The Philippines – by Nathalie Villanueva

The Villanueva family were devoted to one another and their church. Napoleon, the father, often worked far from home. After a while, a pattern of late-night socializing with co-workers began. He began spending more of his paycheck and sending less money home.

Lolita, his wife, grew concerned by the dwindling checks.

Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com

She knew something was wrong and went to see her husband. When she learned of his activities she tried to reason with him, but eventually returned home, frustrated and hurt.

Lolita found a Bible and began searching for guidance and comfort. One day as she read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, the fourth commandment stopped her. Remember the Sabbath day, it said. She had always worshiped on Sunday. But if Christ died on Friday, rested on the Sabbath, and rose from the dead on the first day, Sunday, then the Sabbath day must be Saturday. She decided that if God had commanded His children to keep the Sabbath day holy, she would obey.

But she found it more difficult to obey the first and second commandments. All her life she had prayed while looking at statues of Christ or a saint. Lord, she prayed, I’m sorry, but I can’t pray without looking at You or a saint! Please give me a sign that I mustn’t pray to these statues!

During the night Lolita was awakened by the sound of breaking glass, followed by beating wings. She thought that the neighbor’s rooster had gotten into her house. But before she could investigate, she fell back to sleep. When she got up the next morning she found that her statues of saints had fallen and were lying on the floor, broken into hundreds of tiny pieces. She fell to her knees and asked God to forgive her for doubting His Word.

Lolita found an Adventist church and decided to attend. She arrived long before services began and knelt quietly to pray. During the worship service she wept. Afterwards, a woman invited her to study the Bible. Lolita eagerly accepted, and was soon ready for baptism.

Lolita invited her five teenage children to attend church, but they were busy. However, when they were free, they went with her. They found the church service long, but enjoyed the afternoon youth meetings.

Napoleon returned home and learned that Lolita planned to be baptized. Out of respect the family members attended church with her when they could. One by one Lolita’s husband and children were baptized.

To be continued

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.
Find more mission stories at www.adventistmission.org

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