March 13, 2020
Dear Doris, Ben and Timothy,
How we pray that our Lord would deeply comfort you in a way that our words simply cannot!
Words failing me, I would like to just relate to you some of my remembrances of my dear brother, who became to me, even beyond his own awareness, a spiritual father to me.
His absoluteness in His love for our Lord and His recovery:
As I think of Paul, I recall Brother Lee’s words to a certain person of renown on a certain occasion. He rolled up his sleeve, laid bare his arm, and pointing to one of the large veins of his forearm said, “every drop of my blood is for Christ and the church.” This reminds me of a story that was related to me by one of the brothers in Taipei. He told me that Paul always excelled academically. As a teacher of physics, he would lecture his students, then, during the thirty minutes in which the students were to do their assignments, he would ride his bicycle to the meeting hall to serve, then returning in time to dismiss the class. Even in his youth, his abiding concern and unceasing labor was for the Lord’s interests in the church.
His tireless and sacrificial service to us all:
I first met Brother Wu at the Winter Training of 1982, the first training to be held at the newly constructed ministry facility in Irving, Texas. As one of the physician brothers seeking to be available to brother Lee and the serving ones, I would often come to the Living Stream office at very irregular hours. I vividly recall that whenever I would come, I found brother Wu there, fellowshipping with Benson or Ray, or caring for the serving ones. From then on, at every semiannual training, I would note once again his tireless support for all of the Living Stream office serving ones. His sacrificial service to our Lord became an unforgettable pattern to us all.
The patten of his intimate concern and service to Brother Lee:
When I had the privilege to come to Taipei in 1987 as a short-term FTTT trainee I once again noted Brother Wu’s particular and focused care for Brother Lee. Years later when I discovered lost photographs that I had taken during that time, I was delighted to find photos that I had taken of Brother Lee, one after a meeting, and another enroute to the airport. There, in the background, serving, caring for him, was Brother Paul.
Then, during the time of Brother Lee’s final illness, I was privileged to personally observe the richness of the personal care and shepherding rendered to him by the brothers from Taiwan, but in particular, from Brother Wu.
His tireless and vigorous ministry in the shepherding of the churches:
On one occasion I was with Brother Wu as he visited new localities in Holland and other countries of Western Europe. He travelled tirelessly for weeks. I noted that he did not carry any kind of suitcase with him. When I asked about this, I found that he had learned to face the uncertainties of travel by becoming so efficient that he could complete the multi-week trip with only the contents of his briefcase.
His sweet fellowship with the Lord during times of serious illness:
Brother Wu’s tireless service clearly issued forth from the wellspring of his moment-by-moment care for and enjoyment of the Lord. During a visit to the USA for a training (ITERO) Brother Wu became quite ill and was hospitalized. The situation was a complicated one, and his physician decided that he needed to remain in the hospital overnight. I visited him there, and along with brother Abraham, wanted to remain there with him through the night in case he had difficulties, or in case any treatment questions arose. Initially, he asked that we not do so, thinking that to stay in the hospital overnight would be uncomfortable for us. However, we were allowed to do so, and it became a real treasure to us. We witnessed, amid his suffering, a man of prayer, whose words, inquiries and concern were solely for the Lord, for his family and for the saints. We were unforgettably counselled and inspired by this experience.
Yet later, in December, 2018 Brother Wu had miraculously survived an extended interruption in his heart function while on a long airline flight in the United States. A few weeks later, while slowly recuperating, I was blessed to visit him with Benson, Albert and Abraham. As we spoke, Brother Wu, realizing that his survival with full cardiac and neurologic function could only have been through the Lord’s gracious provision, wept with us in gratitude to the Lord for His merciful lovingkindness. We wept with him, realizing the mutual, intimate feeling and care between him and his precious Lord.
His leadership among the coworkers in the Lord’s recovery:
Only our dear Lord knows what benefit has been rendered to the Lord’s move on the earth through Brother Wu’s leadership, wisdom and shepherding among the other coworkers serving the Lord’s recovery. Over the past more than twenty years I have been privileged to witness the indescribable value of his leadership, encouragement, and timely and enlightening words guidance.
All of these instances have left me with a deep impression of the preciousness of the God-man that our brother had progressively become in his life of service to his Lord. I am so grateful to have such a spiritual father, whose help through example I will treasure for eternity.
I am with you in heartfelt remorse at our brother’s departure, but with resounding thanksgiving for the Lord’s manifestation of Himself through our brother’s life and service.
Your appreciative brother,
Rick
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