Big uncle

This Sunday morning, before going to church, I stopped by the nursing home where my big uncle was lying because I don't know when he will die, whether today to tomorrow or so on.  Upon arrival, I went into the room and found my big uncle's youngest daughter, my cousin, sitting alone in a chair.  I was thankful to see my cousin who was at her father's side until the night because she wanted to protect her father so much.  I was very worried about her, but it seemed that she is doing okay.  With her consideration, I went next to my big uncle and saw that he was unable to breathe even though he was wearing an oxygen respirator.  So I put my hands on his chest and prayed to God in my heart.  Then, like last Sunday, after finishing the Sunday church ministry, I thought that I should look for my big uncle again.  When I arrived at the church, I heard the news through my family's KakaoTalk room that my big uncle's blood pressure was very low.  So I asked my church elder who is a doctor.  He who regards my big uncle as his own uncle said that today is likely to be a turning point for my big uncle.  So, even during the English Ministry worship service in the afternoon, I put my phone in my pocket just in case and checked the messages on the family KakaoTalk room from time to time before the worship service.  After the service, my church elder who had already visited the nursing home at lunch time said that my big uncle was about to die.  So I went straight to the nursing home with my Bible in hand.  Many family members and relatives all gathered to worship.  So, the elder and I worshiped God together with them.  Then, my small uncle, who was leading the worship service, said that since the senior pastor of Victory Presbyterian Church had come, he wanted me to continue leading the worship service after his sermon.  So I obeyed.  I held my big uncle's left hand and prayed vigorously to God.  Then I prayed the Lord's Prayer.  As soon as I finished the Lord’s Prayer, my cousin (my big uncle’s first daughter) said that his father was not breathing.  So I went to the nurse and asked her to check my big uncle’s heart with a stethoscope.  She hurried to find the stethoscope, checked my big uncle’s heart and eyes, and told us that he had died.  Like this my big uncle has left us.  My big aunt said that the funeral procedure was entrusted to me, the senior pastor of Victory Presbyterian Church, in his will.  My third uncle, Pastor Andrew Kim, asked me to lead the viewing service before he died and even gave me the text of the sermon.  And now, even my big uncle too … Haha.

The funeral home came to collect the body of my big uncle.  I moved closer to my big uncle once again, who had fallen asleep peacefully, and touched his forehead, his cheek, and his hand.  They got cold.  His hands were very white.  I said in my heart: Big uncle...'

[August 15, 2015, Sunday]