Overbooked flight to Vietnam, he gave up his seat for others -- in return, God upgraded his flight!

"YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN"

There's always a point in our lives where we don't want the mundane things and we would like to break free from the endless routine we are in. God promises us that our lives with Him will be full of excitement and joy as long as we obey what He asks us to do.

Pastor James Capuno became one of the IT missionaries as he decided to have a life that would be different from his ordinary life. Aside from being a pastor, he also has a stable job and works every weekday. Then when he least expected it, a scheduled Access 1 Training in San Pablo, Laguna was the start of the 'change' he was looking for. Pastor James didn't want to attend at first because he had to go to work on that day, but everything had been paid for by his church already, so he ended up attending the training. During the training, Pastor Gani Sison, IT Executive Director, said something that changed Pastor James' life. "Your life will never be the same again," said Pastor Gani. When Pastor James heard it, it was very spot on. He had a life where it has become routine, and everything is comfortable and easy, but he felt that something is missing. "Your life would be exciting when you go on missions," added Pastor Gani. After hearing those words, Pastor James suddenly felt the burning desire in his heart to commit as a missionary.

In September 2017, there was a Cutting Edge, Leadership Conference in Vietnam, and Pastor James signed up to join the conference. It was the evening of his flight and while he was at the check-in counter, the check-in officer told him that the flight had been overbooked, and hence if he would be willing to give up his seat. He was more than willing to give up his seat since he still had a few extra days before the conference started. The check-in officer needed four more people to give up their seats on that same flight, so he called some of the IT missionaries, but he managed to ask only two people because most of them were inside the waiting area already.

Because of their consideration toward others, the airlines booked them to a four-star hotel for the night with free meals, exclusive pick-up service back and forth from the airport to the hotel and they got complimentary round-trip tickets anywhere in Asia, which were later used by Pastor James when he went to Japan. The next day, he thought they were going to take the same budget airline, but they were upgraded to a high-class airline. They were so pleased because of the non-stop favors from God. Pastor James was ecstatic because at the beginning of his journey his life had changed completely. God showed him the things He can do for him, and Pastor James believes God can do more. That even when he was only at the airport, because he believed, God proved to him right away that he will experience more extraordinary things from then on.

He and the other two missionaries arrived in Vietnam safely and were so blessed to have joined the Cutting-Edge Leadership Conference. After the conference, his itinerary was to go to Cambodia to learn more about the culture there. As he stayed for a few days in Cambodia, he enjoyed serving the less fortunate people, teaching them about the love of God, the English language, and proper hygiene. He couldn't contain the happiness he felt in his heart. It was his first time going on missions and he felt fulfilled. The void in his heart was filled with great joy the moment he shared the Word of God with other people, serving them and loving them just as much God loves him.

Pastor James has more great stories to share about how God used him mightily in other countries. He truly thanked the Lord for leading him from an ordinary to an extraordinary life. Everything that God said became real and it was something Pastor James never thought could happen. Pastor James praised the Lord with his whole heart. God is so marvelous! He is omniscient; He knows all things. He is omnipresent, everywhere at all times. He is the God who is worthy of all our praises and thanksgiving. Glory to God! The One and only God!

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

(Written by: Venus Jablo)