Hi Timothy, thank you for your willingness to testify of God’s goodness and mercy. As a graduate of Victory Life Christian School (in 2014, I believe), could you please share with us your responses to the following three questions.
1) Why did you decide to leave mainstream school?
I decided to leave mainstream school because I was struggling to cope with the workload and the stress. I suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and depression, and could not attend school every day. As a result, the assignments kept snowballing and increasing and I had a nervous breakdown at home. Finally, my parents decided to pull me out of mainstream school. I was 16 at the time and studying for my O levels. It was a heavy blow to me.
My mother had heard of VLCS through Mrs. Laura Lim and decided to inquire more about it. We learned that the school was self-paced, and this suited us very well as we needed a curriculum where the work does not “snowball” if you miss school days. We enrolled in April 2011.
2) What praiseworthy experiences did you have in Victory Life?
I have had many praiseworthy experiences in VL.
First and foremost was a deepening of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Although I identified as a Christian, I was troubled by many doubts about the faith and about the historicity of the Bible. In VL, I learned through the Bible studies and chapel that God was alive and well!! And that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior of all mankind. He became not just “the way, the truth, and the life” but also “my way, my truth, and my life”. A passion for Jesus was stirred in me in VL, and I discovered that through Bible study, I could encounter God for myself in the Scriptures.
Secondly, I was also introduced to apologetics in VL. This provided me with the intellectual answers I needed, and added to my security in the faith. However, I have learned since that although apologetics can be needed and useful, it should never replace the Holy Spirit in bringing the reality of Christ’s presence to us. We need to “taste and see” that the Lord is good and not just believe in Him intellectually.
Third, I was the first student in VL to be given NS deferment. The school achieved its CPE status in 2012 or 2013, and as a result, I was able to defer my NS to complete my American High School Diploma. It was truly an earth-shattering moment as I felt like God moved heaven and earth to allow me to complete my studies in time.
Fourth, the tutelage and guidance provided by the supervisors, especially Mrs. Lim Ho Mun, was a wonderful experience. They guided me in my questions about God and showed me in real tangible ways how God can act through His people. I am wonderfully blessed by my teachers and friends in VL. Indeed, my whole time at VLCS is itself a praiseworthy experience! Praise God!
3) What life changing truths did you learn, and how is your life impacted to the glory of God?
One life-changing truth I have learned is this: God is real, and His name is Jesus. As someone who used to have doubts, I now live in complete freedom and the assurance that faith brings. God is truly living and active in my life, and I have seen Him intervene on many occasions in answer to my prayers. I am hungry for God and excited for more of Him in my life.
Another truth I learned is that community is important. In VLCS, the students had fellowship together and we frequently discussed faith issues. I found the fellowship to be a blessing and this taught me to value my community in church as the Christian walk can only be lived in the context of a community. This truth changed me from someone self-centered and inward-looking to someone who also “looks out for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
I can truly say that VLCS is God’s school. It is where Jesus is exalted and where the Holy Spirit dwells. It is truly here to make ready “a people prepared for the Lord”. My life has been transformed because of VLCS. Praise the Lord!
