Right after our night duty, I and my 2 colleagues braved the rain and flood in the metro to reach the recruitment agency. We responded to their advertisement for nurses needed in USA.
We reached the agency just right after they opened so we were among the first to be entertained. We went through the first interviews and we thought the we went well. My two colleagues were ahead of me and they were put on the call back list to under another interview on August 22. I was the last to be called for the final interview and after a few minutes I was told by the interviewer that I am qualified for the position except that my religion seemed to be a big problem.
She told me that we did not have church in Corpus Christi , Texas and they have had previous experience when some of the employees who belong to the church I am in had serious problems finishing their contracts due to spiritual issue. Their inability to find a church in their area of deployment caused them to breach their contract with the employer there.
I was put on the second priority list. I asked what it meant. I did not get a clear answer.
I told her that since the last time they hired an nurse having the same religion as mine was in 2004, there is a big change that our church administration has found a way to put up a congregation there. So I told her that I will look for one. She said I could try.
I actually did not have a heavy heart leaving their office. I know for a fact that religion should never be an issue. Religion should always come first.
As soon as I got home, I searched the internet and I was not surprised to find out that we have a church in Corpus Christi along with the other states the recruiter have mentioned during our interview.
I texted the interviewer right away about the good news. She replied that she will let the sponsor in America know.
End of conversation. While I am uncertain about the call back, I am certain that I would not trade my faith for anything in this world.

I was born and raised Iglesia ni Cristo. Yes, for some time, I went astray but when I had the chance to go back and join the flock I tried my hardest not to be lost again. I held onto my fight so tight.
My life has been in limbo ever since and it was never a walk in the park but I do not consider it as failure. I maybe lacking the wealth this world could offer but this does not make me less of a person. My wealth is my faith and I shall not falter.
Even now that I am dealing with serious health condition, I gather my strength from Almighty God.
I have been in my strongest of faith because of the perseverance of Bro. Erano “Erdy” Manalo . On low key, and not jumping into any publicity, he has led the church and kept united in faith.
Ka Erdy has been constantly preaching that God has prepared a place for his chosen ones and that all the hardships and sufferings that His children are experiencing here on earth will vanish and He shall wipe the tears in our eyes come judgement day. That this earth is not our home but merely a road that we travel on on our way to His kingdom.
Now that Ka Erdy is gone, I am in deep sorrow, the whole church is mourning but we know that our battle does not end here. We have to carry on…bear each cross until we reach the end of the journey. Either until our death on earth or the second coming of our Lord Jesus.

It was exactly 2:00 pm. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would come out of my chest. I almost choked every pulse this hollow muscle gave. I fidgeted when the lady on the other line spoke but it seemed I was defibrillated hearing from her that he has not made his decision yet and that I should call back on Monday.
Aaarghh! I know he is busy but is it really hard to choose?
I hate the feeling of being uncertain. I am uncertain if he would let me in to or just kick me out of his world.
As I want to put closure to this big chapter of my life, for the innermost desire of my heart, I have to make that call again on Monday. I have stopped taking in propanolol for almost three years already and I think I would need to pop another one before I dial his number again.
I’m gonna lose it. I am praying that he would still say yes to me.
Lord please help me. You are my only hope. You know how long I have waited for this, how I have desired to be with him.