Hello Sis Beng. Good afternoon! First of all I want to commend you for making this thread. It really helped me a lot because it answered some of my questions. These past few months I've been looking for someone to talk to about the INC. I've known only a few INC people around me and we're not that really close so that's why I couldn't discuss with them my situation and what I want to know. Here, I believe I just landed at the right place.
Let me share you my story...
I am a Catholic. Studied in Catholic schools. Go to mass every Sunday. But I am not really the
"sarado katoliko" type. I am just a typical church-goer with faith.
Iglesia ni Cristo. That big church along Commonwealth with
"patusok-tusok" design as how I refer to it when I was a kid. I've first known it through my babysitter when I was still a kid. I remember, it was a Thursday afternoon, she was ironing her dress. I asked her why wear a dress and she told me it was their dress code.
"If you went to church not in dress, they will scold you." She also borrowed money from me because she was really pocket-empty at that time. So I told her I only have 5 peso (which is still a banknote 5 peso bill that time) in my wallet. She told me that would do as long as she had something to give in. I asked why. Then again, she told me
"If you went to church without something to give in, they will scold you.". That moment brought my young mind into forming an impression that
Iglesia ni Cristo is really an organized and strict congregation. When you were a kid, the word "scold" was something you are really scared of. I took that "fear" until I grew up. And so, I told myself that
Iglesia ni Cristo was something I wouldn't dare to touch. For me, it was, somewhat strange. I even had this to myself
"Basta 'pag na-inlove ako, huwag lang sa Iglesia (member)."Until one day, I met this guy. I met him through mutual friends, his office mates. When he was introduced to me, I was already told that he was going to resign from work because he will study... to become a minister. I just had this "Ahh ok." reaction. He is an
Iglesia ni Cristo member that's why I wasn't that much interested. It was ordinary. I think I looked like a snob pa nga at that time...
Then he sat in my front with a table across us. I was looking at what he was doing and then I glanced at him. I saw him already looking at me. I looked away and started to feel uncomfortable. I could feel and see through my peripheral vision that he was still staring. I feel like I was pierced by his looks... I've never seen a look such as that before.. And so I looked again at him to see if he was still staring. And I was right. I caught him still looking. At this time, I got really uncomfortable.
Sobrang ilang na ako talaga. I don't like being stared that's why I easily became paranoid at that time. I was kinda pissed so I bid goodbye to our friends. I think i was really suplada at that time...
I regret my action afterwards. That was our first meeting. Nothing special. Ordinary. But I couldn't forget his look.. Up to now.
So, by a rare chance, we had this out-of-town trip with his officemates. I was really
"iwas" at him.. Until suddenly, with a gradual twist of something I couldn't explain what it was, I didn't know why, where, how, but I often found myself looking at him. I still caught him stealing glances to me. Little by little, I was starting to enjoy his company... Throughout our trip, he was my
"partner" . We were together more often. I started to feel comfortable with him. I wanted him beside me. And during our trip, I was starting to know him more... We have many things in common. As I was getting to know him, I had this strange feeling... He has these qualities I've been searching for in a guy... He is the type of guy I've been looking for...
And one of my worst fears came in..
Me falling in to an Iglesia guy...I didn't know why but I
really discarded the thought of him being INC. I was turned upside down! I ate my previous words. I suddenly have this "
I don't care kung Iglesia ka pa. Kung magkaiba man ang religion natin.." feeling. I was really changed. Not knowing, this encounter was the beginning of a spiritual examination in me.
When I got back in Manila, I started to research right away about the Iglesia ni Cristo. I even had this moment where I find laughing at myself because I couldn't believe what I was doing. I couldn't believe myself I was digging for INC matters. Something I told myself I wouldn't dare to talk about. I found myself watching shows in Net 25. Watching
"Landas ng Buhay", "Pag-asa, Pananampalataya, at Pag-ibig", "INC and the Bible", "Church News" etc. At first I was in denial. But I couldn't hide the fact that I am enjoying the shows. And up to now, I am still watching.
Little by little, my mind is opening for the INC.
When I was arranging my mom's office area, I found my bible I've been looking for for years. Underneath it was a
Pasugo. Knowing my mom, she's not open to other religions. That's why I was really wondering how the magazine landed there. Inside the magazine was an article about the BEM graduates... I thought about him. At that time,
I had this strong feeling that God was directing me to him and him directing me to God. I believe that this is all happening for me to become closer to God. I am not really a
madasalin person. But now, I find myself praying and reading the bible a lot. That guy made a big impact on me. These past few weeks, I've been contemplating a lot about my faith. I want answers. I want to be more closer to God. I want to be active and become part of a community with faith. I want to be useful for the Lord.
One time, I asked my mom..
"Ma, what if, kunwari, what if lang ah. Mainlove ako sa isang guy na hindi Catholic tapos ganun din siya, mahal na mahal niya din ako. Okay lang ba sa inyo?" I was surprised by her answer.
"Nasa sa iyo yan." Napangiti talaga ako Sis Beng. Because all this time, I thought my mom was a close-minded person when it comes to religion. Then she asked me.
"Si ____ ba yan?" I just smiled and was surprised
kasi bakit niya alam na siya! Mothers really know their daughters.
Wala ka talagang maitatago sa mga nanay.Yes I admit. At first, I was into INC because of the INC guy that I have my special attentions to. But after researching and watching INC shows, it is getting more than that. Actually now, I really want to attend worship services. I want to experience it. I want to know more. There are two locals near our place. I am just shy. If only INC guy will invite me, I will say yes right away...
And now sis Beng, I am still contemplating. I believe that God has reasons behind everything that's why these are happening to me. Ang dami kong natutunan sa experience na ito Sis Beng. Sometimes, you really don't know where God will lead you. Basta ang importante, those experiences will make your faith stronger and you grow more close to Him.
I will never ever forget this guy.
Sa kanya ko lang na-encounter yung ganitong feeling. Siya lang yung guy na nakilala ko na malapit sa Diyos. Nasobrahan pa nga eh.. Hahaha. I am supportive on his new undertaking but he doesn't know. I am really happy for him. I will really really
really miss him. Tomorrow will be his last day in the office. And maybe also the last day we will get to see each other.... I have problems with saying goodbye. Sigh. I don't know how to say goodbye. Pag nag-aral na siya di ko na siya makikita. Pag naging ministro na siya, mas lalo ko na siyang di makikita. Paano po ba ang pagmiministro sa INC?
Hindi naman na ako nageexpect Sis Beng. Tanggap kong mag-miministro siya. Pero kung ipagkakaloob ng Diyos ang pagkakataon na magtatagpo muli ang landas namin, hinding-hindi ko na palalampasin yun dahil I know si God ang nasa likod nun pag nangyari yun...
Thank you for your time reading this story of mine.
God bless us all!
