God Can Move You from Despair to Hope

Are life’s hardships weighing you down?

Norma Baltazar understands this feeling.

Norma relied on a small pig farm to make ends meet, but when African Swine Flu struck, most of their pigs died, wiping out their primary source of income.

Her daughter then took on the responsibility of providing for the family.

However, Norma’s world was shattered when her daughter tragically passed away from lupus. The loss left her grieving deeply, and also without the means for necessary check-ups or medication.

As she was still trying to recover, another blow came. A year later, her husband had a tumor which prevented him from working.

“I don’t think of myself anymore. I only think of my family,” she shared.

Not long after, her husband passed away, leaving Norma utterly heartbroken and without a steady income. Each day that followed seemed to deepen her sorrow, as the weight of her losses grew heavier, and the future appeared increasingly bleak.

Despite her grief, Norma found a glimmer of hope when Operation Blessing’s Medical Brigade arrived in her community in Ilocos.  Norma lined up early in the morning with her sister-in-law.

The Medical Brigade provides free medical care such as general checkups, and dental and optical services. They also provide free medicines and hygiene kits.

The volunteers greeted them with kindness and care, providing not just the essential medical check-ups and medications that had become so hard to afford, but something even more precious—God’s Word and prayer.

“Our community really needed this medical brigade,” Norma shared.

As the team prayed with her and shared God’s comforting words, Norma experienced a warmth in her heart she hadn’t felt for a while.

She remembered she wasn’t alone, that God had not forgotten her even during her tough times. At that moment, her heavy burden started to lift, giving way to a fresh feeling of peace and hope.

Norma’s story is a beautiful reminder of how God’s love reaches us even in our most desperate times. As Psalm 34:18 NLT says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Let Norma’s story encourage you to keep hoping, no matter what problems you face.

Your support can bring hope and healing to others who are struggling like Norma. Share your blessings and help Operation Blessing conduct more medical brigades all over the Philippines. Partner with us today!

How to Trust God During the Most Difficult Times?

What if the blessing that the Lord gave you was taken away immediately? Would you still trust Him?

After a year of being married, Joan and her husband were very happy to receive the good news that she was pregnant. They believe that it was a blessing from God.

But after 7 weeks of pregnancy, Joan experienced bleeding, and sadly, had a miscarriage. Grieving, she prayed to the Lord to help her accept and understand what was happening.

After a year, Joan was surprised that God answered their prayers once more: she was pregnant again.

Because of excitement, she went to the doctor the next day.

Joan’s ultrasound showed that she has a blighted ovum. It was a condition where her embryo stopped developing that caused her second miscarriage.

Joan started to ask why God allowed this to happen to her.

Do you also question God during the most difficult times?

You are not alone.

Joan had many questions too, and she felt hopeless.

Until one day, she saw a video from The 700 Club Asia on social media that featured the story of a woman who is suffering from PCOS and had a hard time getting pregnant. But true enough, our miracle-working God answered her prayers, and she soon gave birth to twins.

Joan regained her hope and began to trust God again.

She then sent a message to The 700 Club Asia and asked for prayers. She hoped to be pregnant again. She also surrendered everything to God and received Jesus as her Lord and Personal Savior.

On May 29, 2022, Joan received God’s answer to her prayers, that she was 6 weeks pregnant!

“I am very happy and I thank God because I was able to hear my baby’s heartbeat,” she recalled.

After experiencing God’s miracle in her life, Joan wanted to give back and started giving to CBN Asia. God touched her heart to give and to share His goodness with many.

Joan gave birth to her daughter, Janaya Tiffany Iris, last December 22, 2022.

“My daughter is my answered prayer. She is God’s miracle to us. Nothing is impossible with God,” she testified.

Joan’s story is a beautiful reminder to trust in God’s plans.

He is a miracle-working God and He hears the cries of your heart. Although we experience delays and setbacks in life, it is best to hold on to His promise that He has something great in store for us. In His time, He will make it happen.

As Isaiah 60:22 says, “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

Do you need someone to pray for you? Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700, or send us a message through Facebook.

If God is touching your heart to become our partner in sharing His love and blessings with others, visit cbnasia.org/give.

Can God Bring Me from Struggles to Triumph?

Do you have dreams that seem impossible?

Rica Mangahas had a simple wish: for her parents to see her graduate from college. But when her father passed away, this dream seemed out of reach. She wondered if she would ever make it to college.

Her mother, Amie, who sold meat at the market, barely earned enough to get by. Despite these hardships, Rica held onto her faith, believing that God would provide.

She applied for various scholarships and passed the exams, but it still wasn’t enough.

Like Rica, have you ever worked hard for something, only to see it slip away?

Despite the setbacks, Rica’s faith remained strong. In a miraculous turn of events, Rica became a scholar of Operation Blessing’s Back-to-School program. For four years, Operation Blessing supported her financially, allowing her to continue her studies.

With God’s grace and her determination, Rica graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, majoring in Mathematics.

In May 2024, she took and passed her licensure exam, a testament to her hard work, unwavering faith, and God’s goodness.

“All of these victories I give glory to God. Through Operation Blessing, God proved that He’s the one who sustained my needs,” Rica shared.

Do you want to make a difference in students’ lives like Rica’s? Support Operation Blessing by visiting cbnasia.org/give. Partner with us today!

Do You Have a Heart for the Unreached?

Nerissa de los Santos does.

She answered the call to share God’s saving love with nations, serving as a missionary in Thailand for 26 years. Her love for the unreached grew when she graduated from CBN Asia’s missionary training arm, the Asian Center for Missions (ACM).

In a nation where Christians make up just one percent of the population, how does one help people discover the love of Jesus?

At first, Nerissa worked with young people afflicted with AIDS. She later seized an opportunity to teach English at a local school.

To Nerissa, building relationships is crucial so that people can trust you. She learned that Thais are quick to trust but also quick to distrust if the relationship is broken.

“When sharing the gospel with the Thais, show them that you’re being real and honest to them,” Nerissa shared.

To better connect with the people of Thailand, Nerissa went above and beyond by learning their language. This deepened her connection with the communities that she reached and led to many lives being transformed by God’s message of hope.

How about you? To what extent are you willing to go to connect with others and help transform their lives?

During her mission, Nerissa met James, who is now her husband and partner in spreading the Good News. Together, they focused on nurturing their local church, which was originally led by James’ parents.

Now, Nerissa is dedicated to community development and church planting in Chiang Mai. More and more people have come to know Jesus, and several churches have been established.

Having learned the Thai language, the churches she and her husband lead use the local language. All songs and teachings are in Thai.

Despite the challenges and exhaustion that come with ministry, Nerissa remains determined in her commitment to spreading God’s love. Her ultimate hope is to introduce more Thai people to Jesus.

“I am grateful to ACM. Their training is very helpful, and I hope that they can help more missionaries,” Nerissa expressed.

Do you have the heart to lead people to Jesus, but don’t know where to start?

When God calls you to make Him known to different tribes, languages, and nations just like Nerissa, He will be the one to give you opportunities, provision, and people with the same heart as you.

ACM is here to guide you. Contact 8840-0975 or send us a message through Facebook.

If you are moved to support missionaries through ACM, partner with us today. Visit cbnasia.com/give.

How to Find Strength Amid Overwhelming Sickness?

What do you do when life throws overwhelming burdens at you?

Liza Alarcon pondered this question many times.

Her world turned upside down when she learned that the veins in her heart were clogged. The chest pains and the constant feeling of tiredness she occasionally shrugged off turned out to be signs of an underlying medical concern.

However, due to financial struggles, Liza chose to take oral medicine at home instead of being admitted to the hospital.

Despite her condition, she continued to believe and have faith in God that He could heal her. In due time, her condition got better, and she started to experience comfort.

“In that moment, I saw the goodness of God. I recognized that God healed me,” Liza shared.

But after a few years, sickness started to creep in once again in Liza’s body. Her check-up results showed that she was experiencing heart enlargement. She was overwhelmed with fear.

When you can’t seem to catch a break in life, what do you do?

In her moment of worry and loneliness, Liza turned to The 700 Club Asia to gain courage and faith in God.

Through the program, she was introduced to the CBN Asia Prayer Center. Liza called and asked for a prayer for her health concerns.

Eventually, her condition got better.

But Liza’s faith was tested again when her check-up results showed she had stones in her gall bladder, “I was afraid because I felt like my condition got worse.”

Liza chose to hold onto God by constantly calling the CBN Asia Prayer Center to ask for prayers and encouragement. Praying and reading her Bible every day gave her the strength to press on and have faith.

Because of her boundless faith, God gave her a miracle!

“When I talked to my doctor, he told me that the stones in my bladder were gone. During my annual checkup, the doctor informed me that my heart and gall bladder are now in normal condition. I was so amazed!” Liza shared.

Through God’s help, Liza now has a second chance in life. She learned to be disciplined with her health and her faith in God increased greatly.

Do you feel overwhelmed by health challenges?

God healed and comforted Liza, He can do the same for you. Trust and believe that God can accomplish the impossible in your life. Hold on to His promise.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Mark 9:23 NLT)

If you need prayers, our 24/7 Prayer Center is here to pray with you and for you. Call 8-737-0700!

If you are moved by this story and want to bless others through The 700 Club Asia and CBN Asia Prayer Center, you can partner with us today.
 

Pray Faithfully, Receive Victoriously!

When life gives you battles that make you feel helpless, surrendering in prayer is a move that never fails.

This has been true for Jennie Casaclang and her daughter, Raquel.

At 10 years old, Raquel lives a life that is silenced by her sudden hearing disorder.

She was only three years old when life surprised her with painful infected bumps on her scalp and ear trauma that slowly caused the loss of her hearing.

It was even more painful for her mother, Jennie, to see her child suffer at a very young age but couldn’t do anything about it due to a lack of financial resources.

“We really have nothing, we have no one to ask for help. Not even for her medical treatment,” Jennie lamented.

With only Php 80 as her daily salary from cleaning bagoong bottles, Jennie still did her best to take her daughter to the doctor. However, attending follow-up checkups became impossible.

With this, Jennie had to rely on pen and paper and exert extra effort so that she and Raquel could have clear communication.

Apart from the physical pain that Raquel is experiencing, nothing hurts more when society fails to sympathize with them. Because of her hearing disability, Raquel gets bullied in school and even in their community.

“I feel hurt when I see people avoiding her. They say, ‘Oh, she’s deaf, she’s crazy.’ Sometimes, they even hurt her,” Jennie recalled.

Do you also feel like there’s no one to run to when trials like this come?

Find peace in knowing that God meets us where we are suffering the most. He made a promise in Mark 11: 24 NIV, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

All you must do is pray faithfully, just like what Jennie did for her daughter, and believe that God is already in the works of it.

“I pray every night, hoping that my child will be healed and that we will receive a blessing.”

New hope is found in the household of Jennie and Raquel as they experienced God’s goodness through Operation Blessing’s outreach program in Lingayen, Pangasinan last March. Raquel was one of the individuals who were blessed with free hearing aids and food bags.

She prayed faithfully and received victoriously!

“She was so happy when we put on her hearing aid. She said, ‘It’s so loud, I can hear now!‘” Jennie shared.

This would not have been possible if it weren’t for the generous hearts of Operation Blessing donors like you! If you are moved to continue sharing God’s love with our kababayans, partner with us today! Visit cbnasia.com/give.

Is it Possible to Rise Above the Consequences of My Pride?

Secured in his job and not worrying about his family’s needs and their future—this was Ramon’s life. Everything worked out for him until the pride that was growing inside brought him down.

Ramon always thought that he was just too good for his job and that he deserved the financial ease he was experiencing. This changed when the project where he was working as a tunnel technician ended.

“When that project ended, I experienced God’s disciplinary hand upon me. I thought that I could do it on my own,” Ramon shared.

Coming out of the job, he was confident that he would be able to find another one quickly. But months passed, and his savings ran out. The pride he had in his skills quickly turned into despair and hopelessness.

With his pride broken and anxiety clouding his mind, Ramon feared for his family’s future.

Until one night, he came across an episode of The 700 Club Asia. The stories and prayer touched him so deeply, that he humbled himself and surrendered his life to Jesus.

“I felt the need to pray,” he recalled. “I challenged Him that if He was real, to make Himself known.”

The next day, Ramon found a job opening, applied, and was hired within hours. At that moment, he experienced God’s promise in Matthew 23:12 NLT:

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

He felt peace and relief from his fear of the future. Eventually, he was also blessed with an air conditioning service business that helped him support his family.

God redeemed him from the consequences of his pride as he humbled himself before God.

“When I surrendered to God, I slowly began to experience His provision. I was able to get my children through college,” Ramon shared.

God can do the same for you, even if you’ve messed up and sinned. God is gracious and kind, ready to redeem us from our downfall if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him.

As Ramon found freedom from depression and achieved career breakthroughs, he declared, “We will live fruitfully when we stay connected with God. Through Him, I found victory.”

Are you praying for a job? We are willing to be your prayer partner! Call our Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or connect with us through Facebook.

If Ramon’s story moved you to bless others through the CBN Asia Family of Ministries, you can partner with us today.

God Answers Prayers in Unexpected Ways

Do you prioritize providing for your family’s needs, that you have given up on the possibility of being healed?

Don’t lose hope. God sees your heart and can answer your prayers in ways you never imagined.

Joel Bucay from Albay endured a lump in his neck for years. At first, it was just a simple pimple on his shoulder that suddenly got infected. Lacking the financial resources to remove the lump, his suffering persisted for nine years.

In addition to the pain he is experiencing, he suffered from bullying and had low self-esteem as a result. It came to a point where every time he went to crowded places, he would wear a scarf to hide his neck.

He also felt unproductive in his work as a construction worker due to the constant pain. He felt like it took so much time especially when he would lift heavy objects.

Joel tried different remedies to remove the lump or at least lessen his agony. He tried herbal treatments, but it was hopeless. He also tried going to the doctor, but he doesn’t have enough money because his priority is his family’s needs.

Until one day, God sent Operation Blessing to Albay where Joel lives. He did not waste any of his time and grabbed the opportunity to avail the free medical checkup.

The doctor explained the cause of Joel’s lump and told him that he needed surgery to remove it. He did not think twice and decided right there and then to undergo surgery to remove the cause of his suffering.

Joel was very grateful to the Lord for answering his prayers through Operation Blessing. After nine years of pain and feeling unproductive, he can now give his 100% to his work and can now face people with a big smile without wearing a scarf.

Joel’s life is a testimony of how God hears us and sees our hearts. Remember that God cares for His children, as 1 Peter 5:7 NLT says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

May this story inspire you to hope in God and trust that He can answer your prayers in unexpected ways.

Through the generosity of Operation Blessing donors, patients like Joel receive the medical attention they need for free. Hundreds of our kababayans were reached during the recent medical mission in Albay, and with your help, we can help more. To know how you can take part in changing lives, visit cbnasia.com/give.

How Can We Achieve Victory Over Trials?

“Why did God allow these things to happen in my life?”

Perhaps, you have asked this question yourself. The truth is trials are inevitable. All of us will experience going through obstacles at some point in our lives.

How can you rise above trials and sufferings?

Read Josephine Silabay’s story and discover how God can help you overcome.

Josephine is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who recently returned to her home province in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.

One of her biggest hardships was when she broke up with her boyfriend and live-in partner for six years.

“I was very hurt. We had misunderstandings and conflicts that led to separation,” she lamented.

In addition, she had difficulty returning home to her province due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic. She had to rent a place in Manila for three months.

“During that time. I held onto God,” she recalled.

Josephine also shared how The 700 Club Asia helped her cope with her trials, “I was really blessed by the show. I also called the Prayer Center to pray for my concerns, and it helped me heal the pain in my heart. I also joined CBN Asia’s Bible study group.”

Josephine put her full trust in the Lord and believed in the power of prayer.

Like her, do you also pray to God whenever trials come your way?

Surprisingly, God answered Josephine’s prayer. She was finally able to return to her province. Aside from that, she was hired in a work-from-home job.

However, Josephine’s trials did not stop there.

Last December 2022, Josephine was diagnosed with Pneumonia and Angina Pectoris, a coronary heart disease.

“Again, I asked the Prayer Center to pray with me for healing. After months of medication and prayers, God healed me from the disease,” Josephine testified.

She thanked God for the gift of healing. During those times, she witnessed how faithful and powerful He is in her life.

Like Josephine, do you want to experience complete healing in every area of your life?

God can miraculously do that for you!

Just seek Him with all your heart and give your concerns to Him (Matthew 6:33, 1 Peter 5:7). Victory over trials starts when we have a surrendered heart to Jesus.

CBN Asia’s Prayer Center is here to pray for your concerns, too! Feel free to call us at 8737-0700.

Finding Hope When a Loved One Falls Ill

One of the most frightening experiences for any family is having a loved one fall seriously ill.

Monica Encenarial’s world turned upside down when her son was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. As a retiree with a husband who earns a modest income as a printing officer, the mounting medical bills quickly became overwhelming. Despite their efforts, they could only make partial payments, which meant their son couldn’t be discharged from the hospital.

“He had to undergo a series of laboratory tests and medical treatments, resulting in a bill of Php 150,000 that exceeded his HMO coverage,” Monica shared.

Are you also facing financial problems because a loved one is sick?

May this story remind you that God is our healer and provider.

During those anxiety-filled nights, Monica found comfort in watching The 700 Club Asia. She is an avid viewer of the show and a faithful donor.  Despite her own financial struggles, she never hesitated to give to the ministry.

“The testimonies and the people receiving help from Operation Blessing inspired me to give,” she said.

One night as she was watching, she was encouraged to reach out to the CBN Asia Prayer Center to ask for prayers for her son’s healing and for the financial provision needed to settle the hospital bills. She also prayed for her son to be home before Christmas.

In a leap of faith, Monica shared her family’s situation on Facebook. Little did she know, God was preparing to demonstrate His provision.

The mayor granted their financial request and people responded to her story with overwhelming generosity! Because of this, Monica was not only able to pay off her son’s hospital bills, but she also received more than they needed. What’s amazing is that her son was discharged just two days before Christmas!

In times of challenges, we can rely on God and ask Him for help. If you’re in the same situation as Monica, don’t lose hope. Trust in God’s provision and reach out for help—you are not alone.

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2 ESV)

If you need prayers, our 24/7 Prayer Center is here to listen to your story and pray for your situation, call 8-737-0700. Meanwhile, if you are moved to bless more people like Monica through The 700 Club Asia, partner with us today.