Just an Instrument

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

There are some experiences in mission work that stay with you long after the outreach ends. Looking back, one of the moments that truly changed my perspective was meeting Tatay Benjamin and Nanay Linda during our stay in the mission field. What started as a simple act of service eventually became a lesson about faith, healing, and how God works quietly in people’s lives.

When we first visited their home, we offered free massage and blood pressure services to the community. Nanay Linda was hesitant at first, which was understandable since we were still strangers to them.

Thankfully, with the help of Nanay Vilma, she slowly opened up to us. As the days passed, their home became one of the places where we felt most welcomed. They treated us warmly, almost like family, and eventually accepted our invitation for a Bible study.

As we continued visiting them, Tatay Benjamin shared his story with us. Before we arrived in their area, he had suffered an attack that left him paralyzed. There was even a point where he could only crawl because walking had become too difficult for him. Most of his days were spent lying in bed, isolated in his room, carrying the weight of hopelessness and weakness.

Hearing his story made me realize how heavy life can become when someone loses both physical strength and hope at the same time.

But little by little, things began to change.

During our visits, Tatay Benjamin said that listening to the Word of God gave him comfort and peace. We also noticed changes in him—not just physically, but emotionally. His face became brighter, and there was a sense of hope that slowly returned to his life.

When the crusade started, he became excited to attend and listen to every message. By God’s grace, he later accepted the Lord through baptism.

What inspired me the most was his determination. Even with his condition, he never allowed his struggles to stop him from attending Sabbath worship. Every visit reminded me how genuine faith can give someone the strength to keep going, even when life feels difficult.

Over time, Tatay Benjamin shared that he was finally able to walk farther again—something he once believed was impossible. He also became more disciplined with his health and willingly gave up unhealthy foods, even his favorites. His blood pressure stabilized, and the joy on his face became more visible every time we saw him.

Looking back now, I realized that this experience changed me just as much as it changed him. Before entering the mission field, I honestly thought mission work was mainly about helping others through service, encouragement, or sharing Bible studies. But through Tatay Benjamin’s story, I learned that God also uses these moments to transform the hearts of the people serving. I realized that healing is not always instant or dramatic—sometimes it happens quietly through consistent faith, small acts of kindness, and simply being present for someone during their hardest moments.

I also learned that we are never the main reason behind someone’s transformation. We can offer our time, effort, and care, but real healing and change come from God alone. Watching Tatay Benjamin regain hope taught me that even the simplest acts—listening, visiting, praying, or showing compassion—can impact someone more deeply than we realize. In the end, this experience reminded me that being used by God is not about doing something big or extraordinary. Sometimes, it is simply about showing up with a willing heart and allowing Him to work through us.

-Desiree Mae Perez I 65th Batch 1000MM