My name is Hugh William Mark. I was born in Hong Kong, though my origin could be traced to Toi Shan, China. About 80 years ago, my father, Mak Shue Sung, who later changed his name to Ping Kei, came to Canada with the hopes of making a living for himself, as well as supporting his family in Hong Kong. However, our daily meals depended on the financial situation at the time.

In the Spring of 1951, I immigrated to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, with my father's help. It was then that I realized the pain of the harsh winter as I assisted in my father's restaurant business. However, racism was still common back then, especially in a city with a population of 5,500. Therefore, life wasn't easy and English was extremely essential to the well-being of our business. After I learned the basics of English, my father opened a new restaurant in a smaller town which consisted of approximately 200-300 people.

Since then, I struggled through life like a fish in the net. In 1956, I graduated from high school, and worked in a railway company for 6 months. As it was necessary to prepare for University, I moved to Ottawa to find a job that would enable me to save for my tuition fees.

In 1961, I studied civil engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. In my 3rd year I failed some of the courses because of my difficulty with the English language. By this time my savings were depleted and as there was no other way to finance my education, I had to put the dream of obtaining a degree on hold while I went back to work. Nevertheless, I received my Bachelor’s degree in 1970 with a proud and boastful heart (contrary to the teaching of the Bible that says we should be humble and considerate), for I had used every ounce of my energy, money and time to attain this achievement.

From 1975 to 1982, I worked for the Traffic Department in Vancouver. The following year, 1983, I returned to Ottawa and got a job with Environment Canada. After 10 years of working under a great deal of stress due to poor working relationship with my colleagues, I applied for disability which was approved. I then began to live an enjoyable and pleasurable life.

My son, Lun Howe, was born in 1985. Like most Chinese people, I came up with this name from two phrases that mark the generation of families in my home town, which states "High morality (Lun Howe) will be blessed; Peace will generate Harmony." I am in the "Lun" generation, while my son is in the Howe generation, hence the name, Lun Howe.

My disability insurance expired in 1995. I was in a dilemma as to whether I should return to my work with the government. I found that working 20 years as an engineer was inadequate compared to the high price I paid to earn my Bachelor’s degree. My efforts would have been in vain, and I would most likely regret quitting my job. But there was another factor that gave me cause for hesitation with respect to my job. Lun Howe was ten years old by then. While I was on disability I had been picking him up from school every day. We would then go to Yuk Chuen Restaurant to order his favourite fried chicken or fries. (I had been driving him to school every day since he was only three and a half years old.) For more than a year, I struggled over whether I should put my son or my job first. I finally concluded that my son was my highest priority, and so I retired in 1996. I never regretted my decision. Money and wealth are nowhere near as important as family relationships.

In 2000, I was diagnosed with throat cancer. It hurt me physically and mentally throughout the year. I received chemotherapy in November and December, followed by two months of radiation treatment which started in January 2001. I suffered intense pain from all these treatments. This prevented me from driving, so I asked and received help from my neighbours to drive me to the hospital for treatments. Joe Chan was one of the volunteers, who took care of me regularly. One day (some may call it coincidence) Chung Hing, another neighbour whom I had known for about 17 years but with whom I did not share intimate thoughts and friendship, came during one of Joe's visits. It wasn't long before we all got to know each other better and became the best of friends.

After Joe and his wife were well acquainted with Chung Hing, they were invited to attend the Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church (OCAC). All three of them were soon baptized, and came to preach to me. Under their influence, I too believed in Christ. I began to learn how to pray in March, and also had countless brothers and sisters (children of God) visiting and helping me out. Furthermore, I received a long-distance call from Pastor Lai in Vancouver, and Joe and Chung Hing continued to share the gospel with me, as my faith in Christ still wavered.

I received numerous invitations from various members of OCAC to attend the Church. Finally, on September 21, 2001 under the persuasion and assistance of my wife, I went to visit the Chinese Alliance Church. (Some of my brothers and sisters didn't understand at first, but because of my current physical condition, I could not endure sitting for more than one or two minutes at the pew.) While standing in front of the cross, I took the opportunity to pray for help and salvation from God. While I prayed, my tears poured out uncontrollably like a waterfall.

After my prayer, Rev. Wong offered to baptize me at my house, and I was in awe at God's miracle. Originally, my family as well as the families of Joe and Chung Hing were going to have a pot luck supper that very night. It was decided that it would be best if the supper was postponed to September 29 due to a visit from my sister, and that the baptism and the pot luck could become one event on the same day, with the permission of Rev. Wong.

September 29 arrived, all was good. By 1:00 p.m., about 30 people came to my house for my baptism. Chung Hing was in charge of taping this joyful event on video, and Rev. Wong baptized me in the name of God. This gathering could only have happened under God's provision and his many miracles, which followed one after another.

In the days prior to my baptism, we found out that the cancer had spread to my liver as well, and my life would reach its end in approximately two to three months. My wife and my son wept and were extremely sad to hear of this news. As for me I was surprisingly calm, as the power of God stirred within my heart.

In a way, I compare myself to the famous cherries grown in British Columbia, Canada. They are sour before they ripen, but with the proper nutrients and time to mature, they become extremely sweet. I, in a similar way, was the tree that received an adequate amount of water from Joe Chan, Albert Kong, Chung Hing, and other brothers and sisters, and sunlight from Rev. Wong, and Robin Lau. In addition, the timing was just right. I blossomed and matured like the cherries. I accepted Christ as my Saviour, became a Christian, and my heart was freed from burden, and my mind from trouble. Peace and joy fell upon the remainder of my time.

Thank you Lord! Thanks to every brother and sister for their firm and consistent support. In Jesus' name, Amen.