My Testimony

I grew up Muslim the first 21 1/2 years of my life and it wasn’t easy. But God made a way through Jesus. As a young person growing up it was very difficult, the usual question I would ask God is “Why me?” Why did I have to be poor, why do I have to work at age 10 and asking God many other questions WHY? My parents were divorced ever since I was about 4 years old and I was working since I was age 10, including my 3 brothers. I was born in Passaic, New Jersey and grew up in South Paterson which is 2 miles from Passaic. Then at age 17 my mother, 2 younger brothers and I moved to Santa Ana, California, November 25, 1989. Where I met lots of neat friends (christian friends). We all struggle with things in life, but my christian friends knew how to deal with it, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus always made things right for them and I was truly amazed because I didn’t know Jesus, but through my friends, they had a few things going for them hope, faith and the love of God. Knowing Him!!
I could explain how I feel by Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I was always struggling financially with money and I didn’t have a problem with wanting to die, because I didn’t have any responsibility but myself. I was about to finish school with a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Automated Manufacturing Technology from ITT Technical Institute and could not land a stable job. Went for a long period of time from one temp job to another. I didn’t really like this, but I did it to support myself to get by until something came up. Psalm 37:3-4 help me get by.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV)

January of 94 I started going to Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship church in Anaheim, California and what a blessing it is. The senior pastor was a huge blessing to me and the world. Pastor John Wimber was known all over and hearing him on Sunday morning was a blessing, because he spoke with love. Something everyone wants love, but the Lord must have been watching after me because instead of turning to drugs, alcohol, or a gun to my head, I turned to Jesus, my Lord, Savior, my God. Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

And also in John 5:6-14 where the Jesus saw a disabled man; When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

And ever since then I have been growing each day with knowing the Lord, I really can’t get enough of Him. I share the gospel with all people I come across and I thank Jesus for continuously working in my life and helping me grow and sharing the love of God the Father has for us. I have been going to homefellowship every week at Anaheim and now I live in Burlington, Vermont where I attend Burlington Vineyard Christian Fellowship and how I moved to Vermont? Well, Jesus lead me here. I was always searching for a better job and I was at a job fair in Long Beach, California where I gave out my resume to many companies, and IBM picked me up and I moved to Vermont in December of 95. I am now doing well and have a family here, my family in Jesus Christ, my church. The biggest battle I face today is being alone, toughest thing I had to deal with. I realize I get bored very easily and I have to stay active and busy with doing things and moving on with my life so the devil doesn’t bug me with negativity. Life isn’t any easier now, but I am thankful Jesus is in my life, He is always shining His LIGHT and making a way, giving me hope, faith and lot’s of love from above. Finally I would like to finish by saying I have something now I didn’t have the first 21 1/2 years, and that is a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

Here are some scriptures I’d like to share with everyone!!
1st Peter 4:12-14
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Philippians 2:1-5
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.

Psalm 89:1-2
I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Romans 8:14-17
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.