Testimonies from the Fields

“I am a regular attendee in Pastor David’s Bible study. I am separated from my husband and have raised our three children alone. I took on different jobs in order to provide for my family; it is really hard to be a single parent. My husband is not the only one who brought me troubles, but my children. One of my sons got his girlfriend pregnant. Because her parents disapproved of their relationship, she drank medicine with the intention of aborting the baby to hide the situation. But the abortion did not happen. The pregnancy continued and she gave birth to a child that has hydrocephalus. This nearly made me give up. I was not a believer at the time, so I was hopeless and devastated. I didn’t know where to run with the burdens and problems of life. But then God found me and everything changed. Though I still face difficulties, I know I can go to God for my refuge. I have hope and courage now because I know God will never leave me nor forsake me. Everyday, God shows how powerful He is and that He answers prayer. This is why I continue to pray for my other son who is a gay. I believe God is the only one who can change him. Nothing is impossible for God. Please pray for me and my children—that the Lord will sustain us every day.” – Emily

Emily attends Pastor Getulio David’s church plant in Rosario, Philippines

"I live here in Camiling, Tarlac. I grew up in a Christian family—my father was one of the elders in the church. I knew God since I was a child and was raised to serve God. But just like the typical youth, I wanted to experience and discover things in life. After high school, I went to Manila and lived there without my parents’ supervision. It was then that I met my non-Christian husband. Although I knew he was not a Christian, I still continued in my relationship with him. I married him, though I knew that I was disobeying God already. I did not think of the consequences of my disobedience. And as a result of disobeying God, I am now suffering the consequences of my actions. We always have conflicts in the family. I always encounter problems which bring about depression in my life. So, I humbled myself to God in prayer, asking for His forgiveness. I know that He is the one to give my family peace and order. Through this, I learned that it is really very important to obey God. Please pray for the Lord to sustain me in this hard time.” – Mrs. Eva I. Ramos

Mrs. Ramos attends Pastor Leonardo Ilagan’s church plant in Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines

"My name is Fred Wao. Everybody calls me Popoy. Though I was raised in a Christian home, I willingly did the things that were not pleasing in the eyes of God. I joined the company of people who have vices. I would often go home drunk. This continued until my third year of college. Then I met Leizl, a fourth-year biology student. She was Catholic. Because I wanted to court her, I decided to share the word of God in order to get closer to her. This also brought me back to God. Leizl received Christ in 2003. She is now my wife. I thank God for the strength He continues to give us. When Leizl was pregnant, she was a candidate for caesarian section, but God answered our prayers. She gave birth to Ezra naturally. We decided to support my brother, Pastor Wao, in his church-planting ministry in 2007. I am the church guitarist and my wife assists in the ministries of the church. I thank God for providing all our needs and for the talents He has given us. Praise His name!”

Pastor Bartolome Wao’s church plant is in Calumpang, Philippines