Mai's Testimony
06/25/15 
Mythyl Go
RN in Unitd Hebrew Geriatric Center
First of all, I want to thank God for this opportunity to share once again His
transforming power in my life. As I continue to have fellowship with Him, my life was
truly bless by his guidance through His words in the Bible.
Looking back at my childhood years, my knowledge with God first began with my
parents' decision to raise me up as a Christian. They did what most Christian parents
do- put me to a Christian school, let me attend Sunday school, and instilled Christian
values at home. I have read the Bible and memorized countless verses in a very young
age but most of the words doesn't make any sense to me as a child, and I felt I did not
know God enough. i remember my teacher giving so much emphasis on John 3:16, For God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life. It is the verse that talks about the good news. I
did not know the importance of the verse back then, but I recited it so often that I
remember it like my ABC. The foundation that my parents had provided, however, made me
curious and so I decided to know Him more as I was growing up.
During my high school life is when I truly experience God. My high school
classmates and I were invited to attend a Bible study class after school by Pastor
Emerson. I remember him renting a small space near our school so it would be convenient
for the student to come over after class. In spite my busy schedule from school and the
constant pressure to excel in class, I made sure to attend bible study. it was a
pivotal moment of my life since that bible study led me to have a more personal
relationship with the Lord. I then decided to be Baptist on December 22, 2002, and so I
began my life with Christ.
A Christian life is not an easy life. Growing up and knowing what is right in
the eyes of the Lord, I have to make a conscious decision of the choices I make. I
remember that I have to study hard because cheating during exams is not an option. I
cannot date boys because my parents strongly forbade me, so I have to obey them. I have
to dress in a certain way. Basically, I had to conform to the Christian way of life.
It was hard during my teenage years because I wanted to be accepted by my peers but their
worldly values were different from mine. So often times I felt like an outcast.
As I grew up, I encounterd more difficult problems. One of these problems was
when my family had a financial crisis. We had a business that went wrong and we were
greatly losing a huge amount of money. My parents had to even file for bankruptcy. My
mom went on a period of depression and my dad had to face all the creditors by himself.
I was in college during this diffcult time. I was weary with my school loads as well as
our financial situation. I felt like my future was a blur and I worried that I had to
stop going to school for a while. Then I read Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. " So I commit eveything in the Lord that
day- our financial problem and my future. i found comfort on His word and claimed His
promise on my heart.
My family was able to survive from the financial crisis. Everything happened so
fast that we were so in awe of God's greatness. When we thought that there was no way
out. God prove us wrong and delivered us out from it. Even now, when I was writing
this terimony, I can't hlep but cry as I remember the greatest trial my family had
encountered and how God shoed us that nothing is impossible in Him(Luke 1:37)
From then on, I was able to graduate from college and I received my degree in
Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I graduated in 2008, and that same year the U.S. halted
their recruitment of foreign nurses. My classmates and I were worried because they were
so many of us that in need of work. Apparently, there was an overproduction of nurses
in the Philippines and employment was scarce even in our own country. In a leap of
faith, my parents and I decided that I should try applying for a U.S. visa. Some of my
relatives and friends told me I might be denied because I have a nursing degree. I also
heard a lot of stories from other people who attempted to get a visa and failed several
times.
I never faltered from my decision and went to the U.S. Embassy for an interview.
I kept God's word and His promise. I mediated on His words on Matthew 21:22, If you
believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.", John 15:7 and John 14:14.
By His will and grace, He did grant my prayer.
Before coming to the U.S. I had decided to take my country's nursing licensure
exam, and back home it was a big deal. Names of those who passed the exam will be
printed in the national paper. It seems prestigious to see your name but the pressure
behind it all was too much to any test takers. I'm always anxious of taking exams, I'm
afraid of failing like most of us. For a month we had our intensive review in a
dormitory. We ate, studied, prayed, slept, and did the same routine all over again for
30 days. Honestly, I had never studied so hard in my life. The thing was, and I
don't want to sound weird but, God actually helped me study. With all the vast topics
in nursing, you don't know where to start. But as I flipped my books and notes, I had
this small voice that gave me ideas on what to focus on my review. Surprisingly enough,
most of the topics I studied actually were my questions in the exam paper. I was
overjoyed and God never failed to amaze me. After weeks of waiting, The Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 27,765 out of 64,459 passed the Nurse
Licensure exam on June of 2008. I was one of them and would not have made it without
the unfailing guidance of our heavely Father.
After acquiring my nursing license in the Philippines, I focused on taking the
NCLEX. I did another review for three months. God helped me once again and thankfully
I passed the exam. I'm finally license as a nurse here in the U.S.
I am indeed blessed to be able to come here. It was not easy when I started my
journey in the U.S., but through God's guidance, I met people that became my friends and
had a significant impact in my life. I met my husband through my friend Mikyoung and
Jun through a colleague's farewell party. We sat across from each other. I found him
friendly but shy at the same time. We did not see each other for a while after that
since he went on vacation. The next time we saw each other again was at work, since I
was able to get a job on their facility. He offered me a ride home one day since we
lived close by, and the rest is history. We got married last year, and I'm happy to be
able to have a fellowship with Mikyoung and Jun, as we all grow together in Christ.
Our bible study every Satruday with Pastor Esther helped me to continue to grow
in my Christian faith. I continue to encounter adversities here in the U.S. and from
time to time I worry. Pastor Esther reminded me with God's word in Philippians 4:6-7,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcend all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." I shared to the group
that Nico and I filed some document to USCIS. We are still waiting for our interview
schedule. It has been four months since we started the process and often times the wait
can be frustrating. When I start thinking negatively about our case status, I found it
very comforting when I think about God's word in Philippians 4:6-7.
Currently on our bible study, we are studying the life of Jesus in the book of
Mark. As we read, understand, and meditate upon every verse, I'm reminded of God's
greatness and power. He healed the paralytic and leprous man. He drove evil spirits out.
He has the authority over eveyrhing. Therefore, I continue to let Him lead my life and
have authority over it. I also continue to find comfort and advice; and be transformed
by His word.
God has been with me all through my life and as I share my testimony, I pray
that more people may experience His wonderful love as I did. Continue to read God's
word and continue to be transformed. God bless.