St Luke’s ElderCare is a Christian healthcare provider which operates Senior Care and Rehabilitation Centres, Active Ageing Centres (Care) and Residences (nursing homes), serving mainly older persons and supported by the Lutheran Church in Singapore.  On an afternoon in Singapore, the sky above Hawker Centre looked as though it had been randomly brushed with strokes […]

St Luke’s ElderCare is a Christian healthcare provider which operates Senior Care and Rehabilitation Centres, Active Ageing Centres (Care) and Residences (nursing homes), serving mainly older persons and supported by the Lutheran Church in Singapore. 

On an afternoon in Singapore, the sky above Hawker Centre looked as though it had been randomly brushed with strokes of watercolour, wavering between light and dark. After finishing my dancing, I wiped the perspiration from my forehead, looked at the darkening sky, and decided to take a break. Just as I took a seat, I heard heavy rain pouring down, and my good friend, Hui Qing, who had danced with me, also sought shelter.

“One cup of coffee to warm me up!” Hui Qing said with a smile, while waving at the stall owner. The warm aroma of coffee felt especially comforting amidst the sound of the rain. Hui Qing’s eyes sparkled, and with childlike excitement, she began sharing her daily activities with me. “Besides dancing in the public square, I also take part in other activities at the Active Ageing Centre (Care). The most interesting one is the Drum Fit class.” Her words piqued my curiosity, sparking a sense of anticipation in me, an ‘old granny’ in my 80s.

“Would you like to try it out with me?” Hui Qing invited enthusiastically. I looked at the rain that was starting to subside, smiled, and nodded.

On Thursday morning, with Hui Qing leading the way, we arrived at a classroom on the second floor of a building. As we opened the door, we were greeted by cheerful voices and laughter, like a spring breeze. A dozen seniors were sitting together, chatting and laughing. “This is St Luke’s ElderCare’s Active Ageing Centre (Care),” Hui Qing introduced.

As we approached the front desk, a young man in a neat uniform greeted me with a warm smile. His gentle and polite voice instantly made me feel at ease. Under his patient guidance, I completed the registration process, and the uneasiness in my heart faded away.

When the drumming class began, the instructor immediately captured everyone’s attention. He was tall, carried himself with good posture, and always had a warm smile on his face. “Hello, aunties! Today, we’ll be learning the basic rhythms,” his voice was engaging, like a soft breeze, filling every corner of the classroom.

Holding the drumsticks for the first time made me feel both nervous and excited. We were patiently taught how to grip the sticks and shown the proper way to strike the drum. “Don’t be afraid,” smiled the instructor, “Just follow the rhythm and imagine you’re having a conversation with the drum.” His encouraging guidance made me, a beginner, quickly fall in love with the feeling of drumming. Every drumbeat made me feel the pulse of life; every note told the story of the joy of our age.

Now, every time I step into the Centre, I feel a special warmth. It is not just an activity space, it is a harbour where we can reignite our passion for life. Here, I have learned to stay curious in my later years and embrace new experiences with courage. Every drumbeat reminds me that the symphony of life never stops because of age. If we are willing, we can create our own beautiful melody.

At this centre, I have rediscovered the colours of life, met kindred spirits, and rediscovered myself- turns out, that at over 80, I can still live such a vibrant and fulfilling life.

Reprinted with the kind permission of St Luke’s ElderCare. Visit the website to find out more about St Luke’s.

This story was also published in the December 2023 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

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 church in Singapore at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/singapore/