2020-10-09-Pastor Ko’s Update

October 9, 2020

He Is the God Who Makes No Mistakes, the Lord Who Leads Us.

Last Friday, while I was getting IV drip in the hospital, the nurse told me that I had a low fever and I needed to monitor my temperature more frequently. My temperature went up a little more on Saturday, but thank the Lord, other than feeling a little cold, I was okay. Mrs. Ko turned on the heater, I put on more clothes, and the rest of the day went well. On Sunday morning my temperature went up a little more even though I was still feeling well, and thank the Lord, the fever didn’t affect the evening’s online Bible study and prayer meeting. Before going to bed my temperature went up to 100°F, and we called the hospital, the doctor said to measure it an hour later, if it reached 100.4°F, just wait another hour to measure, if the temperature was still over 100°F, then go to the ER. Right then I prayed to the Lord for His healing. Thank the Lord, temperature came down enough that I didn’t need to go to ER. Monday night I still had low fever of 99.5°F. Tuesday morning we didn’t have time to take my temperature before going to the hospital for chemotherapy. As I sat there waiting for the doctor, I was a little worried that if I had a fever, the doctor may not order the chemotherapy today, then I have to wait for two more weeks to get this last round of chemotherapy, and it will cause delay on my plan. Because if everything goes according to plan, I will have the surgery in mid-November and then after more than a month’s rest, it will be possible for me to attend the Winter Conference at the end of December. This year is the 40th anniversary and thanksgiving meeting of the Christian Witness Center. I wholeheartedly look forward to attending! I prayed to the Lord that I didn’t have a fever so that the plan wouldn’t be affected. Thanks to the Lord! The nurse took my temperature and said that it was normal and I could undergo chemotherapy. Thanks to the Lord! He is the God who makes no mistakes, and those who trust in Him will be given His help and guidance.

For the first 2 to 3 hours, chemotherapy went as smoothly as previously; but something unexpected happened when I started the third pack of chemo drugs. I noticed a lot of red rash on the back of my hands, and later my hands turned red. Then my feet got the red rash also.

My stomach started feeling uncomfortable, and I was having a hard time breathing, I immediately informed the nurse, quickly five or six of them from different directions rushed in and gave me different medication through the IV. They also put an oxygen tube to my nose, and my body gradually stabilized. The doctor came and said the difficulties probably were caused by reaction to the third chemo drug, and he decided to stop it and go for the fourth pack of drugs. I was concerned if my body would have reaction against this fourth package of drugs. But thanks to the Lord! No more bad reaction! My breathing returned to normal and all the rashes disappeared, everything returned to normal, and I went home. Once again God has protected me. Disaster sometimes came suddenly in our lives, but the Lord’s gracious hands surround us always save His children. Yes! It’s so good to be children of God! Our Heavenly Father is our help and guidance all the time.

There is a big brass bell hung on the wall next to the exit door at the chemotherapy office. As a tradition, the nurses will line up at the door to bid good wishes to the patients when they complete the treatment. As I stepped out of the door, the nurses formed a line, applauded, and cheered as I rang the bell! This was a very moving image: the team of nurses who just rescued me, now sending me off! I truly thank them!

There are more to give thanks to the Lord: In the past four months, eight rounds of chemotherapy, it was His gracious hands that helped me through. In many sudden crises, He always looked after this unworthy little child, holding me with His powerful arms, so that I could go through the course almost without pain, without stomach trouble, without headache, without injection or pain from drawing blood, and without losing appetite. Instead, I have gone through it in the glory of the Lord that shone upon me. In a human perspective, these four months would have been a horrific eight rounds of chemotherapy, but I have only seen and experienced God’s grace in the process. Someone asked me, “You always shared the good things in your letter posted online; since we are good friends, can you tell me in private how you really feel in your heart, is it really so good?” No suffering?” He thought I am a good-news man, only give good news not the bad ones, and I replied, “Yes!” What I wrote in my letter is a real feeling in my heart. I did not intend to only write good things and hide suffering. It is truly God’s grace and love that is so rich upon me.”

After going through this period with great and abundant grace from the Lord, I know I would be trusting the Lord even more in fervent faith to face the mid-November surgery which is a greater challenge. As David said: “I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:5-7). And I would hold tight to the merciful hands of the Lord and walk on the paths that He leads me. As King Solomon said, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)