On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the abduction of her husband, Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh, Susanna Koh spoke at a prayer gathering where church members and leaders across many denominations gathered to remember and pray for Pastor Koh, as well as the missing pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, and Amri Che Mat, a Shia Muslim.
“It is a miracle that one family’s life has united all of us,” a participant said during the gathering.
On February 13, 2017, in broad daylight, Raymond was abducted in an organized operation involving 15 masked men. A video of the kidnapping that shocked the world shows that it was done with military precision, in under 46 seconds. Since that day, Susanna has not seen or spoken to Pastor Koh.
Reflecting on ‘Big Heart’ of Raymond Koh
During the night, Susanna spoke about her husband and the journey she and her family have walked over the last two years.
She continues to learn from Raymond’s life, she said, describing Raymond as a “simple man with a very big heart. He gave himself to the poor and needy.”
She told a story of Raymond Koh literally giving the shirt off his back to a homeless man. “He came home shirtless,” she said. A close personal friend of the Kohs also reflected on the heart of the pastor as the crowd sang the Malay worship song “Setia” (faithfulness) personally written by Raymond Kho. The chorus, “Mengagungkan Namamu” (‘Glorify Your Name’) specifically spoke to him.
“It reflected Pastor Raymond’s heart to glorify God in all circumstances,” he said. “When he prayed, his prayer touched the heart of God. He would cry and weep for the lost in this nation.”
‘God Will Turn It for Good’
Quoting from Lamentations, Susanna openly shared about times she has become impatient with God and repented for her attitude.
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him (Lam. 3:25).
Through the words of this scripture, Susanna said, she has learned that “there is good in waiting upon God.”
“God is good,” she told the crowd. “Even though the enemy plans evil, God will turn it for good.”
Susanna said she had tried to see a member of the special branch of Malaysia’s police force who has been accused of being behind Raymond Koh’s kidnapping. He is suffering from cancer.
“I pray for God to give me an opportunity to see him so I can talk to him and also pray for him too,” she said.
The Koh family expressed their gratitude for the thousands of prayers for Pastor Raymond Koh’s return.
“Thank you for your prayers,” Susanna said. “Some of us have been threatened. But the prayers really make a difference. Please continue to pray for us.”
