16. TREADING THE VALLEY OF SHADOW

Life’s last lap traverses a path described by the Psalmist David as the valley of the shadow of death. That path ends at a door named Death. Every one on Planet Earth must walk that valley of shadow and go through that door whether he likes it nor not. No man, going through that door, has ever returned alive to die no more, except one Man, Jesus Christ.

He came to earth for just one purpose: to walk that path and conquer that door. This He did. By His death, He destroyed him that had the power of death (Heb 2:14 ). Then He returned alive and victorious, to die no more.

Now He offers life and hope to all. To mankind’s dying race, Jesus says, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die..."  (Jn 11:25,26 ).

This victory over death is freely offered. All who believe in Him need fear death no more, for Jesus walks with them through the valley of shadow, to life everlasting.

While I have yet to tread that last lap, I once had the experience of accompanying another through that valley. This happened in 1943 when I was seventeen.

At that time, under the Japanese administration, the Kandang Kerbau Hospital was Singapore’s General Hospital. Father’s younger brother, Third Uncle, had been admitted to the KK Hospital for “Gastric Ulcer. ” I visited him together with Eldest Brother Timothy. It was in the afternoon.

Third Uncle was thin and gaunt, lying listlessly in bed. He was glad to see us. We had a short visit, spoke a little, and prayed with him before saying goodbye. Third Uncle didn’t look well.

At that time we were staying in Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru. That night passed uneventfully. Next morning, Eldest Brother left for work as usual at 8. 30 am for the Supreme Court.

About 11 o’clock a policeman came knocking on the door. He served me a notice which read: “Mr George Doo has died at the KK Hospital. Come and make arrangements to claim his body. ”

What a shock! I was all alone at home. In those days we had no telephones. Eldest Brother was at work. The rest of the family were in Batu Pahat. What should I do? Inform Second Uncle!

While I was pondering the matter, a taxi drew up at the roadside and the driver sounded his horn urgently. In quick response, I opened the door to see what was the cause of the loud horning.

Second shock! The sight that met my eyes literally took my breath away. Emerging from the vehicle was Third Uncle (whose body I was asked to claim)! Had he come back from the dead? Supported by Second and Fourth Uncles, he staggered out of the taxi. I looked with disbelief, still clutching the police notice in my hand. What on earth was happening?

With considerable effort, the two Uncles helped their ailing brother upstairs where they laid him on my bed.

“Dear Uncles, please tell me what is happening? ” Third Uncle spoke up: “Early this morning, the Doctor told me that my gastric ulcer had perforated and an operation was urgent and absolutely necessary. I agreed and signed the consent form. That was about 8 am. Later, I changed my mind, and decided not to go through with the surgery. Just then, your two Uncles arrived, and they agreed with me. Since we did not accept the doctor’s prescription, I could no longer stay. So I was discharged, and here we are. ”

Meanwhile, the Hospital authorities had instructed the Police to despatch an officer with the notice of death. They knew that operation would have killed the patient, but they did not know that the patient would change his mind!

Now, my bedroom became an emergency ward and Third Uncle my first patient! Remembering that Father had a Chinese Physician practising in Tiong Bahru, I hurried and got him to see Third Uncle.

Mr Lai came, and prescribed a concoction of Chinese herbs. “Two bowls of water, boil with the herbs until two-thirds of a bowl. Take it. You will be very well tomorrow. ”

I boiled the stuff and brought it to Third Uncle. He took one sip, but refused the rest.

In the afternoon Big Brother returned from work. We gathered by Third Uncle’s bedside, and prayed for him. He had a restless night. He drank a little water but took no food.

Next morning, Big Brother went to work as usual, leaving me to look after Third Uncle. About nine-thirty, he called urgently for me. “I need to move my bowels. ” I got a large basin and lifted him in my arms over the basin.

Suddenly, he took a turn for the worse. “I feel faint and breathless. ” He began to gasp for air, with laboured breathing.

I sensed that the end was near. I said, “Third Uncle, let us pray. Will you pray after me? ”

“Yes. ” He prayed after me: “Heavenly Father, have mercy on me. Lord, save me! ” Several times he repeated the prayer. Then his breathing began to slow down, and his eyes had a faraway look. Gradually the breathing became slower and shallower.

All this time, I held him in my arms over the basin, in bed. Finally, after about twenty minutes, breathing stopped and his eyes closed. I let him down, took away the basin and dressed him.

By that time it was past ten o’clock. Now my job was to inform the two uncles and other relatives. Off I pedalled on my bicycle. The undertaker was called to do the needful.

Next morning the Uncles and others gathered in our little apartment. The funeral service was conducted by our pastor, Rev Cheng Sheng Chu. We sang, “How marvellous His grace” and “Sweet By and By” before proceeding to the cemetery.

For many days after the strange happening, and my “close encounter” with death, I felt as though I had accompanied Third Uncle on his journey through the valley of shadow, carrying him in my arms and watching his life ebb away with each receding breath. I was glad for the opportunity to minister to his spiritual need at the critical moment.

Over sixty years have flown by since that unforgettable event. During those years, eight immediate family members have departed this earth for the Home above: Grandfather, Mother, Father, Second Brother, Big Sister, Son, and two Sisters-in-law.

Who will be the next? With all my siblings already in their eighth or ninth decade, the watchword for each of us is: “Be ready. ” God’s call may come any time, for anyone of us. One must be ready at a moment’s notice to embark on that last journey. To the one who has made all needful preparations, it will be a bright and easy journey through a “happy valley” with no shadow, knowing that the Good Shepherd Himself will be walking with us all the way.

Until then let us do the things needful, so that we may depart with a free and easy conscience.

As for me and my wife, we have cleared all outstanding debts, written our wills, and made our peace with God. While we live out the remaining days of our earthly sojourn, ever with the prospect that “... to be with Christ... is far better” (Phil 1:23 ), we keep one eye fixed on the Saviour’s appearing, and the other on the Gospel Agenda. With fervent zeal, we press on with renewed energy the work committed to us, for it maybe today, our Lord will come again.