The Love Grew/Something Grew Inside, H.N.

I am a 23-year-old student who grew up in a Christian home. My father and mother, through the Lord's mercy, barely escaped from Vietnam as Saigon was falling in 1975. My father was studying to be a pastor at that time. When they came to the States, they found the local church. When I was born, my mother told me that they had consecrated me to God. Like many other kids, I didn't think too much about knowing God. I received Him when I was 11 and was baptized in the same year. I went to a retreat and knew definitely at that time that I loved Him and that He was real, but eventually I drifted and stopped meeting for no particular reason.

I finished junior high and started high school without much thought of God except that He was there when I needed Him. During those years He preserved me until suddenly in 11^th grade something within urged me to go to the meetings. No one called me or forced me. I just decided to show up. From that point on, my love for Him began to grow. The meetings of the local church were full of life and this attracted me. I looked forward every week to gather with the young people to sing songs and get into the Word. That year I went to a conference given by Witness Lee and it was there that I consecrated my whole life to the Lord Jesus.

As a high school senior, I prayed and gave my college decision to Him. I ended up going to UCLA where with other Christians my love for the Lord grew more and more. The love within caused me to read the Word. With the help of books by Witness Lee and Watchman Nee, my understanding of the Word grew and my love for Christ increased. The Lord was really making His home in my heart. There were also weekly meetings for the Christian college students. The meetings of the local church were a joy to me. How I enjoyed Christ and got to know Him more during those times. Every Sunday, I also met with the local church and nothing could compare to the experiences I had there. I will never regret the meetings I have been in.