From "No" to "Yes"

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

— 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NIV)

At 19 years old, I have already witnessed something that strengthened my faith in a way I will never forget.

Each day, our team went from house to house inviting people to our nightly evangelistic meetings. Along with sharing God's Word, we offered free services, prayed with families, and built friendships within the community. There, we met Tatay Castillo, a member of another faith.

He was living with serious health complications after surgery for appendicitis, requiring a permanent abdominal opening. His wife, whom we lovingly called Nanay, had been paralyzed for nearly twenty years and was unable to walk. Despite their difficult circumstances, they welcomed us with warmth and kindness.

From that day forward, we visited their home every afternoon.

While one of our lay Bible workers conducted Bible studies, we offered simple acts of service such as foot massages, prayed with them, and spent time listening to their stories.

These moments reminded me that Christ's method of ministry begins with compassion before invitation.

As the days passed, Tatay faithfully attended our nightly evangelistic meetings.

His love for studying the Bible grew, and he eagerly listened as we shared God's truth. Eventually, we studied the biblical Sabbath together. With the baptism scheduled for Sabbath morning, we asked him if he wanted to dedicate his life to Jesus through baptism. His answer was, "No."

Although disappointed, I continued praying. I knew that changing a heart is not the work of a missionary—it is the work of the Holy Spirit. The following afternoon, I asked him once more.

He answered, "Yes, but I need to ask permission from my wife and my children. If they don't allow me, I cannot be baptized." That small "yes" gave me hope.

On Friday, our final day of visitation, we brought groceries and five kilograms of rice for the family. As we prepared to leave, Nanay began to cry. She thanked us for coming to their home every day, praying with them, serving them, and making them feel remembered. It was a simple reminder that acts of kindness often prepare hearts long before decisions are made. That evening, during the appeal after the sermon, twelve people stood to prepare for baptism. Tatay remained seated.

After the meeting, I spoke with him one final time. "My wife and children won't allow me to be baptized," he quietly said , my heart broke.

That night, I prayed more earnestly than ever before, surrendering everything to God.

By then, I had learned that faith sometimes means trusting even when the answer seems to be "no." Early Sabbath morning, we traveled to the baptismal site. I had already accepted that Tatay would probably not come.

As I began taking photographs of those preparing for baptism, someone wearing a white polo walked into my camera frame. I lowered my camera and looked again, it was Tatay Castillo.

Tears immediately filled my eyes as I whispered—and then joyfully exclaimed—"Thank You, Lord!" Unable to contain my excitement, I hurried over and asked him what had changed his mind.

He smiled and simply said,

"Salvation is personal. My family cannot save me when Judgment Day comes."

At that moment, I knew those words were not the result of human persuasion.

They were evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a willing heart.

That Sabbath morning, 16 precious souls publicly declared their faith in Jesus through baptism. Among them stood Tatay Castillo—a testimony that God is still calling people, one heart at a time.

Looking back, I realize that God was teaching me as much as He was teaching Tatay. Mission is not about convincing people. It is about loving them enough for them to see Jesus through us. We plant the seed, we water it with kindness and prayer, but only the Holy Spirit can change a human heart. At 19 years old, I learned a lesson that has stayed with me ever since: Never underestimate what God can do with a heart that is fully surrendered to Him.

Name: Ronafien Jay Dawe/66th Batch

Mission Field: Davao De Oro