I’m fully funded and in June I’m going to Colombia!
Wow, I’m so excited I couldn’t even write a proper introduction or greeting first. (Hi there!) Or maybe it’s your excitement that kept spurring me to write this announcement update because you couldn’t wait to find out how my progress has been. Many of you may already know from my unofficial announcement post from Instagram, but I wanted to write an official post to thank all my supporters and to take you through some milestones along my journey.
The original Instagram post
First, some FAQ’s: I will be leaving June 6 to Minnesota for two weeks of training, then flying out to Bogota, Columbia for one month of music missions work. This will include playing at prisons, schools, camps, or just places that need us to be in accordance with our partner YFC Columbia (Youth for Christ). I’ll be travelling with a group of 9 people including all the leaders, vocalists, and instrumentalists. Yes we will be learning and singing songs in Spanish, although there are also a few English songs. Please pray for me as I listen and practice for these songs. Although I won’t have to sing in Spanish, I do still have to learn the lyrics. I remember when I went to the Urbana Missions Conference in 2015 (where this all started) we sang songs in Arabic, Spanish, Korean, and more. It was where I first got my open mentality of being open to singing in different languages, even ones that I don’t understand. You don’t really have to understand lyrics fully to be able to feel the impact of presence if it speaks to your soul. Music is the universal language, and there’s a certain special beauty of singing and listening to words that you don’t understand. You can actually find more meaning behind the words of an unfamiliar language, even more so than when just singing repetitive, complacent, and hollow words in your native language. That’s why ultimately I need prayers for my state of mind and heart, because no matter how much I practice or train, I am still only building a frame so that God can give his breathe of life. Being in tune with God is the goal of all this practice. Yes, being in tune with each other would be nice too, but the true meaning is only really emanated when God is present in our hearts and in the songs.
The same applies to my fundraising process. When I first started the fundraising process, word had barely gotten out. I mean I thought I had tried to get the word out, but I was limiting myself to asking around my friends’ circle at school. That did yield support, don’t get me wrong, but it was the kind that still kept me hanging, worrying, and doubting. I believe that’s the way God works anyways; never giving you more than you can handle, but always pushing you to new limits in your faith. After some time, my home church, OCAC, played my fundraising video that I made in the service. The English service pastor also suggested playing my video out in the lobby if necessary just to keep sending awareness. The Mandarin service pastor also mentioned my trip plans in service and I received overwhelming support from the Mandarin, Cantonese, and English services.
I also sent out physical letters to some people by mail, which I didn’t have direct physical contact with. I was also really overwhelmed, grateful, and surprised because a lot of the people I didn’t even think they would remember me or know who I was. For many, it had been years since our family last had contact with them, and still the faithful amount they were willing to donate to me was extremely touching. I sent out the letters in March and even still just this past week I received a donation in response to the letter. I mean it could just be a really delayed mail, but I like to believe that it was because although they received the newsletter in March, they have been praying and thinking about me up until even now in May. In the beginning I was weak. I cried talking to my parents about the support raising process. When I had gone months into the process but only collected a few supporters one of my family members tried to comfort me by saying its ok. They said that not everyone had a mission’s mindset and that you can’t expect everyone to be on board with this choice of a riské path. They said that if I didn’t get enough support that they would support me. Now, hearing that elicited two very contrasting feelings within me. Yes I understand that they were trying to be supportive by saying they're always here for me and will support me no matter what, so I will go on the missions. Very reassuring on one side, but on the other, it felt very demeaning. I know they have the best intents, but I didn’t believe that no one would support me. I fully believed that I would be fully funded. And I was right. Here we are! Missions is like the big fat check sitting on the table calling out to our inner Asian instincts to race to be the first to pay the bill. It’s an honor and a joy to be able to take up that responsibility.
I know it cost a personal sacrifice from every single person that donated to me. Once again, I had built only a structure by sending out all the awareness I thought I could but I had to wait for God to bring his breathe of life in. It wasn’t until I started to feel more desperate that God started to send his waves of blessings in. I had faith, not in the people, but in the impact I knew God was able to have in the people - to move them in a way where they are willing to contribute to my trip. Although the people around me are great and I love them dearly, I didn’t have faith in them that they would donate to me. I had faith in God, that he would lead me to achieve the full amount of support I needed - that he was an all-powerful God, worthy of all our praise, offerings, and worship.
I often feel like I have no idea how to pay back those who donated and impacted my fundraising journey so significantly, but then I remember that they didn’t donate to me. They donated to my mission. To God’s mission. Therefore I can only sing and make music with all my soul with all that is within me so that I can give the most and do the best that I can do for God. I will train hard and strong remembering with every practice that this is not about me. I will play loud and confidently knowing this is for the glory of God. I will pray constantly and consistently because… because… Just because. After all, who ever needed a reason to pray? “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV) This is my story, This is HIS story, Michelle Yin | JESUS | May 28, 2017 | 2:33 pm |
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I would like to say a huge thanks to you for all you've done to support me and to help me spread the word of my fundraising for the missions trip. You have been a big blessing to me and my family. For those in my home church, Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, thank you for your dedicated service to OCAC now, before, and also in the years to come. Thank you so much for encouraging me and being willing to be used by God to lift me up when I am weak, whether through small or big actions, intentional or unintentional; it really means a lot to me. My fundraising has a checkpoint of $2000 at April 1st. I started scrambling when CTI, my music organization, started sending me emails in the beginning of March saying I should start getting going on fundraising since I only had $175 in my account. Around mid-March, the 17th, they emailed me again to check in on me, saying it was completely doable to get the money in, as long as I acted fast and made it a priority. The balance at that time was still only at $766. That was a good amount, but with the deadline approaching soon, I decided I would have to really truly make it a priority. CTI encouraged us to mail out letters to peoples' homes, so I did that and received a bit of response and feedback so by March 22nd I was at $1162. In the process of mailing letters, I decided that I should send emails out as well, so I compiled a list and sent out my newsletter. That's where all my supporters like you came in and helped me to spread the word in doing things that I couldn't do myself. It is hard to fundraise for a cause in the church of a city I don't even reside in, but my home church, Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, is a church that genuinely cares, loves, and supports each other. I really really appreciate all the effort and action you've put in for me. The reason why this missions trip is extremely encouraged to be funded through fundraising is because of all the things you learn in the process along the journey. I am so glad they send us through this process so that I can experience all the emotions, frantic and stressed, but also overwhelmed by joy and love. I knew before that OCAC was made up of caring brothers and sisters, but it didn't hit home in my personal heartstrings until now. I realized how much God loves me, how far Jesus' love extends toward us. I have been moved to tears many many times during my exchanges with people and seeing and feeling God's love through them that transcends all. I'd like to share with you especially about my sister. Like you, she has supported me tremendously. At the age of 14, she is selfless, generous, and passionate. She took it upon herself to donate monetary funds in ways that were a huge sacrifice, planned out fundraising plans and ideas to help me generate support amongst the youth fellowships, and stepped up in leadership and service in areas all ultimately for God's glory. She means the world to me, and she always has. I didn't even think about loving her more than I did, but her acts of faith and love humbled me and made me love her even more. And it's not about all she did for me that made me love her more, it's that my eyes were opened to see how lacking I was: lacking in the areas of love, consideration, and understanding of people. My sister is just one of the many people who have encouraged me through their actions and way of living. Each and every donation received was received just in the right time; they lifted me up when I was going through rough patches of despair and disappointment. One particular case that I struggled through was when I had $1247 in my account and I decided to start a fundraiser selling slices of homemade marshmallow cheesecake. One of my close friends came over to my place and saw marshmallows lying around and asked about it. I took this as a chance to say I was making it for my fundraiser for my missions trip and he could buy it to support me! My friend is not Christian so when I explained that the fundraiser was for my music missions trip this summer he asked what the money would go towards. I replied with the details of the trip. His reply was unimpressed and said, "so basically it's just funding your trip expenses? Aren't you going to go like spread Christianity? Yeah I don't think I'll take you up on this." The cold tone, negative stigma, and passive disapproval really threw a wrench into my hopes and excitement. My friend normally loves food and isn't even really stingy about money. Normally I would be okay with it if people didn't want to support me, or couldn't. However, this very close friend of mine went one step further and decided to be against me going on the trip. It made me question our entire relationship, reminding me that Satan is at work, but I know he only tries to work really hard when he knows how much glory it will bring to God. So nevertheless I will keep on running and fighting the good fight. God is miraculous in how he works to build us all up because literally a few minutes after that conversation with my friend, I got an email from a church leader saying he would be willing to support me enough to match my amount and give anything to ensure I would reach my $2000 goal. He even suggested being willing to provide the entire $2000! Praise be to God. I know people are praying for me because God is doing big things. I hadn't even personally emailed this church leader, but he was made aware through the spreading of the word by someone else who had passed on my newsletter. Right now my account balance is at $2753 and I am still anticipating the arrival of some other funds. God is so good when we trust in him. God is so good even when we don’t trust in him, because he is constant. Inside I knew that God would provide, but as a human with a sinful nature, I was weak and uneasy still. He has proven time and time again how much he cares about me even when I worry. But God has blessed me with a peace in my soul and comfort of mind that transcends all understanding. I know what that feels like now, and it makes me feel silly to think of all the times I didn’t come to God to rely on him when it’s so easy to just lay all your burdens on him. All this to say, my journey has only begun, but God has been so ever faithful and I am learning so much each and every single day. Every single person’s prayer, comment, and donation are extremely precious to me. I’m learning to fall in love with God more and more so that through that I can develop an agape love for people, for community, for fellowship, for family, for those in need, for those that are hard to love, for those around me, and for myself.
This is my story, Michelle Yin | April 3, 2017 | 8:18 pm | Dear You, Guess what?! Did you know in December of 2015 I went to a Missions Conference called Urbana? Well it was there that I encountered an opportunity that I felt had been placed heavily on my heart, and that is why I have good news now! I am excited to announce that I will be serving as a missionary with CTI Music Ministries for six weeks this summer! It will be on June 7th– July 19th of 2017 where I can finally be able to partake in this special journey. I’m looking forward to seeing the hand of our Almighty God at work as I partner with other musicians to serve him and share the Gospel! CTI stands for Carpenter’s Tools International; it is a community of young people who combine their common passion for music with their mutual desire to share the love of Christ. CTI is a setting where Christ-following musicians are trained, equipped and mobilized into ministry opportunities worldwide. As a participant in the Summer Program, I’ll be serving as a keyboardist in a team of 8-10 other musicians. As many of you may know, I’ve been playing piano since I was 5 and to finally blossom my abilities into a loving reciprocation back to serving God would be a great honor. We’ll be using music to share the gospel overseas in partnership with an established indigenous ministry (usually an international chapter of Youth for Christ). At the Urbana Missions Conference I explored a couple of other organizations, but God has given me unique talents and I have chosen to express my gratitude this way. I had wanted to go on this trip last summer, 2016, but some other things came up and I feel God allowed that to happen in order to prepare my heart even more for this year. I’ve come a long way in my walk with God as well as my experiments with music and I know God calls me to something deeper in life, something beyond an average lifestyle. He calls us all to much more than that. I would like to take this summer to explore what implications my future will hold. This summer I hope I can do this through working with CTI; this ministry takes your passion to spread Christ’s love and allows you to express it through a creative outlet by combining it with your passion for music. I’m eager to work with them and see what God has in store for his children. My ministry with CTI will begin with two weeks of training in Willmar, MN, where I’ll meet my team for the first time and train alongside other teams that CTI will be mobilizing this summer. Training will focus on helping us grow in our understanding of the gospel and prepare for opportunities to share it. On top of rehearsing a lot of music, we’ll also learn a lot about serving in a cross-cultural setting and how to use it to create an effective program that will help our partners reach the young people of their country with the gospel. Once overseas, we’ll serve our partners by helping with their ongoing ministry programs. I won’t know what country I’m going to until about a month before I arrive for training, but CTI teams are often used in schools, shopping centers & other public places, churches, prisons, camps, or anywhere else our partner ministry is active in sharing the gospel. I would be honored if you would consider making an investment in this opportunity that lies before me by becoming a member of my CTI Support Team. Would you consider supporting me as I take on this faith journey in response to God's calling? I cannot express how much your partnership means to me. It is a great privilege for me to receive your support as I steward my gifts in this way. Your prayer and giving are a vital part of my experience this year, and my hope is that you would be encouraged as you see God’s hand at work. I know my God is faithful and he will provide and I would love for you to be part of this adventure. Any amount is welcomed and greatly appreciated. I would like to mention that you don’t necessarily have to be Christian to give and support me. If you aren’t, thank you for reading still, and I fully encourage you to stay open to God because he plays a big role in our lives and world today. Thank you for your consideration! How you can help:
Pray: Your prayers for me, for the team, and for the people whom God will place in our path are much appreciated. Give: I have committed to raise $4885 to cover the cost of my travel, food, lodging, program administration and training. I am seeking supporters who will join me by making monthly or one-time contributions. By Mail:
If, however, tax deductibility is an important consideration then, donations can be made through Youth for Christ (YFC), Canada, details in this following link: http://prearrival.ctimusic.org/Things_you_need_to_know#TOC-Raising-Funds-From-Canadian-Donors Stay updated: You can learn more about CTI and follow my team’s journey here ctimusic.org facebook.com/ctimusic twitter.com/ctimusic instagram.com/ctimusic youtube.com/ctimusic This is a promo video that summarizes some more of CTI https://vimeo.com/10642307 P.S. if you are reading this and plan to donate please do shoot me a message and I'd love to follow-up with you and keep you updated on my trip. If you plan to support me through prayer, please still reach out to me because I would love to stay in contact with you. Or, if you are only just reading this, no matter what I would still love a chance to connect with you, even just to hear your thoughts on this or how you've been doing! This is my story, Michelle Yin | December 21, 2016 | 3:51pm | 5pm Wednesday August 31, 2016: I received a text message from my roommate asking me if I wanted to go to Yellowstone. [Context: Week right before Labour Day weekend] I said, “what.” 10pm Wednesday August 31, 2016: We have three plane tickets booked to Washington D.C. leaving that Saturday and coming back on the Labour Day Monday. Spontaneous is my middle name. Oh, but why three plane tickets you ask? Because I’m a doofus and booked a plane ticket for myself while my roommate, sitting next to me, booked a plane ticket for the two of us. Great communication Michelle! So that happened… it was proceeded by some mandatory freak out sessions, phone calls, and frantic prayers. I was told that the ticket had already been processed and wasn’t able to get a refund, only a return on credit, and that if when I wanted to use my credit for a different flight there would be a $200 change fee, therefore leaving me with only $27 of usable credit. *Insert unamused, defeated emoji: -.- * Thankfully, the frantic prayers had more impact than my freak out sessions and when I refused to accept the no-refund policy by calling again I came across a nice customer service representative who went to their manager and relayed to me that I would be getting my full refund back in 5-7 business days. So casually and simply delivered. I was shocked. God is good, God is great. The joys of weekend excursion trips spent exploring the vast treasures of different Chinese cities, the unidentifiable emotion of spending my summer days in research lab and writing papers, the unforgettable gratefulness for hospitable friends and family, the odd oxymoronic feeling of being comfortably at home yet at the same time being unfamiliar and shy … This summer’s China research internship has confirmed, if it wasn’t apparent before, that I am definitely not a robot because I definitely have a large pool of human emotions to dabble in.
This is a part 2 to my previous blog post, so picking up where I left off, the latter part of my study abroad trip consisted of research, weekend excursion trips, and exploration of Hangzhou. Amidst the weekday research, one weekend activity included us going to Yiwu and exploring the Great Shopping Mall there, as well as Movie City and the wannabe Forbidden City. The name Movie City really is justified because we saw multiple production crews filming on the sets there. -This is the Great Wall of China. -No duh Michelle. -No I mean, I am at the Great Wall of China. I am here. In China. By myself this time. Well not really a lone individual, but a lone representative of my family. Of course I am all about independency and living by myself but in a foreign country plated as the motherland? All of a sudden I’m not so greedy. Being in a different country for study purposes with a planned schedule and set structure is great for toning down the fears and apprehensiveness, but deep down inside my gut tightens when I see activities planned on Sunday from early mornings to late evenings, treating it like the other regular weekend days, my forehead wrinkles ever so slightly when God is brushed off so easily in this self-dependent, self-developing, self-accrediting country, my stomach hollows when the waiter brings out all the food on the table and the cue to eat is no longer after a unison “Amen” but just a simple, “Dig in guys!”
For the past two and a half weeks I have been home. Prior to that I was also home. And even before that I was also home. What do I mean? Well, I am a Chinese-American-Canadian so home is where I have family, where I have legal residency, where my blood traces back to, but most importantly where I feel like I belong. This Chinese-American-Canadian is a rising sophomore majoring in Food Science and goes by the name Michelle Yin, or more recently Yin Dong Hui. I arrived in China on May 19th where I started my tour of Shanghai and Beijing for a few days then transitioned into a university setting again at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. The main purpose of my being in China is for a study abroad trip in which we do a research internship at Zhejiang University, starting on the 25th of May. The days spent exploring in Shanghai and Beijing were more for a cultural immersion and to play a little before we start working. Nevertheless, it already and still feels like home to me. I am comfortable here, am well adjusted, and always enjoy a challenge and a nice riské element to life.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron This is basically my childhood. Spirit is a wild mustang who gets captured by humans. They cage him up and attempt to tame him, but his wild Spirit can not be broken in. He moves from being in the hands of American men to Indian men. Please, if you have not seen the movie, watch it. I'm on Christmas break right now, and if you're looking for a Christmas movie, this is totally...not Christmas themed. :P
But still, I totally recommend it for those who have a little extra 83 minutes in their life. ;) My Friday night:
Original plan-to do blog post writing/brainstorming and do other hw. Reality-totally got stuck on what to write about on my blog and chatted with a new friend at a Christmas party about Christianity. Then, my conversation with this friend miraculously merged into inspiration for my blog. Thanks Demi. :) |
I have a story. You have a story. And while these stories need to be heard, in the end..we are all more than a story but still simple wayfarers of life.
A blog cannot contain the entire person I am, it is just a colorful collection of my stories. P.S. Please ignore all preview blog posts due to it being written by my high school self for an English class project requiring the creation of this blog. I only keep it for amusement purposes. Thanks for bearing Instagram @Meeshyin |