Uncle Song
Uncle Song tells everybody about the light that saved his life. It came to him in the prison hospice a few hours after the caning. At first, he thought he had died from the pain but the room was too bright. “It was the light of hope,” Uncle Song says. “But you may wonder—how could a sinner feel hopeful?” This used to be Simon’s favorite part but now he can’t bear to listen to it. It reminds him too much of his last visit from Uncle Song and how little he has seen of him since.
After Grandfather told Uncle Song to move out, he still made weekly visits to Simon and Ma. The visits were timed to coincide with Grandfather’s evening tai-chi classes at the park so they never ran into each other. Together, the three of them chatted and ate sticky cakes and it seemed that things were normal again. It only became tense when Uncle Song began to talk about his reformation, and about Christ. Ma would try to switch subjects but once Uncle Song got started on Christ, he could not stop. “I was saved by his goodness,” he said. “In prison, I kept asking myself why? Why was this happening to me? I didn’t think I had done anything wrong. But when that light came, I just knew that God had a greater purpose for me. I had to suffer for my sins but now as His Messenger, I can prevent others from making my mistakes.”
The first few times Uncle Song launched into one of his speeches, Ma excused herself and came back with iced drinks for everyone. And then one day, as that dreamy look took over his face and he began to talk about the light, Ma stayed right where she was and Simon knew things were about to change.
“I’m telling you, it was the most powerful thing. I thought my life was over and really, it had just begun,” Uncle Song said.
“What happened?” Simon asked just to hear the story again.
“I was in the prison hospice crying for painkillers. My skin was ripped—I was certain I would never walk again. The thought of standing up tortured me. Death would be better than facing the world now, I told myself. And then, as I seriously considered ending my life, the prison pastor walked and handed me a Bible. I opened it and began reading to take my mind off the pain and the humiliation.” Uncle Song closed his eyes and recited a verse. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.’ There was a magnificent light in the room then. It was warm and safe. I had never felt so good.”
“Is that the verse the Pastor read to you?” Ma asked.
“He didn’t say anything at the time. He just handed it to me and left. A few days later he returned and selected some verses for me to read, yes.”
“How convenient,” Ma said. She laughed a bit but Simon didn’t see the joke.
“What do you mean?” Uncle Song asked.
“The prison pastor just happened to be there after your caning. And you felt relieved the moment you read the Bible.”
“I wasn’t convinced right away, if that’s what you’re trying to say. Of course I had questions. I didn’t suddenly become a Christian, or believe that everything had been erased because I knew about God. But suddenly possibilities opened up. So I met with the prison pastor the next day, and I had a conversation with him. It was the beginning of many conversations, which led to my decision to accept Christ.”
Ma looked very irritated. She stood up and began pacing the living room. “That pastor had no right to come to you with a Bible. He got you when you were vulnerable. That’s what all of these religious people do—you think I didn’t get my share of that when I was pregnant out of wedlock?”
Both of them seemed to forget that Simon was in the room. Uncle Song shook his head. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Of course it was. It was the same thing. You were in pain. You were feeling helpless. You hadn’t done anything wrong but you were punished anyway. The pastor just came along and exploited your helplessness. Instead of painkillers or justice, he brought you God. You were looking for relief. This was just the first thing to come along.”