It all started when I attended a wedding in Tagaytay last February and Jim Orbe was kind enough to drive my car all the way back to Manila. Since Mirac was sleeping at the back seat, Jim and I had the chance to talk about our families, specifically, our blood brothers. I told him I've always wanted to invite my brother RJ to Lingkod but he had so many things going on in his life that he never really had the time to consider my invitation. Jim shared that he had the same experience with his brother and he told me how, with the help of other brothers in community, he was able to finally invite him to Lingkod Greenhills. "I was only asking God for the conversion of my brother," he said, "pero sobra sobra ang response ng Panginoon" (Jim's brother eventually entered the seminary). When I heard that, I was really struck and I felt a surge of hope that this could happen to RJ as well. (Perhaps not enter the seminary [hehe] but be an active member of Lingkod). So I started REALLY praying about it. I also started asking the brothers and sisters from Lingkod to start praying for his evangelization.
Well I'm happy to share that last night, my brother RJ has completed his CLP in Lingkod QC and that he has been telling me since day one that he is now beginning to see the difference that God is making in his life. When Jim gave a talk during the CLP and I told him that my brother was among the participants, he exclaimed "wow, answered prayer!" And it was, indeed.
From this experience, I learned that if we really want to bring a person closer to God, all we have to do is to sincerely desire it, create opportunities for it and trust that God will do the rest. Frankly, I was really doubtful at the start if this could be possible. But thanks be to God, it did happen. I also thank the Lingkod brothers and sisters---special mention goes to Tim, (RJ's DGL), Mark, Francis, Marlon, Jayson (who never failed to make RJ feel welcome all the time), Ted, Bobby and Jim (whose talks made quite an impact on RJ), Tony of Lingkod Manila (his talk in Cavite which RJ heard because he was the one who drove us there was also a major turning point for him) and Anthony of Lingkod Greenhills (who was the one who patiently and consistently texted RJ to attend the CLP ever since RJ attended the ULT a year ago).
There is really no greater joy than the one I felt when I saw my brother commit his life to God and welcome Him in his life. Last night, I couldn't help but think that of all the things I did in my walk with the Lord, this one made Him smile the most. ;)
Well I'm happy to share that last night, my brother RJ has completed his CLP in Lingkod QC and that he has been telling me since day one that he is now beginning to see the difference that God is making in his life. When Jim gave a talk during the CLP and I told him that my brother was among the participants, he exclaimed "wow, answered prayer!" And it was, indeed.
From this experience, I learned that if we really want to bring a person closer to God, all we have to do is to sincerely desire it, create opportunities for it and trust that God will do the rest. Frankly, I was really doubtful at the start if this could be possible. But thanks be to God, it did happen. I also thank the Lingkod brothers and sisters---special mention goes to Tim, (RJ's DGL), Mark, Francis, Marlon, Jayson (who never failed to make RJ feel welcome all the time), Ted, Bobby and Jim (whose talks made quite an impact on RJ), Tony of Lingkod Manila (his talk in Cavite which RJ heard because he was the one who drove us there was also a major turning point for him) and Anthony of Lingkod Greenhills (who was the one who patiently and consistently texted RJ to attend the CLP ever since RJ attended the ULT a year ago).
There is really no greater joy than the one I felt when I saw my brother commit his life to God and welcome Him in his life. Last night, I couldn't help but think that of all the things I did in my walk with the Lord, this one made Him smile the most. ;)
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