The Biggest Surprise

 The Biggest Surprise

 

It came when we least expect it, our faithful and Sovereign God has done another miracle once again…

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

 

SHORT VISA UPDATE:

We have applied for the renewal of our visa last month and until now we haven’t received any answer. Benjie applied for another year in YWAM while I applied for a Seasonal Work Permit since I have used all my years with my religious visa. I got a Summer job in Dyreparken/AbraHavn (a Zoo, hotel and a Recreational place for kids and adults). They would need a lot of workers in the Summer (June-July) which is our Summer Break here. Benjie will be working in different Summer camps we have at the base since he is not allowed to work outside with a Religious visa.

THE NEWS!

Before we got married, I underwent a surgery as most of you know. We somehow knew that having a baby will be a challenge for us but we still have HOPE in God. We prayed and planned not have a baby yet on our first year of marriage to help me recover physically and to enjoy our life together as a couple first which we are very thankful for.



Last year when we went home for vacation - reverse culture shock! Random people asked when are we having a baby. That hits me because for a long time here in Europe we never feel the pressure of it and also culturally - they won't ask about it to respect people's privacy but that's how our Filipino culture is - maybe their motivations of asking is good but I didn’t received it well. We are blessed that in the midst of all this, our family became our biggest support. 


Honestly, when we came back to Europe, our minds were rested in that idea but of course we have that desire in our hearts but we took advantage of it to travel, sleep long in the weekends, go on a date and meet new friends.


During MMBC (Counselling School in Switzerland), I was prayed several times and what God changed in me was my view of HIS SOVEREIGN POWER. I know His ways are Sovereign and whether I will have a child on my own or not - His Sovereign Power will NEVER change.
There are times when I will feel so down but my attitude, my choice when it comes to this issue. I always have to choose to rejoice in the Lord in every circumstances.


Benjie and I also decided to help ourselves by being healthy. We eat healthy, exercise regularly, try not to stress so much with the ministry and life and to enjoy each others company.


And to our surprise - when I got sick last month thinking its just because the weather is changing. From freezing temperature to warm Norwegian days. I lost my voice and had so much body pain. I was sick for 4 days not taking any medicine but hot water with honey and lemon. I didn't get better so I decided I will take medicine but when you are married and you are somehow planning it is always best to be safe and take a pregnancy test first before taking any medicine but I don’t want to do it - I have used enough pregnancy tests but I have no choice that day so I did and to our surprise it turned out to be positive. I was in shock or should I say I was in doubt.




Hannah’s Prayer becomes Benjie’s prayer and mine too. Every time God will remind him about it, he will lay his hands on me even when I wasn’t aware of it.

“And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son and she called his name Samuel, for she said, I have asked for him from the Lord.” 

1Samuel 1:20

All my doubts were gone when I heard my baby’s heart beat through an ultrasound. I was checking our baby’s growth from time to time and every time I am amazed how Great our Creator God is. Amazing! I get to know I was pregnant when its already 8 weeks and what amazes me more about God is His provision. All our checkups to my doctor and midwife and all tests I may need here is free and it will be free until after I gave birth.

 

 

WHAT’S UP?

Working in the Kitchen and overseeing it is challenging sometimes but God has been teaching us a lot and giving us new ideas too. One secret: Cook Chicken Adobo  and Spring Rolls (Filipino Recipe) at least “often” and you’ll be rewarded with a lot of satisfied faces afterwards :)

YWAM Skjærgårdsheimen is celebrating its 20 years on the 10th of May.

BSN (Bible School for the Nations) is ending this month and will be going to Congo and Thailand for outreach in 2nd of June.

YWAM Skjærgårdsheimen Events:

1. Mission Adventures (MA) to Romania
2. Golden Age Camp
3. Family Camp 1 & 2
4. In touch (for former YWAMers)

*Benjie will be involved with MA (only the training part), Golden Age Camp, Family Camp 2 and In touch.



For now, please keep praying for us for a healthy pregnancy and also for our visa process. We are still waiting for the answer from the Embassy. You can also pray for the challenge that YWAM Norway is facing right now with visas. We have experienced several negative answers from the Embassy lately. It was hard for them to fathom how YWAM don’t pay salary to its workers so they put most of the applications on hold while analyzing our organization. As long as the visa haven’t arrived, we cannot plan any further. For now, we’ll keep enjoying serving Jesus while waiting.

Thank you so much for standing with us in prayers, support and friendship. You all mean so much to us.