Carmencita Rabino
I am Carmencita Rabino, 69 years old, a single parent with three children. We are not born in a Christian faith.
I knew the Lord in the month and year November 1986, but only up to the mouth. In the Baptist church through my missionary sister. They had a bible study with our relatives. I also go to church with them but there was no sincerity. She told me why not try God? So I try to go to church.
Until, my husband and I had a hard time. He had a relationship with another woman. Until, he completely left us, me and our three children. It was that time, that our lives turned upside down. It was very difficult for me because I didn't have a job since before we broke up, my husband made me stop working to focus on taking care of our children, so our situation was that difficult for us.
My children were still small, my eldest was 11 years old (1980), my second child was 10 years old (1981) and my youngest was 6 years old (19885) and they all needed nurturing. I don't even know how to provide them.
With the intensity of the weight we experienced, I almost couldn't handle it. Until I came to the point where I tried to kill myself and run over the bus in the Marikaban place near the Kabayan hotel area. I saw the vehicle and it was going fast, so I decided to crossed suddenly. As I was crossing, I felt that everything happened so fast, but I was wondering why nothing happened to me and why I was not running over by the vehicle. Because of the difficulty of the circumstances, I also wanted to retaliate. I sued my husband for leaving us and to give him the responsibility by continuing the financial support to our children. I also carried a knife for almost two years, and every time my husband and I faced each other in court, I felt so angry that I wanted to stab him.
Because of the encouragement of my missionary sister, God used her for me to completely surrender to God and entrust to Him all the hatred, pain and suffering I felt. It's really hard for me to give up everything, it's hard to forgive. But as I got to know God, little by little, there was a change happen in my heart. I didn't force myself on my husband but what really breaks my heart is to see my children struggling with what is happening. I said to God, Lord, strengthen me, for my children. Help me and my children.
I felt God's protection, His love and forgiveness, His protection and care for my children and true peace in my heart. So the time came when I decided to forgive. God had given me a chance to see my husband and I forgave him personally. My children accepted what happened. We did not ask for alimony ever again.
I also had given an opportunity to work abroad, in the year 2004. But, before I could even go abroad, I had another trials, I had a lung disease called tuberculosis. But God was so good because the employer agreed and accepted my application even though it is forbidden to a sick applicant to work in a Muslim country.
Then, I had a good job as a tailor in the palace of Abu Dhabi. I made clothes for a whole family. While I am in abroad, God was not abandon us. My children became scholars in their school and I just sent them money to pay for electricity, water and other things. That's all they really need.
On February 5, 2017, I went home and stopped working. My children also have their own families. But I still continued to support them through savings and benefits. I don't even think about saving for myself as I get older, as long as I know that my children are in good condition then that makes me happy. That's how it feels when you are a parent. I thank the Lord for my children.
Since then, I have spent my whole life in the service of God until now. And I am thankful for the privilege of serving Him. He called me to evangelism and I went to different places to spread His Good News. Even though there were many challenges in sharing, where people sometime reject the word of God, but I thank the Lord for the joy of continuing and share the hope with others. I always prayed and give thanks to the Lord for He protect my children and their families, my relatives and people I know closely or not. I prayed that they also fully recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and savior of their lives.
It's great when you are with God. Even if there are trials, you are peaceful and joyful. So all praises be to our Great God!
