It’s funny how hindsight allows you to discover God.

Things I learnt on Saturday:
1. One finds purpose when establishing themselves in a foreign country.
2. If you are called to help, always answer. Never assume that your help is insignificant.
3. Sometimes the greatest pleasure can be found in being even slightly useful.
4. Even if that means listening and listening and listening.
5. And regardless of whether you’re more comfortable with a different language, the Mass is still poignant in any setting.

It all began when I attended the Student Leaders Conference in NTU. Things were going relatively well (and by that, I mean not horribly boring) but nearing the end of the Conference, a PRC scholar stood up and basically ranted to almost a hundred student leaders in attendance (as well as several administrative staff) about how NTU students from China are being marginalised and unappreciated. At first, I scoffed (rather loudly too, I’ll admit). Horror stories of how PRC natives expect Singapore and NTU to conform to their expectations is rife. Disgusting tales of leaving shoes in the washing machine, scrubbing lingerie in the toilet sink and microwaving socks to dry them are commonly used to generalise the mainland Chinese as a insensitive, inconsiderate lot that is just going to remain a sore point when studying in NTU. However, it was hard not to imagine that there was some truth in her complaint. Despite still being the minority in NTU, they were hardly an insignificant social group, and hospitality dictated that they be shown some dignity. The above-mentioned anecdotes should not be used to judge all PRC scholars as a whole.

After enjoying the “free” lunch provided by the event’s organiser, the Students’ Union, I headed down to church to help set up the booth for recruitment of catechists (aka sunday school teachers). It seemed like an unlikely thing, since I had no idea what exactly I’d be doing, and I felt really tired after the morning’s event. Nonetheless, I figured since I was out anyway, I’d drop by and see how I could help. It turns out that there was indeed a lot of things to be done, and many ways that I could help. I realised that when I helped in doing something I liked, the tiredness just seemed to leave.