Isaia Edmonds Wong, left, and his grandmother Yvonne Wong stood with Bishop Larry Silva April 13 after Isaia received the first Communion and confirmation sacraments at Holy Rosary Church in Keaau. (Courtesy Linda Villena)
Isaia Edmonds Wong and Yvonne Wong share their faith stories at Holy Rosary Church in Keaau
By Linda Villena
Special to the Herald
On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, during the 7:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Keaau, Isaia Edmonds Wong and his grandmother Yvonne Wong gave surprise personal testimonies.
Linda Villena, head of the parish stewardship committee, had asked Yvonne and Isaia if it was the right time to share their testimony, which was a reminder that the Holy Spirit is fully alive and at work. Their coming back to church and their love for one another is the work of the Holy Spirit.
This is what Isaia wrote and testified in front of the congregation:
“Good morning. I am here to give a short testimony of my life.
“I was born to a single mother out of wedlock, who was a drug addict on ice. Up until age 4, I didn’t know how life really was for me, because I was too young to understand.
“At age 4 I understood a little because I had to survive. My mom would leave me home and not come home for hours. I taught myself how to cook rice with a rice cooker because I would see her doing it. I ate rice with shoyu, sometimes hard saimin. On school days I would catch the bus but most of the time I never went to school because she was asleep.
“Then she taught me how to steal for food and later hold signs for money and food in Waikiki. Then I ended up in the hospital at age 6 with a neck infection. That is when the social worker at the hospital called grandma to pick me up when I was discharged because they knew my mom was positive for ice.
“A miracle happened; God is working his miracles in my life today.”
Yvonne Wong followed with her testimony:
“In 2018, I was called by the hospital in Honolulu and told that my grandson was ill, and that he was not to be discharged to his mom because the mother was found to be positive for methamphetamine.
“I was not happy with the news that I would perhaps be the one to take Isaia home because (otherwise) he would be under the care of Child Protective Services and be placed in a foster home.
“The social worker called and asked me if I could go and pick him up on the day of discharge. I immediately told her NO with madness in my voice, in my heart and soul. I said that was not my issue, that was his mother’s issue, and that I had no time to take care of my grandson because I was too busy working and teaching in school.
“I did not say anything to my family, even to my husband. However, it was bothering me for a week. I never said a word for a week. It was bothering me just thinking of ‘what if.’ I wondered what would happen if I did not take him. I imagined that it would be worse if I did not take him (but) for a couple of days the social worker kept on calling me and I kept on refusing her offer.
“Finally, on the last day, the social worker called and said that Isaia was going to be discharged and he would be placed in a foster home under the care of CPS. I then told her I was not picking him up. He would either go to CPS or to a foster home. She said, ‘If I could, I would take him. I wish you would take him home. I will transfer his school and important papers so you can think about it.’
“I called my husband and told him about the situation. He told me that I needed to take him and bring him home, otherwise he would be homeless and on the streets. He then called my father and asked him to bring my grandson home and we will help him raise the child.
“Before the day was up, I called the social worker back and I told her I would go and pick him up. She gave me the information as to where to meet the staff who would bring him to the airport.
“I was very unhappy, but I kept on thinking if I did not take him where would he be and that bothered my conscience, so I proceeded to pick him up on Oahu. I was still mad and upset.
“Life went on after bringing him home. He was enrolled in school. Dentist and doctor appointments were followed through. I did what a responsible mother would do. I had plans to travel after retiring and do what I wanted to do, but knowing that I was going to raise my grandson (and) my lifestyle would be disrupted and future plans for retirement would be disrupted made me angrier.
“My lifestyle was so busy working two jobs and being active in several associations. There was no time for anything else. I was so busy that I did not even have time to go to church or know God in my life. There was no real reason but (being) absolutely lazy, tired, busy and self-centered.
“My husband progressively got ill. My father passed away. And I got sick myself. Finally, I was diagnosed with a rare disease for a year and two months. I had to undergo treatment for six months. Life became harder to manage with a sick husband and being sick myself, having treatments.
“My life was just missing something. There was a void in my life that was not being fulfilled and I knew it. My father who was a devout Catholic brought us up with a very strict Catholic foundation. I knew that my not going to church made him pray even more to help me find my way back to church.
“Before my dad and husband died, they both had wishes for me to take care of my grandson and to bring him up with a strong Catholic foundation, have him baptized and receive holy Communion and confirmation.
“One day, it so happened that I was in the area where a Mass was about to start. I walked in and attended Mass.
“I felt so refreshed after Mass. I met my friend Linda Villena whom I had not seen for a long time.
“She spoke with me after Mass. She asked, ‘Why don’t you sign up to clean the church with me and Leah?’ I immediately said, ‘Sure.’ Linda took me aside and said, ‘Hey, can I tell you a secret? Your dad told me that one day my daughter Yvonne, which is you, would come back to church — and look, here you are in church. Your dad must be so happy to see you and he is smiling down at you.’
“Since then, my grandson and I have been attending Sunday Masses at Holy Rosary Church in Keaau. I am glad I found my way back serving the Lord. I was asked by Linda to be the stewardship hospitality pillar coordinator which I graciously accepted. I continue to help clean and decorate the church. Since then I have been serving the Lord.
“Isaia and I are abundantly fulfilled with blessings. My dad’s wishes and prayers came true.
“Isaia recently received his first Communion and confirmation sacraments from Bishop Larry Silva on April 13. Our church is our family now. My grandson enjoys his newly found friends from his religious education class. He recently completed his altar serving training and is now serving the Lord. It is a blessing in disguise.
“Now that I look back, it opened my eyes that all the trials and tribulations that I encountered had reasons. I saw the goodness of the Lord right in front of my eyes. Now God has allowed me to travel and enjoy life. What a better person to do it with — my grandson. I am so blessed to have my grandson with me.
“I am now in the process of adopting my grandson and have booked to travel to Europe to see the Vatican. God is indeed so good that Isaia was chosen to represent King Constantine at our church Flores De Mayo-Santa Cruzan festival on May 18.”
After the testimonies, parishioners were moved and some shed tears. After Mass, Yvonne and Isaia were hugged by parishioners. One parishioner informed Linda that he was humbled to hear their testimonies. “They are so brave in sharing about their lives,” he said.
Craig Carvalho, our choir director, also commented that he was moved and that it took courage to stand up there and tell the congregation of their journey. Yvonne mentioned that Father Sam Loterte, our pastor, told her that that was an awesome wonderful powerful testimony and gave her a hug.
