Michelle Chiang - Eternal Life Assembly

Shaped by God, Sustained by Grace: No longer “the girl with a chronic illness”, but God’s beloved daughter

Michelle Chiang — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

It began with increased thirst and urination, constant fatigue, and frequent cravings for sweet drinks. Then one day, I fell very ill, and my mother rushed me to the hospital. The doctor told her that I was in diabetic ketoacidosis – a life-threatening complication from Type 1 diabetes.

Had I gone to the hospital a day late, I would have died!

At eight years old, I did not understand what having Type 1 diabetes meant, nor expected needles, insulin, and medication to become my daily companions.

Besides pain, the injections also left scars on my abdomen and thighs, to the extent that my body was not absorbing the insulin well at one point, due to the build-up of scar tissue. The insulin pump would also malfunction because it could sense that it was unable to deliver insulin into my body.

While other children could freely enjoy ice cream, cakes, and sugary treats, I could only look at them longingly through the shop display windows.

There were activities such as swimming that I had to avoid too. School camp was out because my teachers did not allow it. I almost could not join the ultimate frisbee team because the teacher-in-charge was concerned about my condition.

Gradually, the burden of living with diabetes took over. Shame crept in as my lifestyle was different from my peers’. Fear of being seen as weak and fragile lowered my self-esteem. All the missed opportunities and the challenges my friends never had to think about made me resentful.

“The girl with a chronic illness” became an identity I gave myself.

As years passed, new worries emerged. Would I become a burden to my parents? Would anyone be willing to marry me? Could I have children, and would they inherit my condition? The future felt uncertain and discouraging, prompting countless cries to

God: “Why me?”

God did not answer my question.

In His time, He revealed His grace in the midst of my struggles.

Managing diabetes is something that cannot simply be put on hold. Any malfunctioning device or an unexpected change in blood sugar levels demands immediate attention. In those anxious moments, God gently reminded me to lift my eyes from my circumstances to Him.

One such occasion came during a school elective in India. The buttons on the insulin pump were stuck, and the pump could not work. That was my only pump for the trip, and the nearest help centre was at least two hours away. Panic set in.

My friends and my family in Singapore prayed for me fervently. God answered!

He gave my friends, who were trawling the Internet, the solution to fix the buttons. By His grace, I survived!

Even in everyday situations, God has reminded me of His care and of how real He is. There were times when only high-sugar or high-carbohydrate food was available. I would then have to administer more insulin to curb my blood sugars from spiking after meals. But there is no guarantee that my blood sugar would remain stable. Yet on many occasions, my readings had remained stable or risen only slightly. Medical science cannot fully explain this, but

truly, it is God’s gracious hand at work, even in the smallest details.

Experiences like these remind me that God is in control, even when life feels uncertain.

Over time, the condition I once resented became the very means through which

God taught me dependence

not on medication but on Him. Through every challenge, He has faithfully sustained me.

Spending time reading His Word, praying and growing in my relationship with Him led me to know who I am in Christ and to reconcile with my condition.

Yes, living with diabetes requires sacrifices, but they pale in comparison to Christ’s sacrifice for all who would believe in Him.

That truth has given me hope, purpose and strength to persevere.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

As God continued to shape my heart,

He showed me that my identity is not defined by my illness or my limitations. I am a deeply loved daughter of the Most High King.

Indeed, the fears I carried were largely unfounded. New friends did not see me as “The girl with a chronic illness”. They accepted me for who I am. The truth that my identity is firmly rooted in God’s love freed me from the insecurity that had held me captive.

It gave me a new purpose – to live for God’s glory and serve Him faithfully.

Today, I embrace life with gratitude. Rather than dwelling on what I cannot do, I choose to focus on what God has enabled me to do through His strength. His love has given me the confidence to move forward with hope.

Years ago, a pastor prayed over me,

“God is going to turn your infirmities into inspiration for people”.

At that time, I could not imagine how that would happen. Looking back, God’s hand is evident throughout my journey with Type 1 diabetes. More than a story of living with a chronic illness, it is a testimony of God’s sustaining grace, unwavering faithfulness, and overflowing love.

His grace is unending, His love is overflowing, His mercies are new every morning.

Reflections:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Bring your “Why?” to God. Trust that even when He does not answer your questions, His grace will sustain you.
Let God shape you. Allow Him to use your struggles to transform you.
Look for God’s faithfulness every day. Recognise and thank God for His constant presence and provision, even in life’s ordinary moments.

The post Shaped by God, Sustained by Grace: No longer “the girl with a chronic illness”, but God’s beloved daughter first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

Shaped for Mission – At Every Age

Michelle Chiang — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:00:08 +0000

“Missions begin when we recognise that God has already been at work in our lives – shaping our stories, using our gifts and experiences for His redemptive purposes. Every believer has a role to play in His mission, both locally and across the globe.”

Rev Dr Daphne June Lau

In 2025, Eternal Life Assembly’s (“EL”) Missions Committee organised 14 mission trips and outreach events to share God’s love and spread His word in Singapore and beyond.

A total of 212 intergenerational ELites – children, youths, adults and seniors – answered God’s call to “do the good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Let us hear from eight of them what prompted them to step out in faith, and what they experienced while serving.

Q: Which mission trip did you go for?

Bernard (aged 76, English Congregation): Cambodia Care Centre.

Declan (aged 18), Gordon (aged 23), Alythea (aged 21), Hannah (aged 20) and Zanna (aged 24) (Youth): EL Cambodia

Junxiang (aged 34, Mandarin Young Adult): Outreach to migrant workers at Tuas Recreation Centre.

Frank (aged 33, Mandarin Young Adult): EL Tanjung Pinang.

Q: What prompted you to sign up for the mission trip?

Bernard: I felt God call me to step out of my comfort zone and serve others.

Declan: Honestly, my flesh was unwilling at first. But I knew that a heart of service, love, and sacrifice must be lived out through action. Cambodia, far outside my comfort zone yet hungry for God, felt like the perfect place for my first mission trip.

Gordon: I’d heard that mission trips are eye-opening experiences, so I wanted to experience one myself. I’ve received blessings throughout my life and wanted to give back.

Zanna: I had not been to Cambodia since my first mission trip in 2017. Hearing how much had changed encouraged me to go because the people there are on God’s heart.

Junxiang: Migrant workers build our homes and infrastructure, yet they are often overlooked. I joined the Tuas South outreach to show appreciation and share the love of Jesus.

Frank: I did not say “yes” immediately. After praying about it, I sensed God prompting me to step out of my comfort zone. That gave me the confidence to go.

Q: What impacted you most on the trip?

Bernard: The faith and joy of the people despite their circumstances. Many had little materially, yet their gratitude, generosity and trust in God were remarkable. I went thinking I would give, but I received far more – renewed gratitude and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

Declan: Same here. I was blessed! Cambodia may appear “lacking” to many, but to me there was abundance – of faith, hunger for God and heartfelt worship. Seeing believers sacrifice so much to serve Him reminded me to keep God at the centre of my life.

Gordon: It has to be EL Cambodia’s love for God. The leaders served sacrificially while juggling school and ministry, yet always with joy. And even though many of the team members fell ill before the trip, God carried us through. It reminded me to trust Him fully.

Zanna: Indeed, God was with us all the way. I was supposed to preach with notes on my iPad, but it couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi. After a quick prayer, I spoke without a script, and ideas kept coming as I spoke – even demonstrating “being the light of the world” with a headlamp. It reminded me that God equips us when we rely on Him.

Alythea: I was deeply moved by the believers’ hunger for God despite persecution from friends or family. Their sincere worship and bold faith showed me what genuine faith looks like – trusting God even when it is costly.

Hannah: Missions are not limited to overseas trips. We can reach people around us in Singapore who have yet to know Christ. I want to continue bringing God’s love to the people around me – to be the salt and light wherever He places me.

Junxiang: I learnt that sometimes a simple act of service opens doors. Offering to take a photo for two migrant brothers led to a friendly conversation.

Frank: The people we met made the biggest impact. Even though we were together for only a few days, the bond felt deep. It reminded me how God’s love connects people beyond differences.

Q: What would you say to someone considering going on a mission trip?

Bernard: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Missions is not about ability but willingness. God will work in your heart as you serve.

Declan: Go for it! Even when doubts come, trust that God will provide. Missions bless not only others but it also allows God to enrich our spiritual lives.

Gordon: Go! Stepping outside our “little red dot” helps us see how God is working beyond our familiar surroundings.

Zanna: Mission trips allow us to experience God’s empowerment for His kingdom purposes.

Junxiang: Missions does not always mean going overseas. There are many opportunities in Singapore to bless others and share God’s love.

Frank: Step out in faith. God works powerfully through willing hearts, and the experience will transform your faith.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Eternal Life Assembly thanks every ELite who has answered God’s call to carry out the Great Commission – spreading His love in Singapore and beyond.

Age is no barrier. We are all SHAPED FOR GOD’S MISSION.

Step out in faith today. Click here to find out more about EL’s missions and indicate your interest for the upcoming mission trips in 2026.

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A Lifetime of Service, A Heart for God

Michelle Chiang — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 03:59:00 +0000

“Christianity is for the Westerners. We have our god and ancestors to worship!”

My grandmother exclaimed when she discovered that I was attending Sunday school near our home in Penang.

But nothing could stop me.

At five, I looked forward to listening to bible stories, singing children’s songs, playing games and having snacks; they were the highlights of my week.

My parents were less resistant. They even enrolled me in a convent school nearby. Still, growing up in a Buddhist household, the thought of ever becoming a Christian seemed almost impossible.

That seed of faith, however, never stopped growing.

Years later, while studying nursing in the United Kingdom, Christian friends encouraged me back to church. There, the gospel became personal. I received salvation and was baptised.

After graduation, work took me to Hong Kong, and there

I met Pastor Daniel Wong, the man who would later become my husband and my partner in ministry.

Many people have asked me what it is like being a pastor’s wife.

Truly, it is a privilege to serve God together with Daniel.

He loved visiting members, encouraging them, and praying for them. I often went along and my nursing instincts blended naturally with pastoral care, especially when tending to the sick.

Of course, ministry came with challenges. Some members wondered why I couldn’t always be at church, not realising I was on nursing shifts.

Others expected me to preach or disciple like a pastor. But I was not gifted in that way. Instead, I served in ways I could: a listening ear, faithful prayers, and practical care.

Sacrifices were also part of our journey.

Once, mid-dinner, we rushed out to pray for a dying relative. And when Daniel was posted to a church in Macau, I remained in Hong Kong with our young son, Benjamin, and became a single parent for three years.

In 1998, our family moved to Eternal Life (EL) Assembly, where Daniel pastored the Cantonese congregation. Together, we continued visitations, encouraging members, helping them grow, and building bonds that went beyond Sundays.

Then, in 2022, my world shattered. Daniel went home to the Lord. After more than 40 years of marriage, the empty chair at the dining table, his clothes hanging in the wardrobe, the quiet side of the bed, painfully reminded me of his absence.

I missed his voice, his laughter, our conversations and I missed my partner in ministry.

In those dark days, God’s Word became my anchor:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18)

And He sent “angels” in the form of family, friends, and the EL community to walk with me, pray with me, and support me through grief.

Out of that sorrow came a new conviction: to continue Daniel’s work.

Despite not being able to read Chinese, I stepped up to teach Sunday school in the Cantonese ministry. Praise God for technology! The Cantonese Bible app became my lifeline.

The visitation ministry continued, even in Daniel’s absence.

Together with dedicated church members, I spent time with elderly congregants

Reading the Bible, offering encouragement, and praying with them. For many who live alone or face health challenges, these visits became a source of comfort, hope, and a tangible reminder that God has not forgotten them.

One elderly sister I remember well had been hospitalised for a long time.

Discouraged and fearful, she asked me quietly, “Will God help me?”

Such doubts are not uncommon. And each time, my mission is the same: to remind them of God’s unfailing love.

I gently reminded her of 1 Peter 5:7:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

Then I shared my own story of how God carried me through Daniel’s passing. Personal testimonies always open hearts. She listened, prayed, and surrendered her fears. Not long after, she was discharged and is now a faithful member of church again. Glory to God!

Looking back, I see how God planted that tiny seed of faith when I was just a child.

In His time, He watered it, equipped me, and led me to serve Him in ways I could never have imagined.

Certainly, there are sacrifices to make and doubts to overcome. But these are nothing compared to what Jesus went through for us.

I am now 76 years old. As long as I am able, I will keep serving Him, for it is the greatest privilege of my life.

As long as I am able, I will keep serving Him, for it is the greatest privilege of my life.

Eternal Life Assembly thanks Catherine and every ELite who has dedicated their time, gifts, and resources to serve faithfully, spreading God’s love in Singapore and beyond.

Step out in faith today. Serve in your family, community, or church, and share His love with those around you.

Age is no barrier. Just be willing to offer your time!

Opportunities abound in EL (find out more here).

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