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Volume. XXIII, No. 52 Testimonies II
Sister Wendy Wanxian Liang’s Testimony Having been brought up in Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Church since I was born back in Singapore, I was always spiritually fed and blessed by the teachings of Sunday school. However, because of that, I took for granted my life as a Christian and Sundays soon became a routine, and I did not seem to be growing spiritually as I wanted to. When I left for UK to further my studies last year (after not getting a reply from Adelaide Uni), I experienced the work of the Lord in me, as I hungered after the spiritual word of Christ when the comfort of worshipping in a Bible-Presbyterian church was taken away from me. The university I was in had some fellow Bible-Presbyterians from Singapore too, and I joined the Bible study group which they had. Through that I grew stronger in Christ in the short 2 months I was there. When I got the offer from Adelaide to study here, after 1 term of studying in UK, I wondered why the Lord sent me to the UK when He was planning to send me here ultimately. But I soon realised that by sending me to the UK, God allowed me to grow spiritually as a Christian. Back in Calvary Bible-Presbyterian, knowing that I would be able to worship with Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church here, everyone was very happy for me. I actually overheard one of the Deacons telling my father “It is the work of the Lord that she is being sent to Hope B-P and you should be really happy because it is a wonderful church” and through their joy and blessings, I was very encouraged knowing that I would be here. When I came here, I found that the church needed people to serve in various roles, which are the exact same roles which I was serving in back in Singapore. I finally realised that God brought me here for a purpose. And it only hit me at that time that everything that happens in my life is planned by God and nothing is a coincidence. Through His wondrous works, I will continue serving Him in the various gifts that He has blessed me with and to help the church grow. As the song goes: God never moves without purpose or plan, when trying His servant and moulding a man. Give thanks to the Lord, though your testing seems long, In darkness, He giveth a song. O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistakes, He knoweth the end of each path that I take, For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold. Sister Iris Surman’s Testimony When Elder Michael said he required my testimony, I asked myself...where do I begin??? Well… My Parents were strict Taoists and my father did not allow us to go to church or learn about Christianity. Yet the school he sent us to taught Bible Knowledge. It was during these days that I learnt that I am a sinner and how Christ died for my sins and redeemed me from eternal damnation. I accepted Christ during my secondary school days. Life after school was anything but Christian...there was no going to church or Bible study but in my own way, I stayed close to God in prayers and reading the Bible...but was not consistent. It was after my divorce in 1988 that I could freely go back to church, have Bible group studies, attend Bible classes and seminars and was going to church on a regular basis. I was baptised in 2002. I know children are God’s gift and after my divorce, I surrendered my Children to God. My son, Shan Ian was then in Canada and later joined my daughter, Shan Lynn in Melbourne when she was ready to pursue her university studies. On the weekends I have my daughters, Shan Lynn and Shan Mae, I would bring then to church with me to introduce God’s love and teachings to them. Whenever possible, I would bring my youngest daughter, Shan Mae, to church camps joining my sister, Doris and her daughters. Thanking God, I am happy that Shan Lynn and Shan Mae have both received their salvation. Shan Lynn was baptised last May and a few months later, guided her sister through the sinner’s prayer. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God has been faithful and He has answered many of my prayers. He knows I have strayed many times, yet he has always brought me back on track. He has strengthened me when I was weakest and needed Him most. When I felt very tried, confused and helpless, I reminded myself of the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” and Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” I know there is a purpose for my being here in Adelaide. I thank God for bringing me to Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church and into your midst. Here I have found warm friendship and seemed to fit and belong very quickly. I feel at home and it is like I have an extended family. I am happy to say that my husband, Phil, feels the same way too. Thank you. For sure, there is much learning and I am happy to serve whichever ministry I am able. God bless. Sister Mavis Wong’s Testimony I come from a non-Christian family. My parents are idol worshippers. When I learnt that my sister was a believer, I started asking her questions about this God that she believes in. She brought me to a few evangelistic gatherings organized by the Campus Crusade for Christ. Through these gatherings, I got to know more about Jesus Christ and about God being our creator. In one of the gatherings, someone shared the gospel with me and I prayed the sinner’s prayer, inviting Jesus into my life. (Editor’s note: These three sisters transferred their membership to Hope B-P Church on the Lord’s Day, 31 May 2009. Next week - testimonies of Brothers Boong Atijatuporn, Phil Surman, Frank Wong, & Wai Kin Wong.) |
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