Tests, Trials and Thanksgiving

I answered God's call for my life earlier this year. He led me to finally give up my career, and study in the Seminary (International Graduate School of Leadership) to become a Pastor. God has been affirming this decision in so many ways: through different people, through circumstances, and through His word. But despite my me being in the seminary, despite experiencing God's affirmation and despite enjoying my ministry involvements, it has not been easy at all both emotionally and spiritually. It just started to get difficult. 

Here are the reasons why:

1. The First Test

I was at LSGH to pick up my brother when all of a sudden, smoke came out the sides of the hood of my car. It was not engine overheat, it saw something else. I finally opened the hood of my car to see that the engine of my Chevrolet Optra was on fire. The wiring, the plastic engine cover, everything was being consumed fast by the flame. It was spreading really fast. I finally was able to pour water over the engine. Soon after, LSGH security personnel rushed to my car and doused the car with the fire extinguisher.

2. The Second Test

While the Optra was on rehab, I used our Toyota "Macho" Crown. Toyota will always be the most reliable car company in my book, but for some odd reason, even after making sure that same morning that the car was in good running condition, as fate would have it, our  macho stalled and broke down along J. Vargas. P2,000.00 down the drain for towing fee.

3. The Third Test

Maybe because of old age or fluctuating electricity, our PC was not functioning normally. The CPU was re-starting on its own. Our PC needed a new Motherboard and Memory. That's P3,650.00 down the drain, again. I had my own laptop yes, so this was not as bad as it seemed. I didn't really need the PC. But then the Fifth test happened...

4. The Fourth Test

I was able to arrange and plan for two events that day. The Youth Worship and the Healing Seminar. I had things set and prepared already for both events: The practices, songs, the band, everything! But due to a last minute unavailability of personnel, I had to reluctantly step in. I had to stay in church when I should be at the Department of Foreign Affairs for my passport renewal. My event was supposed to start 8AM and finish at 9AM, but I ended up leaving church 10:15AM! I only had a few minutes left for my 10-11AM timeslot in DFA. To top it all of, traffic was bad southbound of EDSA at that time. 

5. The Fifth Test

Two cars were already out of commission: The Optra and the Crown. Thank God, we still had the Hyundai Tucson. You'd think I already had my fair share of car troubles right? Wrong. While I was having lunch with a friend, my car parked along Scout Ferndandez (Tomas Morato), got victimized by the "Basag Kotse" and stole the following items inside my car:

• Three Bibles (Two NIV's, One KJV)
• Apple I-book 
• Books for school
• Lexus Flash drive
• Lexus 2011 Planner
• Handouts
• Paper works
• Assignments
• Reflection Papers
• Youth LIVE Worship Team Training Files

So as you can see, it has been difficult for me emotionally and spiritually. All this was happening in less than a month's time. Things just kept piling up, one after the other. But losing my laptop was the most difficult thing to bear. My sermon outlines, my papers, my unfinished songs and recordings. All gone. A big part of my life was inside that laptop. Now, it's probably being sold in some stall somewhere in Quiapo or Greenhills.

But in spite of everything that had happened, just as God had promised, God was there for me and my family every step of the way. Here's how:

1. The First Thanksgiving

Due to three of our cars breaking down, my mom thought of buying a new car to ease our transportation difficulties as a family. After much prayer, my mom was able to get a great deal from Hyundai Dasmarinas, God gave us a new 2011 Accent. My mom prayed and sought wisdom from the Lord. God gave her an answer, and the car she wanted. 

2. The Second Thanksgiving

God provided us great Christian friends who encouraged me (and my family) during my time of need. On the evening of the Tucson incident, my ministry leaders took me out for a meal at Burger King for some comfort food and I received encouraging text messages from numerous friends! The best thing people did for me though was, they prayed for me. They took time to talk to God just for me.

3. The Third Thanksgiving

Even though traffic was bad Saturday morning southbound of EDSA, I managed to make it to DFA just-in-time to finish everything I needed to do all in just one hour. I will receive my new passport on the 25th of the month. 

3. The Fourth Thanksgiving

Just this Sunday morning, without warning or even specifically asking God for anything, anonymous person/s from chuch who found out about my story, informed me that they wanted to give me a laptop! My jaws dropped to the floor when I found out about the news. In just a span of two days, God responds in a BIG way. So after Sunday morning service, I went back to GCF for my package. I opened it and this is what I received:

• Lenovo IdealPad Z370
• A4Tech Optical Mouse
• Belkin LCD Cleaning System
• Dicota Lenovo Laptop Bag

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is who my God is. It is indeed really difficult to understand why bad things happen to people, but it is comforting to know that God understands what we are going through, He hears our heart longings and needs even before we ask, and He provides. 

As it is written in Job 42:1-6 (NIV):

¹ Then Job replied to the LORD:
² “I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.

³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,

and you shall answer me.’

⁵ My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.

⁶ Therefore I despise myself

and repent in dust and ashes.”

Thank you GCF Ortigas family! Thank you Lord!