A Yard Sale Changed My Life!

Hi everyone, my name is Shuping. Some call me Shopping. I come from China. I am a part-time student studying science at Virginia Tech. I’m here to share my experiences of knowing Jesus, our Lord.    

I was born in a Christian family. However, because of many reasons, I didn’t REALLY know who Jesus is. I believed there is only one God and he sent his only son to this world. And this son died on a cross and came back to life. And he is a perfect man. If I want something, I should pray for it. That’s basically all I knew or what I understood about Jesus for the past 25 years. I didn’t go to church every Sunday and I didn’t read Bible. I didn’t really know Jesus.

Two years ago, I married my husband, who was a student at Virginia Tech. I quit my job, left my family and friends, and came to Blacksburg to take care of him. I used to think that getting married is the ultimate goal of my life. “The prince and princess end up marrying and then live happily ever after.” That’s what I believed. As you may imagine, a marriage without the guidance of our Lord didn’t go very well. Sometimes when we had a fight and I was so upset, I had nowhere to go, no people to talk to, but just stay depressed in that little apartment. Miserable! Many of you may know that my visa status doesn’t allow me to study in a degree-program, nor to work for pay. Before coming to Blacksburg, I had a well-paying and well-respected job. But here, it seemed I lost my identity. I found myself useless; I felt anxious because of the unknown future. So, this is first part of my life in Blacksburg.

However, Jesus comes to people in need.  August 2016, the Eichelman’s held a yard sale near my apartment.

IT IS THAT YARD SALE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE.

It was a normal day, I took my new roommate to buy something that she needed. I remember they asked me, “We have Bible classes, would you like to sign up?”   Why not? So I began a 1-on-1 bible class with Mary Kay every Thursday. And through Mary Kay, I went to Across Fridays and got to know Jay and Mercy. So I began attending ICF, where I met Sandra. So I began attending women’s bible study group every Tuesday. And Mercy took me to the Chinese Church and I joined their Bible studies, too. You can see my social connections being built up. So if I have a fight with my husband again, I can finally slam the door and go to my friends! But believe me, I never had a fight with him that makes me depressed ever since I know Jesus.

In the same week as the yard sale, I got admitted to a part-time program at Virginia Tech with the help of a professor, who, I later found out, is a Christian! That’s another story. But I mean, God has his plan for me. He sent Christians into my life when I was desperate for him.

As I knew more and more Christians, I was amazed and still am being amazed by their aroma of the knowledge of Christ, the unique fragrance that comes from the followers of Jesus. Can you imagine a person having surgeries almost once a month, but you can hear her loud laughter even before she comes into the room? Can you imagine a couple who got married for decades, having three grown-up children, but when you see the couple, you see love in their eyes as if they are newly-married? Can you imagine an international student who got a phone call out of blue asking her to leave this country in one week when she was about to settle down, but you see her pack up peacefully, without a word of complaining? There are so many Christians who amazed me. Thank you! Thank you for spreading this amazing aroma everywhere! That’s testimonies! As a witness, I see God’s glory reflected from you! I believe the strength, the love and the peace come from our Lord, Jesus!

By attending these activities, I got to know more and more about Jesus. He is God. He came to this world and he was crucified. He is the sacrifice. Through him our sins are forgiven and forgotten. He is the Christ. He came back to life, so everyone who believes in him can have the hope of eternal life. I used to think that I have to be perfect to be a Christian. If I am not good enough, then I don’t deserve Christ’s salvation. This is one of the reasons why I didn’t become a Christian even when I was born in a Christian family.  But No! That’s not true. You don’t have to be perfect! Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of Holy Spirit.” Repent and be baptized. It’s not “repent and be perfect.” Our God knows that you are not perfect. But he still loves you. As long as you believe in him, your sins are forgiven. I will be baptized two weeks from today, before I leave Blacksburg.  I’ll let Jesus be my savior. Let the Lord lead my everyday life, my marriage and my future.

To every one of you who are not a believer, I encourage you to attend Bible studies and to make friends with Christians. You can’t imagine how your life will be different after you know Jesus. To Christians in Blacksburg, I am grateful for your help, your love and your testimonies! Coming to Blacksburg is the luckiest thing I have ever done in my life! Thank you!

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