WHEREVER HE LEADS

Ptra. Marinel and her husband’s journey is a powerful testimony of obedience, faith, and readiness to go wherever God calls. Their story reminds us that when the heart is willing, God opens doors in His perfect time and provides everything needed to fulfill His mission.

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Ptra. Marinel believed that God had been preparing her and her husband for global missions with International Teams since 2019.

Their journey began when their church, Bethany Bible Baptist, sent them to Myanmar. They returned to the Philippines just a week before the COVID-19 lockdown. Not long after, war broke out in Myanmar, preventing them from going back.

While in the Philippines, they focused on local missions, attended International Teams Philippines (ITP) conferences, and actively joined Global Intercessors. During this time, God also led them to start a church under Bethany Bible Baptist. Later on, they entrusted the ministry to one of their brethren, as her husband believed they shouldn’t be focused on the church.

Both Ptra. Marinel and her husband had a heart for street preaching. Their passion was to share the Gospel with people and then connect them with nearby churches where they could be discipled and grow in their faith.

In 2022, Ptra. Marinel received a message from Sister Marietta. It was actually meant for Sister Marietta’s daughter who happened to share the same name as her. Ptra. Marinel and Sister Marietta didn’t know each other before. As they got acquainted, they discovered that they had mutual friends and were both part of the 24/7 online prayers of Global Intercessors.

During their conversation, Sister Marietta mentioned that they had been praying for a missionary couple to volunteer in Cambodia. Ptra. Marinel felt a spark of excitement, as she had long desired to serve in long-term missions. However, at that time, their youngest child was still finishing school, so they prayerfully decided to wait and let the opportunity pass.

Despite that, Ptra. Marinel and her husband faithfully continued attending ITP conferences and Global Intercessors gatherings. In 2024, after their youngest child graduated and passed the board exam, they sensed that the season of waiting was over. Ready and willing to go wherever God would send them, they reached out to Miss Kathy, ITP’s COO, to let her know that they were prepared to commit to a long-term mission.

Her husband decided to stay in Cambodia when they joined a Global Intercessors activity in Indochina. He told her to sell or rent out their house in the Philippines so the proceeds could help support their mission work in Cambodia. They both carried a burden to serve in the ministry, either in Svay with Ptr. Levi or in Siem Reap with Ate Fhem or Sister Marietta.

During their trip from Vietnam to Cambodia, seeing the crowds of people stirred a burden in their hearts. They told God, “Wherever You place us, we will share the Gospel so that people may know You,” knowing full well that God would never forsake them as they carried out His work.

Just two weeks after returning to the Philippines, someone added Ptra. Marinel on Messenger. The person turned out to be a pastor and a Doctor of Theology. He asked if she was interested in a mission opportunity, and without hesitation, she expressed her willingness, saying that if it was God’s will, she and her husband were ready. She also shared that they were missionaries with ITP and Global Intercessors. Hearing this, the pastor invited both of them to serve in Thailand as teachers and missionaries, and he wanted them to go right away.

Everything happened so quickly, but Ptra. Marinel and her husband were already prepared to go wherever God would send them. The pastor’s first question was about how much support she wanted to receive. Surprised, she explained that they were not expecting anything, as their mission was to serve and do whatever God entrusted to them. To their amazement, the pastor assured them that all their needs would be provided, including a yearly visa, free accommodation, utilities, food, and even a small allowance.

They were amazed because they hadn’t expected anything at all. They remembered what they had prayed for, to sell or rent out one of their houses so they could use the funds for ministry. Right after they returned to the Philippines from the Thailand conference, someone contacted them wanting to rent the property long-term. That’s when they realized that God had already answered their prayer.

The pastor in Thailand also shared about their charity school, where both parents and students need to be reached with the Gospel. To prepare for that, they would first teach them English before sharing the Word of God. This gradual approach helps the people better understand the Gospel.

Now, Ptra. Marinel and her husband are serving in Thailand. They don’t know how long God will keep them there, but wherever He sends them, they are always ready to say “yes” to the global mission.

Their hearts are set on building relationships with the Thai people and sharing the Gospel with them. They also reach out to fellow Filipinos, reminding them that God has a purpose for their lives.

It hasn’t been easy since the places they serve are not easily accessible by public transportation. Yet, nothing is impossible with God. With hearts that long to reach people for the Lord, they trust that God will always make a way.

Their story is a beautiful reminder that God’s timing is always perfect. God has been directing every step of their journey. What began as a simple desire to serve has turned into a life of obedience and faith. Ptra. Marinel and her husband continue to live by the truth that when you are willing, God will open doors no one can shut. Wherever He leads, they are ready to go — for His glory and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.