Greater than More

My journey started when I met HIM.

I found my first love at a young age. As my Nanay lulled me to sleep through her bed time Bible stories, it was the first time that I heard His name. And so, I was really happy when I became a member of Kids for Christ for I was opened to more encounters with Him. Thanks to my parents for leading us to this community. As we partake in one mission as a family, I was more inspired to offer more for Him. Through time, I transitioned to YFC and had my first service as a Chapter Head in our area. Since then, that something became the spark of everything.

Walking into the unknown road will give you wonders.

I still carried with me the kind of love that sustains me. Even miles away from home because of my college study, I was still eager to pursue God’s call for me as a missionary. My weekdays were spent for school and I offered my nights and weekends in doing His mission. Beyond my expectation, those were my fruitful years of service as I was able to carry on with God’s mission together with my newfound family.

Even in mountains and hills, the map leads me to go further.

I never gave up on God’s call for me to serve even after I graduated. I did my best to manage and still have time for Him; my weekdays for work as a teacher, my Saturdays for my graduate studies, and my nights and Sundays for missionary work. Then one time, our then RC invited me to join the Mission Volunteer’s Training Program. This led me to look back to the path that I have traversed. Surely, it was a difficult one, but it was outgrown by memories of hope amid difficulties, shared stories from my fellow brothers and sisters, journey of faith with my members, and nurturing care of my leaders and Couple Coordinators. And so I asked God, “Are you calling me to love you more?”. And so, I started to pray for this desire.

But just like any journey, I went on an uphill climb. I was on my discernment stage when I got ill. A small lump of mass was seen on my large intestine. My prayers were of pure questions as I asked God if He is telling me to rest in serving Him. I even tried to convince myself that I have given my very best in service: “What more can I do for you, Lord? I already gave my all.”

But there is still greater than the more that I know of.

Despite what had happened, I still said YES to become a Mission Volunteer. If Jesus loving me meant offering His life for my sake, then me loving Him means entrusting my whole life into His hands. The moment that I fully committed my life to Him was the same moment I found healing. The small lump was found to be not severe in the biopsy. But beyond my sickness, I found greater healing and transformation in my life.

I was able to discover more of Him of which I found myself loving Him all the more. There are still many to realize as God gives me an encounter of Him each day through the stories of people I meet, the humble graces I recognize, and even on simple acts of kindness that I receive from strangers. I look expectantly to the coming days for His love is the kind of love that I seek.

The road to holiness is the road that God has prepared for us.

Through the years and despite all odds, God’s faithfulness led me to be here. I am a teacher by profession and a Singles for Christ in service to the YFC as a Mission Volunteer and the Provincial Youth Head of Aklan.

No matter how difficult it may seem, I know that He is transforming me to be the person He wants me to be.

No matter where this YES will take me, I know that the road leads to the best destination that He has prepared for me.