Last October, my husband and I moved our gospel field to Baybay in the province of Leyte, Philippines. We had been to Baybay once for a short-term mission, but there was almost nothing we knew about the city. I was a bit worried because it was an unfamiliar area quite far from Zion my husband and I belonged to. However, we were willing to go to Baybay, believing that there was God’s will to quickly complete the gospel work.
But our willing hearts did not last long. It was because we got impatient as there was no fruit borne even after a month since we had moved. It seemed there must’ve been something contrary to God’s will, although we thought we were doing our best.
While reflecting on myself every night, I realized that the problem was in me. God told us to be joyful always, but my mind changed, depending on circumstances. I was greedy for good fruit, that I depended on my ability more than on God, and there were thorns of anger and complaints in my heart. I felt so bad at the thought that they were all burdens rather than joy to God. After offering a prayer of repentance, I concentrated on finding a soul with joy and gratitude again.
It was when we were preaching the gospel near a supermarket one late morning.
“Have you ever heard about Heavenly Mother?”
Most people showed no immediate interest because they were busy. Thankfully, some of them agreed to meet us again and study the Bible next time, and one of them was a middle-aged woman. I remembered that she promised to meet us at 4 p.m. that day, so I was about to contact her when she texted me first that she was coming for the Bible study. I got so excited, but at the same time, I told myself not to get overexcited. It was because there were so many times we were disappointed as things didn’t happen the way we hoped. When she came to Zion and studied the Bible, however, she was amazed at the word of God and immediately acknowledged the truth.
We were surprised to see her unexpected response, but we could understand after listening to her story. She said that she sensed something wrong with the Catholic doctrines, especially the teachings on idolatry. So she had been praying to God to let her know the truth. Her curiosity about God the Mother and keeping her appointment with us was no coincidence. She said she had no idea why she stopped when we approached her and listened to us, because she usually didn’t talk to strangers in the street, but we knew why.
The next day, she received a new life with gratitude, and a few days later, she led her husband to the truth. The two love the Bible study, and now they are making much effort to lead their friends and relatives to Zion.
Baybay was an important point in the process of refining my faith. If I had not come here, I wouldn’t have known that I had this much burden of sin. I give thanks to God for letting me go through the refinement of faith and helping me meet the souls who long for the truth. I hope Sister Alex and her husband will grow to be great gospel workers in Baybay.