Hong Kong Team Testimonies
Two personal stories: caring for children at school and finding peace during difficulties at work.
Watch on YouTube ↗Hong Kong Team Testimonies
The English story below is translated from the approved Japanese readable testimony. The original recording is in Japanese.
Esther: a path toward teaching
Hello, everyone. My name is Esther, and I would like to share my testimony.
As a child I once wrote that I wanted to become a schoolteacher. Today I work in Hong Kong with children who need special support.
I look at what interests each child, how they learn, and what makes them uncomfortable. Looking back, I believe God opened this path for me.
Esther: seeing one child's needs
Sometimes I do not know how to help. When that happens, I ask, 'Holy Spirit, what should I do?'
One child struggled to stay seated, sometimes struck objects, and had severe skin allergies that became especially uncomfortable in humid weather.
I apologized in case I had caused the child stress or pressure. I believe the Holy Spirit moved me to say that.
Later I brought ice to cool the child's skin and made the classroom cooler. The child gave me a wonderful smile and gradually began opening up, talking with me, and sometimes taking my hand as we walked.
Esther: hearing and acting
This experience taught me to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and then to act on it.
No single answer works for everyone. I want to look carefully at each child, seek the wisdom I need, and give thanks to God for His help.
I hope the children will also come to know freedom in Christ Jesus. I want to walk with God's Word, as Proverbs 6:22 reminds me.
Another team member: anxiety at work
I have worked in the IT department of my company for about four years. There have been many difficulties and new challenges.
Even small problems could make me overthink. The more I thought, the more anxious and fearful I became, until I lost my peace.
Praising God for who He is
I began praising God's character every day: God is faithful, powerful, provides for us, and gives wisdom.
At first it felt as though I was only repeating words. Nothing dramatic happened immediately. But later I realized the intense anxiety I used to feel was no longer there.
The problem remains, but I have peace
My work problems have not disappeared and my circumstances have not suddenly changed. But something inside me is different.
Instead of being stopped by fear, I can face the problem. As I take one step, I see the next, and then I take another.
I want to praise God not only when things go well but even when I am still facing problems. Philippians 4:6–7 reminds me to bring my requests before God in prayer, where I have experienced peace.