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How a young Catholic lady from Bangkok, Thailand came to know the Iglesia ni Cristo through a classmate in Baguio City, Philippines and realized she found God during the first worship service she attended in the church.
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  Inspiring Convert Story-28

"I found God at last"

Elaine Garcia Manipol
Locale of Bangkok, Thailand

 

     MY PARENTS ARE Filipinos but I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. When I was still a Catholic, I was so much enlightened by the editorial pages of Pasugo. I was inspired by the convert stories; of how blessed the converts were to find the true Church, and how their lives were led to righteousness. I, too, would like to share with others how I faced the trials and persecution in my life as I entered “the narrow gate,” the Church of Christ. I now continually cry tears of joy having been baptized into the Iglesia ni Cristo.

     I was born a Catholic. I attended a Seventh-day Adventist school in Bangkok, and finished high school from the Holy Family Catholic School in Baguio City, Philippines. My grandmother, Eudocia Alegria Garcia, is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo and is one of the pioneers in the locale of Baguio. My mother’s brother, Uncle Ruben Garcia, is an Iglesia ni Cristo minister assigned in Vallejo, USA. Though my parents sent us to Catholic schools and raised us as Catholics, they never restrained us from joining any religion. In fact, my father welcomed preachers of different religious groups, including Iglesia ni Cristo ministers, in our house. But I was too young then to understand the doctrines.

     I was sent to Saint Louis University in Baguio City for my college education. It was during my third year in BS Architecture when I experienced extreme difficulties and trials in life.

     Along with my heartache and loneliness due to the absence of my parents, I was longing for a true friend, Jesus Christ. I started my days by waking up early, watching religious television shows, listening to religious radio programs, and reading the Bible and “Bread of Life” handbooks. I often went to various cathedrals to join other religious groups in their gatherings and I prayed more than I usually did. I needed to hear the words of God to enlighten me spiritually and morally. In spite of these, I still felt an emptiness in my heart.

     I will never forget how I was introduced to the Church of Christ. A classmate of mine and now my best friend, Nathalie Venson, played a great role in my life. God gave me a friend who exemplified a life of virtue and righteousness. She showed me her devotion as an officer and choir member in the Church that kept her steadfast in her faith despite all problems. The first time she invited me to attend their worship service, I did not refuse. In fact, I was very eager to go with her.

     During the worship service, I was really inspired by the lyrics of the hymns. The lesson was even related to my needs—on the importance of praying in the face of trials. An inspiring phrase that opened my heart was Psalms 91:14-16 which says that God will protect and save those who love Him and those who acknowledge His name. In tears, I poured out my burdens during the prayer. I realized I found God at last. He was with me and still comforting me even after the worship service.

     Nathalie continued to invite me to the worship services and evangelical missions. She introduced me to her guardian, Sister Lita Daludado, to her family, and to some KADIWA members who were also choir members. I befriended them for I was so inspired by their activeness as Church officers.

     I finally decided to learn more about the doctrines of the Iglesia ni Cristo. I called up my parents right away to send me longer skirts so that I can attend worship services in the proper attire. My parents were astonished but delighted with my decision. They were aware of the orderliness in the Iglesia ni Cristo that they even encouraged me to abide by the strict discipline implemented inside the place of worship. I told them how the doctrines were building me up so maturely—spiritually and morally. When my Uncle Ruben learned about it, he often called me up by long distance and sent me Pasugo magazines and different versions of the Bible.

     When Brother Jun Falsario taught me the words of God in our Bible study sessions, I did not feel the importance of belonging to a specific religion at the outset. I believed that regardless of any religious belief, anyone who has faith will be saved, until Brother Falsario read Acts 10:1-48 which relates the story of Cornelius. Brother Falsario explained that the faith alone is not enough for man to attain salvation. It is just one of the requirements. Those who believe must be baptized into the one body of Christ which is the Church of Christ.

     It took me more than half a year to complete my Bible study sessions and more than a year of probation before I received baptism. The test of time gave me the chance to prove that my faith was genuine. It was not easy for me to be baptized. I prayed real hard until I was able to prove that my eagerness was not merely influenced by my peers. I believed that my desire and hope are deep and true for I attended Bible studies unaccompanied. I felt that is God helping me. I was convinced that this is the true Church and not everyone can enter it without overcoming the hindrances that come along the way.

     On February 19, 1994, a month before my graduation and before leaving the Philippines for good, I was baptized in Baguio City. This was a very special day in my life. I felt cleansed—that all my sins were finally forgiven.

     Three month after my graduation, my father passed away without becoming a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. It was hard for a fresh graduate like me to carry the responsibility of a breadwinner in the family. But I was able to face maturely with the advice of Uncle Ruben. He said that God has a purpose in every sad and happy experience that comes into our lives; that the pain will lead to great blessings, and that I should search for God’s message, and count His blessings more than the trials that I was facing.

     After my father passed away, I took over his position as the owner, manager, and architect of his company. Because I had control over my own schedule, I was able to hold various responsibilities in the locale of Bangkok. I had an open schedule for other Church activities, at the same time working as an architect and a part-time commercial model. I wanted to show God that in spite of all my responsibilities to my family, I would still devote most of my time to my sacred duties. I became president of the KADIWA organization, a choir member, and I’m now learning to be a teacher for the Children’s Worship Service.

     In Bangkok, I was able to share the faith to my Thai friends and relatives. The committee prayer groups in Bangkok started in the 1970s, but it was only in 1995 when the locale had a resident minister. This was when all the locale organizations, especially the Children’s Worship Service, were formed.

     There is no greater joy than sharing the faith to others especially to one’s immediate family. The first fruit of my efforts was my mother, Loida Garcia Manipol. She was baptized on December 27, 1994 in Bangkok. I am also happy that my two sisters, Maritess and Marizel, have finished their Bible studies on doctrines. My youngest sister, Marizel, is very much interested to be a Thai interpreter for the Children’s Worship Service. She is now a member of the Children’s choir.

     Since I became a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, I realized that the value of earthy wealth and power is nothing when compared to that of attaining salvation.

     I wish to express my deep gratitude to my best friend, Sister Nathalie Venzon and the Daludado family; my Uncle Ruben,  his family, and my family for the continual advice, comforts, and prayers; Brother Marlon Galicia and his family for their love and inspiration; the English choir members of Baguio City who all inspired me during my first worship service; Brother Jun Falsario who taught me the doctrines of the Church; Brother Noel De Leon for the teaching my mother the words of God; our resident minister, Brother Manuel Jatulan, for guiding me to become a more steadfast officer, and for teaching me how to love my sacred duties. Most of all, I thank our loving God Almighty for brightening up my life and for calling me to be among His blessed ones to be saved on Christ’s second coming.

 

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Source: God's Message

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