In Memory of My Father-in-law

Original in Chinese, translated by ChatGPT

#Heaven #Coma #Baptism #Serve #Grace #God

Author: Michael Wan

Michael Wan is a pastor at House of Joy Christian Church and a father of four children. He loves taking annual family trips and praising the Lord for all His creations.

My father-in-law, Zhao Tianfu, peacefully laid down his earthly burdens and left us forever at 9:23 a.m. on July 28, 2025, while I was reading Psalm 23 to him. The tears we shed by his bedside were not cries of hopeless sorrow, but an expression of love and deep reluctance to part.

More than two months earlier, Father-in-law had suddenly fallen and injured his back. Though he had been resting at home, his body remained frail. On Saturday morning, July 26, he felt weak and had no appetite. That evening, after eating a bowl of noodle soup, he still felt exhausted. We called an ambulance to take him to the hospital for examination. The doctor found that his vital signs were very poor.

The next morning, Sunday, he seemed to regain some energy. Lying in the hospital bed, he said to my mother-in-law, “America is such a wonderful place. This hospital is amazing, and the doctors and nurses are all so kind.” At that time, I was about to preach at church when my wife sent a message: “Dad is doing better—it’s not that serious. Don’t worry, go ahead and preach.” But after the Sunday service, another message came: “Dad’s condition has worsened. The doctor says it’s very serious and not looking good.”

When I rushed to the hospital, they were preparing to perform a minor gallbladder surgery as a last attempt to help him. Two hours later, the doctor told us they could do nothing more. His blood pressure had dropped to 75/40, and his organs were failing. His body was no longer responding to any medication.

It was hard to accept that he was about to leave us so suddenly. We spoke to him through tears, prayed, sang hymns, and comforted him: “Don’t be afraid. The Lord Jesus is coming soon to take you to Heaven to rest.” He could only respond by moving his hand, and I could feel his deep reluctance to go.

The first time I met my father-in-law, I was about fifteen or sixteen. He had invited his daughter’s middle-school classmates to dinner. To me, he seemed a successful, confident, and generous man—a father who left a deep impression.

After my wife and I began dating in college, I often went to her home for meals. He would always cook my favorite dishes. I could feel his affection and appreciation for me. From his initial warm hospitality, a deep father–son bond gradually grew between us.

In 2002, I came alone to the United States to seek opportunities for the family. Although it pained him that his daughter would be separated from her husband, out of love and understanding, he still supported me. During the next three to four difficult years, he became the strongest support for his daughter and grandson. He cared for his grandson with great devotion and helped my wife through her hardest days until 2005, when she and our son Zack finally joined me in America.

My father-in-law once had an extraordinary experience. In 2012, he fell critically ill and was in a coma for three days. The doctor issued three critical notices, believing he would not survive. Yet, miraculously, he woke up after three days.

He told his family that he had gone to a place with vast green meadows, a church with a steeple, a bakery, and a horseshoe shop. On the grass were men and women singing and dancing. In the distance, he saw someone being tied up and whipped. He lingered there, feeling peaceful and comfortable.

When he shared this with me over the phone, my first thought was that he had seen Paradise, the beautiful resting place where Christians go after leaving this world. Those in Paradise are at peace, though it is still not their final home—Heaven.

For a year or two after leaving the hospital, his health remained fragile. His dream was to visit America. In 2015, we helped my parents-in-law immigrate to the U.S. I remember that when they first arrived, he kept saying, “This place is like heaven! I feel as if I’m dreaming.”

That Christmas, in 2015, my father-in-law was baptized. Pastor Zhang Bolì, who baptized him, later recalled that his faith was exceptionally strong. The pastor said he was one of the most steadfast and devoted followers of Christ he had ever seen.

After becoming a Christian, my father-in-law was filled with zeal to serve the Lord, deeply grateful for God’s grace in his life. He often said that every day he lived was a bonus, so he served without complaint. He was remarkably capable with his hands—organized, resourceful, and always knew where everything was, both at home and at church. Later, when my mother-in-law developed memory loss, he lovingly cared for her so that my wife and I could serve without worry. Now that he has left us, we truly realize how much pressure he bore in caring for her all these years.

He also experienced God’s special grace after coming to faith. He once received an exceptional medicine, personally approved by the Governor of California, which miraculously healed his illness. For the next ten years, he enjoyed excellent health and vitality, savoring a beautiful old age in America, surrounded by family joy. He witnessed the growth and blessings in our careers, family, and ministry.

My wife often says that her father’s love for her was tender and meticulous. He never scolded her or quarreled with her. She vividly remembers his love. When she was a little girl, her father went on a business trip to Shanghai and bought her a red suit—bell-bottom pants included! When she wore it to school, the teacher said she was dressed strangely, as no one in Tieling had ever seen such clothing before.

Everyone in her family says that Father was the best man in the world, the pillar of the family. He was also the anchor of my wife’s life. No matter what storms came, he always told her, “Don’t worry—Daddy’s here.” When my wife and I quarreled in our younger days, he would tell her privately, “Don’t be afraid, my daughter. If things really don’t work out, your parents’ home will always be your safe harbor.”

My father-in-law was also our firmest supporter in serving God. From the time we led small groups and fellowships, through my years in seminary, to planting a church, he was always by our side—encouraging us, never daunted by hard work or heavy tasks. Whenever challenges arose, he would say, “It’s okay—you can do it.” He often said, “This is truly an opportunity from God! You’re doing wonderfully. We must thank the Lord!”

Recently, he asked about our new church plant in Irvine, saying that once he got stronger, he definitely wanted to visit. He was my mentor and dear friend. I have deeply cherished these ten years of living together under one roof—three generations in one home—surrounded by the warmth of his presence.