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平安！自從9月初寄出代禱信後，發生了好多的事，不知從何說起...
我趕在九月初到台灣錄音前將上一封代禱信寄出，平安抵達台北後，也和兩位隔天要錄音的歌手一起排練。9月2日早上從家裡傳來消息，主耶穌已經邀請我母親回到天家。接下來就忙著換機票、取消錄音時段、匆匆在當天傍晚回到機場，晚上10點多抵達新加坡。朋友到機場接我直接去見母親最後一面，當時心情異常的平靜，尤其是看到母親彷彿睡著的面容，我心中充滿感恩，因為祂實在聽了我兩項祈求。
我母親很怕進醫院，上帝的恩典卻讓她一生只有在生我的時候，以及2021年中風的時候進了醫院。這次從熟悉的房間，回到耶穌那裡，是我第一要感恩的。雖然我當時不在她身邊，有些遺憾，可是母親近年來大部分時間都在睡覺，越來越少清醒的時刻。我記得最後一次清醒是在8月中，我到新山服事那天早上，她居然張開眼，而且認得我，頻頻看著我！回頭看，我深信這是她和我的道別。這一年來，我常對她說，如果耶穌要帶她回家，就放心去吧，雖然十分不捨，但是想到在耶穌那裡她得享真正安息，我也就釋然了。
接下是預備追思禮拜的地點、禮拜的程序，每一步都看到上帝的恩手，藉著許多弟兄姐妹幫助我們。浩賢牧師也（剛巧）在香港，能夠有空檔飛過來，分享信息。許多弟兄姐妹都很願意參與讀經與見證，分享上帝在我母親身上奇妙的作為。雖然她最後的日子好像都在睡眠中度過，但我深信上帝藉著母親的病，陶塑我的生命、品格。而且來日方長，我們將永遠歡聚在榮耀中。
「總有那麼一天, 眼中的迷霧, 晨曦中化為晴朗。
深信必有一天, 璀璨的笑容, 掃去渾濁的目光。
走在耶路撒冷, 時間凝固的古道上,
你必能呼叫出每一個朋友的名字。
就如深愛你的主, 時刻呼喚你名,
一生從未將你遺忘。」
（節錄自寫給母親的詩歌「呼喚你的名字」）
Peace be with you! So many things have happened since I sent out my September Prayer Letter. I hardly know where to begin…
I sent my previous prayer letter just before traveling to Taiwan for recording in early September. After arriving safely in Taipei, I rehearsed with two singers who were scheduled to record the next day. On the morning of September 2, I received news from home that the Lord Jesus had welcomed my mother back home. Then came the hurried arrangements: changing my flight, canceling the recording sessions, and rushing back to the airport that evening. I arrived in Singapore a little after 10. A friend picked me up and took me straight to see my mother one last time. I felt an unusual sense of peace. Seeing her face, as if she were asleep, filled me with gratitude, because He had truly heard my two requests.
My mother was very afraid of hospital. Yet by God’s grace, the only times she was admitted were when she gave birth to me and when she had a stroke in 2021. I am especially grateful that she went Home to Jesus from the room she was so familiar. Although I was not by her side, my mother had spent most of her time sleeping in recent years, with very few waking moments. I remember the last time she was alert. It was one morning in mid-August, right before I went to Johor Bahru for ministry. She opened her eyes and recognized me, connecting with me again and again! Looking back, I am certain that was her way of saying goodbye. Over the past year, I often told her, “If Jesus is ready to take you home, go in peace.” Though I was deeply reluctant to let her go, the thought that she would find true rest with Jesus helped me accept it.
Next came the arrangements for the memorial service: choosing the venue and planning the order of worship. At every step, we saw God’s gracious hand helping us through the help of many brothers and sisters. Pastor Ephraim 'happened' to be in Hong Kong and was able to fly over to share the message. Many brothers and sisters willingly took part in the Scripture readings and shared their testimonies, telling of God’s wonderful work in my mother’s life. Although her final days seemed to be spent mostly asleep, I believe God used her illness to shape my life and character. And there is still so much more to come when we will be reunited forever in glory.
One day, the mist before your eyes will clear in the morning light.
Surely, one day, a radiant smile will sweep away your clouded gaze.
Walking the ancient roads of Jerusalem, where time stands still,
you will be able to call each friend by name.
Just as the Lord who loves you deeply
calls your name at every moment,
for He has never forgotten you throughout your life.
(Excerpt from “Calling Your Name,” a song I wrote for my mother.)
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