During my interview with Huifen Huang, I was facing her and I could detect her sadness and loss. Although she survived cancer and suffered the loss of her husband, her voice was gentle and serene, and a smile still came through in her expression. She said, “I firmly believe that the love of the Lord has always been with us, and He continued to grant us grace. Regardless of life’s challenges, we clung on to Him with faith and strength.”
Born in a Traditional Worldly Family
Huifen was born in 1951 in Guangzhou, and was the oldest of six siblings. Following her father’s job, the family moved to Zhaoqing. There Huifen met Jian Xun Chen, a Cantonese opera singer from Guangxi.
Huifen loved literature and enjoyed expressing herself in writing. She even shared her essays with others. The two of them were indeed like-minded and admired each other. This led to their marriage when she was 19.
Huifen recalled that there was no concept of Christianity in their family upbringing. Rather, they followed the cultural tradition of the society and worshiped Buddha and practiced incense burning. Jian Xun was born into a warlord’s family. Being the first-born, tradition dictated that he be adopted by Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. He was instructed by his mother that wherever he went, he must set up an idol of Guanyin, plus an altar for ancestor worship. He was to burn incense and give offerings. Huifen and her husband emigrated to the U.S. in the 1990’s. Obeying his mother, he set up the idols and performed the routine worship and incense burning.
“However, God did not give up on us.” Huifen recalled. “After coming to the U.S., Jian Xun took a job in an apartment complex to perform maintenance. I worked with him in purchasing, warehouse management and apartment cleaning. At that time, the apartment mailboxes routinely received mailing of gospel literature, such as the publications of Chinese Christian Mission (CCM). In maintaining these mailboxes, I had a chance to read these publications. I became very interested in them.”
God did not forsake me, allowing the gospel to enter my heart
Although they continued the idol worship life style, God did not forsake them. Conversely, God used different ways to lead them to the gospel. One time Huifen learned that the apartment owner, their boss, was a Christian. She chatted with him about the gospel tracts she read. The boss invited them to his church. When the Lord’s supper was served, Jian Xun took the bread and the cup, not knowing that he was not supposed to. Looking back, Huifen can see that God was with them when they stepped into the church for the first time. She became even more interested in reading the CCM literature from the mailboxes.
Huifen said, “My husband worshipped the idol daily and listened to recorded Buddhist chanting. I felt very uncomfortable listening to it, and asked him to turn down the volume. Actually, after going to church that time, he became more interested in listening to sermons. He kept up with the home idol worship because he wanted to honor his mother.” Nevertheless, God continued to be merciful to them.
When the Chens came to the US, their children were left behind in China. Huifen prayed daily to be able to reunite with them. It took more than ten years, but it finally happened. “Especially when my daughter was 16, she went to the American Consulate in Guangzhou to apply for a visa. It was approved right away, and it took only about three weeks to get the document. It was God’s answering my prayers. Although my daughter still has not accepted Christ, He did not forsake us. He continued to help and bless us.” Huifen expressed her gratitude,” Although I had yet to receive my baptism, my heart looked up only to Jesus Christ, and I prayed daily to God to protect and guide us.”
Trusting God in time of trouble
In 2021, Huifen was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, which had metastasized to the lymph nodes. “The doctor expressed concerns because it was serious, but I was confident that God will watch over me. During my treatment in the hospital, I saw many fellow patients, with their bodies ravaged by the disease, with emaciated faces, losing their hair and wearing bodies down to skin and bones. The sight was so frightening but I prayed frequently to have more faith. More importantly, God performed miracles on me. Even after 57 chemo treatments, it did not change my appearance and I did not lose any hair. I was able to get into remission. It was indeed a miracle.”
During her treatment, God sent angels to strengthen her faith. A hospital dietitian came to see her after each chemo session to encourage her. She even referred her to the oncology social worker JoAnna Quan, a Christian, to care for her. JoAnna in turn referred her to Ernest and Janice Lam of the Herald Cancer Care ministry. This couple provided emotional and spiritual support to her and helped her to navigate her cancer treatment and recovery. Huifen also came to know a fellow NPC patient brother Angus Chiu who shared his own cancer experience to encourage her and prayed for her. Brother Angus took her out to have dim sum and helped her grow in faith. Her oncologist visited her weekly and paid close attention to her treatment, making adjustments when needed.
“I am most thankful that although I did not know the Lord too much and was not very familiar with the Bible, He continued to help me and guide me, enabling me to lean on him during that difficult time. He is indeed the Savior of the world.” Huifen said that she was also influencing her husband to turn to Jesus. One day, they went to the Oakland community service office of Chinese Christian Herald Crusade to ask for help in filling some forms to apply for government assistance. Pastor Peter Zheng happened to be there and he talked to them at length and invited the Chens to accept Christ as their savior. They agreed.
Backed by God, they boldly faced all challenges
In 2022, Jian Xun was hospitalized because of ALS and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, two incurable diseases. In the hospital admission form under “religion,” he declared himself to be a Christian. To him, it was a very significant life turning point.
With his declining health, Jian Xun began to have serious problem when ingested food got into his windpipe and lungs. He had to be fed with tube and a breathing machine. Although his life on earth was coming to an end, his faith enabled him to have eternal life. “We accepted that his conditions are incurable, and we will miss him, but God continued to send angels to strengthen our faith, helping us to face the worst possible scenario.” Encouraged by Huifen, Jian Xun also learned to trust in God. In his deteriorating days in the hospital, he was able to feel the presence of Jesus, gently touching him.
“Jian Xun spent his last days in the hospital. I was at his side all the time. God also sent angels to serve us. Every time the janitor came, despite the language barrier, she would hold my hands, then give me a hug and point her finger to heaven signaling to us that God in heaven is gracious. Hospital chaplains would come every day to pray for us. Jian Xun would wake up at about 9 am to get ready for the chaplain’s visit. He would turn his eyes to the door eagerly waiting them to come and pray for him. He always felt better after the praying. Every time when I had to go to see him from home, an Uber driver that I hardly knew would give me a free ride. When I needed food, a nurse would bring me free food from the hospital cafeteria. When facing all kinds of challenges, God sent angels to help us.”
Jian Xun and Huifen were baptized by Pastor Zheng in the hospital to become Christians officially. Relying on the breathing machine, his quality of life continued to decline, lapsing into unconsciousness, still enduring the insertion of the breathing tube. “Although we were baptized late in life, but Jian Xun was convinced that he became a believer. Even when he mistakenly took the holy communion in his first visit to the church, it was his beginning of turning to God.” When the doctor announced to him that his condition would not get better, Jian Xun was not depressed. He was in fact peaceful. In January of 2023, Jian Xun decided to have the life support removed to depart to the Home in Heaven. He chose to stop the suffering, and go to where there is no more suffering and be blessed with being with God forever.
Huifen and Jian Xun went through a lot, but they were able to face all the challenges without fear, because: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3: 20-21)” Facing all the sufferings in this world, there is always God’s watching over us according to His will.
An epilogue
This interview was conducted through the introduction by Ernest and Janice Lam. Janice told this writer that the relationship between Huifen and Jian Xun was a love story. Janice said, “I was connected with the Chens in 2021. In the beginning, when I talked to Jian Xun about becoming a Christian, he would tell me that he carried the duty of the first born to carry on the family Guanyin worship tradition. It tells me how dedicated he was to the Chinese filial piety –- obeying his parents. He did not like to go to the hospital, believing that it would be a one-way trip. Once you go there, you will never come home. God worked in his life and ultimately, he was willing to be admitted to the hospital. He also proactively announced that he turned to Jesus and was willing to be baptized. This was entirely the work of God, not driven by any human impulse. Man routinely violates God’s teaching, choosing to obey his own will, but Jian Xun’s faith journey testifies to God’s great work.”
When I first met Shirley (not her real name), a 48 year-old patient, she had been in our telemetry unit for about two weeks earlier this year. She was initially admitted to the ICU with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). Quickly she was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to the brain and other organs. The news came so suddenly that the total shock turned Shirley and her family’s lives upside down.
Her family and doctors wanted to fight the cancer with every opportunity, but her body was deteriorating every day, causing her to lose a lot of weight and to feel weak and exhausted. As a result she needed help with her daily activities such as getting out of bed, walking a few steps, and even going to the bathroom, things that most people take for granted. Chemotherapy and aggressive treatments proved to be futile to halt the progression of the cancer.
In the face of these challenges, Shirley and her husband made it known to the medical and nursing staff that they were Christians and that they were leaning on their strong faith to support them. They dealt with it one day at a time. They also kept a Bible in the room.
Gradually, they came to accept the poor prognosis and that a cure was beyond reach. The focus shifted to providing comfort care for Shirley. They had two young children aged 10 and 12 who were pulling at her heart’s string. She worried about what might happen to them after she was gone.
One day, I was assigned to be Shirley’s nurse. Early that morning, Shirley had the signs of a stroke and it was confirmed by a CT scan. At the CT suite, sensing her husband Henry’s (not his real name) anxiety, I explained the process to ease his mind.
The stroke caused Shirley to have slight difficulty in speaking and her mobility also slowed down. She had to depend more on the nursing staff for meeting her physical needs. While I attended to her physical needs, I spoke to both of them in Mandarin to build rapport. I let them know that I too was a Christian, and I understood their worries. I invited them to talk, letting them know that I was willing to listen. I also encouraged them to continue their plea before the Lord, to pour out their hearts to him, and to tell Him about their pain, suffering, concerns and fears as they faced the bleak future. I reminded them that our Lord was there to listen and to embrace them to give them tranquility. I also offered to pray for her discomfort. She nodded and thanked me for the spiritual support.
Since Henry was there every day in the hospital at his wife’s side, I came to notice that he was her spokesperson. He asked questions, got clarifications from the physicians, kept his friends informed, and provided emotional support to his wife. However, he masked his vulnerability by appearing to be strong and stoic. On the morning of Shirley’s stroke, Henry became noticeably distraught. He asked me how much time his wife had to live. To affirm and validate his feelings, I attuned to his sadness, and let him express his sorrow at his pace. I acknowledged that it must be very difficult for both of them during this challenging time, with no one knowing exactly how long his wife would be with us. It was an opportunity to share with them that God’s amazing love would accompany and sustain them during this journey. As they held onto their unyielding faith and love of Jesus Christ, I offered to call our chaplain. It was an emotional moment, and Henry was at the verge of tears. I encouraged him to take a well-deserved break and get some rest, telling him that if there were any changes with his wife’s condition, I would contact him to come back right away. He became relaxed enough to take off for about an hour.
No sooner had Henry departed, Shirley woke up and seemed anxious and restless. At this point she spoke only slowly, but she was breathing faster than normal. To allay her anxiety and make her more comfortable, I notified the physician team to assess her situation. Two lady doctors arrived and immediately one of them, Dr. Li sat down by the bed. Speaking in Mandarin, she held Shirley’s hands and picked up the Bible in the room. In a soothing tone and voice, Dr. Li asked Shirley what her favorite verses were. Dr. Li then proceeded to read a few of her chosen verses. Then she added a verse of her own from First Corinthians. Hearing the Bible verses, Shirley calmed down, breathed easier, and stopped being anxious. She drifted back to sleep.
It was very touching for me to witness a physician openly reading the Bible to a patient and providing comfort to the patient. The healing relationship between the healthcare provider and the patient was strengthened through love, humanity and sharing when no medical treatment was able to cure or stop the illness. The love of our Lord Jesus and His Word demonstrated that the Great Healer brings everlasting peace.
A few days later, Shirley passed away peacefully to be with the Lord.
David and Susan Wang are a couple, and both survivors of cancer. After being trained four years ago, they participated in Herald Cancer Care. In the past four years, despite the recurrence of David's cancer, the couple still did not stop caring for their cancer-stricken friends. It is true that God is real and alive in them. Here are their encouraging testimonies.
Herald Cancer Care Coordinator Ernest Lam
David:
I was born and raised in Tainan City, Taiwan. My father was a civil servant. He did not make enough to feed the whole family of 10. My mother used to take my dad's salary when he got it the 1st of each month to pay off debts. What remained was only enough for half the month. Then they would go into debt again. So week after week, it was very hard to make ends meet. At that time, my grandmother lived out in the Yunlin countryside on a farm with a rice mill. During our summer and winter vacations, my mother would bring some of us kids to visit her and enjoy the countryside, and we would go back home carrying lots of food. This helped to ease the shortage at home. My grandmother passed away the year when I graduated from elementary school and my mother took us back for the funeral. In the funeral procession, my mother found more than a dozen elderly strangers holding a white cloth on a bamboo pole and reading the words of the deceased. When she asked them, she realized that they were all beggars from around the area. As long as they came to beg, grandmother gave them something to eat as well as a bag of rice, telling them to not go begging on rainy days, and cook and eat that rice instead. Grandma did not want people to know, but now her kind deeds became the talk of the town. This incident impressed me very much. Since then, being frugal and helpful, joyful in giving and doing good, has been the most important values in my life.
After I graduated from college and finished compulsory military services, I started working in Kaohsiung at an oil refinery. I got married, had kids, and life was good. When I was 31, I started to fall down for no reason. My right knee became weak, then hot and swollen. Although my wife was close to labor for our 3rd child, I could not take care of her at all. My father suggested that I see the orthopedic surgeon at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The doctor looked at the X-ray and found a tumor on my right knee that was the size of an egg and malignant. Because of its location, it caused me to lose strength to the knee joint, thus the leg would give out and I’d fall down. The doctor gave me two options. The first option was to remove the tumor and all the surrounding cartilage ligaments, such that after the surgery the knee could not be bent. The second option was a smaller-scale removal so that the knee could be bent after surgery. But with that option there is a chance of recurrence. And if the tumor returns, it will be necessary to amputate the entire leg. After thinking about it, I decided to keep my knee to have a better quality of life.
The doctor arranged for me to be hospitalized immediately, ready for surgery on the third day. The day before my surgery a young man in his twenties approached my ward and introduced himself as a third-year medical student. He also had a tumor in his knee, just like mine. And doctors amputated his leg just three weeks ago because the tumor had spread up to the thigh. Out of curiosity, I asked him why he was interested in coming to see me. He replied that he was a Christian and was moved to comfort and encourage me because he knew the anxiety and fear in my heart at the moment. He also told me that he loved to play tennis, and was on the high school team. Although he had now lost a leg and could not play tennis anymore, he would not let it deter his future medical career. This 20-something-year-old young friend really was an angel who came from God. It gave me great comfort and encouragement before and during my surgery.
Thank God! The operation was successful. Although it was not a major eradication, some of the cartilage of my ankle was put into the knee joint and my thigh all the way to my ankle was in a cast. Only after more than a month, following the removal of the cast, did I find out whether it was successful. By the mercy of God, although I was a little lame walking, and could no longer do anything strenuous, my life had not been seriously impacted.
We emigrated to the United States in 1982 and got a lot of help from my brother and sister-in-law. Soon I found work in a refinery, and life was stable. Our three children all completed their studies successfully, found good spouses and careers, and now have happy families of their own. All the children and grandchildren are Christians who love the Lord. God's grace and blessings have filled our whole family. I am very satisfied and thankful.
Year 2011
Susan:
I was planning on going back to Taiwan with my husband in March 2011 and we were going to attend the wedding of a nephew. My brother and friends also arranged some tours for us and I was very happy. After we had already bought the plane tickets, my brother also arranged for me to get a medical check-up at the Tainan Int'l Hospital. We traveled to Tainan on March 10th and immediately went to the hospital that afternoon. I saw the generalist first, then I went to the obstetrics and gynecology department to do the cervical exam. After the doctor finished the Pap smear, she pressed around my lower abdomen. I feel a little pain in the right lower quadrant, and she said she felt some lumps, and told me to get an ultrasound. While looking at the image on the screen, the doctor said solemnly: "There is a tumor in your abdomen, of at least ten centimeters. It does not look very good and needs to be operated on quickly."
Strangely, when I heard her I had no special reaction. I was neither surprised nor disturbed, which made the doctor more nervous for me. In addition to wanting me to do a more detailed ultrasound, she also helped me to register to see the ob-gyn oncologist the next day, and repeatedly exhorted: "You must come tomorrow, and your husband, too."
That I can be so calm is a reflection of my faith. I am a third generation Christian who went to church with my father and mother since I was a child and was deeply rooted in my faith. I know that everything is in accordance with God’s will. If I submit to His will, and hand over everything to God, I have peace in my heart.
So on the next day, the 11th of March, I went to see the oncologist. She performed more tests, and told me: "This is an ovarian tumor, about 13 cm in diameter. It has a solid part and a liquid part. It looks like it has blood vessels supplying nutrients, so it’s grow fast. In any case, I suggest you have surgery quickly to get rid of it." Well, so be it. Attending the wedding and travel plans got put aside. I told the doctor that I wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. The doctor arranged for hospitalization the next day in order to do all the preoperative examination, and scheduled the operation for the morning of the 14th. The doctor further explained how she would operate on me: she would make an incision on my abdomen, take the tumor out, and do a biopsy and obtain the results in 30 minutes. If it is benign, she would end the operation. But if it is malignant, she would remove the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes and other peripheral tissues, in order to avoid future recurrence. My heart secretly prayed, Lord let my tumor be benign, so there won’t be a drastic removal of my internal organs.
Everything went so quickly. It seemed that there was no time for me to think about what exactly was going on. But one thing I was certain that God would be with me, so I did not ask "why" but only thanked the Lord. Because while I was totally unaware of my cancer, things worked out that the tumor was diagnosed in time, and all the hospitalization and surgery were arranged so quickly. If it were not God's hand guiding me without my knowing it, how could everything go so smoothly? I am truly thankful.
Before entering the operating room, I entrusted myself to the Lord. He is my strength, my salvation, my help, and He will be with me. I have peace in my heart. After more than four hours of surgery, I was transferred to the recovery room in a daze. No one told me whether the tumor was benign or malignant, and I did not want to ask. Only when the doctor made her rounds to check on the patients, she told me that it was ovarian cancer. She needed to wait for further tests to know whether there is further metastasis. I was of course a little disappointed. God did not answer my prayer to give me a benign tumor. But I did not lose heart. God is sovereign. No matter what the situation, He controls everything. I can only focus on trusting in Him.
The next morning, I was still drowsy, but there was a melody circling in my head. When I was more awake, I slowly remembered it as a hymn I used to sing at church when I was young. I had not heard or sung this hymn for many years. When my brother and sister-in-law came to visit me, I hummed the melody to them and they immediately said that the song is "God is taking care of you". And then I found that I could sing the lyrics of the first verse without any errors. The lyrics can be translated as follows:
Whether the situation is good and bad is determined by the Lord
God is taking care of you
Calm and no surprises under the Lord's Wings
God is taking care of you
God is taking care of you
Daily taking care of you
Daily leading the way
God is taking care of you
God is taking care of you
Oh! Angels gave me this song in my dream, and let me know that no matter the circumstances God was taking care of me. I need not be worried or afraid. I was really touched, and so thankful!
Two days after the surgery, the surgeon went abroad to a conference. A week later she came back and made the rounds. She told me the good news: "After two doctors carefully analyzed the biopsy, it looks like the cancerous cells stayed within that tumor. It did not spread, and all other tissues and organs are clear of cancer. Therefore, there’s no need for any follow-up treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, only regular follow-ups. My husband and I heard the good news and cheered: "Thank the Lord! Hallelujah!" It is the Lord's protection. Such a big tumor, yet the cancer cells were “tamed”. It is indeed the mercy and the grace of God.
My brother's friend said, "Your sister must have done many good deeds to be so fortunate, and to benefit from so many great people at opportune timing." I am very embarrassed, as any good thing that came to me was only by God's grace. Paul says in Romans 11: 6, "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Yes, I received the abundant grace of God, which He gave freely. I only received with gratitude in my heart. As for the great people, I think that God sent angels to be my help at any time.
David:
When I returned to Taiwan with my wife in 2011, I was very surprised to discover that my wife had ovarian cancer. The doctor arranged an operation immediately. I remember when I was waiting outside the operating room; I hoped that the doctor would come out quickly and tell me it was benign. But as the hours passed by, I became more and more anxious. Finally the doctor opened door, holding a basin with a bloody mess that really scared me. The doctor explained: "This was taken from the abdomen. This big tumor is known to be malignant. We’ll have to do further tests to determine whether cancer cells had spread to other organs and tissues." Oh! Dear God! Please keep my wife safe!
Thank God! A week later the doctor announced that the cancer cells have not metastasized. We are so very grateful.
Susan:
During the hospital stay, my husband was there by my side around the clock. He gave me daily leg massages, as the groin lymph nodes were removed. With poor blood circulation in the legs, I risked getting ‘elephant legs’. My brother and sister-in-law also came to see me every day, giving me spiritual encouragement. I knew that many relatives and friends took time to go to the hospital just to see me, to pray for me. We had a long distance call with our church pastor, and more people praying for me. Family and friends were so precious. I felt it in my heart, and will never forget.
My three children knew that we were going back to Taiwan for a wedding and travel. However, on the second day after I went to Taiwan, they received an email from me saying that I was going to be in the hospital and operated on. Then they received an email from their uncle saying that I had ovarian cancer, which must have been very shocking. Because my son just had his second child (born March 10th), he was understandably pre-occupied, but was still praying for me every day. My two daughters were also worried and anxious. Being across the ocean, they were not sure they’d see their mother again. But fortunately they had strong faith, often praying for me with tears of supplication. They also asked their friends and small groups for prayers as well. When they knew my cancer cells did not spread, they also joined me in thanking the Lord.
Year 2013
David:
Since 2011, my wife has been fine. Two years later, however, I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I was not terribly surprised, because since I was young I’ve had hepatitis B. Eventually cirrhosis and liver cancer seemed to be the expected. The doctor gave me three options: surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I chose the latter. In September of that year, chemotherapy was administered. In November, a CT scan was done to monitor the chemotherapy. In December I met with the oncologist, who said the chemotherapy was ineffective. Two large tumors were found on the screen, both exceeding three centimeters. It is no longer suitable for surgery or radiotherapy. The doctor said bluntly: "In this type of cases, you probably only have a few months to half a year to live. I suggest that you go home and get convalescent care. The hospital will provide the necessary equipment and services." Is this not a death sentence? I'm going to say goodbye to loved ones, family and friends? Is God asking me to return home to Him?!?
When I got home, I had a lot of mixed thoughts and feelings. I began to complain to God. After retiring, I spent most of my time helping at church and doing ministry work, loving God and loving people. Did God forget about me? I also became irritable, as if everyone was against. Besides my family, I did not allow my wife to tell anyone about my cancer. And whenever she talked to others and mentioned my name, I became furious. My wife said that I was like a hedgehog no one could touch. I was being very obnoxious. She secretly told the pastor and some friends at church, asking them to pray for me. My son and daughters also asked their church friends to intercede. Thank God for listening to all the prayers. The attending physician was willing to try chemotherapy for me one more time, and the tumor shrank. Then radiotherapy eliminated the remaining tumor. After more than two years of follow-up, I was still cancer free.
Susan:
Two years after my cancer treatment, my husband was diagnosed with liver cancer. He chose to do chemotherapy treatment. More than a month later, the CT scan found that the original two centimeters of the tumor not only did not shrink, but grew another centimeter, and next to it was another even bigger tumor. When the oncologist approached us he got straight to the point and said, "Chemotherapy is not effective for you. You have about six months to live. I recommend that you convalesce at home. The hospital will provide a bed and some other equipment." How could this be? We had not been so shocked when he first discovered that he had liver cancer. Now it is like a death sentence. It is so hard to accept!
David became easily irritable, and I also became less patient. The home seemed to be shrouded in tension. Nevertheless, I did not lose faith, but prayed to God even more fervently. And the words of the Bible once again remind us: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) We must not let negative emotions defeat us. Thank God! The attending physician said he was willing to try the chemotherapy once again, and as a result, both tumors were shrunk. And after that he was given another radiotherapy treatment to eliminate the tumor.
Year 2017
David:
A few months ago the doctor found another new tumor. Chemotherapy was administered again. At the follow-up visit, the doctor told me that the chemotherapy did not work. He suggested doing radiotherapy, but he needed to coordinate with the surgeon about a complicated surgery. At this time we have not decided when to start the treatment. But I have been able to fully face the reality, and know that what I believe is a true and living God. He is sovereign, able to preserve my life, and also able to call me to heaven. I can only obey. Earlier, I thought God would not ‘mistreat’ such a fervent servant of Him like me. Now, I understand that everything is God's gift. What I have done cannot ever come close to repaying His grace. My life is in His hand, He is the God who rules over all things.
Susan:
For two plus years David’s liver cancer follow-up exams had been routine, until recently this new tumor was found. And now he must accept another round of chemotherapy. We do not know what God's will is. David is more optimistic now; his faith in God is more solid. Because we have received countless blessings from God, we have no reason to doubt God’s love. And neither can we complain about pain and illnesses. In the Bible, Job said after suffering great tribulation: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1: 21) After that he had boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and when he was still in pain, he said, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2: 10b) This faith Job had in God is the best example we can learn, to put everything in the hands of God.
After my cancer treatment was done, I felt grateful and wanted to become a useful tool in God’s hands. When I saw cancer care volunteer training in a Herald Monthly, I decided to sign up. Although my husband was still in treatment for liver cancer, he was also willing to join me in this cancer care endeavor. For four years now, we've learned a lot and received a lot. It is a group that conveys the love of Jesus. Not only do we care about others, but we also received much care from them. We are willing to give blessing to others as we have received blessing from God. May the rest of my life be used by God, to glorify God and bless people. Glory to the Most High God who sits on the throne.
David:
I often tell my friends that the best thing I did in my whole life was to marry my wife. Above and beyond how good she is, it’s also because I became a Christian because of her. As the hymn goes: the most beautiful blessing in this life is to know the Lord Jesus and trust in Him. I already have this most beautiful blessing; I really want to share this blessing with others. So when my wife invited me to join the cancer care ministry, I readily agreed. This is a very meaningful service. In the course of training, we found that when we try caring for others without being trained, we tend to say the wrong things. The intentions are good, but the listener might not appreciate it. Both of us are cancer survivors, and we have had similar experiences. Now as volunteers, we are learning to be more empathetic with other cancer patients. I am currently caring for two patients, both with terminal cancer. I have the opportunity to lead them in the final stages of their lives to Jesus. And their families have repeatedly thanked me. Actually, all thanks be to God, I am nothing but His vessel. I only hope to be of some help to others, and to continue my own upward journey and growth, and spread the good news, as something pleasing to God.
I do not know how long I still have. Other than doing volunteering work, I also encourage my children and grandchildren to read the Bible and share my experiences and what I have learned with them. I hope this faith can be passed on from generation to generation as an inheritance. May I live for Christ, to love God and help others.
I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in November 2012 that occurs to 20% of the Southeast Asian women who don’t smoke of which I am one. At that moment, the mutating cancer cells have pervaded over 8 areas of my body and one tumor was the size of a baseball and my doctor gave me only 24-72 hours to live on that day. I was ready to let go but my husband was very sad and wanted me to fight it. With three teenagers still in the house, I prayed to a God that I claimed to know 10 years ago but had been lukewarm all these years. And God pulled me through. After 10 sessions of radiation and being put on an oral targeted drug, my cancer receded every month. I was joyous and thankful to the Lord. I understood that the Lord was keeping me alive for more reason than just letting me spend more time with my family. He has created a thirst in me for Him and the Word. I passed most of my days studying the bible, going to bible courses, attending bible study groups, reading Christian books, visiting the sick and fellow cancer patients, and talking to others I meet casually in the street what God has done for me.
Then in October 2013, the cancer started returning. The oncologist and I knew that the drug was losing its effectiveness as it was the usual course of things (1 year on average). By December, I wasn’t processing food well and was losing weight quickly again. I finally decided that I had enough of the drug. Even though my oncologist has a second option drug and chemotherapy available for me, I opted not to take them. I was tired of being sick and tired of worrying about being sick. I gave myself all to the Lord and let Him handle the rest of my time. In mid-January 2014, I went 100% drug free. By the grace of God, He continued to hold me up healthily. I could swim 20 laps, walk 45-90 minutes around a marsh trail every day, and continue to work for the Lord.
Never once since I gave up the drug had I thought about cancer again. The peace and happiness in me are immeasurable and there is no longer this death sentence on top of my head that used to keep hounding me with doubts as to whether the drug was working, how fast the cancer was growing, or how fast was I dying or defeating thoughts as such. There is no need to worry about these things for my time is in His hands. When He says it is time, I would not be a second late. But until then, I have a lot of work to do. I have to nurture my family so that they will come to know the Lord. I have to share this peace and happiness with other cancer patients who are suffering from fear and hopelessness. I have learnt that through these months, without hope, one would be stalled by fear. If you look at the testimonies of many Holocaust survivors, they had to have hope whether it was the hope of reuniting with their family or making their suffering meaningful or else, their life would have been meaningless. For me, my hope lies not just in eternal life for myself, but grabbing as many people as I could to heaven with me for that is the sole purpose of our life: Honor your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
I am thrilled to come across Herald Cancer Care for their goals are exactly mine too and I look forward to becoming a competent volunteer.
I heard a lot about how bad cancer could be but I had been living with an ill-based confidence that it would never happen to me. That was until I experienced it, firsthand, as a recent convert, 15 years ago, when it struck home showing how devastating and fearsome cancer was!
With gratitude to our Lord for His healing, after surgery and in less than 4 months after the ominous discovery, my cancer episode was behind me. From then on, other than the continual yearly monitoring, I can almost keep my mind off it. However, deep inside I yearned to understand and experience the omnipresence of our loving God. I knew my motive may not be for any higher purpose other than to be convinced that at my final physical bodily struggle my loving Lord will still be there with me. Though, admittedly I also wanted to learn to care and concern for people who are in need!
For more than 10 years I did not take any action on what I yearn for until a little over two years ago when my wife and I were so moved together to join the Herald Cancer Care Ministry as volunteers. We did not have any agenda, not even specific goals other than the hope of experiencing His omnipresent love even in the darkest shroud of cancer.
Now, more than two years later my wife and I are delighted to report that we have been blessed to experience and learn much more than what we ever hoped for. Furthermore, taking the approach of losing my self and just focusing on the care receiver with hope but no agenda or goals allowing God to do wonder is utmost fulfilling and also assuring!
Let me highlight what my wife and I experienced as a team in our caring for the first cancer patient and his wife.
When we were assigned our first care receiver he was already diagnosed and confirmed by second opinions as having terminal cancer with very grim prognosis and estimated to have only about 6 months to live. My wife and I knew nothing about cancer other than the little bit on what I went through many years ago; we were, and even now, not counselors and we had not been known to have the gift of prayer either. In other words, we did not have much to offer.
My wife and I visited together the care receivers regularly. I focused on the husband, who was with cancer, and my wife on his wife, in separate rooms.
From our first visit to the very last one, we just prayed to our Lord that no matter how grim the situation might be, His presence be felt by the care receiver, his family and us. We also prayed for our Lord to use us to communicate to the care receiver and his family members. Each time without any agenda or goal but only with hope, we went for the first visit and all subsequent ones up to the one on the day that he passed away. During these 11 months we established wonderful friendship; he reconciled with his family and with God; he accepted Christ again renewing his faith on our Lord; he recognized that God has been blessing him all of his life during his heydays when he was young and felt successful in his career as well as when he was in the darkest time of his life suffering from terminal cancer; he acquired peace towards ending his earthly sojourn and onward to his eternal life;
Though we felt very sad and our tears shed as our friend passed away, we have peace and joy knowing that our friend truly felt God has been with him and he ended his earthly sojourn well!
His wonderful transition from the state of shocked, denial, sadness, loneliness, anger, hopelessness and depression to acceptance, reconciliation and peace had been an ups-and-downs progression. My wife and I did nothing other than just active listening, encouraging him and her to share their good as well as bad times in life and their feelings; with their permission, pray for them demonstrating how we, as Christians rely on God, and with their permission read them bible passages. God was the one who made the wonderful transition happen.
We learned that the cancer patient felt lonely and that nobody understood him in spite of his loving family. His love for the family members discouraged him from sharing his true feelings with them. To a “stranger” who cares and concerns about him, he vented his true feelings and shed his tears without concern of any repercussion. Our approach of having no agenda and no specific goal but hope together with our active listening helped us bond with both care receivers very quickly.
Basically, we put into practice what we were taught in the Cancer Care training. We just focused on the care receiver, many times even to the extent that we lose our self and let the Holy Spirit worked. We did not have to patronize; we did not have to pretend that we fully understand his or her feelings other than asking for clarification and rephrasing to validate and acknowledge. Our whole person engaged to actively listen—our thoughts, eye contacts, verbal and body language were all synchronized and focused to listen.
The result is interestingly refreshing. The cancer patient kept telling his relatives and friends that Herald Cancer Care (later he said God) sent knowledgeable persons to support him and his wife. He sought my opinion on many matters. I knew that God was doing wonders on him. I also knew that I was merely a catalyst in engaging his rational-self to sort things out. I learned that when he asked for my opinion, I should not offer any unless it clearly deals with God’s teaching of what is right or wrong. For that I had a few encounters where I referred to the bible letting him see what God says. In all cases, I learned that I need to strive to help him engage his own rational-self even in understanding God’s teaching.
It is not a case like a consultant who tells you to look up the time using your watch. Rather, it is the role that a good and loving friend would sometimes have to play!
For our most recently assigned care receivers my wife and I switched roles. She cared for the cancer patient and I care for the patient’s husband who, resigned from his job to take care of her 24 hours a day. Though again the inevitable came and we felt sad and tears shed, we experienced similar uplifting results using the same approach that we were taught.
My wife and I deeply appreciate our Lord and the Cancer Care Ministry giving us the opportunities, teaching us and supporting us to serve in complementary roles as a team in a transparent manner helping the care receivers experience God during the darkest time of their lives when they need God the most but are so confused to realize such!
May our Lord bless the Cancer Care Ministry greatly and allow many, care receivers and care givers alike, experience Him deeply!
