Pastor Monita Shui Tong Chu

I. Monita`s - birth family:

Monita was born in a family of 4 siblings to Mr. Wong, Sut-Ying and Mrs. Yu, Kwan-Sin. The oldest is Mr. Frank Wong, he followed his grandfather to Saskatchewan Canada at a young age. Frank sponsored the family to Canada in 1977. Currently Frank is a Red Deer counsellor. Monita, the second oldest was born on August 13, 1952 in Toi San city, Canton. Pastor Monita was rested to be with the Lord on April 17, 2021. Younger brother Eric unfortunately died in January 2004 in Calgary. Anita the youngest has moved back to Hong Kong after graduating from the University of Alberta. Currently she is employed in the Hong Kong Science Center.

II. Monita`s tumultuous and triumphant journey in her study

Monita was very smart. She got her primary education in Tony Yan San Tsuen, Wai Kwan Primary School. She scored high marks in the primary open certificate exam and was awarded to get into Yuen Long Public Secondary School. Combined with her hard work and smartness, she was admitted to Hong Kong Baptist University. Her lifetime desire was to get into university. Coincidentally she was also accepted by the Grantham College of Education. Monita was torn and finally decided to enter Grantham to support the family financially. This self-sacrifice is very admirable.

Monita taught in a few government subsidized schools after graduation. She taught in Wai Kwan Primary School the longest. Her last position there was Discipline Master before she moved to Canada in 1999.

Monita taught in the Calgary Chinese School for a short time. She decided to pursue a nursing career. She went to Bow Valley College to get a high school diploma. It was an 18 month of hard knowledge base learning and practice in nursing. Praise to God, Monita eventually graduated. She worked part time, at the Bethany Care Society, Harvest Hill for 13 years and retired in December 2020. She got her LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse – in 2007. She was full time helping our Property Management Company business in Chinatown until she passed away.

III. Monita - Call to the Ministry, be a Messenger of Peace.

The Theological Studies in Chinese at Ambrose Seminary had an open house in 2013. Obeyed God's calling we registered in the diploma program. After we completed our diploma. Pastor Monita entered the Master of Christian Study (MCS) program. Whereas I had to prove my English proficiency before I could enter in the same program. All praises to God and the dedicated teachers, we studied hard and graduated on April 28, 2018. We continued to take courses to further our knowledge.

To some, a university graduation photo is not much of a big deal. It meant a lot to Monita. She gave up studying in university to support her family and siblings. She buried her dream for half a century. At 62 years of age, she took hold of the opportunity in 2013 to fulfil this dream. Despite the financial strain we succeeded to get our degrees. The goal was completed. We have been together 50 years. I could read her mind without her word spoken. Monita always challenged herself to reach higher ground which she fulfilled her dream.

Monita`s life was totally devoted to her family. The university degree was her prize. Now her dream was fulfilled. She is at peace and gone Home to be with her Master and Lord, Jesus. This photo is the exemplification of her challenges and victory. There is only contentment and no regret.

IV. Monita - Nurturing the Young Association (The Association) http://nya.hk

During the 80s, the People Republic of China returned all assets to the Christian churches. The government eased the restrictions to all church ministries. Our church in Pak Wan China was built by western missionaries. The Pak Wan church had all the assets returned. It touched us deeply to see illiteracy was rampant among children in the villages. Under school principal Chung`s leadership, The Association became a registered organization. Monita volunteered with the Association. After we moved to Calgary she even travelled back occasionally to support The Association.

The Association used the church property as a school to provide free education to children and women. The Association supported all financial expenses and managed the executive decisions. We had a group of licensed retired teacher volunteers. We needed to purchase furniture and equipment. There were financial challenges in the beginning. We overcame all challenges and stayed the course. The local government was impressed with the result. We used the gained experience to extend the works to Chung Wor church and other villages. The works have instigated more non-governmental organizations to provide literacy services for the children. We helped the children grow to return to the mainstream education system.

Every Summer we organized short term missions for teacher volunteers elsewhere to participate in the work. The teachers taught the children English, common hygiene, and English oral language. We took the young students on short trips for them to understand the values of learning. We had math and daily used English language classes for the women as well.

The local government was impressed and requested The Association to help build new schools financially. We took the need to Hong Kong churches and philanthropists. The vision of bringing up the literacy level for the next Chinese generation has generated plenty of support. The financial support poured in. We brought many people from oversea to the field to see the school principals and teachers to understand the progress firsthand. Owing to The Association, the next generation will not be stuck in villages. They could go on to have higher educations. They will contribute and enrich the society. Some

benefactors of the program have already done that and volunteered in The Association. Those were the fruit of Monita`s work and contribution. She was jubilant every time we mentioned about The Association. She was motivated to go back to the field. She would be satisfied that her little contribution yet brings about this big accomplishment.

V. Monita - got married.

I met Monita in 1970. I tutored her younger brother Eric. It was by God's grace that we met and eventually married to each other.

My father died when I was 10. The church hired mom as the church kindergarten janitor. It gave mom, me and my 2-year-old sister, a place to stay. The arrangement was God's mercy and plan. I met a girl in the church fellowship and liked to continue the friendship. One time I had a severe stomach flu and was hospitalized in Pok Oi Hospital. While I was recovering in the hospital, I prayed and asked God to prepare me for a partner in life. My request was that: the first girl that came to visit me would be the one God's choice for me. I phoned the girl I was interested in; she never came. A day later, Monita and her classmate came to the hospital to visit me after school. She told me later that it was her mom`s idea for her to come visit me. If it wasn't God's plan, what was it?

It was clear Monita was God’s ordained partner and helper for me. We were young and getting married was not in our plan then. We talked to align our goals. God was amid everything that our aim and purpose matched.

In 1975, Monita’s oldest brother Frank sponsored the family to move to Canada. Monita was beyond the age to go with the family. Her parents did not want her to be alone in Hong Kong. Since we have been friends for some time, her parents suggested that we get married.

We married on March 27, 1976 at the First Assembly of God Church located on 123 Argyle Street, Kowloon. Rev. Ip officiated our wedding. The banquet was held in Ka Ho Restaurant, Yuen Long. We have 33 tables of guests that included family, Church members and friends to celebrate with us. After our wedding, in January the family moved to Canada.

Monita was a Group A teacher, I was a property manager assistant. We paid $350 to rent a room. The landlord had raised our rent the following year. We found out Sun Hung Kee Real Estate Developer had a new high-rise apartment project on On Hing Street. Frank Lent us the down payment to put toward a 408 square feet unit. Subsequent payment was $1,545/month while the apartment was on building phase. On top of it was the $380/month rent for our accommodation. We were thankful that my mom helped our finances.

Since then, we started packing lunch. In the following few years, our lunch was hairy squash with dry shrimp and vermicelli. It was worthwhile to be frugal to put our savings toward home. We were thankful for God's guidance.

After the birth of Our daughter Joyce, we moved to the new Yue Fat Mansion apartment the following year. Finding parking space near the apartment was tough. We were ticketed often. In 1984 we moved to a bigger townhouse complex; Fairview Park had more parking spaces. And the problem was solved.

VI. Monita – Noble Character Wife and Daughter-in-law

Monita anticipated to live with my widowed mom because I am the only son in the family. She bore with and never cared about the little things. We lived in harmony all these years. When we moved to Calgary, we left an apartment to mom. Monita realized that my mom did not like living alone. She moved back to Hong Kong to accompany and take care of her for many years. Monita came back after mom was admitted to a senior nursery home. She loved me and loved my mom. It made mom`s life satisfied until the day she died in May 2013. People always say that parents lose a son after he gets married. On the contrary, my mom did not lose a son, she gained a daughter. After she died, we moved mom`s body to rest in Calgary. Monita is going to lay rest to the plot next to mom. They are both in the presence of Jesus and waiting for the resurrection.

VII. Monita – miscellaneous family matters

1987 Summer we went to Red Deer to visit Monita`s parents. Her parents were ecstatic to know Monita was pregnant again. Caleb’s birth was a tremendous blessing to the family. And another pregnancy? We named Grace her Chinese name, Gar Yan – it means topping up the Blessings.

Joyce was the first of the family to move to Calgary in 1997. She joined the Calgary FM94.7 Chinese Broadcast. She married Jackie (Au) in 2004. They have 2 children. Zoe and Zion.

Caleb is single. He is helping the family-own property management business. Monita loved him a lot.

Grace graduated from Lethbridge University. She is a professional cosmetician. She had worked for Air Canada. She married Toki (Iwamoto) in 2017. They have not decided to have children yet.

VIII. Monita – PMM – Peace Message Ministry vision

After we graduated from Ambrose University, we registered our Commissioned Minister license from the Apostolic Church of Pentecostal of Canada (ACOP). Immediately Monita and I started the PMM. PMM can also be the acronym of Peter and Monita`s Ministry. We thank God, He has been leading us to build the ministry in steps with Him. Now Monita is not around. we cannot minister together again. By God's grace, I`ll keep pushing forward. I trust God the All-Mighty will continue to lead the way.

Now Pastor Monita has delivered from all burdens in this earth and rested peacefully in God's Bosom. What remains is the wonderful life that lived and all her praises to our Lord Jesus. Today we are not saying goodbye, rather it is SEE YOU LATER. As followers of Jesus, we are certain and anticipating His return. When the final trumpet sound we will be taken to HIM. We shall meet our loved ones once again. We are sojourners, no matter how we feel our lives on this earth. Someday we will all meet our creator. Jesus has gone there to prepare a place for him. He will come back and take him to be with HIM that he also may be where HE is. Let's believe in the same faith as Pastor Monita. We are continuing to minister to the living. We have faith to leap pass the pandemic. We are looking forward to having church worship services again. Keep up our faith to wait for HIS Glorious Return.

A husband's lamentation :

"God provided me with a helper who became my spouse. O! how I can forget you, the love of my life.

Henceforth must I stand alone and wait on God's temple. Here I am longing for the Master`s return."

朱黃瑞棠傳道生命讚歌

見到「朱黃瑞棠傳道」的遺照是一張畢業相，一般而言這是少有的。其實美好的照片可供選用的很多，但選用這張照片卻是有著特別不同的義意，稍後會略作說明。

原生家庭狀況

父親黃述英，母親余群仙，他們共育有四名子女，黃煥堂Frank，黃瑞棠Monita，黃詠棠Eric，黃惠棠Anita。

迂迴教育路，有志者事竟成

黃瑞棠小學時就讀屏山唐人新村惠群學校；升中成績優異獲派位元朗公立中學英文部，她本性天資聰穎，加上努力，成績斐然。預科後考上浸信會大學傳理系，一生追求進入大學之夢，得以達成，其内心喜悅只有我最為清楚。可是好夢到來最易醒，就在這個時候接獲葛量洪教育學院寄來接受她入讀的申請。由於考慮到家庭的負擔，擬早日在教育學院畢業後可以有一份安穩的教席，提供家庭經濟的支援。遂決定離開浸大，轉讀葛量洪教育學院。為著家庭和弟妹，她甘願犧牲自己的理想，辛勞為家，實在難得。

師範畢業後任教多間政府資助學校。任教最久的就是自己的母校-惠群小學。

一九九九年正式移居卡加里， 雖然曾短暫的在中文學校任教，自覺只在週末授課，實非長遠之計。她毅然接受再培訓再教育。因在香港時曾參加醫療輔助隊，並獲頒長期服務獎章，遂有意投身護理行業。

由於香港的學歷未被接受，因此得從頭開始修讀本地中學生的課程，以滿足入讀護理學的要求。她報讀Bow Valley College中學課程。努力學習了幾個月，為的是藉此帶來入讀護理學的資格。英文科過關後就要開始更為艱深的護理學課程。此課程需修讀十八個月，其間功課不旦艱深，還有在不同階段要加上實習，稍一欠妥就會在課程中被淘汰。瑞棠靠著她自己的努力和神的恩典，終於在二零零七年畢業。畢業在Bethany Care Society Harvest Hills 中心任職，職銜LPN-Licensed Practical Nurse。由二零零七年工作至二零二零年十二月底正式退休，共服務了十三年。

蒙呼召作個和平福音的使者

二零一三年春，恩道神學院舉行開放日，目的就是鼓勵蒙神呼召，有心志讀神學者及早報名，在確定神的呼召下我們都報了名，都是報修讀十科取張文憑的，當時Ambrose College仍屬學院，未升格為大學。

經過多番努力，瑞棠由於有英文科成績，可以轉讀要二十科的碩士課程-「MCS --基督教研究碩士Master of Christian Study」；而我有待考取入學規定的雅思英文成績方可提升。

經過幾年，得到老師的悉心教導和神賜予額外的聰明和自己揭而不捨的努力，我和瑞棠終於可以在二零一八年年四月一起畢業，同獲Ambrose University頒發大學基督教研究碩士畢業和恩道神學院證書。

拍攝神學畢業照片本是例行程序，不大藉得如此的重視，但對於瑞棠而言卻有著深層的義意。當年為了家庭毅然放棄就讀浸會大學，遺憾了半個世紀，當二零一三年，年過六十二歳，當機會來臨時，要把握機會去開始完成青年時未能達成的理想。學費雖然不菲，也在所不惜。得到確認學有所成獲頒學位，人生憾事終得以美滿完成。我選用這張照片是因為我們相識五十年，她內心不宣於口的意思我都能領會。她努力讀書是向自己的能力挑戰，是在追求自己的理想得以達成。

她一生工作所得都供獻家庭，現在唯一得到的就只有這一紙文憑。這張照片正好展現她一生努力的成果。只有滿足沒有遺憾。

育苗行動

在中國改革開放的八十年代，政府發還教產恢復宗教活動，由於我們教會昔日有西教士曾在內地白灣建立教會，因此得以領回教產，修葺後可以恢復崇拜。在探望教會之餘得悉很多兒童失學，大多因家庭經濟未能送孩子入學，不得不在外流連。在鍾立本校長英明領導及一班熱愛及關心中國失學兒童的教育工作者商議後，決定向政府註冊成立「育苗行動」。瑞棠由於熱愛中國失學兒童，努力參與籌建工作，屬創會成員之一，並一路不輟的支持「育苗行動」，即使已移民也曾專程於暑假期間返回內地協助暑期班的籌劃和教導工作。

育苗行動初期是利用教會現有的會址於平日空置時利用開辦識字班，行政及教學一切支出均由育苗負責。因此開辦初期得由育苗行動提供桌椅，並聘任當地已退休的合資格教師任教。由於就讀費用全免，全由育苗行動成員籌措經費。因此舉辦初期雖然吃力，然而靠著眾人的努力，目標明確，成績有目共睹，口啤甚佳，深受當地政府讚賞。並藉白灣教育班的經驗，擴展至中和禮拜堂等其他多處。

由於識字班將完全不識字的野孩子陪育至可以插班恢復就讀，經濟需要援助者育苗盡力協助，使能回復至主流學校接受正規教育。至於婦女掃盲班，所教授的是如何應對日常生活的文字需要和數學算計，使能在日常生活中不再因不識字而需要依賴他人。

每年暑假期間都會籌組香港的老師到內地實行幾星期的暑期班，主要是教授英語，日常會話說話應對和個人衛生常識等，並有外遊和家訪，使能增廣見聞使能知道知識的重要。

由於育苗行動聲譽日隆，當地政府要求協助建立新校舍，而有關信息帶回香港獲得很多主內肢體及社會賢達認同，遂透過育苗行動牽頭，使有心人士也能為中國新一代的教育事業出錢出力。有關贊助人士除撥資建校舍外，每年都會抽空返回學校探望校長師生，保持良好關係，除餽贈禮物設立獎助學金，學生得到資助努力讀書，不再侷限在窮鄉，可以靠著優異成績入讀市鎮名校，繼而可以升讀大學，前程不再因農村貧脊而阻斷了出路。

據悉經過多年的努力，育苗行動的受惠學生已經在社會上學有所成，可以回饋社會，協助統籌內地育苗行動的事工。教育事工著重傳承，瑞棠今安息主懷，但她昔日所投入為中國失學兒童所付出的那份愛心，今日將得到受惠的學生傳承。每當我們談及育苗行動事工的近況時，她總是神彩飛揚，巴不得即時飛回香港，跟著他們一起出隊。我深信她看見自己所做微薄的工作而有今天的成績，必定心感滿足。

婚姻家庭

我與瑞棠認識是在一九七零年，在她家中替她的弟弟詠棠補習。至於如何走上婚姻的道路和建立家庭，就不得不述説神的恩典。

因我父親在我十歳時病逝，教會見我母親帶著我和我二歳的妹妹，就讓我母親成為幼稚園的校役，得以在教會內一房間居住。我自小在教會中，得知一切都有神的旨意和安排。

那一次我因誤食不潔食物以致腸胃炎，需要入住醫院。當時我有一位頗為投契的團友，認為可以發展。就在住院期間我禱告神，誰會到醫院探望我的就是你為我揀選未來的配偶，我於是在醫院致電那位女團友，希望她知道我生病後會到來探望，可惜她始終沒有在醫院出現。

翌日下午，在我意料之外的，卻是見到瑞棠連同她的同學一起在元朗中學放學後途經博愛醫院到來探望我，我後來知悉是她母親早上對她說：「補習老師因病在博愛留醫，你放學後就順道前往探望他一下吧！」這樣一句不經意的話，若不是神在其中，誰知道就會這樣造就了一段美好的姻緣。

經瑞棠在我的病牀前出現後，我就深知她就是神為我預備未來的配偶，我的好幫手。我們大家當時都很年輕，未有相戀或籌組家庭的念頭。但彼此間的頻密往還，使意念漸催於一致，二人同心同行，有主在其中牽引，有著共同的目標得以走在同一道路上。

一九七五年她的兄長申請他們的父母合家移民加拿大，老來從子實是美事。當時由於瑞棠超齡不可以跟著她的弟妹一起移民。她的父母認為既然不能移民也不放心她一個人留港。他們已經知悉我們已拍拖了一段時間，因此要我們在他們移民前結婚，可以少了他們心中的牽掛。他們終於在我們結婚後翌年一月份便以家屬重聚移民加拿大定居紅鹿市。

我們在一九七六年三月廿七日下午三時在亞皆老街123號神召會禮拜堂舉行婚禮，由葉沛森牧師證婚。晚上假座元朗嘉好大酒樓筵開三十三席與主內眾肢體和親友共聚歡宴一晚。

我們結婚初期在唐人新村邦園租住一小房間，月租三百五十元。翌年業主要求加租，而剛好我們得悉在元朗安興街有一新盤開始預售樓花。我們工餘往地盤一看覺得還可以應付就決定買下來，首期是得到他的兄長借款應付的。面積408呎另加平台售價九萬，由於是預售樓花我們每個月要在建築期供樓$1545元及交租$380元，幸好得我母親支持得以順利渡過。

就由那時開始我們中午帶飯食以節省開支。我記得那時我們各自帶一個飯壼每天都是節瓜粉絲蝦米，如此午餐吃了好幾年。我深覺同心共苦是值得的，當見到自己不再需要租屋而有自己的一片瓦，我們並沒有埋怨，只有感謝上帝。由於元朗泊車不易，經常被抄牌，因此有搬遷較大有車位單位。一九八四年搬進錦繡花園，有自己的停車位和前後花園。

賢妻好媳婦

由於我母親只得我一個兒子，因此瑞棠已有心理準備，不想為難我，知道婚後婆媳得好好共處。幾十年過去了婆媳間相處和睦。就在我們移民後，本來預留了一層在屯門的樓房讓我的母親可以繼續居住，可是她不習慣獨居。瑞棠得悉後從加拿大專誠返回香港陪伴，與她共住了多年，直至我的母親獲分配到政府的老人院為止，才返回加拿大一家團聚。她待親至孝，不在言辭，而在發自她內心賢惠的本性，我作為中間人，深深感到她超越對我的愛，從而愛及我的母親，使她晚年得到極大的安慰，我的母親不是沒有了個兒子，而是多了一個女兒。她在二零一三年五月去世，我們將她的遺體運回加拿大安葬，如今婆媳又彼此為鄰，共候主臨。

家中事

神賜給我們第一個女兒是培孟。兒子基立在一九八七年出生，基立得以成為我們的兒子都是神的恩典，由於一九九七問題，很多人都在為日後打算，因此一九八七年暑假我們從香港飛到加拿大紅鹿市探望瑞棠的父母，又可以在家中待產。老人家得抱外孫格外歡喜。翌年無意中得悉再度懷孕，深覺上帝賜給我們一個兒子，已經是極大的恩典，因此當小女於一九八八年十二月出生後，取名「加恩」，藉以感謝上帝的厚愛恩上加恩。

我們在一九七六年三月結婚後共育有三名子女:

長女培孟Joyce於一九九七年先行移居卡城，加入中文電台參與廣播工作。二零零四年下嫁區卓賢先生，現有二名兒女：長女Zoe區樂兒，，次子Zion區樂文。

長子基立Caleb迄今未婚，在公司協助物業管理工作，深受母親寵愛；

幼女加恩Grace，畢業於列必殊大學，從事美容化妝專業工作，並曾服務於加拿大航空公司，於二零一七年下嫁岩本基樹先生，暫時未有兒女。

PMM-和平信息

我們自從在恩道神學院畢業後就向ACOP申請傳道執照，獲批後就成立PMM-Peace Massage Ministry,和平信息福音事工，那個簡寫又何解讀為Peter & Monita’s Ministry 。感謝神在這幾年帶領著我們的事工在慢慢地發展。現在即使未能雙翼齊飛，然而獨槳仍能前行，達至彼岸，深信神自己會在前面引領當行的路。

現在瑞棠釋了她地上的勞苦，靜趟在愛她的主耶穌的懷中。我們今日為她一生留下美妙的生命讚歌而為她感神。我們今日的離別，只是眼目的離別，暫時不能再見到大家的面吧了。我們都是屬於基督的人，知道主耶穌有一天都要重臨這世界，把一切屬祂的人都接到祂那裡，屆時我們又可與我們相愛的人重聚了。我們都是客旅，在世寄居的，世界即使如何美好，總得返回天家。當主耶穌預備好了，就必再來，接我們到祂

裡去。就讓我們有著瑞棠的信心。我們仍活著的人一同努力，渡過疫情的困境，回復敬拜的生活，憑著信心候主再臨！

主賜幫手成愛侶 恩情永難忘；

從今獨倚神家門 盼主早復臨。