Is Success Possible Despite Growing Up in a Broken Family?

Abandoned. Rejected. Never enough.

Those were the thoughts of young Joanna Sedol when her father left their family for another woman.

At first, her young mind couldn’t understand why she had to grow up in a broken family and why she suffered because of her father’s mistakes.

It was unfair.

But as she grew to become a young adult woman, she concluded that every man on the planet was like her father—irresponsible, had no sense of commitment, and would always leave her alone in the end.

Joanna’s bitterness toward her father led her to find a sense of belonging and completeness in her friends and to turn to alcohol to escape the pain.

However, life always finds a way to force you to confront your reality.

Joanna was unable to avoid the reality of poverty. She realized this after graduating from high school—she was unsure if she could finish her studies because her family could not afford it.

But God works in mysterious ways, indeed.

When she was ready to accept that someone with a broken family and a poor background would never succeed, a friend invited her to a youth camp.

There, she heard for the first time that she wasn’t fatherless. Instead of being abandoned, she was chosen. Instead of being rejected, she was accepted wholeheartedly. And instead of not being enough, she realized that she had been made complete.

All because of Jesus, who died for her sins.

“I realized that all along, I was not alone. God was with me,” she said.

Because of her newfound faith and having received God’s unconditional love, Joanna chose to forgive her father and initiate contact with him. She was surprised when her father asked her forgiveness, too.

With her heart free from anger and bitterness, God awakened a strong passion in her to continue her studies and teach people God’s Word.

With the help of Operation Blessing’s Back to School Program, Joanna graduated Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree.

“I’m so thankful for Operation Blessing for helping someone like me without asking anything in return,” Joanna said.

If you know someone who is like Joanna—a child who felt hindered due to broken family situations and poverty—know that you can help change their lives for the better, too.

Partner with us today!

Are You Thinking about Ending Your Life?

When life’s challenges become overwhelming, suicide seems like the easiest way out. If you have thought about ending your life, hang in there—all hope isn’t lost for you. Read John Jerold Cartajena’s story and find out how God can meet you at your lowest point, like how He met him.

John met God when he was about to stab himself.

He lived with his mother since his childhood. She taught him to sell drugs in the streets of Quiapo. When his mother was arrested, John found himself falling into depression, using drugs to cope.

He became angry at the world, thinking he was bombarded with problems, while others had it easy. He wanted to take his own life.

When he was about to stab himself, a bright light flashed in the corner of his eye.

As he let go of the knife to inspect it, he saw the Bible placed on his table.

He took it and said to God, “Thank you! I know that You are there.” John saw it as an intervention.

As he hugged the Bible and turned on the television, The 700 Club Asia was featuring a story about suicide. That’s when John confirmed God was directly speaking to him.

His life changed after he was invited to a Christian church, where he devoted his life to the Lord.

It was in this season that he experienced the love and acceptance he had been searching for his entire life.

“God told me, ‘I love you. I am your father. You are my son. No matter what happens, I have a plan for you.’” John recalled.

As John’s faith grew stronger, so did his desire to overcome his past. He obediently waited until God healed the wounds of his broken life, even bringing his mother to Christ while she was in prison.

John was also able to find and reunite with his father. This quenched his longing to know his biological dad.

“The drugs, the women, the recklessness, it was all useless. It was Jesus that I really needed,” he says. “My life started to have meaning and direction.”

Today, John uses his experience and God-given opportunities to shine the light of hope for his loved ones and those who need comfort and healing.

Are you like John who wants to stop thinking of harming yourself? The Bible has a message of hope for you today:

“The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all.” (Psalms 34:18-19 GNT)

God sees what you are going through, and He desires to help you—right where you are. Allow us to pray for you and help you bring your concerns to Jesus, call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700.

If you are moved by this story and want to help more people know about God, partner with us today.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and in need of immediate help, we encourage you to seek professional help and support from family and friends. Please call the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553, or contact 0966-351-4518, 0917-899-8726.

Can God Restore Broken Families?

Are you facing hardships in your relationship with your family today?

If you were told that there is hope, would you believe it?

Yes! Because of God, there is still hope for you and your loved ones!

He can make new beginnings in your family!

This is what Marilyn Tañada believed when her family faced challenges.

Marilyn’s marriage to Joseph suffered because he was unfaithful.

Infidelity is one of the toughest challenges for married couples. But how did they deal with it?

Marilyn did not easily give up their relationship. Every day, she was crying out to God to restore their marriage.

God heard Marilyn’s prayer. He fixed their broken relationship.

However, Marilyn’s daughter, Hannah, resented her father because of what he did.

“It was really painful to see my daughter lose respect for her father,” Marilyn said.

Thankfully, God taught Marilyn how to be a good parent through The 700 Club of Asia.

She watched a testimony about a mother asking God to heal her child from addiction. By God’s grace, her son was healed.

“Because of that story, I am convinced that God will do something for me and my daughter. I asked Him to soften my daughter’s heart,” she recalled.

Marilyn, her husband, and Hannah went to counseling, where they learned how to move forward in life.

“I am grateful that my mom did not give up on me. I realized that I am still valuable because I am surrounded by caring people,” Hannah shared.

Joseph also shared his experience asking for forgiveness from his family, “I told my family that I am sorry for what I did. I also told Hannah that this time, I would be a father to them.”

God not only restored Marilyn and Joseph’s relationship but also restored Joseph’s relationship with his children.

“God has given me hope to fix my broken relationship with my family,” Joseph shared.

The God who restored Marilyn’s family relationship is the same God who can restore your family, too!

Don’t lose hope and keep the faith. Great things happen when we put God at the center of our family!

Do you need someone to pray for you and your family? The CBN Asia Prayer Center is here to listen and pray with you! Call 8-737-0-700.

Giving Beyond Your Ability

Have you ever found yourself giving selflessly, even when facing personal struggles?

Meet Elen Cutamora, a dedicated grade school teacher of 16 years. When the pandemic forced classes online, she found herself without essential tools like a laptop and printer, making her job increasingly difficult.

“I had to rely on fellow teachers to help me with lesson plans since I did not have a laptop,” she recalled.

This added stress to Elen’s already challenging situation. Without a laptop, she had to frequent noisy computer shops, spend on transportation, and struggle to concentrate on her work.

Yet, her challenges extended beyond her profession. Having lost her husband, she is now the sole provider for her two children.

Financially strained and unable to afford the equipment needed for her job, Elen’s situation seemed hopeless.

Are you facing similar financial hardships?

Don’t give up! God is at work in your life.

Elen found solace in watching The 700 Club Asia. One day, she came across the story of a student grappling with school tasks due to a lack of a laptop. Empathizing deeply, Elen decided to give generously, despite her own limited means.

“Every time I give, The 700 Club Asia sends me audio teachings that uplift and encourage me,” she shared.

Three months after her donation, Elen received unexpected news: her aunt abroad gifted her a laptop, and soon after, she was able to purchase a printer.

“Truly, God understands our needs,” she reflected.

The new laptop not only eased Elen’s workload but also benefited her children, helping them in their school projects.

In gratitude for this blessing, Elen extended her generosity by offering free printing services to her family and neighbors.

The 700 Club Asia awakened a spirit of giving within me. God’s blessings are always abundant,” she shared.

Elen’s story inspires us that we can practice generosity even in times of need. Her story also reminds us that God knows our needs and is willing to provide for us!

In God’s Word it says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Encourage more people like Elen when you partner with us! If you’re facing financial problems, our 24/7 Prayer Center is available to pray for you! You may call 8-737-0-700.

Are You Anxious About a Major Exam?

If you’re stressing over an upcoming examination, Enrico Pavia’s story might be the encouragement that you need.

Exams can be really intimidating and scary, especially when you have other responsibilities to fulfill.

In 2019, Enrico was the father of a 3-month-old baby who was battling severe pneumonia. He prayed hard for the healing even when it seemed impossible.

God heard Enrico’s cry for help. His son was healed, and his good health was restored.

So, in 2020, when CBN Asia aired Suklob—a Holy Week special featuring Nett Gochuico’s story of healing, Enrico felt encouraged. He could relate that God truly hears prayers even when it seems impossible.

“God used Tanikala to strengthen my faith to believe in God’s power and goodness,” Enrico recalled, who then searched for the Facebook page of CBN Asia.

He found out that CBN Asia has a Prayer Center that can help him pray for his concerns and give him biblical advice. One of the challenges that Enrico faced at that time was the board exam he was about to take as a mechanical engineer.

Being a father is already a full-time commitment, it barely gives Enrico extra time for himself. Imagine trying to make time to review for an exam that will define how he will sustain his family financially.

This was a lot of pressure for Enrico; he dreamed about failing every night. Negative thoughts kept him awake. So, he decided to postpone taking the exam.

But he still wanted to earn more for his family, so he faced the anxiety, stress, and time-management struggles of taking the exam once again.

Through the support of the Prayer Center and the assurance of God’s promises, Enrico found the courage to take the exam.

“After I received the words of encouragement from the Prayer Center, I believed that nothing is impossible with God. He gives us the knowledge that we need,” said Enrico.

Finally, when the results were announced, Enrico became a testimony of God’s faithfulness. He passed the exam and treated this as one of his greatest treasures from God.

Today, Enrico works as an equipment engineer.

His journey shows how faith and prayer can help us overcome challenges. His story reminds us that with faith, anything is possible. Just as Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The Lord hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them from trouble. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Do you want to help more people know about God? You can partner with us today.

If you are like Enrico who needs prayers, the CBN Asia Prayer Center can pray with you any time. Just call 8-737-0-700.

When Others Count You Out, Count on God to Help You!

Imagine the pressure of being the last hope of your family toward reaching a better life.

For Angelica Baculinao, that pressure was a heavy toll to bear.

Growing up in an impoverished life, Angelica often heard discouragements from people around her about their situation. They would often tell her that no one in their family would be able to finish school because they are poor.

“It was so difficult to live a life like this. We can’t buy things we like, and we always worry if we will survive the day,” Angelica shared.

Her ultimate dream is to finish her studies but even that seemed impossible to accomplish.


Having to live off Php 150 daily by selling fish paste, Angelica’s father found it hard to make ends meet and provide for her needs in school. For him, they were fortunate enough they have food on their table for a day.

Have you ever experienced this kind of desperate need?

How did you manage to keep hope alive?

For Angelica, she held on to her dreams and placed her faith in the Lord, believing that He is able to sustain them as a family.

“I am still thankful to the Lord because He taught me so much as I faced challenges in my life. My faith continues to grow, and I consistently trust in His will and plans,” Angelica shared.

God did not disappoint Angelica.

He opened the door for Operation Blessing, the humanitarian arm of CBN Asia, to visit Angelica’s hometown in Capiz. She became part of Operation Blessing’s Back-to-School Program which aims to help students with their educational needs.

Operation Blessing committed to paying all her tuition fees and provided a means for her to fulfill her dream of finishing college. The ministry also provides for Angelica’s allowance and rent for her boarding house.

“I am so happy that I now have an allowance to sustain my daily needs. I am also thankful for Operation Blessing for helping me continue my dream,” Angelica shared, thankful that it is now possible for her to help her family in the future.

Angelica also became a blessing to their church. She became an inspiration for the youth that despite their challenging situation, God can provide favor and release blessings to His children who are in need. She did not allow her situation to stop her, but rather, she persevered by being steadfast in her faith in God.

She is a great example of God’s faithfulness to those who choose to trust in Him!

Are you facing a challenging situation today?

You can count on God to help you. He was able to save Angelica from her dire situation—pray and believe that He can do the same for you.

Jesus replied, “Why do you say ‘if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” (Mark 9:23 CEV)

Through your generous giving, Operation Blessing can help more students and give them hope and a future to look forward to!

Be a blessing today. Consider supporting Operation Blessing and CBN Asia by making a one-time or monthly gift: www.cbnasia.com/give.

When A Seed of Faith Grows into A Full Tree

Did growing up feel smooth for you?

For Nadine Calagui, childhood was tough. Her parents often argued, and it broke her heart.

One night, Nadine found comfort in watching the 700 Club Asia and felt like it was a message from God. Seeking more, she reached out to the CBN Asia Prayer Center, which helped her family to find a church.

But even with their newfound faith, her parents still ended up separating.

Ever thought everything was going great, only to see it all fall apart?

Because of this, Nadine looked for love in the wrong places and found herself in tough spots. She became a mom at the young age of 14 and dealt with a relationship where she was physically abused by her live-in partner.

Despite these experiences, she continued attending church.

“Every time I heard God’s word, it brought me comfort and conviction,” Nadine admitted. “However, after Sunday, I would find myself going back to my sinful life. I knew this wasn’t the life meant for me.”

With courage, Nadine broke free from her toxic relationship after having a terrible fight with her partner. She knew she had to escape. Calling out to the Lord for help, He answered her.

God had a plan for Nadine. She met and married Albert, who accepted her completely.

At this point in her life, Nadine saw God’s faithfulness from childhood to now. Moving forward, she held onto His promise.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Now, Nadine alongside Albert, ministers and reaches out to the youth.

“I believe I’m whole, redeemed, and lack nothing because of God’s work in my life,” Nadine shared.

Join us in reaching out and proclaiming His words to people like Nadine! Visit cbnasia.org/give.

Are You Praying for a Miracle?

Can you imagine losing your sight and not being able to see your loved ones now?

This was Mary Jane’s dilemma last year when her right eye became completely blind, and she could no longer help her husband and do what she loves—teaching children.

In 2022, Mary Jane Condes began experiencing blurry vision and dark spots in her right eye, affecting her retina. According to the doctors, they need to prepare Php 200,000 for Mary Jane’s operation.

Her husband, Danilo, who is a full-time Pastor, worried about where to get the money for her wife’s operation.

Last year, Mary Jane’s condition became worse. She would cry, as she felt very worried about her and her family’s future.

“I was always looking at my husband and kids because I knew that sooner or later, I wouldn’t be able to see them because of my condition,” Mary Jane recalled.

She prayed and cried to the Lord for a miracle. She prayed that would God heal her so that she could continue serving Him.

God answered Mary Jane’s cries through Operation Blessing.

From Iloilo, they went to Manila for her operation. With the help of Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgery Program, Mary Jane’s operation was a success! Even with her medications, God provided for her through Operation Blessing.

Mary Jane can now see her family clearly and she can now continue teaching children in their community. She can also continue to help her husband in their ministry.

“I thank Operation Blessing because they are a blessing for me,” she shared.

Like Mary Jane, are you also praying for a miracle?

God can do miracles for your life today. Pray and believe what the Bible says in Psalm 77:14 (NIV), “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

Keep the faith and allow God to show You His power!

Through the generosity of Operation Blessing’s donors, many families and individuals like Mary Jane receive the help they need. Do you also have the heart to serve others? Partner with us today! Visit cbnasia.com/give to make a one-time or monthly gift.

One Call Away from Receiving a Miracle

Imagine a single father seeing his son fighting for his life and not knowing what to do.

It’s a circumstance that is very similar to what happened during Jesus’ time, when an official’s son almost died and begged Jesus to save him.

“Jesus then said, “Your son will live. Go on home to him.” The man believed Jesus and started back home. Some of the official’s servants met him along the road and told him, “Your son is better!” He asked them when the boy got better, and they answered, “The fever left him yesterday at one o’clock.” The boy’s father realized that at one o’clock the day before, Jesus had told him, “Your son will live!” So the man and everyone in his family put their faith in Jesus” (John 4:50, CEV).

It was like that for Teddy Baldera, a single father who does odd jobs to support his two children.

Teddy took on various jobs to sustain his two children. “I was just doing my part for us to survive,” he said.

He and his 9-year-old son Kent rummage trash for scrap metal, which is one of his sources of income. However, Kent began to have lung issues, possibly due to pollution.

Kent was sent to a nearby hospital, and thankfully, he got better.

Meanwhile, it became a habit for Teddy to watch the episodes of The 700 Club Asia. He was inspired and encouraged by the testimonies he saw. He was also always taking notes on the lesson he learned and writing on a notepad the Prayer Center’s contact information.

For Teddy, CBN Asia was a reliable help in times of need.

And he wasn’t wrong.

Kent began to have difficulty breathing while playing a year after recovering. He was gasping for air, and Teddy was panicking, not knowing what to do.

But then he remembered he had the Prayer Center’s contact information. Teddy hurried to a nearby store and used their phone to make a call, desperately asking for prayers.

A Prayer Center representative prayed for him and said, “God healed your son; go home to him now.”

Teddy came home to see Kent looking healthy and normal, as if nothing happened. He realized he was one call away from receiving a miracle.

Are you sick and need healing? God can heal you, too.

Call us now and together, we will bring your concerns to God.

Why Do I Constantly Experience Setbacks?

Have you ever wondered why it feels like your life is always a series of crises and difficulties?

Lerma Gabane had.


The feeling was so strong that the question was engraved in her mind.

As a mom, caring for a growing family and managing a household is already challenging and exhausting.

For Lerma, thinking about their financial needs has also been a heavy burden, as her partner’s weekly earnings of Php 500 could never meet their daily necessities.


This struggle is shared by many families who face the difficulties of living without a stable and sufficient income.

If you find yourself in Lerma’s shoes, hold on and let her story help you discover how you can unlock God’s blessings for your life.

Faced with overwhelming challenges, she questioned why her life wasn’t improving despite her earnest efforts to bring about change.

“Lord, You said You love me, so why is it still like this? I’ve accepted You, thinking I would be lifted from hardship. What more is hindering me?” she would pray.

Do Lerma’s thoughts resonate with you?

Do you wonder why you are still suffering even after inviting Jesus into your life?

While there are various reasons why people suffer in life, Lerma discovered hers when one sleepless night she stumbled upon The 700 Club Asia and heard Peter Kairuz’s prayer.

As she joined the prayer, she was convicted when the host spoke about someone who was living a sinful lifestyle.

The Lord opened her eyes to realize that her setbacks were due to her sinful lifestyle—cohabiting with someone as her spouse outside the context of marriage.

You might be wondering how it became sinful when almost everyone does it today. However, the Word of God is clear on this matter.

As Hebrews 13:4 (NLT) says, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

The Lord, the Author of marriage—not the patterns of the world nor the societal norms—holds the authority to define what is acceptable, moral, and righteous.

Upon realizing her position before the Lord, Lerma aspired to prioritize pleasing and obeying God.

After 11 years, she and her partner finally tied the knot, sealing their union under the blessing of marriage.

From that point onward, the Lord began to pour out His favor and blessings upon her and her household.

Her husband, who used to work as a contractual laborer, has finally secured regular employment. He earns more than triple his previous weekly income.

Before, they had to search for different apartments because they couldn’t settle the rental fee. Now, they are enjoying the comfort and peace of having their own home.

Additionally, their children have become responsible and compassionate, assisting them now that they have jobs of their own.

“I am super blessed. Just follow God. Hold onto His promises, and you will surely succeed in every aspect of life,” Lerma happily shared.

Truly, those who obey God will enjoy a harvest of blessings!

There may be hardships but the Lord is the One who will sustain, strengthen, and save everyone who chooses to obey Him.

“Thanks to the Lord, thanks to The 700 Club Asia. I truly gained lessons. The difficulties I’ve been through, it turns out, will strengthen me,” Lerma stated.

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be (Psalm 128:1-2, NLT).”

Do you also want to enjoy life with the blessings God has for you?

Choose to seek and follow Him! The key to unlocking God’s blessings is through obedience.

Following God’s will may seem daunting, but as you deepen your understanding of God, you will come to love obeying His commands.

On the other hand, disobedience brings curses, unnecessary heartbreaks, and troubles. When we neglect God’s commands, we are blocking the flow of blessings into our lives.

If today, you feel like nothing good is happening in your life—no growth, progress, or change—perhaps the Lord wants to address something in your heart.

We are here to help you lift your concerns and struggles to the Lord! The CBN Asia Prayer Center is available 24/7 to pray for you and with you.

Experience joy, regardless of the circumstances you face, as you deepen your relationship with the Lord.

If you would like to witness more stories of hope, transformation, miracle, and healing, you can watch The 700 Club Asia’s featured stories anytime, anywhere.

And if the Lord is prompting you to partner with us as we bring His love, joy, and hope to many other families and communities who are yet to hear and experience the Lord, we encourage you to partner with us!

Thank you so much for supporting our ministry! May God’s love and truth richly dwell in you, and may He grant you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4).