When I was a child, I lived with chronic asthma. It shaped my entire childhood. While other kids ran freely, I had to stay indoors. I couldn’t be around the pets I loved. My parents often stayed awake just to make sure I was still breathing through the long, humid nights in Myanmar. Their bags were always overloaded with emergency medicine and anything else that might help me make it through the day. Hospital visits were constant. Bills piled up. And the worst part was that the doctors said I would never fully recover. But my parents prayed over me every day, believing in something no medical expert could promise. And then, miraculously, at the age of five, my asthma disappeared. I was healed. That moment became the turning point of my life, not just because I could breathe freely again, but because I finally understood the pain of illness and the burden it puts on families. I knew in my heart that I wanted to spend the rest of my life helping others find the healing that I was so blessed to receive. My journey begins now as I start studying Molecular Biology at Cedarville University. I am here to excel in my undergraduate program, maintain strong academic performance, and prepare myself for medical school. I plan to go through four years of pre-med, four years of medical school, residency training, fellowship and become a doctor. But it doesn’t stop there. My ultimate dream is to return to Myanmar and build a hospital, a place where patients aren’t judged by their status and wealth but are treated equally with compassion. I am aware the path I’ve chosen is long, difficult, and incredibly expensive. As an international student, I’m on my own, paying rent, tuition, food, and all other living expenses while trying to keep up with my classes and work part-time on campus. This scholarship would take a tremendous burden off my shoulders. It would allow me to focus more on my studies without constantly worrying about finances. Being an underrepresented minority in this field only makes it more difficult. As a Burmese international student, I come from a country that is rarely talked about, often overlooked, and now, facing increasing isolation due to global politics. Right now, Myanmar citizens are banned from entering the U.S. due to a travel restriction that has shattered the dreams of so many students. I, on one hand, could be here because of the support of my parents and relatives, and God. And now that I’ve been given this chance, I feel the weight of responsibility, not just for myself, but for every student back in Myanmar who couldn’t make it. I carry their dreams with me. I don’t know what the future holds. Political situations could change and get worse. I might even be forced to return home before I finish my education. These thoughts live in my mind every day. Still, I will continue to push forward, study hard, and I pray that I can stay long enough to finish what I’ve started. This scholarship would not only ease the financial strain. It would give me hope. It would be a reminder that someone believes in me, and in the future, I’m trying to build. I am not asking for comfort or luxury. I am simply asking for the chance to keep going to become the doctor I’ve dreamed of being, and to give back to the people and country that shaped me. So, please, I hope you support me on this journey.

I used to have stage fright and feel extremely anxious when speaking in public. Even I could not tell what made it so overwhelming. Was it the light shining right above my head, the silent yet crowded room full of spectators, my voice blasting through the speakers louder than I ever imagined, every eye in the room focused on me, or the constant worry of what everyone there was thinking? Whatever it was, it was true that the stage was my biggest fear. However, now, I find myself constantly in that very spot, and I might be starting to enjoy it a little bit. It all happened because of that one summer. That summer, when I attended Bible college (thanks to a little push from my mom). As part of the curriculum, I had to take Homiletics, and with it came my worst nightmare: public speaking. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, the stage always found its way back to me. Each week in class, we were required to prepare and present around five sermon topics. Although we didn't have to stand on an actual stage or speak before a full Sunday congregation, it was still nerve-wracking at first. But all of that changed one day. And it was not just time that helped ease my fear. It was a moment of realization I encountered during my preparation. I came across a simple, familiar verse that every Christian knows by heart: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). Suddenly, the weight of my fear began to lift. That verse reminded me of who I am—a daughter of the God who created the entire universe. What could I possibly fear when I stand under His covering? It was through this revelation that I gained peace and confidence and overcame a lifelong fear. This might seem like a small thing to others, but for me, it stands as one of my greatest personal achievements. Of course, I’ve had other accomplishments, such as winning a painting contest at age five, consistently placing in the top three of my class, always earning first prize in the annual Town-level English Essay Competition, and maintaining the top rank in Sunday School Exams. Yet, overcoming the fear that once held me back feels more meaningful than any medal or certificate I have ever received. This experience taught me that fear does not have to define who I am. More than anything, it helped me realize that my voice matters. Because of this journey, I was able to boldly step into God's ministry. Ever since I finished high school, I have served as a worship leader at my church, which is something I never imagined doing before. I also became a Sunday School teacher and joined a missionary outreach team with some of my church members. Every Sunday, we visit children who have never heard about Jesus, teaching them Christian songs and dances, and sharing the gospel with them. Through this, I discovered a deep passion in me, not just for teaching, but for connecting with people, loving them, and making them feel seen and valued. I learned that I genuinely love sharing God’s Word and spending time with others. Somewhere in all of this, I found myself. As someone who aspires to become a doctor, I understand how important communication is. I want to be the kind of doctor who not only treats physical pain but also brings comfort and peace to my patients. I want to speak life into them, especially during their most vulnerable moments. But my dream doesn’t stop there. One day, I hope to establish my hospital in my country, a center where the underserved and overlooked are treated with excellence and compassion. I want to build a team of professionals who value people, who serve with love, and who carry the heart of God in everything they do. Beyond the hospital walls, I want to continue using my voice to share the gospel and inspire others wherever God leads me. This journey has taught me that with faith, perseverance, and purpose, I can face even greater challenges ahead. What once seemed like a weakness has become one of my greatest strengths, and I know it is just the beginning of the journey God has planned for me.

My mom had countless sleepless nights when I was young because of my asthma. I was diagnosed with it at birth, inherited from my grandfather. Although I was the one with the disease, it was more as if my mom was the one who suffered and went through every hardship that came with it. Growing up in an underdeveloped country, Myanmar, where there are constant electricity cut-outs, there were times when little me could not fall asleep at night due to the heat and suffocation. My whole body was covered in sweat, and I could hardly breathe. So, my mom fanned me the entire night, changed my clothes into new ones every time they got wet, and made sure that I had a good sleep while sacrificing hers. That is who my mom is, like her name, Esther, neglecting her own needs for the sake of others. Even when the doctors said there was a high chance my asthma could not be cured since it is a genetic disease, she believed in God and kept praying to Him. And God did answer. He cured my asthma - something that was not possible in the medical world or the eyes of humans. The only reason why I am where I am right now is because of God's grace and my mom, who bore, raised, and took great care of me. My mom has always been there for our family. As someone who moved to a city (Yangon) from a small village in Chin State, she did everything she knew was good for me and my sister; she sent us to the best government schools, searched everywhere for the best tuition in town, enrolled us in English schools every summer, signed us up for piano and violin classes, and even computer classes, ensuring that we receive all the education there was to learn. She followed us to every school event, contest, and parents' meeting, and she dropped and picked us up at every class we attended. It was only because of her close support and encouragement that we were always recognized as one of the top students in each of our classes and won many awards. Most importantly, my mom is a god-fearing woman who teaches and leads her family with God's word. She dedicated her life to serving the ministry as a Sunday School teacher, Women's Leader, and Evangelizer. Her love and desire to share the love of Jesus Christ influenced our whole family, and now, all together, we have been going on a missionary outreach in a town and teaching children who have never heard of the Gospel before every Sunday after church. My mom has inspired me a lot through her actions, words, and life. Not only has she shown me love, compassion, and kindness, but she has also taught me to treat others the same. She has the strongest faith in God I have ever witnessed, and this has given me the courage to do the same. I have decided to study medicine and become a doctor to help treat people who are just like me and to lessen the burden on mothers just like my mom. I wish to repay her (although it could not even be compared) for raising me to this age and shaping me to become a good person. I am very blessed to have a mother like her. Thank you very much for reading about my mom, my role model in my life.