Listener Responses from China

Topic of the Month - Difficulty/Pressure of School Life

They pay a lot of money for my education

My mother has been a Christian for long. She accepted Christ when I was not even born. I am now twenty years old. Naturally I know God and accept Christ because of her influence. Yet when I started going to school and study atheism, my faith began to fade. I understand my little faith is displeasing to God. Could you tell me what to do?

In order to send me to school, my parents have spent almost 20,000 dollars (RMB). To village peasants, this is a huge sum of money. Every time I return home and see their aging faces and whitening hair, I feel sad. I cannot be more helpful than saving food and other expenses. When I am home, I try not to ask for money because they are already in debt. Besides, I still have a younger sister studying grade seven. Since the money return for crops is low, I have decided to leave our village and find a job in city after graduation. Whenever I talk to my father about this, he always says that the world is evil. He asks if I abandon my faith because of work, how I can face Jesus when he returns. He also stresses that one should not be greedy. I do explain that I want to make money to repay the debts and not out of greed. He is still not convinced. I shall graduate soon, should I insist on leaving them to find a job in city?

(#2816 Henan, response to "Walk in the Breeze")

I am a freshman

I am a freshman at university. By age, I should be quite mature. Yet what is meant by maturity? Is it to lie, to take advantage of others or to do empty talk? My peer groups are doing this. It appears that this is the way of society. Yet this is not my style. As I am not talkative, I am often left behind. What should I do? To follow their path or stay with my own?

(#3497 Zhejiang, response to "Walk in the Breeze")

We have heavy workload

I am going to graduate from high school. Some time earlier I listened to your programs by chance. I like them very much because the contents are very attractive. There are few Christians in my village. I have come across some of them but doubted if they are true believers. Though they sing hymns and pray, their purpose is to receive blessings from God. I think true believers must genuinely search for God and anxious to know Him more.

I knew about Christianity when I was in grade eleven. During a class on religion, our teacher spent three lectures talking about Jesus Christ. I was deeply touched by what he said and more important I realized that Jesus was the God I had been searching for. Later I learned that this teacher was a devout Christian. It was a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to talk with him about Jesus. He seems having left our school. Yet the story of Jesus was imprinted in my heart.

Because of heavy pressure from school work, I really find life empty and confusing. To me, Chinese students have much heavier workload than those in other countries. Every night I sleep for six hours only. I always feel empty and lonely. I can't tolerate an aimless life. I think about God but He seems unreachable. Not until did I listen to your program, did I find hope.

(#3523 Henan, response to programs on KFBS)

I dare not to disclose my Christian identity

My parents accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior in the spring of 1998. Their life then changed a lot. Later they passed the saving gospel to me and my sister and go to church with us. But at school we learn about Marxism and Darwinian theory. I therefore dare not disclose my Christian identity at school. I always commit trivial sins and only pray when I need help from God. I even do not study the Bible though I have time. The only way to know God is by listening to your broadcast. However when I am busy with my homework, I have to stop listening. As such, how can I evangelize my classmates? I have written to two of them. Their comment is that Christianity stems only from psychological need.

(#3546 Shandong, response to "Pressing On")

My classmates alienate me because of my religion

I am a high school student. As my study schedule is tight, I seldom go to worship service. The only way I get to know God is by studying the Bible in my limited free time and listening to your broadcast. I know I am sometimes very weak spiritually.

I am the leader of a study group in my class. Sometimes my classmates alienate me because of my religion. I have little chance of sharing the Gospel with them. When my grades are low, they criticize and tease me. This makes me feel weak in my faith and will power. Whenever I offer to help those in need, in return I receive negative comments. Could you tell me what to do? By the way, being influenced by the Darwinian theory of evolution, which is a major part of our education, I can hardly accept the story of creation.

(#3758 Liaoning, response to "In Touch")

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