God brought me to this country and led me to Lake Avenue Church for a good purpose in an unplanned and unexpected way.
As a foreigner, not knowing anything about immigration laws, I went to my brother’s lawyer who had previously worked on his papers when he and his family immigrated, but little did I know that once the fee was in his hand, he would not care about and would do nothing to help promote my immigration status. He did not even care to extend my visitor’s visa which would leave me blacklisted and become stuck in the United States. I couldn’t move forward with my immigration, and I couldn’t return to my home country. Although it was not my fault, the tremendous frustration I felt never left me as I was now in the category of being an illegal alien! I blamed myself for my ignorance concerning the immigration laws. This went on for six long years—that was 30 years ago. Unlike Joseph who was sold to Egypt, I was sent to America, in good faith, by God and my family.
Since I came to California, I never stopped going to church. It was like a shelter in the time of storm.
"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Isaiah 40:3
I was looking to be spiritually nourished. Although I had been a Christian for many years, I felt spiritually dehydrated-or spiritually dead. God knew my heart was craving for spiritual growth. After 10 years of searching, in what seemed to be a “desert experience”, God led me to LAC through my niece. That was September, 1995.
The moment I entered the Worship Center, my whole perspective totally changed. Psalm 23:1-3 now applied to my life.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green Pasture; He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul.” - Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord literally restored my soul. I felt revived and refreshed. The music at Lake was very inviting and the message so captivating. I profusely thanked God inside saying, “Lord, I thank you for giving me this spiritual home.” I became a member of the Mariners Class after two months, and officially a member of Lake Avenue Church within two years. The first ministry I was involved in was the Prison Ministry—something I longed to do back in the Philippines. However, there was no opportunity for me to do so.
“For I know the plans I have for you, ’declares the Lord,’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen.” - Jeremiah 29:11-12
Prosperity in God’s term comes in many forms. Mine was basically on the spiritual providential way. After a few months of attending LAC, the Lord gently revealed His purpose behind why I was stranded. It was in a profoundly clear way. He knew I dreaded to be here undocumented but He did it anyhow. This was the only way to keep me here. During those six years of being stranded, I kept on questioning God but received no answer. Upon realizing it was His plan, I was humbled and ashamed of so many complaints.
As the days went by, He opened doors for me to join some activities in the church like short-term missions, retreats, fun trips, and opportunities for volunteering services and other opportunities.
At the time, I had invited a young neighbor who had just graduated from the Teen Challenge program, to Lighthouse Men’s Recovery – a halfway house for men who had just been released from prison. When I introduced this young man to see if they would take him into the program, I also asked if they needed help. I soon became a volunteer for them, helping in the office. I stayed with them for seven years. Soon after that, the leader of this organization started the Prison Ministry at Lake. Although I didn't know it at the time, God put everything together to place me at Lake.
So I began helping with LAC's Prison Ministry along with other ministries, Crafts for A Cause and Joyful Sounds. I want to help wherever I could. For the past 15 years, I have helped with stuffing the Worship Folder every Friday morning.
I began attending Morning Break – I had never invested time into going to a Bible study and through that time I fell more and more in love with my Creator. Through prayer, fellowship and studying with the women I experienced so many blessings. I also enjoyed attending Global Connections. This ministry invites Lake International Staff to come and update us on how God is working all over the world. Where I felt most drawn was giving my time to those in distress or going through difficulties. With His strength and patience, God granted me many opportunities to give certain individuals my time. I am very thankful for that.
Five years ago when I visited the Philippines, God put in on my heart to do something for the abandoned and orphaned children who live in cemeteries. We immediately started a program that helps feed and teach the Bible to about 60 children. I hope and pray that I can continue to be used in this program even more, so that these children can be taken care of physically and spiritually.
As I head back to the Philippines, my season here is over and the time has come for us to part ways. All of you whom I have come to know and love will forever be close and dear to my heart. Farewell, my dearly beloved friends. May the Lord keep you ‘til we meet again, if not here, then on the other ”shore.” With deepest affection and love, All for and to His Glory!
If you would like to find out more about serving visit us online at https://www.lakeave.org/serve