FINDING FAITH AMIDST FAMILY OPPOSITION

Jezel Bautista’s Conversion Journey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought widespread death and economic hardship, disrupting lives and halting daily activities. For many, it was a time of despair, but for Jezel Bautista, it marked the beginning of a transformative spiritual journey.

Before the pandemic, Jezel Bautista led a life devoted to her religion. However, she had always been skeptical of her brotherin-law, Aris, and her sister Jennifer, who were both Seventh Day Adventists. Shed is missed their lifestyle as restrictive and unenjoyable, despite their repeated invitations for Bible study, Jezel found excuses to decline, viewing their beliefs as incompatible with her own. However, the unprecedented lockdowns left Jezel with no place to hide. She recalls, “We were quarantined, not allowed to go out or attend school, so I had no other choice but to sit down and listen to their ‘brainwashing Bible study’.” What started as a reluctant engagement turned into a profound quest for truth.

Initially driven by the desire to prove her own beliefs, Jezel found herself increasingly drawn to the teachings of the Bible. “Each verse I read moved me,” she admits. “I started to hunger and thirst for more truth about the Bible.” Her resistance waned as she delved deeper into the scriptures, finding answers to questions she didn’t even know she had. The writings of Ellen G. White also played a significant role in her journey, complementing the Bible’s teachings and further solidifying her new found faith.

Jezel’s conversion was not without challenges. Her father reacted with hostility upon discovering her and her sister Angeline’s commitment to their new faith. The situation escalated to the point where her father disowned her brother-in-law and sister, forcing them to leave the family home. Jezel and Angeline faced similar threats and endured extreme measures, including being isolated at their family farm and facingphysicalthreats. One morning, her father became enraged again, searching for the Bible and books of Mrs. White that they had hidden, intending to tear them and burn them. Jezel cried as she watched the book ‘GreatControversy’ slowlyburnand turn to ashes. Her father’s eyes were red andbright,his voicealmostroaring. Jezel felt fear and pity towards him. He then shoutedat her,“Choose now,me or your God?” Thequestion washeartbreaking. It felt like she was being stabbed by a thousand needles in her heart. Despite wantingtochoosehimandhughim, she could not turn away from her God. The verse in Matthew 10:37 constantly played in her head, ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me’. No matter how hard she tried to make them understand, they would always see her as rebellious and

disrespectful.

Despite facing opposition from her family, Jezel’s faith remained unshaken. “The more he threatened us, the more I was convinced that I was on the right path,” she says. The harsh treatment only strengthened her resolve, culminating in a powerful dream she had of Christ’s second coming. “. In the dream, she saw Jesus shining bright with thousands of angels. Distressed because she wasn’t baptized, she felt she wouldn’t be able to join Him. She prayed for another chance, and in the dream, He listened to her request.” The dream left her feeling fearful and motivated to get baptized

Determined to pursue her belief, Jezel and Angeline left home with little more than faith to guide them. Their journey led them to reconnect with their sister and brother-in-law, finding refuge and support within the Adventist community. Jezel’s persistence and unwavering faith bore fruit as she fully surrendered to Jesus and was baptized on September5,2020.

Today, Jezel looks back at the pandemic not as a curse but as a blessing in disguise. It was a period of profound personal growth and spiritual awakening. Presently, she dedicates her time as a volunteer with the 1000 Missionary Movement, 61st batch, and is currently serving in her mission field in Sa Roosevelt, Dinalupihan, Bataan. Her sister Angeline is a teacher at an Adventist institution.

Although their relationship with their father remains strained, Jezel holds on to her faith, believing that God will eventually mend their familial bonds. Reflecting on her journey, Jezel finds peace in the assurance that God has always been with her, guiding and sustaining her through the most difficult times. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the belief that even in the darkest times, there is light and hope to be found.

"Each verse I read moved me, I started to hunger and thirst for more truth about the Bible.”