The drive to the scrap-factory to de-register my 10-years old car was a slow long drive! Traffic jams along the long stretch of expressway right up to Woodlands. For the first time, I was happy to be caught in a traffic-jams. Memories of past traffic-jams encounter flooded my mind. Once, I was caught at the East Coast Expressway (ECP) for more than 2 hours. The traffic jams was caused by a massive oil spill. Maybe God is trying to tell me something through the jam, or just getting my attention that He is with me. And so, I just focus on His Presence throughout the journey.
At the scrap factory (Sungei Kadut)
I was the only person there to hand in my de-registered car, much to my surprise. Before that, I was wondering how long I would have to queue to hand my car. Only one mechanic was there doing some repair job on a motor-cycle. The place seems very run-down. “Your car cost $800”, he said to me. I was stunned that I still need to pay $800 by giving him my car. Anyway, since I was already there, I just proceed to do the paper-work.
He helped my to de-register my car online using my phone.
There was another attendant at the service counter to de-register it with the
Land Transport Authority (LTA). He give me instructions on how I could claim my
PARF (Preferential Additional Registration Fee) which is almost $9000. Then to
my surprise, he gave me $800 in cash!
Leaving for home
Leaving Sungei Kadut was a hassle. It was an isolated place without
any public transport and no habitation anywhere nearby. Only trucks and lorries are driving past the narrow street. I tried to google map
and walked, but the distance seems very far. Looking up, I saw from a far, some
kind of Public Housing (HDB) and the smart way is to walk towards it, far it
may seem. I prayed as I walk that God would somehow bring help to me. Then, out
of nowhere, a taxi appeared and stop right next to me, to which I realised that
I was approaching a traffic light. Without hesitation, I flagged the taxi and hop
in, asking him to drive me to the nearest MRT. It was then I realised that I
was in Tew Tee areas, the remote North-Easterly part of Singapore where, long
time ago, we boys did our Army “jungle” training. It has since transformed in a
HDB town. The ride was short and cost $5+. But, I wanted to bless the driver
and gave him $7. God answered my prayer immediately and bless me with money so
that I can bless the one who serve me.
Reflecting the whole event
Before coming to scrap my car, I thought that the factory would be very busy and crowded. I tried to call the factory to make appointment as mentioned in the LTA website, but no one pick up the phone. I even sent an email to them without receiving any reply. I also have a very vague information how to d-register the car on-line.
My journey just started with prayer and go by faith. It was the traffic jam at Woodlands area that remind me to just trust God and go. From then on, everything just unfold and move smoothly after the traffic jam. The notion that "things get difficult before it get easy" is true when we put our faith in God.
Blessings with Agape Love
