Entering the Cabanatuan City Church meeting hall last Sunday, along with some brethren from Pampanga, I looked to the left and saw my wife who went in ahead of me, sitting beside an elderly man. For a few seconds, I didn't recognize him. It was Kuya Tony. He was crying profusely. He was filled with mixed emotions...joy I guess...and sorrow too...when he saw us.
Lived for One year in Cabanatuan
Back in May 1997, I was assigned as pastor for the local congregations of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG, now Grace Communion International) in Cabanatuan City and Tarlac City. I decided to take residence in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. The Cabanatuan brethren were elated. For the first time in their lives, a pastor decided to live among them. Previous to this, the other pastors lived outside of Nueva Ecija. But it was short-lived -- me and my family were moved to Metro Manila sometime in May of 1998. We lived there for just about a year.
Great Reunion
But in that short span of time, the brethren somehow developed a very close relationship with me and my family. Kuya Tony Gaspar, who is now unable to speak and somewhat paralyzed after his heart attack last year, wept when he saw me and my wife enter the meeting hall. That's all he could do, since he could no longer speak. He could not stand. He just sat there and wept -- speechless. I was the one who personally ordained him as an elder many years ago. He served the local church as pastor after I left until October of last year when he had an attack.
First Family Visit in 12 Years
As a family, it was our first time to visit this local church again after some 12 years. My eldest daughter Veejay, graduated in high school there, at the Wesleyan University. My youngest daughter Jinjie, was about 3 or 4 years old when we left them and she could not remember anything or anyone in that place. We somehow developed really close bonds with these brethren in a year.
Emotion-filled Worship Service
During the worship service, Ate Aida, Kuya Tony's wife, gave a heart-rending testimonial of their family's ordeal since last year. She ended up with a song. And in the middle of the song, she grabbed Jinjie, now 15 years old, who was in the front row, hugged her while she was leading the congregation -- singing and weeping at the same time. It was an emotional time. In my sermon, I encouraged them to carry on in the midst of trials and suffering because there is hope. God will work out things for good in the end. Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8 ).
Family Reunion with Relatives
Before we left, we entered the room of Tito Demi Joson Samson. The church meeting hall is beside his home. He has graciously allowed the church building to be erected in his property. He also had a previous heart attack. He is quite frail and elderly now. He stays inside his air-conditioned room as per doctor's advise because of his frail condition. So we visited him inside his room before we left. I love this elderly man who is very sure we are relatives and so we call him Tito Demi. We prayed and renewed our bonds as brethren and relatives.
God's Love in the Local Church of Cabanatuan
I'm glad they invited me and my family to visit them. The bonds were re-established. And it's good to know that God's love is ever alive in these brethren in Cabanatuan. It was a great family reunion. I love these brethren of Nueva Ecija, my dad's home province.
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