No money for the airfare but she believed that if God tells her to go... she could and she did!!

“DO NOT HOLD BACK!” (Part 2)

God has divine connections lined up for your life. There is power in connection. Connections lead to life. When a husband and a wife come together, babies are born. When the spirit of a person and the Spirit of God come together, new birth takes place. When brothers and sisters come together in unity, God commands his blessing. When the disciples came together on the day of Pentecost, there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

One of the IT missionaries, Sister Vernadette “Vadeth” Lepardo, continues her journey of faith in Canada. As she stayed in Canada for three months, some truths were unfolded which brought her awe of her Creator.

Sis Vadeth didn’t have enough money as she left the Philippines. While she was on the plane, she started to feel sick. She was dizzy and nauseous, but she tried to endure it because she didn’t want to make a fuss. She and the other IT missionaries arrived in Canada and one of her fellow missionaries unexpectedly handed her $20. Now that she has extra money, she was able to buy medicine and started to feel better.

Then, they met Pastor Andy, the person in charge to assist them while they were in Canada. He gave them the information about their host families. Other missionaries were assigned to some nearby cities while Sis Vadeth and Sis Belinda were assigned to go to Pickering City, which is the farthest among the other cities.

When they arrived in Pickering City, they met their host family, Pastor Joven Balisi, and his wife. On the first night of their stay, Sis Vadeth had a dream about their host. God spoke to her, “Tell him that I love him. I have chosen him. He is my anointed one and I will use him.”

While having breakfast Sis Vadeth relayed God’s message to Pastor Joven. Upon hearing it, he burst into tears. Then Pastor Joven said, “You are truly sent by God”. He started to explain how he ended up hosting Sis Vadeth. It was a month ago when he woke up from a dream where God was telling him to host the IT missionaries coming to Canada. As he browsed the resumés of every IT missionary, he was drawn to Sis Vadeth’s very plain resumé which was odd because it didn’t have any pictures and it had very few details about herself. After deciding, he called Pastor Andy and volunteered to host Sister Vadeth and Sis Belinda. Sis Vadeth also revealed that it was around that time when she prayed for a host family back when she was still in the Philippines. As they talked more, they also found out that Pastor Joven’s wife is a distant cousin of Sis Vadeth! They were all amazed at how God orchestrated everything.

After a week, they started doing their mission. They became busy as they helped with the ministries there. They were truly blessed during their stay with Pastor Joven’s family for they are very accommodating. All their needs were provided for them. “The Lord truly knows that I didn’t have enough money, because He sent me to the most generous host family” Sis Vadeth recalled.

Sis Vadeth was so blessed during her stay in Canada. She got the chance to meet her husband’s relatives and there was abundance wherever she went. She also remembered that on her second night in Canada, the Lord spoke to her again and told her to go to Alberta. She had no money for the airfare but she knew in her heart that if God tells her to go then she could go. Out of the blue, someone called her and offered to pay for her airfare tickets. She flew to Winnipeg, Manitoba first which is the nearby province of Alberta. While she was there, she had visited different cities and was accommodated by relatives and friends who were eager to meet her. Despite not having enough money, all her needs were given to her, especially the winter clothes she needed for that season.

At the time of her visit to Alberta, there was too much snow which made it very difficult to travel. It was -40°C and the roads were covered with thick snow. All the transportation got canceled. Her pastor friend advised her not to go because it was too dangerous to travel.

She received the news that her pastor friend got into an accident one Sunday morning. If it wasn’t for the bad weather, Sis Vadeth could have been in Alberta by Sunday and probably got into an accident as well. The Lord spared her from the imminent danger! She thanked the Lord greatly for protecting her. She trusted that God has better timing and continued to seek His will whether she should go to Alberta or not.

The story doesn’t end here. As you continue to read Sis Vadeth’s story, you will find out whether she was able to reach Alberta according to what God had said in her dream. What do you think God wanted her to see, hear or do in Alberta that she has to go there? The story is getting more interesting as God unravels His plan for Sis Vadeth’s life while she was in Canada.

It was truly astonishing how God ordered Sis Vadeth’s steps while she was in Canada. God is such an amazing Father who provides and protects His children.

Abba Father, You are our strength and our shield. You alone are our refuge and fortress. We thank You that we can trust You to protect us from all harm. Thank You that we can live life boldly and unafraid, for we know You are lovingly and tirelessly watching over us. Because of what Your Son, Jesus, has done for us at the cross, we are under an open heaven of favor, protection, and blessings today. Our hearts are filled with praises and thanksgiving to You! You are the only One who deserves our praises all the days of our lives!!! Glory to the King of Kings!

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I will praise Him.

(Written by: Venus Jablo)