Faith Story by Sarah Huynh
My name’s Huynh Xuan Mai, but you can call me Sarah. I am from beautiful Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Recently, my Zone Leader asked, “What is God saying to you in this season of your life?” This question came just at the right time – the month of August is bitter-sweet for me!
I married a Sabahan guy on 18th August 2018 and moved to Kota Kinabalu that December. I struggled to adapt so I wanted to spend half my time here and half in Vietnam. But then Covid struck the world in 2020 just as I was booking my ticket to Vietnam. I couldn’t fly, I couldn’t go anywhere.
In August 2021, a strong wave of Covid hit Ho Chi Minh city. In a single day, there could be more than 10,000 cases. The area where my home was located became a red zone. I was very worried for my parents as they were alone in Vietnam, so I called them daily to make sure they were okay, and asked them not to go anywhere.
On the morning a day after our wedding anniversary, on 19th August, people from Vietnam called me to say, “Sarah, please be calm, your Dad just passed away because of Covid”. I was dumbfounded – I had just talked with him the night before… I cried, unsure of all the events, and felt my heart broken into pieces.
On the same day, my Mom was tested positive as well and was immediately moved to a quarantine centre where I lost all contact with her. During those days I felt as if I was sitting on fire. I was locked out every place as I searched for her; I tried to contact everyone I knew to help me find my Mom. On 29th of August, a day before my husband’s birthday on the 30th of August, I found my Mom. By then, she had already left me to follow my Dad.
Within ten days I had lost two of the biggest loves of my life. They were my biggest spiritual supporters. My whole world collapsed; I lost everything. I drowned in the darkest days of my life, surrounded by all negative thoughts. I hardly slept, unable to tell between day and night. I couldn’t accept it; I kept asking myself, “What is happening? Are my parents still with me?”
During those days, I lived with an empty mind. I kept trying to find something, but was not sure what was I looking for. I would get angry easily for no reason at all, and my husband suffered each time I blew up. There were times when I would sat at my balcony, staring into space, not knowing how long I sat there.
But there is always have a light in the end of tunnel. God sent a little angel to come and save me. My daughter.
One day when she was playing by herself, she suddenly ran over, hugged and kissed me, saying, “Mama, why you so sad? Don’t be sad Mama! I love you.” In that moment I realized that whatever happened, however unfair this world is, and no matter how turbulent this life is, my daughter needs me, my husband needs me. I must stand up, keep moving forward, and to fight for them.
On another day, when I was still crying, a neighbour came and told me “Your parents are back, they’re coming back!” I threw aside everything and ran out. I saw my Mom and Dad with smiles on their faces. They looked so young, so strong, so healthy and BEAUTIFUL. They were walking, carrying bags in their hands, the bags which they had taken to go to quarantine centre.
I said to them, “You’re still alive. You’re still here. So why people say that you are both already dead?”
“Who said that? What nonsense!” my Dad replied. “We’re already back.”
My Mom continued, “Let’s go home. I’ll cook your favourite dish.”
And then I woke up. It was just a dream… but it was so clear and seemed so real! I cried a lot, like a baby, but I also felt peaceful in my heart. I felt such relief because I knew that it was God revealing this to me, to tell me, “My child, you’re healed, BE FREE AND LET GO. Your parents are saved, they are no longer suffering cos they’re with Me now.“
Hallelujah! It will never be enough for me to thank God for what He’s doing in my life. God saved my parents, He healed me and restored me by His abundant LOVE.
A year after my parents had left, I met Joseph. He brought us to Skyline where we joined a Connect Group (CG), and we got to know friends who treat me like family. Gradually, they pulled me out of darkness. They filled my heart with their love and care, and I found my joy back.
I believe that it is part of God’s plan to remind me yearly. It is not easy for me to let go and put down the stone in my heart every time I miss my parents, but praise the Lord , He has healed me by bringing these new, godly friends into my life.
I am thankful to my husband for always loving me, even when I am good or bad, or crazy. Thank you for suffering my my hardest times, thanks for always be there for me. I love you so much.
My little angel, Samantha, you’re my biggest supporter, my comforter and my happiness. I love you the whole universe baby girl!
Thank you Skyline, thank you Joseph and Cassy, Debbie and Robert, and all the members in my CG family. Thanks for being my friends and always being so supportive. Love you guys, High Praise CG family and ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO THE LORD.
Sarah