Story about Charles

By Wilson Lin

One day a dark, skinny, Asian fellow with an overgrown buzz cut appeared at my door. He introduced himself and said that he was my Big Sib for the Big Sib/Little Sib program of Emmanuel College Fellowship. From his slow, deliberate speech, with slow hand motions to match, I did not think he was the kind of guy with whom I would normally strike up a friendship. He seemed like some kind of Stoic. I did not think I would really get much out of being his Little Sib. In fact, I could not even recall checking the box indicating that I wanted a Big Sib when I filled out the information sheet during large group, but there I was, stuck with Charles Han as my Big Sib.

Our first event together as Big Sib/Little Sib was Bowling Night. That night we did not really talk all that much, but we did win toilet bowl cleaners for having the lowest combined score. That experience only reinforced what I thought before-that I would not get much out of being Charles' Little Sib.

Throughout the school year, we met up several times. We talked about school, hobbies, what he wanted to do in the future, and what God was teaching us. Slowly I began to see that I could talk to him and relate to him.

We both stayed in Philly over the summer. He had a job, and I took classes. We lived in the same house along with a few other guys. We both ended up living on the third floor, which I affectionately called the Furnace because it was so hot. As the days passed, I began to see Charles as not just my Big Sib, but as a friend. I knew he was someone who would consistently point me to God. One thing that really encouraged me was his reading. I do not think it is solely his love for books, but his love for God and his desire to know God that drive him to read. Every night he would lie in his bed and read until he fell asleep. In the middle of the night he would get up, turn the lights off, then go back to sleep. I, on the other hand, usually fell asleep clutching my stuffed tiger. Walking past his slightly open door in the morning, I could bank on seeing him either praying or reading. When I walked into his room during the day, I could bet that there would be several open books lying next to his bed.

It does not take an extravagant experience for lives to be profoundly changed. My life was affected by both Charles' words and his life. Yet I realize that it was God working through Charles that enabled him to live the life he does. I know that Charles himself deserves none of the credit for any pursuit of God in his life. He and I both know that it is God who has shaped and changed his life. Without God placing that desire in Charles' life, he would not pursue God-I am sure of it. However, by God's grace, lives are set on fire with consuming passion for His Glory. Those who are passionate for God's glory cannot help but desire to spread that passion for God's glory. I believe we are responsible for each other's faith. One brother's passion certainly changed everything for me.