今天，Ed和Virginia替我庆祝毕业，饭后毫无意外地聊起我参加圣经学习以来的感悟。他们两人都是五十多年的基督徒，Ed以前是牧师，很会化繁为简，他帮我解释了我的很多疑问，Virginia也用她的经验帮助我理解。讲着讲着，我的眼泪就止不住。当他们问到，你是基督徒么？我脱口而出，是。说完我就扑到Virginia怀里嚎啕大哭。
从一个无神论者到一位基督徒，我用了三年。之前困扰我的儒家传统、学术精神和基督教之间的冲突其实一直不存在。当我放下这个心结，我相信我已经准备好了。今天，我把自己正式交给上帝，就是我的重生。
June 19, 2014
Dear Jun,
Much has happened in our lives and relationship since we first met at free lunch over three years ago. We have so many memories of special times spent together: celebrating holidays and birthdays; going on outings with other students to favorite places in Oregon; spending time with your mom, taking her sightseeing while she was here; cooking and baking bread together; having deep conversations about life and love and values and faith; singing, praying, and discussing the Bible in house church; playing games after dinner in our home; sharing photos and stories of places you visited-and me, too.
We've been so privileged to encourage and accompany you on your spiritual journey-your quest for God and Truth. I remember soon after we met, you told us that you were an atheist-you didn't believe in God. Now you pray freely to God and praise Him for His help in your life and studies. You've come a long way, and I believe God will continue to reveal Himself to you as you sincerely seek for Truth. Jesus came to reveal God to the world. By believing in Who he is and what he did to conquer Evil and Death, we can be in right relationship with God. Jesus came to bridge the gap between sinful people and a holy God. He once said: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father (God) but by me." (John 14:6)
For the past several years, you have focused your time and energy and intellect on achieving your goal-a Ph.D. degree. We commend you for your achievement. However, I think of a challenging question Jesus asked that requires an answer: "What good will it be for a man (or woman) if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26) I urge you, dear, to put as much time and energy into preparing for the ultimate destination of your soul as you have into getting your degree and finding a job, or even in planning your upcoming trip around the U.S. Degrees and jobs, travel and friends do not guarantee happiness and peace of mind and security for the future. That only comes from a right relationship with the God Who created you and has a purpose for your life. "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
We love you and will continue to pray for you to achieve God's purpose for your life. We thank God for allowing us to accompany you on this part of your journey. You will be leaving Corvallis soon, and we don't know if we'll see you again after you leave. However, we are praying and believing that someday we will be together in Heaven-the ultimate destination that God has prepared for us. Be sure you have made your travel plans and are on the right road to get there. And I hope you will continue to keep us informed of your progress.
Love and prayers,
Virginia and Ed
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