I grew up in an atheistic educational system. Being the eldest in the family, I developed a stubborn character. I believed that I could do all things by putting in my own effort. Even when I faced setbacks, difficulties, or grievances, I could not tell anyone. I was filled with complaints and kept everything to myself. On the surface, I was a happy person. However, inside, I was confused about where I was going and felt helpless. This feeling changed as I moved to the U.S. in 2009.

In June 2009, the fourth day after coming to the United States, a friend brought my daughter and me to the annual Vacation Bible School in a Chinese Church. In this seven-day event, children learned and played in their own age groups, and parents made new friends and learned about the Bible. This was a great help to a new immigrant! Having been brought up in Mainland China, I had never had contact with Christianity. I could not believe that there were so many good people in this world, so I refused the enthusiastic warmth from these Christians. We did not return the next day.

But God’s arrangement is very wonderful. After more than two months, I was still not adjusted to the American lifestyle. At that time an unhappy incident happened. I struggled and wanted to return to China. As I was wandering aimlessly on the streets, a lady full of smiles came to me and said, “Do you speak Chinese?” “Yes,” I replied. I felt stupid answering this rather unexpected question. During the brief introduction, I learned that she was a Christian, and had a daughter about the same age as my daughter, and they lived very near us. She enthusiastically invited me to a weekly Bible study in her house. I do not know why I accepted the invitation without resisting. So, gradually through the Bible study group, I started to get to know many helpful Christians who loved God. They were always filled with joy and helped each other. Though I noticed that, I had lots of doubt in my heart. Do Christians have no worries? Are their work and lives always so smooth? I finally asked a close sister. I remember her answering me, “We know how to trust (God) in everything.” Seeing my puzzled look, she used the Bible to answer me with these two verses: I Peter 5: 7 says, “Cast all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.” And Matthew 6:34 says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” She told me to pray about everything and read the Bible. So I started to read the Bible and pray.

At the beginning I did not know how to pray, except to tell the unhappy experience to God. Through reading the Bible, I know that we are all sinners. Sin is described in many ways: jealousy, hatred, curses, betrayal and so on. These are manifestations of sin. It is not what we usually think of as a single crime against the law. The wages of sin is death! But God so loved the world, that He would give His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus Christ on the cross shed the blood for our redemption from sin. If we want to be redeemed, we must confess and return to Him! How do I trust, confess, and repent? I know my past complaints, and unhappiness stemmed from sin in my heart, but did not know how to put them down. At this time, brothers and sisters encouraged me to attend Sunday worship, so that Sunday I began to worship for the first time. I remember when the music started, we began to sing, and my heart suddenly moved. Tears just wet my face. I was like a child being comforted in her mother’s arms. Very strangely, after crying, I suddenly felt a lot better. Thereafter, for the whole year, tears would fall every time I sang and worshipped. Slowly I felt more relaxed. I have become more lively. Later, I learned that it is through prayer and believing God as I confess my sins that they may be released and removed. God has told us anyone who is weary and burdened can come to Him, and we could give all the burden to Him. God has so loved us! In a call to decision six years ago, I made the decision to follow Christ.

Looking back on these past six years, even though I have times of weakness, I have not forsaken God. But no matter what, God always hears my prayers. Just like a persistent, loving Father to his daughter. So, today I want to obey God’s will to be baptized in front of all of you, and confess publicly God’s grace and mercy on me with this testimony that Jesus Christ is the only Savior!

I thank the Lord for taking care of me!