Conversion Story - Sister Tina Lee

After my husband died in 2006, I was very sad and afraid as I felt like a tree with no branches, just emptiness. So I did something which I had never done before: I went to church. After two years of going to the Catholic Church, I still felt afraid, alone and without anyone whom I could confide in. As time went by, it became worse. I felt weak and vulnerable. When I finally thought that I had found a friend, this person took advantage of my trust.

One day, I saw two white guys traveling on the same bus, talking to the other passengers. What surprised me was that one of them was talking to a passenger in Tamil! I later asked the passenger what the white guy wanted and he said that the white guy was telling him about God. He was also given a book in Tamil. I became interested and wanted to know more but the question was: How? Where could I find them?

Some time later, I saw those same white guys in Mid-Valley Mega Mall where I was working. I approached them and asked for the book about Jesus Christ. They were so happy and asked whether they could meet me to teach me. I told them no problem and a date was set for the following week. However, when the time came for us to meet, they were taken ill and I never got taught by them.

Later, when my work took me to Ampang Point, I saw another two guys from the same church. When they checked my address, they told me that they were the ones who were supposed to teach me, not the previous two guys. I got to know them as Elder Houston and Elder Taimoni.

Not long after they started teaching me about the Prophet Joseph Smith and what he did, Elder Houston told me that he had been transferred to Singapore. I couldn't understand why someone who was so concerned about me and my knowledge of God had to go. My heart ached and I felt very sad.

Elder Taimoni continued teaching me with Elder Richards. After a few meetings, Elder Taimoni too had to go. You can imagine how I felt as the teachers kept being changed.

Then came Sister Parry and Sister Clark. By the end of September last year, they decided I should get baptized but I was very reluctant. I became afraid. I told them I couldn't be baptized as I was already baptized in another Church but if God called me to be baptized, I'd do it. I wouldn't do it just for the sake of making them happy.

They agreed and started sending me scriptures to read every day. They also asked me to ask God about my baptism. I started having problems with one of my sons and as I thought about it, I realized that God was calling me to be baptized so that I could have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and be able to feel peace.

One day before I was baptized, I felt faint. I don't remember how I managed to walk to where I could get a cab, told the driver where I live, got out of the cab, walked up the stairs and reached my front door. I realized later it must have been God who had taken me safely home. I decided to do what God had wanted me to do and that was to get baptized. The date was set for 19 October 2008.

Sister Parry and Sister Clark were very happy but neither of them got to attend my baptism. Sister Svenson and Sister Kotogama took over their place. I was baptized by Brother Friend. I had a very good feeling. I felt like all my burdens and sadness had been lifted up.

Now, I feel happy going to church. I am very blessed that President Renner takes good care of me as he knows I had a lot of sadness in my life. I feel like I have a family now, not just a bare tree but one with many branches. After Sister Svenson and Sister Kotogama left, Sister McCurdy and Sister Alford continued to teach me and it made me happy. I feel the Holy Ghost who comforts me.

It feels really nice to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's like a home, full of laughter and love that I had never experienced before, not even with my sons. They have all left, thinking that I'm the most foolish mother. But with God by my side, I don't worry so much any more. I know He is there for me.