The Messenger - December 16, 2009

"It's not easy, but I am very peaceful. I have no regret of not making it to Jkt (Jakarta) to see him for the last time."

"Below is something I wrote originally for a friend that was asking if my dad was a believer or not. When you read Pastor Ben that is my husband (Ben Poli). I hope this will also be a blessing to all of you, too."

Here we go.....

Back when Nadia was only 4, my parents were babysitting for her and Aaron. Nadia asked my dad to sit down and point blank asked him if he believed in Christ. Nadia told him that if he wanted to see her and Oma (grandma) in heaven, he needed to believe. Nadia told him to pray with her and she said the prayer. Opa (grandpa) said, "Amen" at the end.

For many years we weren't sure if my dad actually really believed, and not sure that what Nadia did really did anything to his faith status. Thinking that he probably said "yes" because of Nadia. Yet, he started going to church with my mom and asked to be baptized.

But, remember God's word never come back empty handed. Two years ago my dad was hospitalized here in the USC medical (while visiting). Pastor Ben took the opportunity to reach out to him again. This time, God was gracious to us to give us the confirmation we'd been longing to see. He told Ben he had been believing. Ben went over the gospel with him, he agreed to pray with Ben repeating every single sentence out loud.
That's the grace of God for us.

Pastor Ben arrived in Jkt (Jakarta) last Tuesday for business trip. We did not realize when he booked the ticket that his arrival date would be on my dad's 75th birthday. He went straight to my parents' to have birthday dinner with my dad. My dad told my mom that he was so happy Pastor Ben came on his birthday. My dad went back in the hospital Thursday morning around 3 in the morning. This is his 3rd one in the last 6 weeks. Pastor Ben was by his hospital bed every day between his meetings, reading Psalms and lifting up prayers with him.

When his time was really near, God graciously allowing our family to have beautiful closure with my dad. Pastor Ben and my mom were in his room, when my dad opened his eyes and called for Pastor Ben. Again, they prayed. Pastor Ben encouraged him to stay strong for Christmas.
Earlier that day, my children and I were able to talk to him on the phone and told him we're trying to get tickets for Christmas. When my dad said his "yes", Pastor Ben knew he's too tired to go on. So Pastor Ben told him, he can go with Christ when he's ready. Again he said "yes'. Funny thing is, after that he asked Pastor Ben if he's all done with all his business meetings.
Pastor Ben told him, that he's all done, and will be there with my dad. That was the last time he communicated clearly. He went to be with the Lord about 4 hours after that. It was a beautiful and peaceful closure for my mom.

So, he was a believer, and his faith now has been perfected. I'm sad of the loss; of the things that my children would never do again with and for him. But, there's this peaceful feeling surrounding me, to the point I feel so special. How the Lord made my dad's last days and hours so personal and special for me. My own husband was there to walk my dad from this world into the Kingdom of Heaven.