The Grace of Redemption

Hope Beyond Prison Bars

The Testimony of Bravo Paul Tan Ho Teck

Welcome to another episode of the Grace of Redemption on Global Reachout.  During this series, we’ve heard the testimonies of different people whose lives were dramatically changed by their personal encounters with Jesus Christ.  Today, we’ll be listening to the testimony of Bravo Paul Tan Ho Teck, who went from a place of despair to a life filled with hope.

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Remembering the past is painful for Ho Teck.  When he is fully alert, he recalls what has been kept deep in his heart for more than 40 years – things that happened in his life and in his family, things he would rather not talk about.

Ho Teck was 25 years, and didn’t have a drinking problem.  But as he recalled, one night he began drinking.  “I was probably feeling depressed and under the influence of alcohol when I committed something that could never be undone, and made a mistake that could not be rectified.”

It was in the early hours of the morning, and he was at home, drunk.  Some time later, while he was still in a stupor, Ho Teck had an argument with his younger brother over a trivial matter.  He lost his mind, and accidentally killed his brother.  When he became sober again, he realized his terrible mistake, for which he suffered incredible lifelong pain, torture, and 23 years of imprisonment.

“I was put in solitary confinement in jail.  On the door of each cell was a small board on which was written the name of the occupant and his date of release.  Mine was without a date.  I watched the other jail mates leave one after another while I had no hope of ever doing so.  Waiting was not terrifying; what was really scary was a wait with no end.”  Ho Teck’s days became more wearisome by the day, and he simply waited in solitude for death.  

Man’s despair seems endless, but God’s mercy is infinite.

At the end of his first year in jail, Rev. Khoo Siaw Hua arrived on one of his prison visits.  “I remember what he preached at the service that day.  It was about the love of Jesus and the power of the Gospel.  He later encouraged us to confess our sins to God.  I the sinner was moved by the Holy Spirit, and with tears streaming down my face, I confessed all my past sins and repented with deep contrition.  I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.  In that instant, all the burdens and self-blame in my heart rolled away, and I felt free, released, light, and peaceful.”

Although Ho Teck followed Jesus and his spirt was free, he was still confined within the four walls of the prison cell, and life was becoming increasingly unbearable.  He eagerly looked forward to visits from his family members.  But as time wore on and his imprisonment continued with no end in sight, their visits became less and less frequent until they almost stopped.

“It had been more than ten years; I had been in jail for more than a decade, and my chances of release were becoming ever more remote.”

Despite all this, Ho Teck did not give up praying to God for his release from prison.  Pastor Simon Neo, Executive Director for Breakthrough and his Deputy Director, Mr. Freddy Wee, cared for him very much.  They visited him often and encouraged him.  They tried their best to appeal to the prison authorities for his early release.  The latter had their worries; they were concerned that Ho Teck would return to his old ways, and the appeals were rejected.

Just as God led Joseph through his dark days in an Egyptian prison in ancient times, he had a plan for Ho Teck’s life.  He heard Ho Teck’s prayers and opened the way.  Ho Teck was granted a Presidential pardon and released from prison after 23 years.

“The world outside had changed too much, and I was dazzled and bewildered.  The site of my parents’ home had been transformed, and I had completely lost touch with my family.  I also found it difficult to fit into the community after having been incarcerated for 23 years.”  Despite all of this, Ho Teck’s heart was filled with boundless joy and gratitude because he had the precious gift from God, who creates new things out of nothing – freedom in Christ and grace freely received.  However, he had paid a high price for his past transgressions.

Ho Teck went straight to Breakthrough upon his release in 2007.

Members of the Breakthrough family are warm, and they welcomed him.  He feels comfortable with them, at ease with them, and feels at home.  As he walks in the garden among the flowers and chirping birds, he marvels at the Lord’s beautiful creations and immerses himself in the presence of the Lord.  He has found peace in his heart.  Such sweet times were unthinkable during his dark days in jail.

He studied God’s Word daily to strengthen the foundations of his faith.  He also learned life lessons through living in the community of Breakthrough brothers.  “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  At the end of the three-year course, he decided to stay on at Breakthrough and learn how to serve.

“I am very grateful to God that I can serve him and the brothers.  How great is his wondrous grace!  He enabled me – someone who had no hope of release, fallen into decadence, helpless, and in despair – to find meaning in life again.  I have decided to glorify the name of the Lord with my life, for he gave me his life.”

Time flies, and Ho Teck has been at Breakthrough for more than ten years.  He has not slackened in his service to the Lord because of God’s love for him.  He makes use of every opportunity to share God’s amazing love, grace, and salvation.  He works conscientiously on his spiritual growth, and enjoys serving others in the Lord.

Ho Teck’s reunion with his long-lost sister is another testimony that is worth repeating over and over.  All are amazed at God’s wonderful act.

“I remember I last saw my sister while I was in jail.  She brought me materials to prepare for my O Level exams, and encouraged me to take care of myself before she left.  I never saw her again after that.  After I became a Christian in prison, I prayed often for God’s grace that I would see her again.”

God heard this man’s fervent prayers.  During this period of Ho Teck’s patient waiting, his sister accepted Jesus Christ.  

One day, his sister wanted to buy some Christian literature from a place near her home, but changed her mind and went to the Breakthrough Books and Gifts shop instead.  (The books and gifts collection was later transferred to Breakthrough Café in 2007 for display and sale.)  While there, she read the testimony tracts of the brothers who were working at the Breakthrough Café.  She then went over to the Café to inquire if any of the brothers there knew her brother who was serving a life sentence.  The brothers told her.  “He’s no longer in jail.  He’s at Breakthrough now!”

After a long separation, the siblings were finally reunited at Breakthrough in a tearful reunion.  Words could not express the deep gratitude they felt toward God.

It was also God who brought Ho Teck and his wife, Chu Lan, together.

Chu Lan’s third brother was an ex-drug addict, and she visited him often while he was at Breakthrough.  Later, he was hospitalized for cancer.  Ho Teck met Chu Lan for the first time at the hospital, although they had been communicating with each other via mobile phone regarding her brother’s illness.  After the death of Chu Lan’s brother, Ho Teck invited her to visit his church.  That was the beginning of their journey in romance.

Chu Lan’s husband had died many years earlier, leaving her with two daughters.  Little did she expect to marry again, and to marry an ex-drug addict, Ho Teck, so willingly!  “My relatives were shocked when they heard my decision, and thought that I had lost my mind.  I told them that I lacked nothing, while Ho Teck had nothing, but this gave me peace of mind.  He is a sincere person, and will not deceive me.  I trust God’s guidance and leading.”

On the day of her wedding, Chu Lan’s 75 year-old mother walked her slowly down the aisle.  The guests were moved to tears.  The wedding was a lovely conclusion to what Pastor Simon Neo and Mr. Freddy Wee had been doing for Ho Teck.  Both gave their heartfelt congratulations and blessings for his marriage.  

To Ho Teck, Breakthrough was a new chapter in his life, a place where his spiritual growth was nourished, and his prayers answered.  It was also the blessed home that witnessed his reunion with his family and his happy marriage.

Having traversed a long and torturous road, Ho Teck can now say with firm conviction, “God is faithful, and his promises never fail.  His love and grace are like showers of blessing.  He forgave my sins, saved me, and gave me hope for eternal life.  He also blessed me with a life partner on this journey at age 60.”

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)  This Bible verse printed on Ho Teck’s wedding card struck a chord with many hearts that day.  He also said that he would continue to pray like David throughout his life:  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)  What a beautiful heart desire!

We hope you enjoyed listening to Ho Teck’s testimony.  Join us next time on Global Reachout as we listen to another testimony of God’s amazing grace in the lives of those who have experienced his mercies.  Until then, may God richly bless you!