Joshua Cheong

My name is Joshua Cheong, I am 42 years old. I came to The Hiding Place in March 2017 due to my gambling addiction. I was married with 2 children at the time. The thrill and irresistible desire to gamble overshadowed my sense of responsibility to live a normal life. I found it difficult to focus on anything, whether it was my work or my role as a husband and father. I constantly sought out different gambling avenues, such as online poker and soccer betting. Despite having a good salary in the finance industry, I ended up accumulating substantial debts and even resorted to stealing money from home. I was at my wit’s end and was really detesting this version of myself. I also had the thought of ending my life. It was through my sister’s church mate that I came to know about THP and decided to “give it a try” since I did not know of any other ways to get out of this vicious cycle.

It was during my third month at THP that I truly experienced the presence of God. On the night I received the news that my wife intended to serve me divorce papers the following day, I was devastated and couldn’t sleep. As I passed by the usual bustling worship hall, now empty, I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to enter and kneel before the cross. Tears streamed down my face as I poured out my heart to God—my questions, struggles, and surrender. Although I didn’t hear any audible response from God that night, I distinctly remembered feeling as if someone was embracing me from behind, experiencing a profound sense of peace that I had never felt before. It was then that I realized God is real, and He had been with me all along and would always be by my side. Even though I have accepted Christ few years before, I have decided this is the moment I would rededicate myself to my Lord and Saviour.

After completing my one-year programme, I continued to serve as a project helper for six months and then became a working resident. This opportunity and God’s provision of a job with a media organisation allowed me to clear my debts and fulfil my alimony obligations. I am truly grateful for this wonderful privilege to work outside while remaining close to God and His community.

I left THP in Nov 2021. I am now working as a community partnership executive at a social service agency. I want to testify to God’s goodness. Looking at where I am now, I lack nothing in terms of daily necessities. Though divorced, I am able to spend every weekend with my children, guiding them on their faith journey with the Lord. I serve in the community, striving to create a city of good, and I get paid for doing what I love. I continue to stay close with THP family, where we encourage and support one another through alumni cell committee and group gatherings and fellowship over meals. God has also opened opportunities for me to serve in church as a Mandarin interpreter and worship leader.