When Daxiang left China to pursue his education in Singapore, he hoped for a brighter future. Instead, he found himself struggling with loneliness, academic pressure and uncertainty about whether he could continue his studies abroad.
Far from his family in Shandong province, Daxiang found it difficult to adjust to his new environment. While other students seemed to have established friendships, he struggled to find a sense of belonging.
That began to change when he enrolled at San Yu Adventist School, an Adventist educational institution in Singapore. There, he met fellow students from China who spoke his language and shared his interests. Through these friendships, he began attending care groups, church services and Bible studies.
What started as an opportunity to make friends eventually became a journey of faith that would change his life.
An Unexpected Turning Point
Despite finding a supportive community, Daxiang continued to struggle academically. During his first year of secondary education, his grades dropped, raising the possibility that he might have to return to China.
The situation became more difficult when he learned about his family's financial sacrifices.
During a video call, Daxiang saw his father nearly break down in tears as he explained that the family had sold businesses and borrowed money to finance his education in Singapore.
Overwhelmed by the revelation, Daxiang wanted to improve his academic performance but doubted whether he could succeed.
His greatest challenge was an upcoming A-Mathematics examination, which he feared he would fail.
Determined to do better, he began studying harder while praying before examinations and study sessions.
When the results arrived, he had scored 50% — just enough to pass.
The passing grade meant he could continue his studies in Singapore. For Daxiang, however, the experience represented something greater than academic relief.
He saw the result as an answer to prayer and began developing a deeper trust in God.
His growing faith eventually led him to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ through baptism.
From Finding Friendship to Sharing Faith
After his baptism, Daxiang wanted to help others experience the same friendship and spiritual encouragement he had received. However, he was unsure how to begin.
He prayed for an opportunity to invite someone to church.
Not long afterward, a school friend approached him and asked whether they could spend time together. Daxiang welcomed him into his home, and their friendship gradually grew.
His friend eventually began joining him in school activities, care group gatherings, church services and Bible studies.
A few months later, the friend decided to be baptized.
For Daxiang, witnessing the baptism brought a meaningful realization.
“Seeing him baptised, I realised my friend had been lonely like me, seeking caring people and wondering if God was real,” he recalled.
The experience helped him recognize how God had worked through the friendships that first welcomed him into the Adventist community.
What others had done for him, he was now able to do for someone else.
A School Where Faith Becomes Mission
Daxiang's experience highlights the role Adventist education can play in helping young people discover faith, develop meaningful relationships and become involved in mission.
For international students navigating unfamiliar cultures and academic expectations, supportive friendships can provide opportunities for spiritual growth.
At San Yu Adventist School, those relationships helped Daxiang move from being a student searching for belonging to someone actively sharing his faith.
Daxiang believes young people sometimes hesitate to share their faith because they feel inexperienced, shy or too young to make a difference.
His own journey has challenged that perception.
Having experienced how friendship, prayer and personal encouragement helped shape his life, he now hopes to continue sharing Jesus with those around him.
For Daxiang, the journey that began with loneliness and uncertainty has become one of faith, friendship and purpose.
Once a student searching for someone who would welcome him, he has become a friend helping others discover the same hope he found in Jesus.
The original article was published in the Singapore Conference website.