My name is Susan Chen. I grew up in a broken family, my father left us because of his gambling habits and debts with the loan sharks. My mum raised the family singlehandedly. Like any other children, I always wanted a life that is complete and wonderful as well as having a happy family with both parents. When I was in primary school, I could not join my friends for activities because I needed to work due to the financial constraints in my family. I always thought to myself that if I were from a rich family, I would not have to work at the age of 12. If I had a father, people would not look down on my family and so on. There was no end to these wishful thoughts.
After Form 5, I was not given the opportunity to further my study so I started to take up jobs morning and evening in two different places. After a year, I was offered a fully sponsored nursing course in Penang. And I was innocent to think that my fortune had changed.
After close to 3 years in Penang towards the end of my course, I was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) in the thyroid and went for an operation as well as started the 6 months TB treatment. I was extremely anxious as I needed to sit for my professional examination in a few months and I could not afford to fail due to my sponsorship terms and conditions. Besides, my family condition had also gone downhill.
I was overwhelmed and thus, causing me to be physically and emotionally weak.I was put on Dormicum (a type of sedative or sleeping pills) and advised to rest. My tutor had to come every night to my room to give me the sleeping pills, worried that I would commit suicide.
My tutor then advised me to follow her to church. She said God can help me, Jesus loves us unconditionally. Having no other alternative in sight, I agreed and followed her to church the following week to see what Jesus can offer me – someone who was hopeless. Weeks after weeks, I followed my tutor to church and finally fell in love with Jesus’ teachings. I went for short Bible class during the weekend and read the Bible. I decided to get baptized and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. This religion not only made me realized the essence of serving others but also transformed my dull and hopeless life to a bright and meaningful one.
After that, I found myself never the same anymore. People can see joy in me. I still have the same family members; no father and people still have bad impression about my family. However, the same old story no longer worries me because of the love that Jesus has shown to me personally.
I have learned to lean on God and trust in Him. I found that problems are no longer scary and no longer a cause for me to worry. Because of my experiences and the joy in me, my whole family got baptized and happily living under God’s grace. Things have not been any easier, my mother did not get back her husband and my father did not come back to me. There are still many personal and family issues in life.
But the difference now is that I have a God who is with me and my family regardless of any circumstances. I am thankful to God that He never fails to provide and comfort me and my family. God has also sent loving people into my life; He has built an extraordinary relationship with me. There are no words good enough to express the good things He has done in my life. ALL GLORY TO GOD!
