A Milestone Marked by Faith Part 1

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

When we started our journey to our mission field, we thought it would be like other places—comfortable and easy. But from the very beginning, it was already hard. On the way to the mountains, our motorcycle tire got a nail. I was shocked, but at the same time amazed. When we reached the road going up, it was steep, rocky, and dangerous. The rain made it worse—it felt like we were driving through a river. One side was a cliff, the other was a deep drop. It honestly felt like our lives were at risk.

But we kept going. At some point, my fear turned into surrender. I realized God didn’t bring me there to stay afraid—He brought me there to grow. And He did.

But the hardest part wasn’t the road. It was the stories of the people we met.

During our house-to-house visits, we went to more than a hundred homes. Many families had very little in life. Some were shy and hesitant, not used to people coming just to care for them. We offered simple help—checking blood pressure, giving massages, and most of all, listening.

One auntie finally said yes to a massage. It was her first time, and when she smiled, it felt like a small miracle. In that moment, I realized that God can use even simple acts to bring joy. We prayed for her, and you could see peace slowly replace the tiredness on her face.

Then we met an old lady who lived alone. Her story was heavy. She had lost many of her children because they lived far from hospitals and had no money. Her husband also died while working. She asked, “Why did this happen to me?” We didn’t try to give quick answers. Instead, we sat with her, listened, and cried with her. We held her hands and prayed, reminding her that God had not forgotten her. In that quiet moment, you could feel God’s presence bringing comfort where words could not.

In another home, we met a mother who had also lost many of her children. Only a few were left, and her son was in jail for something he didn’t do. She felt completely helpless. As she cried, we stayed beside her. We prayed for her son, for justice, and for her heart to find peace. It wasn’t us who comforted her—it was God working through that moment.

That mission changed me. I learned that ministry is not about comfort—it’s about showing up in someone else’s pain. It’s about being willing to listen, to pray, and to love. Through simple acts and real presence, God touched lives—including mine.

And one truth stayed with me: wherever God sends you, He goes ahead of you—and He brings comfort to every broken place.

Name: Miralyn Merced I 64th Batch 1000MM

Mission Field: Sitio. Bagang, Simbalan, Buenavista Agusan Del Norte