Charmaine has been going to church with her parents from a very young age and attended Kid’s Kingdom. At age 13 she initiated to study the bible and a youth worker, Seh Yen, started studying with her. Initially she didn’t enjoy or feel excited about the bible study
because she was distracted by her commitment in the school band. The
band was a priority in her life at that time. She admittedly had to
force herself to study the bible and eventually gave it up.
After some time she observed the positive changes among her peers in the church who studied the bible and got baptized. They changed in their character and attitude, becoming more mature, caring, and thoughtful.
Charmaine shared, “I was a very prideful person. I’ve always felt that I can do everything on my own without failing. But I realized that I couldn’t and needed God’s help. I need to rely on Him because I can’t possible do everything on my own. After that I decided to resume the bible studies.”
This time round, another youth worker, Michelle, studied the bible with Charmaine. Charmaine had known Michelle for more than ten years. Through the bible studies their relationship grew even deeper.
“I am so glad that God has chosen her to study the bible with me until I was baptized. I appreciate her hard work and love for me,” said Charmaine.
Besides that, Charmaine has many close peers like Sarah, Natalie, and Xie Yee who gave her lots of courage and faith. She is also grateful to the youth workers in the Church.
Charmaine’s parents are grateful for the youth workers in helping their daughter to be a disciple.
Her father Henry shared, “I appreciate Charmaine for taking up the challenge to study the bible despite her busy school schedule and extra-curricular activities. At times after the bible study she had to continue finishing her homework until late at night. I still remember an incident when my wife and I were having an argument, Charmaine wrote a letter to me encouraging me that she will still love me in good or bad times.”
Wai Yee, her mother said, “The most obvious change in her is her attitude towards her two younger siblings. She will no longer argue with them all the time, but even initiate to help them with their homework. She is also more punctual especially in going to church. In the past, we usually had to wait for her but now she is the one that ensures we all go to church earlier so that she will not be late for her meetings.
One of her obstacles from being committed to church was her school band. She didn’t realize how important it was for her to join the youth devotional for her own spiritual growth.” Eventually after much persuasion from her mom, Charmaine stopped joining the school band on Saturdays in order to join the youth devotionals. Initially she was reluctant and unhappy to give up the school band. However, after joining the youth devotionals for some time, she slowly saw the changes of the youth in the church and initiated the bible study. “I am so happy for her and for God changing her in an incredible way. I really appreciate the youth workers especially Michelle who helped her and studied the bible with her.”
For Michelle, it is refreshing for her to be able to study bible with Charmaine, especially her being a Kingdom Kid and seeing her grow up in the Church.
“She has learned to face her fears and deal with all her pain at this young age. She revealed all her hidden sins and repented,” Michelle said.
In the final week of her bible study, coincidently it was her exam period in school, and also her Grade 6 piano exam. She had to spend a lot of time studying for exam and piano practice, but still remained focus in her bible study.
After her exam, while going for evangelism, Charmaine brought a stack of invitation cards which she personally handmade and wrote. “I am very encouraged and amazed by her heart and motivation to love and obey God.” added Michelle.
On April 4, 2009, Charmaine was baptized into Christ!!!
This article is courtesy of www.icochotnews.com.
