Zhu Ming is a lone ranger! Everytime she goes to competition, she brings no coach, no teammate, no relatives. She does not represent any country, any team, any school, or any training house. If she is asked which country she belongs to, her answer is "country of God". Each time before she goes up to compete, she prays aloud. When people asked what she was saying, she would answer: I prayed to God to let me glorify his name.

People think Zhu Ming is lucky. Whatever she wants, she gets--gold medals, a green card, a college teaching position in martial arts, etc. Zhu Ming would concur. She would say: "Yes, indeed, I am the luckiest in the world!" People would ask her why she always talks about God, God, God. Couldn't she have achieved what she has without God? She would answer: "I could not stop talking about God, because I have personally experienced God. Without God's leading, I might still be able to obtain gold medals, a green card, fame, and position, but I would have lived a life tired all the time!" People ask her what she would choose if she could only have one or the other: God or what she posseses. She would answer: "God gave me all I posses now. If I lose all I have, I believe God will give me again. But, if I lose God, I can't imagine what kind of shape I would be in."

"Please help me open an account at a bank!"-- Zhu pleaded holding the two checks she received from her former employer.

"Just put it in my account. It will be more convenient this way. Whenever you need money, all you have to do is tell me to get it."-- her employer kindly said to her.

"I heard that in America everyone should have a Social Security card. Please help me apply!" Zhu Ming pleaded.

"Don't believe everything you hear. Social Security cards are for people who drive. You won't be driving, why would you need that stuff?"-- Her employer sounded reasonable.

" I can apply to extend my current status, would you help me do it?"-- Zhu Ming asked.

"My husband is an immigration lawyer, he will do it for you, of course."--Her employer gave her the same answer each time she mentioned the matter.

Zhu Ming sensed that there was a trap set up by her employer to keep her from getting out of the house, like a snail in fear of light. So, Zhu Ming told them one night that she would like to leave as soon as they found someone to replace her.

Her female employer sensed she was very determined, changed her voice and demeanor and said to her sternly: "We do not let an outsider stay overnight."

Zhu Ming walked out of the house without a word of pleading. She left in such a hurry, she forgot to ask for pay for the half year she labored in that house. The second day, she called to ask for pay. The man was very angry: "You left so abruptly, the two children have no one to care for them. It cost me tremendously at work. I have the right to ask you to compensate for my loss." When Zhu Ming called again asking for pay. The man said to her harshly: "Don't bother me again. You are staying in this country illegally, I have the right to report to the INS to deport you. Tell me where you live now."

Zhu Ming, without any money, became homeless and destitute. She roamed the streets dragging the two pieces of luggage she brought when she arrived in the States. Tears were running down her cheeks like bleeding blood.

She was led to a home meeting of some Chinese Christians. After she finished telling her story hurriedly, she was stunned at the sight on hand. People knelt around her praying aloud to God for mercy and justice. She did not understand why the big men around her would have the heart of a woman, and the effect of the strange language they were using when praying. Shortly afterwards, she learned that her mother was near death due to diabetic complications. She and the Christians tearfully prayed together. Her mother got well. Then she understood the effect of praying together and its meaning. She told her mother over the phone: "There are so many people who do not know you, yet cry out to God for you. This kind of unexplainable love cannot come from the human world. Actually they don't seem to be from this world."

So, Zhu Ming found a home. When she had to leave to work as a domestic again, she longed to come back to see her brothers and sisters of the home of her heart.

She remembered one house where she worked. The woman was an invalid, and the man was sixty-five-years old, not knowing to respect himself, he would come into her room anytime of the day. There was no lock to her room. She had to sleep fully clothed, put the lamp table against the door,and even had to demonstrate a few of her boxing skills in front of him to fend him off. She left after one week! Zhu Ming could not understand why the world was so dark. Whether it was China or America, people are so treacherous, so horrible! So, she walked into a church, hoping to find out what was going on there. She was totally captivated by the music. She remembered when she used to like to sing. Her tears came down. She wished she could listen to the music and sing along with it, and never leave!

Zhu Ming became famous! She opened up three classes of Tai Chi, no more status problems. A year went by, one day Zhu Ming met the immigration lawyer (her former employer) in the supermarket unexpectedly. Zhu Ming asked him if he still remembered her pay. The lawyer was trying to avoid Zhu Ming's stare as if he were a thief caught in the act. She told him that she had become a Christian and believed God would do justice. The lawyer went away angry. Zhu Ming noticed he had aged a lot and his hair was turning gray in just a year. Today's Zhu Ming could talk about her story without getting emotional as if it had happened to someone else. She forgave her former employer, and no longer feels bitterness. She wishes they could find Christ, so that they could live an easier, happier, more carefree life.

Three months later, Zhu Ming tried out in a martial arts competition in Southern California and won first place in three categories. So many times she knelt before God and thanked him for letting her escape the temptation of taking the dishonest approach. One night, while praying, she saw the cloud opened in the sky and there was a great light blinking at her. She couldn't believe her eyes. Two days later, she saw the same thing again while praying. Fellow believers told her it was a "vision". It meant that God was leading her to walk a new road.

Shortly afterwards, Zhu Ming had the opportunity to participate in both the 3rd annual All American Martial Arts Competition in Baltimore and the International Martial Arts Competition in Seattle. She could not believe it even in her dreams! She won first place six times. These two competitions were no small events. Even President Clinton sent a telegram of congratulations for the first competition. Zhu Ming thus obtained the green card without a problem, and also was offered the position of a martial arts instructor at the California Institute of Technology.

Zhu Ming no longer worries, cries, or feels inferior. She knows God who is alive and true is opening doors for her. When she received her green card, she called her parents in China crying and telling them she could go home to have a reunion now. She told her parents the reason she was crying was because she was grateful beyond words for what God has done for her: He saved her! Her parents have since begun reading the Bible and praying.

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