Blake Chen, on September 25, 2024, was peacefully taken home by the Lord at a hospital in Atlanta. At 24 years old, he left countless signs of God’s work among his family, friends, and church.

Provision Everywhere — Everything Prepared

Blake’s mother, Biwen Luo, recalls the days before and after her son became ill and felt that God had prepared everything they needed in every place — countless blessings, too many to number. After graduating from college, Blake moved from Atlanta to Madison, Wisconsin, for work. In less than a year and a half, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, and it progressed aggressively. Biwen and her husband, Kehang Chen, immediately went to Madison to care for him.

Although they were unfamiliar with the area, God had already prepared His church to help them. Just five minutes from their son’s residence was a Chinese church, and Pastor Huang visited them immediately. Before Blake became ill, Biwen had met a sister in the Atlanta church whose family lived in Madison. During Blake’s chemo, she braved the cold every night to visit Biwen, praying and crying with her and helping her in countless practical ways.

A sister who worked in the hospital’s pathology department would always contact them first whenever Blake’s pathology results came out. She explained each report and treatment plan in detail, helping relieve their loneliness, anxiety, and helplessness during those long waits for results. She also came to the hospital each time Blake received chemo to pray for him. After Blake and his parents left Madison, this sister’s internship ended and she also left Madison — as if God had placed her there for that specific period to care for them.

Back in Atlanta, God had also prepared support. In Biwen’s church, a couple who had lost their daughter ten years earlier knew how to accompany a sick child and their family. The husband prayed online with Kehang for half an hour every night, providing comfort and encouragement for him, who at the time was still not a believer. Even after Blake passed, he continued to care for them. The husband’s wife and Biwen had already been in the same prayer group before Blake’s illness, and they naturally became spiritual partners, supporting and praying for one another to this day.

Losing One Son, Gaining Many More

From the beginning of her son’s illness until his final days, the Holy Spirit continually prompted Biwen to testify for the Lord. In a 200-person prayer group, she often shared their journey, and every day she was able to genuinely give thanks and praise. But during the two days after her son passed, the grief was so deep that she could not bring herself to write or say “Thank you, Lord.” Yet God comforted her and wrapped His arms around her in miraculous ways.

For two weeks after Blake’s passing, his close friends — and Celinee’s friends — came to their home every day, bringing different homemade meals, sharing memories of Blake, and helping them handle the aftermath. The presence of these kids completely filled and warmed the hearts of Biwen and Kehang. Instead of losing weight from grief, Biwen even gained some, and she deeply felt the truth of Job 42:10: “The Lord restored Job’s fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.”

She said, “One son has temporarily fallen asleep and left us, but God has given me more than a dozen — even more — children and endless love surrounding us. When they hug me and greet me: ‘Hi Mom; Take care Mom; Bye Mom; See you tomorrow Mom’… the Holy Spirit gives a peace beyond understanding!”

Love That Moves — A Father Finally Believes

Blake left them a powerful gift: his father, Kehang, came to faith, and their family relationships experienced an unbelievable transformation.

For many years, Biwen and her husband had struggled with conflict and distance — even to the point of wanting to give up. Facing a sick son, after decades of standing outside the faith, Kehang finally took a step forward, initially for a very practical reason: even if his son left, at least he could see him again in heaven. During their time in Madison, they felt as though God had placed them in a quiet wilderness. Biwen felt closer to the Lord than ever before, and her husband — who had resisted the gospel for more than 20 years — miraculously and willingly accepted Christ and agreed to attend a gospel class every Sunday afternoon, walking alone through ice and snow to church.

At the end of April, they brought Blake back to Atlanta for continued treatment. Kehang willingly continued baptism classes, and after completing the three months, he was baptized immediately. He had long been exposed to the gospel and knew many Christians, but only when his son fell ill did he truly humble himself. He said it wasn’t only because he wanted to save his son — he simply could not deny all the miracles he had witnessed. Most importantly, he experienced the genuine love of the church, receiving deep comfort, support, and unexpected help.

Healing Relationships — A Marriage Restored

In the past, conflicts between the couple often led to cold wars and communication breakdowns. But because they needed to care for their son together, God worked in both of their hearts through Blake. Biwen realized her own shortcomings and resolved to respond gently, no longer confronting her husband. Kehang also made intentional efforts to control his temper.

After Blake’s passing, they joined a marriage enrichment camp organized by the church. Initially, Kehang had no particular expectations, but during the 3-day, 2-night retreat, with practical exercises and biblical wisdom about marriage, they received immense help and discovered that many of their problems did have solutions. Their relationship underwent a 180-degree transformation. Issues that had troubled them for over 10 years were resolved, and they tasted sweetness in their marriage once again.

Now, Kehang makes a hot cup of tea for his wife every day, sometimes bringing it upstairs to place on her desk. Biwen said with joy, “Now I feel like I’m being treated like a princess.”

A Legacy of Love — A Sister’s Deep Longing

Blake’s sister, Celinee, two years older than him, had always been close to her brother. Although they drifted apart in high school, distance during their college years drew them together again. They often called each other, hung out during vacations, and played games online with friends during the pandemic. After Blake moved to Madison, their bond grew even stronger.

Celinee greatly admired her brother and spoke highly of him:
“He was so smart — an all-A student! Hard medical school courses seemed easy for him. He was funny, a great jokester, handsome, stylish, and naturally the leader in his friend group. And he was so caring. There was a very quiet boy who never spoke up for himself, but Blake took the time to understand him and be his friend. He was so kind-hearted. When a group of friends went to eat out, if the restaurant was closing in an hour and a half, Blake wouldn’t let everyone go in because he didn’t want the kitchen staff to get off work late.”

Although his time to depart was appointed by God, it also seemed that Blake thoughtfully waited for the best moment — reflecting his love and care for those around him:
He waited until Celinee returned from her vacation, after the Sunday of his father’s baptism, and before the day of his mother’s birthday.

Blake’s life impacted many. At his memorial service, the sanctuary was full, especially with young people. Combining those in person and online, more than 300 attended; many coworkers from Madison even flew in. With emotion, Celinee said the fruit of his life was beautiful:
“He left so much good. So easy to say: there is much hope in the midst of tragedy.”

Transforming Grief — Becoming a Blessing to Many

This past September 25th marked the one-year anniversary of Blake’s passing. For two weeks prior, Biwen had been deeply sorrowful, imagining she would never again celebrate her birthday with her son. But on Saturday the 27th, Celinee planned everything: she bought all of Blake’s favorite foods and drinks; gathered Blake’s close friends and church members; and organized a picnic at the cemetery, setting a joyful feast in his memory. One friend even brought a cake so they could celebrate Biwen’s birthday belatedly.

In that moment of blowing out the candles, God miraculously healed her heart. She tangibly felt what Scripture describes when Jesus healed: “At that moment, he was healed.” When she shared this testimony with her grief-support group, others were comforted as well.

During Blake’s illness, Celinee once cried out to God: “How could you allow this to happen to my brother?!” Blake himself struggled too. And yet, somehow, through that struggle, their relationship with God grew stronger. Even now, Celinee sometimes feels confused about God’s ways, but she reminds herself to reflect on the abundant fruit of Blake’s life. His illness and passing brought her closer to her friends, and brought Blake’s friends closer to one another — and closer to the Lord. Many became more engaged in church because of him.

Many who learned of the family’s experience — especially grieving families — reached out to them for help. Through this, Celinee further realized how far-reaching Blake’s influence is. She learned from her brother how to love people thoughtfully and attentively, enabling her to better show Christ’s love and draw others’ interest in her faith. She noted that church members often use Scripture to comfort grieving believers, but they sometimes don’t know how to comfort non-Christian friends. She said:

“Just love them the way you would want to be loved.”

Now, Celinee and her parents are eager to extend help to anyone in need. She said,
“I want to continue being someone who comforts people, who sees them, and who reflects God’s love to everyone.”

At only 24, Blake — through his life, his family, and his friends — continues to leave countless marks of God’s grace.

熱門作者

李道宏83田距24李飛君91貝琳達48南丘33鄭立新19一穗21葉漢中60陳新哲31高展曦31清照42郝青松13聽泉17理泰18李想21朱少彤4黃小石47伍大可29海玲3曾福49曾文姬20老饞43謐立39