There Is Life Beyond The Blues

I used to be the kind of “ I love the BB ” person who couldn't see the forest from the trees. That is to say, I was one who was an expert at enforcing the little details of BB life that I forgot about the bigger picture.

For example, as a band sectional leader, I “tested” my members on their ability to memorize music pieces. So, I would have them play a tune while I listened for every mistake they made. Each mistake earned them 5 push-ups, if they were new. However, since most of them were seniors, they'd go down for 10 push-ups… per mistake . It was not uncommon to see my sectional members go down for 30 or 40 push-ups per song.

I conducted drill similarly: Members, for generations, have always “feared” the way I conduct drill. Being a perfectionist, I would make them repeat a movement, again and again, until I observe perfect synchronicity in movement and sound. Thus, a squad of Members was supposed to look and sound like there was only one person doing drill. Of course, there was a stipulated punishment for every mistake and it was not uncommon for Members to go down for 100 push-ups in a 30-minute drill session with me.

No, I was not power-crazy, as some people might have thought. I did it because I wanted our Company to have the best drill squad and band, to win competitions that would further motivate our Members towards excellence. I did it because I loved the BB.

Along the way, however, I lost track of the game plan. I made unimportant things important, and important things unimportant. In being so strict with my Band Section, my Members lost the joy of playing music. Yes, they could play the songs perfectly from memory, but the tunes were lifeless and flat. My drill squads were synchronized at the parade ground, but they were prone to discord and disunity everywhere else. I was blinded by my “I love the BB” fanaticism. Band and drill became the ends , and no longer the means . I was concerned about advancing Christ's kingdom and developing true Christian character in Members, but I ended up seeking drill trophies and band awards, instead.

I've since learned something very important: There is life beyond the Blues . There is more to Boys' Brigade than band, uniform and drill. For a brief period of a young person's life (yes, weekly 4-6 hour meetings out of 168 hours a week is brief ), the Boys Brigade is entrusted to give them a youth worth remembering, help develop their moral and spiritual character, and share with them the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ, who loved them enough to die for them. Losing sight of these goals while having the shiniest uniforms, the most melodious band, or the most drill trophies makes us like the “resounding gong” or “clanging cymbals” in I Corinthians 13.

Don't get me wrong. Band, uniform and drill are important elements in the BB programme. However, they are not the reason why BB exists. I thought about this while attending a Drill Conference organized by BBM HQ several weeks ago (of this writing): While I greatly appreciate the effort, I sincerely hope BBM HQ will also organize national conferences on Evangelism or Character Development. I hope we can be as concerned about the national implementation of a Spiritual Formation programme as we are about standardizing our Drill.

As for me, my Members still “fear” drill sessions with me – but I also hope they look forward to facing life with the discipline and self-respect they developed on the drill ground. I hope they have learned obedience through the example of my life, and not because of the way I bark my orders or because of my rank. But most of all, I hope that I have shown them a Friend who promises to be closer than a brother, who will never leave them nor forsake them, from now… till they are way beyond wearing Blues.

When I Was A Boy...

I used to hate it whenever any of my Officers used to begin one of his long-winded lectures with, “When I was a boy…” It would usually be followed by some tedious tale of how we, as Boys, are so much more fortunate compared to when my Officer was a Boy.

The story would usually detail how much he suffered as he drilled under the hot sun for 16 hours (non stop!), which was followed by band practice where they would march around the field 24 times (with no breaks!). Of course, he would be playing the bass drum, mind you, not some other light-weight instrument like the flute (my apologies to all flautists out there). Naturally, each time they fell out of dressing, the entire band would have to go down for 300 push ups.

Life was always much better for us, you see. We sat on chairs, in the shade, under the fan for praise and worship. Knowing the days of when my Officer was a Boy, you would imagine that they had to stand on their feet, at attention, singing hymns from memory. Back then, they were tough! How could we complain about an expedition up Bukit Larut during a camp to earn our Expedition award? To earn his Expedition award, my Officer probably had to climb Mount Kinabalu in shorts and singlet – and that was just Stage 1!

Also, for some strange reason that I could not understand, his officers were always much more cruel than he – a fact that we Boys were constantly reminded to be grateful for. I can still hear it: “You think I am mean? You don’t know what mean really means! When I was a Boy, I had really mean Officers…” Usually by then, my mind had already begun to think about Bible Study – where I could at least look very holy by closing my eyes, leaning forward and going to sleep.

Deciding that it was enough, my friends and I made a promise one afternoon, when yet another “When I was a Boy…” speech began. We told ourselves that we would never use that phrase. Never. Ever. We would not inflict this agony on yet another generation.

So you can imagine how ironic it all felt now that I am an Officer witnessing the changing times. I’ve literally had to bite my tongue when I attended NCO council meetings. Where Boys once took out pencil cases and note pads, I observed NCOs whipping their mobile phones all around the table. When I was a Boy… oh wait a minute. Sorry.

At camps and training courses, I have observed how much more delicious the food has become. They actually had a variety (not chicken rice every meal!) and it didn’t taste like Styrofoam with soy sauce. Not only that, they ate in a nice cafeteria, with a water cooler nearby. When I was a Boy… Oh! Right. Forgive me.

These days, I also marvel at how easy it is for Boys to meet girls. For some (fortunate?) Companies, all a Boy needs to do is look around during praise and worship (yes, Boys will be Boys) and hope the cute Corporal with the pony tail wouldn’t mind dating a Private. Those more daring would attempt to date a Sergeant. Why, when I was a Boy… sigh. Sorry.

Fortunately, I have yet to start a lengthy sermon with “When I was a Boy…” But then, some of my Boys started asking me what Brigade life was like when I was growing up. Fighting the urge to begin with “that phrase,” I did manage to tell them a bit about my Boyhood days. We laughed and had a good time. They saw a side of me that they could not believe existed – a side that actually wore Blues, was mischievous and got punished.

I came to realize that was the beauty of telling stories. It’s not just about telling a story: it’s sharing a history. When we share about our Boyhood days, we create a sense of history for our Boys. It lets them know that they are not anomalies in this crazy world. It gives them a sense of continuity knowing they are a part of something that has existed longer than they have. Our stories show them the role they play to ensure that this history will continue… long after Blues and collar badges.

Try it. Get close enough to their lives to share your stories with them. Show them their place in history and inspire them to run with the destiny that lies before them. Share with them your Boyhood days, your struggles, your hopes and your dreams. Be vulnerable and become a real person to them. They’ve got enough teachers and instructors to deal with from school and tuition – being an Officer is more than just educating or training.

It’s about being an authentic person – someone who went through their Boyhood days, struggling, laughing and playing just like they do today. Sure, the fashion sense is different, as are the toys, but some things never change: love, life and other mysteries.

Tell your stories. Share with them some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way (not that we’re all-knowing or all-wise, and even that itself is a lesson!). Then one day, watch and smile to yourself as everything comes full circle again. Enjoy the moment when you see your Boys become Officers. Enjoy observing a new generation of young people yawn and act coolly disinterested (but are actually eager to listen) as your Boys-turned-Officers stumble over stories beginning with “When I was a Boy…”

Originally published: 23 February 2003

Who Will Come After Us?

You know, I bet you’ve never really thought about this before: Where do Officers come from?

Do they grow on trees in an orchard somewhere? Can we go there to pluck a fresh Officer every time we need one? Or do they come pre-packaged with instructions, for sale at the BB Shop? Wouldn’t that be convenient? Who knows, they might even go on sale if there was an overstock: Sale! Two Officers for the price of one, complete with lanyards and other accessories. Hurry, place your orders while stocks last!

If only it were that easy.

No matter how much we’d like that to happen, Officers don’t grow on trees and they are not conveniently sold at the BB shop. And yet, in a way, they are grown and they do come with a price.

You see, Officers are grown. They don’t pop up overnight. It takes many years for an Officer to reach maturity. It takes a lot of nurturing, encouragement, and even pruning for one good Officer. So realize this: every Member is learning from many years of collected experience. Even as teenagers, Members get to learn what Officers have taken years to discover.

Another thing to appreciate is that Officers come at a price, and it’s not cheap. Officers come at the price of several hours a Company meeting, more hours preparing for that meeting and even more hours invested in the personal lives of Members. The cost of an Officer is sleepless nights and long meetings over Company concerns. Their price tags include time, money and energy for prayer, love and concern over every Member and fellow Officer.

And you know, good Officers are very hard to come by. No, I don’t mean those people who wear white uniforms, the Glengarry and collar badges. Nor do I mean those who just stick around because they feel guilty and need to “give back” to the Company or Brigade. I certainly do not mean those people who have nothing better to do with their Saturdays.

Good Officers are those special individuals who really know the heart of the Boys’ Brigade ministry. He’s that ‘Sir’ that doesn’t just teach drill, but inspires discipline and espirit-de-corps. She’s that ‘Madam’ who helps you realize your self-respect because of who you are, and not just because you wear a uniform. They are the ones who don’t just “advance Christ’s Kingdom” but are the very reason why any Member would want to be a part of that Kingdom.

If you know such Officers take a moment to salute them, listen to them, and maybe even buy them lunch. Respect them and value them while they are still around because you won’t know what you’ve missed until it is taken away from you. Let them know how much you value them, because you may not realize just how powerful encouragement can be. But still, we have to realize that such Officers can’t always be there. It is unfortunate that time affects us all that way, but that’s reality. Officers come then, eventually, these Officers have to go.

Even so, there aren’t many who are ready, willing or able to take up the challenge of Collar Badges and Whites. It’s a tough call to answer. It demands time, effort and heart – things that many people aren’t willing to give up for others. Still, as any Officer will tell you, the rewards far exceed the costs.

Growing up in the Boys’ Brigade, I never really thought about where Officers came from. I always took it for granted that they will always be there – to teach me, to train me, to guide me and to even punish me, when necessary. I never realized just how few Officers were out there – and, sadly, their numbers are decreasing. Companies have closed down because they didn’t have enough Officers to run programmes. Young people have been lost because our Labourers were just too few.

So who will come after us? Who will step up to the challenge of Collar Badges and Whites after this generation of Officers have come and gone? Who will continue to carry our Banner into the generations after us?

Will you be the one?

Originally published: 8 June 2003

What About The Naughty Ones?

He’s the one that really drives you up the wall. The one that makes you dread going for Company meetings every week – because he might be there. The one that gets you so discouraged, sometimes you wonder whether being an Officer for “this kind of Member” is worth it. You even ask yourself whether there is any hope for him in the first place.

Some weeks are okay because he doesn’t do that much. Maybe he speaks rudely and swears at another Member. Perhaps he tries to ‘escape’ Bible Study, drill or band – but you manage to catch him. Those are the good weeks, when the greatest trouble is when he’s lost his uniform parts. Again. For the third time!

Then there are those weeks where prayer and Panadol are the only things that keep you from wanting to strangle him and report him as a missing person. You know, those weeks when you notice an extra gray hair or two – even though you’re only 25 years old. Like that week when he threatened to fight another Member with a brick. Or when he was caught stealing from the wallets and bags of other squad members.

You know the kind of Member I’m talking about, right? The naughty ones.

Troublemakers.

I was having a discussion over email with a fellow officer the other day and something he said struck me. We were reflecting on the recent passing of one of our Boys. We noted how much of an impact he left on his loved ones and friends. His funeral was a great testament to a life lived exceedingly well. He was a great kid.

And it's usually the special kids like this that we remember well. We seem to care only about the 'good ones' – or at least the ones that make us feel good about ourselves. However, my friend and I started to ask ourselves: What about the troublemakers? What about the ones who were caught smoking, who caused nothing but trouble, and were pains in everyone's collective rear end? Would we still care as much for them? Would we expend as much blood, sweat and tears for them?

In the Epistle of James chapter 2, we are reminded not to show favoritism. Allow me to paraphrase it for our context: “My dear Officers, NCOs, and Members, do not show favoritism. Suppose a Member comes into your meeting with many badges, a well-ironed uniform and a good attendance record, while another Member enters with dyed hair, a ‘tidak apa’ attitude and a bad attendance record. If you show special attention to the one with many badges, a well-ironed uniform and a good attendance record and say, “Here’s a prize for you,” but say to the ‘tidak apa’ Member with the dyed hair and bad attendance, “You stand there,” or “Just go down for 30 push ups,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen my dear Officers, NCOs, and Members: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world – like troublemakers – to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? Has not God chosen us to advance His Kingdom among such Members, and not just the ‘good’ ones?

It is easier said than done, sometimes. Yet, our challenge isn’t really new at all. I think back 120 years ago to a small church on North Woodside Road in Glasgow, Scotland. A Sunday School teacher looks out and spots several young boys playing outside when they should be inside attending church. These kids weren’t ‘good’ kids – otherwise, they would have been in Sunday School, worshipping with the congregation, reciting Bible memory verses, and doing what good kids should be doing. Instead, they were rowdy. They probably behaved a little bit like samsengs.

But they became the initial members of the 1^st Glasgow Boys Brigade Company.

I wonder if our Companies are the same? What are our Members like today? Are they only the ‘good’ kids, whose parents are upstanding church members and feel that their children could use a healthy distraction once a week? As an Officer, do I love and care for my troublemakers as much as I do the good ones?

I hope so.

Originally published: 9 June 2003

There Is No Such Thing As An Ex-BB Boy

My goodness, the poseurs have struck again! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “There will always be poseurs.” I was browsing various Company web sites the other day when I came across this particular entry in one Company’s guest book. It stated:

Get more webspace, load more pictures, articles, history, belts, cap’s badge, polish, drill, camp, so many ex BB boys, get all their contacts get their support and get funds from them. [By the way], there is no such thing as ex-BB boys, because of this term, no one wants to come back.

The entry was signed by several of the Company’s former members – most, if not all, of have since moved on from the Company. I was particularly struck by their message for two reasons. First, the audacious tone in which their message was presented. Second, the ideas they conveyed to me. So let’s talk about these things.

When I read their comment, I wasn’t sure how to react. Perhaps it was my BB training, but I almost felt compelled to respond, “Yes, SIR!” After all, it felt like former members of the Company and the Brigade are telling me… no, ordering me to “get more webspace, load more pictures, articles, history, belts, cap’s badge, polish, drill, camp.” And let’s not forget their helpful suggestion, “since there are so many ex-BB boys,” why not get their contact information and from there, their support and funds? Wow. What a list of things I have to work on – immediately too, from the sound of it.

But then I wonder where these former members are when we approach them for their time, money and energy for their “beloved” Boys’ Brigade? I wonder if these are the same people who hem and haw when they are asked, “Can you please help teach a badge course or bible study or Junior section for three months? Just three months only.” Of course, they have their plethora of answers:

“Sorry, too busy lah.”

“Ah… working.”

Or my personal favorite: “What? Naik kereta/bas lagi?” (This is a particular Company’s slang).

I’m sure the Company would love to get more web space – but are these poseurs going to help fund that? Are they going to help maintain the web site? Sure, extra pictures would be nice, but please enlighten us how the Company should go about procuring a digital camera, scanner, internet connection, or computer to upload those pictures? Are these former members going to donate their “pictures, articles, history, belts, cap’s badge, polish” and such to the Company?

Oh wait. Maybe they think these items will magically appear and the current team of Officers will grow extra arms and legs to accomplish all these “helpful suggestions.” Maybe God will make the sun stand still in the sky so that these Officers will have more time to accomplish all these things.

Or, maybe Officers could ask our Boys to do it for us. After all, they are young, talented and have the resources. They should have “semangat” for the BB, right? I don’t know about you, but I thought the Boys’ Brigade existed to serve our Members, “expand Christ’s Kingdom” and promote good habits? Last I checked, nowhere in the BB Handbook is it stated that our Members shall be used as tools to glorify our Company so that the former members can bask in that glory.

Our Officers are already busy with the day-to-day dealings of the Company (which, in case you didn’t realize, are not relegated to the weekends only – especially if you do your duty right). Our Members are already occupied with school and BB. I was just wondering if these great, former Members would be so kind as to either enlighten us how we might successfully achieve their suggestions, or if they were willing to actually put their money where their mouth is and come join the fun of serving? Perhaps they would like to pool their money, ideas and effort together to contribute in a way that actually helps their Company?

Hrm. The silence is deafening.

Of course, there is the other problem of actually getting former Members to “come back,” as they put it. According to them, current Members consider them “ex-BB Boys” and therefore, they don’t want to “come back.” The logic seems to be that the term is denigrating because it means we no longer consider them Boys Brigade Members. Consequently, they feel unwanted, and therefore, unwilling to return and contribute. So, “there is no such thing as ex-BB boys, because of this term, no one wants to come back.”

I nearly burst out laughing when I read that statement.

So what do they prefer? “The Members who formerly attended Company meetings on a regular basis so that they were considered as part of the enrolment?” Or, “The Members who used to wear our uniform regularly, but currently do not do so because they have their reasons-lah?” Perhaps, in a genuine effort to win such members back and make them feel welcomed, we should have a red carpet and a General Salute for every time they “come back” to the Company?

Last I checked, leaders are not leaders for themselves. I thought we were supposed to follow after our Captain of Captains, Jesus, who was willing to humble Himself and be a servant to His disciples, washing their feet and dying for their sins. His welcome was the stink of animal filth and poor, humble shepherds. And the funny thing is, no one expected Him or made Him feel welcome. He came only to lovingly give of Himself to us. No general salute. No red carpet. And He certainly didn’t care what He was called - which included everything from “Teacher” (Matthew 8:19) to “Glutton and drunkard” (Luke 7:34) to even “Blasphemer” (Matthew 9:3).

So, maybe there really is no such thing as an ex-BB Boy. Maybe the real distinction is between those who willingly serve – in whatever way they can, big or small - and between those who don’t want to serve, but pretend like they want to. Or maybe the difference is between those who “walk the walk” versus those who “talk the talk.” Maybe they are just poseurs, after all.

Of course, you can prove me wrong. As an Officer still attached to a Boys Brigade Malaysia Company, I cordially and humbly invite all former members of the Boys Brigade to return to your various Companies and help out in whatever way you can. Write a cheque. Drop by – one hour, two hours, or even up to five hours a week – to help your Company. Teach a Bible study class. Teach a badge class. Come in just to teach drill or band. Mentor someone. Donate your old computer, printer, scanner or digital camera to the Company. Help with fundraising. Offer to drive some Boys who have no transportation to Company meetings.

There are so many ways – big and small – to help. Only if you would, of course.

And we promise not to call you “ex-BB” Members.

Wong Giok Leigh doesn’t want to consider himself an “ex-“ anything. Though he is currently on the other side of the world and very busy pursuing his Master’s Degree in the US while juggling two jobs, he still tries to make time to chat with his former squad Boys and NCOs. He also tries to contribute to the Brigade ministry by writing articles like this, hoping to encourage Brigade Members. He loves getting feedback emailed to him at this blog.

Originally published: 30 January 2004

There Will Always Be Poseurs

Poseurs… you know who they are. You can spot them from far off by their distinct traits.

For one, they talk more than they do. They’ve always got an opinion. They always have an idea about how something ought to be done, and why it’s always better for someone else to do it. They also like to be seen. If there is a photo opportunity, you’ll be certain that they’re in it, looking smart, smiling and so part-of-the-picture.

They are the ones who demonstrate such enthusiastic pride in the Company or Brigade, promising to help and sort of say, “Hey, I’m a BB member, too!” They show up at the Big Events, shaking hands, making idle chatter and telling stupid jokes. Still, you don’t really mind them. After all, some of them are your friends. You grew up together with them – you were in the same squad, had the same officers, and tried to court the same girls. So you shake their hands, chatter idly with them and laugh (a little too forcefully, you think) at their stupid jokes. But then, they nonchalantly ask That One Question that utterly exasperates you:

“So, how is the Company these days?”

And. You. Bite. Your. Tongue.

What you really want to say to them is, “Well, why don’t you come by for the Company meetings and find out for yourself?” But you don’t, because you can already hear their answers before they even utter it.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got no time.” It’s a classic. Forget about the fact that everyone has the same God-given 24 hours. Ignore the fact that they can easily spend three to five hours over the weekend playing soccer or golf every week. But ask them to roll up their sleeves and spend that same amount of time at Company meetings? No way. Please… too busy.

Another typical answer is their appeal to concentrate on work and make a living – or more commonly, “Busy-lah… working!” This is perfectly understandable, of course. I mean, it’s obvious that everyone who volunteers their time with the Boys’ Brigade already has a sizeable fortune or a trust fund to support them. Officers don’t need to work. We don’t have careers to build. We don’t have families to support.

Yet still they show up at the Big Events. They still like to have their opinion (“What happened to Boys these days? They’re not like last time. I think you should…”). They still love to have their photos taken with all their BB Buddies – shaking hands, making idle chatter and telling the same stupid jokes. They still show up at major Company or Brigade events, either to appease their guilt or to enjoy the limelight – having no qualms declaring that they were a member of the Company or the Brigade but are nowhere in sight when there is work to be done.

I’ve stopped judging them, you know. I’ve stopped thinking about how they get to enjoy their life, weekends and career while I put on a uniform every Saturday, hang out with young people and try to make a difference.

You see, there will always be poseurs, but we must never judge them – there is no point to it. Sometimes, we have to accept that they are who they are. Some genuinely cannot help, for whatever reasons they may have and we forgive them for it. Others help behind the scenes simply because not everyone is given the talent to minister directly to children and youth. There are others still who... well, maybe it is better this way. Who knows what harm they might cause if they were to show up and be recognized as an Officer?

I don't understand these people – and frankly, I don't really care about them. Let them come over for Big Events, shake hands, make idle chatter and tell stupid jokes. It doesn’t matter – they are still our friends and our former Members. However, there is a line that they must never cross: the line that exists between their negative influence and our Members.

I will fiercely guard the Members under my care from the likes of these people. They are not allowed to talk down to any Boy under my care, if they are going to be hypocritical about it in the first place. They are not allowed to complain about whatever sad state they presume the Company is presently in, if they are not going to roll up their sleeves and help out with the cure. But most of all, they will never be allowed to turn any of our Members into poseurs themselves.

They can do whatever they want, but mess with one of our Members and influence them negatively, and I will have their poseur-heads.

Originally published: 9 April 2003

It's About The Boys

Why do I do this? I’m 23-years-old and ready to embark on the rest of my life. I should be concentrating on being successful in my career or social standing. I could be thinking about finding a life-partner. I could be going out with friends to the latest and greatest hot spots in town. But I don’t.

Instead, I spend a large portion of my weekend with a ragtag bunch of young Boys as they struggle through their adolescence. I’m there as they struggle through issues of identity, love, heartbreak, friendship, faith… and even death. I try to be there - as a shoulder to cry on, as a listening ear, and as an arm around their shoulders.

Every once in a while, I am given the great privilege to pray with a Boy as he tells Jesus he’s ready and willing for Jesus to be his personal Lord and Saviour. I rejoice with the angels when he says “Amen”.

I do this all for them: The Boys.

But let’s be honest, it isn’t always easy, is it?

Sometimes, the differences between the local Company and its sponsoring Authority cause friction. Sometimes, personalities collide. Sometimes, certain policies clash with local company rules. Sometimes, it’s just politics. It’s sad. Officers have been known to tender their resignations over such matters.

I remember when I was a senior NCO, I had problems with my Staff-Sergeants. There was tension and disagreement between our NCO council and the Staff-Sergeants of the Company. In fact, there were times when shouting matches occurred between us.

One particular friend, and fellow NCO, of mine came up to me one evening and told me that he was planning on resigning. He told me that he couldn’t take any more ‘rubbish’ from the Staff-Sergeants. In fact, in an effort to reconcile with them, he had even apologized first. One of the Staff-Sergeants replied, “Good. I’m glad you realize that.”

My friend was not a Christian then, and this behaviour from his seniors who were ‘Christians’ offended him. I could understand why he wanted resign. But I told him, “If you resign, you will remove the barrier that stands between them, and our juniors. You will let them ‘pollute’ our Boys. We must tolerate them, and let our Boys see better examples of what a leader should be. We must endure for the sake of our Boys.” He stayed on. In fact, he is currently very active in the Boys Brigade overseas.

When we lose sight of the very reasons we do this; when we lose sight of our Boys; when we lose sight of “Why” – we will give up.

As Officers, we will encounter friction – either among fellow officers, or at the State and National levels, or even with our local sponsoring Authorities. It will leave us disappointed, discouraged and even disgusted.

But you know what? Leave it – because that’s not the reason why we are Officers. Leave it – because, at the end of the day, our Boys’ don’t care.

Our Boys’ don’t care about those things. Our Boys care about their exams and school. They care about that girl they have a crush on. They care about the way they look to their friends. They care about their identity as a young person growing up. And they look to us to be there for them – because we said we would.

At our Enrolment Service, we made an oath before God and man that will serve Jesus and our Boys. Not our State or National leaders. Not our pastors or local church authorities. We serve Jesus, and we serve our Boys.

The day we lose sight of that, we might as well turn in our collar badges and call it quits.

Wong Giok Leigh is a Warrant Officer with the 1^st Kuala Lumpur Boys Brigade Company. He has been an active member of the BB since 1991. He is currently away in the US pursuing his Masters Degree. He always appreciates feedback and can be reached at this blog.

Originally published: 23 January 2003

BB Mania

There are times when I look back to my Boyhood days and I just shake my head at all the crazy, silly and embarrassing things I did.

Like all the asinine things I did when the Girls Brigade were around. See, there was this time when the Girls Brigade Company next door would come over for joint meetings. So, of course, Boys being Boys, we’d sit up straighter and sing with more “manly” voices during worship. However, suffering through the travails of puberty makes things more difficult. For example, when you’re singing “Give Thanks” as “manly” as you can, you reach the chorus and go, “And nooooowwwwwwuuhrrggarragghh…” It’s worse when you’re singing loudly to impress the girls with your vocal talent (evident only to yourself, apparently). It’s far, far worse when you’re leading worship. With a microphone. Amplified all over the hall. Stupid voice-breaking-during-puberty!

Of course, there those really moments of grand delusions when I thought it was pretty cool to be able to walk around in half-uniform around the church or school (or wherever the Company met). Oh come on, you guys think so, too. It feels pretty macho to walk around in military boots, hearing the “clack-clack-clack” of metal horseshoes. Nothing makes you feel more manly than wearing a shiny belt, shiny boots (boots, mind you, not mere shoes!). And when the girls ask you why you’re wearing what you’re wearing… ah, your chest rises and with a deep, drill-commander’s voice, you answer, “It’s part of my uniform.” Girls like men in uniform… so they say.

Or when I was younger, more foolish and at the age where promotions were supposed to be just around the corner… so I started “behaving” more like an NCO. The only problem with that (as my friends angrily reminded me), was that I was not an NCO yet. Oh, don’t pretend. You know what I’m talking about. You start volunteering for every little assignment the Officer dishes out (“Who wants to clean the toilet bowls of the Youth Center with a toothbrush?”). Your drill suddenly becomes so much better than the rest (So much that you even march to the toilet and “hentak kaki” while washing your hands). And I’m sure you’ve practiced your salute in the mirror (Making sure that your arm is really at 90° and 45° angles!). Don’t be shy… you can admit it.

The other very “BB” thing I did was to collect all the paraphernalia BBM had to offer. I had BB pens, BB pencils, BB caps, BB T-Shirts (not the free ones, mind you! I paid for these!), BB Buttonholes. Then of course, there were BB socks, BB shoes, BB umbrellas, and all the little BB iron-on crests that were available. Heck… if they had BB underpants, I think I would have bought it (Stop laughing… it was an idea my friends and I actually talked about. Nevermind where we thought the Anchor should be placed).

It was BB mania. Utterly, thoroughly crazy-over-BB mania.

The scary thing about BB mania is that it doesn’t really end. It’s like an incurable disease. One would assume that BB mania would end once you step out of your Blues. Let me tell you it doesn’t.

I know people who still wear their button-hole badges (Those little anchor pins, if you don’t know what I’m talking about) wherever they go. In fact, I confess I once wore it to a dinner and someone actually asked me about it. It felt good explaining with great enthusiasm what the BB was all about… until he said, “Oh, so it’s just like the Scouts?” (Fortunately, I couldn’t reach over to the pair of chopsticks and jab him with it). There are Officers I know who will actually wear the BB ties (Those navy blue ties with Anchors all over them from the 1970s) to other occasions. I even know Officers who actually take banners from BB events (Oh, let’s say a BB concert) and hang them up in their homes as decoration! There are even those Officers who wear their Uniform on their wedding day! And now that we’re starting to celebrate Founder’s Day Babies (as I noticed through the MyBBKul website last October), I won’t be surprised to see Officers trying to get their children born on October 4^th (“C’mon honey, push! Push harder! Faster, faster… it’s going to be October 5^th already! Hurry up… or I’ll punish you with 20 push-ups!”).

Sill, there’s something to be said about BB mania. BB mania is a symptom of something deeper than all the crazy things we did for, with and in the Boys Brigade. Of course, there are always those in the Brigade who really are just crazy fanatics. But those aren’t the ones I’m talking about.

I’m talking about those who have been infected with a BB mania that is the evidence of a passion for something out of this world. It is an almost delirious fervor for young people – in the city, in the country and across the world – to know the Anchor of our souls. It’s the passion that drives an officer to be strict in drill, not because he wants his Boys to win drill competitions (although that is always nice!), but so that they will become disciplined people – ready to take on a world that is getting tougher every day. It’s all those little insane things that we do so that young people will grow in “wisdom and stature, in favor with God and men.”

BB mania is the story of a Mighty Band of Brothers (and Sisters) spread throughout the world. We have discovered, together, that we have an Anchor for our souls. We are Sure and we are Steadfast. We have been around for more than 120 years. And we’re crazy over the Anchor.

This article is dedicated to all the Officers who,

through their BB mania,

inspired me to get hooked on this ministry,

and had my life changed for the better because of it.

Wong Giok Leigh is currently suffering from BB-mania withdrawal symptoms in the USA, while he pursues his Master’s Degree. His only relief comes from the feedback and comments you send him at this blog. In the meantime, he’ll keep writing these silly little articles to amuse himself and sate his BB mania.

Originally published: 13 January 2004

Archive By Title

Here are all the Beyond Blues articles, arranged by Title for your convenience:

• BB Mania
  
• ... But We've Never Done It That Way Before!
• I Am A Bad Officer
• It's About The Boys...
  
• Stewards Of A Most Precious Gift
• The Courage To Make A Difference
• There Is Life Beyond The Blues
• There Is No Such Thing As An Ex-BB Boy
  
• There Will Always Be Poseurs
• What About The Naughty Ones?
  
• When I Was A Boy...
• Who Will Come After Us?

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About the Beyond Blues Author

About Beyond Blues

• About Beyond Blues
  
• Who Is The Beyond Blues Author?

Beyond Blues
Beyond Blues is the new “face” of the old The Book of Wong - a regular column featuring thoughts and reflections about life and the Boys Brigade. The original title, The Book of Wong, was an inside-joke shared between the author and a few of his Boys. Since that joke had now run its course, the author decided to write his monthly column under a new title. Beyond Blues will explore themes, thoughts and topics of life in the Boys Brigade. This blog will serve as a repository of all Beyond Blues articles.

The author always appreciates feedback about Beyond Blues - comments can be left at blog entries, at www.beyondblues.blogspot.com .

Who Is Beyond Blues Author?
Wong Giok Leigh is an Officer with the 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys Brigade Company. He has been actively serving the Boys' Brigade since 1991, rising through the ranks and achieving both the President's and Founder's Awards. After finishing his Master's Degree in the US, he returned to Malaysia… and back into uniform. Out of uniform, he prefers to be known as “Leigh” (which is pronounced “Lee”), or “Giok Leigh.” He works as a consultant in the field of marketing communications and is an avid reader. If you'd like to get to know Leigh better, feel free to drop by and say "Hello"or find out how to contact him here. His also blogs about BB regularly at The Book of Wong.