IN THE LAST ISSUE OF STRONGER TOGETHER, AUTHOR LORENA ANGÉLICA MONSIVÁIS PERALTA TESTIFIED HOW GOD WATCHED OVER HER FAMILY’S FOOTSTEPS THE MOMENT HER HUSBAND DECIDED TO ENROLL IN A THEOLOGY PROGRAM. THIS ARTICLE CONCLUDES HER TESTIMONY.
MY HUSBAND WORKED hard every summer and every vacation period to cover his and our daughter’s tuition bills. Still, the amounts he earned were never enough. Thanks to God and His blessings, I was offered a job the day after we arrived on campus. It was not aligned with my profession, yet God opened the doors of heaven and gave the job to me. I am confident there are no coincidences or mistakes! God always goes
before His children to prepare their way.
His blessings continued! After two years, a small room became available on campus. We did not pay utilities, and the rent was significantly lower than we had been paying (something that rarely happens for students). About that time, I found out that I was pregnant. Now I faithfully confirm that our Father’s timing is perfect, yet I was disturbed upon receiving the news. My mind kept pointing out that God was allowing us to get a good shake-up. I was on my knees, praying and praying that He would manifest His will in our lives.
BLESSING UPON BLESSING
Just a few months before the birth of our child, we received news that the last business we had—the business we already considered lost—was returning to us because the current owners could not pay for it. We immediately asked the family to help us dismantle and preserve all the equipment so we could recover some assets.
We again felt the care that the Lord had for us when the university had a similar project. We were able to negotiate the equipment to be applied toward the debt we had. You know, that was a breath of air in our lives. Our tuition debt had grown to the point that, in a short time, my husband would only be able to continue studying if the school debt was paid or settled. God manifested Himself with great power and allowed a considerable amount to be paid to our account.
Compañeras, my life in those four years always hung by a very thin thread of little faith, fears, discouragements, worries, and insecurity, even though God blessed us with every blink of the eye. My spiritual blindness led me to question God. I did not want to see how He had already answered my prayer. Day after day I asked Him, “Did You really call us to Your service?” and every day He
told me, “Lorena, do not fear because I am with you.”
My husband received a scholarship in the last year and a half of university. Combined with his summer and winter jobs, we could gradually cover the debts. My baby was blessed with donated clothes, diapers, and toys. This is how we were able to cover his needs.
“As for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 18:30, New Heart English Bible).
Six months before my husband finished his degree, we remained aware that God had helped us up to that point, but my faith began to waver. Would my husband receive a call to ministry? One day during worship at the university, the pastor said, “God does not sponsor failures.”
I recalled all God had done in our lives, all the blessings we had enjoyed. We could see the angels of God go through our home in our times of need. We experienced joy amid the storm of a baby. We could look back and see the moments of sadness pass—the moments where we thought we could not go on—and see that the Lord always sustained us. We saw how God reaffirmed our stay at the university by providing for us, wiping away our tears, and turning trials into blessings.
Graduation day rapidly approached. There was a massive celebration at the university, where administrators of the Inter-American Division, administrators of the five unions in Mexico, pastors, and other authorities gathered. We would soon discover that the Lord had prepared the answer we were waiting for. Our greatest desire—the best gift we could hope for—was to serve Him in the ministry. That celebration day, they told my husband they already had a calling for him. It would start the day he graduated! My joy did not fit in my heart! I asked God for forgiveness for my lack of faith. I thanked Him for all that He let us experience and for the four years that I remained on my knees praying and asking for His quick help.
How can we not believe in our Heavenly Father? How can we not praise Him? How can we not testify to His great love for His children? Dear friends, I invite you to have faith, much faith. If you are going through difficult times, trust Him! If you are in the middle of a storm, kneel and wait patiently for His answer! If He has brought joy to your heart and your home, praise Him and testify to His power!
Thanks to our Heavenly Father, we have experienced five years of ministry. We have served three fields in two unions. God has also allowed me to enter His work. We will continue for as long as He allows under the slogan “Passionate for souls!”
I hope my testimony can greatly help and bless your life. Remember: God does not sponsor failures. “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
