When Shavuot and Grief Collide
Today is Shavuot—the Feast of Weeks. For Christians, it is known as Pentecost. It is hard to believe that, according to the Jewish calendar, I married my husband, Rich, 18 years ago today. Maybe that is part of why I’ve felt so out of place for the past couple of days. Distracted and just not able to focus on anything. Just feeling blue.
Actually, my legal wedding anniversary to Rich was May 23, 2007 (our “real” spiritual wedding was August 10, 2007). I didn’t plan it that way, but I remember looking at the calendar as we got ready to leave for the courthouse and realizing it was Shavuot. Somehow, that made our wedding even more special. And I remain thankful for the three years we had before he died.
Looking back to look ahead
I have been wanting to write something for a while now. But I just couldn’t think of anything… the thought came to mind, maybe draw from an old post for inspiration. So I went through my old content and found an old post from Shavuot of 2016. It resonated with me on so many levels, and I realized, sometimes I don’t need to share something “new”. What I need, maybe what we all need, is to be reminded of God’s goodness despite how we are feeling.
In 2016, I was recovering from a medical procedure and facing other medical issues. Nothing has changed, except for the medical procedure itself. I had cataract surgery in early May, and tomorrow I’ll be having my second eye operated on. I realized that if I don’t write something now, it’s not going to be written.
Battling the blues
I realize that for a long time now, I’ve been battling sadness, depression, and especially, loss. I was battling them in 2016, and they still nip at my heels like the little foxes of Ecclesiastes. I have not shared a lot lately about my work with the Chinese Church in Haifa, though I have plans to share more in the future – especially about my English class. Around 6–8 months ago the pastor of the Chinese Church, Elder Kien Wong, became quite ill and could no longer attend the meetings. Elder Wong went to be with the Lord in May, and suddenly, everything feels different. The sadness and loss I feel are intangible but so very real.
But sadness and loss do not define my life. Rather, they are the seasoning that enables me to cling to my hope.
There are so many wonderful things in life to enjoy and be thankful for. Yet it seems like ever since the pandemic, all of it is tinged with horrors on the edge of reality. From war, terrorism, politics, and natural disasters, our world seems to have lost its moral compass. Add to that the personal struggles we all face–in my case health issues and the loss of a precious brother in the Lord who was like a father to me–I am being honest when I say that the only thing I really truly yearn for is to see Jesus face to face, to be changed into His image, and to live in the new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.
A world where righteousness dwells
It is hard to picture that kind of world because we don’t have it and never will have it here and now. But it’s coming. Jesus has kept all of His promises. And the new heaven and new earth are, for me, the epitome. Interestingly, Shavuot points to that world.
How? Jesus promised a comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would never leave us. On Shavuot, God poured out His Spirit on the Apostles in the upper room, and since then, the world has never been the same.
Today, BCE and CE have replaced BC and AD. Perhaps rightfully so – because while this may be the Year of MY Lord – as far as the world is concerned, it is no longer the “Year of OUR Lord.” The world does not want Jesus. The world will accept “God” on its own terms, but bring in Jesus?
Yes, Jesus is no longer physically with us. After His resurrection, He ascended into heaven. But Shavuot reminds me of our true hope—the Holy Spirit is living within us, comforting, guiding, and teaching those willing to listen to His voice. He is the seal of our promise, and so we know that Jesus will indeed come back—this is my comfort, hope, and joy.
Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Remembering “Abba” Wong
With those thoughts in mind, I wanted to share with you a bit more about “Abba” Wong. I was asked to share something at his funeral service. I’ve printed it below. While most of you never met him, I hope you will enjoy this small window into my life in Israel. If you’d like to know more, let me know. I’m happy to share.
I had no idea what God was doing when He brought me to Israel. I had always wanted to be a missionary to China and loved all things Chinese. But then, God changed my vision, and I came to Israel in 1983. I first met Abba and Emma Wong and their daughters at a congregation picnic in the Spring of 1984. I thought it was a chance meeting.
But we rekindled our acquaintance when the Wong family moved to Haifa and opened SinnSinn restraint on Rehov Yaffo. Soon, I was calling Mr. Wong “Abba” – long before he started the church. It began with him observing a conversation between Cee and me. He saw I was upset and asked her why. She explained that I had a foot problem, and the doctor said I needed some expensive shoes. He told her to find out more… and she did.
A few days later, when I was visiting YanYan – my regular hangout for friends and fellowship by now – Mr. Wong came up to me with a huge smile and gave me a shoebox. “This is for you.” It was the exact brand and size of the shoes I needed! He also made sure to remind me, “God always provides.”
Over the years, I learned to wash dishes restaurant style, fold napkins, set tables, and eat with chopsticks… for some odd reason, it never dawned on me that I needed to learn Chinese – our common language was Hebrew! But most importantly, I learned what it was like to be part of a big, expressive family. I gained an Abba, Emma, four sisters, and lots of official and unofficial godchildren, each one of whom is precious to me.
Once Abba started the Chinese Church, he loved to introduce me to his friends as his “American Daughter” – that led to fun stories and lots of fun. You see, age wise, at best, I could only be a younger sister to Abba Wong. But he always was and always will be my Israeli Chinese Abba.
I learned so much from him spiritually. When he started the Chinese Church, he asked me to help teach the children – something I had no experience with. When I protested, he said I didn’t need to know how, I just needed to have a heart to serve and trust God. And Cee and I became a team, teaching kids aged 3-12 in English, Hebrew, Mandarin, and Cantonese – all by God’s grace. Some of those children accepted Jesus in our class and are still walking with Jesus!
Then he asked me to teach English to the students before the regular meetings – and again – his confidence was that God would help me. And God did! In fact, everything Abba Wong asked me to do, God helped me with!
Eventually, the students stopped coming. Around that time I married, and Abba Wong and Yotam (my godson) walked me down the aisle and gave me away. But what many people don’t know is that the December after Rich died in 2010, Abba called me on the phone. “Please come back to Israel. I need you. The students are coming back to Israel.” We agreed to pray about it… and the Lord brought me back.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Abba taught at the church and pondering why so many people around the world remember and love him so. I think it is because I’m not the only one who called Elder Wong, or Mr. Wong, Abba. It didn’t matter if you were a foreign worker or a student, he prayed for us, encouraged us, and his message, Friday after Friday, in some way, was always the same – always reflecting 1 Corinthians 1:22 and 23, which I’d like to paraphrase for you:
For Jews ask for signs and Gentiles search for wisdom, but Abba Wong preached Messiah crucified. To the Jews a stumbling block – to gentiles, foolishness – but to those who are called, like the students and workers he ministered to, Yeshua HaMashiach – Yesu Jidu – Jesus Christ – the power of God and the wisdom of God.
I am so thankful for God’s gift to me, his daughters and grandchildren, the Chinese Church, and more – Thank you, Lord, for Abba Wong.
Shavuot Blessings
Have you been fighting the blues or just feeling out of sorts for no good reason? Feelings are just that. But your feelings do not define your relationship with God. As I’ve shared before, we are in this together. Take this opportunity to thank the Lord for the gift of His Spirit, and remember, the best really is yet to come!
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