A Troubled Life

I was born in Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga on September 14, 1968. I am the eldest of three children in our family. We were still young when our parents left us to our grandparents in Naguillian, La Union because they were out of the country for several years. When I was in the sixth grade they returned to the Philippines and we stayed in Bauang, La Union.

As years passed by, because of my environment, I learned to make friends, have vices & do all kinds of mischief. I even learned to take in prohibited drugs. I had a long hair and wore an earring. I was known by the name “Eddie Boy Aban.” My life was evil and was fully captured by Satan. My parents were worried and cried over my situation. They prayed that I would change. They even did all they could to make me change.

Until one day, a group of Born Again Christians visited us. They preached the gospel to us and took care of us for almost a year. I also joined the group Iglesia ni Kristo and I was almost baptized. I even joined the Mormons. But despite all these I still did not change; my situation became even worse. I fought against my parents. My life had no direction. My time was wasted in vain things. My studies were much affected until I dropped out of school.

Brought to the Right Path

In March 1991, two months before I got saved, I felt emptiness within me. Although I had joy in having a lot of money, friends and excessive leisure in the world, I still had no satisfaction. I longed for something that could satisfy me. Praise the Lord, in May 1991, my salvation came and I was really satisfied.

Some saints were then preaching the gospel to our neighbors. Unfortunately, our neighbors did not receive, so they went to my aunt's house. While the saints were sharing the mystery of human life, it was the Lord's arrangement that I passed by my aunt's house. Upon entering the house, I was greeted as “brother,” and before I knew it, I was already sitting down and listening to them. When they were about to finish speaking, one sister prayed and mentioned our names one by one. When she mentioned my name, I could not explain, but I felt differently. That was the only time I heard such a prayer in my whole life. At that time, it seemed that the clouds were taken away from my eyes.

When they returned, I was not home because I was playing mah-jong. They called me and we fellowshipped, and they encouraged me to be baptized. Because my heart was hard, I told them to give me one week to think about it. They also invited me to attend a meeting of the church in San Fernando, La Union the following week. That day came and I went to San Fernando. Thank the Lord, I was baptized then at sea. After my baptism, I cried and was filled with joy and satisfaction. Now, my life has direction because I have received the eternal life of God.

Two days passed, I was invited to go to Baguio for a Conference. The speaker was Brother Liu. That night, a brother encouraged me to be trained for four months in Malabon. I did not have second thoughts and agreed immediately.

While I was waiting for the start of the 10th term of the training, I began to share the gospel to my relatives, especially to my parents and my two brothers. They got saved. Hallelujah! They witness how the old Christopher had changed. Truly our living is our preaching. I realized that regardless of who we are and of our past, as long as we come near to Him and receive Him as our life, the Lord will use us for His economy and we will enjoy all His riches. Praise the Lord.

Joining the Heavenly Training

In July 1991, I joined the 10th term of the Nazarite Traning. I learned how to coordinate with the brothers and sisters. My character was also adjusted. Most of all, I had intimate fellowship with the Lord.

While I was in the training, the churches of San Fernando & Baguio propagated in our place in order to have a golden lampstand there. Praise the Lord! On July 8, 1991 the church in Bauang was established! My father and I were designated as the leading brothers to stand for His testimony in Bauang.

After my training as a Nazarite, I coordinated with the church in Baguio. Then I continued my studies so that I would be qualified to be trained as a full-timer. Praise the Lord! I joined the Full-time Training after my studies.

Serving the Lord Lifetime

When I was in my first term of training, I declared that I will serve the Lord my whole life. Although there were many trials, many distractions from Satan, I was preserved by the Lord. Then, in my second term, I was sent to Mt. Province and saw the vast work of the Lord. It was there that I was totally captured by the Lord, and I consecrated my self to the Lord and to the church. Thank the Lord for such a privilege to serve Him. Truly, serving the Lord is the highest profession in the whole universe. I was given the opportunity to serve in different places such as Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Mt. Province, Benguet, and Baguio.

The Lord also blessed me with the lifetime partner who absolutely consecrated herself to the Lord. We got married on March 31, 2001. We stayed at the meeting hall of the church in Baguio for three years. On December 2003, Brother Liu said that my wife and I will be assigned to La Union which is my home province. It is a great privilege to be part of His work in La Union. On February 2004, we went there particularly to San Fernando and saw the great need of the churches most especially in young people’s work. Because of this, my wife and I prayed desperately to the Lord to seek His blessing and leading on how to cherish and nourish the saints for their spiritual growth. The burden is heavy and it is already upon our shoulders. We have a goal of raising up more pillars to take His way and to gain young people who would be full-time trainees.

As of now we are still passing through the valley of Baca but we know this valley of weeping will eventually lead to a spring and the early rain will cover it with blessing. Praise the Lord for the blessed highways to Zion. May the Lord bless the churches of La Union and Benguet. May He also preserve me and my family for the rest of our lives. We desire to always remain in Him and to see Him face to face. “The desire of my heart is not fame nor gain in this age. I only humbly desire to serve my Lord and to gain His praise on that day.”(Watchman Nee)

Christopher Aban
Church in San Fernnando City, La Union

A Chosen Vessel

Preserved by God

I was born on July 31, 1977 in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. I am the youngest in a family of six. When I was six months old, I contracted a very serious illness. My mother was then doing the laundry while I was being put to sleep by my cousin in the hammock, when suddenly I vomited blood, and blood oozed out from my nose and ears. I was immediately brought to the nearest clinic. Due to lack of facilities, I was transferred to Gabriela Silang General Hospital in Vigan, Ilocos Sur which is a 30-minute-ride away from Cabugao.

When the doctor saw me, they thought I had no hope of surviving. The doctor said that I needed to be operated on because of my damaged small intestines. But before the operation my parents had to sign a waiver saying they would accept whatever the result of my operation would be—dead or alive. At first, my father did not want to sign, fearing that I would die. But later on, he agreed. Thank the Lord, the operation was successful! I stayed in the hospital for almost three months to recuperate.

Everyone in our place said that it was a miracle from God that I survived, so, they called me “Milagrosa.” But as I look back, I consider it not as a miracle but as the Lord's arrangement. The Lord predestinated me.

Salvation

I grew up in Catholicism but I seldom attended mass. I went to the Daily Vacation Bible School in the Gospel Church near our house. Until I grew up, I always attended their Sunday Service and Bible Study, which kept me away from the world.

When I was in Grade 3, I once went home and saw a group of Christians baptizing our neighbors in a barrel. I watched and laughed at them. Then, when I was a freshman in college I met trainees from Malabon. They preached the gospel to my roommates and me. Immediately we were baptized on December 8, 1997. After my baptism, I found out that those people I saw baptizing our neighbors when I was in Grade 3 were also trainees from Malabon. Those whom I laughed at before, I finally accepted. I received God as my Lord and all.

Forsaking Division

It was the Lord's arrangement that I stayed at the meeting hall of the church in Vigan when I was in college. The first time I went to the meeting hall, I attended the Lord's Table Meeting. When I saw how they met, I found it to be strange and thought I made a mistake because I had only known the denominations’ way of meeting. Thus, I lost my interest in the meeting of the church. I always shied away from the brothers and sisters. Although I was staying at the meeting hall, I seldom attended the meeting and I even attended the meetings of the Full Gospel Church. During Lord’s Day morning, I attended the meeting of the Full Gospel Church, and in the afternoon I sometimes attended the Lord’s Table meeting of the church in Vigan. I did that for two years.

But time came when I felt no peace, having no satisfaction in what I was doing. I got confused as to which group was the real one. I asked the brothers and sisters about this, and they explain to me the proper ground of the church. As Christians, we should solidly stand on the ground of oneness, that is, the ground of locality—one locality, one church. The Lord hates division; what He desires is oneness. Revelation 18:4 says, “Come out of her my people that you may not participate in her sins and that you do not receive of her plagues.” The Lord is calling us to come out and return to the proper ground. When I saw this, I had a great turn. I answered the Lord's call. I left my denomination and became one with the brothers and sisters to testify for the oneness of the Body of Christ. Thank the Lord for His mercy! From then on, I fully enjoyed the church life together with the saints. I also joined the brothers and sisters in going out for door-knocking and home meetings. I even attended conferences and the Foretaste for the Full-time Training in Malabon (FTTM). It is indeed a joy to be with the brothers and sisters, enjoying the Lord.

If There’s a Will, There’s a Way

When I heard about the FTTM, the Lord captured me and I consecrated myself to the Lord. When I was about to graduate, I asked my parents to allow me to join the training but they did not approve. My mother even said that if I would leave our house for the training I should never again return and that I should forget that I even have parents. I cried as she was saying this to me. But although they did not agree, I decided that no matter what happens, I would still join the training. If there's a will, there's a way.

When it was time for me to go, I left a letter for my parents in my room and then I placed my bag on our kitchen roof. With the help of my two nephews (who are also our brothers), I was released for the training on March 31, 1997.
After one year of training, I went home to apologize for running away and to ask permission to be trained for another year. My parents still did not approve but they could not stop me. I still joined the FTA (Full-time Advanced) class. During that time I continuously came to the Lord that He may gain my parents.

After my second year, I spoke again with my parents. I told them that I want to be trained and be perfected more for His economy. I also explained to them that two years is not enough to be trained, even my whole life is not enough, compared to all that the Lord had done for me. I want to give my entire being to Him. From then on, their understanding was opened up. They said if I find happiness in the training I should just continue on. I was full of joy and gave praises to the Lord for His faithfulness. Truly, if we give Him the preeminence, He will take care of all things.

Training Life

I never regretted that I joined the FTTM. I know that it is the best decision I have ever made in my entire life because it is the best place for me to be equipped with the truth, saturated and permeated with Christ, and be molded to become a proper material for the building up of His Body.

I learn and enjoy many things in the training. First, having a personal, intimate, affectionate relationship with the Lord. Second, the high peak truths. Third, living an all-fitting life. And fourth, having a proper character to become useful in His economy.

I was also given the privilege to be sent in different places for propagation like Camarines Sur, Masbate, Bulacan, Zambales, Mt. Province and Metro Manila. In these places, I really experienced Christ as our all-fitting life. The Lord also opened my eyes to see the vastness of His work and the need for me to consecrate my whole being to Him. Also in the training, I met my lifetime partner.

Family Life

First Thessalonians 5:6-18 became an experience to me when I entered married life; I need to rejoice always, to pray unceasingly, and to give thanks for everything, every situation and circumstance. During the first month of my pregnancy, the doctor found out that there's a hematoma in my uterus. So the doctor advised bed rest for me and gave me medicine to keep the baby. My husband and I prayed desperately for the Lord to save our baby. Praise the Lord! The Lord is so faithful to us. On February 26, 2004, I delivered a normal and healthy baby. We called him Cedar which signifies the resurrected Christ and those who have been resurrected with Him. Truly, we experienced Him as the resurrected One.

At present, my husband Christopher, our son Cedar Christian, and I, are serving the churches of La Union and Benguet. May the Lord preserve us in the work and in the ministry. Our only desire is to remain in His presence and to be found faithful to Him at His coming back! Amen.

Louella Aban
Church in San Fernando City, La Union