Hi Friends!
We are starting our third month here on Boracay. It’s been a season of transition and wonder, of fatigue and blessing.
Sometime in the near future we’ll feel like we’ve landed on this island, but perhaps, we haven’t had enough moments of a solace day to reflect on the dramatic new season of our lives. God has revealed His light and peace, and we’re grateful for all we’ve experienced.
We’re crossing new bridges in flip flops, unexplored steps. We discover a village, a whole new group of people waiting for a message ,waiting for a meal.
There are days when our heart strings pull hard toward the face-to-face presence and embrace of our family and friends in America. But we are often reminded that we are not alone, we are part of the flow of God’s sovereign hand quietly guiding us and loving us. We are a part of His story. Witnessing a miracle. So let us tell you the miracle of Ruby.
Ruby was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctor told her there was no hope, and she was going to die. In and out of hospitals and never enough money, yet she saved little by little to purchase her own casket. She didn’t want to leave the burden of her burial to her parents who would care for her young son Ronny.
But God had a different plan. Ruby accepted Jesus into her life…. and cried out to God for healing and He answered her prayer!
She tried to explain the unbelievable joy she has now. Holding her chest and in broken English, Ruby said,
“My heart! Feel like a bomb explode! So happy!”
Last week we had the joy of witnessing Ruby’s baptism in the ocean.
A mission team we hosted from Azusa Pacific University and the staff gathered with us to celebrate Ruby’s and three other baptisms.
We baked Ruby a baptism cake. She loves bright colors… and she loves to sing and laugh as she cooks meals for the mission teams here at the Vista House, the same house where she received Christ.
All of her symptoms of sickness are gone. What a witness she is… part of God’s story… another soul for heaven… another link in the chain of God’s many miracles on this island of Boracay.
How grateful we are to serve the Lord in this ministry.
To all of you we give thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support.
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Steve & Susan