From INHERITANCE Issue #2 - Summer 2009

I thought 2008 was going to be a good year. The number eight symbolizes good fortune in Asian culture. Yet, 2008 was one of the worst years in my life, due to three life-changing events.

The first event was the loss of my mother, Ruth. She died after struggling with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). In April 2008, she underwent chemotherapy but her body never fully recovered. On August 13, 2008, she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Although I miss her, I am comforted to know that she is now at peace and no longer suffering.

The second event was the discovery of my dad’s heart condition. During a stress EKG test from his check-up, the doctors found something of concern, and recommended that he have an angioplasty right away. There was a possibility that he might need a stint implant. However, in the end, it was not necessary, and my dad is doing well today.

The third incident happened on September 30, 2008. I took my son Ryan and his two friends, Conner and Fidel, to Santa Monica Beach for boogie boarding. It was a beautiful day, about 91 degrees. I planned to take the day off because I had not spent much time with Ryan all summer due to my mom’s illness.

I noticed a nice swell in the distance. As I paddled, the wave came up from behind me, swept me up to the top, and then slammed me down hard. I felt like I was going head first over a waterfall. In an instant, I was paralyzed from the neck down.

All at once, I thought of my wife, my kids, my life insurance coverage, and I feared the pain I would experience if I drowned. I prayed to God in this deepest, darkest moment, that He would spare me and not take me yet. 

Thankfully, Ryan saw me floating face down in the water. When I thought I couldn’t hold my breath any longer, Ryan lifted my left arm and shoulder so that my head was just high enough for me to gasp my first breath of air and cry “help” to him.

Just then, another big wave crashed into us, and I had to hold my breath again underwater. Ryan cried and screamed for help, and Fidel quickly came to the rescue. Then Ryan, Conner, and Fidel pulled me to the shore where Santa Monica lifeguards quickly assessed my condition and stabilized my back and neck.

The traumatic memory of floating facedown and paralyzed was surpassed with the elation of being pulled up for that first gasp of air, and pride that my son had saved me. I visualized attending one my children’s weddings in a wheelchair, but happy to be alive. I didn’t care about becoming a quadriplegic; I was just elated to be alive.

I found out later that I had broken my neck and my nose, bruised my face, and suffered a small black eye. My neck took the brunt of the blow. I bruised my spinal cord, which caused temporary paralysis. They injected Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) directly into my IV. Later, I took Vicodin when I was able to eat and drink.

The first few days were critical. The doctors did not know if I needed surgery. Our church pastoral staff came to visit and pray for me, and I felt God’s healing power with every prayer. God was restoring me. Thankfully, after the third day, the fracture to my cervical spine was stable — another answered prayer.

After a week in the hospital, I was released to go home. It felt so good to be home, and I began rehab. The next day, I started acupuncture therapy from Dr. Qineng Tan, who made two weeks of house calls. Several different people recommended Dr. Tan to us. I believe this was also God’s blessing.

Why did God allow these events to occur and what is God teaching me? The first lesson that I learned is that God is sovereign. During my mother’s illness, the entire church, even those as far as Taiwan and Africa, were praying fervently for her. The church leaders even prayed and fasted. Yet God did not heal her.

Then came my dad’s heart condition, and later, my accident. Once again, the entire church prayed and fasted for us. This time, God said “Yes, I will restore my servant whom I love.” Even when we don’t understand, we need to trust God and accept that He knows what is best for us.

The second insight is that our lives already belong to God. God honored and answered my mother’s prayer 20 years ago when she was first diagnosed with a blood disease. At that time, she prayed to God for 20 more years to live to age 70. God gave her a second chance — she passed away at age 71.

God is reminding me that my life no longer belongs to me, but to Him. As He did with my mother, He has also granted me a second chance. I am a “new creation” and “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Today, my walk with God is closer than ever.

Moreover, God is not done with me yet. He has something in store for me. I am on “stand-by” mode to be ready to share and testify to God, wherever and whatever the call may be. Many have prayed that I would experience full recovery. I believe God is molding me, restoring me to be better than before.

It’s been over six months since my accident. I am about 90% recovered. I still suffer from a constant low grade pain in my hands and arms, and hypersensitivity to hot and cold water in my hands, arms and right leg. I have residual weakness in my left hand and leg. The doctors say that I have nerve damage which can last anywhere from six to 24 months. Whereas, injuries from spinal chord damage are permanent. Only time will tell.

I am at peace whether God heals me 100% or not. I am grateful to be alive. I am a living testimony of God’s grace — some may call them “miracles.” God showed his grace through Ryan, and his two other 10-year-old friends, who turned around to look for me. I feared that Ryan would be busy catching another wave with friends and I would go unnoticed.

God’s next show of grace is using the three boys to rescue me. A medical doctor friend of mine commented on the miracle that three boys dragged a man with a broken neck out of the water without further damaging his spinal injury!

The third grace is that I did not require any surgery to my neck and spine; I had a “stable fracture” where the fractured bone was set back in place. UCLA doctors and therapists had me walking, albeit barely, by the third day.

I’ve learned that life is short and fragile. At least three recent tragic events serve as a reminder. They include actress Nicole Richardson’s ski accident, Los Angeles Angel’s baseball pitcher Nick Adenhart’s car accident, and my friends’ neighbor. He was a father who rode his bicycle with his children and got into an accident.

Our lives are closely held in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. As it is often quoted, “Our life is a gift from God. What we do with our lives is our gift to God.” Personally, 2008 has been a year of trials, but God is still good.

I am reminded of a verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV) This is my witness, my testimony, and my prayer. Praise be to God!