The faces of the Hastings have been lingering in my thoughts and dreams since the beginning of summer, when I learned that Sharon's cancer had returned. I want to write them a card, take them a meal. But I always hesistate, thinking that my wording or my cooking are not good enough.
We had listened to Ross's sermons for more than two years at Peace Portal. After he 's been away for two years, they still strike a cord in my heart. I guess it is more than what he says. It is his action and manner that impress me so much. He has two Phds in his title (one in chemistry, another in theology). Yet he never let them to be a barrier between him and his people. We all call him Ross, not doctor so and so as in some other churches. His team staff always had fun with him and teased him like a big brother as they show the funny pictures or movies on the screen on Sunday. Yet his sermons are as deep as the deep blue sea. They go way beyond the surface interpretation. A seeker or searcher walks out the church knowing full well that God has spoken through this man. When we talks to him in person, we know that he listens very carefully to every word and does not make haste to judge. He is compassionate to those who are struggling.
I never saw much of his wife Sharon except that she would sit with him in special occasions. I always wondered what role she played besides supporting her husband. Until one day when I took a friend to the divirce care program, I saw her there. She wasn't saying anything. Someone else was doing the teaching. Later on, I learned that she played a big part in starting the program.
Two years ago, Ross started teaching part time in Regent College and planning to work his way out of Peace Portal. Indeed, his gift in teaching is too big to be confined to a congregation. There should be more people like him ministering to the body of Christ. Then Sharon was diagnoised with ovarian cancer, and was in stage four. Ross had to resign immediately from Peace Portal inorder to have more time at home with her. Sharon went through surgery and chemo. When she was able again, she showed up at church with bald head, not a bit embaressed. Even when they invited her on stage to give the couple an official good-bye, she was full of wit. One lady gave a testimony of how Sharon cared for her like a mother after she broke up in her marriage. Deep in her heart, I suspect Sharon must feel torn from the ministry and the people she cared for so much.
Finally in September, I had no more excuse. I picked up my pen and wrote a card to the Hastings. The following Sunday, we heard the dire news that Sharon cancer was advancing quickly. The following Tuesday, she passed into the Lord's presence.
We went to her memorial service. I was so glad Yuka wanted to go too. Being a busy mother and works outside the home, she could have excuse not to. The church was filled. Before she passed away, Sharon had requested the people from the divorce care group to sit in the front rows after her own family. Clearly she was thinking very much of them even at the end of her earthly life. The testimonies from her own family and friends reveals the protrait of an upbeat, loving, hardworking and selfless woman who is comfortable to live in her own skin. She didn't even let the comforting words of her phd husband misguide her when she was in a semi conscious state, when he whispered to her that she would be in God's presence soon. Her reply was, "I already am." Yuka and I commented that a lot of churches would counsel married couples to stay together under even very unfavorable circumstances. But Sharon said to them, 'Get out of any abusive marriage'. I guess she had worked long enough as a nurse in emergency unit and saw too many battered women. A lot of them even denied the act of their husbands.
Ross and Sharon have always stood in the gap between the poor and the defenseless. Ross started a second Peace Portal church in Urganda, Africa (the continent where he grew up) among the widows and orphans of HIV positives. Now they have a thriving community there of a few hundreds. I look forward to meeting Sharon in heaven where we can do gardening together.
Why would god let her died, such an instrument of his love? (She was only 51, the same age as I when I had cancer) Yet let me live? The only thing I can think of is that she is already perfect in his eyes, a bride fit for the King.
We had listened to Ross's sermons for more than two years at Peace Portal. After he 's been away for two years, they still strike a cord in my heart. I guess it is more than what he says. It is his action and manner that impress me so much. He has two Phds in his title (one in chemistry, another in theology). Yet he never let them to be a barrier between him and his people. We all call him Ross, not doctor so and so as in some other churches. His team staff always had fun with him and teased him like a big brother as they show the funny pictures or movies on the screen on Sunday. Yet his sermons are as deep as the deep blue sea. They go way beyond the surface interpretation. A seeker or searcher walks out the church knowing full well that God has spoken through this man. When we talks to him in person, we know that he listens very carefully to every word and does not make haste to judge. He is compassionate to those who are struggling.
I never saw much of his wife Sharon except that she would sit with him in special occasions. I always wondered what role she played besides supporting her husband. Until one day when I took a friend to the divirce care program, I saw her there. She wasn't saying anything. Someone else was doing the teaching. Later on, I learned that she played a big part in starting the program.
Two years ago, Ross started teaching part time in Regent College and planning to work his way out of Peace Portal. Indeed, his gift in teaching is too big to be confined to a congregation. There should be more people like him ministering to the body of Christ. Then Sharon was diagnoised with ovarian cancer, and was in stage four. Ross had to resign immediately from Peace Portal inorder to have more time at home with her. Sharon went through surgery and chemo. When she was able again, she showed up at church with bald head, not a bit embaressed. Even when they invited her on stage to give the couple an official good-bye, she was full of wit. One lady gave a testimony of how Sharon cared for her like a mother after she broke up in her marriage. Deep in her heart, I suspect Sharon must feel torn from the ministry and the people she cared for so much.
Finally in September, I had no more excuse. I picked up my pen and wrote a card to the Hastings. The following Sunday, we heard the dire news that Sharon cancer was advancing quickly. The following Tuesday, she passed into the Lord's presence.
We went to her memorial service. I was so glad Yuka wanted to go too. Being a busy mother and works outside the home, she could have excuse not to. The church was filled. Before she passed away, Sharon had requested the people from the divorce care group to sit in the front rows after her own family. Clearly she was thinking very much of them even at the end of her earthly life. The testimonies from her own family and friends reveals the protrait of an upbeat, loving, hardworking and selfless woman who is comfortable to live in her own skin. She didn't even let the comforting words of her phd husband misguide her when she was in a semi conscious state, when he whispered to her that she would be in God's presence soon. Her reply was, "I already am." Yuka and I commented that a lot of churches would counsel married couples to stay together under even very unfavorable circumstances. But Sharon said to them, 'Get out of any abusive marriage'. I guess she had worked long enough as a nurse in emergency unit and saw too many battered women. A lot of them even denied the act of their husbands.
Ross and Sharon have always stood in the gap between the poor and the defenseless. Ross started a second Peace Portal church in Urganda, Africa (the continent where he grew up) among the widows and orphans of HIV positives. Now they have a thriving community there of a few hundreds. I look forward to meeting Sharon in heaven where we can do gardening together.
Why would god let her died, such an instrument of his love? (She was only 51, the same age as I when I had cancer) Yet let me live? The only thing I can think of is that she is already perfect in his eyes, a bride fit for the King.
posted by Echo at 7:58 AM
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