Tested By Fire
Trials test our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “…so that the tested genuineness of your faith…more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire…may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” For Gigi, her faith in the Lord was literally tested by fire, or we could call it “the refiner’s fire.”_
The home of Gigi, a widow with 11 children, 10 of which still live at home, was hit by a fire that destroyed 280 homes in their barangay (community). They tried to save what they could, but many of their belongings were lost and the home was beyond repair. Gigi, as a member of New Life Community Church in Mandaue City, Philippines, received a lot of help, including the rebuilding of her home to make it larger and stronger to withstand constant flooding in their community.
At about this same time, she lost her job as a helper in a home. Hope Eternal Asia worked with her to provide a very small loan ($36.00) so that she could start selling snacks in her community. The income from this certainly didn’t cover what she lost in her previous job, but it provided about 40% of what she was previously earning. She also took on a few small jobs like washing clothes for a family. She was faithful in paying off her loan in just over two months.
Gigi has now received a second loan for the same amount so that she can expand her small business to more snacks and also drinks. She is hoping to prepare and cook a few meal dishes that she can sell out on the street. Our goal with her is that she can increase her income enough to cover the total daily income she was receiving from her previous employment. Will this lift her out of poverty? Absolutely not! But it is a step in the right direction.
We are praying that these trials by fire and unemployment will strengthen her faith, help her to make wise life choices, and influence her family in godly ways (a few of her children are now attending church periodically). A Bible study has been started in her home with her two sisters and two nieces having prayed to receive Christ. We are praying that they will want to be baptized in the near future. A children’s Bible club will be starting in that community soon.