Chapter 136: A Letter to Jusslee

My dear friend, brother in Christ, Jusslee,

How are you in Heaven now? God must be welcoming you into His embrace. Jusslee, you have overcome your sickness and sorrow through Jesus Christ. I am proud of you! Though you have brain cancer, you still face the days with faith. You are the man! Yes, you are...

Frankly speaking, I was really shocked when Jack Mok called me and said that you go to Heaven early this morning. That was really unexpected. I do not know what to speak. I remain silent and feel weird... What should I say? I do not even have a chance to say "goodbye", Jusslee.

I bless you to be with our Lord God Almighty in Heaven. One day when I return to Heaven, I believe you will have a lot of things to share with me how God treats you in Heaven. You will be a person who has better understanding of God because God is so close to you.

I, once was your leader; in Heaven, you may be my senior. Wait for me, brother. Now I cannot go there yet, because I have a greater purpose in life - to testify about Jesus Christ. Many things are yet to be accomplished. Remember our promise? To give glory to God in the world. Be the light of the world? Now you can enjoy your days with God.

As for me, Michael, Jeffrey and Jack, we still have a long journey to move on and carry our cross until this task is fulfilled. Jusslee, do not stop praying for us when you are resting well in Heaven. Care for our welfare, support us in doing God's mission.

Jusslee, as I am writing all these to you, my tears are rolling from eyes to cheek. Because you really mean to me as a brother in Christ. I do not know why. Suddenly, I miss you so much, recalling the times you served with me in church, and making foolish laughter and fun through videos, music, photography.

Brother, do continue to pray for me in Heaven. Once my task is accomplished, we will meet again in Heaven. At this time, would you do me one last favor? That is to pass a message to Jesus Christ saying that I love Him.

Rest in Christ forever. Thank You, Father for Jusslee's soul is rested in Your mighty hands.

Sincerely,
Jack Wong

Jusslee (Left), Me (Right)

Chapter 115: Her Tears

Yesterday, as promised to Canon Sylvia Jeans, I went to borrow the handy camera from the STS again, and rushed to her house for video shooting again.



As I reached the playground where the children were supposed to have their Sport Day, I saw a group of Roman Catholic youth organizing the games for the Filipinos children. They were very energetic and youthful. I praised God for their compassion upon these children. When I started to shoot video clips, I realized that the helpers including the teachers were sitting there doing nothing. And I found out that Cannon Sylvia Jeans was not there.

Immediately, I drove to her house and found out that she was preparing something alone. I offered myself to help her in anything she needed. Then she said to me with a smile "Jack, help me to carry these things into the van. Thanks."

As I was moving the things into her van, she instructed one helper to arrange tables and chairs, even she herself needed to do that. I also helped in doing that.

Then she was annoyed and tired, I said nothing but to stand besides her, seeing how she was. Then she suddenly said "Jack, I do not understand that why people do not understand what they ought to do."

I was puzzled. She continued "The helpers just sat down there, doing nothing. Can they not see that we have so much things to do? I must approach them and say 'lift this up', then they will lift up; 'put here', then they will put here; 'put there', then they will put there. If not, they will just sit there and do nothing. This really frustrates me."

I patted on her shoulder and gave her comfort and encouragement. When I saw her disappointed face, it actually made me feel upset too.

When we reached the playground, I unloaded all things and brought them to the field. Then Canon Sylvia Jeans came to me and said "I am glad that you will do it by yourself. I appreciate your initiative actions."



"You know what, Jack. There was a time I conducted a meeting with all these helpers and teachers. I organized an evangelistic meeting in my house. It supposed to be a party and fellowship. So I told them to invite their friends especially the children parents. I took the initiative to cook a lamb for a great feast. On that very night, no one turned up except the teachers and helpers."

I was shocked and I opened my eyes wide, looking at her. She smiled at me and said "Jack, why do people not understand the heart of God? It really hurts me."

As she said this, her voice trembled. I sensed a strong sadness in her heart. And to my surprise, I saw her tears running down from her eyes to her chin.

She cried for the sake of Jesus Christ. I was upset at that moment, giving her a comfortable pat on her back. Lastly, she said "Jack, when we are on the mission in the future, not all people will understand what we are doing. It really hurts us."

Psalms 118:5
"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free."

Chapter 113: Canon Sylvia Jeans

Last Friday at 2PM, when I returned back from Labuan, I immediately called Canon Sylvia Jeans who is a missionary from Australia.

"Ibu, I am Jack. What time do you want me to do the videography?"
"Hey! Jack. I am glad that you find me. 2:30PM, we will start our video shooting."

Wow! Half an hour left!

Video shooting in her house
Filipinos - illegal children in Sabah
Without hesitation, I rushed to STS after the arrival. Grabbed a handy camera which Canon had borrowed from STS, rushing to her house. And I was surprised to see that there were so many local and foreign teachers in her house. And I realised that she used her house as a school for illegal children. All the children were Filipinos. I was impressed by her love. Therefore, I found out that her house was served as a mission field.

She had came to Sabah for more than forty years, serving God, stayed celibacy and faithfully working in God's ministry. She has greatly blessed the interior areas especially the Filipinos and Indonesians. She had been sharing the gospel with her whole life without fail. I was thinking her endurance is truly great. I believe she has faced many hardships and she perseveres till this present day.

I was also impressed by those missionaries who are willing to work with her in Sabah. How I wish one day, I can conquer my dream and goal to fulfill the sharing of gospel in other nations. I want to go to other countries to do missions.

Canon Sylvia Jeans (Ibu = Mother)KellieCollinMary
After the video shooting, she invited me into her house. She had eight dogs in her house. All were well fed and fat. We spent another hour to talk and I was shocked that she actually knew that I had left the full time job in All Saints' Cathedral. She did ask me why I quitted the full time. Her face was full of love and care. My heart melted. The way she asked me was very sincere, and she hoped that I would not turn away from God. My answer to her was...

"I want to pursue my dream. And I am still continuing my journey with God. One day, I will fulfil His task in my life."

She was glad to hear that. And I also shared with her about my mission in Wa, Myanmar. She told me not to give up and continue to hold on to the divine calling of God. I agreed and felt touched that someone truly believed what I had just said. In the end, she prayed for me that I will always stay in tune with God.

God, be with me. And I will continue to fight for You. You had called Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and You had sent Him to this world to save the lost. And now we had received Your Son as our Lord. Truly beliving in Him, we are saved. Therefore, now He, in the same way, calls us to do God's will (which God has sent Him to do),

...and He also sent us to go.

Isaiah 48:15
"I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission."

Chapter 97: Overloaded

Time flies really fast.
It is coming to the end of the year.

As far as I can see, I am actually handling both ministry and study at the same time. It is very heavy to me. I am actually very panic about my study.

Here is the situation:
I have some ministries on my hand. I have six major assignments which are needed to be done (due date: end of Oct). I have four books to study so that I can do my assignments.
I have two final exams coming soon.

I found myself overloaded. I do need a break. I do have a great plan awaiting for me to be done in the future. Now as time comes nearer, my heart started to pump more and feel that my fear and stress is increasing.

Jack, you know that there are many assignments to do. One normal assignment (ten to twelve pages), you need to do research and writing for at least two weeks. It is considered FAST!

Now I only have six weeks left till the semester ends. Am I going to finish each assignment by using one week? Then what about my exam? I do not have enough time to complete my assignments. I do need time to study for my final exams.

Oh God, this should not be.
Have mercy on me. I do hope I can let go every ministry and focus on my study. This is my thought right now. However, it seems to be impossible. Guide me and lead me.

Psalms 73:24
"You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory."

Chapter 44: God, this must be a Joke, right?

On 2 April 2009, on the way back home, Vun Hui said, “Oh! I have not finished my New Testament essay.”

I remained silent, thinking in my mind, “You only need to hand up the research report every Tuesday. You have plenty of time. Why do you worry so much?”

“I hope I can hand up the essay on this coming Saturday.” He, worriedly, murmured.

“Why do you need to hand up on this Saturday?” I, in an unclear view, asked.

He was shocked when I said that.
“What? Do you not know that the due date is on 4 April? It means this Saturday.” He replied.

I still wondered what he was trying to say.
“What essay?”

Once again, he was againshocked This time, he screamed “Wah~! Jack! Do you not know that we have a major assignment which contains 20% of this subject score?”

WHAT?!

When I reached home, I immediately searched the syllabus of New Testament. That it is written right at the bottom of the paper:

“Write a 3000 words essay related to an aspect of the course-work not treated in lectures, to be submitted by the end of the second week after Reading Week (i.e. by 4th April 2009).”



WHAT THE…?
I even highlighted the date “4th April 2009”.

Oh God! I am so stuck in ministry and study. I totally forgot about this MAJOR assignment. (Ok, I admit this is my own fault. No one is to be blamed except me.)

Now what? 2 days left?! You must be kidding! This must be a JOKE, right? In 2 days time, I need to do super rapid reading, and do much research. After that, I need to write out a 3000 words (roughly 10 pages with Bibliography and Table of Content) in less than 24 hours?!

In school, I have to study for Hebrew exam, prepare a preaching sermon for my Homiletics exam, and hand up two weekly reports on Field Education and New Testament. All of these are to be handed up next week!!

In ministry, I have to prepare my Saturday sermon for ASC youth. And I have to shoot a Youth Easter video for Easter Day. And I need to prepare for the Youth Alpha sermon. I am SO BUSY during this weekend.

I am once again stuck in ministry and study with this GREAT 20% major assignment.

God, I need Your strength!

Lord, I am totally tired but I am not giving up!!
Doing rapid research!! I must finish the assignment!!


The Assignment is DUE TODAY!

Psalms 13:2
“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

To be Continued...

Chapter 37: Right Decision

Continued from Chapter 36: First Priority

After a long prayer, I decided to stay in church ministry. I had decided to let go of the Choir Presentation.

I believe Bishop will help me to explain this matter to STS. To stand firm in my position, Anglican is where I supposed to be right now.

However, one thing to know… The people will think that Anglican is arrogant. In this world, even Christians have divisions. In my own view, Christians intend to start comparing between one another about who is the first. However, I really do not understand one thing.

Mark 9:35
“Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."”

I always tell my disciples about Mark 9:35.

Do the churches know about this bible verse?
Why are the churches competing to be the first?
Do they not know those, who are the last, supposed to be the most humble among all people?

God will lift up the humble to be the first.
I supposed every church should know this very clearly. Why is there competition?
Even there are conflicts between the churches…

Now I, as a middleman, am cracking my head in making decision whether to choose credit hour or church ministry. I think I have made the right decision. Will outsiders think that Anglicans are not united with others? Well, why do I need to bother whether we are united?

God, You shall be my focus!
You shall be the one whom I follow.
Not anyone else…

Jesus, so I look to You.