I don’t really remember when exactly I joined the community. It was just that my parents are both in the community, serving the Lord. When I was young, I remembered asking God why my parents had to be out at evenings to have their household and arrive late in the night. Even during the weekends, they would be out with the community. There was a time that I envied the typical family who’s having their weekend in their homes or going out together as a family. My parents pushed me to attend Assemblies, and as a child, it was my greatest nightmare. I was felt alone because I didn’t know anyone there. But as time went by, I met friends who had the same sentiments as I did. We wondered what our parents were doing. Soon after, we enjoyed being in each other’s company. Eventually, my friends and I enjoyed attending the activities and conferences. Slowly, I was being trimmed and polished through households and teachings. Then, as time went by, all the questions that I had when I was younger were answered.
Serving God is bliss; I felt content, at peace and full of love. Before I graduated college I was already actively serving God. I always prayed for a job or an opportunity where I can serve more and help more in the mission. This was a prayer I always shared to my friends. I wanted to be rich so that I could help the missionaries, but it never crossed my mind to actually become a missionary. I didn’t really see myself as a missionary. I am a person who didn’t like to go out to my comfort zone. So after graduating, I contemplated on which path to take. I sent out a resume to the company where I saw myself working.
While waiting for job offers, I became busy serving God, given that I had a lot of time to do so. Doing this, I was just so amazed of what the Lord allowed me to experience. As I waited for God to answer my prayers, and be hired, a kuya invited me to join a Discernment Program. He said that I had the time and joining the program might help me in finding myself and where the Lord wants me to be. During the Discernment Program, I got accepted to the job that I prayed for and dreamt of.
While working, I was so joyful and excited to work. But the peace that I found has been disturbed; disturbed in the sense that it made me realize that was still looking for something. It ended up that I was always wanted to finish my work and leave early. The time that I spent in mission was gone, I was lost. I vividly remember the time when I was working during Holy Thursday, spending the passion of Christ at the office. While having my break, the Lord spoke to me “My Child I have prepared things for you, never be afraid” I was in awe and asked God for more direction. Through prayers and consultation with my parents, I decided to resign and seek God more in peace. After a while, I was accepted as a Mission Volunteer (MV) in Davao and continued my discernment to become a Lay Missionary.
While serving as an MV, the call of the Mission became more intense. Asking God through prayers for my plans, I prayed for Him to direct my path and that His plans for me prevail. God led me to this prayer where I firmly believe it was Him calling me. “I have tried to shun the enticement of the world the human ambitions that beckon me so teasingly.” This prayer made me feel God’s call to go to mission. As I was having my training and asking God for His direction, I was led to seek Him more through prayers. But God is a magnificent God, He answered me through my father when my father called me and told me that I am his missionary son. These things made me realize that the Lord called me and to answer His Call. It was His way to make me a missionary. 2 years after, here I am serving Him through this ministry; joyfully and peacefully answering His call every day.
