"MY FATHER IS RICH!"
Bishop Fernando “Ding” Brimbuela found his path in Christ in 1987. Even back then he had desired to go on missions especially to go to Taiwan. It didn’t happen right away, but God’s plan is perfect and with those moments He made Himself known to him. God plans and governs all things. The reason God knows the future is because He plans and accomplishes the future.
Bishop Ding had been on short-term missions in other countries. However, the moment he joined the International Teams Philippines, a mission-sending organization, he experienced something extraordinary. He was first invited to join IT by Pastor Levi Matiga back then in 2016, but he was reluctant. Then a few years later, he was invited again by a friend to join the Access 1 Training. He was convinced so he joined.
After his Access 1 Training, Bishop Ding signed up for the cross-cultural mission trip to Malaysia. His journey of faith through IT didn’t end there. It was just the beginning of his extraordinary experiences in the mission field.
Bishop Ding planned to go to Japan, but unfortunately, his visa application got denied. For that very reason, he didn't feel like going on any mission trips that year. Then IT announced that there would be a Cutting-Edge Leadership Conference in Taiwan. Going to Taiwan has been his desire, so he was contemplating whether he should go or not. Bishop Ding prayed, “Lord if it is your will then I could go to Taiwan. However, I don’t want to pay for my ticket, instead please use someone to pay for my ticket and that person would approach me.” Bishop Ding had a very specific prayer. As the Thursday Fellowship came, he was reluctant to attend, but a friend urged him.
During the fellowship, the IT staff were handing out some forms needed for those who are joining the conference. He didn’t want to fill out the form because he didn’t have a ticket yet, and it was impossible to get one because it would be very expensive. After all, the travel date is near. He thought if someone would purchase his ticket, that person would have purchased it already when it was only around 7,000 pesos. At that time, it would be around 18,000 pesos and no one would buy it for him because it was pricey. He stood up and went to the washroom and when others asked him whether he would participate in the Cutting-Edge Leadership Conference in Taiwan he was only giving them a non-committal response.
When he sat on his seat, someone tapped him on his shoulder and said, “The Lord told me to buy you a ticket to Taiwan”. Bishop Ding was extremely happy that he jumped out of his chair because he couldn't contain his joy as he heard it. He immediately filled out the form and couldn’t contain the excitement he felt.
On the day of his departure, he didn’t have a lot of pocket money with him, but after what God did for him, he was more confident and expected that God would show His favor upon him. His money wasn’t enough for him to stay longer in Taiwan nor could give him the luxury to eat good food. But when he arrived in Taiwan, he met a friend there, and he was referred to stay in a fancy house. He didn’t have to pay for his stay and even his meals were prepared for him. Before he left Taiwan, someone gave him some pocket money, and Bishop Ding was truly amazed by what the Lord did on that trip. After his trip to Taiwan, God’s overflowing blessings on Bishop Ding continued. He went to Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, and other countries, and everything he needed was provided for him. He met men and women of peace who would cater to his needs.
Because of God’s favor upon him, other people thought he was wealthy by going to different countries and staying in nice accommodations. As a matter of fact, Bishop Ding is rich because His Father in Heaven is rich, He is the King of Kings, and He owns everything in this world!
Having no money is no longer an excuse to go on missions because we all know that God always provides for His children. It is Him who gets all the glory as He sends His children to be a blessing to different nations. He gives them what they need and all they have to do is obey and trust that He is a good, good Father.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(Written by: Venus Jablo)