Hi everyone! I am Nikki Marayag-Tecson from Worship Department.
2 years ago I stood up here to testify God’s miracle in our family. And here I am again, standing in front of you to testify God’s promise in my life.
Last October, I was engaged to my boyfriend Jules Tecson. We were planning our wedding day to be on August 8, 2018. Meanwhile, my family was in the US. And my parents were there for almost 6 years straight. But they promised me that they would be coming home on my wedding day, and that my dad would walk me down the aisle. I thought, “Finally, my prayer would be answered; to be with them again!”
While preparing for Go Beyond last March, my dad was taken to the hospital for extreme physical pain – he could not walk, sit, nor stand. He was then confined, and his condition became critical. The doctors could not point out the root cause of his pain. They told us that infection was all over his body. He is terminally ill and under the hospice care.
It was very difficult for us, especially for me who was really hoping for their promise. I think it’s every girl’s dream to walk down the aisle with her father on her wedding day. So, I cried out to the Lord. “Please send healing upon my dad and let me be with my family on my wedding day.”
In the midst of Go Beyond season, I was assigned to lead the praise and worship for Day 2. It was not an accident that our battle cry for Day 2 was Go in His Strength. God knew that I’m going to need His strength in that season of my life. I held on to Joshua 1:9, to not be afraid, nor be discouraged for the Lord is with me. God is with me in my battle.
Dad stayed in the hospital for almost 2 months; from ICU to a regular room then back to ICU. But God was surely moving, because my dad’s condition became better – good enough to finally transfer him to a regular room. He then underwent through physical therapies, breathing, and muscle exercises. However, we were worrying because nobody accompanies him. My mom and my sister are working and my brother is still studying. The hospital is 30-45 minutes away (without traffic) from their home. They could only accompany him during the weekends. Meanwhile, my sister and I here in the Philippines were trying our best to comfort dad through video calls.
For 2 months, dad was in the hospital, but God is really with us. We found out that his therapist was also a Christian and every after session, she prays for him. I realized that dad was not alone at all – because God is with Him!
Last June, our Dad finally got out of the hospital and was beginning to recover. It was very timely because it was my brother’s vacation from school. Finally, my dad now has a companion. Now we have this dilemma, if his doctors would allow him to fly back to Philippines for my wedding. Not to mention that he is still under the care of his cardiologist because of his heart surgery from 2 ½ years ago.
But our God is a promise keeper. My family came home for my wedding! And my parents walked me down the aisle. Though with support, my dad still kept his promise to me. More than that, my Father in heaven kept his promise to me; delight in Him and He will give me the desires of my heart, to believe and receive. The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised. Be confident that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).
Another blessing, my family is here with me to proudly proclaim the Lord’s goodness in our lives.
Remember that no matter how difficult the battle is, or no matter how complicated and critical your battle is, God is with you.
God bless you! All praise and glory to our God!
