By: Max de los Reyes – The Philippines

Fernando Lopez grew up in a town 60 miles south of Manila. Like many in the Philippines, Fernando’s family didn’t have much money. And like many young boys, Fernando quit school to help his parents by selling small items and running errands.

Fernando was active in his church, which helped to ease the boredom he often felt. More than anything Fernando longed for an education so he could serve God better, but he knew that humanly speaking, this wasn’t possible.

Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com

Then one day Fernando heard about the 1000 Missionary Movement, a program to train volunteer missionaries who serve God for one year in the Philippines or in one of several countries. Excited, Fernando asked his parents’ permission to join. With their blessing he applied and was accepted.

The training Fernando received helped fill his desire for education and prepared him to serve God somewhere in the Philippines. When the training phase ended, he eagerly awaited his assignment to a territory, but had mixed emotions when he learned that he was assigned to work in an area some 400 miles from his home.

Fernando arrived in his new field and began seeking out those who were interested in learning more about God. Soon he was giving several Bible studies a week. Some of the people taking Bible studies lived in a small settlement in the mountains, a four-hour ride by bicycle from where he stayed.

Despite the hardships, Fernando became so involved in his work that he often spent most of his small monthly stipend to buy materials to build an Adventist church, leaving him without money to buy food. This tested his faith and prepared him for even greater tests that would come to him. But throughout his experience, his faith in God did not waver.

Angry Husband

One of Fernando’s converts was Julie Taguinod. She and her sister, Essie, had studied the Bible with Fernando, then attended his evangelistic meetings. Julie and her sister had been baptized recently in spite of the objections of Julie’s husband, Lem.

Fernando knew of Lem’s objections to his wife’s interest in religion. Lem had forbidden Julie to attend church and had threatened to harm her if she continued going. But Julie had stood firm and continued to attend church. Fernando appreciated her sincere desire to honor Christ. And lately Lem began to ignore Julie’s church attendance. Perhaps he realized that his objections would not stop his wife from following Christ.

To be continued

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

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