Imagine reaching families in your community, changed individuals
economically empowered, transformed and enhance to serve the purposes of God...
Imagine our youth... drug free... in school
living as 'the hope of the motherland'
Imagine our Children... living to their full potential
we invite you to a conference, WE INVITE YOU TO ENGAGE
ENGAGE CONFERENCE @ EASTWOOD
MAIN FACILITATOR: DR. MEL LUNA
(Professor of Community Development, University of the Philippines)
Special Number: Bro. Romi Valle
AGOSTO 31, 2009 1PM
ICITE Center (Informatics), Orchard Rd.
Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City
topics and program for community
o LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM: MICRO FRANCHISING & MICRO FINANCE
o YOUTH CENTER/ Student Ministry
o SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUTH /OSY
o PRESCHOOL / ALS PROGRAM
o COMPUTER /IT EDUCATION
To reserve Text you name to; 0909-1338045 (SMART /TalkNTxt); 0905-7348848 (GLOBE / TM), or email to: myrefuge@ymail.com
Registration Fee: P100.00
In cooperation with; BALIKATAN Peoples Alliance, VOC, PCEC Youth Commission, Eastwood City (ECEA), Informatics, Philippine Children Ministries Network
For inquiry Call: 6870048 local 14294 (Ms. Elizabeth) 7105994 (Obet))
You may visit: volunteersofchrist.multiply.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
ENGAGE - Community Enhancement Conference
ENGAGE - Community Enhancement Conference @ EastwoodReach the maximum number of people; in schools, communities and market place.
Facilitate Transformation in Your City through Holistic, Relevant and Life Changing Programs.
CONFERENCE FEATURE:
Emerging Social Enterprise
Micro Franchising & Market Place Community
Raise the New Breed of Entrepreneurs
Empleyadong Negosyante at mga Estudyanteng Negosyante
Educational Scholarship for Youth
Microfinance in Church & Community
Youth Center in Schools and Colleges (SDEC)
Monday, August 31, 2009 1pm
ICITE auditorium (Informatics), Orchard Rd. Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City
Emerging Social Enterprise
Micro Franchising & Market Place Community
Raise the New Breed of Entrepreneurs
Empleyadong Negosyante at mga Estudyanteng Negosyante
Educational Scholarship for Youth
Microfinance in Church & Community
Youth Center in Schools and Colleges (SDEC)
Monday, August 31, 2009 1pm
ICITE auditorium (Informatics), Orchard Rd. Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City
Registration: You may pay your registration fee to Banco De Oro Cash Card 5267-2700-0288-7947 on or before August 21, 2009, text your name & bank deposit reference number to cell phone# 0909-1338045 or email to: myrefuge@ymail.com
Conference Objective: Enhance the Capacity of Organizations for Transformational Development through Holistic Project and Programs
for more info contact:
cell phone# 0909-1338045
or email to: myrefuge@ymail.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
PASSION - YOUTH FACTOR 2,
PASSIONYOUTH FACTOR 2,
A Christian Youth Conference with Praise and Worship Celebration
April 17, 2009 8:00 a.m -6:00 p.m.at Jesus Christ Saves Global Outreach (JCSGO)Seed Dome located at 15th ave. Cubao Q.C.
(cor P. Tuazon- near Ali mall / Pag-ibig Office)
Speakers:
Bishop Jonel Milan (DZAS Councilor)
Bro. Chino Trinidad (Commissioner, Phil. Sports Commission)
Ptr. Willie Basilio (DZas Councilor)
&
Atty. Joe Villanueva
Worship Celebration to be led by Ptr. Rommel Guevarra and Musicians on Fire
For inquiries, PCEC office look for Sis. Lhovey @ 913-16-55
or call/txt Ptr. Ronnie Astrologo at 09194802802
tickets is only 75 Php.
tickets available at PCBS, PBS,& PCEC office....
Saturday, 7 February, 2009 10:49 PM
YOUTH FACTOR 2,
Kuha na kayo ng tiket!!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I'm a Lady Surgeon and I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer - I survived
Testimony from Dr. Rio Manipol- BarralesIt has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
Dr Rio Barrales will share her testimony and will give seminar this Feb 28, 2009 1-5 pm @ Imperial Suite Palace, Timog Cor. Tomas Morato, Quezon City Philippines, together with 2 resource speakers from USA Edward Calle and Michael Carillo for details call 9524103 or text 0910-4349774
more info click HERE
Story of a CANCER SURVIVOR, this may help you/your love ones with illnesses
Testimony from Dr. Rio Manipol- Barrales
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
Dr Rio Barrales will share her testimony and will give seminar this Feb 28, 2009 1-5 pm @ Imperial Suite Palace, Timog Cor. Tomas Morato, Quezon City Philippines, together with 2 resource speakers from USA Edward Calle and Michael Carillo for details call 9524103 or text 0910-4349774
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
Dr Rio Barrales will share her testimony and will give seminar this Feb 28, 2009 1-5 pm @ Imperial Suite Palace, Timog Cor. Tomas Morato, Quezon City Philippines, together with 2 resource speakers from USA Edward Calle and Michael Carillo for details call 9524103 or text 0910-4349774
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Testimony from Dr. Rio Manipol- Barrales
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
Dr Rio Barrales will share her testimony and will give seminar this Feb 28, 2009 1-5 pm @ Imperial Suite Palace, Timog Cor. Tomas Morato, Quezon City Philippines, together with 2 resource speakers from USA Edward Calle and Michael Carillo for details call 9524103 or text 0910-4349774
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
Dr Rio Barrales will share her testimony and will give seminar this Feb 28, 2009 1-5 pm @ Imperial Suite Palace, Timog Cor. Tomas Morato, Quezon City Philippines, together with 2 resource speakers from USA Edward Calle and Michael Carillo for details call 9524103 or text 0910-4349774
I was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer - Dr Rio Manipol Barrales
Testimony from Dr. Rio Manipol- Barrales
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
for more info visit volunteersofchrist.multiply.com
Date Posted: Dec. 27, 2008
It has been a year now since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had felt a lump on my breast and immediately went to a hospital for a mammogram. The results revealed uncertainty so I asked a colleague to do a biopsy on Nov. 27, 2007. A week after, I received a call from my surgeon that devastated me: it was Cancer, and I must go through surgery. I was being overcome with fear as people I know and patients I had seen suffering from this ordeal came to my remembrance one by one.
It was extremely difficult for me during those times because as a doctor, I have all the head knowledge of what a cancer patient goes through. It was too difficult that my mind was almost exploding as I saw myself as the patient undergoing the suffering and going through conventional treatment. Bob, my husband, was with me when the Laboratory person handed me the results. Seeing how troubled I was, he immediately hugged and surrounded me with words of assurance of the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Continual proclamation and declaration of God’s Words touched the very core of my inner being, and slowly I was being comforted. He called for prayer and intercession for my healing from friends around the world that we believed reached the highest throne in heaven petitioning me for His higher purpose. Mortality had become very real to me then, and at the same time I could not help thinking about my family and my kids and what would become of them if I should go. In my heart, I felt that it would be good to be with the Lord forever. But every time I saw the face of my firstborn and how innocent my other three kids were, my heart just melted. On the night before my scheduled surgery, I was as devastated as I told my children that “Mommy would be gone for a while and be on duty.”
I had asked the Lord then if He was indeed going to take me already. As I was not getting an immediate answer, I took time to wait upon Him and kept my pace slow. Three women ministers from my church came to the house the night I was going to be admitted to the hospital. All my relatives also rushed to see and prayed for me. I felt as if the Lord had sent me His immediate response, saying, “Here are my emissaries to prepare you to wear the whole armor of God.”
Yet Confusion and Fear were the devil’s way of trying to put me down. I asked for wisdom on what specific treatment I should undergo, and I was being pressured with the advice of my colleagues that I should immediately undergo the usual treatment. My heart, however, was crying out that there was something different for me, that this happened for a purpose and I was going to pursue what it was.
Being diagnosed with Cancer is just like being sentenced to be in death row. The big Why’s were constantly creeping at my mind: Why did I get this life-threatening disease? I thought I was athletic enough, following a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a prestigious surgical practice, staying connected with God, doing ministry in health and education. So why me?
Then I began evaluating myself and asked the Lord in what areas of my life I had failed Him. I believed that there is always a purpose why things happen. We may not realize it immediately, but as we begin putting our trust in God, everything becomes clear, it is as if a curtain is slowly being drawn by itself, unveiling what was at first hidden.
As I was waiting for the schedule of my major operation, that is MRM ( modified radical mastectomy), at 6 am last Dec. 11, 2007, Bob started interceding again and asked for prayers in the intercessors group and my church pastoral staff until I was already in the operating room. Everything was all set. I had pre- operative clearance, I had a wonderful team composed of two former Professors of mine in Surgery, my Anesthesiologist, my Internist, and the whole batch of my classmates in Medicine were there to lend their support. You would think that I was in good hands, but I knew that anything can happen when one is under anesthesia. I was debating in my inner spirits whether to go for the surgery or not because I know the course and the costs of treatment. But I resigned myself into the hand of our loving God with the full assurance that He will take charge of me.
Then something unexpected happened. While I was under anesthesia and my professor surgeon was about to cut me, my heart beat began to be irregular and went into arrhythmia. For me this was sign that the Lord was there and he heard my cries. My professor immediately declared to defer the surgery.
It was I believe at that very same moment that Bob was in the midst of His intercession and he saw the Lord in a vision. The Lord’s hand was touching my head, and Bob saw a plastic bag floating in the air which contained tissues and blood. He was never fearful when the operating room nurse called him to come down to the operating room, where my surgeon told him that the surgery was being deferred. Bob had inner peace that it was a message that meant I was already healed.
At the recovery room, I was told that they deferred the surgery and they were in awe of what had happened. Truly God is amazing, showing wonders at His appointed times! I knew that I knew even at that point that there was something different for me, and I continually asked the Lord to please show it to me. I was sent for further work up of the heart, but no abnormalities were found. My schedule for surgery was postponed further for other lab works, until my scheduled flight to U.S. came. As a matter of courtesy, I had asked to seek for second opinion, and my professor promptly recommended me to go to New York Cancer Center, where he referred me to his classmate. My heart was set, however, to go to California instead. It was Christmas time last year that the whole family spent the whole Christmas Eve in prayer for direction on what to do. It was a huge shock to the family that I was the one who got this ailment. Some times we think of things that we know is good, but the thoughts of the Lord are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. I was blessed with the support of my family that they sent me to the U.S. to seek a second opinion and treatment. With me were my youngest son, 5-year-old son Daniel and my mother. I looked at my stay there as Parking for a while and taking time to hear the voice of God.
It was an abrupt change in my lifestyle - from busyness to such slow pace, change in diet to Naturals and organics. I learned to take time to feel the breeze, enjoy nature’s wonders, even walking barefoot in the grass during early mornings, and these brought tremendous healing to my being.
It was during those times that I felt I was in the hallow of His Hand, and the Lord poured forth His Love, mercy and provision. I began to undergo the usual screening procedures again, and after thorough follow up, I was scheduled for mastectomy for proper staging and treatment. Praise God the result of my surgery body scanning confirms the message I had earlier received that I am already healed! Neither metastasis nor lymph nodes were affected. I underwent an integrative approach of management for cancer without chemotherapy and radiation. The Lord brought people in my path that paved the way for my immediate recovery. This journey has truly brought forth a lifetime teaching of Love, forgiveness and submission that means total resting in the Lord.
Meanwhile, I really missed my three kids, who were left in Manila. I had asked Bob if he could come and be with me during the surgery, and we prayed about it. In the natural it was very hard for them financially, but God in His mercy gave the desire of my heart. And to my delight, my whole family spent three precious months together in a big house that a friend owns. Initially we rented it for a minimal amount, but later my friend allowed us to use the house free of charge. There were times when we experienced something like Elijah’s story, wherein food was being brought by a raven each morning.
I have met a lot of people who have the same pains as mine, and as a survivor I know now the joy that each day brings. It took a brush with death for me to be able to appreciate the time of togetherness with our family, and I feel like I can safely make some long term goals and am able to keep them. It is a far cry from where I was at this time last year. The Word of the Lord immediately comes in to remind me, “Whose report should you believe, but the report of the Lord!”
When I began to scan and review my journal, I saw that it was this same month of the year 2007 that I fulfilled my fig tree vow and now I have received the harvest of my health.
I am really so blessed and grateful to our Lord that during those difficult times my husband became God’s mouthpiece for me to be able to hear immediately God’s loud voice that says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
To live each day at a time and to be able to ask GOD, “WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND BE CLOSER TO YOU TODAY?”
Thanks for my family, friends, pastor and the church for their continual support and prayers.
for more info visit volunteersofchrist.multiply.com
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