I pray to see you again. I miss you, Ingkong.
A Restrospect (Mass Orientation with Bro. Eli)
Believer Magazine, April-May 2005, Vol.02 No.05. - Happy New Year
pp.90-91
The entire history of the Church of God International was revealed when Bro. Eli gathered the newly baptized brethren for an orientation last March 13, 2005 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga. It was 'the event' of the year since this was the first time that the brethren have witnessed the revelation of what our organization had gone through from Bro. Nicolas Perez's to Bro. Eli's time in full details. With Bro. Eli as the prime speaker, a new perspective in each and everyone's divine servitude had surfaced and the faith once abided by had evolved into an unyielding fidelity to God, His ministers, and to the ones He had sent to lead us unto perfection, Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel.
The convention center was jampacked with faithfuls who were more than eager to spend the entire day in the company of our preachers. Not only our brothers and sisters aged 1 year below were invited for the acquaintance, but the others as well. It was like a Saturday when we would gather for our weekly 'Thanksgiving'. The atmosphere leaned more to a congenial environment wherein interaction took place and love permeated. Looking out from my spot in the bleacher, I saw all the action and felt all possible emotions I could gather. As Bro. Eli imparted the information invaluable to us as members of the Church of God in the Bible, I saw a woman (a newly baptized sister-in-faith) who, I think, was just about my age. She was sitting so still and listening attentively to what Bro. Eli was saying. Trying not to appear too conclusive, I imagined her former status and condition in life - the adversaries she had faced and the agonies and sorrows conciding them. What brought her to her present situation in life must have been bound to God's powerful deed. And if summoned for an interview, piles of possible stories could be unearthed that will give inspiration and good morals to the brethren.
Each of us has our own history to tell. From childhood days to the present, our lives are full events and experiences both meaningful and undesirable to us. We may never admit it outwardly though but some of them we just want to forget and consequently develop an attitude of avoiding their probabilities if possible. But generally, these seemingly bad incidents in our lives constitute much pf what we are now - mostly our desirable qualities are products of the existence as well as persistence of unfavorable happenings in our lives. After all the struggles to reach whatever goal or objective we may incur, we became better persons with a full and clear vision of our destination. This substantial stage in a man's life could be regarded as relative to us, members of the Church of God. Before we came to know the Truth, each of our lives were one 'hell' of a roller coaster ride; never knowing when it's going to break off. Apparently, we are now in a sound state. Our lives have more meaning and we have a clear insight to where we are heading. God had revealed all of these to us within the time being of our existence here on earth. And eventhough we know there still are more problems to come, our faith is that God is co-existing with us and the Church. He has seen us through in our 'past' lives. Assuredly, He will guide us through the rest of it.
Our organization under the leadership of Bro. Eli had gone through tough times adding the similar fate acquired by our preacher. People with evil intentions proved to be a constant nuisance in our determined will of propagating the Word of God. They never stopped creating senseless issues to malign Bro. Eli hoping those lies will cause the members to backslide and yield to them. But from time to time, we have proven that God is on our side. Bro. Eli is alive and undaunted by the many trials and obstacles that went his way. Our brothers and sisters are firm in their faith which is prominently seen through their respective ways of helping Bro. Eli in his plight. One way or the other, benevolence will have to shove through. God will never leave the ones who are true in serving Him deep in the puddle while the supposedly pious persons are wallowing in their worldly pleasures. True that history repeats itself as it is also written in the Bible - truer that God loves His people and He is among them who are steadfast in adhering to His commandments.
As I was viewing Bro. Eli from afar, I felt his incomparable love for the congregation. It was a homogenous feeling permeating around that was overwhelming in its sense. I couldn't imagine any man who has that kind of love for people who aren't even his close kins or intimate friends, for that matter. I was baptized year 1999 and I haven't shaken hands with Bro. Eli or talked to him privately (maybe in my dreams) but I know he loves me. Never in my stay here in his premises that I begged for food or lacked short with my needs. I am sufficient in provisions and spiritual nourishment. And he's doing it not because he's expecting something in return. Bro. Eli believes it is his duty to provide the brethren with all their needs even if it means sacrificing his. And that for me is the greatest sacrifice a man can offer. Throughout the history of the organization, Bro. Eli proved that he is unfailing in his obligation toward us. Incertitudes and subversions will arise but those aren't enough reasons to doubt the integrity of our preachers and the Church as a whole. A proper forum is necessary to discuss those things and that was what Bro. Eli thought of.
Many time in his speech, he said, "...kung mawawala ako..." ("...if I would die..."). For me, those words are hurtful enough to make me shed a tear. I couldn't imagine my life without Bro. Eli as I couldn't imagine God punishing me with eternal damnation for my numerous transgressions. I trust God in his commissioning Bro. Eli to preach his teachings and I trust Bro. Eli in the rightful way he's ministering the members of this organization. History is the enduring proof. And God is the eternal witness.
