"I am now rejoicing in my suffering ...in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's affliction." - Colossians 1:24
Many are called, but few are chosen. Truly the Lord constantly affirmed me that these 13 missionary hearts were handpicked and chosen by God. They were chosen and willingly said yes to complete His mission to a place in need of Christ; for every soul deserves to feel the love and peace of Christ. Despite the many fears and doubts I had coming into this trip, the Lord found many ways to liberate me from the chains of my distractions. If not all, many of us were very much out of our comfort zone, whether it was the food, the people, the lifestyle, or just simply the atmosphere. But as the days of GAT progressed, the Lord gave me countless opportunities to harvest the fruits from the seeds he had planted for me.
The Lord spoke to me in the most subtle ways. I took jeepney rides as my personal time to reflect. His unfathomable ways to show how much the Lord loves, speaks volumes in the silence of my heart. Through this mission trip, I knew for a fact that the Lord was gonna test me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. A test designed for me to pass, only if I allow the Lord to clothed me in His sacrificial and unconditional love. There were so many instances I wanted to just give up, whether it was feeling physically drained from building or emotionally broken from farewell days from the sites we visited. During those instances, the Lord whispered, “my child, may I join you?” As days of the trip progressed, the Lord continued to break my heart, to the point I felt like there’s nothing left for me to give. As I reflect on my trip now, the Lord was definitely preparing me for one of the biggest heartbreaks I would have ever felt. When I thought I couldn't feel anymore broken, the Lord continued to ask more from me.
On the day we arrived to Canada, I got a phone call that my grandfather in the Philippines passed away. Something that took me by surprise was that I was just on the phone with him before I left for my flight to Canada. Who knew that would be my last phone call with him, for I know this wasn't a goodbye but a see you soon. The Lord knew the desires of my heart. Like water into wine, He has turned the desires of my heart into far greater ones. My heart now is in peace knowing that my grandfather is now with the Heavenly Father. Oh how beautiful is it when the eyes of the lover finally meets the eyes of the beloved.
Praise God for the opportunity to be a witness of Christ in your life, tatay. Thank you for showing me how to love so selflessly; to love like Christ. Love you, tatay.
With the broken pieces of my heart, the Lord continuously molds and fills it with the fragrance of His peace. The Lord continues to break my heart, only to love at a bigger capacity. He was able to stretch my heart so that I was able to accept the Lord’s love to the fullest. My brokenness is His way of bringing me closer to His cross. Christ allowed me to find joy in my struggles and embrace my cross; for suffering is an essential component of love. For I know that these sufferings does not compare to the glory that awaits for us in heaven.
Heavenly Father, You intently placed my life accordingly. Help me reconnect to You, to tear down any walls I have built against You. Instead, fill my heart with the joy of spirit and allow it be engulfed by the zeal of faith. Allow my desires correspond with Your will. Penetrate my mind as if I were to wear the crown of thorns that it may only purify my thoughts. Allow my arms extend like the cross to reach out to those who are less fortunate. Then bring my hands to a close that I may be able to wrap my fingers around my knuckles to deepen my relationship with You. May I be a walking testimony of Your existence as I lead by example when I’m reminded about Your hands and feet nailed to the cross. Turn this heart of stone to a heart of flesh that I may be able to better serve You with great humility and conviction; the same conviction Christ manifested in His crucifixion. May the Lord’s relentless love radiate from my heart so every soul that I encounter may feel His presence. May I be forever mesmerized by Your eyes so I will stay fixated on You. I will grasped my cross with my bare hands and run my fingertips through the bumps and grooves to reassure that You Lord God will always be by my side. Ultimately, may others see no longer I but Christ. Amen.
[This testimony was written by Diane Dimacali, a member of the YCOM GAT Mission team of 2014.]
Many are called, but few are chosen. Truly the Lord constantly affirmed me that these 13 missionary hearts were handpicked and chosen by God. They were chosen and willingly said yes to complete His mission to a place in need of Christ; for every soul deserves to feel the love and peace of Christ. Despite the many fears and doubts I had coming into this trip, the Lord found many ways to liberate me from the chains of my distractions. If not all, many of us were very much out of our comfort zone, whether it was the food, the people, the lifestyle, or just simply the atmosphere. But as the days of GAT progressed, the Lord gave me countless opportunities to harvest the fruits from the seeds he had planted for me.
The Lord spoke to me in the most subtle ways. I took jeepney rides as my personal time to reflect. His unfathomable ways to show how much the Lord loves, speaks volumes in the silence of my heart. Through this mission trip, I knew for a fact that the Lord was gonna test me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. A test designed for me to pass, only if I allow the Lord to clothed me in His sacrificial and unconditional love. There were so many instances I wanted to just give up, whether it was feeling physically drained from building or emotionally broken from farewell days from the sites we visited. During those instances, the Lord whispered, “my child, may I join you?” As days of the trip progressed, the Lord continued to break my heart, to the point I felt like there’s nothing left for me to give. As I reflect on my trip now, the Lord was definitely preparing me for one of the biggest heartbreaks I would have ever felt. When I thought I couldn't feel anymore broken, the Lord continued to ask more from me.
On the day we arrived to Canada, I got a phone call that my grandfather in the Philippines passed away. Something that took me by surprise was that I was just on the phone with him before I left for my flight to Canada. Who knew that would be my last phone call with him, for I know this wasn't a goodbye but a see you soon. The Lord knew the desires of my heart. Like water into wine, He has turned the desires of my heart into far greater ones. My heart now is in peace knowing that my grandfather is now with the Heavenly Father. Oh how beautiful is it when the eyes of the lover finally meets the eyes of the beloved.
Praise God for the opportunity to be a witness of Christ in your life, tatay. Thank you for showing me how to love so selflessly; to love like Christ. Love you, tatay.
With the broken pieces of my heart, the Lord continuously molds and fills it with the fragrance of His peace. The Lord continues to break my heart, only to love at a bigger capacity. He was able to stretch my heart so that I was able to accept the Lord’s love to the fullest. My brokenness is His way of bringing me closer to His cross. Christ allowed me to find joy in my struggles and embrace my cross; for suffering is an essential component of love. For I know that these sufferings does not compare to the glory that awaits for us in heaven.
Heavenly Father, You intently placed my life accordingly. Help me reconnect to You, to tear down any walls I have built against You. Instead, fill my heart with the joy of spirit and allow it be engulfed by the zeal of faith. Allow my desires correspond with Your will. Penetrate my mind as if I were to wear the crown of thorns that it may only purify my thoughts. Allow my arms extend like the cross to reach out to those who are less fortunate. Then bring my hands to a close that I may be able to wrap my fingers around my knuckles to deepen my relationship with You. May I be a walking testimony of Your existence as I lead by example when I’m reminded about Your hands and feet nailed to the cross. Turn this heart of stone to a heart of flesh that I may be able to better serve You with great humility and conviction; the same conviction Christ manifested in His crucifixion. May the Lord’s relentless love radiate from my heart so every soul that I encounter may feel His presence. May I be forever mesmerized by Your eyes so I will stay fixated on You. I will grasped my cross with my bare hands and run my fingertips through the bumps and grooves to reassure that You Lord God will always be by my side. Ultimately, may others see no longer I but Christ. Amen.
[This testimony was written by Diane Dimacali, a member of the YCOM GAT Mission team of 2014.]