Trusting even in the midst of chaos

With the War on-going... many changes are happening...

At first I reserved my extra room for 3 months already to cater to my bible school 2026 intake starting in a week's time. However, the students from India didn't get their scholarships and decided not to come. As it was so last minute, I already rejected external offers from potential worker tenants from China.

Then as I asked my bible school admin if they have other students that might be interested, or even asked some of my ex-cohort to share my room vacancy new out... I was only offered well below market price for my room and demand for air conditioning. Yes, I know after CNY... the SG weather is getting hot again. But with the local government already announcing in the NEWS that electricity will be raising due to the war.... I can't helped but wonder if it is worth installing aircon yet not being paid the market price.

For example this room can hold 1-2 persons and the market price is $1200 for 2 paxs. Yet one of the bible school inquiry was that they have a Pastor's son coming but he only can pay $500-$700 and not willing to co-share and also wanted aircon. Of course I can't accept this request. I can only say I am not rich enough to host God's people yet. I still have 8 more years of mortgage to pay and to support both Hubby and I who have medical conditions as we are not able to work, our rooms are our primary source of income.

One ex-cohort also asked me repeatedly if I can help her to host a member coming to SG every 2 months for chopping the passport because currently she is paying hotel fee for him when he comes. I think he is trying to find work here while on social pass. And she told me he won't be able to pay anything while staying with me for 2-3 days each time.

It is not that I am unwilling to host God's people but how can they expect me to pour into other cups when I am having own issues with filling my own cup? Plus the fact that my Hubby has mental condition and he cannot accept stranger coming in and out like a hotel! I also have to safeguard my currently tenants that their stuff won't go missing too, you know what I mean? After all, there might be wolves among the sheep too.

Yet when I rejected, it seems that my reputation in the church became that I am not an easy-going landlord. Sigh... so hard to please people... and I felt a little being 'morally-manipulated'. The problem is a lot of SG locals grown up with a well sheltered lives, they do not experienced the world of Survivors like me from the lowest income economic level. Even when I was doing my Associate degree in Cross cultural missions... my Professor also shared on how his team reached out to the lowest income groups via community services. But later these people might get 'addicted' to the handouts than really believing in the gospel. So when I offered my room to host the international students out of goodwill, some just assumed I must be rich enough to not even charge them, etc.

In a way, I am glad I did the filming for local TV and the series are out this March for 4 weeks. I no need to explain my situation as the TV also shown my struggles as a sole caregiver to my Hubby. To put it brutally, I'm a person whose heart can stop anything yet I am forcing myself to wake up every single day to find resources to take care of my mentally ill & stroke Hubby. I'm already doing my best with the limitations so I hope others don't cause more stress with their not so reasonable demands. As I shared, I rather they assumed the worst of me now than I'm being forced to accept some of the demands they are asking.

Then came the other BAD NEWS 2 days ago, but well... I am prepared for this day to come. My engineer and his room mate are from the same factory E. E was on the news early last year trying to sell off to relocate due to high operating costs in SG. I did asked them if E informed them of any update.... so the moment my engineer was informed, he immediately whatapp me. So in the next 2 months, I am losing another 2 tenants.

I did put out rental ads but everyone is asking for Aircon. I barely have enough saving left to even install a 2 in 1 unit. Already prices are raising for essential stuff due to the war... But I know I need to invest in at least a window or a casement aircon for 1 room first in order to get new tenant/s. Plus the fact that E company will be retrenching almost 400 staff, there will be even more empty rooms out there in the nearby neighbourhood (over-supply). I already noticed the rental price is going down too. Yikes! Not so favourable for owners now.

And Hubby's late Father's flat still no buyer yet... so his family still not able to pay me back the 5 figure loan I helped with my in-laws in 2004. Nor will they return the loan with interest... sometimes I felt I was too gullible in my youth to trust his family. Nevertheless, I am trusting The Lord that there will be a buyer eventually as the government only gave the family till end Nov to dispose of the flat. There is also another option for the government to take it back but at a 10% loss.

I am still trusting for The Lord to bring in the right tenants for us too, as I kept praying that daily every night during my quiet time. I do not feel I am overcharging as other property only charge per person per bed space... meaning the tenants do not even have an outer hall for themselves. But in my large home, there's an extra hall that I gave to my tenants for them to mingle and have their meals. That is already a bonus point than most if not all the rental property out there!

There's so much I need to do in the upcoming few months... as I believe in new tenants to come and I need to train them in house rules or even local laws (if fresh from their homeland)... and also to do parting with my 2 tenants whom have lived with me for 8 long years! My engineer said he would go back and find another agent to seek another employer here so he can come back and stay in my home again. We'll see how... so much chaos out there now. It is hard to promise or predict anything.

But one thing I still believe, my country SG is such a safe place that might also attract others living in the war affected zones to consider to immigrate. Some can even come here using studies for temporary living. And that might also mean there will be demands for rental accommodations again as there is an university just opposite my block, another 2 international schools in my west area... I will continue to Trust in The Lord for favourable financial conditions in the coming months. Amen!