Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. — Proverbs 4:13 (NLT)
Happy Birthday Ada!
Ada was born on February 11, 1926, the fifth of 10 children of Wing Hong and Kim Shin Lum, immigrants from Canton, China. The family owned and ran a guava jelly factory. The family went into the country (Wahiawa, Kunia) to pick guava from trees alongside dusty dirt roads. How did the family of 11 live? … by the skin of our teeth. Sleeping on the floor of a tiny 2-bedroom house. Standard issue was one beat-up tat, a pillow, and 2 futon’s … one to sleep on & the other to sleep under.
In 4th grade, her neighbors rounded up kids in their station wagon and brought them to Kalihi Union Church. She remembers the teachers made Bible stories alive and practical.
At 17, Ada was asked to take over a class of rascal 3rd grade boys. At 18, she began to consider teaching about Jesus full-time, directly through the Bible, seriously. Soon thereafter, she became the Primary Department superintendent, launching her Bible teaching career.
A graduate of Roosevelt HS, she earned a BA and MA degrees in history and biblical literature at Wheaton College, IL.
When Ada returned, she collaborated with Gwen Wong and pioneered Hawaii’s first high school Inter School Christian Fellowship program. The next step was to spearhead a similar program at the university level, from which the UH Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship emerged. Ada’s journey took an international detour when she joined London-based IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students).
Personally, I was deeply impacted by her teaching ministry and impressed with her unhurried style — never in a rush to rattle off facts, but attentive to every detail of the living text.
… “Asa” and “Ada” differ by only one letter — but that small difference tells a big story. Asa — whose name means “healer” — began well but drifted from the One who truly heals. “Ada”, whose name carries the sense of “noble” or “adorned”, has faithfully adorned Christ’s Word through her life and ministry. One letter apart, yet their lives show very different paths. Asa’s story fades, while Ada’s legacy shines.
— Rodney Wong, Executive Director / BIH
Throughout Ada’s long-life, each person she encounters sees in her what it means to be God’s good and faithful servant. Knowing Ada has deepened our faith walk through the many Sunday School Classes she taught with her clear understanding and wisdom, along with coming alongside us in fellowship and mentoring.
— Willy & Shriley Ginoza
Thank you Ada for your many years of teaching the Bible. One of my first Bible studies was your class on Ester. I was impressed and overwhelmed by the details, the insights and your knowledge of the Bible. … I have since become a lover and advocate for studying and “digging for nuggets” from the Bible.
— Elizabeth Kealoha
I remember your teasing, twinkling eyes, and you taught with energy and excitement. WOW!
— Jo-Ann Komori Takumi
When I was a college student, I was asked to be in a leadership development program. … I was assigned to Ada Lum, as my mentor. I remember feeling intimidated because she was a highly respected missionary and Bible Institute of Hawaii professor. As I got to know her better, I found that she was friendly, warm, funny and oh so knowledgeable!
— Lisa Lee
Dear Ada, I think of Psalm 91, “With long life I will satisfy you and show you your salvation,” and Matthew 25:23 “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
— Anne Shigeta-Koch