Last tribute to Joash Wee

Thanks to Dan Loo, I was able to go down to Muar to attend Joash's wake service last evening.

Having my hometown being Batu Pahat, Muar is a familiar place to me. I'd been wanting to return since the last time I was there during CNY. I'd never imagine myself returning in this manner, under such circumstances.

Anyway, I am really glad that I'm able to go on this trip with Dan n Nick, which are (sort of) my childhood friends from church. I can't imagine myself going on this trip alone. Oh, and I thank God for making all these possible and granting us journey mercy.

Much to Dan's denial, I helped in getting us into Muar.

Finding the church was not easy but we managed. Thank God I can read mandarin, which those 2 guys couldn't.

The service starts at 8pm. We got there at 7.30 so there was time to kill. So, we went to pay our respect to the 5 family members.

We entered that specially set up room. 5 caskets were arrange in a semi circle.

I went ahead with the 2 guys behind me. It's harder for them as the guys had always been closer to Joash.
1st was Mdm Lim, she looks beautiful.
Followed by Mr Roland, who I understand to be a great leader and mighty man of God.

As much as I wanted to approach the next casket the moment I stepped into this room, my feet refuses to go any further. So near yet I couldn't bear to take those few steps...
Joash's picture stood at a table beside the casket, he was smiling so brightly.

I paused for about a second. I just didn't want to get too much attention on myself so I carried my heavy feet and stood by where Joash was.
I stared at the wooden framework without looking in. After slowly placing a carnation on top the casket, I turn towards the head of this wooden box.

There he was, lying so peacefully. The first thing that caught my eyes were Joash's makeup. It was really thick and it's not his natural colour. Then I saw skin grafts covering most part of his face. It must have been to cover up his wounds. He must have been really badly wounded.
I continue to look on his face, his thick eyebrows (Wai Chi said they looks like Crayon Shin Chan's) stood out. His face was nicely shaved. His thick lips.

I could spot a faint smile on his face. How I wished just to be able to see him smile again..

Tears began to invade my eyes. It took some effort but I fought them back because I know very well that Joash is very much alive. And most of all, he won't be able to enjoy Heaven with all of us crying..

My heart whispered 'I miss you Joash' and then together with the guys, I left the room.

As sad as I cannot imagine, Dan created this smiley face..

After the service, we visited Joash one last time. I passed by Joash's dad and in my heart I thank him for Joash being a part of my life.
I was much stable than I thought when I reached Joash. He definately looked as if he's smiling slightly. Instead of wanting to cry, I actually wanted to take his picture and save it so that I can show Joash when I meet him in Heaven once again. I can sort of imagine him making a funny face when he sees what the undertakers did to his face :)

Side-track:

my 20th birthday present from Joash and Eliza.
it looks worn out now cos I wear it a lot.

Joash with the 2 birthday girls of 2008
(I celebrated my birthday together with Wai Chi)

the last time I saw Joash during the YES alumni reunion of YES'10 in Jan

My last photoshot with him..

"Joash, I hope this will be the last post dedicated for you. I know I'll have to move on but I'll keep the memories we had for the rest of my life. But then again, this doesn't mean I will break my promise to whack you double hard when I meet you again! ;)"

We are inspired by you, Joash ;)

to my fellow YES-ians of 2008:
"As we had always said tat we are a special group. We really are. Bonded in spirit n hand-chosen by Christ. Wit only 1 Joash, it wasn't enough to impact this world. But by d death of Jo, so many more Joash-to-be were inspired. Let's impact d world, YES-ians! In memories of Joash!"

I'm slowly able to let Joash go.. Compared to the 1st day I got the news, I'm much better. Of course, I still wish this is all a joke and Joash would just pop up from behind us and give his infamous smirk once again...

But what's past is passed. I will live up to what I promised God today, that is to live a live like Joash did and finish what Joash had intended to do for the world when he was around.

Joash's fire for God will continue to burn within us the YES-ians! Amen.

Memorial of Joash Wee

A memorial was held in Taylor's Lakeside College this morning. I sincerely and deeply thank my God for making it possible for me to attend this event. Be it with transport or permission to take leave, I praise God for it.

Joash was a great guy, loving and caring but I never realized how many people he had touched til I attended this memorial.

Quite a lot of friends of Joash came, ranging from housmates to college mates, church mates to random friends.

During the eulogy (where random friends would share about Joash), everyone talked about his smile. That smile is describe as one of a kind, dazzling, warm, friendly, welcoming, comforting and most of all: a smile that touches one's heart.

I knew Joash cares for people but when I heard stories of HOW he cared for people, I was amazed at how far Joash would go to help a friend, be it a close friend or not. Joash would always be there for anyone, even a stranger.

I heard of how he'll let a needy friend he knew only for few days to stay over at his place;
how he went all the way from subang to angkasapuri (KL) to meet a good pal who had lost herself in KL (and no one from KL was willing to help her). Just a phone call saying :"Can you come to Angkasapuri and meet me now?" without asking an explaination, he left his college and picked her up;
how he never complain of heavy assignments or delayed worship practices;
how he would be an advisor in any sort or situation;
how he would lighten any dark atmosphere;
Joash is a walking lamp of God.

Of course, he's not an all perfect guy. I also heard of how he would mess up his house. Leaving his stuff everywhere (even on his housemate's bed). Dirtying everything in the house. :)

Everyone, this is Joash Wee...

Such a sweet guy. Fun, loving and selfless.
I'm missing you dearly, fellow YES-ian.

In Loving memories of Joash Wee

I first met Joash in YES '08. He made an impression in me during YES because he was late on the first day of YES and pastor used him as to help in his illustration as a certain king in the Bible.

Joash is a very approachable guy, easy going and friendly. That was my 1st impression of him.
As the days pass, Joash shows himself to be a leader and a true man of God.
He reflects the ways of God straight from his heart, he knows God.
He sings, he plays the guitar and drum. Multi-talented.

A charming man and a wonderful friend:
Joash Wee RQ
11/10/1987 - 17/6/2010

A great guy: Joash Wee

In memories of Joash Wee

17.6.10
Waking up from my nap at 5.20pm, I switched on my laptop while waiting for dinner time. Firefox window pop up and my facebook homepage appeared. Browsing through my homepage, I saw that Joash was tagged in a video, it says "This song is specially for Joash and his family who passed away this morning. Our deepest condolences to your family....."

Shocked, unbelief and questions crawled up and wrapped around me.
It can't be, it's only his family that passed, right? Joash's still alive, right? These were my thoughts.

Trying to confirm my doubts, I clicked into Joash's facebook profile. Trying my best to convince myself that Joash is not gone.

Clicking down his profile, all that flashes pass my eyes where messages like "Rest in peace... joash" and "joash....we will miss u..rest in peace~~". I quickly screen through all the messages, trying to find a sign that this is not true.

In vain, all was in vain. I gave in. Joash and his family died in a car crash about 8am in the morning... I continue scrolling down the page, tears starts to swim but I'm determine to find out more on what had happened. Finally, I lost control and broke down...

I cried and cried. My room-mates stayed by me but the tears just won't stop. My heart tore and screamed that this can't be true. Not when we hadn't meet in a while, not anytime so soon!

2 hours passed and I fought back my tears as I didn't want my room-mates to worry. Yet, my heart continued to cry and cry.

Later, my friends here found out and we cried together. It didn't last long as I did not want to sympathy. I want Joash alive again. Trying my best to not break down, I distracted myself with practical practices. Each laugther I made did not reached my heart. I felt as if my heart went together with Joash. I hold back my tears, there're just too many people around.

Bedtime finally came, I climbed up to bed at 12mn. Telling myself to calm down and take my much needed sleep, I closed my eyes. Tears just rolled down my cheek unconciously.

Unable to take those tears, I tried to fight it and went to wash my face. I wanna run away, just run to a place where I can scream and shout out how I missed him, how I wished that he's still around. But there's no where to run to, so I stood by the window and whispered everything I wished to tell Joash.

Another hour passed, I could finally get some sleep...