Like many Chinese friends, I had no knowledge about God before I came to Canada. I was happy with my lifestyle. With the communist ideology in my deepest mind, I believed I could fight everything on my own.
It was a big decision to come to Canada with my family. Like many new immigrants, we’ve been through a lot of difficulties. But as we started our new lives in this totally different world, we also found something we never knew before – God. It is so wonderful that I found my Saviour, God.
In God’s will we got to know a dedicated Christian preacher who taught us the Gospel. Verse by verse, we read God’s words, and absorbed knowledge from the Bible. Gradually, I knew I wanted to be saved – to have eternal life, to be in heaven when I died. But I was waiting for proofs or miracles to show that I was really saved.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” One day I read this Bible verse, and I realized there was no need of miracles – I only needed to trust God. Salvation is a free gift from God, not received by our hard work. God spoke to me so clearly, and I knew for sure that when Jesus died on Calvary, He died for my sins.
Living in this materialistic world, there are many voices trying to distract me from God. Fighting through it on my own is impossible. Walking by faith, God takes care of me, and leads me to every victory.
~ Allen Xu
I was born and brought up in a very humble and difficult setting: poverty, many hours in the fields, loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, several surgeries, and terrible insomnia.
Whenever I think about it, I feel very upset, and I ask “Why me?” I know it is not right to have such a negative attitude, so I commit myself to the Lord, and ask Him daily to make me a graceful and thankful woman.
My husband is very caring, but he did not know my spiritual struggles. I felt anxiety about many things, especially as a newcomer to Canada, with so many things to deal with (language, culture, family, career). I was nervous about the future – I needed someone to refresh and comfort my spirit.
“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Through Bible study, I trusted the Lord as my Saviour, and I am a changed person now. It is a great privilege to join the big Christian family – I am not lonely anymore. I have learned to speak to God, and He answers lots of my prayers. My husband got a computer job, my daughter loves going to Sunday school, and now I do not grumble as much!
I realize I am a sinner not deserving God’s love. I used to do things that I did not know were sins. I was not a gold-hearted person, but I was pretty OK under the social norm. Now I am aware of my sins. I still sin, but I repent and God restores me quietly. I have decided to follow Jesus – I will never turn back.
~ Lucy Luan