“Heal me oh Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14
Such was the daily ‘battle cry’ of Bro. Rodolfo Soriano Armesto that has encouraged him to overcome the daily ‘wars’ he faces after suffering from stroke. He lost his job overseas, friends; and relatives started distancing themselves from him now that he had become a ‘burden’ to them. He had longed to find healing, asking God to lead him to someone who can pray for him. God opened his heart to His word.
At an evangelistic meeting and concert held on September 26, 2014 at a nearby public covered court in Barangay Julugan, Tanza, Cavite, Bro. Dudes (as he likes to be called) accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He went to profess his belief and obedience to the ordinance of water baptism on Sept. 27, 2014. He followed up with daily one on one bible studies with Bro. Pol and Sis. Cynthia Bernardez who kindly and patiently helped him find answers to his questions about the Lord Jesus Christ, and also prayed for him. His prayers were answered! God healed his brokenness.
Bro. Dudes looked to the day when he could be of use to the Kingdom. And so it came as no surprise when, upon learning that there is going to be a medical mission by the Harvest for Christ Foundation and IDES on October 25, 2014, he eagerly volunteered his house to set up clinic for the patients. In addition to this, the first service of the Julugan Community Christian Church was held here also, on October 26, 2014.
Bro. & Sis. Bernardez actively shepherd the Tanza group of Churches of Christ which includes the Julugan Community Christian Church, Biga, Paradahan, Tanza-Bayan, Santol and Trece churches. These are rather small congregations averaging 20-30 members per local group.
On this HFCF medical mission held on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, there were 318 patients who registered for medical services (dental, optical, medical). Due to time constraint and availability of supplies, the medical team managed to attend to 271 patients.
-Milet Ismael