Austin‘s testimony

Kia ora everyone, my name is Austin. I’m from China. I grew up in a traditional Chinese family where my mother was a devoted Buddhist, and from a young age I often went with her to Buddhist temples and ceremonies. 我的名字叫Austin。我来自中国，从小接受中国传统文化教育。我母亲一直信仰佛教文化，有时我也会跟随她去接触一些佛教的礼仪和典礼。

In 2022, I came to New Zealand on a work visa to begin a new chapter in life. Later, my wife and son joined me here. Because of my upbringing, Buddhist practices were always part of my life. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, I would eat vegetarian food and burn incense at the temple, praying for my family’s wellbeing and for success at work.我2022年申请了工作签证来到新西兰开启了人生新的篇章。随后我的妻子和儿子也相继来到这里陪伴我一起生活。由于从小受到家庭的影响，对佛教的信仰和崇拜一直围绕着我的生活。我每个月的农历初一和十五都会吃素和烧香拜佛，以祈求家庭的幸福和工作的顺利。

My first contact with Christianity was in February last year. I knew that if I wanted to live well in this country, learning English was essential. For various reasons, I hadn’t had the chance to study it properly, until one day, by chance, I discovered the free English classes at OTBC. I was immediately touched by the warm and caring atmosphere. Everyone was smiling, friendly, and welcoming to newcomers. 我第一次接触基督教要从去年2月说起，如果我要在这个国家生存，那么把英文说好，是我必须要掌握的基本技能。但是因为各种原因我一直没有机会去真正的学习这门语言。直到有一天一个偶然的机会我来到的OTBC教会的免费英语课堂来学习。我当时就被这个充满关爱和热情的氛围影响到了。每个工作人员的脸上都洋溢着幸福的微笑，热情的和每一个陌生的新学员打着招呼。

Since then, I’ve been faithfully attending the OTBC English class every Tuesday at 6:30 pm. During that time, some brothers and sisters from the church shared the gospel with me. But for some reason, I didn’t respond to God’s call then and missed several opportunities to know Him. 一直到现在我都依然坚持每周二6：30来到OTBC英语课堂准时打卡，在这期间也有教会的兄弟姐妹给我传福音。但是当时不知道为什么，我竟然一次次的给错过上帝对我的召唤。

Everything changed this year when I went through a major challenge in life. In July, during a medical examination required for my visa, I was told that I had a serious heart problem. I couldn’t believe it because I had always exercised regularly and thought I was healthy. Later, I found out that my family does have a history of heart disease. I had stent surgery, and thankfully it was successful, my heart recovered well. 直到今年我遇到了人生中一个很大的坎坷。才彻底改变了我的认知，我的信仰。我在7月份接受移民局的一个健康检查时候，被告知我的心脏出现了一个很严重的问题。我当时都不敢相信这个消息，因为我一直都有坚持运动的好习惯，我一直认为我的身体是很健康的。但后来发现，我的家族里确实有心脏病史。我做了心脏支架手术，手术很成功，一切都正常了。

But then my visa was put on hold because of the surgery, and I was told it might be rejected. Both my immigration adviser and the medical officer said there was no hope and that I should give up. It was a huge blow to me, but deep inside I heard a quiet voice telling me not to give up. 可是，我的签证却被卡住了，我被通知有可能因心脏手术的事情，我会被拒签。这对我打击太大了。 当时帮我办理签证事宜的移民顾问，帮我办理体检事宜的体检医生。都告诉我放弃吧，你的case已经翻不了盘了。但我的内心好像有一个声音让我不要放弃，

At that moment, a familiar voice, one that had shared the gospel with me before, came back to my mind like a light shining in the darkest night. On a stormy evening, I came back to OTBC. Pastor Jane once again told me about Jesus’ salvation: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) 在这时一个我熟悉的声音，就像一道光突然照亮了我生命中的至暗时刻。那个曾经传福音给我而我没有领会的声音，又响起在我的耳边。在一个风雨交加的晚上，我来到OTBC，Jane 牧师再次和我讲耶稣的救恩，“世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀（罗3：23）”，

She explained that idol worship opens the door for darkness to enter our lives, to steal, kill, and destroy. Only Jesus, through His death on the cross, can save us from darkness and curses, and bring us blessing through faith. 拜偶像使我们开了门，给黑暗权势进入我们的生命，来偷窃，杀害，毁坏。 唯有耶稣钉十字架，救我们脱离黑暗和咒诅，使我们承受从信而来的祝福。

I was deeply moved. When Pastor Jane asked if I wanted to accept Jesus as my personal Saviour, to confess and repent, to let His blood cleanse my sins, and allow His Spirit to guide me on the path of eternal life, I answered firmly, “Yes.” 我听了，很感动，当Jane问我要不要信靠主耶稣，祂的宝血洁净我们的罪，祂的圣灵引导我们走永生的路，我当时心里很激动，我很坚定的说，“要。”

That night, Pastor Jane led me in a prayer of repentance and forgiveness. I received Jesus’ forgiveness and forgave myself and those who had hurt me. She also prayed that when New Zealand’s top heart specialists reviewed my case, they would find everything normal and speak in my favour. That night, when I went home, I slept peacefully for the first time in a long while, as if all my burdens had been lifted. 那天，Jane带我做了悔改，饶恕的祷告，我接受主耶稣的赦免，也饶恕我自己，和一切伤害我的人。那天，Jane牧师也祷告，求主使新西兰的权威专家检查时，发现一切都正常，说支持我的好话。我很惊奇，那天晚上回家，睡的很平安，好像一切重担都放下来了。

The following Tuesday, I came to English class again, and on Thursday I joined the Bible study. God’s Word opened my heart. I began to see that through the visa difficulties, God was actually guiding me, helping me realise that worshipping idols could not bring blessing, only emptiness. Through that challenge, I came to know the one true God, the Creator and Giver of life, the Lord Jesus. During Bible study, I experienced the power of God’s Word and the peace that came through prayers of repentance and forgiveness. 接下来的周二，我又来英文课，周四来教会参加小组查经，神的话开启我的心，我相信上帝给我安排了一条最合适的路，借着签证受阻，使我相信拜偶像，拜佛不能得祝福，反而倒霉。借着受阻的事，使我能认识独一的真神，主耶稣，是造物主，也是赐生命的主。在查经的小组里，我感受到神的话是那么的有力量，悔改和饶恕的祷告带下平安。

With strength from God, I contacted a leading heart specialist in New Zealand for another medical assessment. The specialist was amazed, my condition was nearly normal, and my recovery was surprisingly fast. In just two months, I went from being at risk of a heart attack to living with a positive attitude and a healthy body. It truly was a miracle. 带着上帝赐下的力量，我又联系了新西兰的心脏专家为我进行了一次心脏方面的权威检查，检查结果让专家都感到惊奇，说我目前的身体状况基本接近于正常人，身体恢复的速度让他都感到惊讶。

A few weeks ago, my work visa was approved quickly. I know this was God’s plan. Through the difficulties, He led me to experience His peace and blessing, and to see His power and faithfulness. 短短两个月从一个随时都可能发生心梗到现在拥有乐观心态和健康的身体，去面对生活的状态确实是个很大的奇迹。几个星期前，我的工作签证很快批下来了，我知道这是上帝给我安排。借着遇到难处，祂让我经历了祝福和平安，更是让我看见上帝有大能，

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) 祂的道路高过人的道路，祂的意念高过人的意念 （赛55：9）

Today, I am so grateful to be baptised into the family of God’s love. I thank the Lord for His salvation and thank OTBC for showing me His love. All glory be to God! 如今，我要受洗归入天父的爱的大家庭，我感谢上帝的救赎，感谢OTBC，愿荣耀归于神！