Virus kills missionary couple
Husband and wife die weeks apart in Madagascar
KOTA KINABALU: A missionary who wanted to bring back the ashes of his wife from Madagascar, where she died of Covid-19, had his life cut short by the virus as well.
Francis Liaw, 73, and his wife Lily Chin, 70, had devoted their lives to Christian missionary work, so much so that they left their hometown here for Madagascar 16 years ago to carry out church activities.
They were supposed to return for good next month when their visa permit expires.
But Covid-19 took their lives just weeks apart. Chin died on July 14.
Liaw, who had promised his three children – two daughters and a son – that he would bring back their mother’s ashes once his twoweek quarantine ended, fell ill and died on Aug 5.
“We received news of our mother’s passing from dad and about his passing from a pastor who was caring for him at that time,” said a daughter, who did not wish to be named.
She said prior to Liaw’s death, they had spoken to him daily, especially since their mother’s death.
“We are shocked, sad and are still trying to come to terms with the passing of both our parents in such a short period of time,” she said yesterday.
However, she spoke of trying to remain calm despite the difficulty and grief.
“For now, what we can do is pray for their souls and accept the fact that they are gone,” she said.
She said they would wait for arrangements for their parents’ ashes to be brought home.
On Thursday, a memorial service was held in the home of one of their daughters that was attended by family members and church leaders.
Tears filled the evening service as Rev Chung Hee Ming recounted the life and ministry of the couple in Madagascar.
Sabah Council of Churches president Bishop James Wong, who is also from the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia in which the couple were members, said: “Everyone is shocked and devastated.”
“It is heartbreaking not only for us in the church community but more so for their three children and families here,” Wong said.
Recounting the days before Liaw’s death, he said church members were happy when he shared photos of himself having coffee while recuperating in hospital.
“He was smiling, indicating that his condition was improving,” he said.
He said the church had wanted to bring Liaw back to Sabah by the earliest available flight once he was discharged from hospital.
“Now we can only rely on leaders of the church in Madagascar to help with the funeral arrangement. But it is sad that a few of them are also infected with Covid-19 and in self-quarantine,” Wong said.
He said the couple were sent to Madagascar for evangelism work in 2004.
The couple had their calling to be missionaries when they were in their 50s, he said.
“The church and the family would like to record their thanks, especially to Willy Andriambelo, Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Madagascar,” Wong said.
“He has been most caring and supportive and provided all the necessary assistance during the illness and the funeral of the couple.”