When I was growing up in Hong Kong, my family was involved in the entertainment business. Two of my cousins are singers, and my uncle was an actor. Through them, I met many famous Chinese actors, like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Chow Yun-Fat.
The actors regularly threw big parties, and my cousins would often take me along. I could see that that kind of lifestyle didn't make them happy and wasn't fulfilling. There was something missing in their lives, something they couldn't find no matter how rich or powerful or popular they were.
When I was 11 years old, my parents separated. During that time I was very upset and unhappy about life. I always asked God, "Why did You allow these things to happen? Why did You allow my father and mother to separate?" I was very emotional then and always argued with my parents and relatives. I was a very angry young man. One day, I met James, from the Family International. He told me about the Lord, the Endtime, that Jesus is going to come back very soon, what's going on in the world, and how to go to Heaven. He gave me a tract called "To You--With Love." It says that when you're showing goodness and kindness and mercy and understanding, you're showing God, because God is the Spirit of love. That touched my heart.
Two weeks later, James invited me to his home. I felt something so warm and so special there. It was Jesus' Spirit I could feel in the Home. I had dinner with them, and James gave me a Bible class. Just before I left, he asked me to pray with him to receive the Holy Spirit. At that time I had no idea what he was talking about, but because of his sincerity, I prayed with him.
As I walked home by myself, I could feel something very special in my heart. It was something I couldn't see, I couldn't smell, I couldn't taste, I couldn't hear, but I knew something deep down in my heart had changed. Jesus had given me love and peace such as I had never known. I was in tears as I walked home.
At home I opened the door, saw my mother, and stood there for a long time. She looked at me and said, "What happened to you? You look strange!"
I said, "Mom, there's something I want to share with you."
"What is it?" she asked.
I said, "Mom, I really love you! And I'm sorry for the things that I've done wrong."
I burst into tears, and my mother started crying as well. It was as if some ice that had been inside for so long just melted. It was a miracle to me, because in my Asian culture we don't apologize to people and we have a hard time expressing feelings.
The next morning when I woke up, I knew I was a completely new person.
(Francesco is now a full-time volunteer with the Family International.)
