Ordinary People

Ah Sovereign Lord, I said,I do not know how to speak…. verse: 7 The Lord said, you must go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you. verse: 8 Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you. verse: 9 Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth. Now,I have put my words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:6-9 (NIV)

As a simple individual, I know my limitations and capacity. I can’t speak clearly. Sometimes I stutter and sometimes I speak too fast with an intonation that sounds as if I’m angry.

When I knew that I had to teach in a community center, I was afraid. I said to God, “Lord, you know me. I stammer. I have pronunciation problems. Please help me, Lord. I don’t like to put your name to shame, so please dear God, put your words into my mouth as I teach them. Please cover me with your glory, oh God.”

On my first day, I couldn’t understand my feelings. I was with a korean to guide me going to the center but we lost our way so we arrived 10 minutes late. The students were waiting. They were ready for the class. Standing in front of the class, I smiled and said “Hello! How are you today?” They responded enthusiastically. I then introduced myself and I let them introduce themselves as well.

After our class, one student accompanied me to the office. While walking, she told me, “Teacher, you speak clearly and pronounce words well.” “Really? Thank you,” I said. I was amazed by what she said.

I’ve been hearing the same comment as I continue teaching them and I praise GOD for using an ordinary person like me to show His faithfulness.

The LORD covers me while doing the ministry. He hides my weakness. He shows His strength. He puts His words into my mouth. I’m never afraid cause JESUS is with me.

Waiting

By: Maria Eleofe Melgar Magtahas

Blessed are those who listen to me,watching daily at my doors,waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.Proverbs 8:34-35

Life is full of waiting, isn’t it? All of us have our own reactions when we are asked to wait–reactions that would encourage or discourage others.

One day, I had to go to my students’ house for our class. I hurriedly walked to get to their house because the weather was so hot. When I arrived, the kids were sleeping. At first I was a bit happy because I thought I wouldn’t have class with them. But their mom asked me to go back to my place and be back after 20 minutes. I pretended not to understand what she was saying because I didn’t want to wait. So she called my Samonim (Pastor’s wife). She asked if I could wait for 20 minutes or go home and come back to their house in the evening. When Samonim told me about it, I was devastated. I was thinking how inconsiderate she was. Didn’t she see that despite the hot weather I really came to their house just to have class with her kids? And now, she wanted me to wait? And in the first place, our schedule must be followed. If her kids are sleeping and she doesn’t want to wake them up, she should just cancel our class for that day. I had lots of complaints but of course I didn’t show it. Instead, I told my students’ mother that I would just wait. So I waited for 20 minutes. While waiting I was thinking about my reaction. I was sure God knew what I felt and the complaints I had in my mind.

Then a thought hit me: How would Jesus react if He were asked to wait? Would He think the same as I thought? Would He also complain?

Then I realized how long has God been waiting for His children to come to Him in repentance. Jesus is still in the most holy place waiting for us to be fully changed. If He would complain and if He is too tired to wait, many of us won’t be saved. He willingly waits for His people for them not to perish. He has been so patient in waiting for us to become pure and holy worthy to be in heaven. Proverbs 8:34-35 says “Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.” As it turned out, I was so blessed to have waited for my students that time for it helped me build a good relationship with them, and so with their parents. My God is always awesome.

Convicted to Help

By: Bebeleth Parennas

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (v.31) whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:33, 31(KJV)

“Lord, please bless those people who show eagerness in doing thy work. And bless also those who have the heart to help for the furtherance of thy Ministry.” This was my prayer before I took a nap one day. I was so sleepy and I wasn’t feeling very well that time. I lay down on my bed with peace of mind, trying to close my eyes. Few minutes passed, I heard a voice whispering into my ears saying, “get up.” I tried to ignore it because of my sleepiness. But as I kept on ignoring it, there was something in my mind that I couldn’t explain, so I got up and knelt; I prayed again. At that time I told God to give me strength, asking Him to take out the sleepiness I was feeling. Then something came to my mind that gave me physical strength.

I changed my clothes and went to the place where I’d usually do my exercise. A started to walk. There were no people except me. Until I saw some dogs coming towards me. When I turned around, I saw an “Ajuma” (Korean term for a married woman). I greeted and smiled at her. She smiled back. I asked her if she exercised there every day. “Sometimes,” she answered. She told me that she wanted to walk the dogs and the weather was good that day so she was there. She gazed at me which made me feel conscious and uncomfortable. Then she asked, “Are you American?” I smiled and started to introduce myself. When I told her that I came here as a missionary, she started to talk a lot. Then I asked her in korean, “Do you know God?” She answered, “Yes.” And so I tried to share to her what I could by using some of the basic terms that I knew, but I ended up gazing at her mouth trying to catch the words that she was saying. As she kept on talking. I heard the word “Mideum” which means “Belief or faith.” “I believe in Jesus, in fact I have a church,” she said. Right then I felt that my skin became tighter which I couldn’t explain. I found myself in silence, but as she kept on talking, I got the courage to invite her to our Church with which she answered “yes”. “Our God is the same; We believe in Him even if we cannot see Him,” she added.

I felt so happy and blessed that time. We continued to talk and it was so amazing how God enabled me to speak “hangukmal” (Korean language). I patiently answered her questions and shared more of our beliefs. Then she asked me, “If I rent an apartment in the Philippines, how much would be the cost?” As I was explaining, she took 20,000 won from her pocket and put it on my hand. I used it as material for my explanation. When I felt like everything was clear already, I returned the money to her. But she grabbed my arm and put the money back to my hand and took another 10,000 and gave it to me. I tried to refuse but she said that she really wanted to give it to me. Then she put her finger on her lips telling me to be quiet.

What had transpired that day left me in awe and wonder. Then I remembered the one who asked me some help for their crusade and how I prayed to help for the other mission, too. I wanted to cry because of happiness and how God answered my prayers. I raised my head and looked above and whispered a prayer of thankfulness to God.

After that, we separated from each other but she called me again and gave me a pair of training clothes. With heart filled with joy, I gazed up on heaven again telling God to bless her for her kindness and conviction to help. “As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. “ The desire of Ages p.83.6

Matthew 6:33 “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

TRUST HIS HEART

by: Kaysia T. Monera

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 

“You can do something other than working with God in His purpose, but it will always be something lesser, and you couldn’t come up with something better. ”- Steve Hawtorne.

I strongly believe that missionary work is the most rewarding work a person can do. It is both a blessing to you and to the people you get acquainted with. The church I am serving manages an “Adong Center,” a children’s welfare center supported by the government. Children come here and we take care of them. We teach Mathematics, English, Arts and other stuff for them to enjoy. Praying and teaching Bible is a big NO except on Saturdays. The manager told me that I should not pray with the kids and talk about the Bible during my class. Hearing those words from him, I didn’t know how to react. I came here for missionary work. But it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to do any missionary work at all. Left with no choice, I followed the rules. Somehow, I was allowed to pray on my own without involving the kids.

I felt so sad about my situation. During the days of sadness, I found comfort in the words of a familiar song “Trust His Heart.” This was my way of keeping back the tears. I needed to keep the faith and trust God that He would take care of everything. I knew He would never forsake me. I prayed that God would open my eyes and let me see the ministry He has set before me here in Korea. I prayed that He would create opportunities to reveal Himself.

More than two months passed, God revealed His power. Things slowly changed. The manager one day taught the kids about how God created the world. I was surprised about it, but at the same time happy seeing that he shared to the children about God. The kids also started learning how to pray. Though we don’t do it regularly during the weekdays because of the set rules, I am looking forward for that day when we can freely tell the children about Jesus. I believe that day is going to come. Right now, the ministry here is slowly growing. We will keep on praying that it will continue to grow and lead souls to Christ.

The Whisper

By: Maylanie Paalisbo

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27,28

I was going to my friend’s place one Thursday evening for a very important transaction. Before I left the house, a part of my mind was telling me to bring enough coins for the bus fare. But I just ignored it for I was confident that my bus pass had still enough money in it. While waiting for the bus, the small voice kept on telling me to go to the nearby store and have my card recharged. But again, I just ignored it because anyway, I had a 10,000 won bill.

The bus came, I got on and tapped in my card. While walking toward a vacant seat, I heard a shout from behind, then I got these strange stares from the passengers. I just ignored them and kept on walking. The driver kept on shouting which made me feel like he was calling me. When I looked back, I saw him looking at me, saying something I couldn’t understand. “I must have done something wrong,” I thought. “My bus pass, perhaps.” So I went back and tapped in my card again. I couldn’t understand exactly what the machine was saying but I suspected that my bus pass already needed a recharge. The driver asked 1000 won, but I only had 10,000 won bill. I tried to insert it to the machine but it wouldn’t accept it. The driver was already annoyed or even angry; all I wanted to do at that very moment was to disappear. Fortunately, a middle-aged woman handed me 1000 won. I immediately inserted the money to the machine which then quieted the driver.

I thanked the woman and I apologized to the driver. That experience, embarrassing as it was, has taught me a lesson more important than just having my bus pass charged all the time or bringing a thousand won bill whenever I have to take the bus. I am convinced that God allowed me to experience it to remind me of something that concerns life’s important matters.

At times, we tend to be so confident about ourselves, our faith, our spirituality or our “righteousness.” We sometimes feel we have enough of them to take us to where we want to go. This human tendency could lead us to ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit to constantly listen to Him; to always keep ourselves charged with Christ’s righteousness, so that our bus ride won’t lead us to embarrassment or even disappointment. Instead, by constantly listening to the Holy Spirit’s whispers, our bus ride would smoothly lead us to our desired destination, to that heavenly paradise where eternal happiness awaits the righteous.

Giving In to the Spirit

By: Jojie Ann Panton

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)

My co-missionary who is living just 30 minutes away from my mission field asked me to give a Bible study to her Filipina neighbor whom she has been friends with for quite sometime. This lady is married to a Korean man. My missionary friend arranged the schedule for the said appointment. When the time for the visitation came, I was so exhausted that I felt so lazy to do it. My friend called me several times but I had a lot of alibis. After a few minutes I prayed that God would guide me. I felt so guilty. The Holy Spirit was working in my heart but my rebellious mind kept on reasoning out that I wasn’t ready and that I needed more time to choose the topic for the Bible study. But eventually I gave in; I surrendered my concerns to Him. I prayed and asked God to lead me in finding the main verse for the topic that I wanted to share. After praying, I simply flipped the pages of the Bible and I instantly found the exact verse I was looking for.

During the Bible study, I praised God because she responded positively. She was delighted that we shared with her a lot of things about God. She believed everything we shared. She even shared her testimony related to the topic we had studied. She now goes to church every Sabbath upon my friend’s invitation. Praise and glory be to God.

The Aching of This Life

By: Agnes Fulgencio

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son”. Hebrews 12:5,6 (NIV)

“What if Trials of this Life are God’s Mercies in Disguise?” I have been hearing this line from a song. I tried singing the entire song, too. And I am amazed by how Laura Story could render such a heart-warming, encouraging, emotion-provoking song. In an interview, Story explains, “Blessings are just a bunch of songs about worshipping when life is hard.” When her husband Martin Elvington was diagnosed with brain tumor, she wondered, “Why didn’t you just fix it, God? You’re all powerful and all loving… just fix it.”

There was a time when I found myself asking the same question Laura Story had.

Why do we need to go through a lot of hardships, struggles, temptations, and such? Why can’t God just fix it up for us? I remember how many buckets of tears I shed because of life’s trials: stories of friends’ betrayals, broken dreams, guilt-provoking Bible points, work in the mission field, and health troubles, just to name a few.

Those things made my pillow soaking wet, made me skip my meals, and gave me many pimples and big eye bags. Then I started asking, “Are those things really NECESSARY in our lives?”

Just like the Israel of old. They also have asked, “If God is leading us, why do all these things come upon us?” (Essentials for Healthfull Living EGW p107)

I found the answer here in Korea through the writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White.

“Trials and obstacles are the Lord’s chosen methods of DISCIPLINE and His appointed conditions of success.” (Essentials for Healthfull Living EGW p107)

I remember the story of Joseph, Daniel, Job and a lot more. They were ever faithful and loyal to God. But God didn’t prevent them from experiencing painful trials in their lives. Daniel was held captive. Later on, was tested and thrown into the lion’s den. Joseph was sold as a slave–by his very own brothers. He was accused and put to prison for many years of a sin he never committed. Job lost everything that he had. But these things have only preserved their faith and loyalty to God. Discipline is a necessity, I can now conclude.

Hebrews 12:5 and 6 says (NIV), “…..My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son”.

God loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to be walking away from His fold. In verse 11 of the same text, it says “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”

“What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is a revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?” The song shows that we still have more questions than answers, Laura Story confesses. Every time we face trials and “aching of this life,” God wants us to decide to fully trust in Him.

Heb 13:8 (NIV) mentions, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”. If God helped, provided, and guided those people before, He will also do the same for us. He just wants us to be strong and hold fast to Him.

EGW said in Essentials for Healthful Living 108, “The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop…if He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines.” Trials will test our faith in the Lord, and when our faith levels have been exhaustively tested, this will then help improve our character. In other words, we can become better and holy people in the Lord if we allow fiery tests to shape, mold, and transform us.

In James 1: 2-4 (NIV) says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. (3) Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4)Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be MATURE and COMPLETE, not LACKING ANYTHING.”

“In the future life the mysteries that have here annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings”.

5000 Won Worth of TRUST

By: Lyndy Famisaran

Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love.” Lamentaions 3:32 (NIV)

My mind was bothered as to how we were going to survive for more than two weeks after our food allowance was lost. Every month, I and my partner share for the food allowance for the whole month, and we always put it in a small piggy bank. Last June my new partner came and we decided to do the same thing. During our first week, we spent 20 thousand won so we still had about 80 thousand won left. After a week, when I opened our piggy bank to get some money, I was surprised that our money wasn’t there anymore. I paused for a second and thought, “Is this for real?” My partner was just as surprised as I was when I told her what happened. It was our first time to lose money. I kept on thinking why. Nevertheless, I had to accept the reality. I talked to God about it and remembered the text written by prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:32.

Claiming that promise, I and my partner decided not to buy food anymore. Instead, we entrusted everything to God and believed that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Lo and behold, it was almost the end of June but there was still food inside our refrigerator! And during the first week of July my partner asked me again if we were going to share some money for the food. I told her that we would just ask God for the food and let Him provide everything except for the dozen eggs and 1 pack of fish cake that cost 5000 won. I talked to God again and said, “ Heavenly Father, please make this food enough for 2 weeks because we don’t have money anymore.” And believe it or not, we didn’t buy any food for 2 weeks because some of the church members and our Samonim provided for us. Three weeks after, I noticed that there were still 4 eggs left and some fish cake. I really could not fathom my feelings during that time. I wanted to cry, shout and share to the world His everlasting goodness and faithfulness to his children. I talked to God again and asked His forgiveness for not trusting Him fully and for worrying about everything as if He wasn’t there. Now, I learned my lesson. He taught me the true meaning of trust.

There is no other love like His! God can do greater things more than what we can imagine. We just lack faith. John 16:24 says, “Ask and you will receive so that your happiness may be complete.” There is no limit when it comes to God’s amazing grace! We just need to trust Him with all our hearts and minds. In addition, John 16:23 says, “ The Father will give you whatever you will ask in His name.” So, let us surrender everything to Him. Let us trust Him!

“I love You, Teacher”

By: Riel Panganiban

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

“Teacher I love you”! I love you too! I love you three! I love you fourever!”

I thank God for my mission field (Sahmyook Vocational Institute of Technology) which I believe is the best mission field. But of course ‘best’ and ‘easy’ are two different words. Hardships and trials are inevitable.

Sahmyook Gisuron (Sahmyook Vocational Institute of Technology) is an SDA institute where students, mostly high school 17 to 20-years-olds learn skills like welding, interior design, painting, electronics, and basic computer programming. They can take license exams and become licensed skilled workers before going to university.

At school, students have regular classes time and work time. At night they have to study by themselves and do their homework at least until 11 pm. And my job is to teach them English for 40 minutes a day which they call rest time. Sometimes I get angry because they don’t participate in class activities and some of them even sleep during my class. Needless to say, most of them don’t like English.

As a missionary, it is clear to me that my mission is not only to teach them English but also to help them mold their character. But it is just as clear to me how challenging it is especially if you are dealing with teens who are raced in the city. They have a great inclination to worldly things; they have so little interest in the Bible and have very hot temper.

At first I’d always get angry with them and I felt hopeless. Then God reminded me of something and made me realize that I forgot something. I forgot the most powerful and most important thing: LOVE. I felt so guilty being a missionary trying to work and to teach as if I am worthy of doing it. I forgot how patient God is in dealing with me being a sinner. What if God were like me? I felt so ashamed. I asked God to forgive me from what I did. I asked Him to give me more patient for my student as He is patient with me, and Love for my student as He loves me. God answered my prayers. Slowly and slowly I saw how beautiful and how precious these souls are; how privileged I am to be a part of their lives; and how God trusted me to touch their hearts.

Now Instead of focusing in English, I focus on sharing God’s love with them. Instead of being an English teacher, I focus on being a friend to them. I play with them; laugh with them; eat with them; and pray with them. And now that we are already friends I can easily share with them how great, amazing and awesome to experience God’s love.

One day one of my students called me and said, “Teacher I love you.” Although it sounded like a joke, I appreciated it and answered him “I love you too.” Then he responded “I love you three.” I laughed and said, “I love you four.” And we continued until the last number he knew in English. The next time, I have observed that other students were doing it also. It’s a good thing, but every time we do it, I get stuck in saying I love you too, four, six, eight, ten and so on. Then I thought of something that could change the game. Whenever they’d say “Teacher, I love you,” I’d answer “I love you too.”And after they’d say “I love you three,” I’d answer, “I love you fourever. And there it would stop. The good thing is that it became a trend in the dormitory and even at school.

One day, while I was in my room, I heard some of my students calling another student saying, “Hey! I love you.” And the other one answered, “I love you too.””I love you three,” said the other and the other one said, “I love you fourever.” Hearing it was a great experience, giving me an awesome feeling. The dormitory and school ring with this love expression blowing my stress away. God let me experience the power of His love. He let me see my students as He sees me. And that’s looking through the eyes of Love. Before, I tried hard to be a good example to my students that they would see me as a good missionary. But now I pray that the things they will remember of me would lead them to become more like Jesus, not like me.

I‘ve learned that sometimes we treat people based on their character and personality. But this should not be. God first loved us with unconditional love. In spite of our sins, He loves us and is very patient with us.

My prayer is that God will continue to help us see people as He sees them, giving us the heart that will look at other people through the eyes of love.

When God Employs His Angels

By: Janet Balagot

Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20

“Is everybody all right?” I asked them after a startling lightning struck the house where we were staying.

May, 2012, we were conducting a Vacation Bible School in my mission field in the Philippines when an unforgettable incident happened.

I called the youth to help me prepare for the crowns, certificates, ribbons and decoration for the VBS Graduation. The youth, with my Korean partner Pyun Ji Yeong, put our effort together to make the program remarkable and memorable for the kids who joined and learned about Jesus and their parents who allowed them to come for 10 days.

It was 2:00 in the afternoon when the youth arrived in our house. The house was made of wood with a concrete floor. Connected to the house was a spacious veranda supported by three wooden posts. We were all in the veranda. I put all the necessary materials on a long table. We sat around the table and started to make the necessary stuff for the event. We were all 8. I was sitting at the side of the table between two young ladies and behind me was a wood post. We were having fun preparing and talking.

At 3:00 p.m., clouds filled the sky and heavy rain started to pour. I didn’t know why, but I had a strange feeling as if something was pushing me to stand up and telling me to move from where I was sitting. Why should I? I felt comfortable sitting there because I could see them all and the materials were very accessible to my reach. However, I heeded my premonition and stood up and moved to the corner of the table. The moment I sat down, a flash of a very bright light appeared in front of me. We screamed. Then a burnt smell permeated the house. We looked at each other. “Is everybody alright?” I asked. I checked each one and the two young ladies who were sitting beside me before I moved to the corner said that they felt an electric current through their feet. We were all trembling with fear. A trace of lightning was found under the table. It passed between the two young ladies to the wood post. That was exactly the spot where I was sitting.

I was shocked and I couldn’t help myself to shed a tear and whispered “O, thank you God.” After that circumstance, I understood why. I can’t imagine how I would be if I ignored that strange feeling. God sent an angel to tell me that I was in danger. An angel pushed me to move away from where I was sitting. As He promised in Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (NIV).

God employs his angels to watch over us every time. I am also thankful that the two ladies were not seriously hurt and they were fine after a few minutes. After that stunning incident, we offered a prayer thanking God for His protection. I will never forget that experience because it was one of the times that I really felt an angel spreading its wings to save me from danger.

With the grace of God we were able to finish our Vacation Bible School successfully with almost 100 kids. I praise God because He intervened in unexpected situations.