Facing trials together
As Annie, my wife, just finished her first week of chemotherapy last Friday, I had a chance to reflect on how this experience of her battle with cancer, while frightening, also enabled me to experience God’s blessing of love and encouragement from many people at our church. The entire week that Annie was going to the hospital for her chemotherapy shots, there was someone who drove her there and waited with her there as she received her shots. Throughout the week, we received innumerable visitors, bringing bright words of cheer and encouragement, bouquets of flowers, and dinners so that she wouldn’t have to cook. Additionally, we received dozens of emails and phone calls of encouragement. Here is a basic summary of the people who came over on Thursday night:
- Kevan and Jenny Ho (with baby Abigail in tow) came over with Caroline Ogasawara (just back from Taiwan missions). Jenny and Caroline started cutting up fruit so that Annie could it eat it later.
- Suzanne Suh was in the kitchen putting away dishes in an organized fashion.
- Ben and (a very pregnant) Helen Park brought dinner from Seoul Gomtang.
- Carol Kim brought over her small group girls Sophia, Difan, Grace, and Sally.
- Jiseon Choi brought over little Sophie.
- Daemin and Ahmi from our San Francisco campus brought flowers and prayed for Annie and me.
- Yumi and Joanna brought over their home group: Azusa, Kathy, Vivian, Jing, Victoria, Robin, and Tina. They brought over a big box of Specialties cookies (the best cookies in the world).
This is just a snapshot of ONE night last week. (In fact, I think there were more people who came over while I stepped out for a bit!) It’s such a vivid picture of the loving community and church we are part of. Although cancer is not a situation that we want to be in, I am grateful for the opportunity we have had to experience so much love and support through it. Through this, I’ve been able to appreciate God’s rich blessings in my life more. This is truly the church. This is how we are supposed to live life. I can’t imagine how someone would be able to go through a trial like this on his own. Through our connection together in this faith community called Gracepoint, knowing that others are praying for us and providing for our needs -- and seeing that God, ultimately, is behind it all and loving us through them -- we have been able to face even a trial like cancer with good cheer and great hope.