A lifetime is not too long to live as friends on earth.
A friend is a friend forever if the Lord is the Lord of them.
It means a lot to me, a sojourner in this country when Ann called me “friend”, just as Jesus accepts who I am and calls me “friend”.
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Ann was a fighter of life and kept doing good to others while battling with the brain tumor for years.
Her spirit inspires me to be brave for ignoring the temporary trials.
Therefore, besides Jesus, I know I will look eagerly for Ann in heaven.
Ann gave me two small rocks of cross, written “Courage” and “Believe” respectively.
I seem to hear she is speaking to me: Do not be afraid. Just believe.
Ann often prayed for me to write without fear.
The first time I met Ann was in 2017 BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class.
Her paper folder with Korean characters drew my eyes.
I curiously talked with Ann after her very first BSF class.
She told me that she had been to Japan and Korea with her husband to work overseas.
Leah, our class leader, said she felt this group was hand picked by God.
I am convinced that God indeed hand picked this group for me to meet Ann and Lori.
We three have been praying for one another and went through many storms of life together.
The first fellowship for our BSF class was in Ann’s sister’s house.
I asked Ann how she felt with God recently after the class prayed for her health.
Ann softly said it was very good, smiling with tears in her big beautiful eyes.
I thanked God for drawing her close to Him as He guided me to pray for restoring her relationship with Jesus Christ foremost.
Ann reached out to me for coffee a few times in Dogwood coffee shop in St. Paul on her way to teach kids ballet dancing, even in a snowy winter.
I shared with Ann whatever God taught me from the sermons I heard at that time.
Ann was always patient and humble to listen and told me it was helpful for her spiritual growth.
“God, will you heal Ann?” I asked in my prayer after knowing Ann for many months.
“Do not be afraid. Just believe.” I heard in my heart.
We were happy to know that Ann’s condition was good to go to Vietnam in 2018 to meet with her husband at work.
Ann said she felt peace that God healed her for going to Vietnam, where she cared for the orphans as her own children.
During one short visit back to Minnesota, Ann, Lori and I sat at the coffee table in the Centennial Lake Park.
The lightning struck above the nearby lake while we prayed and worshiped God without feeling intimidated by the explosion of thunder.
The summer storm whipped strong wind and poured down heavy rain.
And three of us were empowered by God’s promises as victorious warriors.
The night before she went back to Abba Father’s house, the gratitude overwhelmed me to know that only God can give me such love to love a friend like Ann.
I thank God for connecting me with Ann, whom I came across with only for three years.
However, I have been blessed with the sweet gift of her kindness since the first day we met.
Therefore, I will live a life having Ann in my heart until I see her again.
Before I tried to write down this article, the devil frustrated me to give up. At that time, God reminded Lori to call me and she encouraged me not to fear of being rejected. So, I proclaim that God has accepted me as His child and the evil hindrance was gone like a puff. I got to write down at once from my heart. Praise God!