Indescribable

Hiyee! When I heard her testimony at the Holy Trinity Communities’ CHOICES, I did not waste any single minute to ask her a copy. And so, here it is.

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I’m Anne Michelle Buagas called by many as Mickay, 32 years of age, working in Davao City Water District for 10 years as part of the ICT team.

Now let me start off by sharing how I was in my “pre-community” life. I grew up in a happy family, usahay gasimba, usahay dili, naay times nakatulog ko sa mass, and most of the time, LATE. During those times, I only remember to pray when there’s a need to pray. At a young age, I found my mom not so good. I grew up talking back at her with disrespect and I allowed negative thoughts to rule over me every time I disagree. Overall, living a Christian life for me then was almost zero.

But despite all that, God has been so generous to me. Who believes in miracles? I’ll share to you how God worked miraculously in my life. As mentioned earlier, I only remembered to pray when there’s a need to pray. One of the best examples was during my board review in Cebu. Because I needed to pass the board exam, everyday I visited Basilica de Sto. Niño just to beg “Lord maluoy ka, papasara tawon ko!” I didn’t know how to pray then. I even remember bargaining with the Lord, “Lord, if makapasa ko ani, I will give my life and serve you!” But 2 weeks before the exam, I was diagnosed with dengue, was hospitalized and discharged just 3 days before the exam. Of course, I felt so hopeless, wala nay gana, wala nay naremember sa mga nastudyhan.

During the actual exam, I felt so dizzy and fell asleep and woke up just 30 minutes before the time was up. That time, I just surrendered to God and said “Lord this is my best. Do as you wish.” But lo and behold, 3 days after that I received a phone call from a classmate saying, “Hello Engineer!” I did it? How? I don’t know? That was the first miracle. God even blessed me without me acknowledging His goodness.

But after that, I forgot everything I promised. Homebound in Davao, I got a job. I worked hard for my family. I even worked on Sundays justifying myself na kelangan nako magtrabaho para sa pagpaskwela sa akong mga igsoon, plus daghan utang na dapat bayaran. I even don’t have time to go to church or fulfil my promises. God waited for me. He tried calling me through many different people. I was constantly invited to join this community for almost 3 years, but I always respond, “Next time na lang.” But God, in his perfect time, worked for my second miracle.

In 2012, I was awarded as “Model Employee of the Year” in my company. With full gratitude in my heart, I finally heard myself saying “I think it’s time.”

Week after that, I joined the Alpha Course which is now called “Choices.” And there I found myself more and more immersed in God’s word. I found myself very excited for the next session, I thirst for more and I learned how to pray. My outlook in life changed and my relationship with my mom is never better. It is the best. In here, I found the services that I love, services where I can serve God best. I found the place where God has called me “home”.

Well, I wish I can say that I lived happily ever after, but unfortunately, Christian life is not a fairy tale.

2014 was the year of my total surrender. I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Of course, as devastated as I was, I cried asking God, “Why, Lord? Am I being punished? Have I done you wrong? I am now serving you, but why?” But our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. I may not understand it here I was surrendering my life to Him. With His grace, instead of succumbing in fear and frustrations, I found myself trusting God completely.

All the while I saw His hands helping me through the struggle, fighting with me in my battle. He gave me His abundant provisions and blessings. I felt His love in many ways, through the people around me, my family, loved ones, friends, the brothers and sisters who went their extra mile to support me. I never felt alone. And I thank God for giving me my third miracle, for healing me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am now married to my ex-boyfriend of 7 years who’s now my very supportive and loving husband, Jared. And for our latest miracle, despite having only one ovary, God has blessed us with this life inside me, our miracle baby boy. God is truly amazing!

I thank the Lord for being ever present in my life. I thank Him for all the happiness and the struggles I’ve been through that helped me mold into a kind of person He wants me to be. This life is His and that as His disciple, I promised to love and serve Him with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength. To God be all the glory!

Lord God, You are truly amazing. You are truly alive. With you, nothing is impossible.

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Thank you Mickay and Jared. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala!