Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were extremely stressed about solving your problem? Oftentimes, being independent as I am, I always try to solve my problems by myself. As much as possible, I don’t seek help from others as long as I deem it solvable by myself. I always tell myself, “I can do this.” When we try to solve a problem, we look deeper to understand it and eventually find a solution. However, as I focus more on the problem and try to figure it out, the more I get frustrated.
January is my birth month. I wanted to celebrate my birthday with my family and friends. However, the supposed resources for my budget didn’t materialize because of some unexpected circumstances. As my day gets nearer, the more I get perplexed. I started to get worried. I tried to solve my problem my way but couldn’t seem to find a solution. I poured out my anxieties to God. I couldn’t help but cry out of my helplessness. After praying, I come across some motivational videos which say, “seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).” As I watched more videos from that page, I heard a song with lyrics that say,
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full on his wonderful face..
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace…”
My tears were pouring as I realized, how could I be so proud by trying so hard to be self-reliant! God reminded me that instead of focusing on the problem, I need to turn my focus to God. The more you focus on your problems, the more your problem gets magnified, and find yourself overwhelmed. Instead of seeking solutions to your problem, seek God first.
When it dawned upon me, I surrendered to God my problems. God helped me realize that He is in control. That I should not worry if things get out of hand if things didn’t go as planned. God made me understand the deeper meaning of His word when He said, “come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)”. That night I told God, “Lord, here are my problems, I could not handle it anymore, please take care of it.” I said to myself, I should have surrendered it from the start. After surrendering to God everything, I decided not to care about it anymore because that is how it’s supposed to be. Do not leave any worries for yourself. Give it all to God. Leave it to God. That’s why people say, “Let go and let God.” That night I was able to sleep well. The next morning, lo and behold, a friend of mine messaged me and asked me if I was interested to do a side job. I was amazed at how God has solved my problems. He paved a way for me, and He even gave me more blessings. Blessings overflowed, and so does God’s love and mercy. He gave me more than what I asked for, more than what I expected.
When storms arise, may we not be shaken. May we remember the God, our Father in Heaven who is omniscient and omnipotent. He is our Father who cares for us. I praise God because when I forgot His promises and His instructions, He did not hesitate to remind me that He is my Father who loves me and promised to take care of me.
In this experience, God did not just remind me about His promises, He also taught me how to humble myself in His presence. He taught me that I should put my trust in and on Him, to trust Him completely, with all my heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). That I should not rely on my own strength for I am weak. That I am just a human, a finite being, but I can rest my hope to Him, a God who is also my Father whose wisdom and power are infinite and unmeasurable. A God who can do things that are impossible to man. And, above all, a loving Father who does not want to let His child get astray if he forgets his way.
One Thursday night, it was the 30th of July, our family was traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to send our parents to the airport. At the border of Abu Dhabi, there was a stop for Covid-19 screening. My brother, sister-in-law, and I had gone for testing except for my niece, and nephew who were below 10 years old. My parents were exempted as well because they were on visit visas.
The result came out, and among the three of us, only my brother and sister-in-law were both permitted to pass the border. It was unfortunate that I was the only one who didn’t make it. I was left behind because I was given the result of “NOT PERMITTED” [to cross the border]. I asked some Filipinos who were at the screening facility about my result. I thought I was positive. The staff told me that it didn’t mean that I had a virus. He further added that, it was just detected that I had an immune response similar to those who contracted Covid-19. In UAE, if you failed the rapid test, it is mandatory to do a swab test. And so, I did. It is to make sure if you are infected or not. I had to wait for my swab test result after 24 hours.
It was time for my family to head to the airport. For the last time, my mom wanted to hug me, but I stopped her thinking that I might have the virus. I might get her infected. I couldn’t help but cry seeing them off. I was just sitting alone crying. I remembered Paul and Silas who were singing hymns in prison. So, I decided to sing as well to make myself feel better. I sang to myself the song called ‘Just as I am’. The song reminded me about how precious I am in God’s sight that His blood was shed for me. After some time, my brother phoned me, and my father was telling me to have faith. He tried to comfort me by saying that I didn’t have Covid-19 because I didn’t have a fever or any symptoms. I responded to my father and said, “I have faith, papa. God has a plan and I trust GOD.” Despite uttering those words, the feeling of being left alone made me cry. My brother asked me to recall all the sermons that I’ve heard. My mom was crying in the background. My niece was also crying. The mobile phone was then given to her so that she could talk to me and would know that I was alright. My family told me that she was crying the whole time! Though I was stressed myself because of the unprecedented circumstance, I ended up comforting my niece who was more frustrated than me. Poor child. I told her not to cry then added, “Don’t cry Dafni. Our God is Almighty! He will take care of me.”
My family in the airport. I was not able to join them.
I didn’t know what specific sermon to recall at that time but, I believed that the Holy Spirit impressed me to think of Hannah—she was crying but, with the Lord. And, I also recalled the teaching about guarding your aloneness or alone time just like Daniel in Babylon and John on the island of Patmos. After that, I stopped crying. I prayed in my mind and surrendered it all to GOD. After all, my life is in HIS hands. My brother, together with his family came back from Abu Dhabi. I was waiting for them outside the screening facility. They fetched me and we headed home together.
I was quarantined in their room for 24 hours. The result came. It was flat out NEGATIVE! I was relieved. When my family knew the result of my swab test, my 7-year-old niece and my 1-year-old nephew went inside the room to hug me. Out of joy, I shouted, “Praise the LORD! Thank you, Jesus!” And all of us were praising GOD. When I saw my family after the 24-hour quarantine and got ‘reunited’ with them, I imagined the similarity to the second coming of Jesus Christ when the dead will be resurrected and be reunited with their loved ones in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet sound.
When I was in distress, God’s promises comforted me. I thank and praise the Holy Spirit for reminding me about God’s Word. I also praise the Lord for the lessons that I learned through our Bible study group called The Final Herald, which is being led by Sister Ruth Paul and our speaker Dr. Ronald Robin. Moreover, I praise God for those people who are willing to be used for the glory of God.
And lastly, I wanted to leave you a message from the book of Jeremiah 33:3,6 which says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Verse 6, “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” That is why it is said in Habakkuk 3:18 that,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:18
Let’s always remember that whatever we may be facing right now, we should not fear nor lose hope for God is always with us. Let’s just put our trust in Him.
A POWERFUL TESTIMONY: A touching testimony of an angel I came to know, and so blessed that God gave me an opportunity to know someone like her.
Meet my dear Ate Arlene Vigilia. I came to know her through my in-laws when they met her for a missionary trip in Baja, California in Rosarito, Mexico. My mother in law was amazed with her due to her proficiency in their native language, Spanish.
Ate Arlene was an obstetric nurse who had assisted many deliveries in the US and was a certified medical doctor in Mexico. Her father was an Adventist pastor who migrated to the United States together with the whole family when her firstborn sibling petitioned them all. She came from a family of 9, Ate Arlene was the second to the youngest.
She studied Nursing in the United States and at the same time, while working, she took her medical degree in Mexico that helped her to be a very good Spanish conversationalist, both to my in laws and to all her Hispanic patients in the US to think that their language of instruction in Mexico is Spanish. She was a certified and licensed doctor in Mexico. In 2007, she was trying to get a medical license in the United States. She tried twice, but hadn’t got the US Medical license. She stopped trying after the second try and just continue to do her nursing job in Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles California where she worked until she retired in 2016. Her desire to be a doctor was rooted on her desire to better serve the community where they do mission trips during her younger days. I met her when she was 57 years old already. She never stopped doing her missionary trip from her younger days till she fell ill last year.
A missionary by heart, just like Paul, a tentmaker, she worked her nursing shifts and spends it for missionary purposes. She already had set plans every year on her scheduled mission trips and saves money for those trips. She has been to different parts of the world from America to Asia to do medical missions, church building and outreach programs. With a frugal lifestyle, she supported different ministries both in the US and in the Philippines. One of those is the “It is Written ” ministry and supporting lay pastors in the Philippines. One involvement she had recently, was being a medical director for Uganda of Farmstew.org directed to help the people in Africa. She was fully retired from her job as a nurse in 2016. She dedicated all her time in this ministry where they were inculcating education, water supply building, feeding and health teaching on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Teaching them how to cook different indigenous vegetables available in their community.
She was a selfless person; whose desire was to help people to draw them to Jesus. I never had dull moments staying in her house. With complete books of Ellen White and nursing, medical health books she has, it was like I was inside a huge library! I remember when she was driving with me going for Mia’s prenatal appointment, she will gaze up to the sky and say, “Elvie, I’m only waiting for Jesus to come.” With gospel music in the car, it felt like Heaven on Earth already. God has prepared the path already before I came to the United States then. I delivered in the hospital where she worked. She was my nurse at home during my labor hour doing internal examinations where she was completely equipped for any emergency home delivery, she drove me to the hospital the at the same time doing her morning shift, she was beside me in the delivery room, she was my postpartum nurse on duty to the hospital, she took me home with her since I lived with her for six months in Norwalk, California. She was the one driving me back and forth for pre- and postnatal appointments when I had Mia. She helped me to go through the passports of my Mia and Emma, driving back and forth to Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. She fetched me from San Diego to Los Angeles the time I had postpartum hemorrhage for a uterine atony because of overstretching my uterus for my Emma who then weighed 8.3 pounds! She arranged my surgery in the same hospital where I delivered Mia, where she was working at the same time. Since she was working there, the hospital gave me a priority for a surgery the next day and a hospital discount! What a blessing! The concern she had during that time I called regarding the postpartum hemorrhage that she was so worried of, coming from a night shift when I called her that morning, she said that she’ll ask one of our friends, Jennifer, to drive her to fetch me in San Diego since she couldn’t drive 2 hours long due to some car accident that partly debilitated her back to endure a 2-hour drive. I stayed with her for a month till it’s a day before my flight going back to Dubai. She always said that her house is the house of God. Anyone who is a missionary or any one in need of shelter were welcome in her house! She was with me with my first travel back to the Philippines from the US. I’m so blessed how God arranged that trip that she can go for a holiday on the same departure date I have from the US to the Philippines.
I will always have fun memory of her, after her mission trip in Aklan, Philippines in 2008.She spent a week with us in Batangas. she would just get a knife, go to the field, get some fresh vegetables, flowers, anything she can use to make a meal at home. She would cook her fresh harvest and voila! We have instant squash, alugbati, moringa, and saluyot soup fresh from the farm! She was indeed a star chef! Not only that, she taught me about spiritual matters, cooking styles and techniques but also preparing for the future! I remember that when I came back to the Philippines in 2008, I encouraged my parents to get an estate for cemetery. I learned that from my Ate Arlene! She showed me her piece of memorial lot in California, even her Funeral program is ready! She arranged all the programs just for her not to be a burden to her family in time that she needs to rest while waiting for Jesus to come if Jesus will not yet come while she was still alive! That’s how ready she was!
Sadly, at the end of May 2017, she died of breast cancer. Up to now, when I think of her, there is an ache in my heart. I thought that with the healthy lifestyle she had, both body and soul, I could see that she would so much of her future ahead of her, that she would experience a crisp old age. The only thing that I don’t have any gauge of was her mind. She came from a broken marital relationship that time when I came to know her, she was already a year divorced when she got married. They had no children since she got married when she was 56 years old with her husband who was 16 years junior than her, who then during that time, was working as a lay pastor from another Christian denomination. I can feel her pain every time she tells her story to me. 6 years have passed since the last time I was with her in 2007. Even when she came for a visit in the Philippines in 2008 and 2011 and when I was there in the US in 2012, I could still feel her pain when she talked about her estranged husband. Despite their separation, she still extended her support to the local ministry where her ex-husband was in the Philippines, and she did her medical mission trips in that place every time she visited the Philippines for a vacation. Her heartache doubled when she learned that her ex-husband is going to be married to a Filipina residing in their community in Aklan, Philippines.
Her family in the United States asked me if I knew anything about it or if Ate Arlene told me about any health concerns she had. It was only some fainting spell two weeks before she died that they came to know that she was already in her terminal stage of cancer. Ate Arlene was a very stoic person, she didn’t complain even when she felt any pain in her body. She frequently kept that to herself. Rather to be in the hospital during the last two weeks of her life, she chose hospice care and waited for her time at the house of her sister in Glendale California. I was able to speak to her, that night before she died, and prayed with her. She couldn’t talk anymore as what the family told me that possibly she can’t utter any word to me since she was already not talking to them due to her tremendous pain. But during that night, she spoke in a very soft hoarse voice telling me, “Elvie, don’t cry, don’t cry!”
Just as how my husband describes her, “She was a lady with a big heart!” I’m seeing an awesome angel sent from above every time I think about her. She was very loving, caring and an inspiring angel to me. I don’t look at her as a friend, I look at her as my mother. I even told her that when we retire for good in the Philippines, I invited her to live with us in Batangas and continue to do her mission work there. She was so glad to do her ministry with us. Ate Arlene will forever occupy a space in my heart…
Sadly, she left us, but gladly, she is now resting to wait for what she’s dreaming of every time in a different scenario. No longer waiting, but now, beside our Savior Jesus when He comes. Just like what 1 Corinthians 15: 55,57,58 says:
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ate Arlene experienced challenges in her life but that did not stop her to dedicate her life for the lost souls, inspire people and encourage so many to look on Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. This verse gave me an assurance that all her labor in the Lord will surely not be in vain… See you ate Arlene, see you in the resurrection morning!
Last year, I applied for the Special Professional Licensure Exam (SPLE) for Psychometricians in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the hopes to improve my career. I have done the requirements, and the next step was to study for review. We are blessed that nowadays, so many review materials are available within our fingertips. One example is the free e-books circulating on the internet. However, it is very strenuous to the eyes if you read e-books on your gadgets. Well, in my case, I had to print those suggested review materials given to us and that was my problem.I didn’t have a printer. I never thought of needing one since I only print in the office. Commercial printing in Dubai is quite expensive unlike in the Philippines, not to mention that you will be printing thick books!
I had already exhausted my savings just for acquiring my documents (processing and shipping fees from Dubai to the Philippines then back to Dubai). Again, I prayed to God to help me, this time with my review materials. When I finished praying, I remembered that I have a church mate who has a printer who lives nearby my flat. At least my expenses would be cut. At least I only had to buy A4 paper and ink cartridge. I contacted Alex and asked him that I would use his printer. I was so glad that he would lend me his printer. After talking to Alex, I asked my roommate Jessa to accompany me to buy the stuff for printing. I knew that I would need more A4 paper and ink cartridges. So, I decided to print first the documents that I urgently needed. With that in mind, I only bought one ream of A4 paper and an ink cartridge. After shopping, Jessa and I both agreed to stroll around the mall before heading to Alex’s place. We enjoyed window shopping so much that we lost track of time. Silly us! I told Jessa that it was already late. And, maybe Alex had gone to sleep too. I didn’t want to cause Jessa and Alex more trouble. I thought to myself that I would print the ebooks the next day instead. So, we went home. Since it was summertime in the UAE, it was very humid, even if it was already late at night. When we reached home, we got so thirsty that we hurriedly went to the pantry to drink water. Cheyser, our housemate happened to be in the pantry as well. She asked us where we’d been. And so, I told her the story.
Upon hearing my new endeavor, Cheyser was so thrilled about it. Much to my surprise, she offered me something that I was not expecting at all. She said that she would print all the e-books and review materials that I needed. I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t imagine God’s providence. I didn’t see it coming at all! I thought that my plan for using Alex’s printer was a good idea. However, God gave me a better, much better solution to my ‘problem’. You see, the gesture of my housemate, Cheyser, reminded me about a scripture in Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I thought that my way of saving money by using Alex’s printer was good. However, God’s way was much better. Instead of buying many reams of A4 and lots of ink cartridges. God used my housemate Cheyser to print all of my review materials for FREE! Isn’t it amazing?
As Christians, we don’t believe in coincidences. We believe that we meet people for a reason and a purpose. God’s ways and plans are better than ours. And, not to mention His timing, always perfect. I was so convinced that meeting Cheyser in the pantry at that specific time (especially when Cheyser usually sleeps early) was God’s way of answering my prayer. God answered my prayer through my friend Cheyser.
There is no wonder to me why our Father is called Almighty Father. He does mighty things. He is a God of infinite possibilities. Amazing God, He truly is. I had an ear-to-ear smile and was a little bit teary-eyed when I reached home the following day seeing the printed e-books placed on our table. God is marvelous! I still couldn’t fathom how great His measures are. Marveled as I was, I touched the books as if it was treasures of gold! I felt like God was telling me,“Here Rebecca, I have had provided you ALL the things you needed. Go, study, and give your very best.”
The A4 paper that I bought (left), and the printed review materials that gave me for FREE (right).
I wrote this love letter when I was on the plane going back to Dubai from the Philippines. While I recalled the moments, I remembered one of the toughest circumstances in my life. I tried to hold back my tears, yet I couldn’t contain it. Tough times caused me to shed tears of joy.
I just want to share with you how God rescued me from one of the most tremendous storms in my life. It’s been years since I became a single mother of six children and what burdens me more is that I’ve been away from them since I had to work abroad to support them. But I praise God that He sustained my family.
One day, there was something serious happened in my family that it came to the point that I had to make a tough decision. Tough in a sense that I didn’t know what would be the outcome of that decision that I made.
It was in the month of September 2019 that I received a message from my daughter which troubled me a lot and I understood how she felt because they had a traumatic experience when their father became irresponsible. While I was talking to my daughter and she told me everything that had happened. I was greatly worried when she said, “Mama! I don’t want to stay in this house. I better go and run away from this house or else I will die.” At that time, I was speechless then after a while I responded, “what’s going on?” I couldn’t work properly. I was bothered on she said daughter. I wanted to call her but I couldn’t because I was at work and was not allowed to use my mobile during working hours. I knew there was something wrong why my 12-year-old daughter thought like that. And soon after our conversation, I came to know from her siblings that she attempted suicide. I didn’t know what to do. I just sat down for a minute and I told myself that I had to go back home to the Philippines.
At that time, in my mind I prayed to the Lord. I said, “Lord, you know my situation right now. I am not financially ready to go home and send my kids to Mindanao.” I asked the Lord to give me strength to carry on and to think positively. But still I couldn’t sleep that night. I was worried about my children back home. I didn’t know what to do. Morning came and I praised God because when I approached my employer and asked for two weeks leave, she gave me permission without any hesitation and she even booked my ticket. I knew that it was hard for my boss to give me leave of absence as her roster was full at that time but she understood my situation nonetheless.
You know when you’re in an emergency situation and worse you don’t have enough means it gives you a lot of stress. That was how I felt that time. And so again, I prayed to God saying, “Lord, you know I have only one-month’s salary with me as a pocket money, it’s not enough but I need to go home. Help me how to find a way for the rest of my needs.” It was Sabbath day and I was in the church. My dearest friends invited me to join for a prayer bond. I find ways escape from them not because I don’t want to join in prayer but because I cannot hold my tears. I didn’t prevail in my plan as I was sitting with them. While praying, I kept on crying until the prayer was over. I was so thankful for my brothers and sisters in church for offering me a prayer.
The next morning Sister Jane sent me a message, it was good news. Without my knowledge, she was trying to help me sort out my needs. Indeed, God uses people as an instrument. In my case, He answered my prayer through my brethren in the church. I couldn’t forget my churchmates especially Sister Millet, Sister Hershey and her family, Brother Princely, Brother Rot, Sister Jinky, Sister Rina and to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who prayed for me continuously. Until now, I am still very thankful to them from the bottom of my heart.
I was already set to go home for two weeks. As soon as I arrived home, I cleared all of my children’s school papers for transfer. It was really strenuous. I was so exhausted every single day. I had booked our tickets going to Mindanao and time was running out. I was not yet done with their school papers. I started to worry. I had only few days left to settle everything in Laguna. Lo, and behold, God is always on time. I got all the papers that I needed for my kids at the last minute. I praised God for His goodness! We could finally set sail to Mindanao.
Because of the time constraint, I didn’t have time to ship our things through cargo and so we had lots of luggage. Imagine, we brought all our things all the way from Laguna to Mindanao by ourselves! When we reached the seaport at 4 am, one of the officers told me that the schedule of our voyage would be delayed for 2 days. I was distressed with that bad news not to mention my exhaustion from having insufficient sleep ever since I arrived from Dubai, and from packing our stuff by myself. I have decided to sleep for a while in the pier then stay in the nearest and cheapest hotel while waiting for our voyage. Though we all slept on the bench for a short period, I was thankful to God and praised Him for our safety. Despite our situation, I could still see how happy my kids were especially the little ones.
Finally, the day had come and we boarded the ship. We traveled for one day and two nights then we reached Cagayan de Oro or commonly called CdO. Upon reaching CdO, we needed to travel four hours by bus to reach home. My mother was surprised to see us because no one told her that we were coming. She hadn’t seen me nor her grandchildren for fourteen long years. She couldn’t even recognize her grandchildren because the last time I went home, I only brought my eldest daughter who was then two years old.
Despite life’s problems, don’t forget to smile.My children enjoying the view. First time to ride a ship.
I knew that it would be difficult for my children to adjust to their new environment especially in terms of communicating with people in their new community. All of them were born and raised in Laguna in which the dialect was Tagalog. My children had to learn Bisaya. I believe that eventually they can adapt so I keep on encouraging them.
After two weeks I had to leave them and go back to Dubai to work. I left them with a happy face. I thank God for helping me through my siblings and my church family. I also thank the Lord for my sister who pledged to take care of my children while I am away for work. Sometimes, I keep on asking why I had a lot of trials in life. But, in spite of these trials, I always keep in mind that God is always with me. And with God beside us, nothing is impossible.
A very special Sabbath indeed.
Look at those beautiful smiles!
I praise God for His promise in Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” This verse gives me strength every time I am feeling down. I thank God for the trials that I had. I know in this world that we live in, there’s always problems and tribulations. But we have a God that is bigger than our problems. A God that is able and mighty. A God who is faithful and keeps His promises.
I keep on praying that God will help me to stand still whatever trials may come. May we have faith and be of good courage just like Joshua. With this, I encourage everyone to keep the faith and to pray more as we are face life’s challenges. May this testimony of mine inspires you and makes you see how wonderful our God is. God bless us all.
We often say this phrase “God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.” But how can we prove it then? We can best prove it through our own experience with God. Psalm 34: 8 can support this when the psalmist said, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”
God gave us experiences that enable us to learn, to grow, and to bless others. But more importantly, these experiences are the best opportunity for God to demonstrate His love towards us.
God’s name is glorified when we tell people how He transformed us and restored our life. After all, we are the work of His hands. How did God work in you, on you, and through you?
Share with us your love story with God that we may truly proclaim that the phrase, “God is good, all the time!”
This is my first time writing a testimony. There are many instances that my fellow churchmates requested me if I can share a testimony in church, but I never testified, not even once. Not because I don’t have a story to share but simply because I have stage fright. However, I praise and thank God that somebody asked me to give a testimony during this pandemic crisis. I am glad that during these days of lockdown/quarantine period, a friend of mine asked me to share how God and prayer works in my life.
This COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world, and I am not exempted, unfortunately. I worked in a nursery school here in Dubai. Because of this pandemic, the government mandated to close the nursery schools. And, last March 2020, our company decided to have its employees on furlough. I started to worry. My family back in the Philippines needed my financial support. What will happen to us if I will not generate an income? How will I be able to support them while I am on unpaid leave? How will I be able to pay my rent? How can I buy food? Aside from my financial problem, my employment visa was also my concern. It was due to expire in April 2020. I wouldn’t be able to renew it since the school would be closed indefinitely. Fortunately, the UAE government allowed the expatriates to stay in the country until December 2020 even if their employment visa has expired. At the very least, my visa will not be a concern anymore. With this, I would be able to find work even if my visa has expired.
There was a time that I received a text message from our company/owner. It was mentioned in the text that they are offering part-time jobs to their staff who are on unpaid leave. I was happy to receive such a message. However, taking that part-time job would mean risking my health since the workplace will be in a Covid-19 testing clinic. My concern was, there’s no guarantee that the company will shoulder our medical expenses in case we will be contracted with the disease. Yes, I needed money but I couldn’t afford to risk my life. So, I confided to my housemates regarding the job offer and, they raised their concerns if ever I will take the job. First, the company didn’t offer free accommodation, which would mean that I will stay in my current flat and, there’s a chance that if I will get infected, they will be at risk too. Second, the company won’t be giving insurance to part-timers. Having heard their feedback, I have decided not to take the job offer. It was a tough decision for me to make because, again, I thought, how would I survive without an income? Yet, I reckoned that life is more important than money. I cried that night and prayed to God and asked Him what will happen to me and my family now that I had an offer, but I rejected it. I was feeling perplexed. In my prayer, I always say to God that it is not my will but His will be done in my life.
God hears and answers our prayers. When I was praying for food, God provided me food through my housemates who are working from home. They share with me their food every single day. For them, their giving of food was just a small thing, but for me, it was a big help. I thank God and praise Him.
A month after I was offered a part-time job, another opportunity knocked on my door. Unfortunately, this job requires me to work on Saturday. And so, again, I declined the job offer because I don’t work on Saturdays as I am a Seventh-day Adventist. Saturday is our Sabbath day. Every night, I cried as I pray because of the burden on how to pay my house rent. I couldn’t sleep for more than one month. I was so down to the point that I became depressed. Whenever I was asked a task for our online ministry, I couldn’t take the responsibility because I couldn’t concentrate nor focus on anything that I do. I was feeling hopeless at that time. Sometimes, I was thinking to myself that maybe it would be better if I would just go back home to the Philippines, but what saddened me was the thought of going back home penniless, no savings at all.
Problems after problems. Worries after worries.
On top of the financial problems that I was facing, my sister, who is in the Philippines, told me about an impending problem in our family. That was the heaviest burden to bear. It was the worst problem in our family. When I heard the news, the first thing I did was to pray because panicking wouldn’t help. I couldn’t imagine how stressed my sister was. I just told her to keep calm and pray to God. Pray on how to solve our family problem, and give us the wisdom to help us make a wise decision. Until now, that family problem that we are having is still not fixed. We are still praying for it and hoping that God will solve it at the right time. (I’m sorry if I couldn’t share it in detail.) That family problem of ours has taken a toll on me
Those sleepless nights anxieties, depressions, and hopelessness led me to have suicidal thoughts. I was thinking that maybe the solution to my problem is to end my life. But God is good all the time. He sends me people who helped me by sending me inspirational messages and inquiring about my condition. They also keep on sending me morning and evening devotionals, which helped me uplift my spirit. Reading the word of God and praying every day soothed and eased my burdened heart. I realized that I’ve been of little faith, especially when I had suicidal thoughts. I was embarrassed to God and asked for forgiveness. I thank the Lord God that even if we are unfaithful to Him, He is faithful to us. When I was on a brink of giving up, God lifted me up.
Blessings after blessings.
One day, a miracle happened. Someone gave me monetary assistance and with groceries too! Finally, I could pay my house rent! Not only that, but I was also given help from the church that I am in and from the Philippine Embassy (Abu Dhabi). I always cry with joy and gladness every time I receive any form of help from people. It is heartwarming when God answers your prayers if you put your trust in Him.
Relief goods that I received from friends and strangers. God is good!
I am so blessed that I belong in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a church where the people are helping each other and are praying for one another. I praise God that He sustains my needs even if I don’t have work. Sometimes I am tempted to accept the job offer which has work on Saturdays because, nursery schools might not open so soon. But I reckoned that I’ve been here in Dubai for six years. I experienced and overcame a lot of obstacles, challenges, and problems. God helped me through it all. He never left my side. We have to have faith and trust in Him. My colleagues always ask me questions like—Why I didn’t take the job? How will I survive without work? My response to them was that I couldn’t afford to disobey God who provides my needs by compromising the Sabbath day. God specifically said in the fourth commandment to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
God is in control of everything. I will end this testimony with a passage from 2 John 1:3 which says, “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
I hope that you learned something from my experience. Praise and glory be to our faithful God.
Recently, there was another passing of a loved one in our family. It was my aunt. She was the sister and best friend of my mom. She was the most loving and caring aunt I’ve ever known in my life since I was a child. I will never forget her kind-hearted nature. Her beautiful smile and face were still fresh in my mind. The sweet and beautiful memories of her will forever be in my heart.
The news of her death was so heartbreaking. I knew that it is hard for my mother as she lost her sister. How much more to my aunt’s immediate family itself! She left her husband, children, and grandchildren behind. Until now, I can’t still believe that she’s gone. But I know that she’s only sleeping. She is safe in the arms of Jesus. She is just resting until the morning of the resurrection. “We will miss you, Mommy.” See you on the resurrection day!
I remember when I lost my father last September 12, 2009. It was also my mom’s birthday and my graduation day in 1000 Missionary Movement. Moreover, it was also a Sabbath day. We were doing our Sabbath service inside the missionary campus when I received the news that my father passed away. My heart broke into pieces. I felt that my life shattered at that moment. Although I was broken-hearted at that time, I was still thankful to those people who comforted me, and to our Almighty God who gave me strength and courage.
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things to deal with in life. For me, every time you cry for your loved one, it’s a way of honoring them in your life. It is also another way of showing your grief. It lets the world know that someone precious has left us and that they still matter.
Although there is pain in this world, it’s good to know that this Earth is not our real home. This world will pass away. Everything on this earth is fleeting and transitory. We are just strangers in this world. Heaven is our real home. Our citizenship lies there. God is the architect of the heavenly home, which is endless. (2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV – For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven.) He is preparing it for those who confess about Him and His truth. (John 6:40 KJV – And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.) Those who believe and trust in the Lord are considered pilgrims and strangers of this earth.
Heaven will never get burned nor destroyed. There will be no more curse, weeping, pain, and death. (Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.) Unlike here on earth, we are subject to trials, afflictions, and sufferings. The Christian wants to be released from these, and to partake eternal happiness. God is preparing us for immortality. (I Corinthians 15: 51-52 KJV – Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.)That is His purpose and design.
Heaven is a wonderful place to be. We will be with a great multitude of angels standing before the throne of God. We will be wearing robes made white by the blood of the Lamb. And the most important thing of all is that in heaven, we will finally be home with our loving Creator and Savior.
When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that would be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll shout and sing the victory!
Sometimes when I recall my past, I couldn’t imagine how I managed to survive the hurdles in life. To begin with, I was a product of an illicit affair. My mother was widowed and, my father was separated from his wife when they met. Grandfather was against their relationship, he reprimanded my mother to break up with my father, but it didn’t help actually. Even before my grandfather wanted to separate them, my parents were on the brink of separation as my father was then a womanizer. Eventually, they parted ways when my mother was still pregnant with me.
Despite my grandparents’ disappointment on my mother’s scandalous relationship, still, they loved me and raised me as their own. I was their first grandchild, so I guess when I came out of this world, all of those frowns turned into delight. My mother didn’t love me as much as my grandparents. She despised me. I’ve never known a mother’s love. Sometimes, I thought to myself that maybe, just maybe, she remembers my father every time she sees me. I grew up longing for her attention and affection.
Years after I was born, my mom married again for the second time. I was happy knowing that I will have a stepfather. However, when I experienced his advances, that happiness was shattered. There were several instances where I caught him peeking in my room and the bathroom. I told my mother about it, but she didn’t believe me. She trusted her husband more than her daughter. Well, I was not surprised about it, but I couldn’t avoid feeling hurt. I lived in a home void of love and a sense of security. Things got worse for me when they decided to adopt a child. I was not against it. When my adopted brother came, I could see their excitement. Oh, how my mother doted the boy. I felt like I was invisible when the boy appeared in the picture. I felt so alone in that house.
During my teenage years, I became rebellious to my mother to the point that I eloped with my boyfriend. We had two beautiful and adorable children. When I had my first child, our living condition was poor, very poor. We always eat ginamos (fermented fish) and rice. Eating corned beef was already a luxury for us. For my baby’s milk, we couldn’t afford to buy formula milk. I can only buy her the cheapest ordinary powdered milk, yet I had to economize and maximize it so that it will last until the next payday of my partner. How miserable our situation was!
After several months, I received a telegram from my cousin. The message broke my heart. It says that my dear grandfather has died. I needed to go back home. My boyfriend and I talked about our future. We have agreed that if my mother sends me back to college, then we have to part ways for good. We both knew that our relationship was doomed. The next day, I brought my children and went back to my hometown.
My mother was unhappy to see my condition. I asked for her forgiveness for the things that I have done. She somewhat accepted me, but of course, I couldn’t escape her reprimands. She scolded me terribly, but I had to take it. I felt so down, ashamed, and embarrassed of what I had become. It was on my grandfather’s wake that I realized my mistakes in life. But things couldn’t be undone. I conceded to their plea to end my relationship with my boyfriend because I figured that it was wrong. My hardships made me realize that I needed to make things right. I reckoned that it is never too late. I needed to move forward not just for my sake but most especially for my children.
My mother granted my request to continue my education. I became hopeful and was excited. Studying was quite a challenge because I had to leave my children to my mother’s care. But, every time I go to school, I was always feeling restless. My mother had vices. She was addicted to gambling—mahjong. She frequently goes out and leave my toddler and my poor baby alone in the house. My stepfather was at work, and my adopted brother couldn’t babysit them. I couldn’t imagine how my mother treats my children, her grandchildren. Her squandering was terrible that it came to a point where she was not able to catch up with our bills much more so with my tuition. And because of that, I was not able to finish college. I guess my dream to graduate will be just as a dream.
The series of unfortunate events spiraled when my ex-boyfriend came to town. He wanted to see our children. I was running an errand when he arrived. He couldn’t take the two because the little one was sleeping. Instead, he asked my mother to take our eldest child for a while. Much to my surprise, my mother consented to his request. Evening came, but none of them came home. It dawned upon me that my ex-boyfriend has abducted the child from me. I wanted to chase him and take back my daughter, yet I was conflicted about my incapacity to provide for my daughter. I was feeling torn. My heart was throbbing with so much pain.
It was my turning point. Tears fell as I looked at my baby on her hammock, poor little child. I knew I had to do something. I needed to help myself. I had enough of crying and self-pity. I just couldn’t let my adversities get the best of me. I needed to accept life’s bitterness and move forward. I kneeled. I prayed and bitterly wept to God. I confessed my sins and asked Him to forgive me.
I prayed and prayed until an opportunity came. One day, my friend offered me a job abroad. She told me to I apply through an agency which was in Manila. I realized that that was the answer to my prayer. I worked as a Tupperware sales agent to save money for my journey going to Manila. It was so amazing because I felt God’s presence. Selling the products seemed very easy. None of my clients rejected me. All of them bought the products I sell. The money I earned from being an agent paved my way to Manila.
Now that I had enough money to buy a ticket, I was excited about my new adventure. However, I also felt sorry for my baby. Going to Manila would also mean leaving her behind and worse, leaving her to my mother. Though it was painful to leave her, I had to do it for our sake. To ease the pain that I felt, I comforted myself by thinking that our separation was temporary.
Upon reaching Manila, I applied immediately to that agency that my friend referred me to. The agency told me that there would be a placement fee. I didn’t expect it. The placement fee was a little expensive for me, but I was determined to push through for my children’s future. To be able to pay for that fee, I worked part-time again; this time was a waitress. I saw God’s helping hand when I have submitted and surrendered to Him everything. God helped me through my friends in Manila. They provided me food and accommodation. They were so kind that they even told me to keep my earnings from my part-time for my little one back in my hometown. That went on for months until I finally had my deployment schedule.
When I worked in Japan, life became smoother. I was able to provide better for my daughter. After a few months, it was already time for my annual leave. I was excited to see my children. I prepared myself as I would face my ex-boyfriend and estranged daughter. Thrilled yet nervous, I was looking forward to that day. I was confident because I knew that I had custody rights for my daughter. After all, she was taken away from me without my consent. I went to Davao to take my daughter back. It wasn’t easy, of course, my ex-boyfriend didn’t want to give me my daughter. It was one of the most heartbreaking and tearful moments in my life, seeing my ex-boyfriend and daughter for a long time. Many words are unspoken. Finally, I was given permission to take my daughter. She almost didn’t want to come with me, but eventually she did. She grew up thinking that I had given her away, that I loved her less compared to her sister. It broke my heart. It hurts. She was too young to understand what really happened.
My vacation was over. It was time to go back to Japan. One day, I met a guy who got interested in me. I prayed to the Lord for someone to ask my hand, accept me and my children wholeheartedly. Lo, and behold, God answered my prayer. When I told my suitor about my past, he still accepted me. After some time, he proposed to me and, of course, I gladly said yes, a big yes! When it was time to meet his parents, I was nervous. We had dinner, and as I told them about my story, I desperately tried to compose myself but, I couldn’t help myself and burst out crying. Narrating to them my struggles were still painful. There was silence. I was relieved when they showed me signs of acceptance. They welcomed me to their family. Isn’t God amazing? I only asked for a man to accept me, but God gave me more than what I prayed for. Months passed, and we got married in the Philippines. Few more months after, I was able to take my children with me to Japan. My husband adopted my daughters. God didn’t stop blessing me. When my children came to Japan, my in-laws were very excited to see them. They loved my children as their own grandchildren. Things turned out inexplicably well!
God has been so good to me. I couldn’t come this far without His help. He never abandoned me even if I did horrible things in life. He forgave me and gave me too many chances to change. He changed the course of my life. He lifted me when I was at my lowest. He gave me hope when I was hopeless. He strengthened me when I was weak. And above all, I am so thankful that He is my God and my Almighty Father that never ceases in loving me. How great thou art!
No matter how “unlovable” we think we are, God loves us with an everlasting love.
I AM WITH YOU 