Our Pastor Sii Xiang Ying passed away peacefully without a goodbye on 24 November evening last year in Taiwan at the closing of her holiday with her mom. She was to return the next day to a series of events and activities she was responsible for. I believe she was enjoying her best to recharge so that she could offer her best when she returned. But she was cancelled of all her worldly chores in a split second the evening she was taking a stroll with her beloved teacher, someone whom she had always looked up to and a mentor to her all these years. She felt sick suddenly and was sent to the nearby hospital but was of no avail to resuscitate her. She was called home to the Lord after a new lease of life of ten years after the first similar incident ten years back in Taiwan as well. She was then diagnosed with a rare disease called Mafian, a genetic defect of the heart arteries which would rip off suddenly like a bomb blast. What I heard was that the arteries were having one layer less.
She knew her problem and had lived with it very positively, taking each day at its best and as if its last. She was always bright and breezy, full of grace and smile. She was amiable and loving, a shepherd to those that needed her guidance, a friend with ears to listen and a loving sister in Christ who served diligently in respective churches to nurture the sheep of the Lord.
News of her decease broke our hearts and many of us wept in grief. All of the congregations which she had ministered before were shocked by her sudden departure. But everyone was reassured of the goodness of the Lord because she suffered little. God had been kind to his servant.
She knew life was fragile. Sharing the gospel was thus the most important thing in her life. She was especially full of passion in teaching about the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. She told us to heed what the Holy Spirit proclaimed. Our goal is to please the Lord, the creator of life and destiny.
It seemed that she had foreseen the will of the Lord and shared touching words of the Bible. She said we should live our best. Indeed she rejoiced in her days. She loved nature, people and also daily activities with cheerfulness. She took the pleasure to spend time with people to administer to their immediate needs. She shared joy and pain. She took the time to relax and have fun with friends, making memories.
Yes, sweet memories, those are what we have of her now. A life well lived! We would emulate her cheerful spirit!