About two months ago, our friends from EFCLA Young Adult Fellowship 30 years ago organized a reunion on behalf of Oliver. There, our good friend Long Chen said that one characteristic of “overtime” in certain sport is that play will go on as long as the match continues to be a tie, but as soon as one team breaks the deadlock, the game is over. Several times we faced the end of life during the recent battle with Oliver’s illness, but he woke up from coma as we announced to him the good news of becoming a grandfather. Now that he faces life again, with a number of complex conditions, it is like he enters a life of “overtime”, each day could be his last. Nevertheless, we know that life is in God’s hand, we thus cherish every minute, exploring life amidst the gift of joy and the burden of pain. Daily we thank God from the bottom of our hearts that Oliver is still here with us! At present, Oliver lives by three tubes. One, through the right chest to a large vein at the right side of the heart, it is used for dialysis three times a week; on his left chest, there is another tube going to a large vein at the left side of the heart for injection of nutrients around-the-clock (Oliver has not eaten any food since being discharged from the hospital, and learning to walk, please remember this particular problem in your prayer), each day he needs a bag of 3000cc nutrients (we are trained to change the bags by nurses sent by the hospital); the last is a tube going through the abdomen to discharge ascites, 3500cc daily, otherwise, the bloating will become unbearable. It is a great challenge using any of the tubes each time, because Oliver’s condition cannot afford to risk acquiring any infection. This is also the reason that we continue to decline requests of visitation from many of you, not only because our family of six and “God son” David (helping in medical area) have been very busy in caring for Oliver, we also want to eliminate the chance of having germs/bacteria from outside of home. Please understand that we really do not have the capacity to receive visitors now. At my request, our two sons have decided to leave their legal profession, which they had studied and worked very hard for many years, so that they may have more time together with their father, to take turns to care for him and to help me operate our instrument business (some must think I am crazy). These days, our tall and handsome sons serve their father with humility and gentleness, from the most humbling work of washing/cleaning him to the very strenuous physical rehabilitation work, as well as driving him long distance(Monterey Park) to dialysis center regularly, we find no word of complaint or sign of impatience in them. As their mother, I am very much touched to see that, although their professional knowledge is of no use in what they are doing for their father, they take what they do seriously and with sincerity. Our two lovely daughters-in-law are also very thoughtful and considerate, so understanding without any complaints, they often prepare food for me and inquire about my wellbeing. More importantly, their respect and courtesy toward us make me feel that, comparing to those who are poor in all other aspects besides health, Oliver is truly rich. Unless there is an emergency, I will not regularly send you update any more. When I have time, I will reply some of your emails. When you pray, please remember that somewhere in the world, there is a family doing their best to care for their loved one, sometimes very hard; sometimes very busy; sometimes feeling powerless; sometimes feeling lonely. Sometimes I do realize that though we do our best, the love we are able to give is still very superficial; but because Oliver is so weak, we, who are caring for him, learn to be even more loving toward one another so that he will be at ease; and because of love, we are still full of hope no matter what our losses are. I told myself again and again that the process is more important than the result, that the most important is the companionship, what else can we do? In it, we see the beauty of family harmony. Every time we pray together, we experience the surpassing peace from God; He is so faithful and trustworthy! Again I say, do not cry for us, but please pray for us. Our children and I believe these days are destined by God for us. Together with Oliver, we will live with strength from the Lord, and we will rejoice in Oliver’s every little progress. We will try to step outside the limitation of life to live a life that is in a wider and deeper state, which is more beautiful and beyond our ordinary thinking, so that, in our adversity, we may see God, who is called “Love”. I also believe that for our sons, these days will be an education period that shakes and transforms their life. I want them to experience the tenderness of life and God’s trustworthiness while they learn to give, so that when they are back to their legal profession in the future, they will be a distinct type in the sphere of the legal world. I also hope that what they have done for their father will set an example for our American-born-Chinese to learn the great Chinese heritage of filial piety. Well, I will end our story here. Someday, maybe you will be surprised to see Oliver right before you, or maybe you will hear from someone that Oliver is dead. Here I want to share with you a quote from the famed evangelist Billy Graham: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham (Brother Liu) is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! He shall be more alive then than He is now. He will just have changed his address. He will have gone into the presence of God.” Yes, I will end this update with what Oliver said when he was first found to have cancer… To glorify God with our life whether in life or in death!
Attached please find one Oliver’s recent photo. He sends his greetings to you all.
