Xiaomin dropped out of education after elementary school because of her failing health. Because the Hui are China's largest Muslim community, she was initially unfamiliar with Christianity.[5] Her aunt, who had converted to Christianity, introduced her to the faith.[8] After praying, her health condition, sinusitis and a stomach disease, were gone.[9] Xiaomin joined a house church in 1989, at the age of 19,[10] taking the christian name "Sister Ruth".[5] Her spiritual roots are in Pentecostalism and the local churches movement.[11]