On December 9, 2013, she unexpectedly left us – her husband, her children, her aging parents, and a shocked and grieving congregation who loved her. Some of us were just getting to know her. Others were being mentored by her. She filled our sanctuary with music, and our hearts with the warmth of her smile. She exuded compassion, grace, and a selfless heart of service. She was everywhere, and then she was nowhere; though we all were comforted knowing she was Somewhere.

She was Linda Chan, the wife of our senior pastor.

God seemed to have filled her life with more than what most of us could handle. One of her last ministries was to gather women together in a room at 8:45 a.m. Sunday mornings to talk about issues relevant to their lives. I was invited to sit on one of the panels. I can’t recall exactly the topic covered by the panel, but what I did observe was a woman who said “yes” to God in ministering to the women of CGBC.

Meet another Linda. She is the wife of our deacon George Yee.

The two Lindas, along with a few other women, worked to help make the women’s Sunday class possible. Since December 9, 2013, God had been nudging Linda Yee to do something about this ministry that seemed to have ended just as abruptly as the life of Linda Chan. Yet despite the nudging, she has not sensed clearly God’s call for her to head up the women’s Sunday class that Linda Chan has left behind.

So she called a few of us together to pray, along with the help of our fellowship pastor’s wife, Joyce Lim. And this is our prayer: that God would show us clearly what the needs are for the women of CGBC, and how this Sunday morning hour would be instrumental in meeting some of those needs. I have often thought about God’s method of working in His people. When God has a plan, He goes to work by calling His people, who in turn answer His call, with God providing helpers to come alongside to complete the task. God’s plan will succeed even if we fail. It’s a Moses moment.

Is God’s arm too short? Does He not answer prayers? Does God not yearn to show us His plans for the women of CG? Would you pray with us for God to make a way if this vision of resurrecting the Sunday hour for the women is indeed within His plans? Would you also in your prayers ask God if He might be calling you to be a part of this vision – reminding you that He has gifted you for such a time as this – or task, if you will?

As for the men – if you are indeed reading this – what vision has God placed on your hearts for the men of CGBC?