Hi youth! I’m glad and honored to share my story with you. This was how I encountered Jesus before…

I grew up as an adopted child to a Christian family. I was dedicated in Sapang Palay Bethel Temple Area E. I grew up in a Christian world but I lived in a world full hatred and vengeance. Though hindi naman nagkulang sa pagpapalaki ang mother ko sakin, there was a force inside of me that lead me to want to get even with the people who create scars in my heart.

Since I am adopted, I experienced rejection. First, I experienced rejection sa nanay ko na pinamigay ako sa pinsan niya, na naging nanay ko ngayon. Pinamigay niya ako dahil kinahihiya niyang I am a daugther of an NPA member. Second, I experienced rejection from the family who adopted me and their relatives, kasi feeling ko di ko deserve maging part ng clan nila. Halos lumaki akong sagana sa rejection. Next, I was also also taken advantage of, not just by one person but a lot of them.

Grabe no? I was tortured mentally, emotionally and physically while growing up. That pain from my past led me to a wrong perspective in life. So, I questioned God: “Why does He allow suffering to happen even when I grew up in a Christian world?” Or baka wala naman talagang Diyos who exists in this cruel world. Or kung powerful nga Siya, bakit di na lang Niya tanggalin yung pain that caused me fear from living in freedom dahil nakakahiya yung past life ko. If God really exists, why life is so unfair?

Hatred, anger and vengeance! those words have been part of my life. I excelled in school for my selfish ambition, just to brag that “ito nga pala iyong batang nilalait ninyo!” Lumaki ako na laging may gustong patunayan. Matapang pero kapag pinag-uusapan ang pamilya at past life, mabilis akong napapaluha at napapatikom dahil parang wala kong maipagmamalaki sa buhay ko.