The education I received in China since I was in my mother’s womb was atheism and evolution. All religions were regarded as superstition, and it seemed to me that any person with common sense would have to be an atheist. But on the other hand, I often complained that life and God (if there was one) were not fair to me. I thought I was better than many others, and therefore deserved a better life and future. When I was at college, I began to wonder how the universe came into being and what was the meaning of our existence; but God was never mentioned in all that I read.

During college in Australia, I had my first contact with Christianity. Studying under a teacher who was known to be a religious person— and wanting to impress her to get a good grade—I began referring to verses and stories from the Bible in my writings. She naturally thought I understood the Bible, so she invited me to study the Bible with her. With embarrassment, I had to admit that I didn’t know anything about the Bible.

That same semester, I was invited to join the Communist Party and had even turned in the application letter. Down in my heart I had doubts about communism, but my hope was that the membership would help me find a good job in the government after my graduation.

Because I didn’t know anything about Christianity—and that being a Christian meant having a personal relationship with God—I thought becoming a Christian was something like joining the Communist Party! I even asked my teacher if people needed to write application letters to a Christian organization in order to become Christians.

But God was gracious to me. I began to study the book of Luke with my teacher. Scales fell from my eyes, but when challenged to make a decision, I told her that I hadn’t read the whole Bible yet. She then pointed to the story about Peter leaving his boat when he was called by Christ to follow Him. She told me that we had to make the decision by faith, and that no one can understand the Bible fully. Knowing what she said was right, I prayed with her to receive Christ. I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to cleanse me with the blood He shed for me on the cross.

Since then, God has been changing me from the inside out. I no longer complain about life, but instead enjoy the new life He gave me. As I walk with Him each day, He pours out His love for me and reveals His good and pleasing purpose in my life. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) says: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I know my life is His, and as I follow and obey Him, He will bless me according to His abundant love and mercy.

God has called me to be His servant in the field of academia. By His grace, I was able to get my master’s degree and Ph.D. in the States in five years. In those years, God provided all I needed through various scholarships, and in 2004 I graduated ahead of time and was debt free! I still have fond memories of those years in the States. God gave me many good Christian friends and families who opened their homes to me, loved me, and took good care of me. He also blessed me with the privilege of receiving training from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade for Christ, and International Students, Inc.—the organization I eventually joined as a member.

Over the past 10 years, teaching in higher education institutions, I have been privileged to share the love of God with many international students, some of whom are from countries like India, Vietnam, China, and Iran. As these students have been befriended by Christians, many of them have become believers, and all have been influenced by biblical principles. Some of these students have returned to their own countries to assume important positions in their governments—and, as such, are making an impact on their societies. Glory to God for the marvelous ways He works!

God has also answered my prayers for my parents’ salvation and for a good marriage that brings Him glory. In 2005, my parents prayed to receive Jesus. The following year, I married a godly man and we have been blessed with three wonderful sons. Our prayer for them is that they will grow to become godly young men who will shine for Jesus in this crooked world.

Today, God continues to orchestrate circumstances to mold and build my character. He demonstrates His love through His people, and most of all, through His son Jesus Christ. It is truly a blessing to be guided and held in God’s loving arms and to serve the Lord Almighty!

My heart’s desire for all of my family members and friends—and you, the reader of this story—is that you will also come to know the all-knowing and all-capable God through Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:7 (NIV) to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” I have found the treasure of life: Christ. And I know that even death cannot separate me from God’s abundant love. How amazing! I pray that everyone who reads my story will also take the step of faith to receive Christ and be found in Him.

(Kaili Zhang is Ministry Representative of International Students Inc. of Singapore and a university lecturer in education and a freelance educational consultant.)