Good day everyone! I am Ryan Encabo, a dermatologist. Have you been waiting for a miracle in your life to happen? Today, I want to share how He moved in our lives. God favored my dreams— to be a doctor and to marry this woman, Elizabeth. We got married in 2014. As much as wanting to be together, we wanted to have a child. But we encountered infertility issues in the midst of our marriage. Everytime I look at my wife, I can see the shame whenever they called us ‘barren’. But I told her, “We are not childless, we are child-free. We still have time to focus on our relationship and our ministry.”
May 24, 2018 was our anniversary when my wife handed me a bag with a positive pregnancy test. Finally, the long wait is over! The best gift I have ever received is the news that I was going to be a father! On the 6th week of her pregnancy, we scheduled for an ultrasound. I saw the baby and I was completely mesmerized; it was indeed love at first sight!
After two months, my wife started to bleed, I rushed her to the emergency room and we found out that the fetus has no heartbeat anymore. By that time, we were both emotional because of the loss. However, I still thank the Lord for lending us an angel and for allowing us to experience being a parent over a short period of time. Several months had passed. In our effort to find the cause of her miscarriage, we discovered that she has Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APAS) wherein my wife’s immune system affects the baby’s condition. Then, we underwent some costly laboratory tests just to get immunization for her body.
My wife conceived again after a few weeks. I saw and acknowledge the two lines! This time, the doctors reminded us to consider some things for the baby’s protection. We had to take laboratory tests and one of these costs a hundred thousand pesos which she needs to undergo every month. But truly, God made a way and we were able to take the test.
After a month, my wife started to bleed again. Before she took the medicine, we called for an ultrasound. Then, we found out that the baby was gone, again. This time, we were deeply hurt but I still thank the Lord for allowing us meet those angels because it strengthened our marriage. When we attended the ExCEL service, I asked God, “Lord, when will I experience Your miracles?” However, we continued to serve Him, we are still up for missions and I am teaching CLDP classes.
December 2018, Elizabeth told me that her period was two months delayed so we decided to take a pregnancy test. It showed up immediately: a negative result. She was not pregnant. I know, it was hard on her part to have that result repeatedly. Nevertheless, I still encouraged her to try it once more. On the nth time of trying, it showed a positive result!
We allotted time in working out to strengthen our bodies. When Pastor Anthony knew about this, we told our condition and he prayed for us. After praying he said to me, “Tandaan mo itong lugar na ‘to kung saan tayo nanalangin, magandang testimony ‘yan.” That motivated me.
Every month, we were in the hospital to take an ultrasound. We were happy that the baby is viable until its 9th week. As I read tons of textbooks about the APAS condition, my mind cannot stop thinking the risk of giving birth to an APAS baby. It is hard when you have gained so much information; it is better to put our hope in the Lord and cling to His promises than to read those complications. But our story did not stop there. My wife experienced some complication. On the 35th week of her pregnancy, she told me that she cannot handle it anymore. The doctors advised us to go to the hospital because she is about to undergo a cesarean delivery. It was only 35 weeks and it would put the life of my baby or my wife at risk. However, I kept on praying and seeking for answers. After 20 minutes of waiting, this is what i saw.
I have not just seen a miracle but I’ve also touched her! My wife is also safe. Let me ask this question again, have you been waiting for a miracle in your life to be born? Brothers and sisters do not stop praying and keep on fighting. ”If you have APAS in your life, it means that ‘Ang Panginoon Ay Sapat.” The battle will be worth it. His love, favor, and blessings are enough. Let me end this testimony by sharing this verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
