January 2010 Update
Alan Yu
Sorry for this late letter. As usual, it has been an eventful month
for me, but this past January was rather dramatic.
On January 2, a few hours before the long scheduled AFC past and
current staff prayer meeting, I received the news of the pass-away of
our former Executive Director and mentor Mr. Benny Chin. On one hand
I was overcome by sadness, but on the other hand I was most grateful
as I grieved, prayed and celebrate the Eucharist together with all my
former colleagues for Uncle Benny. God is most merciful to us with
His perfect timing to bring us comfort.
In mid January, I flew to Hong Kong for six days to attend the funeral
and memorial service of Uncle Benny in Hong Kong on behalf of AFC.
The trip is like a whirlwind to me, with events packed for almost
every hour, up to the last dinner before I head for the airport. I
was my honour to be invited to share about the impact of Uncle Benny's
discipleship ministry on me in his memorial service, particularly
among his peers like Dr. Philemon Choi, Dr. Carver Yu and Mr. Gideon
Yung. I felt quite inferior at first sitting among all the big-names,
but as I shared that night, Uncle Benny would never see us as
inferior, but always humbly listening to our sharing, hoping to learn
something from us. His humbleness is truly remarkable and admirable.
The best that we can do to honour Uncle Benny is to continue making
disciples for Christ like he did all his life. On this last weekend
of January I led a meditation retreat at church, and trained the
students at AFC on prayer and listening to God during our annual All
Hands Training Day. In both events I received very encouraging
responses from those who participated. It is my growing passion to
help brothers and sisters grow in their spiritual life, as I see this
the most essential in the revival of the Church at this age.
In a few days we will be saying goodbye to Uncle Benny in his memorial
service in Vancouver, which AFC has the privilege to organize as
entrusted by the Chin family. I truly hope that we will faithfully
follow the path which Uncle Benny and many other fore-runners in
student ministry have walked and build up the next generation of
passionate disciples of Christ. I can almost see their smiles in the
face of my students.
A note about my family. The night I arrived Hong Kong, I received the
news that my pregnant wife was hospitalized for spotting. She was
discharged after 2 days in the hospital, and was ordered to cease
working immediately and to rest at home. On the second day after I
returned to Vancouver, she was hospitalized again for spotting.
Fortunately, the spotting was not caused by pre-mature labouring, but
her case of placenta previa. There is not much that we can do to
improve the situation except for resting as much as possible, which
she has been doing. This is truly a lesson for us to trust in the
Lord.
We are, surprisingly, very calm and peaceful throughout this whole
ordeal. We have assurance in our prayer that everything will turn out
ok. But because of her bed rest, I and my parents have to take up
more effort in taking care of my two elder sons. Please pray for us
for strength and grace that we need to sustain the increased work load
at home.
In Christ,
Alan Yu
Some of Alan's Engagement in February:
Feb 5: speaking on Chastity at Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church
Feb 7, 21, 28: teaching sunday school on "Spiritual Disciplines" at
Westside Baptist Church
Feb 7: preaching at Westside Baptist Church
Feb 17: leading Ash Wednesday Service at Westside Baptist Church
Feb 21: leading Restoration Worship at AFC
Feb 28: leading worship at Westside Baptist Church