Souls transformed by the Gospel

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on November 4, 2009 | Comments

For almost four months now, Warren and I have been ministering to our neighbors and a month ago, after three months of daily devotions, Saturday in depth Bible Studies and Sunday fellowships, they finally came to know Jesus Christ.

What joy it is to witness the transformation that only God’s powerful hands can do to their lives! With the permission of Floramae, I would like to share with you their story here on AHOH:

Floramae met Robert while in University. He is a professor, she a college student. Both had promising futures, Robert’s family is known in the community because they are all educated, decent, “religious” and moneyed. Floramae on the other hand was always on the top of her class, she was a student activist and lead a few campus organizations.

As it happened, Floramae and Robert began dating and eventually Robert’s family got wind of the affair. His wife, siblings, friends and children pulled strings and made life difficult in the province for Floramae forcing her to run away from the South. Robert found out about her plans of leaving their hometown so he decided to “elope” with her. Both went to Manila and started living together as common law husband and wife. Two years ago, Floramae gave birth to their son.

This couple came to us one evening and asked us to share to them the Word of God. They told us about their situation and how much they have already suffered from discrimination in brick and mortar churches. That first night they approached us, we remember distinctly how Robert confessed he is determined to stick it out with Floramae no matter what, “We have a son, I can’t turn my back on this anymore, this is it. They are my family now,” he vowed.

Warren and I often wondered what this couple’s future would be like, we admit that there were times we doubted they would be saved but we pressed on. Everyday at 9:30 in the morning, Warren would stop from working in his office to go downstairs to our living room and wait for the couple to arrive for our devotions. Every week, on Saturdays, we set aside our “date time” so Warren could study for our 8PM in depth Bible Studies, and on Sundays, we also shelved our own time together to make way for Warren’s need to study for the 4PM fellowship. Everyday, the Gospel was preached in our home, with this two souls as our primary audience and by God’s grace and mercy, they were drawn to Him, to His irresistible Grace!

A week after they professed their faith, they were baptized and immediately afterward, Robert left to return to his wife and children. Their decision to go their separate ways was the most shocking thing for us because not once did Warren touch on the subject of adultery or of God’s design for marriage. Whenever he would mention sin, it is always sin in general and then the call for repentance would follow. So when Floramae greeted me on Skype one morning to tell me that she just booked a flight for Robert to return to his family, I was floored!

What an amazing God we have!

Until today, Warren and I still can’t quite believe we were given the privilege and the blessing to witness Him transform the lives of our neighbors. Whenever we would think about all that had happened, we could not help but exclaim and proclaim the richness of His glory. Robert’s story, as well as Floramae’s, has just really begun and we entreat you, brethren, to help us continue praying for them, for their growth in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior and for them to press on the goal towards Christ-likeness.