Rest in Peace, Andrew Chan.
Andrew Chan is being farewelled at Hillsong Church in Sydney’s Baulkham Hills today, in a moving service attended by hundreds of people, and watched by more online.
Chan’s widow, Febyanti Herewali, delivered a moving eulogy to her late husband — who was executed in Indonesia last month.
To the morning masses, Herewila read a moving eulogy.
“I have so many and a lot of good stories I could share about him,” she began.
“No one could ever face death like him.”
Related content: Andrew Chan marries his fiancee.
She told of how he spent the last day praying for the Indonesians – “father, forgive them because they don’t know what to do” — and how he lead the prisoners in song before they died.
“While he lead the seven prisoners, walked to the place where they going to kill him, they sing ‘Mighty to Save’,” she said.
“When their voice slow down Andrew told them, ‘come on boys we can sing better than this.’
“When they already entered the field, they sing ‘Amazing Grace’.
“When he already tied up at the pole, they all singing ‘Ten Thousand Reasons’ — the song we sang on our engagement day, the song we sang on our wedding day.
“They all sang that song and they all managed to finish the first verse and half the second verse and they took him.”
Herewila described how they each wrote a letter to the other on Chan’s last day.
His letter asked his wife to continue their work at ending the death penalty in Indonesia.
“Never forget the people there. I have found love for them through you,” Chan wrote.
“Sayang (Indonesian for ‘darling’), continue to fight for the rights of justice in this country.”
Chan and Herewila married two days prior to Chan’s execution by firing squad.
Pastor Mark Soper, a childhood friend of Chan, read a eulogy written by Chan. He sent his thanks to friends and family, and made a special thank you to his wife for teaching him how to love.
“Treat each day as a diamond. Each day is valuable and you can never buy it back.”
“I fought the good fight and came out a winner in god’s eyes.
“I leave now in peace in love I pray you know how much I valued a treasured you, treasured your love and friendship.”
The service commenced at 11am and was attended by Chan’s friends, family and members of the public.
Major David Soper, a pastor from the Salvation Army — the same man who married Andrew and Febyanti — presided over the funeral.
Major Soper and his family have known the Chan family for 30 years. He told stories of Chan as a cheeky child with a memorable laugh and a great sense of humour.
More on the Bali Nine: Five times Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were let down.
Andrew’s brother gave a tearful speech about his brother, and his “short but fruitful life.”
He said Andrew made him proud.
“You used to say you looked up to me. Now, little brother, I look up to you,” he said.
He also welcomed “Feby” into the family as his “new sister.”
A private cremation is set to take place upon the conclusion of the funeral.
Post continues after gallery.
In Memorial of Andrew Chan.
Chan spent nearly 10 years in prison prior to his death, charged as a ringleader of the Bali Nine drug smuggling ring. He was executed by firing squad, along with six other inmates included fellow Bali Nine leader Myuran Sukumaran, just after midnight on the morning of April 29.
A funeral will be held tomorrow for Myuran Sukumaran at DaySpring Church in Castle Hill.
Did you watch or attend the funeral?
[post_snippet id=324408]
Top Comments
I'm Indonesian, but I really adore you for your transformation life and all the incredible things you did inside the prison. Many persons are being blessed. I believe you are happy with God now
They are both heroes in my eyes. Forgive the Indonesians, for they know not what they do