Leo and Roxanne

One fateful day, after a browse through the newspapers, within the same morning, we were negotiating the price of a Pasir Ris flat. It was the first house both Roxanne and I could agree upon and like it. It has all that we wanted, except it is on the 4th floor, to which we understand it’s a compromise between Rox’s current flat on the 3rd floor and mine, 5th. It still fulfills her wish for a higher floor and mine, a low floor.

It was the first time we ever made an offer – $5k COV. But alas, the owner wanted at least $15k, and her shrewd husband overseas was adamant about it.

We thought perhaps it’s still not God’s house after all, but $5k is the absolute highest that we’ve decided to offer, so we left it as that.

Shortly, the owner did a re-valuation and now, the house is worth much more. With that, she lowered her COV to $10k, but it was still too much for us. She then advertised in the papers again, this time with the new COV. When we saw the ad, we thought to ourselves, this house shall be taken up soon. Our agent also shared our sentiments.

But still, it was not sold. Someone offered $8k COV, but was rejected.

As the owner’s returning to China, time is running out on her. 2 days before she left, she sms me:

“I am sorry I can’t sell this house to you. I will meet an agent today to authorise him to sell my flat on my behalf, and then, I will leave for Shangai this coming Wed.”

To which I replied, “Hi, as Christians, we believe that if this is the Lord’s will, then this must be the best outcome for both of us. Thank you for all the favour you have shown to us and all the best as you reunite with your family.”

An hour later, while I was praying, the owner called me. She said that she was very touched by my reply and had called her mother-in-law in China to seek for advice. Her mother-in-law, who is a Christian too and has been praying for the sale of flat told her that she too, has felt touched that they should sell the house to us. The owner then called her husband, who finally relented and agreed to let go of the house.

I thought I would be elated. But I was not. By now, I have surrendered the matter fully to God and I wasn’t as sure anymore, considering prices may drop further.

I needed a confirmation from God. I prayed for God to show me a sign from the Bible. I flipped the Bible open and the 1st verse that greeted my eyes read:

“Blessed by the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, and has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthen according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.” – Ezra 7:27-28

Something prompted me to recite this verse again with us as the characters:

“Blessed by the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this in the owner’s heart, to adorn the house of the LORD which is in Pasir Ris, and has extended lovingkindness to me before the owner and her husband, and before all the owner’s relatives. Thus I was strengthen according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered my fiancee and agent from Bishan to go up with me.”

Rox’s hair rose when I shared this with her. It has to be the Lord’s hand and favour on us.

So on 10-Jan-09, we made our deposit of $5,000 and now, we are the proud owners of a 4rm flat in Pasir Ris! All glory to Father, our rich and timely provider!