“A Traumatic Childhood”
Dhundup Tsering did not have a typical childhood. He was born deaf, his dad was killed when he was young and his mother left their home country of Tibet to come to America, leaving him and his siblings behind to be raised by their grandparents.
“Being deaf, there’s not a lot of help. Only the support of my grandparents and that’s what I have. I can’t do a lot of things. And the people tell me that I have to wait to…wait for help and only the family members are there for me,” he says.
“Growing Up Deaf”
Growing up deaf and experiencing a traumatic childhood, not only did he feel helpless but bullying became a part of his everyday life. It was hard for him to trust anyone or to feel at peace anywhere.
“There’s a lot of kids who are teasing me and they played jokes on me and the school staff had to stop them from bullying me.”
Eventually, he moved to the state of Vermont in the United States to be with his mom where he attended a deaf school and sadly, the bullying continued.
“And so there, they demolished me. They keep on teasing me. Well, it hurts me a lot. And I just want to really avoid that and focus on my studies instead of focusing on what they are doing to me.”
“I Prayed To God For It To End”
After years and years of bullying and torment, Dhundup prayed to God for all these bad things to end and just wanted to live in peace.
After graduating, he wanted a fresh start and decided to move to the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii where he made friends and was invited to something that would help change his life.
He met Vermont Pablo, a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) who invited him to Bible study.
“And learning about the Church Of Christ, I’ve seen how it’s done when the minister will read the Bible. There’s only one book in front of me where I can understand and read. Vermont helped me to understand that there is only one religion. And that’s it.”
“I Have God”
With his newfound faith, learning how to pray, and asking God for help, Dhundup no longer felt alone.
“It reduced my stress and I am much much better. God answered my prayer because I don’t experience that anymore. I have God with me so I’m just thankful that I have God with me.”
After finally finding peace that has been so elusive all his life, Dhundup was baptized into the Church Of Christ in September 2021 and now looks to the future with so much excitement and hope, he’s never felt before.
“I feel like the future…my future in the Church feel more safe, there’s more peace. I have God, I really feel good that I am able to focus on my faith. I’m able to go to church and that God loves me and I’m very thankful to God in heaven that I’m loved.”
