When Sister Liu walked into our church one Sunday morning, it was almost impossible to associate her with the mother who had suffered the painful loss of her son in a tragic killing three years earlier. Greeting each of us with a warm smile, her countenance reflected complete peace and rest in the love of our Heavenly Father. My heart was stirred by Sister Liu’s love and compassion for others, even after enduring immense pain. When I looked into her eyes and held her hand again, I felt as if I was the one who needed comfort. My cautious greeting and the many unspoken questions I had in my heart must have been written all over my face. But this strong mother’s eyes were focused on a place far beyond, where the deepest wounds can be soothed, where every grievance can be comforted, and where every sin can be forgiven.

Her Son, in Life and in Death

The news of the killing had already spread across the internet when the brothers and sisters in our church learned of Sister Liu’s tragic loss of her beloved son. It was heartbreaking—the first time I had experienced such a tragedy happening to someone so close, who often attended worship with me. Through many chats with Sister Liu, I had learned that her son was studying at the University of Washington, and that she had confidence he had a bright future. Once, at our church, her son had given his testimony. A group of young people had returned from a mission trip to rural Taiwan and shared that many people, both young and old, had come to faith in the Lord. His face was full of youthful vigor and pride, and beautiful hopes for the future. I never imagined that this face, which evoked such care and tenderness, would later appear as the victim in a shocking front-page news story across the U.S.

Jiang Kaiwen (Kevin) grew up in Chicago and pursued excellence in both his education and life. After graduating from the University of Washington, he continued his studies at Yale University’s School of Environment. While in college, to help ease his mother’s financial burden, he worked part-time as a real estate agent and fitness coach. Besides excelling academically, Kevin had a rich extracurricular life and diverse interests. He played the piano skillfully and was passionate about hiking and fi shing. He was also a U.S. Army veteran.

The life of this outstanding young man ended abruptly on the night on February 6, 2021. Twenty-six-year-old Kevin had driven his fiancée, Perry, to a local supermarket to buy some daily necessities before returning her back to her apartment near East Rock in New Haven, Connecticut. Shortly after leaving the apartment, he was shot at close range. Although emergency personnel arrived quickly, they were unable to save his life.

The Other Son

Based on a series of clues, the police issued a warrant for John Doe (in respect for the family, the real name was withheld), a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After three months on the run, John was arrested in May 2021 during a nationwide manhunt in Alabama. In 2009, John had represented a high school in Maryland, winning a silver medal for the U.S. team in the International Mathematical Olympiad. He was also an outstanding pianist, having performed solo in MIT campus concerts, where he was recognized by both students and faculty as an excellent pianist. During his time as a graduate student at MIT, John’s papers were frequently published in prestigious journals. This computer science and artificial intelligence doctoral student also won a special award from MIT for his remarkable research achievements. Like Kevin, this brilliant scholar also enjoyed hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

A Decision to Destroy

Why did these two exceptional young men, who had never met, become the victim and suspect in a major shooting incident? What led their fates to intersect? The only person who could link Kevin and John was Kevin’s girlfriend, Perry. She was an undergraduate at MIT and, though connected with John on social media, they were merely acquaintances. According to Perry’s statement to the police, John had repeatedly expressed a desire to contact her by phone, but she declined, since they were just casual friends. However, Perry noted that it was obvious John was interested in her.

It seems that the turning point that led to John’s internal turmoil and eventual loss of control occurred when Kevin and Perry shared on their respective social media accounts the news of their engagement. Learning that the beautiful girl he once desired was about to marry another outstanding young man, and watching them embark on a promising life together, John, who had always excelled in everything, could not accept this emotional defeat. Having never experienced failure, he felt utterly rejected and destroyed. He impulsively chose the worst possible action—to destroy, not to bless.

After the gunshot, there were no winners. The heavy price for John’s jealousy and narrow-mindedness was borne by two families that could have otherwise been happy and fulfilled.

A Mother’s Response

When this tragic news of her son’s death reached Sister Liu, she was in shock, struck as if by lightning. She was unable to believe that her loving son—so cheerful, helpful, and ambitious—could have been suddenly gunned down. What kind of deep-seated hatred could drive someone to kill her son?

After the incident, our church established a special prayer group on WeChat for Sister Liu. A brother from the church visited her at her apartment near Yale University. We knew that no words could ease the excruciating pain of a loving mother losing her only son, and no amount of support could replace the immense joy and companionship that her beloved son brought her. Our only reliance was that our omniscient and omnipotent God would wipe away Sister Liu’s tears and heal the deepest wounds in her heart. We prayed too that God’s justice would be manifested in this case.

During the fi rst two weeks, Sister Liu was so overwhelmed by grief that she lost her appetite and spoke little. Three weeks later, Sister Liu shared with the WeChat group a revelation she felt was from God. The Book of Revelation describes the crystal-clear, pure, and beautiful blue sea of glass before God’s throne. As she read these verses, Sister Liu felt God was assuring her that her son was in that paradise, on that blue sea of glass, in a place of indescribable beauty. She felt God was saying to her, “Do not let your heart be sorrowful.” From that point on, she never wavered in her belief in God’s goodness and she cast all her cares on Him.

God’s Faithfulness.

Sister Liu later moved to Florida and sent back photos of herself standing with other sisters. From the pictures, we could see that despite months of suffering and grief, her smile remained as warm and kind as ever. She had found a new ministry in God’s family—leading a group of young people in Bible study and prayer, sowing the seeds of God’s kingdom through her tears. She had changed her original English name, Linda, to Joy, because she said that no matter the circumstances, she could always feel God’s love and mercy. She wanted to be joyful, content, and grateful! It was God’s great love, she testified, that enabled her to recover from her grief, let go of resentment and doubt, forgive the murderer from her heart, and pray for the comfort and salvation of John’s parents.

In the end, God upheld justice for Sister Liu and Kevin. The news reports focused solely on the final verdict of the case, providing no answers to the most crucial questions that the world should be concerned with: How can souls be saved from being corrupted by selfishness, jealousy, and pride—demons that ultimately destroy bright futures and innocent lives? And how can those who suffer grievances and disappointment find comfort?

Sister Liu, through her own experience, has given us the best answers: Trust in God’s goodness and put yourself into His hands. In the face of great injustice and misfortune, she did not allow herself to be overwhelmed by resentment, confusion, or despair, nor did she succumb to self-pity and depression that could have broken her body and spirit. Instead, she turned her eyes and thoughts to our Heavenly Father and placed her complete trust in Him. He was her rock and refuge! She also gave witness to how God’s glory and miraculous power are manifested in those whom He loves and who love Him.

A Mother’s Vow

“Kevin cherished life and had a deep faith in God,” Sister Liu says of her son. “He wanted to spread the love of God everywhere. I will always remember his desire to love God and others, and I will fulfill it for him.” Sister Liu says of herself: “Whenever I feel helpless, I remember God’s words in Psalm 23:4: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’”

Cindy Yang is a preschool teacher and freelance Christian writer. She is also a member of the news broadcasting ministry in Bread of Life Church in Seattle, Washington. Before coming to the U.S. in 2010, Cindy was a middle school teacher in China for nine years. She likes reading, writing, cooking, and playing the piano.