Transcripts: Truth Transforms Lives

Transcript: Grace Li: Jehovah Strengthens Us to Carry Our Load
[A woman reads a Bible in Chinese]
I was born in Hong Kong in 1952. When I was about just over 14 years of age, my mother sit me down and said, “Look, there's a marriage maker and the gentleman he's agreed to take you as his wife.” I was absolutely petrified. I never met him before. We're actually 20 years different between age, but I'm willing to go through because I love my mom. I want her to able to have a chance of happiness.
[Photo with her mother]
I came to England, and not long after that, we started our first Chinese takeaway in that little town. I had to work very hard, seven days a week, to help my husband run the business.
[In the restaurant she carries produce, washes dishes and bags food. Her husband cooks noodles in a wok]
I was the only Chinese woman in the entire town. I have nowhere to ask for help or advice, so I have a really bad time.
[She steps outside the restaurant]
When my second daughter was born, one night she just stopped breathing. And a few minutes later the nurse came out and said, God wanted a flower for his garden, and that's where your daughter's gone. So at that moment of time, I was very angry, and I feel sad and sorrow and lonely. And I have the horrible guilt. It's my fault. Oh, it's God, it’s his fault. So I stopped praying to God.
[Tears roll down her face]
One day, there was one very kind lady come to knock on my door. And then eventually one day the ladies stopped me and have a conversation. And the conversation lead to why people die and what happened when they dead. Knowing it's nobody fault, it's just our imperfection. I found the great relief. God did not punish me for that. And from then on, I started a Bible study with her.
[They study in her kitchen]
But my study progressing very slow. By that time, I had six children. I also have to work full time. And also, the lady doesn't speak Chinese.
And my English is no better than her Chinese either.
[Later she smiles as she studies with her children]
When I dedicated my life to Jehovah, it's not been easy. As far as my husband concerned, his wife should be concentrate looking after the family and business. Shouldn’t be wasting time on religions like that. My mom as well very much against me become Jehovah Witnesses.
[In the evening her husband watches his family leave the restaurant in dress clothes]
My husband shout at me. Often he gave me hard time because I want to take all my children to the meeting.
[With big smiles they walk into a Kingdom Hall]
One day he wanted me to choose between him or Jehovah. And I pray to Jehovah, I say, Jehovah, now is the time I need your Holy Spirit to help me. And I say, my husband is a good man and he deserves to know why I choose my life. And I just feel so calm. And then I turn around and I asked my husband, what do you think of me since I've become a witness? Am I a better wife? Or am I getting worse?
So my husband said, oh, okay then, if that was the case, go serve your God Jehovah.
[Present day, wide eyed she smiles]
Before my mother died, my mother actually prayed to Jehovah to thank him to say, since I become a Jehovah Witnesses, I become a better daughter. I remember one day
[Her family eats together]
one of my Bible students come up to my house, and she was crying because she suffered persecution from her husband.
And my husband was sit next to me and he turned round and said to me, “You just just have to persevere, because my wife went though the same experience, and look where she is now.”
[At a Kingdom Hall with her family]
For the last ten years my husband has come to all the meetings with me.
[Her husband sits beside her]
Seeing my children happy is the most important thing for me. And they're not only happy for a short time, but they also have a happy future. My life now, I'm no longer lonely. I'm no longer fatherless child because I know Jehovah care for me. Jehovah helped a little woman like me. And I'm sure Jehovah will help anybody whose heart is towards him.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2022 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.)