Asian Beacon

You and Your Household
increase my efforts in prayer. Knowing her
hostile attitude toward Dad’s conversion, I
knew we had to demolish the stronghold of
anti-Christian mindsets built up through
the many years of following her family’s
religious traditions.
Mom was a diabetic and her cancer
caused blood loss so that she became
very anaemic. The cancer caused fluid to
collect in her lungs. She became breathless
and could not swallow solid food. Even
morphine could not relieve her pain.
My Aunt Alice talked to her and led
her in the prayer of salvation. Mum told
her that a doctor in her palliative ward had
also suggested she call on Jesus. In this way,
God sent different people to sow the seed
of salvation.
However, when my pastor visited,
Mum told her, “I want to remain a
Buddhist. I pray to my Goddess of Mercy
twice a month and she helps me. I don’t
want to be a Christian.” When she reported
the pastor’s visit to my brother he flared
up, “You Christians are taking advantage
of sick people!” Though terribly upset, I
managed to keep my mouth shut.
Our prayers for Mum intensified. The
brethren in my church waged spiritual
warfare to demolish the strongholds
surrounding her. One night, I heard Mum
pleading agitatedly to her deities, “Go away,
don’t disturb me!” She asked me, “What
are you doing? Are you praying for me?” I
told her that I was. Unlike before, she did
not resist. Unprepared and inexperienced,
I could only pray to calm her.
By the next morning, she was very
quiet, tired and did not say much. At 3am
the following day, my husband, Michael,
and I prayed for her and shared verses of
assurance with her. We told her, “Don’t
worry about where you’ll be buried and
what they’ll do with your body. Dad has
gone to be with Jesus and will be waiting
for you. We will all meet again in Heaven
one day.” She did not resist.
By 5am, she experienced difficulty
breathing and went into a coma. I
summoned all the family members.
Hearing how people prayed for those on
their deathbed even when they were in
a coma taught me that hearing is the last
faculty to go. So I told Mum the story
of the thief on the cross; how at the last
moment of his life, Jesus received him
when he cried out to Him. Michael and I
continued to speak assurance into her ears:
The only time Rosalind’s parents went to church was at Rosalind’s wedding.
I see now that
Mum wanted to
believe in Jesus, but
because of fear, she
dared not admit it
publicly.
“Do not fear men. Don’t worry about my
brother. We will be reconciled. Everything
will be all right.”
I was desperate to know if Mum was
truly saved so I asked the Lord for a sign.
At 8pm that same night, Mum suddenly
gripped my hand tightly, pulled off her
oxygen mask and tried to speak. Even
though no words came, I believed this
was the confirmation I had asked for. Half
an hour later she passed away peacefully,
fulfilling her wish that she be surrounded
by her children, their spouses and her
loved ones. She was 81.
Reconciled
The next morning, I told my pastor that
I needed confirmation about Mum’s
salvation. God gave me more than I
requested. During her family devotion
time a few days earlier, my aunt saw Mum
on her back, her hands reaching up to
Jesus’ hands. Another sign was given when
my uncle was in a prayer meeting. He saw
a vision of Mum smiling, surrounded by
angels. A third confirmation came when
another aunt who was not at the hospital
kept praying, “Lord, receive her soul” at
the exact moment Mum breathed her last.
I see now that Mum wanted to believe
in Jesus but because of the fear of men,
she dared not admit it publicly. God, who
knew her spirit was willing even though
her flesh was weak, mercifully received her.
Not only was Mum reconciled with her
Creator, my brother was also reconciled
with me. On the day of the funeral he
called me to Mum’s coffin, hugged me
and apologised. I assured him, “You are
my brother and I love you very much.
I’ve already forgiven you.” I added, “I told
Mum that we will be reconciled. She will
be very happy to know we are.” Our family
has promised to meet at least two to three
times a year even though our parents are
no longer here. I am assured that God’s
promise that the whole Oh clan will come
to know the Lord will come to pass one day.
Epilogue
Since then, two of Rosalind’s brothers and
a sister-in-law accepted Jesus Christ and
were baptized.
Rosalind Oh Leo was a London-trained secretary
who held various administrative posts in the
marketplace and church organisations. She is
now retired.
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