PHILIPPINES
by Aquelino Recabo
My name is Aquelino Recabo. I’m 35 years old and from the Philippines. This is my story and my testimony.
Growing up, my family was very poor. We made a living by farming a small plot of land and working on our neighbor’s sugarcane plantation. My parents also came from disadvantaged families. They were both unable to finish their elementary education or go to high school.
Throughout my childhood, my parents had a difficult time getting along with each other, and they eventually separated. Because of this, my five brothers and I had little positive parental guidance.
I was influenced by my friends who were making bad choices. I had no direction in my life. Despite these issues, I did finish high school.
Growing up, I never believed in God. But my view on religion changed when I met the Adventist landlord of the boarding house I stayed in during my senior year of high school. He invited me to family worships. I became familiar with the songs, Bible stories and prayer. I liked reading devotional books and participating in Sabbath School lessons. When the landlord invited me to go to church with him, I went and enjoyed worshipping there. I realized I wanted to learn more about Jesus, so I decided to go to Central Philippine Adventist College (CPAC) in 2009.
While studying at CPAC, I worked on a sugarcane plantation and farm. I also worked in the cafeteria and men’s dormitory along with doing carpentry and maintaining the water system.
Despite these jobs, I struggled with paying my tuition. Sometimes I had such little money that I went to class without eating. And there were the problems in my family too. I cried and prayed to the Lord, asking Him why these things were happening to me.
He comforted me with His promises in the Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” This verse helped me believe that God had a great purpose for my life.
My faith grew. I decided to follow Jesus and let Him guide my life as my Savior. I was baptized on March 6, 2010.
At CPAC, I took part in different ministries. I did literature evangelism in the summer, evangelistic crusades every semester break, outreach ministry, and other activities that helped me spread the gospel.
I graduated in 2018. Early in 2023, I started working for Gospel Outreach as a Bible worker at West Visayan Conference in Iloilo City, Philippines.
Matthew 24:14 says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” I consider this to be one of the most important Bible verses because it shows what Jesus did when He was here on earth and what will happen before He returns. Preaching the gospel is our mission as Seventh-day Adventists.
17 baptisms in newly entered area
Early this year, I was asked to help with a major crusade in Maasin, Iloilo, Philippines. Maasin is an unentered area. Most of the people there don’t know Jesus, so we worked extra hard to prepare for the evangelistic series in March. We identified families to visit, organized Bible study materials, and enrolled people in our Voice of Prophecy lessons. We were grateful for church members in nearby districts who helped us with these activities.
The evangelistic series was conducted by Pastor Welnie Miado, president of Southern Mindanao Mission. He was born in Maasin and chose to present the gospel there as a way of giving back to his hometown.
At the end of the series, 17 people I had worked with decided to be baptized. We praise God for using us to help win these souls for Jesus. We are grateful to the church of Maasin for taking care of these newly baptized members.
I want to thank those of you who donate funds to Gospel Outreach. Your financial support and prayers are making a difference in the Philippines. Please pray for the people of Maasin, and may God continue to bless the spread of the gospel.