April 2026
God is My Joy and My Strong Refuge
I was born into a Christian family and I began going to church at a very young age. When I was one, my parents made a wonderful decision for me — helping me accept Jesus into my life.
I grew up in a warm and loving family with my parents and my sister. I’ve always been the most cheerful one in my family, which inspired my mom to give me the nickname “Pistachio”, meaning “fruit of joy” in Cantonese. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved spending time at church — talking to God and sharing my life with Him through every circumstance. I have always believed that He is the one who brings me true happiness.
However, when I turned four, things began to change. I went through a difficult time that made me feel distant from God and even caused me to doubt Him.
In January 2015, I suffered a mild seizure and was rushed to the hospital. After an MRI scan, my parents were told that I had brain cancer.
The doctors said I would need a surgery to remove the “dirty germs” from my brain. Since I was still very young, I didn’t fully understand what was happening — I just remember being surrounded by nurses and doctors before everything went blank. After the surgery, I had intense pain from the scar, terrible headaches, and constant vomiting.
Even though I was suffering, I never stopped crying out to the Lord. I prayed again and again: “Dear Father, please take away my pain.” The pain didn’t disappear right away, but I began to feel better day by day.
After a few months of recovery, one day mom told me I would need further treatment — radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy, I was shocked and began to cry. I felt deeply hurt and started questioning why God would let this happen to me. It seemed like He had abandoned me to a nightmare. But I reminded myself that everything happens for a purpose, so I decided to trust Him and to face every challenge with faith.
During treatment, the headaches and nausea came back, and I felt weak and exhausted. Still, I kept praying. One day, I felt God speaking to me in my heart: “I have allowed this suffering because I know you are brave and full of faith. Cry out to Me when you need help, and I will always be with you.” Those words touched me deeply, and my faith began to grow stronger again.
God didn’t just comfort me spiritually — He surrounded me with His love through my family, friends, and the hospital social workers. They brought joy and encouragement into my life when I needed it most. I still remember making crafts with the social workers and playing Uno with other patients in my room. These people were like angels that God sent to lift me up.
Throughout these years, life has been challenging and painful as I am still suffering from a lot of side effects of the treatment. I had moments of doubt and times when my faith felt weak. But because of God’s gifts of faithfulness and joy, I’ve learned to look beyond my circumstances and keep seeking Him in prayers.
My experience with cancer has strengthened my faith in God and reminded me to always be thankful, joyful, and trust that His plan is good — even in the hardest seasons of life.
These two bible verses have kept me faithful and brought me peace throughout my whole battle with cancer.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation ,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
It was this extraordinary journey I truly come to understand God’s deep love and care which has led me to baptism. Through it, I want to publicly show my joy and pride in being a Christian, a follower of Christ.