GOD wants us to complete the race. HE has a plan and purpose for YOU, for everyone of us to complete. HE wants you to make the rest of your life the BEST of your LIFE.
Today, allow me to share with you the story of a great person who showed great faith and commitment to serve GOD.
To all my fellow graduating ALS learners, parents, teachers,
honorable Dep-Ed and public officials,
It is an
honor and a privilege to share a testimony on this momentous event-graduation
day.
Although admittedly, I felt a
little bit nervous, however I am emboldened thinking how greatly Indebted I am
to ALS and to all the people behind it. Sharing this simple testimony as an
expression of gratitude is the humblest thing that I could ever do.
The first time I passed an ALS
A&E test was for the elementary level given last Feb. 12, 2006. That’s more
than eight years ago. I then enrolled in 1st year high school but
the following year I didn’t finished my 2nd year, I quit in 2nd
year high school. Last Oct. 13, 2013, I took again the ALS A&E test for the
Secondary level and I was one of the blessed ones to pass that examination.
Before these honorable and revered Dep’Ed officials, Heads and Instructional
Managers, I stand to be corrected if I’m off to say this but I just love to
express what’s in my heart towards ALS. “ALS” is my fostering mother, my ALMA
MATER. She had issued me Elementary and
Secondary certificate and birthed me out to enter College life.
I told my Dad just lately,
“Dad”, God must have designed ALS for me!
BUTI NA LANG
MAY ALS!
Ng dahil sa pag-ibig mo
Kaya ako’y naririto
Said the two
last lines of the 2nd stanza of our graduation song “SALAMAT SA IYO”
Actually I
started my Kinder 1 in a private Christian School, along with my two elder
sisters and an elder brother. Four of us in a private school, with an
unpredictable economy, took my father and mother always on their knees.
My father is a minister of the
gospel pastoring an average number of believers, and my mother was behind my
Dad.
With the economy steadily
falling down, affecting many family lives, with my elder sister and brother
going up to college, our parents were obliged to transfer us to a public
school.
I was enrolled in grade five but due to some
problems concerning the grading system of my previous school, I was advised to
take the ALS examination for elementary level which by God’s grace I easily
passed the examination.
The school year 2005-2006 I was
in first year high school.
As I advanced in age and
approached teenage life, I became troubled with fears about my future.
In spite of the fact that I am a
Pastor’s daughter, I lived and grew up in church atmosphere, but seeing all the
widespread wrong practices and risky behaviors of minors; alcoholism, drugs,
and unmarried pregnancies makes me fearful. Could I stand my ground? Was my
constant question to myself. It’s very
easy to be influenced into harmful habits when young people are out on their
own away from the watchful eyes of their parents.
Pastor’s children are no excuse.
A hard and
painful blow of trial in God’s wisdom was allowed to strike our family, and our
church driving us all together to a great desperation.
I abruptly decided, much to the
dismay of my classmates and teachers to quit my studies which I said earlier.
Nobody persuaded me. It was my own personal decision. Some despised my
decision, others were sympathetic. Seeing my firm determination, not even my
father attempted to dissuade me of my decision.
The desperation lasted long and
was deeply felt especially among our young people that many renewed their vows
to God, repented of their hidden sins and confessed them publicly before the
church.
It was then that my other elder
sister, Manang Sharon, my three cousins, Darling, Love2 and Mahal also gave up their studies in high
school as well, at such young age as they were, Aged 12, 14, 16 respectively. I
was 15 years old then.
Dad had to go to SNHS to explain
the matter, and their respective teachers said that they didn’t want to be
rivals with God, that if serving God fulltime was the main reason then they’ll
leave us alone and respect our decision.
The following seven years find
us always behind our Dad in his old car going around places with him in his
bible studies and fellowship. We’ve experienced a lot of things, getting to
know more about practical Christian living.
I handled the Children’s
ministry, teaching children bible stories and Christian values. We also formed
the music ministry to support our Dad.
Soon after I quit 2ND year
high school, the Lord gave me a job at an Internet café Shop. I worked there
for 3 years that’s when we came to know Sir Dave Cabungcag, who later became
our ALS Instructor.
Dad had a campus bible study at
NONESCOST where Sir Dave was taking up education. Sir Dave was one of those we
led to the Lord.
When Sir Dave graduated and
worked for ALS, I shifted work to a home based call center or “online job”. Our
job is to advertise a certain company to improve its ranking in the website.
Everything we said were scripted yet many times I got nervous because of my
inadequacy in English. Our clients are mostly from the U.S.A with different
American accents.
While I was out of school and at
work I did not wholly gave up the idea of pursuing back my studies. It was just
the discouraging condition of my surrounding and my own insecurities that drove
me to that decision.
Now having
stayed long in God’s presence, I believed I am now better equipped with Gods
armor to face again the evil of this world and be God’s effective witness for
others and now certain that I could stand my ground.
Sir Dave encouraged us to take
the review and gave a try for the next ALS Examination. It was hard for me
having to work all night long on my “online job” then take the review in the
day time. However, I persevered and endured the difficulties, because I know
this is the only way to redeem my lost time for almost 8 years. There is a
saying “Time is gold” I know I did not lose that time for nothing. It was for a
far-surpassing wealth than gold that I found. “Time is gold” but God is life….,
Eternal Life.
Over the past 7 years we majored
on Religion, now God makes it easy for us on our minors. We just played, played
music and sung to Him, now he awarded us a diploma.
Oh no! Our Diploma didn’t come
whirling down, from heaven. It came from Meralco, Avenue, Pasig City, from the
Bureau of Alternative Learning System ( MY dear ALMA MATER ), the medium and
channel of blessing and hope for the out-of-school……… like Me!
THANK YOU!!!
How do you personally express your unique devotion to Jesus?
Leave your comments and then share this to others, and together we can enrich the world. Happy Reading.
