I grew up in a broken family and was raised single-handed by my grandmother. My father, an odd-job worker, was addicted to drugs. When I was nine months old, my mother hardened her heart and walked out of our family, as she could no longer tolerate my father’s wayward lifestyle. Growing up in such an environment,I took to many bad habits at a very young age, such as smoking, drinking, gambling and stealing.

I still remember the day I returned home from school and caught my father and his friends taking drugs. Out of curiosity, I stole some of their drugs and started smoking like they did. I was only 11 years old then.This one puff led me into a bondage that lasted for more than 20 years. During those years, I was arrested more than 10 times, and found myself going in and out of prison and the drug rehabilitation centre. I spent 20 years of my youth in prison.

When my grandmother saw that I was into drugs, she gave up hope on me and finally drove me out of her house. I never blamed her, because I had indeed broken her heart. However, I was tired of continuing such a lifestyle, and was also feeling very despondent and helpless. I tried many ways to change myself, but failed. I wanted to start my life over again, but no one could help me. My relatives and friends did not trust me anymore, and there seemed no one I could turn to for counsel.

Thank God, He did not forsake me. Actually, I had heard of the Gospel in 1989, but was not repentant then. The last time I was arrested, I was sentenced to five and a half years’ jail and given three strokes of the cane.One day, a Christian visited me in prison and shared the Gospel with me. He said, “The Lord Jesus Christ can change your life.” At that moment, I could not explain why, but my heart was greatly moved.

When I willingly opened my heart to receive Christ as my personal Saviour, God’s love began to transform me.One day, I was feeling bored, and tried to borrow a gongfu novel from a Malay prison officer. Amazingly, however, the officer brought me a Chinese Bible. Greatly touched, I thought to myself, “This must be the hand of God.”When I flipped the Bible open, a particular verse struck me deeply:

“My son,do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when He rebukes you,because the Lord disciplines those He loves,and He punishes everyone He accepts as arson.” (Hebrews12:5-6).

This verse really woke me up. A year later, I was transferred to another prison,where I started attending Bible study class.I also began to share enthusiastically with others about the life-changing power of the Gospel, and testified about the forgiveness and peace I had received from Jesus. During that time, I led 13 people to the Lord.
All glory be to God!

When my jail term was over, God led me to Breakthrough Missions to further equip me. At the centre, I read the Bible diligently every day, led a disciplined lifestyle and encouraged and helped the many brothers there who were still struggling with their addiction to drugs.

Every time I reflected on and counted God’s blessings in my life, my heart would be overwhelmed with thanksgiving, because Jesus had indeed changed my life. God had also given me many opportunities to witness for Him through songs and testimonies indifferent places.

Because of Jesus, my relationship with my family members also changed. When my relatives saw the change in me, they accepted me back into the family again, and even invited me to have meals with them in their homes. These were the kind of family ties that I had not enjoyed in many years.As I visited various churches to give my testimony, God also led me to my wife– Xing Xiu Yin. She not only accepted my past, but was even willing to marry me.I finally got to taste the sweet wonder of having a complete family.

All these would not have been possible if not for Christ’s love. I had been imprisoned for nearly 20 years, had no CPD saving sand hence could not afford to buy a house,and had no career or savings. But I have Jesus Christ, and so I already own all of these things.
Jesus said,

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these thing swill be given to you as well.” (Matthew6:33).

I was living in hell when I was into drugs, but God in His mercy gave me a new life, so I want to praise and thank my Lord. Aim willing to offer my whole life, and pray that God will continue to lead me, so that I can use my songs to share the Gospel and be a blessing to many others.

"With man, this is impossible, but with God, everything is possible."(Luke 9:23).

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♥ posted on 3:59 AM