My name is Rose Yang, and I'm really new into this Internet thing... I first looked up a subject for a college project, but I was curious to know if there were any topics on JESUS CHRIST, our Savior and Lord. Thank goodness I've found it, and I hope I can be part of all this by sharing and spreading Jesus name. Praise Jesus!!!!!!

Since I'm new at this, I don't know if this short testimony will go privately to you or if many will be able to read this too, but I wish that people will email me. I'd like to have fellowship, because we praise the same God, and distance can't be an obstacle, right?

Well, I was born in Brazil but my parents are Korean. I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian family, but we all know that we can't be saved just because someone in our family is...
Anyway, I've always known about God's love, about Jesus' salvation... but you know what was lacking??? Personal and real experiences with God. I've come to know God's true love for me when I was in seventh grade. Well, teenagers are curious about everything, and even as a Christian, I wasn't very different. From out of nowhere, God sent me to the U.S.A, and I started going to Berkland Baptist Church. I learned from friends letters that they were into heavy drinking, smoking and sex. I never agreed with these things, but peer pressure sure would've made me get involved into these things. I thank God so much for His true love for me. I know God has a plan for me, for His ministry, and I hope I'm giving my all to Him so that He'll do His will. Let's all allow God to work so that His name may be glorified and many may be saved.
I have so much more to tell, but I think I'll stop here... I don't even know if you or anyone will ever get this... I'm hoping to receive messages... I want to share, to encourage...
PRAISE JESUS FOR HE IS LORD!!!!

The following testimony was written by the surviving wife of Colby Buchanon. Like so many people who are raised from birth as Jehovah's Witnesses, Colby struggled to understand what he had been taught as a child. Colby was a good friend, and he is missed by all of us at New Light Ministries.

My husband was a kind and wonderful person. He had an abundance of character and was extremely humorous. He was also skeptical of many things, including the beliefs he had grown up under as a Jehovah's Witness.

Though Colby spent his childhood in a Witness family, at the time of our marriage, his mother had stopped attending meetings because she had been disfellowshipped. Before we were married, he had assured me that he was a Christian. After we were married, however, he began to have some serious questions about what he truly believed. We talked about what it meant to be a Jehovah's Witness and about what it meant to be a Christian. It was only then that I began to realize just how much Colby had been through during his younger years. He told me about not caring for school or college because he had been assured that the end of the world was so near. He also tried to explain many of the JW teachings to me. Colby just wanted to know who was right and who was wrong.

So, we both started praying for God to show us the truth. All of this was very hard for me since I already knew the Lord. But I also knew that the Lord would show himself to Colby if he was truly seeking Him. Admittedly, it was very hard for me at times. I did not want to say the wrong thing because I was afraid it might send Colby in the other direction. I did the only thing I knew to do: I simply put it in God's hands.

Not long after we began praying, a Christian neighbor told us about a large Protestant church in downtown Atlanta (First Baptist Atlanta). We began attending the church, and Colby soon walked down to the alter to speak with someone about his many questions. He was introduced to a man named Larry, who was the church's minister of world missions.
Ironically, Larry had a Christian friend named Gary who had grown up as a Jehovah's Witness. Within a couple of days, Larry had introduced Colby to Gary over the phone, where they arranged to meet for lunch.

Gary was just the person Colby needed to meet. Colby could relate to what Gary had been through and to what he had to say. It was a great lunch, and Gary left Colby with a couple of books (Reasoning from the Scriptures With Jehovah's Witnesses, by Ron Rhodes; and Kingdom of the Cults, by Walter Martin) that could answer many of Colby's questions. Gary also introduced us to Helen Ortega, one of the founders of New Light Ministries.

We began attending a Bible study at Helen's house about once a week. Colby continued to pray and study the Bible. God showed him that Christianity is about love, faith, and forgiveness. He also showed him that he didn't have to work for his salvation. As he began to read the Bible, Colby started to understand that it is only Christ's blood that saves. He read Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."

One morning while studying in Helen's kitchen, Colby prayed to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was finally trusting in Jesus to save him-not in his good works and not in his association with a man-made organization (the Watchtower Society). He told me that he had no doubt he was saved and that he was going to heaven. He was so excited to finally know the Truth. He called a friend, and he even tried to talk to his mother and grandmother about the Lord.

Colby continued to study many different topics with Helen, but the subject he was most interested in was hell. I suppose it is a difficult concept for ex-Witnesses to grasp since they are taught not to believe in hell. I know the Lord led us to every person we came in contact with and I thank Him for the work He did in our lives. Colby had finally gotten the answers he had searched for so many years. Without a doubt, all of these things were accomplished in God's perfect timing.

In 1995, Colby began experiencing some physical problems. In September, after several months of searching to find out what was wrong, he was diagnosed with Wilson's Disease, which is a hereditary disease caused by an autosomal recessive gene. Symptoms include liver problems and severe mental disorder due to a ceruloplasmin deficiency and a resulting inability to metabolize copper. The disease affects people mentally and physically, and is described as a cross between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Colby was very sick for more a than a year. He suffered terribly, but he never lost his faith in Jesus. When he was in hospitals, and could not walk or talk, he would communicate for me to sing praise songs. They were songs we had sung together many times before. I believed it was comforting to us both at those times, even though I can't "carry a tune in a bucket!" We would just make fun and laugh about my scary voice. One thing Colby could not lose, however, was his sense of humor, even during those most difficult times.

As time passed, the mental affects of the disease worsened. Colby and I had to separate due to actions taken by his parents. They disagreed with the medical advice of practically every one of Colby's doctors.

Two hours prior to Colby's death, our pastor had a chance to pray with Colby. He told me that when they prayed, all of Colby's shaking stopped. Colby's faith-and the Lord-were there, all the way up to his last breath. On August 19th, 1996, at the age of 26, the Lord took Colby home to be with Him.

But Colby's story didn't end with his death. His mother had a Jehovah's Witness elder speak at the funeral. He sounded normal at first, but toward the end of the speech, he began to refer to specific JW teachings related to death. Most of the people at the funeral home didn't know what he was talking about. They were statements that didn't make sense unless you were a Witness. When the man finished speaking, one of Colby's family members got up and stopped everyone from leaving. She said she had a few words she wanted to share with us. She then assured everyone that Colby was a Christian and that he was in heaven. Amazingly, a second person went up to the front. She was obviously angry that Colby's parents had allowed this man to speak at his funeral. Standing in front of all those people, which included several Jehovah's Witnesses, this family member told everyone, "Colby was not in that cult."

She even quoted scripture and praised the Lord while she was up there. I still thank the Lord for those two wonderful people. Colby would never have wanted a JW elder to speak at his funeral, but as always, God prevailed in the end!

Colby's favorite verse was Isaiah 40:31. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I thank God that Colby is finally at peace. He has his strength back; he is finally soaring, walking, and running with the Lord.

The young man was nearly 18 years old. He was armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, similar to many others who joined a rebellion on December 24, 1989. By all outward appearances, this young man meant business. He spotted me out of a crowd of 15 other young men and asked me to step out from the rest of the group. I obeyed his command and moved quickly to where he has asked me to stand.

Regarding me in silence, he announced to everyone present that I might be a soldier of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Unfortunately, the man holding the AK-47 was a member of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), a group fighting to overthrow the Liberian government and the Armed Forces of Liberia. As I pleaded, "I'm not a soldier," I quietly recited a prayer asking that God's will be done. Before I knew what had happened, a burst of gun fire exploded between my legs, which caused my legs and my body to shake painfully. I thought I was hit, but I was wrong.

To make sure I was not a soldier, the young commando, as the NPFL rebels were called, ordered me to remove my shoes and my socks. He wanted to determine whether I had boot marks on my legs, which would have been a sure sign that I was a soldier. Like a machine, I responded without even realizing what I was doing. The second round of gunfire went between my legs and I found myself sweating. Death seemed imminent. I was sure I was at the end of my life. All I could do was trust in God to deliver me.

The young armed man quickly surveyed the crowd of captives in Monrovia, which was the Liberian capital. Suddenly, a voice in the distance shouted, "He's not a soldier, but a journalist." This statement was shouted three more times before the soldier looked at me and said, "God bless you. Now, move out of here. Drenched with perspiration, I agreed with his command and moved out. It was a blessing from God. All of those present thanked God for me. When I arrived at my home, instead of rejoicing I broke down and wept. "God, why did you show me your undeserved kindness?, I asked. My tears flowed even more when I realized that many of my countrymen who had experienced similar encounters did not survive as I had.

On another fateful day, I was walking hurriedly through the streets of downtown Monrovia when an AFL soldier shouted that I report to him immediately. Obeying his instructions, I approached him. "Why should your face appear so serious if you are just walking through town?," the soldier asked. I simply stared at him, not knowing what to say. Then he startled me. "I suggest you go with me for interrogation, since it appears that you are happy with the downfall of the government," he said. I froze upon hearing his statement, knowing that many who accompanied soldiers to the Executive Mansion for an "interrogation" never came back alive. I was terrified, and offered him all the money I had at the time (which was about $5 U.S. dollars). Surprisingly, the money bought my freedom. Again, God's compassion was extended to me-a sinner.

By June 6, 1996 the NPFL had aligned themselves with ULIMO-K, another warring faction. They had begun unleashing attacks on Monrovia, which up until that time had been a "safe haven" under the control of a West African peacekeeping force. Lawlessness was rampant and chaos was everywhere. Seven weeks of battle had rendered the city ungovernable. Media houses had been burned and journalists were being sought. Many went underground. Peacekeepers were working diligently to establish control. During this time, however, warring factions were covertly trying to "eliminate" journalists who had become a nuisance.

On Saturday, July 13, 1996, a high-placed source at the NPFL hinted that my name had been mentioned during a meeting attended by some armed men. He advised me to leave Liberia immediately. I was not prepared to run away from my family, but I was aware of the ruthless nature of these "small soldiers." So, I decided to flee from Liberia and take refuge in neighboring Sierra Leone. After I had fled, I received information from back home that armed men had visited my home on the night of July 13, 1996. They were searching for me, but I was already gone. Again, God's saving grace had been sufficient for me.

After going through these experiences, I believed God had a plan for my life. I had a yearning for spiritual things and I wanted to search for the true God. I wanted to see if I would find Him, knowing He is not far from those who sincerely seek Him. I had begun my search for the most Holy God.

In Liberia, I had witnessed the hypocrisy of people who had attended various churches. They would support this faction or that faction. But I determined that Christ would not have taken sides in the war. I had been familiar with the Watchtower Society and its magazines, and I also knew a little about their teachings. I knew about the "good news" they proclaimed regarding the restoration of an earthly paradise, the Kingdom of God, and the effort that must be made by an individual to live in an approved standing before Almighty God. I was also aware that a disfellowshiped member is treated like an outsider in an attempt to make the offender realize the extent of his or her crime against God.

After fleeing from Liberia, I eventually wound up in the United States, in Atlanta, Georgia. One day, while I was riding Atlanta's public subway (MARTA), I was immersed in one of the Watchtower Society's magazines. As I read, a young man named Rob approached me and asked how I felt about the magazine. "It's great," I answered. Rob stated bluntly that he was a Christian and that the Watchtower Society was a cultic organization that did not preach Christ or the true gospel. I was surprised at his remark. Therefore, he promised to recommend an ex-Jehovah's Witness family who could tell me the truth about the Society. If I would meet with them, he said I would be able to differentiate between false and true Christians in the world today. The meeting was scheduled for a Friday evening.

Friday evening came and I found myself at the home of Joe and Helen Ortega. They had spent 20 years as members before leaving the organization, so I decided to avail myself to the opportunity before me, and to listen to the Ortegas to see if I could discern the truth of God. By all accounts, they overwhelmed me with their knowledge of the Watchtower Society and its teachings. By reading 1 Cor. 15:1-7, and several other verses, they were able to show me that the "good news" of God is contrary to what the Jehovah's Witnesses have been preaching. The Bible states it simply: "Christ died for our sins...that he was buried, and that he was raised to life after three days. 1 Cor. 15 says this is the gospel that saves us. The Ortega's also took me to 2 Cor. 11:1-4; 4:3-6; Romans 1:16; and 3:21.

While I must confess my bewilderment over the revelation of all of these issues, they encouraged me and I accepted Christ as my personal savior with a heart-felt prayer. I was encouraged to read my Bible daily and ask God to direct my steps, and guide me to know him more fully.