5 Questions with...Yuping Wu

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian?  Erika Ho invited me to the church and to join the T.G.I.F group when we met each other in a BSF class. Then, I made some friends in the group and felt a sense of belonging in the church.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 )

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday?  I usually like to read and listen to music on my free time. I participate in a BSF class on Tuesdays and do homework the other weekdays. Also, I take a yoga class and go to the gym. I love to hang out with friends on Saturday and to share the gospel with unbelievers. I pray for them every day and hope we can go to the church together one day.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24-25)

3. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?  People always tell me that I look so happy. Actually, God healed and saved me before I attempted suicide. I could not find any hope to survive in this painful world in the past until I realized God’s presence is heaven to me. When I feel the love from God, I know I am not alone, and I have the courage to live in this world created by God.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:4-6)

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?  Relying on God instead of “trying my best.” Waiting for God’s time patiently and not complaining to God. Also, believing in God’s righteousness when I see people who do evil having success and treating me unfairly. I still need to forgive and pray for those people, even if I feel hatred for them. Being a Christian is very different from other ways and we only follow God’s way.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. (Psalm 37:5-9)

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible?  Exodus. I saw it when I was a child as an unbeliever. Now that I have become a Christian, I have different feelings and thoughts. Loving to see God’s victory in defeating other worship idols. It seems like the Lord led me to him from other religions. God prepares us the way to face difficulties and goes with us like God led those Jews to the promised land. God did what he promised and that is why my favorite is Exodus.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. (Exodus 15:2-3)