testimonies from around kl wesley
4/8/2024: Growing up as a child and teenager, I did not have much interaction with my Uncle Chu Poh and Aunty Oi Lian, except perhaps at Chinese New Year. Uncle Chu Poh was my father’s cousin from my paternal grandma’s side. But when I first came back from university in England, during a visit they made to my parents, we connected and they started bringing me to church with them. I used to sit with them during services until my Aunt brought me to the choir room and I joined the choir.
My Uncle and Aunt were very much a part of my adult life and faith journey, especially as I was growing up in the Lord. They were my sponsors when I got baptised. I still have the Bible that Uncle Chu Poh gave me then. I would phone my Uncle just to catch up from time to time and when I was going through challenges, during which he would listen to me patiently and talk things through with me. Basically, he was there for me and he and my Aunt were people I could count on.
My hubby Shen and I used to visit them regularly and we would often have lunch together. When we were still dating and going through the challenge of my parents being opposed and unreceptive to hubby, my Uncle and Aunt supported us, and prayed with us and for us throughout it all. They even hosted my father-in-law and mother-in-law for lunch in their home. It meant so much to us, because at that time, my parents were still unwilling to even accept thoughts of the increasingly serious relationship between hubby and I. Having my uncle and aunt representing a welcoming stance and extending warmth from my family’s side, must have I’m sure, made a world of difference to hubby and his parents too.
When we got married, my Uncle served as the liturgist and my Aunt as the organist, for our wedding. Not only that, they were the ones who picked my parents up and drove them to our church, making sure that they would be there in good time and without any deterring incident, in the midst of another family turbulence that was happening at that time. And the one thing I will always remember my Uncle assuring me with was – when you honour God, He will honour you. Indeed, God has been faithful and lived up to this assurance.
When my father passed away, my Uncle was the one who came to UH to be with my mum, me and hubby, and to help us to do what was necessary. When I resigned from my job at one time to go into partnership with someone who pulled out at the last minute after we had finalised the deal, breaking his word by using God as his excuse, my Uncle and Aunt were there to go through it with me, supporting, counselling, encouraging me and helping me to deal with it, let it go and move forward. Here is another thing I will always remember my Uncle saying to me – God will vidicate you. And you know what, God did exactly that, of course, in His time.
It was only when hubby started his business and had to work weekends, and also when much of our free time and energy was spent on mum as she started to require a lot more care because of her health challenges, that we were no longer able to spend much time with my Uncle and Aunt or anyone else for that matter. Still we would keep in touch with them from time to time on the phone and at Christmas and Chinese New Year, and it was always good to see their familiar faces at church. And I am thankful that we managed to visit, spend some time together, talk and pray with my Uncle and Aunt, when he was unwell, twice, in his final 2 months.
Well, these are just some of the many events and memories that we will remember, appreciate and cherish. I know other people would have experienced my Uncle and Aunt in different ways. But for hubby and I, we will always be thankful and grateful for the special and important part they have played in our lives, and for the love and time that
they invested in us.
And so we grieve the loss of my Uncle. But we are comforted and rejoice knowing that he has fought the good fight, finished the race and is resting peacefully now, without any more pain, suffering, illness and discomfort, in Christ and in the everlasting arms of our loving and faithful God and Heavenly Father. And that on that glorious day to come, we will get to be with him again, together with my grandparents, father and brother, as we rejoice with each other in the Presence of God forever.
Thank you Uncle Chu Poh and Aunty Oi Lian, for loving us. We love you too.