Because of HIM

I’m a teacher trainee from Batu Lintang institute of teacher education. Although I’m majoring in Chinese, and I personally do not think my English is that good, still I have been attending City Harvest Church Kuching English services regularly this year since my lecturer invited me to come for one of the services. I began to join Alpha cell group led by Ps. Kelvin and Shawn and is now a part of alpha B cell group led by Liza after the cell group multiplied. 

Even though I was a Buddhist then and did not personally believe in God, I enjoyed the company of the cell group members as I hung out with them after church for lunch, went on outings and celebrated the birthdays of the cell group members together. Besides attending the English service and cell group, I also participated in various church activities for example donating blood and volunteering during the blood donation drive we had at Boulevard earlier this year, selling coupons and not only volunteering to mind a stall during the city care community service charity drive but also inviting my friends from the institute to come along and help out in this event. Recently, I also had the privilege to serve in the video ministry and helped to take photos during services and also during a visit to the old folks’ home with the elderly ministry. 

Through this all I have learnt so much about God and began to know Him more. As I have quite a few Christian friends, I began to use bible verses to encourage them when they are feeling sad and down. I felt that the verses were really inspiring. While I search for verses to encourage them, I too was encouraged by the verses I found. I became more thankful and grateful as I realized that God’s plans for us are to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. Although sometimes things do not go the way I expect them to be, I learn to see this setbacks and disappointments from a different perspective – believing that God is in control and He wants to bless me no matter how terrible the situation may seem.

During the recent healing evangelical meeting by Rev. Peter Chu, I was serving in the video ministry when Rev. Peter did the altar call for salvation. I felt something calling me to the front, and I knew it was the Holy Spirit. I left the video camera and walked to the front. After coming to church and attending the various events for almost a year, that night I decided to declare that Jesus is my Lord and savior. 

I want to thank Ps. George and Ps. Joanna for always serving God so fervently. Through pastor’s preaching each week I have known so much about God. Amen! Also I want to thank Ps. Kelvin for giving me the opportunity to serve in church. He has involved me in so many things and I want to thank him for believing in me namely asking me to help out in the decorations in church for our 10^th anniversary and also serving as usher for the first time that night under Ps. Zoe. Also to the alpha leaders, especially Shawn, Liza and Sing Jiat for always encouraging me and being there for me.

Most importantly, through it all, there was one special person who walked with me in my journey of getting to know Christ. Someone who refused to give up on me, who went out of her way to show how much she cared for me. She invited me to many Christian events and even though I rejected her invitation many many times, she did not give up on me. She was always there for me and somehow always knew the right thing to do and the right words to say. Esther, thank you for being you and for allowing God to work through you. It is not a coincidence that you came into my class for that replacement hour. Thank you for showing me how much God truly loves me! Thank you City Harvest Church, and thank you Father Lord!