“WE WILL NEVER SIT ON THE CALL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES!” (Part 1)
Before we even know it, God has already prepared the path we are going to take. He orchestrates everything from the beginning to the end. The story of Sister Ning Insauriga, one of the pioneer missionaries of IT, will surely captivate your breath. It all started in 1985 when she became a Born-again Christian. She would hear testimonies of missionaries from her church and think to herself "Lord, I want to be one of them”. After she graduated from the university, God spoke to her “You are mine”. With an obedient heart, Sister Ning fully surrendered her life to the Lord and served Him wholeheartedly. God gave her the burden to minister to the Muslim people. She went to Zamboanga, the southern part of the Philippines, and stayed there for years. As her skills in doing mission work were honed by the Lord, she also adapted well and learned the language there. A few years later God told her to return to Manila. She was wondering why she had to leave Zamboanga when things were going well. She obeyed the Lord despite not knowing the reason. She did another mission work in Batangas, and she was again ministering to the Muslims who were residing there. A few years later, God called her again to go to a new place. Sister Ning along with Sister Pat and Millet formed a team and they felt the burden of going on overseas missions. Pastor Gani Sison, IT Executive Director, suggested then “Why don’t you consider Malaysia?” But there was no intensity as they heard it. “What about Indonesia?” Pastor Gani asked them. They felt a ‘zing’ and got so excited. “Yes! Indonesia! We’ll go to Indonesia!” they exclaimed. “Once God calls you to go to a place, it will surely come to pass” stated Sister Ning. Almost everything around her kept reminding her of Indonesia. Back then when she was in Zamboanga in 1990, she met an Indonesian couple who were missionaries. However, Sister Ning heard that they also left the Philippines a few years later when she left Zamboanga. But God let them meet again. In September 1999, the wife came to visit the Philippines and she met Sister Ning. “Do you want to come with us to Indonesia?” the wife asked. From Indonesia to the Philippines, the Indonesian missionary took a ship so she could visit her son who was studying at one of the universities in the Philippines. Sister Ning and her team got so excited and started their preparation. They got their passport ready, and they started raising money for their fare which costs $60 each. Pastor Gani inquired, “Do you have any money?” He was worried about them because they would be the very first missionaries of IT to be sent for 2 months for an exposure trip. Sister Ning and her team were so confident because God made a promise to them. The verse God gave them was enough to fuel and fire up their faith despite their lack of money. Isaiah 43:1-5 [1] But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. [3] For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. [4] Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. [5] Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Not having any funds to even buy a plane ticket, they felt more determined to go forward to the place where God is calling them to go. There was much reluctance in the heart of Ptr. Gani and the whole IT office for many questions bothered them regarding the planned mission trip, all concerning the great lack of funds. But their faith and determination made them declare “Even if we have to take a boat ride from here to Zamboanga and Indonesia, we will do it. We will never sit on the call of God in our lives!” Ptr. Gani sensing that this is indeed faith in its most beautiful form, agreed to release them and bless them on their mission trip to Indonesia – by boat! On January 16, 2000, it was the most awaited but also terrifying trip for them. They all got on the small cargo ship, which could accommodate 17 passengers with no rooms and no food. It was a 3-day voyage but seemed to be like a month, for it was very dark and the waves were so huge that they feared for their lives. The Indonesian missionary got also scared because it wasn’t like that when she traveled at first. They were all dizzy and threw up because of the tempest but they remembered what God promised: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you”. They arrived in Indonesia after 3 days, but they needed to take another ship to the place where their missionary friend lives. It took 5 days’ worth of travel. There were 7,000 passengers and it was the most uncomfortable experience they’ve had. But on the bright side, they have made new friends. Due to the difficulty they faced during their trip, they pleaded with God to provide an air ticket for their return. After their two-month exposure trip, they had to go back to the Philippines to prepare for their long term-mission to Indonesia. God had provided an airfare ticket for them back to the Philippines and they met three new friends on the plane. It was a great flight back to the Philippines. Their journey isn’t over yet, but it was the start of God’s promise and purpose in their lives. Sister Ning and her team were full of confidence that they would find a way to stay in Indonesia for their long-term mission once they returned. They became more courageous because God has kept His promise to them. They have survived the most dangerous journey of their lives because God is with them all the time. He protects, guides, and prepares everything for them! He is truly a one-of-a-kind God! He is the God who controls the raging seas and keeps His children safe! Glory to the most astounding God! Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ** To be continued… the story will escalate in excitement and the miracles will really be awesome!
(Written by: Venus Jablo)
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