Most people think that controversies only affect those who have huge influences– celebrities, public servants, business magnates, and the likes.

Seldom do you hear a teacher’s story whose career was hindered because of it.

Yet, here is Reichelle Cunanan, a 5-year long special education teacher in Singapore, who faced a dispute that pushed her to leave her job.

But the very thing that would supposedly impair her career became a significant turning point in her life.

Reichelle’s story proves that, indeed, God redirects the path of the people He loves, and what others meant to harm you, He would turn it for your good.

At an early age, Reichelle knew what God called her to do. That is, to serve and teach students with special needs.

“I’m so blessed to be in this profession because I know that this is the calling of the Lord for me,” Reichelle said.

It had always been her desire and dream to build a school for children, that’s why she tried her best to excel and teach students with utmost sincerity.

But in 2020, she got herself involved in a controversy she didn’t see coming. Her faith was tested, and her dream was threatened.

“There was a misunderstanding between the school personnel, parents, and me. At that time, they didn’t listen to my side of the story,” she recalled.

If you were in her situation, what would you do?

Would you fight, and prove them wrong? Would you defend yourself?

Reichelle did try to defend herself, but again, no one listened to her.

So, left with no choice, she came home to the Philippines. Without a job, and with a heavy heart and mind filled with questions.

Have you also questioned God why bad things happen to you?

“Why did something so trivial hinder me from pursuing my dreams?”

“Why am I being punished when all I did was follow You?”

“Why me, of all people?”

You’re not the only one who asked those questions. Reichelle did, and so do others who couldn’t understand why God allowed things they didn’t want to happen.

But despite the questions in her head and the depressing emotions she felt, Reichelle chose to pray and praise God instead.

God, being the faithful and wonderful Father that He is, answered in a very unexpected way. Reichelle chanced upon The 700 Club Asia and saw the hosts praying for the audience!

“Lord, would You give each one a willing heart to be healed, to be renewed, to be released from that bitterness and pain,” host Peter Kairuz declared.

She prayed alongside the host and received God’s peace.

Just like that, she experienced the kind of peace that surpasses understanding that the Prince of Peace, Jesus, alone could give!

“The testimonies, stories, and encouragement from The 700 Club Asia helped me. This ministry helps people in their spiritual walk with God,” Reichelle said.

It only took one person praying on the screen, and another receiving that prayer, to shift a situation. This is possible for you, too.

Since then, Reichelle started looking at things differently.

She used her time to share the gospel to her family, relatives, and friends at the height of the pandemic. She also initiated doing online Bible studies for kids!

When the year 2021 came, God granted her long-awaited dream.

Reichelle now has a tutorial center for kids, named ‘Chesed,’ which means, ‘God’s loving kindness.’ The center has more than 30 students, and continuously grew for the past months. Reichelle is also on the mission of providing jobs for teachers who lost theirs when the pandemic happened.

She said, “This is the verse I was holding on to: ‘And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns,’ (Philippians 1:6).”

How about you? Did you experience being pushed to the wall, having no better options to choose from but quit?

May Reichelle’s story give you hope that God’s ways are always greater! He sometimes shows up the least you expect Him, but in the way you need Him to be.

Believe that this can happen to your family, friends, and loved ones, too.

Help us in the mission to help more people like Reichelle. Together with CBN Asia Family of Ministries, you can be an instrument to change people’s lives and make their dreams come true. Partner with us!

Do you feel like your income is not enough for your family’s needs? Do you feel like the piling expenses are overwhelming you?

If so, then you might relate with Evelyn Caballo, who reached a point of letting go of important things just to survive.

Evelyn and her husband were both working in a hotel before the pandemic. Just like other businesses and companies, the hospitality industry was greatly affected by the health crisis. Vacations and travels were minimized and restricted to appease the spread of the virus.

This caused joblessness to hotel workers, including Evelyn.

The couple have 3 kids to support, who are all studying and have tuition fees to pay.

Aside from their family’s day to day expenses, their daughter Angela needs special care and attention. Consistent funding is necessary for Angela’s speech therapy, and as a parent who is currently unemployed, paying for all these needs is almost impossible for Evelyn.

As painful as it is for the couple, they had to cut off some important expenses, including Angela’s speech therapy.

Have you ever been in this kind of situation before? How did you overcome?

For Evelyn, the best thing she could do at such time was to seek God’s guidance.

Four years ago when Evelyn started watching The 700 Club Asia, she would always join the hosts as they prayed. This is the biggest help she got from the show — their prayer and encouraging words.

“In the middle of our difficult situations, their prayers are so heartfelt. Even when I am only watching them from a screen, it feels as though I am with them physically. They are my partners in prayer,” Evelyn said.

From then on, she committed to gather her family to kneel in prayer as they face challenges, especially when they are struggling financially. Indeed, God did not abandon them in their time of need.

Even when the salary was reduced, the company of Evelyn’s husband continued to provide groceries and food for their family. They also got consistent help from the government.

Their financial struggle did not hinder Evelyn to prioritize God by donating to Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm.

She said, “Every time that we have a need, it’s an opportunity to plant a seed.”

And after a few months of waiting, her husband fully got his job back.

This made Evelyn realize that God’s word planted in her heart gave her strength. That even in the pandemic, she continued to hold on to the truth that the Lord can bless and make someone prosper.

They were able to continue funding their kid’s studies and enrolled Angela back to her speech therapy.

“I want to tell Jesus that I love Him, and I am grateful for all that He has done,” Evelyn said.

If you are inspired and touched by Evelyn’s story and you want to extend help to others through CBN Asia, you are welcome to partner with us! Call 8-737-0-700 or visit cbnasia.org to know more about the ministry.