Diana Cheng

Diana was born in Indonesia to Chinese parents in 1932. She was a quiet character, but easily acquainted with friends. Our mother loved to play piano and was so pleased to know that Diana loved it, too. Diana loved to sing—she had a high voice—so we sang duet sometimes. When we were in Taiwan, we gathered two cousins to form a "四姊妹四重唱". We became a celebrated "four sisters quartet" on the island. By doing so, we also encouraged many young people to give their talents towards serving God. My motto: Do whatever God has put in my hand - and do whenever I still can. When the Second World War broke out, the Allied Nations put all the German, Italian, Korean and Japanese overseas residents of Indonesia in a concentration camp in order to protect us. Our father was Taiwanese, and Taiwan was occupied by Japan at that time, so we, too, went aboard a small ship and were deported to Australia. We lost everything except what we had on our bodies that day. In 1946, a year after the war ended, the Allied Nations sent us back according to our nationality, but not to where we were captured. Being Taiwanese, we were sent to Taiwan. Taiwan was a new environment for our family. Where could we stay and what could we eat without money! Our father found out that our uncle was a pastor of a Presbyterian church in central Taiwan, and by the courtesy of the elders, they let us stay in the church compound. Since we lived in the church compound, we'd better go to church every Sunday. We had a hard life for several years, but thank God that whatever situation, good or bad, He will open and lead the way. —Matthew 6:25-34. Speaking English in the years after the Second World War in Taiwan was considered a great honor. Diana was able to find a high-paying job for the family. So that I may take the road of Matthew 6:33-34 —Jesus said, "but seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” After many years she went to Korea to join the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization when she was asked to. Later on, she took a trip halfway across the world to the United States, where she retired from the PAHO/WHO organization. I thank God for leading her to know this church and for giving her a good opportunity to use God's given gift to serve as a pianist. Lastly, I am glad that she found the right church to worship God and had many good friends surrounding her and taking care of her. Especially while she had health problems, the congregation gave her love, visited her, and helped her with whatever she needed. As I am handicapped, and find it difficult to move around, I was not able to come to see her Here on Earth, but I am sure I will meet her up There. I would like to thank God and to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the love, concerns, cares, and prayers you have given her. May God bless you all and grant great big rewards for all you have done. Amen. Alice Pao.