James

James was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, moved to Hong Kong when he was young, and went to the UK to study alone at the age of 19. In 1968, he landed at Heathrow Airport with two suitcases. He was unfamiliar with the place and did not speak English. He found his way to a youth hostel based on the address and began his life studying business administration. After graduation, due to the pressure of reality, he worked as a waiter, a casino manager, and even became addicted to gambling. During his career as a civil servant, he became more and more addicted due to the influence of his colleagues, and gambling became an outlet for him to escape the burden of his family. After his divorce, he still had to take care of his daughter and elderly parents, and he did not take a break for 19 years. In 1983, he faced a triple blow of career setbacks, marriage breakdown, and his parents’ serious illness. The turning point in the darkness began when he caught a glimpse of the church slogan on the bus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden.” (Matthew 11:28) In desperation, he opened the church door and learned about Jesus’ salvation for the first time. Although he did not quit gambling immediately, the seeds of faith took root quietly. He struggled repeatedly for the next 30 years until he finally woke up in recent years: “There are no winners in gambling, so you can only entrust your life to God.” He admitted in the past: “How can I establish a relationship with God if I know Jesus but don’t know Him or love Him at all?” Now, he is determined to deepen his faith and learn the truth of the Bible. From questioning “Why was Jacob favored” to understanding that “human limitations cannot confine God”, he gradually got rid of his gambling addiction and stayed away from temptation. Although his life is full of regrets, he is grateful that his faith illuminates the way forward and truly knows who Jesus is. This is the way home. James’ story tells of loss and redemption – where man ends, God’s grace just begins. (Recording in Cantonese, with Chinese subtitle)