Lingering Memories

Mr. Y.T. Woo: My Spiritual Father, Father-in-law

Gloria P. Woo, March 14 2005

        Listening to Mr. Woo's preachings.      With the passing of my father-in-law, a chapter of my life of leaning on him for spiritual support is now closed. Warm memories of his enlightened teachings and unfailing prayers still keep lingering here and there. It was in my school days when I first heard him preach. Coming from a non-Christian family and studying in a Catholic school, I was baffled by many spiritual issues. His powerful teachings often uplifted and strengthened me in my formative years as a young Christian. Every Tuesday evening my friend and I would skip dinner to hear him expounding on the Book of Numbers. Our souls were so nourished at the end that we forgot completely about our hunger. To me and my friends who grew up in that period, he was like a spiritual father and a wise counselor in our times of dire needs. We shared with him all our troubles and concerns: what career to choose, which university to apply to, even who to date for our life partners. Quietly yet attentively he would listen and pray fervently with us. Then we often left with a sense of peace and conviction in our hearts.

        Summer Conference at Stanley.      It was one summer when our Youth Fellowship met at Stanley in Hong Kong for our annual summer conference. Gathering at the picturesque camping site, we all sat quietly listening to Mr.Woo's exhortation. "Prepare yourself to meet your Lord", was the theme. The message cut deeply into our souls, the whole auditorium was absolutely silent. There was such a keen sense of the Lord's presence. Friends broke down in tears to confess their sins to each other, asking for forgiveness. Walls of misunderstandings were broken down, relationships restored, lives renewed. At the last meeting brothers and sisters eagerly testified of the Holy Spirit's working in their lives. Those were clearly revival days.

        A Father's Tender Heart.      After Peter and I settled in the States, the early years were turbulent times. Living in a completely foreign culture, embarking on a brand new career, taking care of an infant and a toddler day and night; we suddenly faced many challenges in life as young adults. Our faith was sorely tested, our hearts were in turmoil, our bodies in fatigue. He wrote us often and taught us from the Scriptures. He even braved the hardship of taking long flights to visit us every year. He watched patiently and prayed quietly as we stumbled and struggled along. In our conversations with him I sensed his tender fatherly love for a son. Oh how many tears he must have shed for us; how many heartaches we must have caused him. It was only years later that I realized how he must have toiled and labored in prayer for us. Gradually Peter's job got more stable, our children were growing up, and our faith was strengthened. We had better days then and began to enjoy more light-hearted moments. At dinner table we had our chit-chats over some amusing anecdotes of family and friends, or some moving testimonies of others. On some evenings we liked to take him to the beach with our children, strolling on the pier, feeling refreshed by the sea breeze. We were still young then, were often impulsive, doing some silly things on the spur of the moment. Once we drove about 200 miles back and forth one day to look at model homes. He was in his seventies then, sitting there for three whole hours just to keep us company. He didn't chide us for our immaturity, how patient he was with us!

         A Godly Servant's Exemplary Living.      I often talked to him in the kitchen. Once I was talking non-stop about something. Before I could finish, suddenly he pointed to t he clock on the wall, "See what time is it? I hear much noise on the road behind the backyard!" I thought what a strange remark that was! Years later it dawned on me that he might be indicating that I should stop talking by then,otherwise I might be gossiping unduly. What godliness he demonstrated as a faithful servant of God. I always learn so much from him and his daily life.

        Constancy in Prayer.      One day he came downstairs and said, "Today you don't have to make lunch for me", then he shut up himself in his room for the whole morning. Later I found out that he was fasting and praying once a week before he went to speak in conferences. Many an evening when Peter and I were enjoying ourselves downstairs, he would retire to his room to spend time with the Lord alone. So often I've sensed his prayer support for us. Several times we had close calls on the freeways but were spared of serious accidents because of his prayers. One day I told him that recently we met some elderly friends at church. They had such a close walk with God that every time we got together it's always a joyous and edifying experience. One of them, Wilma, especially, was committed to pray for us everyday. He was so happy and said, "I feel so relieved to hear that because all along I worried that once I pass away, there won't be anyone to pray for you regularly. Also I always hope that you'll have some nice Christian friends around to support you." Yes, it was his constant intercession that kept us in our walk with the Lord and experiencing His abundant grace.

        Saying Goodbye.      When it's time for him to leave us for Hong Kong, we drove him to the Los Angeles Airport. While waiting for departure, we were exceptionally quiet. I could catch a glimpse of sadness on his face. As we waved him good-bye, saying, "See you again next year," a strange silence followed. Nobody knows whether that was the last time for him to come at all.

        Peace and Assurance from God's Word.      Many times when I was confused or feeling discouraged, the first person that came to my mind for consultation was Mr. Woo. I used to call him often late at night to seek his counsel. It seldom failed that after talking with him, a sense of peace returned to my heart. One vivid incident stood out clearly most of all. Peter was diagnosed with a seemingly serious illness, we were prepared for the worst to come. While talking to him on long distance, we sensed a deep peace on the other end of the line. After pausing for a moment or two, he calmly gave us this verse: "For I know the thoughts that I have for you", said the Lord," thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end". Instantly there seemed like a big lump of peace descending onto my heart and gave me that deep inner rest and assurance. That verse sustained us through all the trauma of the succeeding months. Finally Peter was given a clean bill of health. The verse came true. How grateful we were for his prophetic utterance in our times of uncertainty. Oh, he had other verses for me too on other occasions. They steered my course, they changed my perspectives for good, and they are still fresh in my mind till this day.

        Comfort at the Last Moment.      When we heard that he became unconscious and was near the end, we tried to talk to him across the miles. Peter was telling him about our children, they were doing fine. Then I spoke to him as slowly and loudly as I could, "I still remember your teachings many years ago. They've impacted my entire life and I can never ever forget that. You know Miss Ho and many other brothers and sisters here in the States all remember you and your teachings". Then I heard some loud noises on the other side of the line, sounding like someone mustering all his strength to respond but was unable to do so. There were no audible words though. It seemed that he has heard what I said. In recent years I've told him many times that his ministries had helped so many of us. I like him to feel the comfort and satisfaction of the fruit of his long labor. Now even at the very last moment I was able to convey that thought to him, I feel so comforted and relieved.

        I'll miss him sorely on this side of the earth. I rejoice with him that now he's with the Lord whom he loved and served all his life, yet I cannot help myself from feeling some deep parting grief. His is an enduring, quiet, perceptive, patient, and ardent love for us till the end. I'm so grateful to the Lord for bringing him into my life for so many years. It has been a very edifying and nurturing experience all along, watching God's servant at a close vantage point.