| THE TESTIMONY OF BROTHER JAMES I do not know brother James. The first time I heard of him was at the end of our Saturday intercessors morning watch in church when Pastor Lawrence Yap, our seniour pastor, casually mentioned that brother James Wong had passed away because of an accident. Sister Carrisa had sought confirmation whether it is the youth that used to visit Rumah Sayangan to which Pastor Lawrence had replied in the affirmative. But I do not know who this Brother James is. My daughter Hui Juin is a youth and I tried to enquire from her as to who this brother James was but to no avail. The next that I heard of Brother James was during the Sunday morning service where once again, Pastor Lawrence mentioned of his demise in the course of his message, which I remembered to be a particularly strong one. I have even purchased a taped copy of the message. But I still do not know who this brother James is. Following that, during our cell fellowship, my wife was shown a newspaper article regarding the accident with a photograph of our brother there. However, unfortunately, I was not shown the copy and was informed about it only on the way home. As such, I still do not know who this brother James is. Next, during a visit to one of our relatives, my wife had informed that one of the church youth had met with an accident. Her sister- in-law had also seen the article where a photograph of our brother was also there. She had expressed her pity over what had happened. In spite of all this, I still do not know who this brother James is. Last Wednesday, 20th November 2002, towards the end of the prayer meeting, Pastor Michael, our Youth Pastor gave a personal testimony. He shared with us how he was grieved at the passing of brother James, how the sudden demise of our brother had greatly affected him. How even though at no time did his parents blame the church nor God for what had happened, he really do not know how to face his parents to give them a reason for what had happened to our brother. He was really down when he received an SMS message from a brother. The message had read:- Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph and a victim into a victor. He shared with us how it happened on a Friday night after the youth house fellowship where they had a gala time where brother James was present. Later in the night he received a telephone call from another youth brother Derrick that brother James had met with an accident. He was on his way home from Rumah Sayangan after ferrying the children back to Rumah, when his car which he was driving was badly smashed into from behind by a Toyota Camry. He was knocked out of his car into the drain. His body and his car was literally a mess. He was taken to the hospital from which he never recovered . Pastor Michael had rushed to the hospital . Brother James parents and relatives were already there, badly shaken. They had told him that Brother James was the only Christian in the family and they do not know what to do. While he was still alive, brother James who was the only Christian in his family had mentioned that should he die, he want to have a Christian funeral and they want to respect his wishes. His wishes was respected and our brother had a Christian funeral. What a testimony to the life of our brother and a testimony to the faithfulness of God. After the funeral when Pastor Michael visited them, they requested for messages to be played at his burial ground whenever they visit his grave following the practices of other religions. Pastor Michael had explained to them that brother James do not need this as he is in a far better place i.e in heaven. However, he later reflected why not? He can give them the taped chinese messages and while the messages were being played, his parents will be able to listen to these messages and they may receive the Lord as their Savior. Truly, God had turned a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor. Now I know more about brother James. That his death has not been in vain That his life and death has impacted his family members, the church and now, the world. And most important of all, that he is now in heaven with his Heavenly Father. Yes. I now know more about brother James. But still I do not know who he is. But, does it really matter? Someday, I am going to meet him face to face in Heaven and so will you… If Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Yee Meng Wah Charis Christian Centre YEE MINISTRIES |
|