“THE MIRACLE OF THE LORD IS WITH US” (Part 1)
Pastors Rodrigo and Fe Rambano have been pastoring several churches in the Philippines for twenty years until God called them to be missionaries. They were called to go on missions, and it was specifically revealed to them in Luke 8:1-3. However, they didn’t know how to go about it.
As God continues to call them on this new journey as missionaries, He used a pastor to invite them to attend the Access 1 Training of International Teams Philippines, a missionary-sending organization. They were so amazed by the stories of God’s miracles and faithfulness in the lives of the missionaries in the mission field as Pastor Gani Sison, IT Executive Director, shared during the training. When Pastor Gani asked "Have you ever wondered why you are still alive? That's because God has a plan for your life." This was a challenging question for Pastor Rodrigo because when he was young, he almost died from a severe disease. This notion opened his heart and mind and it felt like the message was befitting.
As they faced with excitement their new journey in the global mission field, God provided for their financial needs. They took this challenge by faith because this was their first time going out of the country. The couple had prepared all the documents they would need, their passports renewed, and their hearts were ready for new beginnings. They were ready to soar high and start their journey of faith as God called them to go to Cambodia!
They were exceedingly glad as they flew to Cambodia. When they entered Siem Reap International Airport, they were quite surprised to see that the place isn’t as developed compared with the modern world. However, this land is so precious in God's eyes that’s why He brought a lot of missionaries including them. What a blessed opportunity to reach out to the lost! Along their journey, they met their fellow missionaries in the mission field who accommodated them and helped them to be more exposed to the culture and the people.
They were hired as teachers in Banteay Meanchey, a province in Cambodia. At first, they had only less than 10 kids. As they prayed for more enrollees, every day God added children and teenagers until they had a total of almost 100 enrollees. They included the Book of Psalms to compose English sentences in which the Gospel is inserted subtly.
The couple had to face some challenges. There were health and physical sacrifices due to heavy dust every day caused by undeveloped roads. In addition, the murky water supply made them experience diarrhea. There was even a time when they did not have money to buy coffee for breakfast. As Pastor Rodrigo went downstairs, he saw some money on the ground floor of the school; thus, he was able to buy coffee. He went upstairs and brought a cup of coffee to his wife. To her surprise, she asked, “What’s that?” Pastor Rodrigo responded, “The miracle of the Lord is with us”. In those simple moments, we can see how much God cares even for our tiniest needs. How amazing and thoughtful He is! The couple thanked God for everything even for all the inconveniences because they believed God, Who sent them, will never abandon them.
For a few months, they had been longing to attend a local church. With their earnest desire, God led them to a Khmer church just a stone’s throw away. For several weeks though they did not understand the preaching, the Bible reading was already enough for them to enjoy the fellowship. God had seen their hearts worship Him every Sunday. Therefore, He sent a member of the church whose family stayed in Australia for years who can translate for them in English. Later on, Pastor Rodrigo was invited to preach on their Sunday worship with the aid of the interpreter. How marvelous God is and everything that He does!
The five-month mission journey in Cambodia opened the doors for them to have a huge step of faith to do exploits for God. Leaving their comfort zone was not easy, nevertheless, the joy of serving God who called them gave them the courage and strength to do more to prosper His Kingdom. These challenging opportunities of missions brought them once again to go to other mission fields like Malaysia and Thailand wherein more chances to serve God were given to them amid financial uncertainties, safety, and accommodations. Because of God, they were able to do exceedingly and abundantly. Glory to God alone.
What a wonderful God we serve! He is amazing and gracious and He’s the only One we can rely on. His astounding love overflows to all His children for He is a good, good, Father!
To be continued…
Luke 8:1-3
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
(Written by: Venus Jablo)