Written by Rina Miller
This blog has been edited in such a way as to preserve the voice of the author, who writes in English, her fourth language. Changes made are visible in brackets.
Rina Miller was a student in Bible College in the philippines when she first encountered G.O.D. Int’l.
I love God and I am committed to serve Him in any way, one of the reasons I quit my job in 2006 and enrolled in Bible College. We were 81 students on that small campus and were trying to work harmoniously. With many rules on the campus we made sure we abided by it religiously so it would look good in our community.
I used to wake up so early in the morning to do my chores, particularly doing laundry so that I wouldn’t be hassling with other students. One day, it was announced that we would be having visitors coming that week. Little did I know that those visitors would become my good friends and co-workers in the LORD.
Rina’s warm welcome to our ministry team forged a relationship that has lasted since 2006.
It was the last week of July, around 4 in the morning when a group of people arrived riding a minibus, sweaty and tired but they had big smiles and a ready-to-serve spirit. They made it a bumpy and crazy 24 hours bus ride from Manila to Leyte.
Among all the students of my Bible College I was one of the many who became close to the team. Despite my average level of communication towards Americans and their culture I was confident to talk to them, be friends with them, and speak or teach about Filipino culture and also my faith in the LORD.
I can say I was privileged to see being a servant demonstrated in the way they worked hard for others. I came to see how to love others in the love of the LORD through their intentional conversation with them. I came to experience a different teaching of God's word for the first time, even at first it was kind of unacceptable due to my religious views on Bible context and my not so Biblical-mind doctrine. (rina is referencing a catholic upbringing, with little opportunity for in-depth bible study.)
Being friends with the people from G.O.D. has no boundary, not that American culture should dominate or Filipino culture but should be Kingdom Culture. It was (and is) a plus point for me when they eat our food, trying to speak our language and learn about our culture. A learning that they should know and take priority on because they have committed to serving the Filipino people. Since then, they visit the Philippines almost yearly and I am honored to go on their mission team each time, where they go to feed the hungry, pray for the sick, preach the Word, and love others in so many ways.
Rina and her family are engaged in many areas of ministry, including serving in the local women’s jail. It’s our goal to raise $250k before December 31st in support of this effort and many like it, bringing empowering and educational workshops and seminars to the incarcerated women there. You can join us, by clicking the link below!