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How can this captivating book be an "autobiography" when the author didn't write it? Ted Choy left for heaven in 1992. He also left stacks of handwritten and typed journal notes and tapes about his "roots," background, family history, experiences and observations in China, and stories of the suffering but victorious Christians he met there.
During most of those experiences, Leona, his wife for 46 years, was by his side. They traveled repeatedly to China together, she witnessed the same events, shared his reactions, listened to his remarks and took notes for him at his request. When they met Christian believers in China, they both wept with joy to witness such remarkable happenings. Leona knew and lived with Ted's family in Hong Kong where three of their four children were born. She was totally involved in his ministry.
Both were co-founders of Ambassadors For Christ, Inc. She knew Ted's mind and heart, understood his dreams and shared both his personal and ministry visions. She rejoiced with him at dreams fulfilled and was sad with him at dreams unrealized.She says, "I'm quite sure Ted would not have written his autobiography. He was genuinely modest and unassuming.
But God impressed me to write it for him to give the glory to God for a life faithfully lived and ministries pioneered. I changed the names of some to protect them, unless they were already well-known.
At certain points in the book, Ted "asked" me (as he often did) to relate some stories that we both witnessed. Those I indicated in the text as [Leona's turn]." The author regrets that she could not possibly include all the stories and testimonies of China's Christians Ted told in his voluminous notes. She struggled with leaving out so many gripping and significant accounts, but she believes God gave her discernment and overshadowed the whole narrative to accomplish His will. The stories she includes are fast- paced and engrossing, causing both laughter and tears. She tells some in first person as by the person involved, giving them intense realism.Leona weaves the autobiography around Ted's life dreams and visions. "Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions . . . and I will pour out My Spirit in those days" (Joel 28:29).
God is the Author of dreams. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Fulfillment. Some of Ted's dreams were almost miraculously and extraordinarily fulfilled. Others were not, some partially realized, and others are left to those who will come after. Ted was keenly conscious of his godly heritage from his blind grandmother in China. She was converted in her old age but became an ardent intercessor, praying for her children and for her descendants yet unborn that they might come to know the Lord and serve Him. He believed that his conversion and dedication to Christian service, and the life courses of other members of the family are influenced by those prayers to this day.
Leona hopes, as she knows Ted would, that this book will also help us appreciate what God can do in a country where people lack most of the freedoms we enjoy in the West and whose government is hostile to the Christian faith. With God nothing is impossible!
See Leona's book Touching China for a comprehensive understanding of China yesterday and today, and how Christians can be involved in witness.
Available in paperback $15.95
ISBN 1-889283-09-6
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