OFW Story | Bong Lagmay

Summary

This heartfelt story follows the journey of a man, originally from Rojas Isabel, who navigates the challenges of being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) while being separated from his young children. Amidst the struggles, including a life-changing accident, he finds his calling to serve in the ministry. Through the trials and sacrifices, the man learns to trust in God's provisions and follows a path of faith and service. The narrative highlights the importance of family, faith, and the belief that vision and provision go hand in hand in fulfilling one's purpose.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker shares their journey of being an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) and the emotional challenges of being away from family, especially when their children are young.
• 😀 The speaker expresses the joy of returning home but faces the heartache of their youngest child not recognizing them due to the distance and reliance on Skype.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of being physically present in their children's lives, especially as they grow and have more emotional needs.
• 😀 A significant turning point in the story occurred when the speaker’s job was downsized, prompting the decision to return to the Philippines and bring the family to the UAE with the help of a visa.
• 😀 The speaker recounts an encounter with a missionary, Mark Richie, who prophesied that the speaker would replace him in ministry, a plan that initially seemed impossible to the speaker.
• 😀 After consulting family members, the speaker and their family felt called by God to pursue ministry, which involved a major life change.
• 😀 The speaker’s family was involved in a car accident while preparing for this transition, and despite being injured, the family made the decision to continue with their ministry journey.
• 😀 The speaker describes the aftermath of the accident, including a doctor’s decision to treat their child’s broken bone with a cast instead of surgery.
• 😀 Despite initial doubts and hardships, the speaker continues to trust in God’s provision, believing that where there is a vision, there is always provision.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how this challenging period strengthened their faith, emphasizing that God’s guidance and care are evident in their journey.
• 😀 The speaker ends with a reminder that God will provide for all their needs, referencing a verse from the Bible that assures divine provision in times of need.

Q & A

What was the emotional impact of the speaker's first reunion with his children after being away?

The speaker felt a mixture of happiness and sadness when he first reunited with his children. He was especially sad because his youngest child, who had grown up seeing him only through Skype, did not want to hug him at first.

Why is being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) particularly challenging for the speaker?

Being an OFW is challenging for the speaker because of the emotional toll of being away from his family, especially when his children are still young. He can only communicate with them via Skype, making it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level.

What significant change prompted the speaker to plan a return to the Philippines?

The speaker decided to return to the Philippines after experiencing downsizing at his job, which led to offers of higher salaries from other companies. He planned to bring his children and wife to the United Arab Emirates to start a new chapter of their lives.

What was the surprising offer the speaker received from his friend, Mark Richie?

Mark Richie, a missionary, told the speaker that the Lord had spoken to him, saying that the speaker would replace him in his ministry. This was a surprising and unexpected call for the speaker, who never thought of becoming a pastor.

How did the speaker's family respond to the idea of him becoming a pastor?

The speaker consulted his grandparents, who had been in the ministry for a long time. They encouraged him to follow God's calling, affirming that he should move forward and obey the Lord's guidance.

What life-changing event occurred just before the speaker's family was about to move?

Just before the family was about to move to the pastoral house, the speaker's family was involved in a car accident. His youngest child was injured, which led the family to question whether they should continue with their plans.

What were the options given by the doctors regarding the speaker's child's injury?

The doctors presented two options: one was to perform surgery and insert a steel plate to help the recovery, and the other was to let the bone heal naturally without surgery. The family chose the latter option.

How did the speaker react to his child's determination to walk despite the injury?

The speaker was deeply moved when he saw his child walking, despite the injury, and being followed by classmates who were imitating him. He felt a mix of disbelief and pride in his child's resilience.

What was the speaker's spiritual reflection after the accident?

The speaker's spiritual reflection after the accident led him to trust more deeply in God's provision. He felt that the Lord had given him a clear message about trusting in His plans and provision for the family, despite the difficulties they faced.

What key Bible verse did the speaker refer to, and what does it signify?

The speaker referred to the verse, 'My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory.' This verse signifies the speaker's belief in God's unwavering provision and faithfulness, even in times of hardship and uncertainty.