Jason (right) with family members
At an early age, I was already involved in vices such as: heavy smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and drug activities like using and trafficking. These led me and my friends to be involved also in crimes as theft and robbery, fraternity war, vandalism on private walls of buildings, and on residential and commercial establishments. I experienced being detained and imprisoned many times, but because I was a juvenile delinquent then, I was always discharged after a week or two. I quit going to school, my parents were always a frequent guest at the Principal’s Office. But with my parent’s nagging, I would just transfer to another school the following year, then quit again after a few months, and then try a different school again. My life was empty, hopeless, I felt so lost, It seemed to me that everything I am and do was just a chasing after the wind.
It was in the year 2009 when SMO bible school students conducted their weekly bible studies in the school where I was enrolled. They were friendly which attracted me to attend their fellowship. Their invitation for me to attend the Annual Evangelistic Camp led me to somehow be curious on the secret of their joy and security in life. Their patience, kindness, and passion to share with me the Gospel had somehow touched my heart to continue attending their bible studies. The following year, as the Word of God continue to pierce my heart showing my sinfulness and my need for repentance and salvation, Pastors Elmer and Aeron visited my house and shared the good news of Jesus Christ to my family. To my surprise, my family welcomed them and even decided that we have a regular schedule of bible teaching weekly. God’s word is really powerful. It has penetrated my heart and little by little changed my life as I struggle and continue to surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Just like the song, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see”. My family as well experienced God’s salvation which made all of us to follow the Lord in water baptism last August 29, 2011. At present, we are already actively attending a Christian Church and the bible study in our place is still going on weekly. Praise God for His deliverance.
Every weekday, SMO missionaries go to school campuses to preach the Gospel to people like Jason. We sow the seed, others carry on the task of spending time with them in discipleship, but it is God who causes all things to “grow”. There is joy in serving Jesus and seeing students come to have an understanding of the Gospel, of Jesus, and their need of the Savior is of greatest consolation.
Our prayer partners and supporters are part of this jubilation, that though they may not have met the missionaries and the youths whose lives were changed, they are part of this greater joy.
SMO continues to trust God that His work will be carried on until He comes again.
Luisa Lewis
November 28, 2011 at 10:37 am
Praise the Lord for what He has done for you and your family. May you all continue growing in Him and serving HIm, too. I was so touched by your testimony.