Interview with Mark and Eden Up Close and Personal with Rev. Ho
美佳之窗 His Window 84（ Oct - Dec 2018）心灵工程
Text by Joshua
How would you describe Rev Ho as a father/father in law?
Eden:
He gives 200% to the things that he is passionate about, his ministry, his family, and his gadgets!
He is a very detailed and patient person.
I remembered when I first mentioned the possibility of me dating a British guy, my dad, who never Skype me for longer than 15 minutes, sat in front of the computer and had a 2 hour Skype session with me explaining the pros and cons of having a cross-cultured relationship. Obviously trying his very best to convince me that it wasn’t a good idea.
Fast forward to now, 10 years later, with a beautiful grandson, his detailed and patience characteristics truly shine through as he would do anything to make our (Mark and I) days easier. I remembered back when Charlie was a newborn (about a month old), we were worried that he might get a slight fever after his first vaccinations, we were using a cheap thermometer that wasn’t the most convenient when we have a cranky, fussy baby. My dad who silently watches, came back the next day with a high tech, digital thermometer that can easily get the baby’s temperature by just putting it close to the forehead. Whenever my dad comes over to see baby Charlie, he would hold baby Charlie and walk him around our tiny apartment just to get him to sleep and will continue holding him and walking around the apartment to ensure baby Charlie is in deep sleep. Some may say that he’s spoiling the baby, but the love and patience that he has, to bring comfort to the baby is something that even me as a mother could not achieve. I guess a grand parent’s love is special in his own way.
Mark:
As a father-in-law, Rev Ho doesn’t necessarily show his affection through words, but through actions. Whether it is picking me up from the airport on my first visit to Malaysia, showing me the way to drive to my new workplace when I first moved here, giving me sound advice (usually on the best phone to buy) or selflessly giving up his time to look after Charlie and help out me and Eden, he is a father-in-law who does his speaking through acts of service.
How would you describe Rev Ho as your pastor?
Eden:
I grew up in an environment that my dad isn’t only my dad, but also my pastor, and my boss. But he’s the same in all three roles. What you see is what you get, whether he’s at home or doing ministry. As a pastor, I’ve seen him in his highs and lows, but one thing that never changes is he always finishes what he started. He’s slow, calm, steady, and doesn’t rush into any decisions. If I were to use one word to describe him - wisdom. He’s a man of wisdom.
Mark:
Even though a lot of people in church listen to his sermons almost every week, I don’t think people are aware of the level of biblical knowledge Rev Ho has. He is a man who has studied theology for years, across many different countries, has numerous degrees and has trained a whole generation of Malaysian pastors. The numerous books in his office are not for show, even close to retirement he has a hunger to know the word of God better. If I ever had a question about the bible, and needed clarification, I know I could ask Rev Ho and he would be able to help me, and he wouldn’t need to refer back to his books, the knowledge is stored in his head. And I’m not just saying this as he’s my father-in-law, but I believe his wisdom, level headedness and calmness has been instrumental in building MEGA CMC into the church it has become.
What was something Rev Ho did that touched you?
Mark:
Rev Ho has now almost permanently given up his Monday naps to look after and spend time with his grandson, I can think of no more selfless an act!
Eden:
His act of selflessness when it comes to the people he loves.
Tell us something interesting about Rev Ho that other people may not know about.
Eden:
He can be cold on the outside but he’s actually warm on the inside. He’s the boss in church and in our family, but the moment baby Charlie entered our lives, my dad has been calling him boss.
Mark:
He’s an expert on gadgets, secretly loves rabbits, can’t go without rice for 2 days in a row and has grown to like football more and more in the last five years. There are plenty more secrets, but I can’t reveal them all!
