Open Hands, Full Hearts

“The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered.”

— Proverbs 11:25

Every morning, during our usual house visitations, my partner and I would find ourselves back at the humble home of Nanay Tilyang and Tatay Litoy. Somehow, their little house became one of our favorite places to visit. They were more than just Bible students—they had slowly become family.

Tatay was losing his hearing, while Nanay couldn’t read, but that never stopped them from listening. Every time we opened the Bible, they would eagerly lean in, ready to hear God’s Word. And no matter how simple their home was, the warmth they gave us made it feel like a safe place—a little sanctuary where we could slow down, talk, laugh, and share God’s love.

But beneath those warm smiles was a reality we could not ignore. Both suffer from high blood pressure—Nanay’s reaching 200/100, Tatay’s 150/90. They rely on maintenance medicines, yet financial struggles often leave them uncertain if they can afford the next dose. Their children, though loving, are often busy with work, leaving Nanay and Tatay to face much of their journey alone. Still, Nanay faithfully attends church, while Tatay, weakened by illness, sometimes cannot.

Yet their faith never falters. Then came a moment that reminded me of God’s power. Over time, Nanay’s blood pressure began to improve—even without medication. She testified that simply being in church, hearing God’s Word, gave her peace and rest. Her story echoed Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” For Nanay, church became a place where she could find peace, rest, and renewed strength in Christ.

On my birthday, August 24, 2026, we planned a simple celebration—spaghetti to share with neighbors. But before dinner, Nanay arrived, desperate. Tatay had suffered another attack, and they needed money for transportation to the health center. Without hesitation, we gave what we had, adding more for his medicines. Later, we visited them, bringing food and prayers. Thankfully, it was a mild episode, and he did not suffer a stroke. But that moment stayed with me. It was my birthday, yet somehow I was the one receiving the gift.

Today, Tatay still experiences dizziness, especially when he is unable to take his maintenance medicine. We continue to pray for him. We know that faith does not mean pretending that sickness and hardship do not exist. It means bringing those realities to God and continuing to trust Him even when the answer has not yet come.That day, I realized that sometimes God answers our prayers not by giving us more to keep, but by giving us someone to serve.

Name: Ana Marie Orveta/66th Batch

Mission Field: Sitio Trese, Tubaon Tarragona Davao Oriental