2. SAVED FROM CERTAIN DEATH

As I endeavour to tell the story of God’s eleventh hour rescue of Father from certain death, I am reminded that the chronicler’s purpose is one: to show forth the power of God’s protecting hand on His own, and to leave a record for the benefit of posterity, as the Psalmist has said:

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth... which we have heard and known... We will not hide them from their children... the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done... that the generation to come might know them... that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."  (Ps 78:1-7 )

In our home story-telling time was a high point of family life. Mother was the chief teller of Bible stories and tales of old China, the homeland we had left behind in 1926, nevermore to return. Like Egypt to the children of Israel, it was the land of sorrow and bondage. Only God’s good hand had led us southward to Nanyang (“South Seas”).

Batu Pahat (stone chisel-Malay) became our home from the year 1936, a pleasant township of about 50, 000 souls, situated on the south bank of the river Sungei Penggarang. Here Father had set up his medical practice. While home was in Batu Pahat, we children were sent away by our parents to study in Singapore, to be properly educated. However, our studies were interrupted by the Japanese invasion and occupation during the years 1942 to 1945 when schools were shut. Returning to the family nest, we had four memorable years with Father and Mother, as we impatiently counted out the days under the Japanese, nightly dreaming of the British returning.

Our home was a two-storey shophouse. The ground floor was Father’s clinic and dispensary. Living quarters were on the upper floor. Our childish curiosity was aroused, whenever Father’s wardrobe was opened. Hanging inside was a Cantonese peasant’s blue “sam-fu” work-clothes, together with an old straw hat. What on earth were they doing there, year after year? We had never seen Father wear them or take them out.

One day, youngest sister Siew Mui curiosity could no longer be contained. “Papa, what is that blue sam-fu in your wardrobe doing? You never wear it-whose is it? ”

“Ah, that’s a long story, and an exciting one. I shall tell you tonight, after dinner. ” We children all pricked up our ears with excitement: “Tonight! ”

Sure enough, that very night after dinner, eagerly we gathered for our usual Family Worship as was our custom, ever since the 1935 revival of Dr John Sung. We sang our favourite chorus:

Never fear! He is near;

Look to no man,

Care not what the world may plan;

Only trust in the Lord,

All the way to Beulah Land.

With Mother by his side, Father revealed the “Mystery of the blue sam-fu. ”

“My dear children, the fact that I am here is only by the amazing mercy of God who spared me from certain death in a way that I can only describe as truly miraculous--something you may say, was supernatural. God intervened by angels! ”

Today we don’t hear of angels: angel-stories are found only in the Bible. The most famous ones in the Old Testament are Daniel in the lions’ den and Daniel’s three friends in Nebuchadnezzar’s burning fiery furnace.

For envy and jealousy, Daniel’s enemies had plotted and schemed. As a result, Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. But the King loved Daniel dearly and he passed the night in sleepless vigil. Next morning he “... went in haste unto the den of lions... (and) he cried with a lamentable voice... O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel... O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me...."  (Dan 6:19-22 ).

God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths! Angels are ministering spirits of God which perform His bidding. They are there just when God needs them-in Daniel’s time as in our time.

In the case of Daniel’s three friends, they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. There in the flaming fire, the Son of God Himself came to deliver them. So upon those three,"... the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them" (Dan 3:27 ).

Now my dear children, God’s angels are sent God’s people according to their needs. In the days of the New Testament Church, they were no less active, neither had they lost any of their ancient power.

Jerusalem’s High Priest was filled with indignation against the apostles because of their signs and wonders which accompanied their healing and preaching ministry. As a result, the apostles were arrested and thrown into the common prison. "But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors..."  (Acts 5:19 ). Next morning the apostles were back in the temple early in the morning, teaching the people as before, thanks to the angel (Acts 5:21 ). Our God is able!

But the most dramatic rescue operation is recorded in Acts 12:1-19 . On the order of King Herod, the apostle Peter was cast into the maximum security prison, Herod"... intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people... but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. "(Acts 12:4,5 ). When God’s people pray, God comes to their aid.

"And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night... the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals... Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him... When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him" (Acts 12:6-10 ). Amazing rescue!

While obeying the angel’s directions, Peter was still in a daze, and did not appreciate that a real rescue operation was in motion,"... but thought he saw a vision "(verse 9 ).

It was only after the angel had departed that Peter woke up. Then he said, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews" (Acts 12:11 ).

Herod had just killed James, and seeing that it pleased the Jews, he thought to kill Peter also. But this was not to be, for the Lord saved him. Both James and Peter belonged to the inner circle. Why did God save Peter and not James? Simply because in God’s plan, Peter was earn-marked for important work ahead, so God spared him.

This, I am fully persuaded, was the case with Father also. After all, Father was only thirty-seven, with three children, and God had much unfinished work of the Kingdom for him. His time to die was not yet come!

At this point, the narrative resumes in Father’s own words.

“In my youthful enthusiasm (and ignorance) I got involved in politics, little suspecting that in those early post-revolution days, politics was a highly dangerous business. For the unwary it might cost them their life, as I was soon to find out, if one should fall into the wrong hands. In those days, life was cheap.

One fateful day I walked into a deadly trap and was taken prisoner in Guangzhou. The bandits took me to a country hideout. My prison cell was in a barrack-like building. The day was too short as the minutes flew by. In an adjoining room my captors were playing cards, swearing and drinking. A young man stood guard at the door. Execution was scheduled for midnight. Just one bullet would do the job. Death stared me in the face.

For the first time in my life, I surveyed the imminent prospect of violent death. Never had my mind been so troubled. I was like a bird in a cage, helpless, hopeless, abandoned by man, and marooned in the midst of nowhere.

I thought of my wife and three children in Hong Kong. I thought of the relatives and brethren of the church. And, naturally, I thought of God. Never had I prayed so hard, so fervently and earnestly:

"Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD... I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."  (Ps 3:7,8 ; 71:2 , 121:1,2 )

I poured out my heart unto the Lord, and He heard my cry. As I got up from my praying, I heard a voice, as though someone was speaking into my ear: “Go, drink water. ”

Strange. What is the meaning?

“Go drink water. ” The same voice, the same words came a second time, clear as a bell. Two are a confirmation: the Lord was speaking.

Lord, come with me and be my help! I walked to the door. The young sentry looked at me.

“What do you want? ”

“I’m thirsty. Any water? ”

The sentry pointed to the back of the house and said, “There’s a jar of water in the back yard, help yourself. ”

With measured steps I walked to the back. The yard was deserted. I got my bowl of water. As I drank I surveyed the scene. The fence was too high to climb, the exit door was chained.

The roof! I saw a step-ladder. This is it, now or never! In two strides I was up the ladder, on the roof! Angel hands must have buoyed me on. As light-footed as I could I ran the length of the building and, one great leap, I landed on the ground some ten feet below, in a little lane behind my prison house.

Now run for dear life! I ran like the wind along a country lane, as fast as my legs could carry me, and as far from the prison house as possible. On and on I ran until I spotted an isolated farmhouse with chickens running around, dogs barking, and an old woman sitting at the door.

I ran straight up to her. "Save me! Save me! Bandits are coming to kill me!"  

Amazing! Without hesitation the woman took me inside, showed me the attic and hid me under a heap of hay. "Keep quiet; lie still. You'll be all right!"  

The moments flew by, my heart pounding away. I kept quiet as a mouse. Soon there was a great commotion: loud excited voices and running feet amidst the cackling of chickens and barking of dogs.

"Woman, we're looking for a man. Did he come this way?"  

"What man? You noisy people, you have frightened my fowls. Get away with you!"  

The voices subsided. The footsteps took another direction and soon all was quiet. After what seemed an age, the woman of the house came in. "Come down now. The men have gone. What are you doing in this part of the world?"  

I told her my story; "I am a revolutionary, a follower of Dr Sun Yat Sen (Father of the Republic). I used to work under General Chiang Kai-shek. My pursuers are bandits. They are out to kill me. Will you help? I must get back to Hong Kong!"  

The woman listened attentively. Did she believe my words? I wondered. All the time I prayed a silent prayer: God of my fathers, save me from violent men!

"Wait here!"  She walked out of the house and disappeared down the lane. After a long time, perhaps half-an-hour, she returned.

"You must wait till it is night."  She then went out and fed her brood of fowls.

Soon after nightfall, two men appeared at the door as it were out of nowhere. Said the leader, "I will take you to the ferry terminal. Follow three paces behind me. You must not be seen walking by my side. Watch my heels: they are marked with white paint. You will be able to spot them in the dark. I will walk very fast. Can you follow? You must walk between us!"  

Having been a footballer, I assured my guide: "You press on, I'll be right behind you."  

A hearty meal washed down with hot tea was the send-off by my woman saviour.

From then the men took over. "Here's a sam-fu suit. You must not wear your city clothes. Quickly change, and here's a farmer's straw hat. You will look like one of us."  

"Goodbye, Ma'am. How can I thank you?"  

Then we started off, one guide three steps in front, and one three steps behind at a brisk clip. As we walked we passed other travelers on the road. At the city gate we went through two sentry check points. My farmer's garb with straw hat made for a smooth passage. The men did not take a second look at me.

Nevertheless my heart was madly pounding away inside me. It almost stopped when the sentry post appeared, but we went through without a hitch. Thank God!

The lead man knew the roads like the palm of his hand, weaving in and out of the busy city traffic, through main streets and sidelanes. We just kept walking, never speaking a word. It must have taken close to three hours when we finally arrived at Guangzhou harbour's Hong Kong ferry terminal.

"Your fare is paid. This boat will take you to Hong Kong. Goodbye and good luck!"  

My guides faded into the night, leaving me alone with God and a hundred other passengers. Ahead-Hong Kong, and a new lease of life, spared from certain death.

As the ferry boat pulled away, heading eastward, I heaved a sigh of relief and whispered a prayer to the Almighty: "Thank you, Lord for so great a salvation!"  

Mother's vigil in Hong Kong

The day after Father's capture, Mother received a message: "Your husband is in our custody. Tonight he will be shot!"  

Mother was stunned. How can this be? "Surely God will hear my prayer. He will never forsake me! My husband has done no wrong: he is innocent. Lord most merciful, please save him."  

On her knees she poured out her tears before the Lord. "Look at these three children, Lord! Siew Ai, Siang Hui, Siang Yew. Surely you can save their Father from bloody men."  

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jas 5:16 ). Mother prayed without ceasing. All the while that she was on her knees, Father was on the move, fleeing from his captors, running to the farmhouse prepared by God to be a refuge from his pursuers.

Imagine the unspeakable emotional release the next morning when Father's knock came at the door: "I'm home! Thank God!"  What a tearful reunion when he walked into the house-a free man, reunited with wife and children. On the knees, the family poured out their ardent prayer of thanks:

"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. ”

“But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. ”

"Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:"  

"For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God."  (Psalm 34:4 , 66:19 , 106:44 , Psalm 118:21 )

Through all the drama, Peter moved as in a dream. "And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod …" (Acts 12:11 ). Thank God, he is our God.

In Father's case, God had prepared three total strangers to perfect His salvation beyond all human comprehension. Dare I say, "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent angels to save Father out of the hands of his captors?"  

Angels or humans-what does it matter? We only know that our God "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think …" (Eph 3:20 ).

Through all this, Father taught us one great lesson: "Never to say die,"  but to trust in the Lord.

If there ever was a "charmed life" (as the world says) it was Father's. Of course I do not believe in any sort of charm, but only the special care and keeping of our Almighty God. This lovingkindness of God is summed up by the Psalmist in Psalm 91  :

"I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust … For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways … He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."  

In 1926, two years after the Great Deliverance, our family set sail for Nanyang. Father lived fifty-three more years until 1979 when the Lord called him at ninety-two, well blessed of God and full of years.