In July, we shared the story of Christopher Koh and how God had not just saved him from physical death but in perfect timing, saved his soul as well. This is not the only miracle experienced by the Koh family. Christopher and Christina’s mother, May White, was raised from actual death, demonstrating God’s divine power to even restore a person back to life. (Christopher’s testimony can be read here.)
Context of the Koh Siblings’ Relationship with their Mother, May White
In her book, God’s Power Manifested, Christina shared how her mother, May White, has had a remarkable history of God’s healing, provision, protection, and preservation since she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She has lived a life of total reliance on Him, and her most recent experience of His faithfulness, though seemingly unbelievable, is true.
Christina relates that her mum didn’t start out as a Christian; she was an idol worshipper. The story of her parents’ salvation is another remarkable testimony of God’s faithfulness. In fact, in January 1997, shortly after she was born again, God had given her a vision of her parents (who were at that time in their 60’s) looking extremely aged. He said to her, “You know where you are going but what about your parents?” Thus giving her the urgency of sharing the message of salvation with them. May was a very staunch devotee of Kuan Yin and she feared repercussions if she were to break her vow and become a Christian, and Christina’s father, Sunny Koh, argued that if they were fated to be Christians, they would have been born into a Christian family.
Christina was deeply disappointed by their response and told the Lord that it seemed impossible that they would be saved. Nevertheless, God can turn around what seems impossible in human eyes (Mark 10:27). Within three months, both her parents came to faith in a miraculous way. After accepting the Lord, her parents became very devoted, even leaving at 6 am and traveling for 2 hours from their home in Melaka to attend the Sunday church services in Petaling Jaya, and back again on the same day.
After Christina’s father passed away in 2003, her mother lived with her for a year and a half. May’s heart was however set on returning to her own home. One day, having gone with Christopher to Melaka to settle some legal matters, she refused to return to PJ. Whenever her children tried to persuade her to come back to PJ, May would refuse – often giving rise to arguments – and steadfastly declare that the Lord would take care of her, which the Lord had indeed done faithfully. She would give the same response to her neighbors whenever they expressed concern about her going to the shops down the road alone.
Nevertheless, Christina didn’t feel peace in her heart with the situation especially since May had severe cataract issues but at first refused to go for surgery. (May eventually did have the cataract surgery, which is a testimony for another time.) To stay connected and ensure her mum’s well-being, Christina made it a point to call her daily, at various times of the day. She felt it was her responsibility to check in on her and read the Bible with her over the phone. Often, when asked what she was doing, May would respond, “As usual,” meaning she was praying or worshipping the Lord, Christina shared.
Part of May’s afternoon routine involved listening to a CD for an hour while raising her hands in worship. If Christina called during this time, she would say, “I can’t talk to you. I am worshipping the Lord now.” This provided Christina with the assurance that she was spending much of her time in prayer and worship. Christina remembers, “… whenever we phoned her, she would pray specifically for us before hanging up.”
The Day of the Incident
Since committing her life to Jesus, May had not sought medical treatment for any illness. Instead, she always called upon the Lord who heals immediately. Despite the predicament being a “thorn in the flesh”, Christina and her siblings respected their mother’s decision to live independently because she remained healthy, self-sufficient, and capable of managing her home. May refused any assistance, opting to handle all the housework, cooking, and care for her dog on her own.
Then, between Friday, June 22, and Sunday, June 24, two entirely unexpected events occurred. The first was the mysterious disappearance of two articles from a blog Christina was about to launch on 28 June 2018. This had never happened before. Caught up in the urgency of protecting the blog and recovering the lost articles, Christina neglected her usual routine of checking in on her mum.
Her younger brother, Cornelius, who works in Singapore, had tried to call their mother that night but received no answer. He assumed she was asleep and sent a message to their family chat group at 9:30 pm, informing them that he was back in Penang. Christina didn’t see the message until 11 pm and planned to call her the next day.
That same night, Christopher traveled to Melaka after work and arrived past midnight. He had been making this trip every Friday to stay at his own apartment there and help May with her groceries over the weekend. Christina and her husband Peter sometimes assisted her during the weekdays.
On the morning of Saturday, June 23, Christopher called May around 11 am. When she didn’t answer, he assumed she might be in the garden and out of earshot. He tried again at 1 pm to let her know he would be picking her up at 4:30 pm, but once more, there was no response. He figured she might be in the bathroom.
Meanwhile, in PJ, Christina was occupied with some friends performing a house blessing. She returned home after lunch and tried to call her mother at 4 pm, but there was no answer. This was already one and a half days since anyone had heard from May. Concerned, Christina texted her brothers and asked if Christopher was with their mum. When there was no reply, she grew more anxious. Soon after, Christopher called her back, his voice trembling as he described what he had discovered.
May White’s Mysterious Disappearance
Upon arriving at May’s house, he found the gate locked, but the grill door and wooden door were wide open. He searched both upstairs and downstairs, calling for her, but no response. The dog she adored and who was always by her side was also missing. Christopher checked the side garden and the surrounding area, starting from the back and moving to the front, but neither May nor her dog was anywhere to be found.
Christina and Christopher were both frantic and confused, as this was completely out of character for their mother. She had never left her doors open, and the disappearance of her dog suggested something significant had occurred.
Upon contacting Mrs. Chua, May’s neighbor across the street, they found that the last sighting had been two days earlier, on Thursday, June 21. After discussing the situation with Mrs. Chua, Christopher canvassed the neighborhood but found no signs of May or her dog, and there were no new leads. Earlier, Christina’s husband, Peter, had received a vision of May lying face down and lifeless in the garden. He kept the vision to himself but asked Christopher to check the garden. Later, Christina, not being aware of this, also asked Christopher to check the garden once again. Both searches turned up nothing, leaving them all deeply worried. They decided it was time to file a police report.
Since it was already late and nothing could be done, Christina and Peter did not go down to Melaka on that day. Instead, they focused on praying for May’s safety and seeking divine revelation about her whereabouts. In her desperation, Christina sent an SOS prayer to the Lord, holding onto three key promises found in Psalm 50:15, Jeremiah 33:3, and Psalm 91:14-16, which she personalised for her mum.
Christina also informed her prayer team and cell group core leaders, as well as her blog administrator, Jennifer, and her editor Adah, about her mum’s disappearance and asked them to pray in tongues. She relates, “I firmly believe in the power of praying in tongues.” She has experienced “many miraculous breakthroughs for many situations” in her own life and that of her family members “be it healing, …divine protection or amazing solutions in desperate circumstances. The Lord has never failed to come through in every situation according to His will and has always turned negative circumstances around for His glory.” Christina adds that speaking in tongues also helps her remain focused on the Lord and strengthens her faith in Him. [Romans 8:26-28, 1 Corinthians 14:2 & 4, Jude 20, and 1 Corinthians 2:9-16.]
The Lord reminded Christina of the telescope vision He had given her in 2012, after Christopher’s heart attack: Do not view circumstances through your natural eyes. Instead, see them through the eyes of God, or you may be distracted. Just as a telescope reveals details of the stars that are invisible to the naked eye, so too should you see a divine perspective of your own situation.
The Lord also brought the prophetic Psalm 34 to her attention, emphasizing the need to praise Him at all times, regardless of her feelings. Although she was deeply worried and reluctant to praise, she had previously ministered Psalm 34 and Philippians 4:4-9 to others. She recognized that she was now being tested to apply these principles in her own life. So, she praised and thanked the Lord and proclaimed Psalm 34 over the situation.
Christina found great comfort and encouragement from her daughters. When they arrived home and heard the news, they each prayed with her. Chanette said, “Mummy, you always pray for me. Let me pray for you and with you now.” Charlene’s reassuring words after praying that night were: “Mummy, Amma will be okay.” We clung to that promise.”
May White’s Body Found
On Sunday morning, June 24, Christina and her husband traveled to Melaka with plans to meet Christopher at May’s house. Throughout the journey, she prayed in tongues and felt a deep peace in her heart. When they arrived around 10 am, Christopher was not there, and although she had the keys, she chose not to enter the house since May wasn’t there. They spoke with the neighbors and drove around the area, including a nearby veterinary clinic. The bustling daytime activity made it difficult to spot May even if she had been around. Christina focused on praying in tongues, repeating, “Lord, You know, You know…,” and felt assured that everything would be okay.
By the time they returned to the house, Christopher was already at the gate. As he opened it, he was met with a heart-wrenching sight: Mum was lying face down in the garden, her legs straight and her dog beside her. Both were lifeless, and flies were hovering over them. They were both dead.
When she saw her mother, she was overwhelmed with grief and began to cry uncontrollably. Christina remembered vividly that it was an agonizing scene, and her heart felt unbearably heavy. “I wanted to rush to her, but Peter pulled me back. He tried to comfort me and said, ‘Mummy is with the Lord.’ I immediately burst out, ‘No! This is not the way it should be!’” One of May’s neighbours arrived just then and upon seeing May’s body started crying, and they ended up hugging and sobbing together. Christina’s mind was consumed with the shock of seeing her mother lifeless, and she forgot the earlier vision about the telescope.
Meanwhile, Peter went to May and retrieved the bunch of keys partially dangling from the pocket of her shorts. May had a habit of removing keys rather than leaving them on doors. May didn’t move when Peter touched her; her cold stiff body confirmed her death. Peter handed the keys to Christopher for safekeeping and said, “We had better call the police to tell them she has already been found.”
The Seriousness of the Situation
At this point, it’s important to grasp the gravity of the situation:
When Cornelius had called May on Friday night and received no response, he assumed she was already asleep. On Saturday morning, Christopher tried to reach her at 11 am and again at 1 pm, but there was still no answer. By 4:30 pm, he went to her house and discovered she was missing.
From Saturday morning until they found her at around 11 am on Sunday, more than 24 hours had passed. During this time, it had rained heavily throughout Saturday and into the night, leaving May exposed to the cold and her clothes thoroughly soaked.
The Koh siblings believe she had been in the garden since Friday, given that she routinely took her dog out every morning and evening. Neighbors confirmed that the last sighting of her was on Thursday.
The Lord Spoke
Christopher proceeded to call the police. As he stepped out of the house, an extraordinary and unforgettable event occurred: The Lord spoke to him.
The Lord told Christopher, “Look at your mum once again, but do not look at her through your natural eyes. Look at her through the eyes of God, through My eyes.” This message echoed the one He had given Christina earlier. Christopher looked at May again, and the Lord opened his spiritual eyes, for he saw a faint movement in her feet, twice.
As soon as she heard him say that her feet were moving, a surge of faith filled Christina, and she hurried past Christopher to May’s side. Kneeling beside her, she said, “Let’s pray for Mummy to be raised from the dead.”
May White Revived
Christina placed her hands on May and began to take authority. Christopher prayed softly in tongues as she prayed aloud, though she doesn’t recall exactly what she said. According to Christopher, Christina “had called upon the resurrection power of the Lord,” and at that moment, “May’s eyes began to open.”
Seeing her come back to life, Christina was overwhelmed with a torrent of emotions: joy, relief, gratitude, and feelings she couldn’t fully describe. At the same time, she was concerned about whether May might be in pain or dehydrated. Christopher shared in Christina’s joy but was also worried about their mum’s discomfort.
Christina turned to Peter and cried out, “She’s alive! Bring me water! And call the ambulance!” She asked for towels as May had been lying on her side with her face turned that way.
Several Alarming Issues
Meanwhile, Christopher watched in astonishment as May’s eyes fully opened, revealing a startling sight — they were completely white, as if she was blind. Placing a towel under May’s head and cheek for cushioning and gently scratching her feet to see if she could feel anything, Christina asked anxiously, “Mummy, are you in pain?”
In a very weak voice, May told Christina to adjust the towel because it was pressing against a wound on her cheek and causing her pain. When asked if she felt any other discomfort, she replied, “Semut gigit (Ants biting).” Her entire body was covered with small fire ants and weaver ants. Christina was stunned to realise this, and quickly brushed them off while talking to May and giving her sips of water. Then she noticed several alarming issues:
- May’s left hand was awkwardly tucked under her ribs in a ‘V’ shape. Christina hesitated to move it, fearing it might already be broken.
- May’s legs and hands were coated with dried earth.
- The left hip was resting on a bamboo stick stuck in the ground, with the other end leaning against the fencing. Christina quickly removed the stick to relieve the discomfort May must have been feeling.
- May was lying face down, with her head turned to one side and her left cheek touching the ground. Over time, Christina realized why her left side had the most issues — her left eye was swollen, her left hand was inflamed with pus, there was a wound on her left cheek, and her left hip was injured. It was clear that the left side of her body had taken the brunt of whatever had caused her to collapse.
Arrival of the Ambulance
When the ambulance arrived, the driver and attendant quickly placed May on the stretcher and prepared to transport her. Christina was careful in handling her, aware that she might have fractures, especially since she had complained of leg pain when Christina had removed her shorts. At the hospital’s emergency ward, May indicated pain in her heart and pointed to her ribs and right hip. Christina explained to the nurse that May had fallen face down and might have injured her ribs. They performed an x-ray of her chest and leg, and a CT scan of her head to check for any potential head injuries.
By God’s grace, May’s lungs were clear — a miracle, given that she had been exposed to rain and cold for two nights. The CT scan showed no head injury. However, the x-ray of her leg caused considerable discussion among six doctors, who debated whether it was a fracture or a break. They decided to do a second x-ray, which confirmed that her leg was indeed broken. A temporary splint was applied, and Christina insisted on administering a drip to prevent dehydration. May was then admitted to the orthopedic ward.
At the Orthopedic Ward
By evening, the latest x-rays were ready to be reviewed. They revealed a fracture in her right hip, marked by several lines, and a white area indicating a broken hip. Faced with this distressing news, Christina could only turn to the Lord and surrender the situation to Him.
The houseman came to May’s bed and conducted a thorough examination, asking her to turn her head, lift her hands, and bend her legs. Remarkably, she was able to follow his instructions without pain, except for her left hip, which was bruised and tender to the touch. He assessed it as a soft tissue injury. Shortly after, the medical officer (MO) arrived and performed a similar examination. May’s responses were consistent with the houseman’s findings, leading the MO to suggest she would likely be discharged the following day.
Earlier, May had wanted to use the toilet, but the nurse had advised against it due to her broken leg. However, since her legs appeared to be fine, the MO approved Christina’s request to bathe her mother. Despite the emergency ward nurses having cleaned her earlier, some dried earth remained on May’s legs and nails. The attending nurse removed the drip, stating it was no longer necessary, which puzzled Christina but she chose not to question it at that moment. She helped May to the toilet, and with some assistance, May was able to walk inside and then back to the wheelchair after her shower.
Around 9 pm, the orthopedic specialist and his team arrived. After reviewing May’s condition, he shared encouraging news: her blood test results showed her hemoglobin and kidney function were normal. He confirmed, “Your mum is okay. If her leg is broken, she won’t be able to walk. She can be discharged tomorrow. Since she’s already been admitted, we will still observe her.” In response to Christina’s questions, he explained that the pain in her left hip was due to a soft tissue injury and that the fracture on the x-rays appeared to be an old one.
Some Surprising Discoveries
Christina was perplexed because May had never experienced a leg fracture or broken bone before. How could the x-rays reveal an old fracture? The x-ray images were clear, showing numerous lines and a tear-shaped white piece of bone. Reflecting on a similar experience Christina had had months earlier with a hairline crack in her wrist, the x-ray had displayed only a single line, and a follow-up x-ray confirmed its healing.
Reconciling the x-ray findings with May’s medical history, where she had no previous fractures, was challenging. It was clear to Christina that what seemed like a dire situation had been transformed by the Lord’s intervention. Despite the initial pain and x-ray findings suggesting a fracture and broken hip, May was able to walk. God had performed a miraculous healing, and the ‘old fracture’ explanation was the best the doctor could offer aside from acknowledging a miracle.
The next morning, as Christina brought May her breakfast, her 71-year-old roommate shared that the doctor had already made his rounds and that he had commented on how strong May’s bones were. Praise the Lord! Upon her discharge that evening, May was prescribed two types of painkillers: one to be taken four times a day and the other three times a day. No follow-up appointment was necessary.
Christina requested the x-rays, but the doctor was unable to provide them. Instead, she received a discharge note with the final diagnosis:
1. Avulsion Fractures Right Intertrochanteric
?Old Fractures (Refer to a doctor’s note below about the avulsion fracture)
2. STI (Soft Tissue Injury) Right Hip
However, the soft tissue injury was actually on May’s left hip, not the right as indicated in the note. Christina suspected that the bamboo stick she removed may have contributed to the soft tissue injury on May’s left hip. She was surprised to discover that May had undergone an ECG test when she saw the ECG graph in her medical record while collecting her discharge summary. The nurse explained that the test was performed because May had reported chest pain in the emergency ward.
Christina also realized that a test for dehydration would have been conducted, but her mum did not need a drip. The nurse had started the drip only because she had insisted.
The Lord is truly great! Since returning to Petaling Jaya on Sunday night, May had not needed any painkillers, as she felt no pain at all. In fact, she had begun walking around the house the very next day and continued to regain her strength in the days that followed.
The only issue that emerged was the manifestation of ant bites on May’s hands and legs a couple of days later. The bites were particularly severe on her left hand, which had been in contact with the ground while she was lying down. Despite the inflammation and pus, she experienced no itching or pain. In time, her hands, legs, and the wound on her cheek healed well, and her skin looked normal.
If you had seen May four days after the incident, you’d hardly believe what she had been through! She was incredibly healthy, actively going out to various places, including church events. Relatives who visited often remarked on her serene appearance, exclaiming that it was a miracle. Her entire neighborhood was abuzz with her story. Those who witnessed her lying in the garden and then miraculously revived shared the astonishing news with everyone.
A Lingering Question
Amidst the joy of May’s miraculous recovery, one question lingered: Why hadn’t Christopher seen her on 23 June? Despite checking the garden multiple times and standing right where his mum had been lying, he had seen nothing. On 24 June, as they were on the way to the hospital, Christopher took his confusion to the Lord.
“Lord,” he asked, “what happened? How come I didn’t see Mummy there? It was so obvious.”
The Lord replied, “It was for My glory.”
It became clear that God had chosen Christopher to find his mum but had deliberately kept his eyes from seeing her until the appointed moment. The veiling of May’s body from view was corroborated by two of May’s neighbours (one of them a lady who lived next door) who had stood right in front of May’s gate just before Christina arrived from KL on Sunday. They would have seen so clearly where she was, but the next door neighbour confirmed that May was not at the spot where she was found later when they had stood in front of the gate earlier.
Had Christopher discovered her on Saturday alone, the outcome might have been different. Sunday was chosen, with many witnesses present, to affirm the miracle and demonstrate God’s reality.
Remembering The Faithfulness of God
Reflecting on May’s past, Christina remembered her words: “I will never be a Christian because I have made a vow to my idol.” Back then, she devoted herself entirely to empty idols. But once she embraced the Living God, her devotion exceeded all expectations. May has always declared since then, “I live to worship the Lord.” And throughout the years, God has faithfully cared for her. Christina also remembers expressing her anxieties about her mum to the Lord. His reply was: “Have I not been faithful in taking care of your mum all these years?” His promise has remained true, even in the face of death, giving May a second chance at life. All the glory belongs to God.
Note:
The original testimony contains a postscript and a medical doctor’s explanation of May’s medical report and the ten miraculous aspects of the incident. God had revealed May’s situation to several people before she was found. The events surrounding her revival and recovery mirrored Biblical miracles, demonstrating God’s power. Despite being exposed to rain and suffering from ant bites and injuries, with x-rays confirming serious fractures and a broken hip-bone, May experienced no pain or trauma. She was discharged pain-free and at peace. Additionally, a dangerous python was in the area, but she was protected from harm. You can read May’s testimony in more detail, including the postscript, in Christina Koh’s book.
Note from Dr. Gregory Ho about Avulsion Fracture:
..So how about the X-Rays which showed fractures? The only explanation given by the doctors was that they could be old fractures causing the image on the X-Rays. However, bear in mind that any investigation (in this case X-Rays) is preceded by physical examination of the patient, which would have correlated with her complaint of Right Hip pain and then be confirmed with X-rays. An Avulsion fracture is a fracture by itself. There is no possibility of it being healed overnight or within the space of a few hours naturally, as a fracture of the lower limb normally requires about six weeks to heal completely. Avulsion is the mechanism of how the fracture happened. This means, essentially, the bone broke because it was being ‘torn’ apart.
It is possible that the later opinion of the Orthopaedic doctors of its being an “old” fracture was due to God’s healing. What was perhaps seen was the tail-end of the supernatural repair or healing. It can only be a supernatural and miraculous healing from God for it happened so fast. By late evening, Madame May could walk initially with assistance and then, after her shower, without!
This article shares its title, God’s Power Manifested, with a book written and compiled by Christina Koh. It is a book filled with powerful and encouraging testimonies of God’s very real presence in her family’s life. In the book, you will read more detail about May and the family’s experiences throughout this miracle, including a postscript for the incident and a doctor’s report and reflection on the miracle. May White’s story is just one of four testimonies, and all testimonies in the book include medical reports and a doctor’s reflection, as well as forewords by prominent Christian leaders who know Christina personally.
The book’s refrain and main theme is established on remembering God’s goodness and on hope, as expressed in Lamentations 3:21 (NKJV):
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope …
To get a copy of the book, you may contact:
* The Canaanland Online Bookstore https://www.canaanland.com.my/SKU-A-9789671773109-UNIT-26353
* Pastor Lilian Yap +6018-2657173 ACTS Agapetos Christian Training and Services.
The book is also available at the following stores:
* Canaanland Christian Store (Selangor)
* SCC Books and Gifts (Ipoh)
* Precious Pages Resources (Penang)
The writer would like to thank Christina for her help an hospitality throughout the production of this article. All photos kindly contributed by Christina Koh.
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Truly remarkable testimony with well documented and uncontroverted evidence showing blow by blow account with such details that it can hardly be said to be a work of fiction.
An amazing testimony on the resurrection power JESUS. HE lives, HE lives, Christ JESUS lives today…Amen