Hope Found Despite a Hopeless Situation

Up until a few days before the start of the Davao ShareHim meetings, I was planning on doing what I have enjoyed doing for many years--standing beside my pastor husband assisting wherever needed. All that changed when, at the last moment, a speaker dropped out. My husband decided that I would take that empty spot. Needless to say, I was not comfortable with this idea. But, I headed to Buhangin with a teammate and discovered that even though I couldn't stand with my husband, Jesus stood with me and the Holy Spirit put words into my mouth. I was greatly blessed, and people listened and responded.

Among those coming was a 14-year-old girl, Berlyn Padosas. She had a sad story; her mother had recently committed suicide when she discovered that her husband was having an affair with another woman. Berlyn, being the youngest had no choice but to stay with her father. The situation was not a happy one; they had hardly had any food to eat and she was forced to quit school. A friend invited her to the meetings. She came, listened, like what she heard, and discovered that even in a seemingly hopeless situation she would have hope. She made her decision for baptism, experiencing peace and joy that she thought was lost for ever. I'm trying to raise money so that Berlyn can go to an Adventist school, get proper food, and keep on learning more about this hope that she has discovered and experienced.