Chau-Dung Adam Chang

In 1962, 爸爸 was born in a small town called Dashi in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He spent the first 20 so years of his life in Taiwan with his dad, mom, sister, and brother. 爸爸 studied Chemistry in Tamsui University. In 1988, he came to America to pursue his phD in the University of Missouri. He came to know and receive Christ in 1989. He received his phD in Chemistry and later moved to Boston to work for Genzyme in 1993. At the end of 1993, he married Mama and had me and Timothy in 1996 and 1998 respectively. In 2000, we moved to San Diego when 爸爸received a job from Pfizer. 爸爸 was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006 and he later moved to Hawaii to work. In 2008, he moved back to San Diego and, shortly after, he started to attend Gordon Conwell Seminary in 2009. 爸爸 got a certificate in Missions in 2011. In the same year, he started attending Westminster Seminary School of Biblical Study.

Dear爸爸(Baba),

How do I even begin. You are the father I never deserved. 爸爸, you are such a wonderful wonderful father, husband, son, brother, and friend. As to a few poignant memories to embody your character, I cannot find just one. There are just too many good memories we’ve all had with you. You have such a positive character. I for one cannot remember a time where you lost your temper.

It is hard for me to remember the days when you were cancer free. I do remember times when we had super long road trips (including to Florida’s Walt Disney World) and when you would carry me and Timothy at the same time. You’ve bravely battled cancer for 9 years. And yet, everyday I would see a smile on your face; you’d encourage me and many others to be strong in the Lord. Even to the very end, you never gave up hope nor turned away from God; you kept on fighting. You found your strength, comfort, and peace in the Lord. 爸爸, your love for God was boundless; it even surpassed your love of food and talking.

Though 爸爸 never reached his goal of becoming a pastor, I know he touched just as many lives through his testimony. He was a true Man of God. He studied Your Word until he could study no longer.

I know there is a purpose in everything God does. Some people are healed and some aren’t. But no matter, many people have come to know Jesus through your life story, and hopefully even more will come to know Him after you have passed.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, I will try to be a better daughter and sister. I know I can be jealous, greedy, and stubborn (and will probably continue to be so), but hopefully on a lesser scale. Do not worry about us, for God will take care of us, as well as the many brothers and sisters sitting before us today.

I know it is the quality of the life lived, not the quantity, that matters. For Jesus came to the Earth and lived about 32 years before returning to the Father.

爸爸, I bet you’re having an amazing time in heaven right now. March 16, 2015 is the beginning of another story. I can just picture you talking to anyone and everyone up there. Now since there is no sleep, you can talk as long as you want. I hope it isn’t a one-way conversation with Jesus. I know you are safely with God, your birth father, and many other brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so glad you are freed from all suffering and pain. You have endured much, but never complained. I still can’t believe that in the hospital when the nurse asked you your pain level, you never reached above 5.

I am comforted by something my Auntie, 爸爸’s sister, shared with our family Tuesday night. She said that her daughter Patience, saw 爸爸 dressed in glowing yellow when she was crying. Patience also felt 爸爸’s hand on her shoulder comforting her. I know right now if you could, you’d embrace each and everyone of us. I am thankful that I was able to be by your side until the Lord received you peacefully into His arms.

It seems so limited to summarize your life events in words and pictures, for there are too many great memories that will live on with the various people here. We have all been blessed by your presence and know that you will be there to welcome us at the Gate of Heaven. I know you are listening right now and I just wanted to say we all love you and miss you. 我們愛你 (Wo men ai ni) 。

See you later,

Amy

Arrangements under the direction of El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley, San Diego, CA.