It’s happened to me a few times before.  Yet, when it happened again today, it still surprises me.

Once, I had just parked my car and was walking to the bank.  Someone calls out from his car, “Hi, Brother Henson!”  I turn to look and I don’t recognise him at all.  Fortunately, he quickly identified himself as one who had just heard me preach in his church the previous Sunday.

On another occasion, I was buying some lunch at our neighbourhood coffee shop.  While waiting for my mee pok tah, a lady steps up.  “Hello, Brother Henson!”  She did look vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.  Throughout our casual chit chat, I was wondering which church she worshipped at.

On an outing to Lower Peirce Reservoir with my family, a man stopped me in my tracks with an enthusiastic “Hi!”  He promptly introduced himself and his church when he noticed the puzzled look on my face.

Just last week, I was heading towards NTUC Fairprice at Thomson Plaza for my weekly groceries.  Stepping off the top of the escalator, I found myself crossing paths with yet another familiar face.  She identifies me almost immediately and warmly greets, “Hello, Pastor Henson!”  You guessed it … I have no idea which church she’s from!?

Then today, I was buying drinks for my children after their swimming lesson at Bishan Swimming Complex.  After paying, I turned to notice a Caucasian lady behind smiling at me.  Assuming she was just being polite, I returned the smile.  Then she asked, “Excuse me, are you a preacher?”  That took me by surprise.  “Er, yes,” I answered, wondering how she knew.  “Oh, you preached at our church a couple of months ago.  It was very good and we enjoyed it.  And you also teach in the Mid-Week Bible Study, yes?”

Wow!  I’d better be on my best behaviour wherever I go.  Never know who might be watching, or who I might bump into.