Travels, Thanks and Testimonies

As I look back over life contemplating my journeys. My current medical journey has enlightened me as to the extent of God's grace.

I was a young man in his twenties when I truly heard the old, old story of a Savior who came from glory. Money & good deeds couldn't buy His salvation. I ran down the aisle & accepted His gift by faith.

I was certain I was meant to be a missionary or a minister, so I embraced four years of Bible College. But I was still trying to do it my way not His way. Frustrated I drifted out of church but never too far, today I find myself back at the same church. Still not certain I could put his will for my life into words, but I feel confident I'm somewhere in the midst of His will doing what He wants me to do.

I praise God for my church family at Good News Baptist Church, their love prayers and support at this time has been a comfort and blessing. I thank him for guiding us to our new found friends at Trinity Baptist Church. Their sacrificial love, giving and prayers truly filled our lives with joy and hope.

To have a wonderful aunt and uncle just an hour's drive from the doctor is not a coincidence but another testimony of God's marvelous grace. It seems like God gave Google a picture of my Dad, listed his qualities, and added the keywords urology and robotic assisted surgery, the requirements: near special families AND sent me the result. WOW! PERFECT in every way! Praise Him each day more & more.

Off course, I cannot forget my work family. Chris Lopez & the team at MCS are phenomenal in their care and support for each member of the employee family.

Also of paramount importance is my Filipino family. The vast majority may be Catholic, but in them I see a faith I am almost envious of. It has been said, “If evangelicals had the dedication of the Mormons, the determination of the Jehovah’s Witness and the faith of the Catholics, the whole world would become evangelical converts”. I have tried my best to walk among humanity as Jesus did, ignoring culture, creed and color and my reward from this people group is “the honor of an unworthy westerner being adopted as their beloved kuya”.

We may not know what tomorrow brings, but with God each journey is orchestrated to perfection, even if there are trials along the way.  Paul the apostle said, “…We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience …” James also reminds us, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”.

I am honored to have endured this trial, for now when others are faced with the same I can truly be there for them. Thanks be to God.

Good News Baptist Church                          Trainity Baptist Church (Austin, TX)

Austin Urology Institute                                Arise Medical Center

MCS Cayman Islands                      Cayman Islands                                 The Philippines

The dream team. Hank, Page, Evan  & Divya

GOD IS OUR HELP. OUR REFUGE, OR HEALER.

Faced with life's trials, I even more realize:

WE NEED SOMETHING FROM THE BIBLE TODAY!

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you–yes, I help you–yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” 
Psalm 23:3-4 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
2 Corinthians 1:9 We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever– do not abandon the works of your hands.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 91:14-15 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
  Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Psalm 50:15 Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
 Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.  Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Jeremiah 30:17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,‘ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
  2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Psalm 91:11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Mark 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

Jesus came to restore us to fullness in our God, but Satan has come to devour,  destroy and rob
Nah worry, Jesus won the victory, so we need not be afraid, just claim the victory that is ours & no longer live enslaved
Rise up in faith, depend on Him, stand firm for OUR GOD HEALS!

The sun has risen in the sky, God is still on His Throne! 

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY! GIVE HIM PRAISE & THANKS!

I lived in the western world for decades and saw the world through a filter designed to make Westerners feel superior to others. The greatest day of my life was when the filter was removed and I encountered the other half. Truly, I was a child until that day. I began to experience a world where religion wasn't an add-on, and cultures that placed higher values on family than I had every imagined.
I am a basic person, fascinated with family, faith and food. I dream of the world I see in Star Trek. I dream of a brighter tomorrow when humanity will learn that is better to help one another than hang each other. More to come... More on my passions...