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SANTANDER, Philippines — Twelve individuals, including a 74-year-old amputee, were baptized following a weeklong Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic crusade in Santander.

The baptisms culminated the "Prophecies of Hope in Times of Crisis" series, conducted by Bernie Maniego, president of the Central Visayan Conference.

The story began when a layman named Ricardo Santing, assigned to the southern tip of Cebu, particularly the Municipality of Santander, visited the home of Tatay Samuel Jordao and Nanay Prima to sell dried fish as his part-time income. Tatay Samuel is 69 years old, and Nanay Prima is 74 with a physical disability, having lost one of her legs due to complications from diabetes. 

What began as a simple house visit to sell dried fish eventually led to meaningful conversations about the Word of God. During that visit, they began discussing the Bible and discovering the wonderful truths found in God’s Word. 

However, Kuya Ricardo was scheduled to be transferred to Sogod, Northern Cebu. Before leaving, he returned to Tatay Samuel and Nanay Prima's home to continue Bible studies. This time, he was accompanied by Ashelie Tolentin, a part-time lady lay worker from Cabutongan Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santander, part of the Southern Cebu District under the Central Visayan Conference, together with their district pastor, Pastor Joel Terana. 

They were introduced, and the Bible studies continued. 

On another visit, they joined in celebrating Tatay Samuel’s birthday. Before the meal, they gathered for a Bible study. In the midst of the celebration, something unusual occurred: Nanay Prima asked about the tall man she believed had accompanied Ricardo on his first visit. She repeated her question and pointed to the very spot where she remembered him sitting.

The truth, however, was that Ricardo had visited their home alone. He had no companion with him during that first visit. Although they gently explained to Nanay Prima that Ricardo had come alone, she remained certain a tall man had been there with him. 

This mysterious experience became a cherished part of their journey, a gentle reminder that some things lie beyond our understanding and that God’s ways can be wonderfully mysterious.

Eventually, Ricardo was transferred to Northern Cebu. Ashelie Tolentin then continued the Bible study with her lady lay worker partner, Geraldine Isiderio, and their church elder, Beregorio Omaya. They faithfully continued studying God’s Word with the family, nurturing their faith and guiding them toward a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

Then came a special opportunity for the family to hear more about God’s promises through a weeklong evangelistic crusade entitled “Prophecies of Hope in Times of Crisis,” held in one of the barangays of the municipality. Pastor Bernie Maniego, president of the Adventist Church in the Central Visayan Conference, conducted the series. 

Tatay Samuel, his cousin Tatay Alex, and Kuya Roel, a relative who had recently arrived from Mindanao, were invited to attend. Night after night, they faithfully came to hear messages of hope and the wonderful promises found in God’s Word. 

At the culmination of the evangelistic crusade, twelve precious souls stepped forward in public baptism, joyfully surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ. One was Nanay Prima, a woman whose hope far outstripped the size of her physical limitations even after losing one of her legs. 

She yearned for the gift of eternal life and waited for the day when Jesus would come back and restore all things, including her health and strength. She believed in His promise of a better life to come, and with faith and courage, she decided to give her life to Christ. 

For Nanay Prima, it wasn’t just a rite. It was a statement of faith, a pledge to follow Jesus, and an expression of her hope in the blessed promise of His Second Coming. 

Indeed, this story shows that no physical limitation can hold back a heart that longs for Jesus. Through humble home visits, steadfast Bible studies, and the united efforts of God’s servants, lives were transformed, faith blossomed, and precious souls found their way to Christ.

What started as a simple visit blossomed into a remarkable journey of faith, culminating in a beautiful decision that echoes into eternity.

By Ashelie Tolentin, Adventists Central Visayas