Rev Daphne June Lau: … Dad walked with me through a very dark season of my life where I thought I would never be able to face the world again or continue on in the ministry. He constantly reminded me of God’s call on my life, prayed for me, and stood by me. When I finally received my ordination, Dad was overjoyed and, after the ceremony, came to my house and handed me a bouquet of flowers, a ministerial handbook and a card. He told me he was so proud of me. Dad celebrated all my achievements.
Dad always believed in trusting the Lord and taught me to be resilient in the face of opposition. Dad would not retaliate, even though people wanted him to do so, but trusted God to vindicate him and come through for him. It was not easy as I would see a lot of things happening. When I was five, I remember Dad coming to the bedroom where I was hanging out with my mother. He had just finished a long board meeting downstairs. He came up and put his head on my mother’s lap and sobbed like a baby. Being only five, I did not know what had happened, but I knew that Dad was sad after a church board meeting, and it broke my heart. I got to see that over and over again, but I also got to see Dad still love and be the pastor God had called him to be.
Over the years, I’d seen Dad at his lowest, both in the ministry and in his physical health. Even though he had experienced deep hurt and fear, his resilience in life and rock-solid stubborn faith in God never failed to inspire me. He reminded me of a “bùdaoweng” (tilting doll). No matter how many punches are thrown at it, it always manages to get back on its feet. That’s Dad. His trust in God anchored him through all the strong and bitter winds that the different seasons brought. Dad would always say: “Focus on Jesus! Keep your eyes on Jesus!” He was a firm believer in knowing the Scripture, worshiping and praying in tongues.
Dwayne Lau: … Dad always told me how much he loves me and how much he is proud of me. He sends me messages throughout the week to check in with me to say, “Have a good day son.” “I love you” “Thinking of you” “God is with you.” After watching my performances, he would, without fail, text me to say, “Daddy is proud of you and your show! Well done, boy!”
Every birthday or Christmas, he would write me cards affirming his love and how he was proud of me and the work that I was doing. Before I left the house, he would pray for me, especially if I was going to lead worship in church or heading to do something significant. Anytime I needed prayer, he would text me a prayer and get me through the momentary challenge I was facing.
In fact, in the ICU, with the little voice and articulation he had, he was able to minister to me through songs. A night prior to visiting him, I was in bed crying out to God telling Him how afraid I was and lonely at the thought of losing my father.
The next evening when I visited Dad, he whispered and asked me to play three songs for him. I figured that he wanted songs to comfort him in his time of suffering. I googled and played these songs ‘God leads his dear children along’, ‘No, never alone’ and ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus’.
As these songs played, tears welled up in his eyes while I was bawling my eyes out. I suddenly realized that as I listened to the lyrics of the songs, Dad actually meant to affirm ME with these reassuring words to trust in Jesus and that I will never be alone. Even on his deathbed, Dad found ways to communicate his love to me.
Dr Rina Nga Su Yin (wife): …Towards the last one year of his life, he went into End Stage Heart Failure on top of his failed kidneys. But Pat still had an insanely strong desire to preach. He would honor every preaching invitation unless he was in hospital or really indisposed.
I remember how we would struggle to get from car to auditorium, stopping every few steps so his failing heart could catch up with him. Churches were kind enough to move the pulpit to the floor so he would not have to climb up to the stage.
Although he would be breathless by the time we reached the destination, every time he stood up to preach, the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit would fill him and take over, and this empty shell of a man never failed to deliver his fire and brimstone message, with altar call thrown in too!
Regarding issues of life and death, we were able to have many conversations about death and dying, but more so about life and living. His Advance Care Plan was to “die preaching the Word”.
AG Times has also prepared a Special Edition (Do click here) to honor Ps Lau. Let’s remember our spiritual giant.
