Meadowbank International Church
West Ryde Public School, Mons Ave, West Ryde.
“Many nations - one family in Christ”
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Personal Stories
Christine is from Northern China
I was very interested in different kinds of religions when I was a young girl. I used to believe in Buddhism, and I hoped Buddha could bless and protect me. However, I found there are so many contradictory ideas in Buddhism and my faith in Buddha just faded away. I strongly believed there was a God who has mighty power and intelligence, but I was wondering who is this God and where is he?
I happened to tune into a Christianity service one night when I listened to radio and I was fascinated about the teachings from the Bible at once. From then on, I listened to this program every night, and understood the Bible more and more clearly. Without any hesitation, when the host of the program asked the audiences to do the first prayer, I prayed to God and became a Christian. I began reading the Bible and going to church for about one year. At that time, I was just a young Christian, and I needed some mature Christians to help me grow. I had so many questions but could not find anybody to answer me. Gradually, my faith in Jesus seemed to vanish, and I quit going to church.
The life without Jesus seemed to be wonderful, I could indulge myself without any self-blaming. Like Adam and Eve, I hid myself from God and hoped there was no God at all.
However, God was calling me everyday, “Where are you?” and the Holy Spirit urged me to open my Bible. When I read Luke 15 talking about Jesus who is the shepherd and will find his lost sheep in any circumstances, I prayed to God: “My heavenly father, I believe, but my faith in Jesus is not strong enough, please increase my faith and please help me to understand your words more.”
God is so gracious to me; he took me to Sydney from China and led me to this church. I am getting to know many good Christians here, they help me to know more about God and understand the teachings in the Bible.
I have never dreamed of giving the testimony in English and being baptized in an Australian church. But God answered my prayer and used this way to show his love to me. Jesus promises he will never let his sheep go away, and in any circumstances, he will find them and bring them back.
From Buddha to Jesus, I finally finished this long journey of looking for the true God.
Crystal is from southern China
I grew up with my grandma who is a pious Buddhist. In some special festivals my family would go worshipping together in temple.
Actually I knew nothing about religion. It was ambiguous in my mind, so the question like “Which religion would I follow?” is something I never thought of. But one thing I am very sure of is that I liked church music very much. It always made me feel deeply touched, even though I didn’t hear it very often.
In 2003 I immigrated to Sydney on my own. In the following days I stayed at home and prepared for my CPA exam. However, I couldn’t concentrate on my study and even worse than that, I felt unsafe, unsettled, lonely and helpless. I thought the reason for that was maybe just because I haven’t got used to the new life here. At that time I hadn’t realised that something was missing in my life. Then one month later I was informed that I failed the exam. It is a shock to me. That was a really a hard time for me. A bad mood surrounded me and I couldn’t stop it.
One morning as I was day dreaming a Christian song suddenly came to my mind. It brought me joy and peace in my heart. The feeling was so great that I couldn’t forget it. I told my friend I would like to go to church. I think everything is under God’s plan. My friend introduced me to Andrew and Julie. I went to church with them and started to know about Jesus and Christianity. I attended a Bible study group. From that I knew we are sinners, we deserve God’s punishment. Due to God’s grace, mercy and love for us he sent his only son Jesus as our saviour. So we can have a new and eternal life with God. How great it is. I decided to put my trust in Jesus, accept him as my saviour and to follow God. At that moment I knew exactly that I have already found what I was missing in my life before. That is my faith in God.
Now that I have put my life in God’s management, I have the peace and comfort that I never had before. As Matthew 11:28 states “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.” Before I followed God, I lived my own way, only following my own my heart, being wilful and impatient. Now I have more patience and I know I should live God’s way. I have different priorities and values now. I can talk to God anywhere, anytime, so I don’t feel lonely any more. Instead I feel stronger and more secure.
Praise God that he has given me salvation and eternal life. I want God to help me know more and more about him and his kingdom. I ask for his support in my spiritual growth under his instruction so I can become a person he is pleased with. As Corinthians 4:16 states: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”.
George and Shao Min are from northern China
How did you first start coming to MIC?
Shao Min:
“There was a hand-out of MIC in the mail box before Christmas. I was curious about how people celebrate Christmas. Lilly and I went to MIC, watching a children’s play---‘GOD is everywhere’. The children raised some pictures and sometimes forgot what to say. People enjoyed it and encouraged them from the bottom of their hearts. I understood children get gospel when they are quite young. Andrew made a phone call, asking if he could come to our home to have some discussion. At that moment, I thought he has this ‘important’ title like an officer in China while George and I are common people. So we hesitated to receive him. But the God never abandon us. Andrew informed us there was a celebration for the Chinese New Year on Feb 18 and then we came, playing some games ‘thinking about China’, and enjoyed the time. I was impressed that people celebrate the Chinese New Year together in Australia. They are really open-minded and caring others. Since then, Andrew came to our home for Bible teaching once a week. Andrew prayed for us before George’s 3 week trip back to China. There were some phone calls, saying hello and asking if I need some help. George and I started coming to Church regularly and the Bible lessons continued from this Easter since George is back.”
What do you enjoy about church?
Shao Min:
“For the first reason, it’s a big family gathered together. We are so lucky that we do not feel lonely while we are separated from our family in China. The relationship between people here is friendly and pure. We have dinner which is prepared by different groups in the church or at someone’s home to have further discussion about Bible. For the second reason, church is a very child-friendly place. My daughter has more chance to learn good behaviors such as ‘sharing’ with her friends. Many people give Leonard a hug. Last but not least, people do many missions and pray for others, even they do not know about each other. Especially, the purpose of people’s good behavior comes from the influence and reflection of Jesus, not for celebrity or getting paid back.”
George:
“I can meet lots of brothers and sisters who I never know before. All the people in church are kind and considerate to each other. Nobody will think about the cultural and financial background, we are only enjoying the time with God and Lord Jesus”.
Why have you decided to follow Jesus?
George:
“When I have time to think over my life and future, I was wondering why people go out and back home everyday until death. There is nothing can be kept while dead even the people with lots of money or in high positions. It makes me feel meaningless and sad about my life. But the feeling is changed when Andrew gave the first lesson of Bible. Actually we are not born by accident; our lives are given by God. All of us are not good enough during our life; we must follow Lord Jesus to have the eternal life in the kingdom of God’s heaven”.
Shao Min:
“I’m not ashamed to admit I have sin since nobody is perfect. I thought that I was good person before, but actually it is not true. Fortunately, Jesus saved us while we are still sinners because God loves us unconditionally. Whoever we were or whatever we did, we are saved by blood of Jesus. Now we have direction and begin a new life. The eternal life makes this life full of meaning. Thanks to God for accepting us.”
Meadowbank International Church
Minister:
Andrew Irving
Mobile:
0434 001 410
Email: ajirving.mic@optusnet.
com.au
Christ Church Gladesville
Phone:
02-9817 2631
Email: office@christchurch.org.au