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It happened at the most unusual place, on the most unusual day using the most unusual people! But God’s plans has to be fulfilled, and no one can hide or make excuses… When it is our time to be a child of God, it is time.

One fine Saturday, I invited my very close friend to accompany me to my uncle in Bulacan. I need to pick up some prescription medicines from him. My favourite uncle happens to be a doctor. Not just an ordinary doctor. He specializes in psychiatry, one of the best doctors in his field in the country. Maybe because of his so much intelligence and education acquired from studying overseas, he never believed that there is a real God. He has seen so many mental, emotional and physical troubles in mankind for him to believe that there is a perfect God who created the imperfect human body and maybe, even soul.

Anyways, seeing uncle is always a delight. He loves to talk about the deeper truths of life as he believes it. He can’t stand any boring non-sense talks, he is very sharp and brutally frank. And I need to speak to him in English. This is one rule he implemented with me way back when I was a kid. I don’t know why he singled me out amongst his so many nephews and nieces, but that is the secret rule between the two of us.

But this one meeting will be different. It will be the most special and one which I will never ever forget for the rest of my life.

After the usual hi and hello and the doctor’s order for the day, he sat down besides me. He started talking about some strange things about how he was these past couple of months. And he started talking about God. I was not prepared for this kind of conversation so I excused myself.

I looked for my aunt , I asked her what is going on with uncle. Then my aunt started speaking about some strange things too. Your uncle got born again! Huh? This uncle? Yes, uncle received this Jesus as His Lord and Saviour. No, that can’t be real. He is already 72 years old, nothing as impossible as that can still happen to him. Surely he was acting differently. Like I sensed a certain calmness, joy and humility in him. Then dear aunt saw an opportunity. She asked me if I wanted to experience the same. Well, I was not prepared for this either, but sure why not? She asked me to kneel down besides her and we prayed the simplest prayer I have ever recited in my life - asking Jesus to come to my life to be my Lord and Saviour!!!

After praying, I felt nothing different. My aunt was euphoric and could not contain her excitement. She went to the phone talking to some people. Uncle was delighted to know what his wife did to me, but remained just as calm and just smiling.

Aunt said we were invited for supper. Ok, that’s nice. I can handle another surprise for the day.

Three hours later, we were in the house of a Pastor. The table was filled with food so I wonder what the occasion is. The Pastor, whom I have met for the first time said it was for me. Why? To celebrate my becoming a child of God. Ok, that is nice. Still I didn’t feel anything different. The house was filled with people I have not met before and they were all happy for me. Why?

Before supper started, the Pastor started praying. He came near me to very gently touch my forehead.

Blackout !

Next thing I knew I was laying on the floor ! How long have I been there? I don’t know.

What happened ? Everyone was just smiling. My aunt said I was filled by the Holy Spirit. Really? What was that ? But no, there is something else. I don’t know how to explain it, but there was a certain calmness and joy that I can’t explain. Something similar to what I saw with my uncle earlier, but this time I can personally feel it within me.

On the way back to our house, while riding on a jeepney, something was stirring in my spirit. It felt different. It felt new. When I reached home, I headed to my room and search for something. I was searching for a ….bible!. And when I found it, I started reading it …why? I dont know. But from that day forward, I knew things won‘t ever be the same again.

That day, Feb 28, 1987, I sought a doctor for a physical need but what I got was a prescription for an everlasting life !

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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