All Because of Your Legendary Life

號角月報加拿大版二零二五年五月

When people mention Mimi Tang (鄧婉玲), the melody of her original gospel song, "All Because of You (全因為你)," often echoes in their minds. This classic hit conveys the joy and grace of her sentiment, "You make my life beautiful," while reflecting her life's challenges and transformations. Despite enduring emptiness and pain in the past, she now confidently sings praises: "All because of You, my life becomes legendary!" Mimi profoundly understands that in every scene of life and every chapter of her story, God has walked alongside her, providing strength in any circumstance. Looking back on her remarkable journey, she is filled with gratitude—all because of Him.

Childhood Trauma: Fear of Visiting the Dentist

As a seasoned gospel singer and music evangelist, Mimi is no stranger to performing at large musical outreach events, confidently facing thousands of attendees. However, stepping into a dentist's office unexpectedly triggers emotional breakdowns, often leaving her in tears. What is the story behind this fear?

Several years ago, Mimi fainted in the bathroom, collapsing to the floor and striking her two front teeth heavily against the ground. Her husband, Joe, heard the loud noise and rushed to her side, shaking her while anxiously shouting, "Honey, are you okay?" Mimi faintly heard his voice and, still unconscious, managed to open her eyes slightly, only to realize her mouth was filled with blood. Later medical examinations revealed her fainting was due to low blood pressure and there were no significant physical injuries or damage to her teeth. She thanked God for His protection, recognizing that a head injury could have been far more severe.

Unfortunately, this incident left lasting repercussions...

At the end of March last year, Mimi noticed her front teeth had started loosening. An X-ray revealed that the roots were fractured, a delayed effect of the fall years ago. This posed a significant challenge for Mimi, whose childhood experiences with dental visits left her deeply traumatized. She admitted, "When I was young, the doctor assured me it wouldn't hurt, but the pain was unbearable. Since then, I’ve been terrified of dental appointments. For over a decade, I avoided entering dental clinics because every time I stepped inside, I lost control of my emotions and couldn’t stop crying—even receptionists were surprised..."

Do Not Be Afraid: Comfort from God

The doctor informed Mimi that two of her front teeth would need to be extracted and replaced with implants. The surgery was scheduled for May, coinciding with her plans for four overseas short-term mission trips and more than twenty evangelistic events. Concerned that the surgery might impact her singing, she prayed, asking God, "Why did this have to happen now? What lesson do You want me to learn from this?" During a follow-up appointment, a 70-year-old dentist noticed her tearful state and offered comforting words: "Since you believe in Jesus, rely on Him to face this. Do not be afraid; trust in God’s guidance." These words deeply moved Mimi, providing the reminder and encouragement she truly needed.

On the day of her dental implant surgery, Mimi was still fearful. However, upon entering the clinic, she noticed a copy of Herald Monthly (Hong Kong Edition) on the front desk. The cover bore the words "Do Not Be Afraid." That moment enlightened her heart, and she recognized it as God’s comfort. The surgery proceeded exceptionally smoothly, completed in just half an hour with minimal pain. This experience gave Mimi a deeper understanding that even long-time believers can experience moments of weakness. She felt immense gratitude, knowing God's presence remained steadfast.

Outstanding Results: Still Singing after Dental Implants

The doctor advised Mimi to rest for three months following her dental implants, but she had already committed to attending a dinner event hosted by a cancer organization in Australia that May. Trusting in faith, she decided to proceed with her plans. On the day of the event, Mimi performed while wearing a mask and shared her testimony. The outcome exceeded her expectations—every attendee stood to sing along with her. Mimi felt it was one of her finest performances in recent years. Filled with gratitude, she expressed, "Even after the dental implants, I can still sing beautiful melodies—all because of God."

Additionally, Mimi was invited to host two spiritual arts seminars, which received overwhelmingly positive responses. During one event, a sister sitting beside her shared her own story. This sister was undergoing terminal cancer treatment, and due to the cancer’s spread to her skeletal system, she required full dental implants. Yet, she radiated immense joy. "Listening to her story, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed," Mimi reflected. "Compared to her, my fear of dental implants seemed trivial. It reminded me once again that, no matter the circumstances, I should not be afraid, for God is always with me."

Sharing the Christian Faith through Singing Lessons

In July 2003, Mimi founded the Music Café Singing Center (音樂冰室歌唱中心), where she introduced popular gospel songs as a way to share the Christian faith. Mimi reflected candidly, acknowledging that while numerous singing tutorials are easily accessible on YouTube, students continued to choose her in-person classes—a decision she cherishes deeply. She explained, "The value of in-person teaching extends beyond technical guidance to fostering meaningful relationships. Through this process, I’ve realized how singing provides insight into students' mental and emotional well-being. This impacts not only their singing techniques but also their family lives, careers, and even their relationship with God. I thank God for equipping me with a unique perspective to shepherd students through music." Many of Mimi's former students have since built families, established careers, and even become pastors or evangelists—a legacy that fills her heart with gratitude.

Reflecting on her journey, Mimi sees God’s grace everywhere, especially in the relocation of her teaching studio. Last year, under God’s guidance, she found a new rental space in Jordan—the same neighborhood where she had originally launched the Music Café Singing Center. This serendipity brought her a comforting sense of familiarity. Even more remarkable, the studio's décor closely resembled her previous space, and the landlord offered her a very reasonable rent.

Seeking confirmation of God’s will, Mimi prayed, "If I see three rainbows within a week, I will know this is Your guidance." Amazingly, she witnessed three rainbows, giving her confidence to move forward and secure the space. Later, it was learned that the co-tenant had moved out at the end of February. This affirmed that God had foreseen everything and prepared a new place for her. In March of this year, Mimi officially began teaching at the new studio—a moment for which she is profoundly grateful.

Our Daily Bread: Voice Recording for Teaching Materials

Mimi recalls the words of Pastor Siu during her internship at Tin Chuen Church: "Do new things for the Lord; transform for Christ." This year, God indeed entrusted her with a new mission: providing voice recordings for the children’s devotional materials of Our Daily Bread. Thrilled to serve the Lord in this creative way, Mimi was delighted to discover her voice was not only suited for singing but also brought characters to life through narration.

"I’m just an ordinary person, without advanced education, wealth, or fame," Mimi shared. "Yet, God chose me, allowing me to become a gospel singer, transforming my passion into a lifelong career, and giving me opportunities to bless people worldwide. I’m especially grateful for my husband, who wholeheartedly supports my gospel music ministry. Years ago, he faced a serious illness, and his life was once in critical danger. I thank God for saving him, restoring his health, and enabling him to continue serving God."

Music Ministry: Integrating Spiritual Art

In 2014, Mimi began studying theology at the Institute of Christian Ministry to deepen her understanding of God and build a strong foundation for her ministry. Reflecting on her six-year journey, she shared that she gained a deeper understanding of Biblical truths, clarity about God’s plan for her life, and a reshaped perspective on theology, faith, and life. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mentor, Pastor Derek Li, who modeled humility and obedience in service. His personal demonstration of faith, especially during the accident involving his son, Moses Li, deeply impacted Mimi’s steadfastness in her own beliefs.

Looking forward, Mimi hopes to incorporate more spiritual art into her music ministry, helping others experience God through music. She also wishes for her students to not only learn singing but to grow in their faith as they journey through life, living out God’s purpose. "I have stepped into the second half of life," she shared. "Whether through music, short-term missions, teaching, or family, I have come to deeply understand: it is all because of You that my life has been made beautiful; it is all because of You that my life has become a legend."