The Poor Among You

“I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalm 140:12, NIV.

The history of every industrialized nation includes a period where certain social classes are exploited – Singapore is no exception. Much of the hard labor of building and maintaining infrastructure falls on the backs of migrant workers from Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh and India. While many construction companies try to treat their foreign laborers fairly, others treat them poorly. Long workweeks, poor living conditions, and inflated claims of earning potential by agents leave many of these foreign men feeling lonely, cheated, and trapped. These migrant workers are the poor among Singapore’s great wealth.

For the past four years, Brother Wilfred and his family have reached out to Singapore’s Indian migrant workers with food, friendship and the gospel in partnership with Queenstown Baptist Church and the Singapore Baptist Convention. During this time, thirty workers have responded to the gospel, and fourteen have been baptized. Two more are currently awaiting baptism.

“Many of these men are too tired to even think,” said Brother Wilfred. “Sometimes I don’t know how they can have any joy in the midst of their circumstances.”

Many Singaporeans believe that the migrant workers are receiving a favor from the opportunity to work in Singapore. They don’t consider what working and living conditions are like.

Some dormitories for migrant workers have a hundred men and only one toilet. After bond and food payments back to the company, many men have as little as $20 a week to show for 70 to 90 hours of hard labor. Working such long hours often results in injuries, accidents and illnesses. Brother Wilfred remembers visiting one man at the hospital that had a large hunk of flesh torn from his side. His company told him to request outpatient treatment even though his injury was obviously severe. None of the men are given sick time or vacation time. On average it takes two years to pay off the travel bond, and many companies send the worker back to their home country as soon as the bond is paid. Sharing the love of Christ with men living in these conditions is often difficult.

“Some of the men become bitter, and even when you try to help them they are not impressed,” said Brother Wilfred. “They figure that Singaporeans have plenty of money and giving some of it to them is no sacrifice. So they are not even grateful when someone shows them love and concern.”

“On the other hand, I have seen what the Lord Jesus can do in the lives of these men,” said Brother Wilfred. “Many have testified about God’s protection from work injuries. And even though other workers persecute and threaten them, still they cling to their faith. I am often humbled and challenged by these men.”

Pray that:

Gospel workers like Brother Wildred will not become weary in their labor for the Lord.

Employers will have more compassion on migrant workers in Singapore.

God will call many migrant workers to faith in Christ while they are in Singapore.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.