14 January 2007

Celebrating God's faithfulness

It was on the 11th of January 1996 when my college friend Wayne invited me to attend the Makati Professional Ministry (Promin). It was the beginning of a decade of God’s faithfulness.

My first Convergence in October 1996, Fel Yturralde’s message on Reaching Your Own Cities made a great impact on my life. I still remember his illustration about the “Judgement Day,” about Jesus telling me that those people I see lining up before Him were there because of me. I prayed on that day that I would like to be that kind of person. I want to share the good news to everyone around me. Thus, I committed myself to the New Life Training Center (NLTC). I wanted to be equipped in sharing my faith. Later on, the Witnessing Blits in Glorietta became one of my favorite Promin activity.

Serving God doesn’t mean an easy life. We still experience trials that would make us more mature and dependent on God. Let me share some of them.

Every December, I usually spend my Christmas in Iloilo with my family. My father normally fetches me when I arrive. In 1997, a week before my vacation, I got a call from my father to say that he could not do the same since he has an appointment. Four days later, he died in a vehicular accident. I was so shocked. I didn’t know that his call would be the last time I would hear his voice. I cried to God, asking why He took the father I loved so much. I would miss his moral support. I would miss his encouragements.

That tragedy gave us the occasion to have a family Grand reunion. It became an opportunity to witness to all of our relatives as well as to many of my father’s friends. Every night, they heard the Word of God. On my part, his passing made me more mature and dependent on God.

I celebrated my birthday in 2001 by having an Evangelistic party. I showed The Man Without Equal video at my boarding house. Almost 20 of my officemates attended. I shared my personal testimony. I told them about God’s faithfulness when I grieved for my father’s death. I knew that their hearts were touched by God. Several prayed to receive Christ. Even my Supervisor. And through that celebration I was able to start a small Bible study in my officemate’s boarding house.

Each year, the Makati Influencers go out of the country for a project called Ekbale. Each time, my discipler Malou would challenge me to join and always my reply was that my heart was not really into it. It was at the last part of 2003 that the Lord impressed in me to join the coming Ekbale. To seek his leading, I asked him for confirmation by giving me new disciples who could be actively involved in Makati.

It was in May 2004 that I met three young ladies: Cherry, Jenny and their friend Lori. I challenged them to be part of my group. When they said yes, I knew that God was showing me His confirmation. Joyfully, in October 2004 I joined Ekbale. It widened my vision in reaching my city and even beyond. It encouraged me to reach out to lost souls.

Another trial came to test my faith and what I have learned about reaching the lost. I learned that my officemate, for whom I led a Bible study, attempted to kill herself by drinking muriatic acid. She already accepted Christ but wrong decisions in her life pulled her into depression. I thought previously that she just resigned from our office when I noticed her disappearance. I later learned that her condition was being kept secret by her husband’s family. Her situation grieved my heart and I couldn’t help but cry for I knew I failed in praying for her. I felt that I was too late. But she lasted 2 months in the hospital where later I learned gave her an opportunity to come back to Christ.

I asked God the purpose of her death. And God impressed in me to hold a memorial service for her. With my church’s help, a window of opportunity was once again given me. Our officemates, her many friends and family members, all unbelieving, heard the message. The pastor spoke about having second chances and the chance to accept Christ as Lord and Savior at that very moment. It was also a healing moment for me. I was so angry with the people who caused her unhappiness. God made me happy for I became assured the she was now in heaven, rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. Truly, God does not allow the enemy to be victorious in the lives of His children. God is in control.

The enemy was trying to discourage me to disciple others but I knew what God wants me to do. So I continued to seek His will by reaching out to other people. The new year of 2005 brought another member to the group : Lani. And I am so thankful for the 4 ladies whom He has given under my care. Through it all, God taught me to be more prayerful. We all need covering. We all need protection. I don’t want to lose another by failing to pray for them.



A lot has changed in me since I started in the Professional Ministry and which is now called Influencers International. I heard the call through this group. I was equipped to reach for the lost. I matured in my prayer life. I became more dependent on God. I faced challenges and trials. Through it all, my heart’s desire and prayer remains constant : to be more faithful to God till the end of my life, anticipating all His rewards.

I celebrate my 10 years of meaningful involvement with the Makati Influencers International with thanksgiving in my heart and by bringing Him back all the honor and praises due Him.

To God be the glory.

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