Testimonies from the Fields

The following is the personal testimony of Abegail Velasco: “I am a teacher by profession. I grew up spending time in church every Sunday and participating in every church activity. I had been involved in the music ministry since high school. But when I left for college, my family moved in order to seek employment elsewhere. They ended up living in an area where there was no Christian church. Personally, I felt that my relationship with the Lord became weak. I did not make time to read the Bible, but had time for other social activities. I joined a band and because I was in the secular world, my life was influenced by worldly pleasures. Then my friend invited me to a campus ministry. The pastor welcomed us and encouraged us to attend church. He shared that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to save us from our sin and give us eternal life. From that moment, I recognized my sin against God in trying to control my own life. I realized that He had created me for Himself and I was accountable to Him. I asked God for forgiveness and asked Him to use me and lead me according to His plan and will. Jeremiah 29:11 caught my attention and now my emptiness is filled with joy, love and hope through Jesus Christ. I am thankful for Pastor Ely. God is really good!”

Abegail attends Pastor Ely Asebuque’s church in Aroroy, Masbate, Philippines

"I am thankful for the opportunity that God is continuously giving to us to share His word with other people. Our new contact is Ate Dory Villarama. We met her on our way home from a Bible study. Sadly, we were not able to talk long during that first meeting, so I decided to visit her again at her home. I asked her if I could have some time to share the word of God, and I am glad that God opened her heart to say yes. I shared 1 John 5:12 and told her that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Our meeting turned into a blessing because she received Jesus as her God and Savior. Since then, she is always eager to listen to the word of God. Ate Dory tells me that that day is a memorable day for her and a day of great love. She is glad that she has Jesus."

Pastor Antonio Parana, Sulukan Angat, Philippines

"I grew up nurturing the feeling of bitterness. It started when my grandfather died. I remember praying so hard to God, asking that He would spare my grandfather’s life. But he died. The following 16 years were filled with hatred. I learned to control my life’s circumstances so I could achieve success. In spite of all the success, hatred was destroying me from within. I met my wife Arlene; I felt I would never be able to love my wife the way I should. I tried to soothe my conscience by buying her things, but I could give her no affection. Outwardly, I appeared to be a tremendous success, but I knew I was a failure. I have everything, but nothing satisfied me. I started to drink and experiment with drugs. Nothing satisfied me. One Saturday, I felt more depressed than usual. I was home alone; the television was broken and I did not feel like going to a bar. Then I found my wife’s Bible. The year before, she had surprised me by telling me she had met Jesus. Because I had been so angry, I never learned anything about her alleged religious experience. But that day I had two choices—to read the Book or not. I read the Book. My hatred of 16 years disappeared and was replaced by a profound love. Everything was new. I attended a worship service led by Pastor Datang and received Christ into my life. Please pray for my spiritual growth." - Andy

Andy attends Pastor Pepito Datang’s church in Legazpi, Philippines