The Church in Spokane

The summer of my first year in college, my father was ill and dying. Not having any warning of his imminent death, he passed away unexpectedly, leaving a grief filled and shocked family. My mother cried throughout the rest of the summer. The center of her life was gone and she would not received any comfort. I had always tried to live a life that pleased my parents, so when I could not comfort my mother I became depressed and full of sorrow.

In the fall, when I returned to school, I received a Bible from a Christian sister who met with the local church in Taipei. One night, while I was depressed and alone, I began to look into that Bible. As I turned the pages, some words caught my eyes…

“He said, “It is finished!” and He lowered His head and delivered up His spirit” (John 19:30).

The memory of my father not knowing when he would die ran through my memory. But this man, Jesus, He knew when He would breathe His last breath! This man, I discovered, had to be God! The realization of Jesus being God overwhelmed me and my depression was swallowed up by a great joy!

From that time onward, I began meeting with the local churches. The first local church that I began to meet with was the church in Tansui. There I developed a love for the Word of God. I enjoyed the ministry of Witness Lee. I exercised my spirit and daily read the Word of God prayerfully. My experiences in the local church in Tansui laid a good foundation in my Christian faith. I read the entire Old and New Testament within the first year of my new life in Christ. Every day I had a private morning time with the Lord and then one with other believers. We exercised our spirits by singing and praying. I was filled with the Lord and went to testify to my mother. My mother also received the joy. Jesus became so intimate with me, and I could not but tell Him that I loved Him. I also loved to meet with other believers.

Now, many years later in the church in Spokane, I am still full of joy. I think the local churches are so pure and absolute to love the Lord Himself. Each time I go to a meeting I have a stronger desire for the Lord and to get into His Word. Every message I read from the ministry of Witness Lee causes me to want to contact the Lord Himself more and also to love His Body. I am so happy to be in the local churches, loving the Lord and living my life to please Him.

Jan-Jan Wu