Meticulous, Tender, Practical, Steadfast
Self-Denying Shepherding
At the end of July 2016, I was about to be married, and I sent an invitation card to you in Taipei. You had gone to California to attend the summer training, and on the phone you said that after the training you had to hurry back to Taiwan to serve the training, and you were sorry that you could not come to Texas for our wedding meeting. In California you met a Brother and Sister Liao (廖), and knowing that after the training they would be going to Texas to visit relatives, you charged them to come to our wedding meeting in your place and to speak some words of blessing. Thank you for your meticulous shepherding, for keeping this matter upon your heart.
In February 2019, at the gospel bookroom, our whole family had our last fellowship with you. After attending the parent-child service fellowship, we wanted to meet with you and greet you, to let you see the children. On the phone you sounded somewhat weak and feeble and said you were waiting for us in the bookroom on the first floor. When we saw you, we were a little startled; your face was pale, and you said, "I have just had my blood drawn and hurried back." Weak as you were, you still sat there and chatted with us for a long while. Thank you for your self-denying shepherding.
Over these years, every time I saw a video or a photograph of some meeting, large or small, I would always want to look at the first row of seats, to look at your face, wanting to know whether you were well. Each time I would feel reassured—you sat up straight, your complexion was good; just a few days ago, at the co-workers' meeting, you even went up to the platform to share and fellowship...
Thank you for such a pattern of shepherding people. Your meticulous, tender, practical, and steadfast shepherding is engraved upon my heart. Thank you.