The Shepherd and His Flock, L.L.

I did not have any Christian background or Bible knowledge during my childhood or my teenage years. The reason is mainly because I grew up in Communist China where people were educated with atheism and any Western religion was highly discouraged. However, I finally was exposed to the Christian faith when I went to the University of California in Irvine for a B. A. degree.

Through the prayers of some Christian friends, I realized the reality of the universe and the meaning of my life that I was seeking for is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God! During a mountain retreat with some U.C.I. Christian students, I was attracted by their love toward the Lord Jesus; furthermore, I was subdued by the Lord's glory so I accepted Him as my Savior. Two months later, with my realization of the need to be fully delivered out of Satan's kingdom (Matthew 12:26), I was baptized.

From May 1996 on, the Lord Jesus has been more and more real to me; the Christian brothers and sisters have been so dear to me. I'm under the tender care of the Shepherd in His flock (John 10:11-14).

A few months after I'd received the Lord Jesus as my new life, I moved in with four other believers who also participated in the church meetings and services. Because we have the same life of God within us, we call one another “sisters” and we really love one another. We prayed together every day for one another, for our families and for our friends. We read the Bible together and filled our days with much singing. Although we came from five different countries and all had different cultural backgrounds, we had genuine concern for one another. It was the love of God that attracted and knitted us together.

In the past three or more years, we went through many small problems and life-turning points together. My faith has been strengthened in this spiritually healthy environment. I experienced what was described in Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers (sisters) to dwell in unity!...” Like every other college student, I had busy and stressing school courses; however, unlike most of the students, I had the Lord Jesus as my Shepherd Who empowered and strengthened me (Ephesians 6:10) every step of my path, and I had Christian brothers and sisters who encouraged me. My college years were full of opportunities to experience the real God Who lives in me (1 John 4:15); thus, those years were not in vain at all! Moreover, I'm expecting more years to come of enjoying and experiencing the Lord Jesus! I have found the meaning of my life Who is God Himself; and I have found the true resting home that is the church, brothers and sisters in Christ. “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for the length of my days.” Psalms 23:6