Hokkien Testimony #25

Hokkien Testimony #25

Today is the 25th testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Pastor James Lim interviews Preacher Hoe Wei Qiang.  His life had a lot more bad things than good in it, and was much like living in a bitter sea. He has an interesting story to share. Let’s listen together to his Hokkien testimony. We have also provide an English summary below.

Hoe Wei Qiang’s testimony:

In my family I was the oldest child. I had two younger brothers and two younger sisters. When I was young my father drove a three wheeled vehicle and later he drove a different vehicle.  Unfortunately, my father became ill and went to see doctors but it was not getting better. Someone told him what he needed to eat a specific thing that would cure him, and since he was so ill, he was willing to try it. However, it didn’t work.

Since my father was ill, my mother did what she could to bring in money and on Friday evening and Saturday I began to wash cars and taxis and would work all night long to bring in a little extra money.  At this time since my family needed help I was unable to go to school. Also, when I was out all night washing cars I picked up some bad habits such as drinking, smoking, gambling and just had a good time with these new found friends. Most everyone around me was doing the same things.

I quit school and found full time work. In the place where I worked, one of the men often shared with me about Jesus. The reason why I was interested was that my sister married and had two girls. They really wanted to have a son, so they prayed to idols for a baby boy. When we found out that she was pregnant, we were so excited and assumed the baby would be a boy. However, not only was the baby a girl, but she had major health issues including the fact that she was blind and deaf. The fact that the baby was a girl was not a problem, but she had so many health problems. We were all pretty devastated and went to our local temple for answers. There at the temple we were told that my sister’s house was not clean (demonized), and they must move into another house. Plus they told her to drink ashes from the temple as well. They used traditional practices to try and solve the issues, but it didn’t change anything.

My sister’s house was rented from the government so to move quickly like this was not really a choice. It was at this time that I really began to lose faith in my religion. I asked myself why the house would have ghosts or evil spirits when the god they worshiped was also in the house. It seemed to me that the god didn’t have enough strength to overpower the evil spirit. So the answer given to them was that they should move to another house. This was a real conflict for me. It didn’t make sense.

As the older brother I really did want to help out. After my sister gave birth to this little baby she really was devastated and almost lost her mind. She was hospitalized. I hurt so badly to see my sister like this and to also see the tears that my mother shed over seeing her daughter in this difficult situation. We had no idea what to do. So when my Christian friend invited me to go to church with him, I thought maybe this might open a way for us. When my friend began to share the gospel with me, I did not have much interest in what he had to say. However, he was passionate and continued to invite me. Later he shared that his church was having a special revival and he really wanted me to come. He shared that they would also be praying for people to be healed. Well, I immediately thought of my sister and felt that we needed to check it out. That was the first time for me to go to church and I went because I had been invited. The second time was on a Sunday, and my wife and I wanted to go and see for ourselves what this was all about.  When we arrived at the church we observed the people singing and praising Jesus. When I heard the people singing the songs I felt really happy and peaceful. Then the pastor invited anyone who would like to receive Jesus to come forward to the front. I was very moved and felt that this indeed the true God, and a good God. My friend encouraged me and was willing to go with me down to the front, so I asked Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. One of the men at the front led me to pray, ask for forgiveness and ask Jesus into my life. He made a statement about Jesus dying on the cross for my sin, and these words really touched my heart and I began to cry out. I couldn’t help myself and I just kept crying out loudly with tears much like a young girl. I cried out for about five minutes, and then my heart was so much at peace.  I had never experienced anything like this, and I knew that Jesus is indeed real.

One week later my wife accepted Jesus. After I accepted Jesus, every evening I began to earnestly pray for my family. My sister was hospitalized, and about two weeks after I started praying for her she was released from the hospital in good health. I was so touched. I then took her and her baby girl to church with us. The church people began to pray for this little baby for about 3 months. It was a miracle. The baby was healed and could see and hear. She took the baby to the doctor to be examined, and the doctor asked her what happened to enable this baby to see and hear. It was a miracle healing from the Lord.

After I accepted Jesus, I went home to share with my mother and she was not happy at all. Since I am the oldest son, she assumed I would carry on the tradition of idol worship. In fact she told me that if I went back to church she would not claim me as her son, because according to traditional beliefs that when she died there would be no person to worship her in the afterlife. I was very troubled because I knew Jesus was real, but I didn’t want to offend my mother. It was tough for me. However, I did go back to church and after returning home my mother wouldn’t speak to me and didn’t want to claim me as her son. Even though I was very hurt, I prayed to God and asked for help. AND God heard my prayer. Two months later my mother saw the changes in my life and started talking with me again. And even more precious is that before my father died he accepted Jesus as his Savior.  

In closing I would like to share a bit more with you. Even though I had asked Jesus into my life, I continued to smoke. I had smoked for years. One day a Christian came to me and told me that I really should get rid of that bad habit. Well I still was a bit of a rebel and was argumentative and told them that they could find no place in the Bible where it said that I could not smoke. That friend was very wise and shared scripture with me telling me that as a Christian, my body was the temple to the Holy Spirit and that I should do nothing that would harm my body. I really thought about that. It was true. This loving Jesus had put His Spirit in my life and I should respect and care about how I lived. From that point on I have never smoked. As Pastor Lim reminded us, when we have Jesus in our life, things that seem impossible can become possible. Our bad habits, thoughts, opinions, etc. can all change.

A word from Pastor Lim:

It is especially moving to see the miracle that God performed in the life of Mr. Hoe’s niece. This is the end of our program today, but before we close I would like to lead us in prayer. If you have the feeling that you would like for Jesus to come into your heart, then your life will experience a big change. Follow me in prayer. I believe that the same Jesus in which Mr. Hoe believes will also help you overcome your problems and the challenges in your environment. The Lord will help you. Please follow me in prayer.

Lord Jesus, I thank you because you came to this earth to save us. At this time I beseech you to forgive my sin, save me from my wrong doing and come to live in my heart to be my Savior and Lord. I know that you will never leave me. Beginning today I will experience your love and the miracles that you desire to perform in my life. Thank you, Jesus. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you.

Hokkien Testimony #24

Hokkien Testimony #24

Today is the 24th testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Pastor James Lim interviews Brother Wu Rui De.  He had an especially deep interest in worshiping idols and its traditions. He has an interesting story to share. Let’s listen together to his Hokkien testimony. We have also provided an English summary below.

Wu Rui De’s testimony:

I grew up in a family that worshiped traditional idols. My Aunt was actually a temple caretaker and when I was a teenager she encouraged me to begin serving in the local temple.  My Aunt read my fortune and said that I needed to do somethings in the temple. My mother believed what she said and took me to a local temple to follow through with what she was told. I served in the temple for two years. I was still young, grew tired of it and just wanted to go to work to earn some money. I was never interested in academics or getting an education.

Even though I was working, I would still participate in activities that were held at the temple. I felt that it was very exciting and they also taught me to go into a trance so that spirits could speak through me. I would do this when I was young and even after I married until I became ill. I couldn’t keep any food down and continually vomited for three years. I don’t know why or how it started. I just suddenly began to vomit. So I went to see doctors, but after all kinds of tests they couldn’t find anything wrong. I consumed a lot of medicine, but to no avail. Nothing worked. Day and night I was sick and couldn’t keep food down. I was so sick that I would vomit until there was nothing left in my body. So I continually drank Cokes to keep fluid in me.

With my background, I not only went to see doctors, but also made my way to every large or small temple in Singapore and even traveled into Malaysia. I also went to the Goddess of Mercy temple as well. I was desperate to find an answer and spent a lot of money. My child was still very young and I had spent so much money on all of this. One day my daughter told my wife that I shouldn’t go back to those kinds of places. It was a very simple request. That night I didn’t go out, but began to think about my situation. I had seen many doctors and spent money in many temples, but I had no hope at all.

During my long illness I really didn’t have any friends that came by to encourage me. However, there was one person whom I barely knew who was a Christian and wanted to help and encourage our family. So other friends from the church also reached out to us. I didn’t know anything about Jesus, but I was willing to receive the love and encouragement from these people. So they invited us to go to church with them. I prayed to receive Christ and that night the strangest thing happened. I immediately stopped vomiting. From that day until now I have been healed. No more vomiting!

I actually had been to church before, but I did not put my belief in Jesus and saw nothing special about this religion. However, when I did put my trust in Jesus my life changed. My family and friends also saw this change in my life and as a result of my testimony of how God saved me, they too wanted to believe.

Before I became a Christian I was a real ruffian. So after Jesus came into my life, I was a new person and was not raucous and course. My family and friends saw the difference in my life. I really did change. Physically speaking, for years I had been so thin because of my illness. However, after I became a Christian I put on weight and filled out, so it was obvious that God had changed me. So my wife, our daughter and son-in-law and just about all of our relatives accepted Jesus as their Savior. As Pastor Lim said, my testimony regarding them was very special in bringing them to Jesus.

So today I would say to those who have not yet believed in Jesus, that accepting Jesus is a real gift and this faith is not like any other religion. As Pastor Lim said, when we come to the end of our road when we feel that we have no hope, Jesus receives us and gives us a new life.

A word from Pastor Lim:

This is a beautiful testimony. After hearing Mr. Wu share, without a doubt we know that truly there is a God. Even though you may not know Him, from the beginning of time he is the eternal God. He loves us and you know how much, he loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us. So today no matter what kind of trouble or challenge you face, when you call on Jesus he can heal your illness and set you free. Are you willing to believe in Jesus? If you are willing to trust in Jesus, then follow me as I pray. As you pray I know that Jesus will come into your heart.

Lord Jesus, I thank you. I am a sinner but I know that your precious blood will cleanse me. I believe that today you will set me free. At this moment with my whole being I ask you to come into my heart and be my personal Savior and the Lord of my life.  After this I ask that any disease that I have be bound up and  removed and for you to set me free. In Jesus I will be a new creation. Lord Jesus I thank you. I covenant that in you I have freedom and hope. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

May God bless you.

Hokkien Testimony #23

Hokkien Testimony #23

Today is the 23rd testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Pastor James Lim interviews Sister Lui Xiu Jin.  She and her husband sell very delicious noodles. She has an interesting journey to share. Let’s listen together to her testimony. We have also provided an English summary below.

Sister Lui Xiu Jin’s testimony:

It is true that my husband and I have a noddle business. However, when we first started selling noodles, people criticized us and asked if it was even edible. It was not easy in the beginning. But we kept working at it until we were successful and able to make some delicious noodles. We not only had good tasting food, but we also made a lot of money. However, in spite of all of this success we had no peace.

In order to carry out our business we had to work hard, and all of our time and attention was placed on our business and not on our family. So the relationship with my husband or even those around me was not very close. I also have a sister who was working nearby selling meat. She was just as busy as we were. As Pastor Lim said, we worked hard to make money but lost meaning and emotions in our relationships. Since we were busy with our noodle business, our three children were cared for by other people. We had no time. Two of them were cared for by a neighbor, and the middle child was taken care of by someone else.

Even at Chinese New Year, we only took off one day. As some say, we made (money) but we lost (our family and relationships). As a result of all the hard work and long hours, I became ill with cancer. Of course, at first I didn’t know it was cancer but I constantly coughed and had a runny nose. However, I didn’t think it was anything serious. I would go to see the doctor, get some medicine and return to work. During this time I began to lose weight. Just within a two week period people noticed a big difference. Our oldest daughter was very concerned when she saw the loss of weight and took me to be examined. That was when we discovered that I had cancer. It really hit me hard. The doctor told my daughter that I had only about three months to live. My daughter started to cry, but at my side she began to pray for me. I asked her if prayer could make a difference and heal me. She told me that through prayer I had hope. She believed that Jesus could heal me.  However, I thought that whatever god could heal me would be great, so I just kind of heard what she said and drew my own conclusions.

The doctor told us that we had two choices. We could use chemotherapy or surgery to address the cancer. He said that whether we used chemo or surgery, both of them gave me about a 50% chance of success in addressing the cancer. I didn’t want to have surgery, so we decided to use chemo. We went home and the next day I went to have a body scan to better understand my situation.

They then began the first of 6 chemo treatments. It was really tough. The more chemo I had the more I was impacted by the treatment. I was weak and totally unable to work. After the second treatment I also lost my hair. I felt that my life was almost over. I felt terrible. I didn’t know how to pray, but I called out to God to save me and allow me to get up and walk and not be confined to a wheelchair. I begged him to heal me and not see me lying on my back in a bed for the rest of my life. I told God that if he would heal me that I would testify of his great power to bring him glory.

After about two months of treatments I went to church for the first time. My daughter invited me to go with her. I had no idea about church, pastors or anything. However, the pastor put his hand on my head and prayed for me. His prayer gave me a real sense of peace and love. My daughter continued to take me to church, and I experienced so much joy there. My husband and I went with my daughter and we accepted Jesus as our Savior and were baptized. Following this, little by little my health continued to improve.

You know that the doctor said I had only three months to live, but God gave us wisdom and changed my life. He healed me, and it has been three years now since I accepted Christ. From that point forward I gave my life to Christ to be a testimony of his great power in my life, so that I can lead other people to Jesus. The Lord’s love has no boundaries or limitations. It is amazing.

Our oldest daughter during this time reflected such a filial heart. She loved me and took care of me. In every area of my life she took responsibility to encourage and care for me. She didn’t just tell me that she loved me, she showed her love through her actions such as praying for me at the doctor’s office and all the other ways in which she took care of me. Every day she encouraged me and also took me to church. Even though she had been in English education she had a filial heart and showed her love and respect for me. So as a result, both her father and I accepted Jesus as our personal Savior. Our daughter was so happy.

Years before this occurred, our daughter had accepted Christ, but I disapproved and told her to go her way and we would go our way. She put off her baptism until we accepted Jesus. Jesus forgave me and healed me and gave me a new life in him. Not only that, but at this time my relationship with my sister also improved. We began to get together once a week, and then twice a week to share what was going on in our lives. My sister has not yet accepted Christ, but that is my desire is for her to know Jesus too.

As Pastor Lim says, Jesus really loves me and has shown his love through the forgiveness and healing in my life. To have the Lord’s salvation and guidance is indeed a blessing for us. I do have a word of encouragement for those who are listening to this program. If you are depressed, discouraged, sick or hurting in any way, I encourage you to believe in Jesus. If you trust in him, he will meet your needs. He will give you joy and direction for your life. I give thanks to the Lord.

A word from Pastor Lim:

Dear friends, after listening to this program I am sure that you have different opinions. Some listeners may themselves be sick, hurting and feel very frustrated at what you are experiencing. You may also feel that your situation is hopeless. Through this testimony you can see that God is real and is a loving God. He desires to heal us and make us whole. His methods enable us to have peace. You just must have faith and receive Jesus. I believe that Jesus will heal you and come into your life. All that you must do is to have a little faith and believe in Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Follow after me as I pray, sentence by sentence.

Lord Jesus I thank you. You are my Lord and Savior. You are also the Lord of my life. I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sin. Please come into my heart and live in me to be my Lord and Savior. I also ask you to heal my sickness because I know you have the power to heal. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

May God bless you.

Hokkien Testimony #22

Hokkien Testimony #22

Today is the 22nd testimony in our Hokkien Harvest series. Pastor James Lim interviews Sister Wang Gui Li.  She originally came from a far off region, but now is a citizen of Singapore.Today we have the privilege of hearing her story in Hokkien.  Let’s listen together to her testimony. We have also provided an English summary below.

Sister Wang Gui Li’s testimony:

I grew up in China. It is definitely true that there is a lot of difference between China and Singapore. In China where I grew up there were four seasons; however, in Singapore it is always summer. As I told Pastor Lim, I definitely prefer summer weather. Summer is so much more convenient. In the winter you have to wear a lot of clothes to go outdoors, but not in the summer.

I grew up in a farming family. And as far as religion or my faith, I had never heard about Jesus. My family worshiped a lot of different kinds of gods. These gods were idols that we could see. So from my perspective I believed that these idols that I worshiped were true gods. As most people when I went before these gods, I would beg for money, prosperity, good health and peace. When I was growing up I never even wondered if these gods were real or not. I just assumed they were.

Since I grew up on the farm, I also didn’t have much of an opportunity to get an education. Later, my older sister’s relatives had a son who had not married and they wanted to introduce me to him. So I went to Singapore to meet him. I liked the idea. Singapore was a warm climate and “the moon just looked brighter there.” (The grass is always greener on the other side.) I had always heard that the moon was definitely brighter in Singapore, and I was eager to check it out. Even though I didn’t know it, God was there leading me even before I knew Him.

The people in my husband’s family were all Christians. So I quickly discovered that their faith and gods that I had worshiped were not the same at all. You might say that the moon in Singapore was not quite as bright as I thought it would be! Of course my new family took me to church with them. However, I didn’t see Jesus. Instead I saw a cross at the front of the church. People would sing songs and worship together. Actually, I thought that they might have a few loose screws. Something was not right up there; but I continued to go with them to make them happy.

Later I took my family to go worship a local god. That was what I did when I lived in China. It was all I knew. And you know what; our family began to have financial problems. We owed money. We also went to the mountains for a special event, but when we returned home both my husband and I were sick. We went to see a doctor and quickly recovered. However, our oldest daughter began to vomit and couldn’t stop. So we also took her to see the doctor. He gave her medicine, but it didn’t work. It didn’t matter what she ate, she couldn’t keep it down.  We took her to the doctor so many times. With the doctor it seemed that there was no problem, but when we returned home it would start all over again. The doctor couldn’t find out what was wrong with her. She didn’t look right, but we had no solution. We sought out every local god that we could to get an answer, but nothing changed. Then we sought out a medium for help. The medium told us that a female god had entered our daughter. Then he told us what she needed to eat, what to recite or do to rid herself of this ghost. All of this of course required money. At this time, I decided to stop going to these gods. After a few months, a relative invited me to go to church with them. They used English materials, and I couldn’t read or speak English. However, I accepted this challenge to learn something new and continued to go. I had an English teacher who was very good to me. The people in the church were so loving toward me with smiles on their face. Actually, it was my English teacher who led me to Christ, the true God.

I accepted Christ, because He loves me. Even though I couldn’t see him, I know that He lives in my heart. Parents love their children, even though we can’t see that, we see their love in action. The same is true with Jesus, and we know that He loves us, and he abides with us.  My husband was raised in a Christian home; however, when he grew up he left the church. After I made my decision to accept Jesus, he also followed me and received Christ. I told the Lord that I was sorry that I had led by family to worship idols instead of worshiping Him, the true God. I asked for his forgiveness. Both of our children also accepted Christ.

Jesus Christ indeed has changed my life. Before accepting Jesus I was often jealous, selfish and quick tempered. Pastor Lim commented that I certainly was not that kind of person now, and I praise the Lord for that. Little by little God began to change me. I am so grateful and the Lord has abundantly blessed my family.

I do have a word for those who are listening to or reading this post. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I encourage you to quickly do that. Jesus is the true God who is omniscient and omnipresent. Don’t delay making this decision, because we do not know what will happen tomorrow. We only have today. I also continually pray for my family and relatives in China to come to Christ. I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to return to China and share Christ with my family and friends so they can also be saved.

A word from Pastor Lim:

After listening to this testimony I think that we can all agree that our world is filled with many gods. Just as there are many roads in life, there are also many gods that people follow. In the Bible Jesus tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no person can come to God except through Jesus. So we choose to follow Jesus, because he is the WAY we must follow. Jesus has already lived on this earth and knows what is best for us. He also offers us His saving grace. He bore our sins and was nailed to the cross and shed his precious blood to cleanse all of our wrong doing. So if we are willing to put our trust in Him, he will bring change into our lives, lead us in a new direction and give us hope. Are you willing to put your trust and believe in Jesus? If so, please follow me in prayer.

Lord Jesus, I thank you. You are Lord and Savior. You came to this world and died for me on the cross. Lord Jesus, at this time I open my mouth and acknowledge that you are Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart and forgive my sin, live in my heart and be my Lord and King. I know that you will never leave me. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

May God bless you.