"WHO AM I THAT YOU WOULD GIVE SIGNIFICANCE IN MY LIFE?"
Pastor James Capuno, an IT missionary, had truly enjoyed his time in Cambodia serving the less fortunate people and sharing the Word of God. It may be just for a short time, but it was very meaningful. "I had a great career but no peace, however when I do missions, my heart is overjoyed" Pastor James stated. He felt the certainty that God had really called him to go on missions. His next destination was Thailand. They met one of the missionaries there who was ministering to those who were locked up in the jails of Thailand.
Pastor James with the rest of the group went to visit one of the jails in Thailand. "It wasn't that easy," he commented. There were fifteen of them but not everyone could go inside and sadly, he was one of those who couldn't go in. Only a few people were allowed to go inside and before going in, they had to follow some rules and fill out some forms. As Pastor James was left outside, he earnestly prayed "Lord, I really want to go inside and to minister to others." Then a little while later, a middle eastern lad around the age of twenty came up to him and asked, "Do you want to go inside to minister?" Pastor James answered cheerfully, "Yes! I want to go inside and be a channel of blessings." The lad had a plastic bag filled with food and he requested if Pastor James could go inside instead of him and give the food to his sister who was inside the jail. "I will give you the prison number of my sister" the lad added as he gave his ID pass to Pastor James. He filled out the form with the prison number of the lad's sister as the person he's going to visit inside. The food was not directly given to the prisoners by the visitors so Pastor James handed it to one of the jail guards for inspection and they will be the ones who will pass it to the prisoners.
As he went inside, he described the place as a huge gymnasium that was divided into two sides and had barbed wires fences that separate the visitors and the prisoners. He could see people from different nations praying for the prisoners and it was very loud. Pastor James gave the prison number to the guard; then a few moments later a beautiful lady with middle eastern features approached him. They started talking and she told Pastor James about her story and how she ended up in jail with her family. Her name is Diana, and she is from Pakistan. She and her family are Christians. When she stayed with her uncle and aunt, their neighbors spied on them and resented them for being Christians. Her uncle was burning some ordinary paper in their backyard but one of their neighbors accused him of burning the Koran and reported them to the police officers. His uncle was imprisoned and beheaded, and her aunt was taken as well and was physically abused by men. Diana and her parents with her younger brother managed to escape from Pakistan by boat. It was a very life-threatening journey for them. There were storms and when they stopped for a while in some uninhabited islands, they could have encountered wild animals. Finally, they have reached Thailand. However, they didn't have proper visas and overstayed in Thailand hence they were detained.
Pastor James could see that regardless of what happened in her life she didn't see the sadness in her eyes. Diana was still happy because she has faith that God will make a way for them and even though they are in prison, she could be with her family, and she could declare her faith without being persecuted. As Pastor James was listening to her story, he couldn't help but cry. He encouraged her that "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose". He prayed for her and both of them were crying. Pastor James thought "there's so much freedom in the Philippines but people still tend to complain a lot". After praying for her, he gave her some Thai Baht bills to bless her and her family. Because of that experience, confirmed Pastor James' heart about his faith, his relationship with the Lord and others, and not the material things that should be the goal of his life. There was a total shifting of his focus on that day when he visited the jail. The lad who approached him at the beginning was still outside waiting. Pastor James spoke with him, thanked him, and told him everything about his sister, then the lad answered "she isn't actually my sister but my sister in Christ. If you want to visit her next time, I will give you the prison number and the ID pass".
It was Sunday the following day and they had a worship service gathering. Pastor James stood in front and shared his experience when he visited the jail and his encounter with Diana, then as he opened his eyes after praying, he saw the worship leader crying at the back. She came up to him and said "Pastor, you are truly a channel of blessing". Pastor James was wondering so he asked, "why are you crying?" Apparently, the worship leader is Diana's best friend, and she has been looking for Diana and her family for five years since their disappearance in Pakistan. She's been praying for years to meet her best friend again and God used Pastor James to reunite them. Pastor James couldn't believe that God would use him to bless and minister to others. "Of all the missionaries out there, who am I that You would give significance in my life?" he cried with a grateful heart.
It was his first time going abroad but he experienced the most extraordinary things when he stepped out of his comfort zone. He became a blessing to others, and it ignited the passion in his heart to do more for Jesus. His heart was filled with praise and thanksgiving. I will always bless the LORD; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together... Praise God for using Pastor James' life in blessing others in the mission field!
2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. As it is written, "He scatters everywhere and gives to the poor; his righteousness lasts forever." Now he who supplies seed to the farmer and bread to eat will also supply you with seed and multiply it and enlarge the harvest that results from your righteousness. In every way, you will grow richer and become even more generous, and this will cause others to give thanks to God because of us,
(Written by: Venus Jablo)