“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2) , disciples asked Jesus when they saw a blind man. We sometimes wonder why we are going through challenges and struggles. A sister from the Hong Kong Church of Christ, May Lo, asked herself this question when she found that she had cancer and her life was overturned. However, she shares that it was the beginning of the most memorable experience of her life.

May Lo shares that on the day of her operation, she was afraid. “I was very fearful and I needed to find strength from prayer and God’s Word. I read through John 21 and the scriptures reminded me of the many promises that God had given me in my life…My heart became so full of God’s love that the tears just kept rolling down my face. After I had changed into a robe and lay on the hospital bed, the nurse wheeled me to the operation room. My husband was by my side and held my hand all the way through the many corridors and doors. When we arrived at the door of the operation room, the nurse said to my husband, “You can only be with her up to here. You may wait outside the room.” I felt very nervous at that moment and my mind was occupied by the thought of Judgment Day when nobody, even my husband, could go with me to meet God. On that Day, I would have to face God on my own and give an account for my life” she said.

However, inside the cold operation theatre, the doctor asked her to open her left hand for him to mark the place for the operation. Then the anesthetist also asked her to open her right hand for the anesthesia. While she stared at the blinding lights above her while the anesthetist put the needle at the back of her right hand, she realized that this was the way Jesus was at the cross. She shares ‘At that moment, I seemed to hear someone whisper at my ear, “Do not be afraid. I have gone through what you are going through now. I am here with you.” I don’t know why, but I laughed at that moment. …the scripture “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”(Psalm 23:4) flashed through my mind.’

May Lo's attitude toward life has completely changed after this illness, and she is realizing more and more that it is by His grace that she is still alive. She wants to spread His good news and His power with all her heart and strength in her lifetime.

Even though her body was very weak during the treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, her family decided to participate in a competition, "The 10 Most Harmonious Families of Hong Kong", organized by the Hong Kong Government. Her family was eventually selected as one of the ten. They were interviewed by television channels, newspapers and magazines. They gave speeches at churches, hospitals and corporations about how they overcame adversity. They visited and evangelized cancer patients at hospitals. They have also helped their neighbors become Christians.

May Lo confesses that there are still many challenges, but when she thinks about her experience, she remembers how great her God is and how He made her courageous.

If you have stories of courage and encouragement to share, please send them to us at nadine.templer@dtoday.net, meghna.thomas@dtoday.net, or elvi.levang@dtoday.net.