God Honors Even a Reluctant Heart and Multiplies Miracles from a Simple “Yes”

By Rondon Fragata

He almost said “No.” He had to shell out P500 for a training he did not understand, on a morning he would have otherwise spent lying in bed. God turned one ordinary morning into the beginning of a journey beyond his wildest dreams.

A ₱500 Obstacle, a Reluctant “Yes,” and an Ordinary Beginning

August 24, 2023 started like any ordinary day in San Guillermo, Isabela. I had no idea it would mark the beginning of God’s greater plan for my life.

A week before, we had a concert crusade. After the concert, we stayed at AGIMI Church in Didipio. During our stay, there was a training called “Access 1.” Honestly, I had no idea what it was all about.

On that fateful morning, at around 9 AM, while I was lying in bed, Sister Gemma walked into the room and said, “Pastor, mag-Access 1 ka.” (Pastor, go attend the Access 1 training.)

My immediate response was: “Walang pera.” (No money.)

The ₱500 registration fee felt like an obstacle because we still needed money for my trip back to Bambang, so every peso mattered. But Sister Gemma offered to cover part of the fee and with the unexpected provision, I said “Yes.”

During the seminar, I barely understood anything because my mindset back then was that my involvement in local missions was enough.

I never imagined that God was preparing me for something bigger.

The training ended, and the next day, August 25, I went home to Bambang, thinking nothing of it at all. Life went back to normal, or so I thought. But looking back now, I realized that moment was not ordinary at all.

That simple “yes” became the starting point of my international ministry journey.

Sometimes, God begins His greatest plans in moments we do not fully understand. What feels small today may become the doorway to your calling tomorrow.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21

A Casual Text Message that Opened International Doors

January 7, 2024 — 10:38 PM. I remember this date and time vividly. It will forever be etched in my ministry, as it became one of the unexpected moments that changed my ministry journey.

After finishing Access 1 in August 2023, I returned home thinking it was just another seminar experience. I never imagined that a few months later, God would open the door for international missions.

The message from Ate Charity read:

“Hello Pas

Prepare ur passport po”

(Hello Pastor, please prepare your passport.)

I was shocked.

At that time, I barely knew anything about Internationational Teams’ Global Mission Center (GMC), and honestly, I didn’t have much interest yet in international ministry. Everything happened so suddenly. But even without fully understanding it, I still answered, “Yes, Ate.”

Originally, the plan was for Singapore and Malaysia around May, but God redirected the journey. By July 2024, I was already traveling to Bangkok, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Even while I was already there, it still did not fully sink in to me that this was really happening. From having a mindset of “local mission is enough,” God slowly expanded my vision into the nations.

With virtually no money, this early experience in international missions became a lifelong anchor: When God calls, He provides. He often strips us of our financial safety nets so we can finally learn what it means to depend entirely on Him.

In Pattaya, Thailand, I completed Access 2 and became a fully trained missionary.

Looking back now, I realized that Access 1 in 2023 was not just an ordinary seminar. It was the beginning of obedience, faith, and God’s greater purpose for my life.

One message.

One invitation.

One simple “yes.”

And God changed the direction of my journey.

“Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Miracles Multiplied with Only ₱900

As the months rolled on, the assignments grew bolder.

On September 8, 2024 at 2:11 PM, Ate Charity sent me another message that would once again challenge my faith.

She asked, “Nov 26- 30, kaya ba to pas?” (Is this feasible, Pastor?)

Without hesitation, I replied, “Yes Ate, kayang-kaya.” (Yes, sister. It can be done.)

Then I asked, “Anong destination tayo Ate?” (What’s our destination?)

And she responded, “Hong Kong, Pastor.”

Honestly, I thought Thailand and Cambodia would be my last international flights for a while. But when Ate Charity chatted me again, I still chose to say “yes”.

As our Hong Kong trip approached, I only had ₱900 in my pocket.

When we arrived at Clark International Airport, I spent ₱500 for a SIM card and around ₱200 for water and small expenses with my companion. After that, I was left with just nearly ₱200 before boarding the plane.

Imagine flying to another country carrying only ₱200 and faith.

Unknown to me, some people had already sent support to my bank account, but during that time, I didn’t even check or use it yet. God was already providing even before I realized it.

While we were in Hong Kong, I used my ATM card many times, but sometimes there was no available balance yet. One moment I will never forget was when I used my ATM card at a train station even without knowing if there were enough funds left — yet somehow, it still worked.

That trip taught me something powerful:

Sometimes, God allows you to step out with almost nothing so you can fully see that everything depends on Him.

After our seminar in Hong Kong, my companion suddenly said, “Punta tayong Macau.” (Let’s go to Macau.)

It was one of those unexpected barkada (group of friends) moments—very sudden and unplanned—but we still went to Macau without over thinking the time, budget, or situation.

Looking back now, I realize that many of my international mission journeys started with uncertainty, limited finances, and simple obedience. But every time I said yes, God continued to prove His faithfulness.

I traveled with little money, but I carried a big God.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

From Isolated to Shared Journey

What began as an isolated journey was never meant to stop with me. God’s blessings are never meant to be hoarded and true faith always multiplies. Somewhere along that journey, in the middle of Hong Kong, I prayed a quiet prayer: “Lord, one day, let my churchmates experience what I am experiencing now.”

God did not forget that prayer.

After our Hong Kong mission trip, we had our Access 1 training again together with our GMC leaders. After the training, our leader asked everyone to stay back and eat together. Most of the participants had already gone home. While we were eating together, Ate Charity suddenly made an announcement that caught all of us off guard ― the ones who stayed would be joining the next mission trip, this time to Singapore and Malaysia. Abraham, Rachel, Jerwin, Ranran, Jigger, and I would go together.

Watching my churchmates step into the same kind of obedience I once stepped into was one of the happiest moments of this whole journey. What I once experienced alone in Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Macau, God allowed my fellow churchmates to experience too in Singapore and Malaysia.

That moment reminded me that God’s blessings are not meant to stop with us. Sometimes, God lets us experience something first so we can later bring others with us.

Seeing my churchmates travel, serve, and experience international ministry became one of the happiest moments of my journey. It was proof that God not only answers personal prayers—He also allows us to witness answered prayers for others.

From one person saying yes, God started moving through an entire group.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” — Ephesians 3:20

Unexpected Doors Open

Not long after, God opened another unexpected door in 2025: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What once felt impossible for me became another testimony of God’s faithfulness. From local missions to Southeast Asia, and now to the Middle East, I saw how God continued to expand my vision step by step.

My trip to Dubai was not only for travel or tourism. It became part of my mission exposure—a chance to witness different cultures, meet people from different nations, and see how God is moving even outside the Philippines.

Looking back, I thought back to the days when paying ₱500 for Access 1 felt impossible. I remembered traveling with only ₱200 and faith during our Hong Kong trip. I remembered saying “yes” even when I had no assurance except God.

And now, God allowed me to step into Dubai.

Every nation I visited became a reminder that God can bring ordinary people into extraordinary places when they are willing to obey His call.

Thailand taught me surrender.

Cambodia taught me faith.

Hong Kong taught me dependence on God.

Macau taught me boldness.

Singapore and Malaysia showed me answered prayers for others.

And Dubai reminded me that God is still not finished with my story.

This journey was never about money, status, or ability.

It was always about one thing:

A simple “yes” to God.

“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” — Psalm 121:8

A Season of Fulfilled Prayers and New Horizons

When I look back at the journey God has brought me through, I realize that He does not only open doors—He also fulfills prayers in His perfect timing.

During our mission trip in Singapore and Malaysia, I remember praying a simple but deep desire in my heart:

“Lord, one day, I want to be with my Senior Pastor in the field.”

At that time, it felt like a distant prayer—something I couldn’t fully imagine happening soon. But God heard it.

In November 2025, that prayer was answered.

Just after returning from Dubai in the first week of November, another door opened unexpectedly. By the third week of November, we were already flying again—this time to Bali, Indonesia.

It felt like God was accelerating seasons, moving us from one assignment to another without delay.

What amazed me most was not just the travel itself, but the realization that I was no longer just watching my leaders from a distance. I was now walking alongside them—serving, learning, and being part of the same mission fields I once only prayed to enter.

Every flight, every nation, and every assignment became a reminder that God was faithfully building my journey step by step. Nothing was random. Even the timing of rest, departure, and sudden calls were all aligned with His purpose.

Looking back, I see how God was shaping me through every season:

From obedience in small things, to faith in lack, to boldness in the unknown,

and now to partnership in ministry.

And in all of these, one truth remained constant:

God was not just bringing me to nations—He was also forming my heart along the way.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6

God Expands the Circle of His Promise

By March 2026, I found myself praying again. This time, it was not for myself but for more people to be added to this journey:

“Lord, don’t let it just be the same people with me in the field. Add more.”

It was a prayer born from gratitude, but also from a deep desire to see more lives experience what God has been doing in our journey.

That prayer was answered in Taipei where two of my church members joined me in Taipei for a conference.

What once started as a personal “yes” to God slowly became a shared journey with others. The same God who first called me into missions was now also opening doors for my fellow church members to step into international exposure, ministry, and growth.

God was expanding not just the territory, but the people involved in the calling.

I remember thinking, “Lord, this is exactly what I prayed for.”

Not just travel. Not just experience. But multiplication.

Seeing them in another nation, attending the conference, learning, and growing in their own faith reminded me that God’s plans are never limited to one person. When He calls, He also multiplies.

And in that moment, I realized something powerful:

God was not only taking me to nations—He was also using my journey to bring others with me.

“The things which you have heard from me… commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2

God Who Establishes, Sends, and Fulfills His Promise

Looking back at everything that God has done, I can only stand in awe of His faithfulness. What started as a simple “yes” has now become a journey beyond what I ever imagined.

In this season, God opened a new assignment for me internationally—being appointed by International Teams as the Music Director of the Joshua Rising Band. This was not something I planned or nor worked for on my own. It was God’s orchestration through different people, seasons, and obedience.

Through this calling, God also allowed me to serve in different nations—not only as a traveler, but as a servant in worship and ministry. I had the privilege to play instruments and serve in worship in countries like Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and also serve as a technical team member in Taiwan.

Every nation carried a different lesson, but the same presence of God. Whether on stage, behind instruments, or serving in technical support, I saw how God can use willing hands anywhere in the world.

And above all, I give all the glory to God alone.

Every flight, every nation, every opportunity, every breakthrough—it was never about me. It was always about Him.

I also remember one specific moment in August 2024, when Ate Charity entrusted me with an amount to help me buy a motorcycle as part of my journey. Even that simple provision became a reminder that God cares not only for ministry, but also for practical needs in life. Nothing in this journey was too small for His attention.

From uncertainty to assignment,

from lack to provision,

from a simple yes to global ministry—

God has been faithful all along.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” — Psalm 115:1

Acknowledgments

I give all glory, honor, and thanksgiving to God, who called me, sustained me, provided for me, and faithfully fulfilled every promise in His perfect timing. This journey exists only because of His grace. I want to give my deepest gratitude to the One who fulfills His promises—God alone, who never failed me even in seasons of uncertainty

To AGIMI Church, Didipio, thank you for becoming a place where God opened doors, shaped my calling, and began many of the turning points in my ministry journey.

To Sister Gemma, thank you for your obedience to God and for believing in me from the beginning. Your simple invitation to join Access 1 became one of the key turning points of my life and ministry. I will always be grateful for your support and encouragement.

To Ate Charity Inway, thank you for your guidance, trust, financial support, and for being an instrument of God in opening international doors in my life. Your life has been a channel of blessing and direction in this journey.

To Kuya Johny, thank you for your support, encouragement, and for standing with me during uncertain seasons. God used your life to strengthen my faith.

God used you as channels of provision, guidance, and encouragement when I had no clear understanding of what was ahead. Even in moments of doubt, God gave me peace and a reason to smile.

To my Senior Pastor, thank you for your unwavering support, spiritual covering, leadership, prayers, and continuous support. Your guidance has been a foundation in my growth in ministry and service.

To all my church mates and fellow workers in ministry from Access 1 until now—those who prayed, supported, traveled, and served together with me—thank you. This journey was never meant to be walked alone.

To everyone who supported me financially, spiritually, and behind the scenes, thank you for being part of this calling even when your names are not always mentioned. Through your finances, prayers, encouragement, and unseen sacrifices—this journey is also your testimony.

And to all the nations and ministries I have served with—through worship, music, and technical service in Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and beyond—thank you for being part of what God is doing.

All glory belongs to God alone.

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your name give glory.” — Psalm 115:1

Written by : SRamirez