact with. She too was having marital issues. I was simultaneously working on both cases, however the outcome for the second case was much more positive. The young woman involved in the second case had many wrong habits in her- theft, adultery, lies. I didn’t allow these habits to be a barrier for the ministry and as I reminded her of the goodness of God, as I fasted and prayed with her, and as I studied the book of Philippians with her, she slowly left her bad habits. She is now working in the Elderly Care Centre run by Rev. Easupillay and even has daily devotions with her clients in the centre.

As I reflect on both these cases, I am reminded that God is present to me even when my plans are not his own. He taught me that, I may have some cases who come into the WCCC which are not so great and will test me, but I will also be blessed with those cases that remind me why I am chosen by Him and that’s all that matters.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner churches in Malaysia at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/malaysia-peninsula/