Jan 22, 2025 Hei Hu Paw’s Testimony

My name is Hei Hu Paw, I’m eighteen years old, and I’m from Mae La Camp. I would like to share with you how I became a Christian and the journey I’ve had with God.

When I was nine, my mother dreamed of sending me to a prestigious Christian school, Eden Valley Academy, but due to our poverty, she couldn’t afford the fees. Nevertheless, she didn’t give up. She spoke to the principal and pleaded for help, and by God’s grace, the school offered to assist with the tuition. I took the entrance exam and was accepted. I started in grade two, and that’s when I began to learn about the Word of God.

At the school, I started attending church services and participating in church activities. One day, I casually mentioned wanting to get baptized, and the leaders told me that I could do so if I was mature enough. At the time, I didn’t take the idea of baptism seriously, so I continued my studies and grew in my faith year by year.

However, when I reached grade ten my health began to deteriorate, and I feared I might not be able to finish my studies. In desperation, I began praying to God, asking for strength to overcome my struggles.

I promised Jesus, “If You help me through this, I will share my testimony of Your faithfulness.” Though my health continued to worsen, I kept praying, and God’s answer came in a way I never expected.

During this time, God changed my heart.

I used to be a hot-headed person. From grades eight to ten, I didn’t act like a typical girl. I wore boys’ clothes, rarely smiled, and had no friends. I was quick to anger, kicking things when I was frustrated. My siblings even called me a “monster.”

But as I grew closer to God, my heart began to soften. I started attending an SDA church, but I felt pushed away by the behavior of some members, so I briefly attended a different Christian denomination instead.

However, deep down, I felt something wasn’t right, and I knew this wasn’t the true Sabbath.

So, I prayed to God for guidance, and this time, He sent me wonderful friends who brought me closer to Christ. I also met pastors who helped me understand God’s Word more deeply.

It was then that I decided I wanted to be baptized in my eleventh-grade year.

However, my family was strongly rooted in Buddhism and did not want me to change my faith. Our family was poor, barely able to provide enough food for survival.

My siblings were rebellious, disobeying our parents and using drugs, adding to the strain on our family.

My father, seeing his children’s disobedience, also turned to alcohol.

Despite the difficult circumstances, I stayed faithful.

One summer, I was invited by a friend to teach English at Maeramungkee Church, where they were holding a Bible vacation for children. Seeing the eagerness of the young children to learn about God filled me with a deep desire to be baptized.

I prayed again, asking God to send someone who could help me.

God answered my prayer when I was invited to a youth leadership camp, the Karen Young Disciples Camp, at Ber Lu Koh church. Initially, I was hesitant since I didn’t know anyone there, but I decided to give it a try.

Through God’s grace, I quickly adapted and made many new friends. I was even elected as a counselor. As I listened to the pastors preach more about God’s Word, my desire to be baptized grew stronger. On the last day of the camp, when they asked if anyone wanted to be baptized, I stood up boldly. That day, I was baptized, and I realized that the pastor had been the one God sent to guide me.

Even after my baptism, life did not become easier.

Though life has been full of challenges, I have learned not to give up on God. Adversities, temptations, and doubts may try to pull me away, but I will hold on to God’s promises. He is a loving God, and by His grace, I am still here today, standing strong.

I am now in grade twelve, still facing many problems within my family. But I know that God is by my side, helping me through every trial. I believe that, in time, I will gain acceptance from my family, and I will be able to influence them to follow the path of the Lord.