Kept by a Hand Unseen: A Testimony of Deliverance

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves"

Colossians 1:13

We often talk about faith as if it’s a perfectly curated aesthetic—neat, predictable, and flawless. But real faith? Real faith is forged in the trenches of the things we don’t talk about.

My name is Keam, and as a 1000 Missionary, my calling has brought me face-to-face with some of the most profound displays of God's grace. But nothing prepared me for the privilege of meeting a young woman named Suzie (not her real name, out of respect for her privacy). At twenty-four, Suzie possesses a strength that was quiet long before anyone actually noticed it. She is intelligent, deeply resourceful, and naturally street-smart. On the surface, she’s outgoing and talkative—the kind of person who instantly warms up a room.

Yet, beneath that high-energy exterior is a soul who finds her deepest comfort in quiet spaces, the safety of home, and the stillness of the dark. Her faith anchors her, and she serves her church fiercely. When the noise of the world becomes too overwhelming, she anchors herself in the writings of Ellen White, finding peace in words that ground her.

Suzie didn't have the luxury of a carefree childhood; she had to grow up fast. As the only child of her parents (though she has half-sisters on her father’s side), her home life was incredibly heavy. She grew up under the shadow of her father’s domestic abuse toward her mother—a reality that deeply scarred her emotional world. Forced to carry burdens way too heavy for a child, she learned to survive on her own, working to provide for her basic needs and put herself through school.

The trauma ran deep. As a teenager, Suzie battled severe identity crises and a mountain of unresolved pain. That suffocating darkness led to twenty-six suicide attempts. Today, the quiet scars on her left hand serve as a physical map of the battles she survived. When things get too heavy, her coping mechanism is to completely withdraw into silence and solitude. During her most intense emotional episodes, she often cuts her hair short—a physical manifestation of trying to shed a weight she can’t find the words to express.

Adding to this complex history is a generational spiritual battle. Suzie grew up surrounded by artifacts of black magic and sorcery. Her late grandfather (tatay) kept amulets and books filled with Latin inscriptions, even trying to pass this spiritual "power" down to her before he died—a legacy she fiercely refused. Strangely, for five consecutive years, she found herself hospitalized every single Holy Week, though she never connected the dots to anything supernatural at the time. Even now, she experiences dark, eerie presences in her home. But Suzie doesn't flinch. She simply stares back and goes about her day, proving that even the darkness knows she won’t be easily shaken.

On December 4th, the enemy triggered another massive emotional crisis. Overwhelmed by severe heartbreak and anger caused by her boyfriend's actions, the pain became a dead weight. Desperate for rest, she attempted to end her life by ingesting ten medical tablets and attempting to hang herself. By God’s absolute grace, her mother walked in at the exact right moment and saved her.

Even after the physical rescue, a heavy, suffocating warfare consumed her. Her breathing turned labored and distorted, her chest tightened in agonizing pain, and her body went completely rigid. In that moments of ultimate vulnerability, a dark spiritual entity tried to take control and speak through her. But darkness doesn't win when Jesus is in the room. Through relentless prayers, the singing of hymns, and the undeniable, powerful intervention of the Holy Spirit, the enemy was completely defeated.

Suzie finally found rest that night. It was a raw, undeniable reminder that Jesus Christ is truly mighty to save. Today, Suzie still carries deep pain and fights ongoing battles, but through His strength, she chooses life every single day. We continue to visit her, pray with her, sing hymns, and remind her that she is never alone. God is still writing her story, and held by grace, Suzie is pressing forward—one day at a time.

Suzie’s journey is a powerful testament to a profound truth: our scars are never signs of defeat—they are proof of survival. They tell the story of a battle fiercely fought, a suffocating darkness confronted, and a Savior who simply refused to let go.

 Name: Keam Jean Duran

65th Batch

Mission Field: Dolores Ormoc, Leyte