I am Nicole. I will soon be 17. Though I am young, I have an uncommon past.

Embarking on a journey of foolishness.

I was raised in a normal decent family with parents who loved me and an elder sister who was a mature girl with good academic performance. I looked like a nice smart girl deeply loved by my family. I turned rebellious and playful when I was in Primary 3. My family could not restrain me. Subsequently, I associated with drugs. I inhaled fumes of thinner and took ice and ecstasy. I muddled along every day with no direction and meaning. I also broke the hearts of my family members. Finally, I was sent to the Fanling Girls' Home for 9 months' training as I had committed offences on several occasions.

Encounter with the Lord whilst receiving training in a girls' home.

Though admission to a girls' home looked like a punishment, it was in fact a blessing. It's where I got to know God.

Whilst in the girls' home, I got to know the brothers and sisters from the Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association. They visited me every week and we had various activities, such as bible study, personal chats, singing hymns, playing games, watching movies, sharing testimonies and sharing by pastor. There was a day camp during the summer vacation- a chance for us to get close to one another. Through chatting with them, their care, their coaching, their prayers and influence on me, I gradually got to know something about God. I accepted the Lord when I had a personal chat with a sister from the Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association.

Experiencing the love of family.

Whilst in the girls' home, I had many opportunities to reflect on myself. Initially, I thought I would be the only person to bear the consequences of my wrongdoing. In fact, my family also suffered and bore the consequences with me. Once again, I appreciated my family's unfailing love and care. I truly didn't want to hurt them again. So I committed to behaving myself and to becoming my parents' good girl.

Resisting temptation with the Lord's help.

I completed the training and left the girls' home at the beginning of this year. I resumed studying in a school and also attended a church. I recalled that on an occasion I received a phone-call from a friend in the middle of the night and was invited to go to a disco for merriment. If this happened in the past, I would say yes immediately without any hesitation and enjoyed myself. But on this occasion, I turned down the invitation and hanged up. I believed that I was able to resist the temptation not because of a probation order but because of the Lord Jesus. I didn't want to disappoint Jesus or anyone who loved me. I believed that these changes were brought about by God.

Gone through. Metamorphic changes. Became beautiful.

In the past, I would do anything I wished. I was rash and wayward. Though the Lord didn't bring about radical changes in me after my conversion to Him, He transformed me progressively without my being conscious. I now behave properly and will consider the possible consequences for my acts.

Striving to improve.

I am still in the process of being transformed and still have to face difficulties in school work, resist temptations and break bad habits. I have only one wish- to share my testimony at the girls' home. I will continue to work hard and let God transform me.