Editor's Note: The author, pen name: Toward-the-light, is a regular contributor to the Gospel Times, who started her theological study in the Westminster Seminary this September. She'll write her experience of study, life and faith in the US.
Before talking about my theology study, let me say something much related.
It was in Summer 2010, just one year after my conversion, that I suddenly felt sick. To my surprise, I was diagnosed with a kind of chronic disease, instead of a mild cold. Warned not to be overworked, I felt like being trapped at home until one day a sister share a vision when she prayed for me: “rebuild after demolished.”
God’s plan is so amazing. I returned to books during my recuperation, and passed a test and got the certificate of English Translator Level II after one-year self-study. Later on, I worked for a translation company and volunteered for some Christian ministry at the same hand.
I love translating. My work and service being consistent with my interest, I was satisfied with my life. Year after year, I met a turning point by chance. I was invited to translate a Missionary’s Biography in Summer 2015 by a pastor. After reviewing my draft translation, he encouraged me to apply for theological seminary abroad, seeing the inland need for theological translation. Having no idea with the term “studying abroad” at that time, I was kindled and got even more passionate later on.
With praying and searching, my seminary application started. I resigned my job to be more focused on the application and the later study. Four seminaries were selected by November 2015, and soon I sent all my documents, with less hope deep in my heart. I was not that clear with their requirements, nor I felt it would be an easy process. It’s hard for me, while it must be a piece of cake to God. I received an offer from the Westminster early in 2016.
Actually I felt being kept in the dark regarding the whole process of selection. Why Westminster? It was the last of my four target seminaries. Anyway, God knows my way and He will guild me wherever I go.
I have never been abroad, nor do I have any idea about the whole procedure. Somehow I want to give up when temptation hits me. Thought it was too risky to study far away, I could live a comfortable life right here in my city. While God encouraged me by half tuition relief. I would be sorry to God if I keep shrinking.
In March my husband found a higher-paying job in Chongqing. So we left Shenyang, where we had lived for eight years, and left the church where I’ve served over six years. “Back to Chongqing” would be a better word since I was half Chongqingese. My husband work in the downtown and there we rent an apartment. Chongqing is famous for food, and I love Sichuan cuisine so much. Then I shook my decision to study abroad. I have my own plan: we can sell our house in Shenyang, purchase one in Chongqing and soon we could leave a comfortable life here. What’s more, the Church in Chongqing is inviting me to join the preparation for Christmas Conference. If I study abroad, my husband and I have to be separated, with a tight budget, and I cannot enjoy those foods for a long time. I have ten thousand reasons to give up the study.
There were so many secular excuses to give up but only one to insist: for Jesus.
Time to interview for visa in June approaching, I should entrust God and give thanks whether approved or not, though I want to be refused deep in my heart. I have already taken a fancy to a house in Chongqing, thinking that once my visa was rejected we would make that purchase. But in fact, I might be misfired but God has designed me to be His servant. I got an F1 Visa with before I made it clear.
Later on, I rent a house at a miracle lower-price. It was until I ordered my ticket to Philadelphia that I realized my future study-abroad. Time flies, I boarded hurriedly before felt the apart, setting foot on my longest-ever travel.
24 hours. What a long travel. Departing from Chongqing, I arrived at Philadelphia via Beijing and San Francisco. This is my first time going abroad. I feel hard yet thankful, with so many kind-heart people I met. Two sisters of the seminary drive to pick me up. I arrived at my apartment, met my landlady, given a warm hug and a welcome card. The landlady had been waiting for me until midnight. She is a senior Christian, whose house would be only rent to seminary students.
Though tired, I could not sleep the first night due to the jet lag. This made me think about those missionaries hundreds years ago, who had traveled thousands of miles to China from the West. I felt laborious even though I had a safe and sound trip, taking plane, with less language barrier. But those missionaries came to China by ship, with his family, and met language barrier, plus natural threatens. They suffered these only for the sake of preaching the good news to more people, and in the name of the Lord.
Only those who have tasted the Lord’s grace can bear these.
To be continued...
- Translated by Alice Wang
