GOODBYE ANN

On Sunday, one of our students, pastor Ann Chia, went to be with the Lord after a year of being bedridden from a stroke. Pastor Kew San and his daughter, Faith, lost the most important person in their lives. Their church lost a caring and gifted pastor. The world lost a generous and beautiful human being.

Ann was a "there you are" woman, always encouraging, always looking out for others. Sometimes we would pass each other at the school corridoor; no matter how rushed we both were, she would not fail to say something nice to me. "This dress looks great on you." "I prayed for you last week, how are you?"

I remember a few years ago I was invited to teach in Mongolia.

Everyone I spoke to told me how harsh the weather was, how muttony the food would be, and how much hardships I must be prepared for. I had a lot of fears.

Then I met Ann one morning at school while climbing up the stairs. She was at the top of the stairs, and called out to me. We chatted and when I told her I was preparing to leave for Mongolia, she said, "That's so wonderful!"

Her huge eyes were bright as she continued, "These are some of the warmest and kindest people you'll meet," she said, as she recalled her own trip to Ulaanbaatar some time ago. "You are so blessed."

Before she had the stroke, Ann was battling with cancer. The treatment ravaged her physical strength. I was scared when I went to see her for the first time, not sure how to react.

But as soon as she came out of the room, my apprehensions disappeared. She was all sunshine and joy. Her body was frail but her spirit was strong.

After I prayed for her, she prayed a longer prayer for me. She asked that I would experience God's deep comfort every day, and be used by Him 30, 60 and a hundred folds.

Goodbye Ann. Goodbye my dear student, my friend, my sister. You may be gone, but you haven't left us.

Your encouragement, your kindness, that beautiful smile, they're everywhere. At the corridoor. At the top of the staircase.

In my heart.