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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Meet Lilianna Alvidrez and Daniel Wang!
Lilianna and her family are a huge part of our Children’s Ministry. Her dad Patrick, and mom, Rebecca, teach at the 8:00 service. In addition, Lilianna’s brother Jonathan and sister Evie are added treasures in their classrooms. Lilianna and Evie were both born with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. This degenerative disease has Lilianna in a sparkly pink wheelchair. In early December, Lilianna invited my husband (her former Sunday School teacher) and me to her Christmas concert. When she got on stage, she smiled broadly as she adjusted her precious violin. But then, I realized she was not holding the violin like the other kids.
Her mother explained that as Lilianna’s disease progressed, she could no longer play her violin. In 2021, her music teacher reached out to the Clovis North Coding Club, led by then high school senior Daniel Wang. This assignment changed both Daniel’s and Lilianna’s lives. The Coding Club created an apparatus that allowed Lilianna to play her precious violin.
Daniel’s parents are both immigrants from China. They had one son and longed for more children, but with China having a one child policy, there was little hope. While living in China, Daniel’s mom began listening to a Christian radio program. Through this program, she developed a deeper passion and desire to learn more about Jesus. God opened a door for Daniel’s parents to immigrate to America, giving an opportunity for his mom’s faith to mature and to have Daniel and his younger brother.
Their family began going to Trinity when Daniel was 12 years old. Daniel, in time, matured in his faith and grew to appreciate the biblical teaching and discipleship in both Sunday School and High School ministries.
School came easy for Daniel, and he longed to play on a sports team in high school. However, he didn’t make any teams and wondered where God was leading him. Finally, a school friend asked him to join the Coding Club. Daniel went and was soon enthralled with creating mechanical things. God had placed him exactly where HE wanted him.
Daniel learned of Lilianna and went to meet the family. Daniel himself plays violin and understands the perseverance it takes to learn to play. He observed Lilianna’s hands and devised a prototype for a holder that allowed her to hold her bow. As a result, Lilianna could hold her violin and continue her lessons. Daniel’s team was so successful that it caught the attention of Johns Hopkins University.
Daniel was accepted into Johns Hopkins where he is a freshman today, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Daniel recognizes the fact that God has a purpose in his life. God called his parents out of China so he could be born. God called his mother to a relationship with Himself, and she showed Jesus to her children. God led him to Trinity, where he could be fed. And God led him to Lilianna.
Their relationship blessed them both tremendously. God is so good.
Both Daniel and Lillianna have prayer requests. Daniel seeks a strong, biblical Christian community and wishes to be a light among his peers at a secular university. Please pray that Daniel remains faithful and stands firm. Please pray for Lilianna, as her disease can sometimes be overwhelming. Pray for God’s peace, encouragement, and health.
I’m so grateful for reminders of God’s faithfulness.
Dorothy Doswald
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