My father was a man of integrity with lofty principles and high moral values. Such values and principles advocated throughout the Chinese classics were deeply rooted and solidly ingrained in him. Along these lines, he trained, taught and influenced us as we grew up. Often he recited the poem of a famous Chinese poet, which depicts the importance of co-operation and mutual harmony as brothers and sisters. Even at meal times he gave us such lectures, admonishing us not to be obsessed with material wealth, neither should we attempt to gain prosperity through deceitful means. As for the long summer vacations, he often assigned us to recite different Chinese poems and to practice calligraphy.

    He was very open minded for his generation, treating boys and girls alike. During our school-aged years, his top priority was to provide for us the best education possible. Thus he sent us to the best schools then, often without counting the costs. Undoubtedly he had bestowed on us many excellent truths and high values.

    He was very much in love with my late mother. Even though he lost her in middle age, he never remarried for fear of having a step-mother to take care of us.

    Since childhood, my mind is littered with various warm memories of my father. One event stood out clearly from the rest. While still a little girl, I was with him on the Hong Kong to Cheung Chau Island ferry. As the ferry boat neared the shore, many passengers rose from their seats and moved to the exit plank. I followed him, walking away from our seats and stood beside him. Instantly my heart was warmed and I felt secure and delighted. Suddenly this reminded me of a famous Chinese prose in which the author described the lingering loveliness and heart rendering intimacy in gazing affectionately at the back shadow of his father. Immediately I nodded to myself with a satisfied smile, a sense of closeness and belonging followed that ran through my whole being.

    Though a quiet man, my father always took us to different restaurants. Sometimes he brought our favorite snacks home and quietly put them on the table. In recent years he liked to take us to his favorite restaurant for Chinese soup. Sitting next to him, tasting the long-forgotten delicious soup was such a special time for us. One summer I was back from the States. He noticed that my health wasn't that good without me telling him at all. Without making any fuss he quietly handed me some excellent nutritious Chinese herbs. These were his various ways of expressing his love and concern for us. All of them touched my heart deeply.

    Since my mariage I've emigrated to the States for over twenty ears. It was too bad that I had not been able to spend much time with him as a daughter should, but in hind sight I did my best whatever I could ---- I have been praying for him for over 30 years. I have shared with him my most precious faith in the only True Living God. Ever since I became a Christian at an early age, my heart was greatly burdened for his salvation. Many times I knelt before God's throne, earnestly interceding for his soul in tears ---- that God would grant him eternal life and not perish. The sheer thought that he might be eternally lost just gave me great pain and deep anguish.

    However, it was God Who loved my father so much that He moved me to pray. God gave me a promise then: "And they will be Mine", says the Lord of Hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (Malachi 3:17). I was greatly relieved.

    Throughout these thrity some years the Lord has acted on behalf of those who wait for Him. He has brought different Christians into his life to share with him about Jesus Christ's great love and sacrificial death on the Cross for him. God especially used Mr. H.K.Go and Pastor H.S.Lam to to witness to him in his last days. My father gladly received Jesus Christ into his heart and was baptized. For this I am eternally grateful to the Heavenly Father, to Mr. Go, and Pastor Lam, and the many brothers and sisters from differnt churches who were praying for him.

    Now my father is with Jesus where there is no more suffering, tears, or loneliness. This is the greatest blessing I have been praying for and he is now enjoying it. I miss him sorely, but I am greatly comforted in the hope that I will be united with him again as God has promised those who have received Christ as Savior. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." I am looking forward to seeing him again. Praise and thank God for what He has done.