By Ruth Yong Wang Theen
As believers, we are called to live out our faith in seen and sure ways. In a world that often measures success by status and recognition, we interviewed 5 women who draw their purpose from following God’s call. Their stories reflect courage, perseverance, and the unshakeable hope that comes from walking with Christ. Here, they share their thoughts on work, faith and their hopes for Malaysia.
“I find great fulfilment in seeing patients improve” – Dr Su Xu Vin, medical doctor
What you do and why you love it: I’m a Family Medicine physician at Kota Samarahan Health Clinic, caring for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. I also plan outreach activities to promote health awareness and screenings. I find great fulfillment in seeing patients improve—whether through managing chronic conditions, ensuring safe pregnancies, addressing child development issues, or restoring mental well-being. A large part of my work involves counselling and educating patients, supporting not just their physical health but also their emotional and mental well-being. Over the years, I’ve refined my approach to shared decision-making, guiding and empowering each patient according to their unique needs.
Favourite Scripture: My favourite Bible verses are from Psalm 121. Through these verses, I find comfort, shelter, and a deep sense of peace in His protection and provision. They remind me of how He has always been there for me through life’s ups and downs.
How you live out your faith: I start each day with prayer, thanking God for His goodness, surrendering the day’s events and challenges to Him, and asking for His guidance and protection. This brings me peace and helps me stay focused. I often play gospel music in the car, letting it uplift my spirit as I drive.
Your hope for Malaysia’s future: My hope is for the people to love each other and unite amidst the diversity. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (ESV), “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends”. With more love in society, we can build each other up to be our best selves. More tolerance and more kindness is needed to build confident, resilient Malaysians that can spur this nation
further.
“Teaching allowed me to inspire and shape the next generation” – Ling Siew Ching, retired university lecturer
What you do and why you love it: I am a retired university lecturer. Teaching allowed me to inspire and shape the next generation, making a lasting impact on students’ lives. Sharing knowledge and sparking curiosity was incredibly rewarding. Being a lecturer is a journey of continuous learning. It’s not just about teaching but also about staying updated, conducting research, and developing courses, which keeps the role intellectually stimulating. One of the most fulfilling aspects was building relationships with students and witnessing their growth. The mix of teaching, research, and academic administration made the job dynamic and diverse. Lecturing also provided stable employment with flexible hours, allowing me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Your favourite Scripture: My favourite Bible Scripture is Psalms. The Book of Psalms is rich with wisdom, encouragement, and heartfelt prayers. Psalm 23, written by King David, is a beautiful reminder that God is my shepherd, guiding, protecting, and providing for me. Psalm 91 reminds me that God is my refuge and shield no matter what dangers I face.
How you live out your faith: Reflecting on Jesus in my actions, words, and thoughts, I strive to live out my faith as a Christian daily. I spend time with God through daily prayer and Bible reading. I express love not only to my family and friends but also to those who are difficult. I uphold honesty and trustworthiness, allowing others to see Christ in me as I share God’s love with those around me.
Your hope for Malaysia’s future: I hope Malaysia’s future is a nation of unity and harmony, where people of all races and religions live in peace and mutual respect. I envision wise and honest leaders who prioritise the well-being of the people, a stable economy that provides opportunities for all, and a strong education system that empowers future generations. I also desire a just society where truth and righteousness prevail and a nation that seeks God’s guidance while living according to His values.
“I can always rely on God’s strength” – Shin Yi, risk manager
What you do and why you love it: I’m a risk manager and I like that I can help my organisation to manage their risk and comply with all laws and regulations while doing business.
Your favourite Scripture: The Lord is my shepherd because it reminds me that Jesus Christ is my rock, protector, and comforter. I can always rely on His strength.
How you live out your faith: I do that by surrendering to God and seeking Him in all my needs and wants. I know that no matter what I go through, God will be with me and that gives me comfort.
Your hope for Malaysia’s future: I hope that Malaysia will be a prosperous and peaceful country. I hope that the people in the country will enjoy the fruits of their labour.
“Psalm 27:1 has followed me throughout the seasons of life” – Katherine Khaw, personal assistant
What you do and why you love it: I’m working as a personal assistant in the coachbuilding industry, where buses and special-purpose vehicles—such as mobile clinics, mobile blood donation units, and mobile courts—are made. My job allows me to meet people from various industries and backgrounds, giving me valuable opportunities to grow in knowledge and experience. Additionally, I have the privilege of working with my father, which means I get to spend more time with him. After all, statistics show that we spend one-third of our lives working.
Your favourite Scripture: The Bible is filled with many encouraging verses, but one of my top picks would be Psalm 27:1 (NIV): “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” This passage has followed throughout the seasons of my life, be it as a college student or a young adult at work now. As a routine-based person, I preferred to calculate and know what is to come. Yet the future is never predictable down to the minute, no matter my age or place. This speaks to me like a letter personal and true, that having the LORD with me will bring me peace and strength to prevail.
How you live out your faith: I set aside time for devotion and reading Christian-based materials, be it online articles or books from my church library. Not only that, I aspire to reach out into the lives of others to make a difference. Just like how a ripple may create tidal waves, I desire to be someone like this with God’s unconditional love and peace. Nonetheless, there will be a gap between my best ability and attempted pursuit: so, in this we can also exercise our faith that God honours the heart, becoming the bridge to overcome the divide.
Your hope for Malaysia’s future: While Malaysia’s political, economic, and social landscape may appear unruly at times, it is my hope that Malaysia will begin to thrive again. Rather than to be known for less flattering incidents, I desire that Malaysia would be known for its friendly people, local delights, and picturesque places. I also hope that Malaysia will grow in its leadership capacity and community building as well, without discrimination toward the different.
“I’m grateful for the Gospel and for this life” – Amanda Thai, educator
What you do and why you love it: I am privileged to be part of a dedicated team that runs educational programmes for underserved communities, including refugees and the B40 group. Together with our volunteers, we strive to make a meaningful impact through these programmes. I have the opportunity to teach both academic and non-academic subjects, with a particular passion for guiding the younger generation in areas such as financial literacy, current affairs, social issues, and mental health. In today’s digital age, I believe that fostering critical thinking and emotional resilience is more essential than ever.
Your favourite Scripture: Revelation 4:11 (ESV): “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created”. I’m grateful for the gospel and for this life. Though I have many shortcomings, I find hope in Jesus. I desire to honour Him with my life through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
How you live out your faith: I begin my day with prayer, seeking alignment with His will and acknowledging God’s sovereignty in all that I do.
Your hope for Malaysia’s future: I hope that every Malaysian has equal access to quality education and healthcare, regardless of their status or socioeconomic background.
