Month: June 2016

When we left our jobs as engineers in the Sultanate of Oman, some of our friends and relatives thought that it was unwise to leave our thriving careers and a life of abundance. 

They had good reasons for thinking such. After all we had good paying jobs that provided us with very good benefits. Where can you find a salary with zero deduction and tax free? In addition, our living expenses were paid for by generous allowances that include housing, utilities, and transportation. No worries about health and dental care, they were all covered without us paying any insurance premium. And to top them all, we had two months yearly paid vacation leave and free air line tickets to and from the Philippines.

 Those were the provisions that we left to answer the call to Christian ministry. It was not easy to leave that comfortable living but the call to ministry was strong and irresistible.

 We came to America in 1994 as seminary students with no proper employment and no income! We found ourselves working part-time on-campus while doing our masters studies. I worked as a dish washer at the student cafeteria and my wife as a library aid earning minimum wage. I couldn’t blame my wife for worrying for our family especially when she got pregnant with our third child. “If we were still in Oman, I wouldn’t worry like this.” She told me as we retired to bed one night, as if to blame me for taking her away from comfortable living in Oman. I assured her that the Lord will undertake for us. 

We were seminary students at Asbury Theological Seminary at that time. During the first year of our studies we were classmates in the exegesis of the book of Mark. One day after class, I saw her rushed out of the classroom and walked briskly home to our apartment. And before I could catch up with her, I was stopped by a classmate who inquired about an assignment. 

When I got home I found her kneeling and praying by the bedside, crying. “Lord please forgive me for worrying and not trusting you enough. Like the disciples, I too was short of memory, forgetting so easily your faithfulness and your generous provisions in the past. Help me Lord to trust you fully.” 

 After praying she related to me what happened that day. “While listening to our lecturer, Dr. David Thompson, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my worries and doubts. I felt warmness from my head to toe like I’ve never experienced before. I cannot control my tears. I wanted to be alone and pray and so I rushed home.I felt convicted for my lack of faith, for worrying about money and for doubting God’s faithfulness.”

The disciples were  witnesses and participants of the feeding of the five thousand (Mark chapter 6) and four thousand (Mark chapter 8). They  gathered twelve and seven baskets of leftover respectively. 

After the event of the day, Jesus took them to the other side of the lake. While sailing, the disciples blamed each other for forgetting to bring bread. They forgot that the one who performed the miracle was with them. They forgot what Jesus was capable of doing. So Jesus asked them “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see and understand? ”

“I was like one of those disciples. I lacked faith. I easily forget what Jesus could do. But now God has given me an assurance that He will supply all our needs. I need not worry anymore.” My wife said with calmness in her voice and a bright smile on her face.

The next day when we attended a chapel service, the seminary president, Dr. Maxie Dunnam’s message to the students reinforced the lesson on having faith when he said: 

“God will not take you to a place where He will not sustain you with His grace.” 

That exactly what happened to us in our four years masters studies. God supplied our every need. God gave us more than what we hoped for. Within the four years of living in Wilmore Kentucky God provided for us in mysterious ways. (An article on this topic will be shared in the offing.) We both finished our studies without incurring any student loan. I graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and my wife Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary. Actually, I could earnestly say that of all the years that we’ve lived in America, those four years of living in Wilmore Kentucky were the most comfortable and peaceful times. We cherish those times when, as if God placed us in a cocoon of safety, abundance, peace and quiet, so that He can prepare us for the hard work of ministry that ensued. We are now pastoring a church that we planted in the suburb of Chicago called Lord of the Nations Church. 

“Why is my smaller leg always aching mommy?” Asked our three year old Gilda. I overheard the conversation so I joined. I stooped down to my daughter and explained to her that there is no such thing as smaller leg. I examined both of her legs and there seemed to be no problem. But the pain persisted and became more frequent. Gilda would wake up many times at night, sweating and screaming in pain. A dose of baby aspirin would take care of the pain. Until it came to a point when she needed the pain killer five times during the night which was too much for her small body to handle.

The last doctor who examined her simply brushed it off as growing pains and I didn’t believe that anymore. So we took Gilda to a specialist. “Your daughter has  not been using her right leg as much as her left so it’s experiencing muscle atrophy, her right thigh is half an inch smaller in diameter than the other.” Our daughter was right when she said that her aching leg was smaller. The doctor then ordered an x-Ray on the extremity in question. The result showed an abnormal bone growth on the upper part of her femur. “The extra growth on your daughter’s femur is pinching some nerves that causes the great pain, which is next to pain experienced by a laboring woman.” Dr. Fontanilla, a Filipino orthopedic doctor at Al Nahda Hospital, Muscat Oman told us. “At this point we do not know if the growth is cancerous or benign. We need to operate on her to remove the tumor. Then we will send tissue samples for biopsy. If the tumor is cancerous there’s nothing much we can do, even leg amputation will not help because cancer cells in the bone can easily spread to all parts of the body. I’m sorry to say this but if such is the case, be ready for the worst. But, the growth could be benign, let’s pray that’s the case.”

Listening to that long litany from the doctor was the most grueling experience I’ve ever had in my life. Our hearts sank and we had never been so afraid. He told us to pray, and pray we did! We learned to fast and pray. We cried out to God. We pleaded. We called our friends from around the world to pray for our daughter. The bone surgery for my little girl was scheduled.

Meanwhile, my wife did some research at the Sultan Qaboos University library. She found a picture of a bone x-Ray very similar to our daughter’s and the description of the bone tumor was benign. We prayed that would be the case for our darling Gilda Grace.

“Because you’re working for the Oman government, all expenses for your daughter’s medical procedure are free.” Dr. Fontanilla informed my wife and I. “You’re lucky, if this procedure is done in the Philippines, it will cost you hundreds of thousands of pesos.”

Now I understood why I had to leave my family three years ago. Gilda was only five-days old when I left for a job in the Sultanate of Oman. My wife’s C-section wound was still fresh and I wouldn’t be there when the doctor was to  remove those sutures. I had to leave my young family in this dire situation because our financial situation called for it. My heart ached!

The economic climate in the Philippines prodded me to leave.  My wife and I both lost our jobs. This was brought about by the political unrest in the country during the latter part of the Marcos regime.  

I tried my hands on farming but the rice crop I planted from which I expected a good harvest was badly devastated by a strong typhoon just before we were to harvest. Needless to say we were broke and desperate.

Our first child had been born, we had a house on mortgage. I needed to earn and provide for my family. I could not pass the opportunity of working abroad in the Middle East. I had no other recourse but to make this sacrifice.

As the airplane bound to Muscat Oman soared high and away from home, I felt like my heart was torn apart. The lady beside me started crying too for leaving her three young children to work as a domestic helper in the Middle East. I wondered how many other Filipino overseas workers like us were there in that airplane with a broken heart leaving their families behind.  I was not alone doing a pity party in that airplane en route to the Middle East. I would be away for two long years from my family and the pain of separation was so severe-I cried. “Lord, why do I have to leave my family?” That was the big question on my mind.

Then three years later, we were reunited in Oman. That’s when Gilda was diagnosed with a bone tumor. If we were in the Philippines, I would not have been able to afford a major surgery. It was a blessing that we were in Oman. When I left my family to go to Oman, God knew that down the road we would need His great provisions. That’s God’s prevenient grace actively at work in our lives.  God in His foreknowledge had orchestrated a help that we needed.

“Daddy, hold my hands, I’m scared.” Pleaded my little girl as she was laying on a stretcher on her way to the operating room. Anak, I’ll pray for you, and you pray too, okay? After I prayed, my little Gilda prayed aloud also. Her innocent prayer made the medical staff around her giggle and smile. I believe God also smiled when He heard this innocent prayer of a three-year old. “Dear Jesus, please help me. Jesus you are stronger than my Dad. Jesus you are more handsome than my Dad. Please heal me so I will not feel pain anymore.”

A month after the surgery the biopsy result came. The tumor was benign. It was exactly the same case as what my wife found in the medical book-osteod osteoma-benign bone tumor. Praise the Lord! She was on a cast for a month and when it was removed she had to learn how to walk again.

The many ordeals encountered by my family-lost of jobs, economic losses, family separation and sickness were great trials that would have brought discouragement to us. But all through those difficult times, we saw the hands of God at work. Thus, our tribulations served only to strengthen our faith in God.

We came to know God as our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, Jehovah Rafah, our Healer, Jehovah Shalom, our Peace. Praise be to El Shaddai, our God Almighty!

Today, Gilda Grace is a mother of two beautiful children, married to a God-fearing man, Cameron Cornette. She’s a living testimony of God’s wonderful grace in our lives.

Wisdom Quote #7 6/17/16

One night, I found my wife crying in our living room. I had no clue what could have made her cry. “Why are you crying?” I inquired. Instead of talking she pointed to the thick book she was reading on her lap. “Are you reading a sad story and it made you cry?” Again she pointed to the book, still crying. I took the book from her. It was a human anatomy and physiology text book. Laughing, I asked, “What in the world would make you cry reading a human anatomy text book? If it was the Bible I would not be surprised!”

Then she explained. I was studying the parts of the human ear for my test and I realized how intricately God designed the human body. The complexity of the human ear is so amazing! It shows God’s wonder! It reminded me of the verse in Psalm that says “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14). All human beings regardless of color or creed, young and old, rich or poor are created in God’s image. They are His master pieces. Every single person is designed by God and therefore must be treated with love and care and respect.” She said with sparkles in her eyes like a little child. Then she continued. “I was praying that if the Lord will allow me to become a nurse, I promise to respect and care for my every patient regardless of who they are.” I knew then that she would be a very good nurse.

My wife shifted career from engineering to nursing. Now she is a nurse–an extraordinary nurse I must say! She loves visiting patients in their homes because in that environment she builds relationships with them that usually opens the door for her to share the love of God. While working as a bedside nurse she always looks for opportunity to lead a patient to the Lord. I am so happy I married my former Sunday school teacher! I’m still learning valuable lessons about life from her.

I’m sharing this story to honor her on her birthday this month of June. Happy birthday sweetheart! I love you. If you missed our love story please read the blog: “The Love of My Life Pt1 and Pt2”.

Blog Post#10 6/4/16Gilary Jasmine Valenzuela is a 20 year old college student. She studied social work and music at Indiana Wesleyan University for one year, and will continue her undergraduate education at DePaul University this fall in hopes of earning her degree in Sociology. A few of Gilary’s passions include singing, dancing, acting, writing, and fashion. While attending Indiana Wesleyan University Gilary was a proud member of the IWU Chorale and had the opportunity of singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Gilary has participated in many theater productions from Junior high through college. Some of her roles include Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Phila in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. Apart from being a full time student, Gilary helps manage her family’s business-Mabuhay Restaurant. She is also a writer/blogger for College Fashionista.

Blog Post#11.                                               Edita was being pursued by many eligible men which made me quite insecure. I decided then that I would ask for a commitment. We’ve been seeing and talking for a while but the relationship had not been formalized. I didn’t want to rush her so I gave her ample time to think and pray about us being together. After all, Christians should include this matter in their prayers.  Some months later when I felt that she had enough time to ponder and she had been comfortable around me, I thought that she would be ready to give me a verbal response. I prepared for that moment .

One day, I invited her to see a stage play I was doing in CLSU. She came early that day but did not stay to watch the play. “I couldn’t stay too late because my parents will look for me and there’s no more bus late in the night.” She said. “I just came here to support and wish you well.” Her thoughtfulness toward her parents and to me was very admirable. Imagine, an adult woman going home early at night in respect and honor of her parents. What a noble gesture! For that, I gave a perfect ten in her score card.  That reflected her good character and sincerity to a relationship. What a good daughter! She would be a perfect mate.” I want her to be my wife!” This I decided in my heart!

I invited her for a walk and showed her some interesting spots in CLSU’s sprawling campus. I took her to the old mango orchard by the main gate. The huge mango trees were teeming with fruits. Some of the fruits had fallen to the ground but they were still good. I was ready to share with her a fun experience so, armed with a pocket knife I peeled and cut the fruits and I produced some rock salt from my pocket for a dip. “Wow”, she exclaimed. “You are really ready for this!” I held my head and chin up to brag on my readiness. “Of course!” I answered. “I know girls like to eat green mangoes”.  It was sheer fun having the girl I admire by my side doing fun things with me. But I had to remind myself: “It’s not official yet until you heard a positive word from her and now is the perfect time. Go ahead Gil, and seal the deal.”

We walked to the lagoon right by the main gate and in front of the infirmary. We sat at the bench facing the pond teeming with lively colored koi fish. Then I delivered my dialogue. “Edith, we’ve been going out for sometime now, I love you and I want to know what’s your feelings toward me”. I looked her straight in the eye. Do you love me too? I asked. I stopped talking having said my piece. I waited for her to respond and after a brief silence, she first gave a decisive nod followed by saying: “Yes, Gil, I love you too!”

Joy immediately flooded my whole being. I had to express and release the surge of emotion. I wanted to hug and kiss her but I controlled myself. First of all, we were in a public place, secondly, I want to show my respect for her by keeping my hands off her. We both know the moral ethics we Christians must observe with regards to dating. And not to forget, we were both youth leaders in our church who were expected to set good examples. But my elevated emotion simply needed a release. I stood up raising my two hands, facing the pond, I let out a loud whisper. “She said she loves me too!”–I said to the koi fish in the  pond swimming gleefully as if celebrating with me! When I sat back down beside her, she gave me a pinch (kurot) on the side of my abdomen which was her signature response whenever I acted silly.

I enjoyed it whenever she pinched me. For me it was an act of intimacy, an expression of familiarity that conveyed a message of  affection. It gave me a dose of electric surge attesting to my physical attraction to her. Then I gently took her hand and clasped it in mine–tight and very intense.  I was surprised she relented. Her soft velvety hands holding mine was a  wonderful experience.  I looked at our clutched hands.  How different and yet how gorgeous they were together! Hers was smooth and fine, made even more beautiful with her finger nails painted in soft pink. Mine was rough, hairy, rugged and popping with veins. In them, I saw a man and woman coming together forming a beautiful and strong alliance.  For the first time I felt like a real grownup man.  We held hands rather very briefly. I gently kissed the back of her hand before releasing it, and we just sat there staring at each other. As we looked at each other tears of joy welled down our eyes. We were both in cloud nine! I broke down the silence by announcing: “I’m hungry, let’s eat.” As we stood up from the bench, I took a hankerchief from my pocket and gently wiped her tears and mine.

The walk to the student cafeteria was one of the most memorable moment of our courtship. It was a march of victory! It was a celebration parade! I felt very proud to be seen walking with the girl of my dream–now my girlfriend. Every once in a while, I would lean close to her and whisper “I love you.”  And she would respond with a nod and a sweet smile. We were two young people very much in love. I thought of Pastor Fernandez who played Cupid in this love affair. I’m sure he would be happy to hear that his effort had a positive result.

Edita and I dated for five years. We had a lot of time to get to know each other. And each day our love for each other grew. Like any relationship, we had our share of troubles.  And resolving those big and small differences served as valuable practice for our future life together. In 1982, when both of us were already professionals enjoying our jobs as engineers, she had an opportunity to travel to the United States. Along with other church young people, she was invited to attend an international gathering called Urbana ’82 in Illinois, USA. When she asked me if I will let her go I said “I will not get in your way to the US.”

But deep in my mind, I had a big apprehension as she told me earlier that her uncle in California wanted her to bring her credentials because it would be very easy for her to get a job in the US. My heart sank and all hopes regarding the two of us started to fade away thinking that we might not see each other again should she decide to stay in the US and heed her uncle’s advise. Edita had a very impressive employment record. Being employed as a structural engineer by MIESCOR, a MERALCO subsidiary, she was one of the engineers who designed the first segment of Light Railway Transit (LRT -Balintawak to Baclaran).

After that prestigious project, she was transferred to Bataan to be part of a team working on the design of the nuclear power plant project in Morong. In addition to these, she lectured on the subjects steel and concrete designs, mathematics, chemistry on the college level. She was also invited to conduct review classes for civil engineering board exams. Working only for few years, she already had significant accomplishments in her profession. A job in America as an engineer would be the next level to pursue and I had no doubt she was capable of doing. For me I thought that to stop her from going to America would probably anger her family and may blame me for losing a rare opportunity. I grieved silently and even cried many nights with the thoughts of losing the love of my life. The day came when the missionary Paul Turner accompanied the select group of young people for visa interview at the US embassy. They asked us to pray for our youth ambassadors but I didn’t know what to pray for because I was very confused.

Later, I heard the news that all the young people who were interviewed passed and were given US visas. I started to mourn. I skipped meals. I cried. Since then, I did not want to go home to Cabanatuan as I used to every weekend to see her. I busied myself with my job. Until one day I received a radio message from her through our farm office. She wanted me to meet her in Manila because she wants to share her good news. “Her good news was bad news for me.” I told myself.

We met at Shoe Mart mall at the Araneta center. She was beaming with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. And with that, I could not control my tears. I wore shades to conceal my eyes swollen from crying the night before. “Now she will say goodbye.” I don’t know how to prepare for that moment. Then we met. She was even more beautiful that day. Looking so fresh and elegant in her stylish dress and with a huge beaming smile. My heart jumped seeing her again after so many weeks. I didn’t realize how much I missed her.

“Look what I got”! She said excitedly showing me a brand new camera she just bought. “Now, she’s really getting ready for her American tour.” I told myself. “Congratulations,” I said , trying to show a happy face. “Congratulations, for my new camera?” She asked . “Congratulations for getting a US visa.” I answered. “No! I don’t have a US visa.” She said smiling. “You’re confusing me, I thought everyone got it?” “Yes, everyone who went to the interview passed, but I decided not to go to the interview.” “What? Why? ” She looked at me intently with a grin, her beautiful eyes smiling as well.  She held my arm and started talking with a serious tone, just like what she used to do when emphasizing an important lesson when teaching Sunday school.  I immediately read her cue and so I listened attentively.  “I don’t want to go to the US without you.”  I paused for a moment trying to understand what she just said. I looked at her eyes with wonderment, then she nodded again.  I finally got it and I did not know how to react. The next thing I knew, I pulled her toward me and gave her the biggest hug. Laughing and crying at the same time, I said “Thank you!” repeatedly.  This time I don’t care if we were in public. This occasion called for it. I held her tight and she embraced me too… Both of us in tears! Again I asked “Why?” And she emphatically answered: “Because I chose us.” I embraced her even tighter saying “I love you!”  “I love you too!” She responded. I felt the sincerity in her words. She made a choice and she chose me!  I was the happiest man in the universe. “You will not regret choosing me.” I promised her. And she answered with these prophetic words. “Someday I’ll see America, you and me and our family!” Now she’s talking about family. This girl was ready to marry me. I saw it in her eyes. I felt it with her embrace. I heard it in her voice. And I was more than ready to propose a marriage.

“Are you hungry?” She asked. “Very much!”I answered. As we walked to the food court I put my arms around her shoulders and I guided her hand around my waist. I felt it when she held my body tight as we walked. We did this for the first time and it felt so good. At the food court, I ordered the best food I could see, and for drinks…what else but my favorite Mountain Dew. Now, for the first time while enjoying our meal, I brought the idea of marriage. Her eyes lit up and so did mine!

Stay tuned for the “One of a Kind Wedding” in the next issue of myJOURNEY.