Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Tiffany. I am a sinner saved and sustained by the grace of God! I came from Hong Kong 6 years ago and I am going into the final year of my Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. I work as a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer at the university. I love all that I’m doing and learning. I am very introverted but God has continued to strengthen me to do people-facing jobs and share my faith when chances arise. I am also passionate about digging deeper into Scripture and I am learning biblical Hebrew on my own.
How are you seeking to live missionally in this season of your life?
I find it more difficult to have these opportunities as a Master's student. I feel like people are more apathetic to matters related to faith. But I always pray for opportunities because God is still working. God answers prayers. This summer, I had some opportunities to talk about faith with a classmate, with a man in a shawarma shop, with a friend on a camping trip, and with a friend I met at a conference this summer. I visited my high school teacher’s grandma with their family and was really encouraged to see this 103-year-old grandma, never heard the gospel before, just captured by the gospel booklet and kept reading it. Finally, a few of us from church did a street interview experiment and connected with a few newcomers from Burma. We later had a hotpot with them and hope to continue to witness to them. What a joy to be able to join in God’s work in the world!
Were there any new (good or hard) experiences for you recently? Did these help or hinder the ways you engaged in missions?
I have a friend whom I journeyed with for 4 years who professed faith last summer. I was overjoyed when I witnessed that moment. Both of us knew fellowship and discipleship is the next step to take. Matthew 13 describes the parable of the sower. Today, this friend is like Matt 13:22 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” We had a conversation about going to church earlier this year and this friend became hostile to my encouragement to attend church. I was hurt and disheartened. We are still very good friends but please pray for us!
Describe a moment from this summer, big or small, where you felt God affirm you in your journey pursuing His mission
I went on my first mission trip with my church in April where we interacted with mostly Iranian refugees/immigrants. Shortly after coming back, I was placed in a primarily Iranian clinic for my first physiotherapy placement (we also see many refugees). I also have an Iranian personal training client. So I learned a number of Farsi phrases before and during my time at the clinic (primarily to make patients happy, secondarily to communicate with those who don’t speak English :P). I enjoyed working with the Iranians. It was an “interesting” arrangement by God. There are more and more Iranians in Toronto and UofT (gyms/fitness classes), and I never hesitate to go and greet them in Farsi.
