One time at an ExCEL service, God spoke to me; “Bakit mo minamaliit yung kakayahan Ko sa’yo?” And that became my wake-up call.– Sis. Myla Del Rosario
“My father passed away when I was 14 years old which was very difficult for our family. We struggled financially, emotionally, and even our security. Growing up in a big family with six siblings was tough and having a better future seemed not on our side. In that season of our lives, I dreamt to finish a bachelor’s degree, either in Fine Arts or Architecture during college. However, my family could not afford to send us to college. I was not a Born Again Christian yet at that time. By the grace and goodness of the Lord, He allowed me to finish a two-year course in college. I finished Diplomat in Information Technology through a scholarship program of TESDA and through serving as a student assistant. So after that, I told myself that as soon as I graduate college and have a job, I will still pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in college. But because of limited finances in our family along with having too many siblings and being the first member of our family to finish college, my main priority shifted. This from studying to helping my family and sending my other siblings to college.
At the age of 19, I started working as a call center agent in Alabang for an International Bank account. That was also the time I found the love of God through accepting Him as my Lord and Savior. After that, by the grace of the Lord, He did not only provide a job for me. After working as a call center agent, He promoted me as a coordinator and after another year, as a supervisor or unit manager in the company. So after a decade of working, my siblings have finally finished their studies in college. Only one of our siblings, who is the youngest, is the one who is still studying. He’s already in Senior High School. So I asked God, “What’s next for me?” I was having thoughts of going back to college so I prayed for it!
Since February 2018, I have been attending ExCEL services and praying for it. I told my family that I would resign from my current job and I would continue my plans on going back to college. I was so grateful and tearful at that time because I didn’t receive any objection from them. They have wanted to support me in my dreams. To make this story short, God led me to a program called Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) of CHED, which would allow me to use my work experience to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. So instead of four years, in just a year or two, I could finish my college degree. It is just expensive though. It would cost me around more than a hundred thousand. So I prayed about it, that’s why I always keep on coming back here at ExCEL service. When I inquired from a university, they said that I don’t need to resign because I am not required to be part of the school activities all the time. I am still allowed to work. With this fact, God used my job for me to sustain my needs for my tuition fee. At first, I doubted and was looking for universities that have lower tuition fees. One time at ExCEL service, God spoke to me; “Bakit mo minamaliit yung kakayahan Ko sa’yo?” And that became my wake-up call!
There are so many miracles God has performed for my family! My siblings were able to finish their studies. I also have a job, so why am I doubting God’s capability to do this for me? That was the time that I did not leave my job and in that one week, it was not that easy. It was also challenging because the course lessons are all compressed in just one year! Imagine that while one is studying, she is also working.
During the first semester, I got a fracture in my left foot so I stopped working and was burdened on what happened. But God turned that tragedy into a blessing! The reason why God allowed that to happen, is for me to focus on my studies during the first semester. The Lord is so good because He turned that situation into a blessing. The following semester, I missed a lot of deadlines and I was kneeling and praying to God that, “It is going to be okay, just let me pass the exam.”
Nevertheless, God has reminded me of His promise, “Anak, you will graduate no matter what.” So I hold on to that promise of the Lord. During the second semester, I saw my grades and I was completely shocked because I did not only pass the exam but also obtained high grades! I asked myself, “My project submissions were late but how did this happen?” During that time, I know that it is the will of the Lord. The demand at work was really high and I was already at the point of leaving my job to continue my studies-just for me to finish the last semester. God still made a way and He spoke to my supervisors at work and they allowed me to take a leave for one week. By the goodness of the Lord, I finished that one-year college course and God provided all my needs! He sustained my financial needs from the tuition fees and allowances to complete my projects and assignments.
July 2019 is the fulfillment of His promise. I was able to finish my college degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Philippine Women’s University. God still fulfills the desire of my heart, to finish my studies. And I made a promise to the Lord that once I graduated, I will testify His faithfulness for He is a Promise Keeper! After a month, God was telling me; “Anak, nasaan na ang pangako mo?” And here it is now!
God has fulfilled His promise to me on time and more than what I have expected! This time is the fulfillment of what I also promised to the Lord. To give thanks, honor, and glory to the God who made all things possible! In His Word, it says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is what God did to bless me and my family! I believe that all of us experience different kinds of situations, but there’s one thing we need to do. And that is to give thanks and glory to Him! All the glory and honor belong to Him!
