Tribute by Pastor Christopher

I had the privilege of knowing Zi On Kerk during his stay in Melbourne for his foundation studies. I first met Zi On at the International Student Fellowship (ISF) of Swanston Street Church of Christ (now know as CrossCulture). As many of those who knew him would attest, Zi On was a very humble, genuine and compassionate person.

It was my joy to be able to meet Zi On regularly for Bible Studies. In our exploration of Scripture and sharing of lives, it became evident that Zi On was really hungry and serious for God. At that time, I knew that Zi On had come from a family well known for their commitment and service to God. But Zi On would not rest on the laurels of his family’s reputation. He wanted a strong personal relationship with God himself. So, we would spend hours taking about Jesus, the purpose of life, and our joys and struggles together.

There is a season for everything under the sun. And our spiritual journey with the Lord is a process. It became clear that the next few years after leaving Melbourne would prove a testing time for Zi On’s faith.

But praise be to God who renews and refreshes all things in His perfect timing. I was very encouraged to hear that Zi On’s persistence in the pursuit of God and holiness had paid off! With a renewed vigour, purpose and hope in the Lord, Zi On blossomed greatly in his relationship with God and with brothers and sisters-in-Christ during his postgraduate studies in Brisbane.

I have no doubt that the instinct Zi On had to jump into the sea to save the young woman came from the peace he experienced in his relationship with God. Zi On’s search was finally over. He had finally accomplished and achieved what he had wanted so much years ago in Melbourne. He now had a strong personal relationship with the Lord God! And our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, decided that day that it was time for Zi On to come home and experience the Lord’s Sabbath Rest.

Zi On is a hero. And not just because of his bravery. He is a hero because he did not let anything get in the way of his pursuit of God. God had already found Zi On many years ago, even before his time in Melbourne; but God had allowed Zi On to pursue Him wholeheartedly in his time in Australia. The goal of the Christian life is to know intimately our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though Zi On’s life may seem short to us, but he had achieved his goal.

I pray and wish that all his friends, including myself, throughout Australia and Malaysia, will learn from Zi On’s example. Zi On showed us the better way of love in Christ. May we have the courage to lay down our lives for Jesus and others if the Lord should so desire for us to do so.

We at ISF are proud to have known Zi On. Zi On epitomizes what it means to deny ourselves, take up the Cross and follow Jesus. Thank you Lord for making our lives more meaningful by allowing us to cross paths with your dear son. And thank you Lord for the encouragement that we will meet Zi On again on that special day when you return. We are sad but not in despair for we have hope that will not fail us. Give us your strength to live victoriously and joyously for you each day. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

Christopher Ngo

Associate Pastor, International Student Ministry

CrossCulture Church of Christ, Melbourne, Australia

We Must Dare To Live - We remember you today, Zi On

Dearest Zi On,

Today is 5 Feb 2008; you have left us two months already! During these two months, there has not been a day that we have not thought about you, talked about you and missed you. We miss you so much dear son, we miss you!

This morning I remember you, I want to begin today by going to God and hear what He says. Let me share with you what the Lord says in Psalm 65: 1-8. I am reminded that:

God our Saviour is the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.
Praise awaits Him!

Son, what I hear from Psalm 65 is so beautiful!

O God Our Saviour, Praise Awaits You!
(1)
O God our Saviour,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.

Praise awaits you!

O You who hear prayer,
To You all men will come.
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness.

(2)
O God our Saviour,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.

Praise awaits you!

Who formed the mountains by Your power,
Who stilled the roaring of the seas,
The roaring of their waves.

(3)
O God our Saviour,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.

Praise awaits you!

Those living far away fear your wonders;
Where morning dawns and evening fades
You call forth songs of joy.

(4)
O God our Saviour,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.

Praise awaits you!

Blessed are those you choose
And bring near to live in your courts,
Who are filled with the good things of your house.

~~~~~
O God Our Saviour,
Praise awaits You!

_________________

From Psalm 65:1-8
_________________

Yes, God is our hope and He awaits our praise. In times like these, can we still praise Him? Yes, in sorrow, we can still come to Him with our praises. We praise Him even with our tears, for He is our hope, the anchor of our souls.

But son, I also want to remember you with joy! You are such a beautiful person! Though you might not realize it, you had touched so many people. Many of our friends in UP and in Unitata, and in T.I. Wesley share our pain, they cry our cry, they grieve our grief, but they also share our hope and our joy. They are all proud of you. Aunty Siew Tin said that she is honoured to have known you.

Aunty Shela could not stop her tears when she talks about you.
After you were born, we took you back from the KL hospital to Unitata. It was Aunty Shela who helped us to carry our precious baby as we traveled home. And she continued to help us to take care of you for nearly 6 years. She is one of the very few people we know who is always gracious, gentle and kind, respectful and dedicated in carrying out her duties. I can’t remember if I had told you that I gathered a few friends in Unitata and celebrated her 50th birthday in Aug 2006 in our home. It was an honour to celebrate her special day in our home. Son, remember you told me not too long ago that that you wanted to buy a gift for Aunty Shela? Well son, Ma had fulfilled your wish on your behalf. I bought her a brooch. It is a beautiful Angel of Mercy with a message -
This “thoughtful” little angel has a little
wisdom to impart,
About those very rare souls that step quietly
into our heart,
Truly Angels of Mercy, special people sent
by God above,
With special reserves of strength and
Dedication tempered with love.

This message speaks of her, I am sure you agree. We are always thankful that God had sent such kind people to our lives, and son, I know that you are forever grateful to her, as we are. (Shela came just now, and I presented this gift to her on your behalf with your love.)

The world is beautiful because there are people who believe in LOVE. Son, you believe in love and your life is a story of love. Though you are still so young, you showed us what true love is. We are humbled by your example and we will continue to emulate you. Yes, we remember this is what Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, by this all men will know that you are my disciples”.

Zi On, life is never the same without you! Papa, Zi Lu and I try to go on with our lives. But every corner of our house reminds us of you. The little teddy bear which you bought for me at the Fight Cancer campaign is your reminder that I should continue to battle against breast cancer with courage and determination. Though you are not here to cheer me in person any more, son, I must continue the race with victory as my goal.

Your loss brought a sudden and inconsolable pain to all of us. I find myself often thrown into a turmoil of two opposite swings of emotions. At times, there is a strong sense of courage to go on as I remember the legacy you left behind. Sometimes just as I thought I am managing my grief, uncontrollably, tears would fill my eyes, as memory of your sudden departure hit me hard with unimaginable helplessness.

Tough it may be, and tougher it may get, but to quote your dear Uncle Kuan (your Ah Koo): “We must get on with what is both the simplest and the most awesome of tasks: we must dare to live.”

Yes, Zi On, we must dare to live!


I love you, Son,
Ma together with Pa and Zi Lu
5-2-2008