Hokkien Testimony #86
A little grass, a little dew. God will take care of you. Rely on him, avoid troubles. There is always a way out.
Today we welcome you to the 86th testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Each week we have different people from different churches share their stories with us. Everyone has their own special story of how God has changed their life. Today Pastor James Lim once again interviews two sisters, Jay Jay and Jo Jo who will be sharing more about God’s work in their lives regarding relationships. Let’s listen to these two sisters as they continue to share their stories with us. You will see that God has definitely shown his great love to them and their families. An English summary is also provided below.
Sisters Jay Jay and Jo Jo‘s Testimony:
Jay Jay:
When I was young I was punished and whipped by my father with a belt. When that happened to me I really hated my father for it, and I had no intentions of ever forgiving him for doing that. I just wanted to grow up as fast as I could so I could get out of the house. Consequently I didn’t really have much to say to my parents. This went on for ten plus years.
Jo Jo:
After my older sister left home, my father would also whip me as well. Pastor Lim asked me why I thought my father would act like this. Well, I know that his work outside of the home was really rough and when he returned home he had a lot of worries on his mind. I understand that when he was young, he was a bad kid and got into a lot of trouble. So he already had bad habits like smoking, drinking and gambling. My parents both worked together and it was tough making a living. So when they returned home and saw that we did not obey or that things in the house were not in order as they wanted, then they would get angry. As Pastor Lim shared, in today’s society some parents also take out their anger on their children. Although today’s families are not so much like the families in the past who used belts to discipline children.
Jay Jay:
The relationship with our parents changed at the end of the year in 1999 when my parents went to church and accepted Jesus. Prior to this when I made the decision to accept Jesus, my father was very angry and said that he wanted to sever the relationship with me and would have it printed in the local newspaper. As far as I was concerned that was fine with me because we didn’t have a relationship anyway.
Jo Jo:
Talking about severing the father/daughter relationship, I had never raised my voice to my father; however, one day I did just that. I told him that I wanted him to go see what kind of God my sister worshiped, and he could decide for himself if it was good or bad. If he felt it was bad, then I would have the news about us severing the father/daughter relationship put in the newspaper myself. So that Saturday he agreed to go to church with me on Sunday. As far me, I was half happy and half scared. I went to my room and called my sister and let her know.
Jay Jay:
When I saw my father come into the church I was scared. I first thought that he was coming in to make trouble. I even thought about leaving, but I called to him and of course saw my sister as she pushed the wheelchair.
Jo Jo:
This was an English worship service, so I didn’t know how my parents would respond. They didn’t have much education so I thought they probably wouldn’t know what was being said. This was my first time to come to church, so if I didn’t understand or know what was going on I just didn’t say anything. When it came time for the invitation, my father raised his hand. I asked my father if he understood what was being said, and he said he didn’t understand but he wanted this. Then the pastor told the people who raised their hands to come to the front. I didn’t want to go down with him because I knew he didn’t know what was said. However, as the people went forward he said he also wanted to go with them. So along with my father, my daughter and I went forward to receive Christ. Amazing.
After accepting Christ, there was a huge change in my father. It began with the relationship with my father and mother. I saw my father go into my mother’s bedroom and call to her much like foreigners would. Unusual. I was so curious so I stood at the door and listened to the conversation. He admitted his wrong doing. He told her that since he was young he didn’t know how to love her and he told her that he was sorry. He also said in English, “I love you.” Wow! That’s enough to bring tears to your eyes. Later, my father called me in to talk. I asked him what was going on, and he said the same things that he had said to my mother. He told me that he was sorry for things in the past and he told me that he loved me. I also told him that I love him as well. Then he hugged me, and that was so moving. That was my first time to experience this. As Pastor Lim said, it is so great to see God transform these relationships from something bad into something good.
Jay Jay:
After talking with my younger sister, my father wanted to see me too. I was prepared for him to scold me or show his anger. He asked me to sit down, and his said that he was sorry for what he had done to me. It was genuine and as a Christian I knew that love is something that can’t be bought. This was the real thing. He asked me if I would forgive me, and I took his hand and said yes. I also told him that I was sorry for my wrong actions as well. I had not been a good daughter. Then he told me that this was all in the past and it’s over now and we don’t need to bring it up again. I agreed to that. He also asked me if I had anything else I needed to say, but I was so moved that I couldn’t speak. Then I went to my bedroom and just cried and cried. This was a different cry for me. It wasn’t that I was crying because I was upset; instead, I was crying because I was so moved by all that had happened. As Pastor Lim shared, Jesus’ love filled my father’s heart and touched me so much. As a result, before my father died we had five years to spend together. From 8 in the morning until about noon, I would take care of my father. He had a stroke and was in a wheelchair. I am so thankful because my mother, my sister and I, plus his two loving son-in-laws all took turns taking care of him. This also made it possible to push his wheelchair into church so that he could worship there.
When my father passed away, I was so much at peace. God had given us five good years together and I am so grateful for that. Every day I had the opportunity to be with my father and continue to strengthen that relationship. That is something that can’t be taken away from me. Even though I no longer have a father here on earth, I feel blessed because I have these memories and feelings from this time with my father.
Jo Jo:
When my father died, I felt pretty much the same. I thanked the Lord, because without him none of us would have known what love really is. This love is present in every one of our family members.
Jay Jay:
Today before we close I would like to encourage any person who is struggling with family relationships to come before Jesus and accept him as Savior and Lord. He can change us, our lives, our families and everything about us.
Pastor Lim:
Maybe some of you today who are listening to this program agree with Jay Jay and Jo Jo and know that you too have some relationship problems. It might be parent child relationships or problems with other relationships in your life. If you have the desire for Jesus to help you, then follow me as I pray.
Lord Jesus, I thank you. You are the true God, Lord and Savior. You can save us and your salvation is eternal. We don’t know you, but today we know that you are a good God. At this time I beseech you to help me and allow me to have a relationship with you. Please use your precious blood to wash away my sin and cleanse me. At this time I invite the Lord Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I believe that your love will fill me and give me the strength that I need to restore relationships in my life. This will enable me to tell people that I am sorry in order to restore broken relationships. Thank you Lord Jesus. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
God bless you.