Reading, Writing, Believing

Amihan's* journey began with the literacy program run by our partner Pastor Elson and his wife Meriam in the South Philippine Sea. What began with reading and writing became the gateway to a life-changing encounter.

Through the program, Amihan heard the message of God's love for the first time. She learned about what Jesus did for us on the cross, about his forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Slowly, her heart opened and she began to believe in Jesus. But despite her growing faith, there was one thing holding her back: fear.

Baptism—a misfortune?

For years, Amihan carried a heavy burden. Every time she saw a baptism, something bad happened in her family: a loved one fell ill or there were other problems. She began to associate baptism with misfortune. This filled her with fear.

But God did not give up on Amihan. She had a dream that was so vivid it felt like she was awake. In her dream, she saw Jesus. He came up to her, put his hand on her shoulder, and said, “Amihan, your sins from the past and present are forgiven. Don’t be afraid, I am with you.” When she woke up, she felt a peace she had never experienced before. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart.

Obstacles overcome

That morning, Amihan made the decision to no longer be ruled by fear, but to trust Jesus completely and surrender her life to him. As she stepped into the water for baptism, she felt a sense of freedom and joy that cannot be described in words. She knew she was not alone: Jesus was with her and had overcome all the obstacles in her life.

Today, Amihan is no longer afraid. She is a child of God and knows that Jesus will never abandon her. Her story reminds us that fear does not have the last word. That Jesus is greater than all the challenges and fears we may ever encounter. He wants to heal our wounds and give us a new life full of meaning and hope.

* Name changed