During the Dragon Boat Festival holidays I was back to my hometown where most of my relatives live. My uncle and aunt are still working on the farm. They know nothing about political manipulation, economic slowdown, or educational reform. They are illiterate. They go to the field as the sun rises and return home as it goes down. Many years ago when I shared the good news of Jesus Christ with them, they gladly accepted Jesus as their Savior. Now They talk (or pray) to God almost every morning even though they don’t have a chance to worship God at the church.

Each time when I returned I would pray for them and try to strengthen their faith by sharing the word of God. This time my uncle said to me that he could die at any moment because of heart failure. His eyes were moist and his words were soft because of languish and sadness. However, he didn’t complain to God about his illness. As I reassured him that God is our hope and Jesus has reserved a room for every one of us in the Father’s house, he responded, “Jesus is wonderful.” I could perceive that he was full of peace and joy in his heart.

Sooner or later you and I will die. It doesn’t really matter when we die or how we die. What matters to us is where we we go as we depart from this world. In Revelation 14:13 it says, “Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; they have rested from their labor.”

I am convinced that my uncle will ascend to eternity with Jesus and so am I.