A Belated Father's Day

By Wen Wen

Yearning for you

As China's doors open up to the world, many western holidays such as Valentine's Day and Christmas are becoming popular in China. But I never knew that there was a Fathers' Day. 
It was last year at an American church gathering after I immigrated to the US, as the pastor prayed for a special blessing on fathers for Fathers' Day, that I learned about Fathers' Day. But because it was a western holiday, I quickly forgot about it.

On 8th August, I went to Far-East Broadcasting Company to attend a short-term mission activity. Suddenly some one shouted out, "Happy Fathers' Day! Let's go over to the cafeteria for cake!" I was surprised. I thought that Fathers' Day was long past. How come there was another Fathers' day? Finally I heard that this was Chinese Fathers' Day.

Someone noticed my surprise, and teased me, "If you don't know when Fathers' Day is, I bet you didn't call your father to wish him happy Fathers' Day. What kind of a daughter are you ?." I could only reply, "My dad has already gone to Heaven. There's no need to call him." My eyes reddened as I spoke.

My father passed away two years ago. That night, I lay out on the balcony. Watching the stars on a beautiful night always gives me a wonderful feeling, but there were tears rolling down my cheeks. I could barely breathe, my thoughts longed for my dear father so badly.

My father was born into a poor farming family in Shan Tong province. When I was 14, he joined the army to fight the Japanese. Then he left home for Che-Chiang province. He was one of the significant leaders for farm reform there. He experienced every moment of China's revolution, and strove to fight for Communism.

From my earliest days I remember how loyal he was to his beliefs, his nation and his people. He always said that we had to shed our blood for the Chinese people, so that the younger generation could have a strong prosperous nation. However, I could not understand why it was that my father was beaten and hated if he had had such good revolutionary thoughts? Why did he have to live at the very lowest level of society? 

Struggling to raise us three children, Father used to wake up early to stitch up our worn-out tennis shoes. He also had to put up with unreasonable discrimination. His body still held old bullet wounds, proof of his courage in the defence of his country. Yet society showered insults and hardship on us, leaving deep wounds and horrible memories in our hearts. I did not know what good Father's beliefs had done him.

In my first year of junior high, suddenly my family became respectable again. I heard that my father's name had been cleared and he was reinstated in his job. He became a 'good 'man. So I was also changed from being despised to being a 'favored girl' since I was the daughter of a party leader. A year later, I followed my father in his move to a new district where I passed my teenage years. It was during that time that I heard the good news of "God loves the world" over the radio one day. From then on, the seed of Christian faith was planted in my heart.

The pain of having no home

After more than ten years work, Father retired and went back to his hometown. I passed the post office exams and worked there. Father, Mother, my nephew and I lived together. Most retired party leaders were assigned housing, except for Father. Because the work unit he served in was in an impoverished county, they could not afford to pay for a housing benefit for him. Father accepted this, so we three generations lived in an old house of only 30 square meters and with no toilet. We had to do our cooking out on the public pathway. Father loved plants and flowers. This was his only hobby. Unfortunately we did not have enough space for him to enjoy this pleasure.

Not long after my father's retirement, I became a Christian. My work unit contacted my father and wanted to re-educate me and re-establish my faith in Communism. My father was very angry at me and tried all sorts of ways to try to change me. But I insisted on not changing my faith, and refused to compromise. Father did not know what to do with me. When I preached Jesus and shared my testimony at home, he insisted on his communism and taught us to believe in the Party and depend on the organization.

Three years ago, Father got uremia. His doctor said that he did not have long to live. But he looked well and did not feel sick. But last Chinese New Year, his illness turned serious and then became critical. Seven sisters from the church came to fast and pray for him. Father could not stop weeping as he lay in bed, he was so moved by these people's love for him. Early the next morning, he actually got up out of bed. None of his serious side symptoms were evident. He told me: "Last night at midnight, my whole body had a wonderful sense of relief. Jesus has healed me!" From then on, Father began to preach about Jesus at home and to friends. He also wanted my two nephews to believe in Jesus and to be good men.

The marriage of an only daughter

My father only had one daughter, so my marriage had become a big issue for him. He wanted me to have a really good marriage, so when some people came wanting to arrange a match for me, Father hoped for a successful outcome. But when I was thirty years old, I had made up my mind that if I married, it would definitely be to a Christian. Father was very worried since there were not many Christians about. He said that even after he died he would go on worrying about me.
But after we moved to a new house, I found a wonderful boy friend. My boyfriend came back from the United States to kneel beside my father's sick bed and pray for him. My father could not believe it. He woke my mother up in the middle of the night with a smile to tell her, "We really are being helped by God. We can't help believing in Him." On Chinese New Years Day, my boyfriend used his halting Chinese to ask my father for my hand, "May Wen Wen and I get married?" My father clapped his hands in delight and said, "Of course you can - and welcome!!" Joy filled his heart. In my memory, this was the happiest moment in my dad's life.

Not long after we had decided on the wedding date, my father was admitted to the emergency department of the hospital. After a few days he regained consciousness. My boyfriend and I stayed at his bedside and looked after him. I asked him, "Are you sure you want to believe in Jesus?" "Yes, I want to believe." "Then you pray after me." Father prayed clearly after me to accept Jesus to be his savior. After this, Father prayed often. Every time he prayed, he was full of peace. After the Chinese New Year, Father laid down the burdens of this world and left us. His face was even more peaceful than usual. He seemed to have a smile on his face.

Not once in his life had my father celebrated Fathers' Day, and I have grieved for the loss. Every time I thought of it, I felt sad and cried. But I know that one day I will meet him again in Heaven. That's when I will say to him, "Happy Fathers' Day !".

The author is from Zhe-Jiang province in China. She is now studying for her Master's degree in Mission at International Bible College in USA.