Below are some stories of different Chinese students and what they have responded to.
Phillip: Responding to your friendship.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are such a good friends to me. They pick me up and take me to church on Sunday and then take me to their home for a meal. They have often encouraged me when I feel homesick and miss my family. They invited me to attend a Bible study on Friday evening and we have been reading the Bible together. They are very kind to me and I am very fond of them. They really wanted me to say a special prayer with them about accepting Jesus as my God. I didn’t really understand it, but it seemed so important to them and they have been so kind to me so I said the prayer and it made them very happy. Mrs. Smith had tears in her eyes. I’m glad I could make them happy.
Shirley: Believe in Jesus and he’ll solve all your problems!
I arrived here six months ago as an international student. I didn’t know anyone here and I was lonely and homesick, but some of the other students invited me to go to a Bible study for students. I’ve been going to this Bible study for nearly four months now and I really like what I am learning about. Jesus sounds like an amazing God, he is so powerful and able to do miracles. I decided that I would believe in Jesus because then he will help me with my life. If I have any problems I can pray to him and he will make the problems go away.
Andy: I need to be part of a group.
I’m an international student from a small town in China. Back home I have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, classmates, neighbors and all kinds of friends and we all look out for each other. I was never lonely and if I had any problem there was always someone to help me or encourage me. When I came to Australia I didn’t know anyone and I felt lost and lonely. Worst of all I worried about what I would do if I had a big problem because all my family and friends are so far away. Then I started going to a church. The people were very kind and caring and helped me a lot. I really want to be part of this church because I need to have people who will care for me.
Julie: More than one way.
There are a lot of different religions practiced in my home town and my grandma says they are all much the same. I used to visit the different temples, say prayers and make offerings to the different gods, because you never know which one might be able to help you. Since I’m studying in a Western country, I decided to go to church and learn about Jesus, who seems to be the Westerner’s god. He sounds very interesting and seems to be quite powerful – I’ve decided to learn how to worship him at the church so I can call on him when I have a problem too. I like to cover all my bases.
Tony: Just change the name to Jesus!
Back home my family are Buddhists and very careful about how they live. We try not to eat meat or kill any animals. We chant Buddhist scriptures and we used to go to the temple and make offerings to the monks and idols. I believe that if I can just earn enough merit then I can break the cycle of life and reach Nirvana. When I came to Australia as a student I learned about Jesus and that if I obey him I can go to Heaven. I guess Heaven is like Nirvana, so if I can live a good life and obey Jesus then I can go to Heaven.
Molly: Jesus is my Lord & Saviour.
I am an international student and I came to Australia about a year ago. When I first came I was very lonely and I struggled to work out how to live here. Another international student took me along to a church and told me that the people there were very kind and helpful and would help me when I needed it. At first I thought these people were a bit stupid because they let the international students take advantage of them. They would pick us up and drive us around. They would take us to the doctor and government offices and help us to fill in forms. They’d check the English for our assignments and even give us meals for free. Then one day I was talking to one of the older ladies and the conversation came around to this topic. She said, “I know some of the students take advantage of us, but I don’t mind that. I really love you all and want you to know Jesus who is my Lord and saviour. You see I did a lot of bad things too and God forgives me because of Jesus’ death in my place. “ I was astonished! I had never met anyone like this – who could love me even though I had “used” them. I really wanted to know more about this Jesus and be forgiven for my sins. Now Jesus is my Lord and saviour.