Childhood

I was born in a family with complicated background. My Dad was alcoholic. When he was drunk, he would shout or even beat Mom and me up for no reason. Because of the family discord, the relationship among my siblings gradually turned distant and finally they left one by one. The deteriorating relationship between my parents ended up in a divorce after which my custody was granted to Mom. I then started to turn rebellious.

Lost without being aware

I joined a triad society at the age of 12. Since then I spent each day in emptiness and material gratification- eating, drinking and playing. As I was taller, bigger and more mature and full of anger, I was more brutal and ruthless than those of the same age. I soon rose in the triad society when I started selling pirated CDs. At the age of 16, I committed crimes with a group of triad society members who were older than I. We monopolized the decoration works of construction sites and from this I earned a lot of money. I carried on with this without being able to break away. I was arrested in mid 1999 and found guilty in May 2005. As I had just turned 18, the judge sent me to the Lai King Training Centre. I was helpless and scared when the sentence was passed, but these feelings soon vanished. I didn't have a hard time at the centre, but only waited for my term to expire. Though I had opportunities to hear about the gospel at the centre, I wanted to be left alone. My heart was hardened. I preferred playing chess with others to listening such “nonsense”. Furthermore, I looked forward to a comeback upon my release. After I came out of the centre, I again mingled with triad society members. In 2001, I worked as a bouncer for 3 bars and was hopelessly drunk every day.

Things were moving.

Until one Saturday night..... I was drunk as usual. Friends escorted me home in the early hours of the morning. Surprisingly, I managed to get up very early the next morning which was a Sunday and I wanted to attend a church to look for something. As I knew the address of my elder sister's church in Tuen Mun, I traveled from Tsing Yi to Tuen Mun. Upon arrival, I found no one there. I thought, “Have I got the date wrong because I drank too much last night?” I then looked at the notice on the door carefully and found that there was an evangelistic outing that day. With some reluctance, I went to the playground mentioned in the notice. As soon as I entered the playground, some brothers-in-the-Lord greeted me. My heart ached. I left shortly afterwards. Upon reaching a taxi stand I phoned Mom, intending to ask her out for lunch. Over the phone Mom began by saying: “I'm washing my hair. Come back later.” She then hanged up. At that moment, I was disappointed but didn't want to give up because I had a strong yearning for finding something that day. So I phoned my elder sister who told me that she intended to attend her friend's church, the Crossroad Community Baptist Church at Tsing Yi. I immediately told her that I would join her. I then traveled all the way from Tuen Mun to Tsing Yi from where I headed off that morning. I trust that God began His work in me that day.

When I phoned my elder sister one day, I broke down in tears before starting to speak. There was a desire in my heart to let go everything and return to a normal life. So I started attending my elder sister's church. One odd month later, I decided to give up everything and look for a job. Thank God! I entered a new phase of my life. When things seemed to change a bit, I stopped attending church after carelessly breaking my legs in the course of employment. In July 2005, the Crossroad Community Baptist Church at Tsing Yi organized a healing evangelistic gathering. My elder sister invited me to attend and God began His work that night.

Healing of life.

God did not cure the wounds on my legs that night. Instead, He healed my heart. I clearly heard the voice of the Lord, telling me to stay in that church to search for Him. I obeyed and began to search for the Lord seriously. Praise the Lord! He constantly strengthened me. When I decided to let the Lord rule over my life, the Lord prompted me to mend my relationship with my family members, firstly with Mom. Though I beat Mom up in the past, we managed to reconcile owing to the healing of the Lord. Relationship with Mom was better than before - we attended church together and studied the Bible together. I also reconciled with Dad and preached the gospel to him. Dad returned to Jesus again. Step by step the Lord resolved the problems in my life. At that time, a doctor told me at a follow-up session that my cervical vertebrae had moved inwardly and that the abnormal outward curving of my legs might be caused by tumour. I believed that the Lord had no intention to take my life at that time. Thank the Lord for His protection and guidance as well as the prayer and support from my church and family members. Three months later, the doctor confirmed that there was no tumour but that my legs could not be completely healed. Despite that, I was very grateful to the Lord for not taking my life. During quiet time that day, the Lord drew my attention to John 1:50: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” At that moment, I burst into tears, believing that the Lord will accomplish greater things for me. Later, there was a revival prayer meeting at the church. I was under the impression the prayers that night would be for the community and the church only. I didn't expect the Lord to work on my life. Upon being filled by the Holy Spirit that night, I lied down and heard a voice saying: “Get up! You are healed.” I got up. The pain in my legs then disappeared and I no longer needed a pair of crutches. I was touched and grateful to the Lord for his marvelous deeds.

Seeking God with all my best.

Now I attend Sunday service and small group gathering every week and actively participate in various courses for getting myself equipped. Regular quiet time made my relationship with God grow closer and closer every day. My closeness to God resulted in reconciliation with my parents and siblings who believed in Jesus because of the marvelous works God performed on me.

I now pray, “God! You are so gracious to me. You deliver me time and again! What can I do for you? My life should have been dead. Yet you had mercy on me so that I could revert to you when I was young. When I had a tumour, you cured me. You did not only preserve my life, but you also cured my legs. My Lord! From now on, my life is yours and my legs yours as well. Thank you, Lord for everything you have done for me. May all glory and praises go to my Lord Jesus.”

I joined a triad society at the age of 12. Since then I spent each day in emptiness and material gratification- eating, drinking and playing. As I was taller, bigger and more mature and full of anger, I was more brutal and ruthless than those of the same age. I soon rose in the triad society when I started selling pirated CDs. At the age of 16, I committed crimes with a group of triad society members who were older than I. We monopolized the decoration works of construction sites and from this I earned a lot of money. I carried on with this without being able to break away. I was arrested in mid 1999 and found guilty in May 2005. As I had just turned 18, the judge sent me to the Lai King Training Centre. I was helpless and scared when the sentence was passed, but these feelings soon vanished. I didn't have a hard time at the centre, but only waited for my term to expire. Though I had opportunities to hear about the gospel at the centre, I wanted to be left alone. My heart was hardened. I preferred playing chess with others to listening such “nonsense”. Furthermore, I looked forward to a comeback upon my release. After I came out of the centre, I again mingled with triad society members. In 2001, I worked as a bouncer for 3 bars and was hopelessly drunk every day.